Home Blog Page 339

MotoGP: Quartararo Extends Contract With Yamaha Through 2026

David Swarts
-
0
MotoGP: Quartararo Extends Contract With Yamaha Through 2026

Fabio Quartararo Extends Contract with Yamaha for 2025-2026

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. is delighted to announce that Fabio Quartararo will stay with the Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP Team for a further two years.

Gerno di Lesmo (Italy), 5th April 2024

It is with great pleasure that Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. confirm Fabio Quartararo as a Factory Yamaha rider for the 2025 and 2026 MotoGP season.

Keeping the exceptionally talented Frenchman in the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team was top priority for the Iwata factory, as they are putting their full effort into supporting Quartararo. His decision to ‘stay with the blue team’ was positively influenced by the strong commitment Yamaha has made to return to winning ways with the ongoing development of the YZR-M1.

Though ‘only’ in their fourth year together, the Quartararo-Yamaha combination is already considered a natural pairing amongst MotoGP fans. The successful partnership led to Quartararo’s first MotoGP World Championship Title in 2021, in his very first season with the Factory Team, and to the Vice Champion Title in 2022.

Further Yamaha highlights on Quartararo’s résumé are the 8 race wins and 21 podiums with the Factory Team over the 2021-2024 seasons so far, as well as the 3 race wins and 10 podiums with the satellite team the two years prior. Moreover, he secured 16 pole positions, and 41 front-row starts out of a total of 93 Grand Prix weekends aboard the YZR-M1.

These achievements, on top of his undeniable skills, unequalled motivation, and infectious cheerful personality, have Yamaha fully confident in their partnership with the 24-year-old.

LIN JARVIS

Managing Director, Yamaha Motor Racing

We are very pleased that Fabio will remain a Yamaha rider.

“Keeping Fabio as a part of the Factory Team is integral to Yamaha’s MotoGP Project. Fabio is an exceptional talent, a hard worker, a great team player, and he has many competitive years ahead of him.

“Yamaha Motor Company, Yamaha Motor Racing, and the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team are sparing no effort to ensure a bright future with Fabio by taking a more ‘aggressive approach’ to bike development.

“We have already made significant changes to our organisation including a new internal management system, recruitment of top expertise within the industry, new external technical partnerships, increased development budget, and an intensified testing programme. All these changes are designed to speed up the process for us to return to winning ways.

“Fabio has understood this commitment, and this has given him the confidence to make his decision to stay with us for the coming years.

“Fabio has been with Yamaha since 2019 and with us, the Factory Team, since 2021. In a relatively short time span of just four years, we achieved many successes: 8 wins, 21 podiums, a MotoGP World Title, and a Vice Champion Title.

“We are the first to admit that there is much work to do to get back to the competitive level we were at in 2021 and the first half of 2022. But with Fabio you know he will always put in 100% of his best effort. It also comes natural to him to create harmony and a good atmosphere with all staff members. He can count on the Team’s and Yamaha’s full support every step of the way as we challenge to win more championships together.

FABIO QUARTARARO

I am super happy to announce that I am going to continue my adventure in BLUE!

“Last winter Yamaha proved to me that they have a new approach and a new aggressive mindset. My confidence is high: we will be back at the front together!

“Six years ago, they gave me the chance to step up to MotoGP, and since then we have achieved great things together. We still have a long way ahead of us to start fighting for victory again. I will work hard, and I am sure that, together, we will achieve our dream once more!

NOTES

FABIO QUARTARARO

Personal Profile

Date of birth: 20 April 1999

Place of birth: Nice, France

Nationality: French

Height: 177 cm

Weight: 69 kg

Racing Career

First Grand Prix: Qatar GP 2015 (Moto3)

First Grand Prix Win: Catalan GP 2018 (Moto2)

First Premier Class Grand Prix Win: 2020 Spanish GP

Grand Prix Wins: 12 (11x MotoGP, 1x Moto2)

Podiums: 35 (31x MotoGP, 2x Moto2, 2x Moto3)

Pole positions: 19 (16x MotoGP, 1x Moto2, 2x Moto3)

World Championship Titles: 1 (2021 MotoGP World Champion with the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team)

2023 MotoGP World Championship (10th – 172 points)

2022 MotoGP World Championship (2nd – 248 points) [Vice Champion]

2021 MotoGP World Championship (1st – 278 points) [World Champion]

2020 MotoGP World Championship (8th – 127 points)

2019 MotoGP World Championship (5th – 192 points) [Rookie of the Year, Top Independent Rider]

2018 Moto2 World Championship (10th – 138 points)

2017 Moto2 World Championship (13th – 64 points)

2016 Moto3 World Championship (13th – 83 points)

2015 Moto3 World Championship (10th – 92 points)

MV Agusta Unveils 2024 Enduro Veloce Adventure Model

David Swarts
-
0
MV Agusta Unveils 2024 Enduro Veloce Adventure Model

MV AGUSTA ENDURO VELOCE

MV Agusta unveils Enduro Veloce, the motorcycle that follows on from the LXP Orioli limited series as the Italian brand continues its journey in the high-performance adventure bike segment.

The Enduro Veloce pays tribute to a story that dates back almost eighty years. It was with the 98 ridden by Vincenzo Nencioni that the company first won a race, the “Golfo di La Spezia” off-road regularity race, on 8 October 1946. Three years later, several regularity motorcycles were prepared to participate in the British Six Days, a race that saw the great Carlo Ubbiali score MV Agusta its first international victory.

The new Enduro Veloce is the embodiment of MV Agusta’s key values: 100% Italian manufacturing, craftsmanship, engineering excellence and high performance, all in a motorcycle that represents the manufacturer’s original take on the adventure bike segment.

The riding ease and distinctive, dynamic character are the result of a combination of unique technical, style and engineering solutions.

 

A 2024-model MV Agusta Enduro Veloce. Photo courtesy MV Agusta.
A 2024-model MV Agusta Enduro Veloce. Photo courtesy MV Agusta.

 

STYLE

The Enduro Veloce epitomises MV Agusta’s aesthetic standards. And, like every MV, it must be recognisable at first glance, identified as a member of that exclusive club, reserved to the world’s most beautiful bikes. The heritage and grandeur of the past live on in a radically contemporary object.

The Enduro Veloce has been created by designers at the cutting-edge MV Agusta style centre. Harmonious lines meet no-compromise solutions, the result of very successful design research and technical assessments.

A compact and pared back tail section contrasts with the front end, the volumes and shape of which are defined to effectively protect the rider from the air and offer a comfortable riding position that also affords maximum control. The extensive fairings are completed with a transparent plexiglass top fairing, designed to minimise turbulence in the helmet area.

 

The head-on view of a 2024-model MV Agusta Enduro Veloce. Photo courtesy MV Agusta.
The head-on view of a 2024-model MV Agusta Enduro Veloce. Photo courtesy MV Agusta.

 

Another very evocative style element is the iconic Ago Red and Ago Silver colour combination, which boosts the distinctive design of the motorcycle.

Aerodynamics have played an important part in defining the style of the Enduro Veloce. The design of the front mudguard, for example, was only finalised after a series of road tests and software simulations to ensure the utmost aerodynamic efficiency. Similarly, the lines of the front end maximise air flow directed to the radiator for cooling. This balance of attention to style and engineering research can also be seen in the air extractors on the side panels, the specific analysis of which results in a shape that guarantees the greatest comfort. The entire project involved comprehensive aerodynamic research using dedicated software and extensive road testing to recreate different situations of use, with a solo rider and both rider and passenger. This analysis was not just about verifying air protection, but also considered the impact on riding, to ensure stable behaviour even at high speed and complete with top and side cases.

ENGINE

The new 931 cc engine boasts an iconic technical solution seen on all new generation MV Agusta in-line three-cylinders: the counter-rotating crankshaft. Designed, developed, and built entirely at the firm’s factory, the engine stands out for its lightness, weighing in at just 57 kg, and extreme compactness.

But the engine’s compactness and contained weight are not the only features that contribute to the incredible handling of the Enduro Veloce. With a gyroscopic effect that essentially cancels out that of the front wheel, the counter-rotating crankshaft allows for particularly rapid changes in direction. This is particularly valuable on a model that mounts a 21” front wheel, in keeping with off-road tradition.

 

The 931cc inline three-cylinder engine of the 2024-model MV Agusta Enduro Veloce. Photo courtesy MV Agusta.
The 931cc inline three-cylinder engine of the 2024-model MV Agusta Enduro Veloce. Photo courtesy MV Agusta.

 

As with every MV Agusta, performance is first-rate. The engine delivers maximum power of 124 hp at 10,000 rpm and 102 Nm of torque at 7,000 rpm. This data translates into pure riding pleasure, with an engine that guarantees power at high rpm and immediate torque at low range. The rider can already harness 85% of the maximum torque at 3,000 rpm. The bore-stroke ratio, larger compared to 675 and 798 cc units, combined with new camshaft profiles and timing makes for an engine that is very enjoyable and usable on the road.

The double overhead camshaft benefits from a DLC coating to reduce friction to a minimum.

The engine plays a key role in ensuring rider comfort in that vibration is reduced thanks to the countershaft and thorough study of the crank gear. The outstanding R&D work conducted at MV Agusta also ensures that operating temperatures remain particularly contained. Another positive in terms of comfort.

The rider can exploit the engine performance with a smooth and precise 6-speed gearbox, which can still be removed from the right rather than the left side. The Electronically Assisted Shift (EAS) system in its 4.0 version allows for up- and down-shifting with the quickshift while the throttle is open. Though less used, clutch operation is smooth and consistent thanks to hydraulic control.

The sound of the Enduro Veloce transmits excitement thanks to an exhaust system complete with bypass, the valve of which, when open, makes for a sound closer to that of a Superbike replica than an adventure bike. The symphony of the MV Agusta three-cylinder is the undisputed star of the acoustic experience aboard the Enduro Veloce, also on account of minimal mechanical and intake noise.

ELECTRONICS

The MV Agusta Enduro Veloce boasts an exceptional electronics package. The 6-axis inertial platform collates significant dynamic data that is processed in real time, with the electronics using this to determine intervention. Adapting to all riding conditions and rider preferences, the Enduro Veloce boasts four riding modes: Urban, Touring, Off-Road and Custom All-Terrain.

The Full Ride by Wire accelerator system gives the rider full control over performance by harnessing torque management strategies.

 

The view of the cockpit of the 2024-model MV Agusta Enduro Veloce. Photo courtesy MV Agusta.
The view of the cockpit of the 2024-model MV Agusta Enduro Veloce. Photo courtesy MV Agusta.

 

Traction control, which can be deactivated, offers eight levels of intervention, with five dedicated to road use, two to off-road use and one for use on wet, low-grip surfaces.

In addition, through the main menu, it is possible to adapt the electronic response of the ECU based on the tyres that the rider chooses to mount. Therefore, the Enduro Veloce is equipped with 8 Traction Control levels based on the use of Bridgestone Battlax A41and 8 based on the AX41.

There are two levels of engine brake intervention, to be managed independently of the preselected Riding Mode. Level 1 corresponds to a reduced engine brake; level 2 is full engine brake. The Enduro Veloce is equipped with Launch Control. Activated via the right electric block, this offers the rider real control over the incredible acceleration, which sees the bike go from 0-100 km/h in 3”72. Such acceleration is also managed thanks to the Front Lift Control (FLC).

As with all MV Agusta models, Cornering ABS associates the RLM (Rear Wheel Lift-Up Mitigation) function with brake management through the turns. This reduces rear wheel lift and keeps the wheel on the ground in the case of extreme deceleration, for greater efficiency and safety when braking. There are 2 different ABS settings: Level 1 translates into a less invasive intervention on the front, perfect for sporty and off-road use, disengaged on the rear and with cornering function switched off, whilst RLM intervenes less intrusively.

Full ABS intervention is present when the rider selects Level 2, where ABS is active both on the front and rear and both Cornering and RLM functions are activated. ABS can only be deactivated in Off-Road and Custom All-Terrain modes.

The Enduro Veloce is equipped with Cruise Control, which can be adjusted in increments of 1 or 5 km/h through the switch cube on the left-hand side. Cruise control can be deactivated via the accelerator, with the use of counter rotation, which allows the rider to completely avoid using the brakes and maintain the ideal level of comfort and safety even in situations of sustained speed.

The quality, design of the graphics, and wealth of information accessible via the HD TFT screen only add to the touring spirit of the Enduro Veloce. The 7-inch screen allows for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connection and can be adjusted in terms of brightness and graphics layout. With the MV Ride app, a smartphone can be quickly connected and used, for example, to follow a route turn by turn, to save an itinerary and share it, or to set up the bike’s many customisable operating parameters. Ignition is keyless, for maximum comfort.

The handlebar controls have LED backlighting for ease of use in all light conditions.

CHASSIS

The Enduro Veloce is MV Agusta’s take on the highly competitive adventure bike segment. The Italian manufacturer’s latest addition reflects the MV Agusta philosophy of creating motorcycles with which people can fall in love, thanks to an extraordinary balance of chassis, engine, and electronics. The Enduro Veloce guarantees high-level performance on and off-road as well as maximum comfort during long-range travel.

The frame of the Enduro Veloce exploits a modern perimetral structure with a closed double cradle design. Materials and percentages have been carefully studied to offer perfect balance and the best compromise in terms of stability during high-speed road use and the ability to absorb energy during off-road use. The layout also lends itself to intense off-road use, in total safety. The rear subframe can be removed to facilitate maintenance or eventual replacement. The swingarm is in aluminium alloy for a weight saving that translates into heightened agility.

 

The back half of the 2024-model MV Agusta Enduro Veloce. Photo courtesy MV Agusta.
The back half of the 2024-model MV Agusta Enduro Veloce. Photo courtesy MV Agusta.

 

The Sachs fork with 48 mm is adjustable in compression, rebound and pre-load, with wheel travel of 210 mm. The adjustable Sachs mono shock guarantees rear wheel travel of 210 mm and is connected to the suspension via a progressive linkage. Pre-load can be practically managed via a dedicated knob.

Seat height is 870 mm, but the adjustable seat means this can be lowered to 850 mm. The shape and padding of the seat have been carefully studied to ensure comfort and adequate support in all conditions of use, including long-range highway travel. Ground clearance is 230 mm, ideal for off-road use.

The Brembo braking system is very high quality, comprising Stylema callipers on 320 mm floating discs at the front and a dual-piston calliper with 265 mm disc at the rear.

EQUIPMENT

For maximum visibility and safety, the Enduro Veloce is equipped with a full LED front and rear lighting system.

As standard, the Enduro Veloce mounts Bridgestone Battlax A41 tyres in sizes 90/90-21 and 150/70-18 on Takasago Excel tubeless wheels with an elegant black finish. Bridgestone Battlax AX41 tyres are also homologated for those using the bike mainly off-road.

A wide range of accessories have been developed for the Enduro Veloce. These include MV-branded rigid aluminium side cases, equipped with the rapid release and push-block systems and with a respective capacity of 39 and 32 litres. For those keen to give the Enduro Veloce a more off-road look, MV Agusta has studied and developed protection bars, a reinforced aluminium skid plate, additional lights and the Termignoni titanium exhaust.

The Mobisat anti-theft system with integrated geolocation is offered free of charge for the first year.

MV RIDE APP

Like the entire MV Agusta range, the Enduro Veloce works with the free MV Ride app, which has been significantly revised and updated to make it even more efficient and advanced in terms of connectivity. The rider can now enter a destination and view the route, turn by turn, on the colour TFT display. By enabling the Trip record functionality, data acquisition is active during riding. The experience begins before the engine is even turned on and can be relived once the journey ends, by reviewing the route, and data regarding speed, gears used, lean angle, altitude and so on. The rider can add to the experience by uploading routes of their day to share with other users of the MV Ride app. The app includes the option to personalise motorcycle response via the Custom mapping, which can be renamed as desired and even shared with other users within the ecosystem. A “Tuscany” map can be created, for example, and then made available to other Enduro Veloce owners, building this way a community.

4-YEAR FACTORY WARRANTY

The Enduro Veloce is delivered with a four-year factory warranty, which does not only improve the MV Agusta customer experience but also serves as tangible proof of the faith the company has in its Made in Italy motorcycles and in the strict quality control processes that every motorcycle undergoes.

Roadracing World Young Guns 2024: Torin Collins

David Swarts
-
0
Roadracing World Young Guns 2024: Torin Collins

Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 28th consecutive year of showcasing an abundance of new talent.

Roadracing World Young Guns have won:

FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;

MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 13 AMA Pro Superbike Championships;

A KTM RC Cup World Final race;

WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;

ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;

AMA Road Racing Grand Championships and Horizon Awards;

USGPRU National Championships;

Many regional and local titles.

The competition has continually become more intense as more – and younger—racers with higher levels of accomplishment are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.

We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2024 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.

The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.

We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.

The entire Roadracing World Young Guns, Class of 2024 is featured in the April 2024 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine.

 

Torin Collins at the MotoAmerica Supersport podium at COTA in 2023. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Torin Collins at the MotoAmerica Supersport podium at COTA in 2023. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

 

Torin Collins

Age: 18.

Current home: Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Current height/weight: 5’10”/160 pounds.

Current school grade level: Graduated High School.

Began riding at age: 5 years.

First road race: 2012, Calgary, Alberta, Alberta Mini Road Racing Association, Youth 6-9, 3rd place.

Current racebike: Suzuki GSX-R750.

Current tuner/mechanic: Altus Motorsports Factory Racing.

Primary race series: MotoAmerica Supersport.

Top sponsors: Bickle Racing, Novalda Coaching, Kabuto Helmets, Mithos Leathers, Fusport Boots, Rainers Gloves, Motorheads Track Attack, Supersonic School, Area 27, Rocky Mountain Motorsports.

Recent racing accomplishments: 2023 season, tied for 28th in FIM JuniorGP World Championship (best race finish was 15th in Race Two at Valencia), 1st Canadian to score points in FIM JuniorGP World Championship, placed 18th in MotoAmerica Supersport Championship (finished 3rd and 4th in only 2 races he started); 2022 season, best race finish was 17th in FIM JuniorGP Moto3 Junior World Championship, 1 win and multiple podium finishes in CVMA 2022-2023 Winter Series; 2021 season, tied for 30th in the FIM European Talent Cup Championship (best race finish was 14th at Jerez); 2020 season, raced in European Talent Cup (best race finish was 16th); 2019 season, finished 15th in British Talent Cup (best race finish was 7th); 2018 season, selected to join 2019 British Talent Cup, won EMRA Lightweight Superbike and Lightweight Open Championships (11 wins, set 2 class lap records), multiple race wins in 2018/2019 CVMA Winter Series, won UtahSBA Moto3 race at Utah Motorsports Campus; 2017 season, won 7 CMA Mini Road Racing National Championships, won 2 FIM Mini Road Racing Championships, won 8 races and set 2 class lap records during 2017/2018 CVMA Winter Series.

2024 racing goal: Finish in the top 5 in MotoAmerica Supersport Championship.

Racing career goal: Race in the Superbike or MotoGP World Championship.

Racing hero: Jack Miller.

Favorite track: Estoril.

Favorite Hobbies: Motocross, ice riding, gaming, working out.

If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Riding on the ice or on a motocross track.

…

Some of the riders who have graduated from Young Guns and gone on to racing success in National or International series include:

2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion Jason Aguilar (R.I.P.);

2013 AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and 2022 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Corey Alexander;

AMA Pro Daytona SportBike race winner Tommy Aquino (R.I.P.);

2008 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and multi-time MotoAmerica Superbike race winner J.D. Beach;

five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion and Moto2 World Championship point scorer Cameron Beaubier;

MotoAmerica Twins Cup race winner Jackson Blackmon;

former Canadian Sport Bike Champion Tomas Casas;

three-time Canadian Sport Bike Champion and 2014 Canadian Superbike Champion Jodi Christie;

former AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 race winner Josh Day;

2011 Daytona 200 winner Jason DiSalvo;

2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Championship runner-up and current MotoAmerica team owner Dustin Dominguez;

2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2019 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, and 2021 Canadian Superbike Champion Alex Dumas;

four-time Pikes Peak International Hill Climb race winner and former motorcycle track record holder Carlin Dunne (R.I.P.);

Canadian Superbike race winner Bodhi Edie;

two-time AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, two-time AMA Pro XR1200/Harley-Davidson Champion and four-time Daytona 200 winner Danny Eslick;

2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Bobby Fong;

2010 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, 2015 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North America Superstock 1000 Champion, and three-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne;

two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and World Superbike podium finisher Garrett Gerloff;

2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Championship runner-up Michael Gilbert;

2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Champion, 2023 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Champion Hayden Gillim;

2002 AMA Superbike Champion and 2006 FIM MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden (R.I.P.);

2007 AMA Pro 600cc Supersport Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up, and 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship runner-up Roger Hayden;

eight-time AMA Pro Superbike race winner and two-time AMA Supersport Champion Tommy Hayden;

2013 AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and three-time Daytona 200 winner Josh Herrin;

MotoAmerica Supersport front-runner Teagg Hobbs;

AMA Pro Superstock race winner Jake Holden;

2011 British Superbike Championship runner-up and former MotoGP and World Superbike regular John Hopkins;

2015 Supersport World Championship runner-up, 2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Patrick “P.J.” Jacobsen;

2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, Moto2 World Championship point scorer, and MotoAmerica Superbike racer Sean Dylan Kelly;

Canadian Superbike race winner Kevin Lacombe;

two-time MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2020 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up Rocco Landers;

two-time MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Andrew Lee;

2021 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 and Superbike Cup Champion Jake Lewis;

MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Sam Lochoff;

MotoAmerica Superstock 600 race winner Nick McFadden;

AMA Pro SuperSport race winner and MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Stefano Mesa;

Elena Myers, the first and only woman to win AMA Pro Supersport races;

AMA Pro XR1200 race winner, multi-time Loudon Classic winner, and three-time BRL Champion Shane Narbonne;

2012 Canadian Superbike Championship runner-up Andrew Nelson;

2016 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Champion, 2019 British Motostar (Moto3) Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and two-time Daytona 200 winner Brandon Paasch;

2012 Daytona 200 winner and 2010 AMA Pro Supersport West Champion Joey Pascarella;

2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and powersports dealership owner Bryce Prince;

AMA Pro and Canadian National race winner and multi-time N2/WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Peris;

two-time AMA Pro SuperSport National Champion, British Supersport podium finisher, 2020 AFT Production Twins Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Championship runner-up James Rispoli;

2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport race winner, and Moto2 World Championship race winner Joe Roberts;

2022 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up and 2023 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship runner-up Gus Rodio;

former Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Champion and former FIM Moto2 European Championship competitor Benny Solis, Jr.;

three-time AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2009 Superbike World Champion, MotoGP race winner, and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Ben Spies;

multi-time AMA Pro race winner and four-time overall WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Ulrich;

MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher and former World Superbike competitor Jayson Uribe;

2017 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Championship runner-up, 2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher Cory Ventura;

Canadian Superbike race winner Alex Welsh;

former AMA Pro Superbike Rookie of the Year, Chinese Superbike Championship race winner, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and MotoAmerica Super Hooligan race winner Cory West;

MotoAmerica Junior Cup and Superbike Cup race winner Ashton Yates;

and two-time AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up Blake Young.

British Superbike: Hager Sponsoring PBM Ducati

David Swarts
-
0
British Superbike: Hager Sponsoring PBM Ducati

PBM Racing Team and Hager Power Into New Title Sponsorship Partnership

The title-winning PBM Racing Team have unveiled a new look ahead of the 2024 Bennetts British Superbike Championship, announcing a new title  sponsorship partnership with leading electrical supplier, Hager.

Hager have been long-term sponsors of the PBM Racing Team, celebrating their tenth year of association this season by increasing their support, as together they target a tenth Bennetts BSB title in the new era for the team.

Last season the team claimed the top two positions in the Riders’ standings and sealed the Team’s Championship with 18 race wins and a total of 36 podium finishes. Glenn Irwin now returns with Hager PBM Ducati this year in a bid to claim his first Bennetts BSB title, getting underway with the first Official Test at Donington Park (April 6-7) ahead of the opening round at Circuito de Navarra later this month (April 20-21).

Bruce Davies, Managing Director, Hager UK: “It was going to happen one day, and now the time is right. We have been part of the team now for ten years and given all the speculation around the future for 2024, it was never in doubt that Hager would be back to support the next step in the PBM story under the leadership of Jordan and Frank. This a great opportunity for Hager and PBM to further engage with our customers, providing them with an unrivalled experience whilst supporting Glenn and the team in the quest to achieve an unprecedented tenth title. Our desire to be a part of this was something that I was not going to pass on.”

PBM Racing Team Owner Jordan Bird:  “It would be an understatement to say it has been a big winter for the team! We had our first big announcement of PBM returning this season and now we are really happy to share  the news of our new title sponsor, Hager, who I would firstly like to thank for their continued support and also unveil our new livery. Hager remains one of the team’s most loyal partners and it seems the perfect fit for them to celebrate their tenth year with us by becoming our title sponsor as we prepare to fight for a tenth title. Together we can now look forward to the next key moment for the team in our new era, when Glenn rolls out of pitlane for the first time at the Official Test this weekend before the first round of the season at Circuito de Navarra.”

For further information please visit www.pbmuk.net and www.britishsuperbike.com

BRL Bagger Class Added To AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days At Mid-Ohio

David Swarts
-
0
BRL Bagger Class Added To AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days At Mid-Ohio

Bagger Class Added to Packed Vintage Road Racing Schedule at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days

AMA Amateur National Bagger Championship class in partnership with Bagger Racing League running Saturday

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Classic racing motorcycles from decades past will command the freshly repaved curves of Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, during 2024 Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, July 26-28. America’s grandest celebration of vintage motorcycles will honor eras old and new with national championship racing on one of the country’s favorite road courses.

“Mid-Ohio’s 2.4-mile road course, with its legendary Keyhole and Carousel sections, has a fresh coat of asphalt and is ready to welcome a full slate of vintage road racing during VMD,” said AMA Director of Racing Mike Pelletier. “Classes will include hand-shifted pre-war racers, non-current superbikes, modern machines and everything in between — even sidecar rigs. The AMA appreciates our organizing partner WERA Motorcycle Roadracing and their efforts in growing and supporting the program.”

This year, the program will shake the ground in a new way with the addition of big V-twin engines and the visual spectacle of full-faired bagger motorcycles at speed. For the first time, the AMA Amateur National Bagger Champion will be crowned at Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, and it’s certain to be a highlight of Saturday’s on-track action.

AMA-chartered promoter Bagger Racing League (BRL) is partnering with the AMA and WERA to promote and operate the amateur championship class.

“Baggers were built to tour, but in the right hands and with the right modifications they become some of the wildest racing machines on the planet,” said BRL founder Rob Buydos. “The roar they make, how they move around and attack the corners is amazing to watch, and race fans are in for a serious thrill at Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days this year. BRL is thrilled to bring this fabulous racing action to VMD for the first time during the 100th year celebration of the AMA itself.”

Amateur road racing entry information will be available soon. It will be posted, along with rules and additional competitor information at www.VintageMotorcycleDays.com/racing/road-racing/.

Staged at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days features vintage and post-vintage competition in motocross, trials, hare scrambles, road racing and dirt track. In addition to demo rides of current production bikes, the event includes North America’s largest motorcycle swap meet, bike shows, motorcycling seminars, the Crossroads and more.

Coinciding with the AMA’s 100th Anniversary, the 2024 event is poised to be the biggest ever, with early interest at unprecedented levels and more new events to be announced soon.

AMA members can purchase discounted tickets and secure tent camping spots through the AMA at www.VintageMotorcycleDays.com/tickets/. Tent camping is for non-reserved, non-self-contained units only, and spaces are first-come, first-served. RV passes are required for an RV or self-contained unit and are on sale, alongside non-AMA member tickets, at www.midohio.com/.

Proceeds from AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days support the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The AMHF raises money for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, which celebrates and preserves the rich tradition of motorcycling in America. Its exhibits honor the distinguished men and women whose competitive spirit, passion, vision and entrepreneurship have played a vital role in shaping the sport, lifestyle and business of motorcycling. For more information, call (614) 856-2222 or visit www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com/hall-of-fame/.

About the American Motorcyclist Association

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

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

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. Names New President

David Swarts
-
0
Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. Names New President

KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP., U.S.A. APPOINTS NEW PRESIDENT

Foothill Ranch, Calif. – Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. welcomes Naoki Kawaguchi to the role of President effective immediately. Mr. Kawaguchi has a long history with Kawasaki most recently serving as the Executive Vice President, 4-Wheel Business at Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. where he oversaw continued sales growth and the highly successful launches of both the Kawasaki Teryx KRX®4 1000 and Kawasaki RIDGE® side x side vehicles.

Mr. Kawaguchi started with Kawasaki 30 years ago as an engineer and has built a diverse background in a variety of roles including Vice President (Factory Manager) at Kawasaki Motors Enterprise Co., LTD in Thailand, various roles within Marketing & Sales as well as Business Planning divisions with Kawasaki Motors, LTD in Japan, and President of Kawasaki Motores do Brazil Ltda. all prior to coming to the United States in 2022.

After leading Kawasaki’s U.S. operations through a global pandemic and helping the company achieve record retail sales, Mr. Eigo Konya will return to Kawasaki Motors, LTD. in Japan where he will serve as Deputy General Manager of Sales & Marketing, Senior Manager of Sales Planning Division, and Manager of Accessories Section.

“This is a very exciting time for Kawasaki,” said Mr. Kawaguchi. “My time dedicated to growing our 4-wheel business culminated with the successful launch of the Kawasaki RIDGE and we have big goals to continue to grow our side x side business along with building on our successful 2-wheel and Jet Ski® heritage. Kawasaki is fortunate to have the best dealer network in the industry and the future is looking very bright.”

Roadracing World Young Guns 2024: Matthew Chapin

David Swarts
-
0
Roadracing World Young Guns 2024: Matthew Chapin

Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 28th consecutive year of showcasing an abundance of new talent.

Roadracing World Young Guns have won:

FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;

MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 13 AMA Pro Superbike Championships;

A KTM RC Cup World Final race;

WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;

ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;

AMA Road Racing Grand Championships and Horizon Awards;

USGPRU National Championships;

Many regional and local titles.

The competition has continually become more intense as more – and younger—racers with higher levels of accomplishment are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.

We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2024 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.

The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.

We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.

The entire Roadracing World Young Guns, Class of 2024 is featured in the April 2024 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine.

 

Matthew Chapin. Photo by Phillip Chapin.
Matthew Chapin. Photo by Phillip Chapin.

 

Matthew Chapin

Age: 16.

Current home: Damascus, Maryland.

Current height/weight: 5’5”/115 pounds.

Current school grade level: 10th grade.

Began riding at age: 4 years.

First road race: 2018, NJminiGP, Millville, New Jersey, Spec 50, 3rd place.

Current racebike: Kawasaki Ninja 400.

Current tuners/mechanics: Mike Skowronek, Phillip Chapin (father).

Primary race series: MotoAmerica Junior Cup, N2/WERA National Endurance Championship, ASRA.

Top sponsors: BARTCON Racing, Bison, Sportbike Track Gear, KYT, Woodcraft, Blud Lubricants, Triple Strong Racing, JT Motorsports, Spears Racing, Vortex, NJminiGP, GLS Autobody, Kings Valley Painting & Drywall, Commonground Custom T’s, Savage Viking Coffee & Beard Oil, Historic GP, GPR.

Recent racing accomplishments: 2023 season, took 2 top-10 finishes in MotoAmerica Junior Cup debut at Pittsburgh International Race Complex (a.k.a. PittRace), won E Superstock Expert WERA National Challenge Championship, won D Superstock and E Superstock Expert WERA Sportsman National Championships (8 race wins with WERA), won 3 ASRA Regional Class Championships (400 Superbike, 400 GT Expert, 400 GP Expert); 2022 season, placed 13th in FIM North America Talent Cup Championship (best finish was 5th at PittRace); 2021 season, won 4 DMVminiGP Championships; 2020 season, won 4 DMVminiGP Championships.

2024 racing goal: Win MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship.

Racing career goal: Make a living racing motorcycles for a professional team.

Racing hero: Marc Marquez.

Favorite track: Pittsburgh International Race Complex (a.k.a. PittRace).

Hobby: Fishing and hunting with friends.

If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Playing football and lacrosse.

…

Some of the riders who have graduated from Young Guns and gone on to racing success in National or International series include:

2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion Jason Aguilar (R.I.P.);

2013 AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and 2022 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Corey Alexander;

AMA Pro Daytona SportBike race winner Tommy Aquino (R.I.P.);

2008 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and multi-time MotoAmerica Superbike race winner J.D. Beach;

five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion and Moto2 World Championship point scorer Cameron Beaubier;

MotoAmerica Twins Cup race winner Jackson Blackmon;

former Canadian Sport Bike Champion Tomas Casas;

three-time Canadian Sport Bike Champion and 2014 Canadian Superbike Champion Jodi Christie;

former AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 race winner Josh Day;

2011 Daytona 200 winner Jason DiSalvo;

2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Championship runner-up and current MotoAmerica team owner Dustin Dominguez;

2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2019 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, and 2021 Canadian Superbike Champion Alex Dumas;

four-time Pikes Peak International Hill Climb race winner and former motorcycle track record holder Carlin Dunne (R.I.P.);

Canadian Superbike race winner Bodhi Edie;

two-time AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, two-time AMA Pro XR1200/Harley-Davidson Champion and four-time Daytona 200 winner Danny Eslick;

2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Bobby Fong;

2010 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, 2015 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North America Superstock 1000 Champion, and three-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne;

two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and World Superbike podium finisher Garrett Gerloff;

2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Championship runner-up Michael Gilbert;

2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Champion, 2023 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Champion Hayden Gillim;

2002 AMA Superbike Champion and 2006 FIM MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden (R.I.P.);

2007 AMA Pro 600cc Supersport Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up, and 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship runner-up Roger Hayden;

eight-time AMA Pro Superbike race winner and two-time AMA Supersport Champion Tommy Hayden;

2013 AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and three-time Daytona 200 winner Josh Herrin;

MotoAmerica Supersport front-runner Teagg Hobbs;

AMA Pro Superstock race winner Jake Holden;

2011 British Superbike Championship runner-up and former MotoGP and World Superbike regular John Hopkins;

2015 Supersport World Championship runner-up, 2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Patrick “P.J.” Jacobsen;

2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, Moto2 World Championship point scorer, and MotoAmerica Superbike racer Sean Dylan Kelly;

Canadian Superbike race winner Kevin Lacombe;

two-time MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2020 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up Rocco Landers;

two-time MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Andrew Lee;

2021 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 and Superbike Cup Champion Jake Lewis;

MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Sam Lochoff;

MotoAmerica Superstock 600 race winner Nick McFadden;

AMA Pro SuperSport race winner and MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Stefano Mesa;

Elena Myers, the first and only woman to win AMA Pro Supersport races;

AMA Pro XR1200 race winner, multi-time Loudon Classic winner, and three-time BRL Champion Shane Narbonne;

2012 Canadian Superbike Championship runner-up Andrew Nelson;

2016 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Champion, 2019 British Motostar (Moto3) Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and two-time Daytona 200 winner Brandon Paasch;

2012 Daytona 200 winner and 2010 AMA Pro Supersport West Champion Joey Pascarella;

2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and powersports dealership owner Bryce Prince;

AMA Pro and Canadian National race winner and multi-time N2/WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Peris;

two-time AMA Pro SuperSport National Champion, British Supersport podium finisher, 2020 AFT Production Twins Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Championship runner-up James Rispoli;

2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport race winner, and Moto2 World Championship race winner Joe Roberts;

2022 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up and 2023 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship runner-up Gus Rodio;

former Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Champion and former FIM Moto2 European Championship competitor Benny Solis, Jr.;

three-time AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2009 Superbike World Champion, MotoGP race winner, and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Ben Spies;

multi-time AMA Pro race winner and four-time overall WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Ulrich;

MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher and former World Superbike competitor Jayson Uribe;

2017 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Championship runner-up, 2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher Cory Ventura;

Canadian Superbike race winner Alex Welsh;

former AMA Pro Superbike Rookie of the Year, Chinese Superbike Championship race winner, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and MotoAmerica Super Hooligan race winner Cory West;

MotoAmerica Junior Cup and Superbike Cup race winner Ashton Yates;

and two-time AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up Blake Young.

N2 Track Days Sponsoring 2024 N2/WERA National Endurance Series

David Swarts
-
0
N2 Track Days Sponsoring 2024 N2/WERA National Endurance Series

N2 Track Days to Title Sponsor the 2024 N2/WERA National Endurance Series.

Media, PA (April 2024) – N2 Track Days will be the title sponsor for the 2024 N2/WERA National Endurance Series providing the “Base Purse” for the series. WERA Motorcycle Roadracing will continue to sanction the series and provide race direction. Dunlop will continue to support the series as a contingency sponsor, on top of the “Base Purse” provided by N2. Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A. will continue as a series sponsor.

“Since reviving the national endurance series in 2017 we have seen tremendous growth year after year,” said N2 Director of Racing Chris Kubricky. “In 2017, we had 63 unique teams register to run our races. In 2023, we had 283 unique teams, and we expect to break that record in 2024. This incredible growth has been in large part due to our partners at Dunlop, and we are grateful that Dunlop will continue to support our teams with an amazing $50,000 contingency program.”

N2 is currently in negotiations with sponsors for individual round title sponsorships. N2 will be issuing a purse structure in the coming weeks. “When companies sponsor the N2 National Endurance Series, 100% of the sponsorship goes to the teams in the form of purse money and championship bonuses,” said N2 CEO James Curtis. “We will have a strong ‘Base Purse’ structure this year, and we are continuing our ‘Who Will Endure’ YouTube series with Coop DeVille Productions and commentary from World Superbike announcer Michael Hill at select rounds. We have an amazing group of teams and riders committed to the series, and we are excited to get the season started.”

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].

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 Motorcycle 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 Motorcycle Roadracing, 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.

 

For more information:
www.n2td.org

AHRMA Spotlighting 500 Premier Class In 2025 Vintage Cup

David Swarts
-
0
AHRMA Spotlighting 500 Premier Class In 2025 Vintage Cup

Bikes from the Golden Age of GP Racing Featured in 2025 AHRMA Vintage Cup

(April 3, 2024) A Golden Age of Grand Prix motorcycle racing is coming to tracks across the country during 2025.

The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association’s (AHRMA) 2025 Vintage Cup will highlight the 500 Premier class which was AHRMA’s first and undoubtedly the most historically significant post-war racing series.

Sponsored by Hagerty Insurance, Roadracingworld.com, and NYC Norton (nycnorton.com), AHRMA’s 2025 Vintage Cup features the 500 Premier class which includes any fully kitted 500cc OHV/OHC or 750cc side-valve four-stroke machine built before December 31, 1968. 

“When the Vintage Cup concept was presented to me several years ago, the 500 Premier class was the first thing on my mind that we should feature as these motorcycles were the pinnacle of grand prix racing performance and the bikes nearest and dearest to my heart,” said Kenny Cummings of NYC Norton, 2025 Vintage Cup sponsor. 

“Many of these bikes have been put away for years, becoming ornaments in people’s homes and the whole intent of this class was to bring these bikes out of retirement to the national stage with heavy competition,” Cummings said.  “I couldn’t be happier to see these beautiful machines racing in anger at some of the greatest racetracks in the country.  NYC Norton has been a proud sponsor of this class for years and is happy that AHRMA is hosting it yet again, for the Vintage Cup. Let’s bring them out, people!”

Typical AHRMA 500 Premier grids include wide variety motorcycles from Norton Manx, Matchless G50, 500 Triton, Honda, Ducati, Gilero, MV Agusta, and more.

“For a lot of racers and race fans, when you ask them to imagine ‘vintage’ road racers, they think of 500cc bikes from the mid to late 60s,” said Greg Tomlinson, 2024 Chair of the AHRMA Board of Trustees.  “Unfortunately, those same bikes that stir the imagination aren’t seen or heard much anymore.  Fortunately, putting the 2025 Vintage Cup spotlight on them will bring them back to the track.”

“AHRMA continues to do its part providing a series for people to ride historic racebikes on the track, where they can be seen and heard in action. Roadracing World is happy to be involved with the Vintage Cup program in 2025. “Go out and have some fun on old bikes!” said John Ulrich, Founder & Editor of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine.

The Vintage Cup will be highlighted during and after each of the 2025 AHRMA National road races.  Added enhancements for the 2025 season include:

  • Enhanced trophies throughout the season.
  • Special awards for series champion.
  • Articles and photos on Roadracingworld.com to spotlight the class.
  • Roadracing World print magazine enhanced exposure for AHRMA and 500 Premier.
  • Discounted race entry fees.
  • Racer spotlight features in AHRMA MAG.
  • Class champion on cover of the AHRMA MAG.

Motorcycles eligible for AHRMA’s 500 Premier class must have been built before December 31, 1968, or be based on a like design and may have up to a 500cc air-cooled four-stroke engine with overhead valves and cams or a 750cc side-valve engine.  A list of eligible machines can be found in the AHRMA Handbook in Section 10.2.1 (www.ahrma.org/ahrma-handbook).

The first American to win a race at the Isle of Man TT, Dave Roper, who is also a multi-time AHRMA champion and frequent 500 Premier competitor, shared the following: “The 500cc class has been the premier class in World Championship road racing since at least the end of WWI to 2002 when the MotoGP four stroke era was introduced.  The Isle of Man TT established the 500cc limit for the Senior Class in 1912 and it continued until 1984.  Between the world wars, there was no formal World Championship and the European Championship was based on a single race which rotated from country to country.  Norton dominated in this period with riders Stanley Woods, Freddy Frith, Harold Daniel, ‘Crasher’ White, Wal Handley, and Jimmy Guthrie. Toward the end of this period, BMW and Gilera made inroads into Norton’s dominance. 

“After WWII and with the establishment of the World Championship in 1949, Britain continued to lead with the AJS Porcupine then the Norton Featherbed,” Roper continued. “But, then the Italians took over, first with Gilera and Geoff Duke, then with MV and John Surtees, Mike Hailwood, Giacomo Agostini, and Phil Reed.  In 1975, the two-strokes took over, first with Ago on the Yamaha, then the RG 500 Suzuki with Barry Sheene, back to Yamaha with Kenny Roberts, back to Suzuki with Lucchinelli and Uncini, then to Honda with Freddie Spencer and Yamaha with Eddie Lawson. In 1987, Wayne Gardner interrupted a string of American World Champions, with Lawson and Wayne Rainey and Kevin Schwantz following. Australian Mick Doohan followed with five successive World Championships for Honda, Criville giving Honda one more. Suzuki had one year with Kenny Roberts, Jr., then the Valentino Rossi period began on the 500cc two stroke Honda and making the transition into the MotoGP four-stroke era.

“500 Premier was one of AHRMA’s inaugural classes and the championship has been won mostly on Matchless G-50 and Norton Manx, but also with a 500 Triton, Honda 450 based machine, and even a 350 Aermacchi.”

 

About AHRMA:

The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to competing on fantastic classic and true vintage machines along with a wide range of modern motorcycles.  With over 3,000 members, AHRMA is the largest vintage racing group in North America and one of the biggest in the world. The association has grown steadily over the years, reflecting the increasing interest in classic bikes.

 

Video: Harley-Davidson’s MotoAmerica Baggers Docuseries Returns

David Swarts
-
0
Video: Harley-Davidson’s MotoAmerica Baggers Docuseries Returns

HARLEY-DAVIDSON ANNOUNCES PUSH THE LIMIT: HARLEY-DAVIDSON RACING SEASON 2 DEBUT ON YOUTUBE 

Dramatic Six-Episode Docuseries Provides Behind-the-Scenes Perspective of the 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Race Season

MILWAUKEE (April 3, 2024) – Harley-Davidson® has today released a preview of Push the Limit: Harley-Davidson Racing Season 2, a dramatic new docuseries on YouTube that follows the Harley-Davidson Factory Race Team and other racers during the 2023 season of the MotoAmerica Mission King Of The Baggers series. The adrenaline-fueled docuseries puts fans behind the scenes and right in the middle of the wheel-to-wheel action, showcasing the excitement of King Of The Baggers racing and providing a behind-the-scenes perspective of the immense effort these racers and teams make to achieve victory. The six-episode docuseries will be released episodically, with a new episode debuting each week, beginning Friday, April 5 at 10:00 a.m. CT on the Harley-Davidson App for members, followed by a YouTube release on Monday, April 8 at 7:00 p.m. CT.

Push the Limit: Harley-Davidson Racing Season 2 follows select King Of The Baggers racers throughout the 2023 season, including the most successful racer in MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers history, Factory Harley-Davidson pilot Kyle Wyman. Wyman won seven races during the 2023 King Of The Baggers season and finished third in the season championship. Wyman has won 14 of 26 events since the start of the series in 2021 and earned the 2021 championship. King Of The Baggers 2023 and defending champion Hayden Gillim, and racers James Rispoli, Travis Wyman, Cory West, Jake Lewis, Patricia Fernandez-West, Frankie Garcia, and others also appear in the docuseries.

 

 

The MotoAmerica Mission King Of The Baggers series offers exciting competition between American V-Twin touring motorcycles prepared for competition and equipped with a fairing/windscreen and saddlebags. The 2024 season was expanded to 18 races over nine double-header weekends held in conjunction with the MotoAmerica Superbike Series. The season’s first races were held in Daytona the first weekend of March.

For the 2024 season, the Harley-Davidson® Factory Race Team is sponsored by Mission® Foods, Rockford Fosgate®, Brembo®, Öhlins®, Protolabs®, SYN3® lubricants, and Screamin’ Eagle® Performance Parts and Accessories.

 

2024 MotoAmerica Mission King Of The Baggers Remaining Schedule

(Two races each weekend)

April 12-13: Circuit of The Americas – Austin, Texas (Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas)

April 19-21: Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta – Braselton, Ga.

May 31-June 2: Road America – Elkhart Lake, Wis.

June 14-16: Brainerd International Raceway – Brainerd, Minn.

July 12-14: WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca – Monterey, Calif.

August 16-18: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course – Lexington, Ohio

September 13-15: Circuit of The Americas – Austin, Texas

September 27-29: New Jersey Motorsports Park – Millville, N.J.

MotoGP: Quartararo Extends Contract With Yamaha Through 2026

Fabio Quartararo (20). Photo courtesy Monster Energy Yamaha.
Fabio Quartararo (20). Photo courtesy Monster Energy Yamaha.

Fabio Quartararo Extends Contract with Yamaha for 2025-2026

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. is delighted to announce that Fabio Quartararo will stay with the Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP Team for a further two years.

Gerno di Lesmo (Italy), 5th April 2024

It is with great pleasure that Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. confirm Fabio Quartararo as a Factory Yamaha rider for the 2025 and 2026 MotoGP season.

Keeping the exceptionally talented Frenchman in the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team was top priority for the Iwata factory, as they are putting their full effort into supporting Quartararo. His decision to ‘stay with the blue team’ was positively influenced by the strong commitment Yamaha has made to return to winning ways with the ongoing development of the YZR-M1.

Though ‘only’ in their fourth year together, the Quartararo-Yamaha combination is already considered a natural pairing amongst MotoGP fans. The successful partnership led to Quartararo’s first MotoGP World Championship Title in 2021, in his very first season with the Factory Team, and to the Vice Champion Title in 2022.

Further Yamaha highlights on Quartararo’s résumé are the 8 race wins and 21 podiums with the Factory Team over the 2021-2024 seasons so far, as well as the 3 race wins and 10 podiums with the satellite team the two years prior. Moreover, he secured 16 pole positions, and 41 front-row starts out of a total of 93 Grand Prix weekends aboard the YZR-M1.

These achievements, on top of his undeniable skills, unequalled motivation, and infectious cheerful personality, have Yamaha fully confident in their partnership with the 24-year-old.

LIN JARVIS

Managing Director, Yamaha Motor Racing

We are very pleased that Fabio will remain a Yamaha rider.

“Keeping Fabio as a part of the Factory Team is integral to Yamaha’s MotoGP Project. Fabio is an exceptional talent, a hard worker, a great team player, and he has many competitive years ahead of him.

“Yamaha Motor Company, Yamaha Motor Racing, and the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team are sparing no effort to ensure a bright future with Fabio by taking a more ‘aggressive approach’ to bike development.

“We have already made significant changes to our organisation including a new internal management system, recruitment of top expertise within the industry, new external technical partnerships, increased development budget, and an intensified testing programme. All these changes are designed to speed up the process for us to return to winning ways.

“Fabio has understood this commitment, and this has given him the confidence to make his decision to stay with us for the coming years.

“Fabio has been with Yamaha since 2019 and with us, the Factory Team, since 2021. In a relatively short time span of just four years, we achieved many successes: 8 wins, 21 podiums, a MotoGP World Title, and a Vice Champion Title.

“We are the first to admit that there is much work to do to get back to the competitive level we were at in 2021 and the first half of 2022. But with Fabio you know he will always put in 100% of his best effort. It also comes natural to him to create harmony and a good atmosphere with all staff members. He can count on the Team’s and Yamaha’s full support every step of the way as we challenge to win more championships together.

FABIO QUARTARARO

I am super happy to announce that I am going to continue my adventure in BLUE!

“Last winter Yamaha proved to me that they have a new approach and a new aggressive mindset. My confidence is high: we will be back at the front together!

“Six years ago, they gave me the chance to step up to MotoGP, and since then we have achieved great things together. We still have a long way ahead of us to start fighting for victory again. I will work hard, and I am sure that, together, we will achieve our dream once more!

NOTES

FABIO QUARTARARO

Personal Profile

Date of birth: 20 April 1999

Place of birth: Nice, France

Nationality: French

Height: 177 cm

Weight: 69 kg

Racing Career

First Grand Prix: Qatar GP 2015 (Moto3)

First Grand Prix Win: Catalan GP 2018 (Moto2)

First Premier Class Grand Prix Win: 2020 Spanish GP

Grand Prix Wins: 12 (11x MotoGP, 1x Moto2)

Podiums: 35 (31x MotoGP, 2x Moto2, 2x Moto3)

Pole positions: 19 (16x MotoGP, 1x Moto2, 2x Moto3)

World Championship Titles: 1 (2021 MotoGP World Champion with the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team)

2023 MotoGP World Championship (10th – 172 points)

2022 MotoGP World Championship (2nd – 248 points) [Vice Champion]

2021 MotoGP World Championship (1st – 278 points) [World Champion]

2020 MotoGP World Championship (8th – 127 points)

2019 MotoGP World Championship (5th – 192 points) [Rookie of the Year, Top Independent Rider]

2018 Moto2 World Championship (10th – 138 points)

2017 Moto2 World Championship (13th – 64 points)

2016 Moto3 World Championship (13th – 83 points)

2015 Moto3 World Championship (10th – 92 points)

MV Agusta Unveils 2024 Enduro Veloce Adventure Model

A 2024-model MV Agusta Enduro Veloce. Photo courtesy MV Agusta.
A 2024-model MV Agusta Enduro Veloce. Photo courtesy MV Agusta.

MV AGUSTA ENDURO VELOCE

MV Agusta unveils Enduro Veloce, the motorcycle that follows on from the LXP Orioli limited series as the Italian brand continues its journey in the high-performance adventure bike segment.

The Enduro Veloce pays tribute to a story that dates back almost eighty years. It was with the 98 ridden by Vincenzo Nencioni that the company first won a race, the “Golfo di La Spezia” off-road regularity race, on 8 October 1946. Three years later, several regularity motorcycles were prepared to participate in the British Six Days, a race that saw the great Carlo Ubbiali score MV Agusta its first international victory.

The new Enduro Veloce is the embodiment of MV Agusta’s key values: 100% Italian manufacturing, craftsmanship, engineering excellence and high performance, all in a motorcycle that represents the manufacturer’s original take on the adventure bike segment.

The riding ease and distinctive, dynamic character are the result of a combination of unique technical, style and engineering solutions.

 

A 2024-model MV Agusta Enduro Veloce. Photo courtesy MV Agusta.
A 2024-model MV Agusta Enduro Veloce. Photo courtesy MV Agusta.

 

STYLE

The Enduro Veloce epitomises MV Agusta’s aesthetic standards. And, like every MV, it must be recognisable at first glance, identified as a member of that exclusive club, reserved to the world’s most beautiful bikes. The heritage and grandeur of the past live on in a radically contemporary object.

The Enduro Veloce has been created by designers at the cutting-edge MV Agusta style centre. Harmonious lines meet no-compromise solutions, the result of very successful design research and technical assessments.

A compact and pared back tail section contrasts with the front end, the volumes and shape of which are defined to effectively protect the rider from the air and offer a comfortable riding position that also affords maximum control. The extensive fairings are completed with a transparent plexiglass top fairing, designed to minimise turbulence in the helmet area.

 

The head-on view of a 2024-model MV Agusta Enduro Veloce. Photo courtesy MV Agusta.
The head-on view of a 2024-model MV Agusta Enduro Veloce. Photo courtesy MV Agusta.

 

Another very evocative style element is the iconic Ago Red and Ago Silver colour combination, which boosts the distinctive design of the motorcycle.

Aerodynamics have played an important part in defining the style of the Enduro Veloce. The design of the front mudguard, for example, was only finalised after a series of road tests and software simulations to ensure the utmost aerodynamic efficiency. Similarly, the lines of the front end maximise air flow directed to the radiator for cooling. This balance of attention to style and engineering research can also be seen in the air extractors on the side panels, the specific analysis of which results in a shape that guarantees the greatest comfort. The entire project involved comprehensive aerodynamic research using dedicated software and extensive road testing to recreate different situations of use, with a solo rider and both rider and passenger. This analysis was not just about verifying air protection, but also considered the impact on riding, to ensure stable behaviour even at high speed and complete with top and side cases.

ENGINE

The new 931 cc engine boasts an iconic technical solution seen on all new generation MV Agusta in-line three-cylinders: the counter-rotating crankshaft. Designed, developed, and built entirely at the firm’s factory, the engine stands out for its lightness, weighing in at just 57 kg, and extreme compactness.

But the engine’s compactness and contained weight are not the only features that contribute to the incredible handling of the Enduro Veloce. With a gyroscopic effect that essentially cancels out that of the front wheel, the counter-rotating crankshaft allows for particularly rapid changes in direction. This is particularly valuable on a model that mounts a 21” front wheel, in keeping with off-road tradition.

 

The 931cc inline three-cylinder engine of the 2024-model MV Agusta Enduro Veloce. Photo courtesy MV Agusta.
The 931cc inline three-cylinder engine of the 2024-model MV Agusta Enduro Veloce. Photo courtesy MV Agusta.

 

As with every MV Agusta, performance is first-rate. The engine delivers maximum power of 124 hp at 10,000 rpm and 102 Nm of torque at 7,000 rpm. This data translates into pure riding pleasure, with an engine that guarantees power at high rpm and immediate torque at low range. The rider can already harness 85% of the maximum torque at 3,000 rpm. The bore-stroke ratio, larger compared to 675 and 798 cc units, combined with new camshaft profiles and timing makes for an engine that is very enjoyable and usable on the road.

The double overhead camshaft benefits from a DLC coating to reduce friction to a minimum.

The engine plays a key role in ensuring rider comfort in that vibration is reduced thanks to the countershaft and thorough study of the crank gear. The outstanding R&D work conducted at MV Agusta also ensures that operating temperatures remain particularly contained. Another positive in terms of comfort.

The rider can exploit the engine performance with a smooth and precise 6-speed gearbox, which can still be removed from the right rather than the left side. The Electronically Assisted Shift (EAS) system in its 4.0 version allows for up- and down-shifting with the quickshift while the throttle is open. Though less used, clutch operation is smooth and consistent thanks to hydraulic control.

The sound of the Enduro Veloce transmits excitement thanks to an exhaust system complete with bypass, the valve of which, when open, makes for a sound closer to that of a Superbike replica than an adventure bike. The symphony of the MV Agusta three-cylinder is the undisputed star of the acoustic experience aboard the Enduro Veloce, also on account of minimal mechanical and intake noise.

ELECTRONICS

The MV Agusta Enduro Veloce boasts an exceptional electronics package. The 6-axis inertial platform collates significant dynamic data that is processed in real time, with the electronics using this to determine intervention. Adapting to all riding conditions and rider preferences, the Enduro Veloce boasts four riding modes: Urban, Touring, Off-Road and Custom All-Terrain.

The Full Ride by Wire accelerator system gives the rider full control over performance by harnessing torque management strategies.

 

The view of the cockpit of the 2024-model MV Agusta Enduro Veloce. Photo courtesy MV Agusta.
The view of the cockpit of the 2024-model MV Agusta Enduro Veloce. Photo courtesy MV Agusta.

 

Traction control, which can be deactivated, offers eight levels of intervention, with five dedicated to road use, two to off-road use and one for use on wet, low-grip surfaces.

In addition, through the main menu, it is possible to adapt the electronic response of the ECU based on the tyres that the rider chooses to mount. Therefore, the Enduro Veloce is equipped with 8 Traction Control levels based on the use of Bridgestone Battlax A41and 8 based on the AX41.

There are two levels of engine brake intervention, to be managed independently of the preselected Riding Mode. Level 1 corresponds to a reduced engine brake; level 2 is full engine brake. The Enduro Veloce is equipped with Launch Control. Activated via the right electric block, this offers the rider real control over the incredible acceleration, which sees the bike go from 0-100 km/h in 3”72. Such acceleration is also managed thanks to the Front Lift Control (FLC).

As with all MV Agusta models, Cornering ABS associates the RLM (Rear Wheel Lift-Up Mitigation) function with brake management through the turns. This reduces rear wheel lift and keeps the wheel on the ground in the case of extreme deceleration, for greater efficiency and safety when braking. There are 2 different ABS settings: Level 1 translates into a less invasive intervention on the front, perfect for sporty and off-road use, disengaged on the rear and with cornering function switched off, whilst RLM intervenes less intrusively.

Full ABS intervention is present when the rider selects Level 2, where ABS is active both on the front and rear and both Cornering and RLM functions are activated. ABS can only be deactivated in Off-Road and Custom All-Terrain modes.

The Enduro Veloce is equipped with Cruise Control, which can be adjusted in increments of 1 or 5 km/h through the switch cube on the left-hand side. Cruise control can be deactivated via the accelerator, with the use of counter rotation, which allows the rider to completely avoid using the brakes and maintain the ideal level of comfort and safety even in situations of sustained speed.

The quality, design of the graphics, and wealth of information accessible via the HD TFT screen only add to the touring spirit of the Enduro Veloce. The 7-inch screen allows for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connection and can be adjusted in terms of brightness and graphics layout. With the MV Ride app, a smartphone can be quickly connected and used, for example, to follow a route turn by turn, to save an itinerary and share it, or to set up the bike’s many customisable operating parameters. Ignition is keyless, for maximum comfort.

The handlebar controls have LED backlighting for ease of use in all light conditions.

CHASSIS

The Enduro Veloce is MV Agusta’s take on the highly competitive adventure bike segment. The Italian manufacturer’s latest addition reflects the MV Agusta philosophy of creating motorcycles with which people can fall in love, thanks to an extraordinary balance of chassis, engine, and electronics. The Enduro Veloce guarantees high-level performance on and off-road as well as maximum comfort during long-range travel.

The frame of the Enduro Veloce exploits a modern perimetral structure with a closed double cradle design. Materials and percentages have been carefully studied to offer perfect balance and the best compromise in terms of stability during high-speed road use and the ability to absorb energy during off-road use. The layout also lends itself to intense off-road use, in total safety. The rear subframe can be removed to facilitate maintenance or eventual replacement. The swingarm is in aluminium alloy for a weight saving that translates into heightened agility.

 

The back half of the 2024-model MV Agusta Enduro Veloce. Photo courtesy MV Agusta.
The back half of the 2024-model MV Agusta Enduro Veloce. Photo courtesy MV Agusta.

 

The Sachs fork with 48 mm is adjustable in compression, rebound and pre-load, with wheel travel of 210 mm. The adjustable Sachs mono shock guarantees rear wheel travel of 210 mm and is connected to the suspension via a progressive linkage. Pre-load can be practically managed via a dedicated knob.

Seat height is 870 mm, but the adjustable seat means this can be lowered to 850 mm. The shape and padding of the seat have been carefully studied to ensure comfort and adequate support in all conditions of use, including long-range highway travel. Ground clearance is 230 mm, ideal for off-road use.

The Brembo braking system is very high quality, comprising Stylema callipers on 320 mm floating discs at the front and a dual-piston calliper with 265 mm disc at the rear.

EQUIPMENT

For maximum visibility and safety, the Enduro Veloce is equipped with a full LED front and rear lighting system.

As standard, the Enduro Veloce mounts Bridgestone Battlax A41 tyres in sizes 90/90-21 and 150/70-18 on Takasago Excel tubeless wheels with an elegant black finish. Bridgestone Battlax AX41 tyres are also homologated for those using the bike mainly off-road.

A wide range of accessories have been developed for the Enduro Veloce. These include MV-branded rigid aluminium side cases, equipped with the rapid release and push-block systems and with a respective capacity of 39 and 32 litres. For those keen to give the Enduro Veloce a more off-road look, MV Agusta has studied and developed protection bars, a reinforced aluminium skid plate, additional lights and the Termignoni titanium exhaust.

The Mobisat anti-theft system with integrated geolocation is offered free of charge for the first year.

MV RIDE APP

Like the entire MV Agusta range, the Enduro Veloce works with the free MV Ride app, which has been significantly revised and updated to make it even more efficient and advanced in terms of connectivity. The rider can now enter a destination and view the route, turn by turn, on the colour TFT display. By enabling the Trip record functionality, data acquisition is active during riding. The experience begins before the engine is even turned on and can be relived once the journey ends, by reviewing the route, and data regarding speed, gears used, lean angle, altitude and so on. The rider can add to the experience by uploading routes of their day to share with other users of the MV Ride app. The app includes the option to personalise motorcycle response via the Custom mapping, which can be renamed as desired and even shared with other users within the ecosystem. A “Tuscany” map can be created, for example, and then made available to other Enduro Veloce owners, building this way a community.

4-YEAR FACTORY WARRANTY

The Enduro Veloce is delivered with a four-year factory warranty, which does not only improve the MV Agusta customer experience but also serves as tangible proof of the faith the company has in its Made in Italy motorcycles and in the strict quality control processes that every motorcycle undergoes.

Roadracing World Young Guns 2024: Torin Collins

Torin Collins (14). Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 28th consecutive year of showcasing an abundance of new talent.

Roadracing World Young Guns have won:

FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;

MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 13 AMA Pro Superbike Championships;

A KTM RC Cup World Final race;

WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;

ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;

AMA Road Racing Grand Championships and Horizon Awards;

USGPRU National Championships;

Many regional and local titles.

The competition has continually become more intense as more – and younger—racers with higher levels of accomplishment are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.

We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2024 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.

The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.

We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.

The entire Roadracing World Young Guns, Class of 2024 is featured in the April 2024 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine.

 

Torin Collins at the MotoAmerica Supersport podium at COTA in 2023. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Torin Collins at the MotoAmerica Supersport podium at COTA in 2023. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

 

Torin Collins

Age: 18.

Current home: Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Current height/weight: 5’10”/160 pounds.

Current school grade level: Graduated High School.

Began riding at age: 5 years.

First road race: 2012, Calgary, Alberta, Alberta Mini Road Racing Association, Youth 6-9, 3rd place.

Current racebike: Suzuki GSX-R750.

Current tuner/mechanic: Altus Motorsports Factory Racing.

Primary race series: MotoAmerica Supersport.

Top sponsors: Bickle Racing, Novalda Coaching, Kabuto Helmets, Mithos Leathers, Fusport Boots, Rainers Gloves, Motorheads Track Attack, Supersonic School, Area 27, Rocky Mountain Motorsports.

Recent racing accomplishments: 2023 season, tied for 28th in FIM JuniorGP World Championship (best race finish was 15th in Race Two at Valencia), 1st Canadian to score points in FIM JuniorGP World Championship, placed 18th in MotoAmerica Supersport Championship (finished 3rd and 4th in only 2 races he started); 2022 season, best race finish was 17th in FIM JuniorGP Moto3 Junior World Championship, 1 win and multiple podium finishes in CVMA 2022-2023 Winter Series; 2021 season, tied for 30th in the FIM European Talent Cup Championship (best race finish was 14th at Jerez); 2020 season, raced in European Talent Cup (best race finish was 16th); 2019 season, finished 15th in British Talent Cup (best race finish was 7th); 2018 season, selected to join 2019 British Talent Cup, won EMRA Lightweight Superbike and Lightweight Open Championships (11 wins, set 2 class lap records), multiple race wins in 2018/2019 CVMA Winter Series, won UtahSBA Moto3 race at Utah Motorsports Campus; 2017 season, won 7 CMA Mini Road Racing National Championships, won 2 FIM Mini Road Racing Championships, won 8 races and set 2 class lap records during 2017/2018 CVMA Winter Series.

2024 racing goal: Finish in the top 5 in MotoAmerica Supersport Championship.

Racing career goal: Race in the Superbike or MotoGP World Championship.

Racing hero: Jack Miller.

Favorite track: Estoril.

Favorite Hobbies: Motocross, ice riding, gaming, working out.

If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Riding on the ice or on a motocross track.

…

Some of the riders who have graduated from Young Guns and gone on to racing success in National or International series include:

2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion Jason Aguilar (R.I.P.);

2013 AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and 2022 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Corey Alexander;

AMA Pro Daytona SportBike race winner Tommy Aquino (R.I.P.);

2008 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and multi-time MotoAmerica Superbike race winner J.D. Beach;

five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion and Moto2 World Championship point scorer Cameron Beaubier;

MotoAmerica Twins Cup race winner Jackson Blackmon;

former Canadian Sport Bike Champion Tomas Casas;

three-time Canadian Sport Bike Champion and 2014 Canadian Superbike Champion Jodi Christie;

former AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 race winner Josh Day;

2011 Daytona 200 winner Jason DiSalvo;

2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Championship runner-up and current MotoAmerica team owner Dustin Dominguez;

2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2019 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, and 2021 Canadian Superbike Champion Alex Dumas;

four-time Pikes Peak International Hill Climb race winner and former motorcycle track record holder Carlin Dunne (R.I.P.);

Canadian Superbike race winner Bodhi Edie;

two-time AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, two-time AMA Pro XR1200/Harley-Davidson Champion and four-time Daytona 200 winner Danny Eslick;

2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Bobby Fong;

2010 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, 2015 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North America Superstock 1000 Champion, and three-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne;

two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and World Superbike podium finisher Garrett Gerloff;

2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Championship runner-up Michael Gilbert;

2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Champion, 2023 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Champion Hayden Gillim;

2002 AMA Superbike Champion and 2006 FIM MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden (R.I.P.);

2007 AMA Pro 600cc Supersport Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up, and 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship runner-up Roger Hayden;

eight-time AMA Pro Superbike race winner and two-time AMA Supersport Champion Tommy Hayden;

2013 AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and three-time Daytona 200 winner Josh Herrin;

MotoAmerica Supersport front-runner Teagg Hobbs;

AMA Pro Superstock race winner Jake Holden;

2011 British Superbike Championship runner-up and former MotoGP and World Superbike regular John Hopkins;

2015 Supersport World Championship runner-up, 2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Patrick “P.J.” Jacobsen;

2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, Moto2 World Championship point scorer, and MotoAmerica Superbike racer Sean Dylan Kelly;

Canadian Superbike race winner Kevin Lacombe;

two-time MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2020 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up Rocco Landers;

two-time MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Andrew Lee;

2021 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 and Superbike Cup Champion Jake Lewis;

MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Sam Lochoff;

MotoAmerica Superstock 600 race winner Nick McFadden;

AMA Pro SuperSport race winner and MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Stefano Mesa;

Elena Myers, the first and only woman to win AMA Pro Supersport races;

AMA Pro XR1200 race winner, multi-time Loudon Classic winner, and three-time BRL Champion Shane Narbonne;

2012 Canadian Superbike Championship runner-up Andrew Nelson;

2016 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Champion, 2019 British Motostar (Moto3) Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and two-time Daytona 200 winner Brandon Paasch;

2012 Daytona 200 winner and 2010 AMA Pro Supersport West Champion Joey Pascarella;

2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and powersports dealership owner Bryce Prince;

AMA Pro and Canadian National race winner and multi-time N2/WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Peris;

two-time AMA Pro SuperSport National Champion, British Supersport podium finisher, 2020 AFT Production Twins Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Championship runner-up James Rispoli;

2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport race winner, and Moto2 World Championship race winner Joe Roberts;

2022 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up and 2023 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship runner-up Gus Rodio;

former Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Champion and former FIM Moto2 European Championship competitor Benny Solis, Jr.;

three-time AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2009 Superbike World Champion, MotoGP race winner, and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Ben Spies;

multi-time AMA Pro race winner and four-time overall WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Ulrich;

MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher and former World Superbike competitor Jayson Uribe;

2017 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Championship runner-up, 2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher Cory Ventura;

Canadian Superbike race winner Alex Welsh;

former AMA Pro Superbike Rookie of the Year, Chinese Superbike Championship race winner, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and MotoAmerica Super Hooligan race winner Cory West;

MotoAmerica Junior Cup and Superbike Cup race winner Ashton Yates;

and two-time AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up Blake Young.

British Superbike: Hager Sponsoring PBM Ducati

The Hager PBM Ducati Superbike of Glenn Irwin. Photo courtesy Paul Bird Motorsport.
The Hager PBM Ducati Superbike of Glenn Irwin. Photo courtesy Paul Bird Motorsport.

PBM Racing Team and Hager Power Into New Title Sponsorship Partnership

The title-winning PBM Racing Team have unveiled a new look ahead of the 2024 Bennetts British Superbike Championship, announcing a new title  sponsorship partnership with leading electrical supplier, Hager.

Hager have been long-term sponsors of the PBM Racing Team, celebrating their tenth year of association this season by increasing their support, as together they target a tenth Bennetts BSB title in the new era for the team.

Last season the team claimed the top two positions in the Riders’ standings and sealed the Team’s Championship with 18 race wins and a total of 36 podium finishes. Glenn Irwin now returns with Hager PBM Ducati this year in a bid to claim his first Bennetts BSB title, getting underway with the first Official Test at Donington Park (April 6-7) ahead of the opening round at Circuito de Navarra later this month (April 20-21).

Bruce Davies, Managing Director, Hager UK: “It was going to happen one day, and now the time is right. We have been part of the team now for ten years and given all the speculation around the future for 2024, it was never in doubt that Hager would be back to support the next step in the PBM story under the leadership of Jordan and Frank. This a great opportunity for Hager and PBM to further engage with our customers, providing them with an unrivalled experience whilst supporting Glenn and the team in the quest to achieve an unprecedented tenth title. Our desire to be a part of this was something that I was not going to pass on.”

PBM Racing Team Owner Jordan Bird:  “It would be an understatement to say it has been a big winter for the team! We had our first big announcement of PBM returning this season and now we are really happy to share  the news of our new title sponsor, Hager, who I would firstly like to thank for their continued support and also unveil our new livery. Hager remains one of the team’s most loyal partners and it seems the perfect fit for them to celebrate their tenth year with us by becoming our title sponsor as we prepare to fight for a tenth title. Together we can now look forward to the next key moment for the team in our new era, when Glenn rolls out of pitlane for the first time at the Official Test this weekend before the first round of the season at Circuito de Navarra.”

For further information please visit www.pbmuk.net and www.britishsuperbike.com

BRL Bagger Class Added To AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days At Mid-Ohio

Bagger Racing League racer Benny Carlson. Photo courtesy BRL and AMA.
Bagger Racing League racer Benny Carlson. Photo courtesy BRL and AMA.

Bagger Class Added to Packed Vintage Road Racing Schedule at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days

AMA Amateur National Bagger Championship class in partnership with Bagger Racing League running Saturday

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Classic racing motorcycles from decades past will command the freshly repaved curves of Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, during 2024 Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, July 26-28. America’s grandest celebration of vintage motorcycles will honor eras old and new with national championship racing on one of the country’s favorite road courses.

“Mid-Ohio’s 2.4-mile road course, with its legendary Keyhole and Carousel sections, has a fresh coat of asphalt and is ready to welcome a full slate of vintage road racing during VMD,” said AMA Director of Racing Mike Pelletier. “Classes will include hand-shifted pre-war racers, non-current superbikes, modern machines and everything in between — even sidecar rigs. The AMA appreciates our organizing partner WERA Motorcycle Roadracing and their efforts in growing and supporting the program.”

This year, the program will shake the ground in a new way with the addition of big V-twin engines and the visual spectacle of full-faired bagger motorcycles at speed. For the first time, the AMA Amateur National Bagger Champion will be crowned at Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, and it’s certain to be a highlight of Saturday’s on-track action.

AMA-chartered promoter Bagger Racing League (BRL) is partnering with the AMA and WERA to promote and operate the amateur championship class.

“Baggers were built to tour, but in the right hands and with the right modifications they become some of the wildest racing machines on the planet,” said BRL founder Rob Buydos. “The roar they make, how they move around and attack the corners is amazing to watch, and race fans are in for a serious thrill at Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days this year. BRL is thrilled to bring this fabulous racing action to VMD for the first time during the 100th year celebration of the AMA itself.”

Amateur road racing entry information will be available soon. It will be posted, along with rules and additional competitor information at www.VintageMotorcycleDays.com/racing/road-racing/.

Staged at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days features vintage and post-vintage competition in motocross, trials, hare scrambles, road racing and dirt track. In addition to demo rides of current production bikes, the event includes North America’s largest motorcycle swap meet, bike shows, motorcycling seminars, the Crossroads and more.

Coinciding with the AMA’s 100th Anniversary, the 2024 event is poised to be the biggest ever, with early interest at unprecedented levels and more new events to be announced soon.

AMA members can purchase discounted tickets and secure tent camping spots through the AMA at www.VintageMotorcycleDays.com/tickets/. Tent camping is for non-reserved, non-self-contained units only, and spaces are first-come, first-served. RV passes are required for an RV or self-contained unit and are on sale, alongside non-AMA member tickets, at www.midohio.com/.

Proceeds from AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days support the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The AMHF raises money for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, which celebrates and preserves the rich tradition of motorcycling in America. Its exhibits honor the distinguished men and women whose competitive spirit, passion, vision and entrepreneurship have played a vital role in shaping the sport, lifestyle and business of motorcycling. For more information, call (614) 856-2222 or visit www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com/hall-of-fame/.

About the American Motorcyclist Association

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

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

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. Names New President

Naoki Kawaguchi. Photo courtesy Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.
Naoki Kawaguchi. Photo courtesy Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.

KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP., U.S.A. APPOINTS NEW PRESIDENT

Foothill Ranch, Calif. – Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. welcomes Naoki Kawaguchi to the role of President effective immediately. Mr. Kawaguchi has a long history with Kawasaki most recently serving as the Executive Vice President, 4-Wheel Business at Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. where he oversaw continued sales growth and the highly successful launches of both the Kawasaki Teryx KRX®4 1000 and Kawasaki RIDGE® side x side vehicles.

Mr. Kawaguchi started with Kawasaki 30 years ago as an engineer and has built a diverse background in a variety of roles including Vice President (Factory Manager) at Kawasaki Motors Enterprise Co., LTD in Thailand, various roles within Marketing & Sales as well as Business Planning divisions with Kawasaki Motors, LTD in Japan, and President of Kawasaki Motores do Brazil Ltda. all prior to coming to the United States in 2022.

After leading Kawasaki’s U.S. operations through a global pandemic and helping the company achieve record retail sales, Mr. Eigo Konya will return to Kawasaki Motors, LTD. in Japan where he will serve as Deputy General Manager of Sales & Marketing, Senior Manager of Sales Planning Division, and Manager of Accessories Section.

“This is a very exciting time for Kawasaki,” said Mr. Kawaguchi. “My time dedicated to growing our 4-wheel business culminated with the successful launch of the Kawasaki RIDGE and we have big goals to continue to grow our side x side business along with building on our successful 2-wheel and Jet Ski® heritage. Kawasaki is fortunate to have the best dealer network in the industry and the future is looking very bright.”

Roadracing World Young Guns 2024: Matthew Chapin

Matthew Chapin (95). Photo by Mark Wicklein/Speedbump.

Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 28th consecutive year of showcasing an abundance of new talent.

Roadracing World Young Guns have won:

FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;

MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 13 AMA Pro Superbike Championships;

A KTM RC Cup World Final race;

WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;

ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;

AMA Road Racing Grand Championships and Horizon Awards;

USGPRU National Championships;

Many regional and local titles.

The competition has continually become more intense as more – and younger—racers with higher levels of accomplishment are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.

We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2024 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.

The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.

We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.

The entire Roadracing World Young Guns, Class of 2024 is featured in the April 2024 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine.

 

Matthew Chapin. Photo by Phillip Chapin.
Matthew Chapin. Photo by Phillip Chapin.

 

Matthew Chapin

Age: 16.

Current home: Damascus, Maryland.

Current height/weight: 5’5”/115 pounds.

Current school grade level: 10th grade.

Began riding at age: 4 years.

First road race: 2018, NJminiGP, Millville, New Jersey, Spec 50, 3rd place.

Current racebike: Kawasaki Ninja 400.

Current tuners/mechanics: Mike Skowronek, Phillip Chapin (father).

Primary race series: MotoAmerica Junior Cup, N2/WERA National Endurance Championship, ASRA.

Top sponsors: BARTCON Racing, Bison, Sportbike Track Gear, KYT, Woodcraft, Blud Lubricants, Triple Strong Racing, JT Motorsports, Spears Racing, Vortex, NJminiGP, GLS Autobody, Kings Valley Painting & Drywall, Commonground Custom T’s, Savage Viking Coffee & Beard Oil, Historic GP, GPR.

Recent racing accomplishments: 2023 season, took 2 top-10 finishes in MotoAmerica Junior Cup debut at Pittsburgh International Race Complex (a.k.a. PittRace), won E Superstock Expert WERA National Challenge Championship, won D Superstock and E Superstock Expert WERA Sportsman National Championships (8 race wins with WERA), won 3 ASRA Regional Class Championships (400 Superbike, 400 GT Expert, 400 GP Expert); 2022 season, placed 13th in FIM North America Talent Cup Championship (best finish was 5th at PittRace); 2021 season, won 4 DMVminiGP Championships; 2020 season, won 4 DMVminiGP Championships.

2024 racing goal: Win MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship.

Racing career goal: Make a living racing motorcycles for a professional team.

Racing hero: Marc Marquez.

Favorite track: Pittsburgh International Race Complex (a.k.a. PittRace).

Hobby: Fishing and hunting with friends.

If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Playing football and lacrosse.

…

Some of the riders who have graduated from Young Guns and gone on to racing success in National or International series include:

2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion Jason Aguilar (R.I.P.);

2013 AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and 2022 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Corey Alexander;

AMA Pro Daytona SportBike race winner Tommy Aquino (R.I.P.);

2008 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and multi-time MotoAmerica Superbike race winner J.D. Beach;

five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion and Moto2 World Championship point scorer Cameron Beaubier;

MotoAmerica Twins Cup race winner Jackson Blackmon;

former Canadian Sport Bike Champion Tomas Casas;

three-time Canadian Sport Bike Champion and 2014 Canadian Superbike Champion Jodi Christie;

former AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 race winner Josh Day;

2011 Daytona 200 winner Jason DiSalvo;

2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Championship runner-up and current MotoAmerica team owner Dustin Dominguez;

2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2019 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, and 2021 Canadian Superbike Champion Alex Dumas;

four-time Pikes Peak International Hill Climb race winner and former motorcycle track record holder Carlin Dunne (R.I.P.);

Canadian Superbike race winner Bodhi Edie;

two-time AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, two-time AMA Pro XR1200/Harley-Davidson Champion and four-time Daytona 200 winner Danny Eslick;

2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Bobby Fong;

2010 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, 2015 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North America Superstock 1000 Champion, and three-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne;

two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and World Superbike podium finisher Garrett Gerloff;

2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Championship runner-up Michael Gilbert;

2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Champion, 2023 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Champion Hayden Gillim;

2002 AMA Superbike Champion and 2006 FIM MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden (R.I.P.);

2007 AMA Pro 600cc Supersport Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up, and 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship runner-up Roger Hayden;

eight-time AMA Pro Superbike race winner and two-time AMA Supersport Champion Tommy Hayden;

2013 AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and three-time Daytona 200 winner Josh Herrin;

MotoAmerica Supersport front-runner Teagg Hobbs;

AMA Pro Superstock race winner Jake Holden;

2011 British Superbike Championship runner-up and former MotoGP and World Superbike regular John Hopkins;

2015 Supersport World Championship runner-up, 2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Patrick “P.J.” Jacobsen;

2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, Moto2 World Championship point scorer, and MotoAmerica Superbike racer Sean Dylan Kelly;

Canadian Superbike race winner Kevin Lacombe;

two-time MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2020 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up Rocco Landers;

two-time MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Andrew Lee;

2021 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 and Superbike Cup Champion Jake Lewis;

MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Sam Lochoff;

MotoAmerica Superstock 600 race winner Nick McFadden;

AMA Pro SuperSport race winner and MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Stefano Mesa;

Elena Myers, the first and only woman to win AMA Pro Supersport races;

AMA Pro XR1200 race winner, multi-time Loudon Classic winner, and three-time BRL Champion Shane Narbonne;

2012 Canadian Superbike Championship runner-up Andrew Nelson;

2016 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Champion, 2019 British Motostar (Moto3) Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and two-time Daytona 200 winner Brandon Paasch;

2012 Daytona 200 winner and 2010 AMA Pro Supersport West Champion Joey Pascarella;

2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and powersports dealership owner Bryce Prince;

AMA Pro and Canadian National race winner and multi-time N2/WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Peris;

two-time AMA Pro SuperSport National Champion, British Supersport podium finisher, 2020 AFT Production Twins Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Championship runner-up James Rispoli;

2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport race winner, and Moto2 World Championship race winner Joe Roberts;

2022 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up and 2023 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship runner-up Gus Rodio;

former Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Champion and former FIM Moto2 European Championship competitor Benny Solis, Jr.;

three-time AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2009 Superbike World Champion, MotoGP race winner, and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Ben Spies;

multi-time AMA Pro race winner and four-time overall WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Ulrich;

MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher and former World Superbike competitor Jayson Uribe;

2017 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Championship runner-up, 2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher Cory Ventura;

Canadian Superbike race winner Alex Welsh;

former AMA Pro Superbike Rookie of the Year, Chinese Superbike Championship race winner, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and MotoAmerica Super Hooligan race winner Cory West;

MotoAmerica Junior Cup and Superbike Cup race winner Ashton Yates;

and two-time AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up Blake Young.

N2 Track Days Sponsoring 2024 N2/WERA National Endurance Series

The start of a N2/WERA National Endurance race in 2023. Photo by Highside Photography, courtesy N2.
The start of a N2/WERA National Endurance race in 2023. Photo by Highside Photography, courtesy N2 Track Days.

N2 Track Days to Title Sponsor the 2024 N2/WERA National Endurance Series.

Media, PA (April 2024) – N2 Track Days will be the title sponsor for the 2024 N2/WERA National Endurance Series providing the “Base Purse” for the series. WERA Motorcycle Roadracing will continue to sanction the series and provide race direction. Dunlop will continue to support the series as a contingency sponsor, on top of the “Base Purse” provided by N2. Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A. will continue as a series sponsor.

“Since reviving the national endurance series in 2017 we have seen tremendous growth year after year,” said N2 Director of Racing Chris Kubricky. “In 2017, we had 63 unique teams register to run our races. In 2023, we had 283 unique teams, and we expect to break that record in 2024. This incredible growth has been in large part due to our partners at Dunlop, and we are grateful that Dunlop will continue to support our teams with an amazing $50,000 contingency program.”

N2 is currently in negotiations with sponsors for individual round title sponsorships. N2 will be issuing a purse structure in the coming weeks. “When companies sponsor the N2 National Endurance Series, 100% of the sponsorship goes to the teams in the form of purse money and championship bonuses,” said N2 CEO James Curtis. “We will have a strong ‘Base Purse’ structure this year, and we are continuing our ‘Who Will Endure’ YouTube series with Coop DeVille Productions and commentary from World Superbike announcer Michael Hill at select rounds. We have an amazing group of teams and riders committed to the series, and we are excited to get the season started.”

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].

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 Motorcycle 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 Motorcycle Roadracing, 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.

 

For more information:
www.n2td.org

AHRMA Spotlighting 500 Premier Class In 2025 Vintage Cup

AHRMA racers Tony Read (176), Andrew Mauk (95), and Tim Joyce (309). Photo by etechphoto.com, courtesy AHRMA.
AHRMA racers Tony Read (176), Andrew Mauk (X95), and Tim Joyce (309). Photo by etechphoto.com, courtesy AHRMA.

Bikes from the Golden Age of GP Racing Featured in 2025 AHRMA Vintage Cup

(April 3, 2024) A Golden Age of Grand Prix motorcycle racing is coming to tracks across the country during 2025.

The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association’s (AHRMA) 2025 Vintage Cup will highlight the 500 Premier class which was AHRMA’s first and undoubtedly the most historically significant post-war racing series.

Sponsored by Hagerty Insurance, Roadracingworld.com, and NYC Norton (nycnorton.com), AHRMA’s 2025 Vintage Cup features the 500 Premier class which includes any fully kitted 500cc OHV/OHC or 750cc side-valve four-stroke machine built before December 31, 1968. 

“When the Vintage Cup concept was presented to me several years ago, the 500 Premier class was the first thing on my mind that we should feature as these motorcycles were the pinnacle of grand prix racing performance and the bikes nearest and dearest to my heart,” said Kenny Cummings of NYC Norton, 2025 Vintage Cup sponsor. 

“Many of these bikes have been put away for years, becoming ornaments in people’s homes and the whole intent of this class was to bring these bikes out of retirement to the national stage with heavy competition,” Cummings said.  “I couldn’t be happier to see these beautiful machines racing in anger at some of the greatest racetracks in the country.  NYC Norton has been a proud sponsor of this class for years and is happy that AHRMA is hosting it yet again, for the Vintage Cup. Let’s bring them out, people!”

Typical AHRMA 500 Premier grids include wide variety motorcycles from Norton Manx, Matchless G50, 500 Triton, Honda, Ducati, Gilero, MV Agusta, and more.

“For a lot of racers and race fans, when you ask them to imagine ‘vintage’ road racers, they think of 500cc bikes from the mid to late 60s,” said Greg Tomlinson, 2024 Chair of the AHRMA Board of Trustees.  “Unfortunately, those same bikes that stir the imagination aren’t seen or heard much anymore.  Fortunately, putting the 2025 Vintage Cup spotlight on them will bring them back to the track.”

“AHRMA continues to do its part providing a series for people to ride historic racebikes on the track, where they can be seen and heard in action. Roadracing World is happy to be involved with the Vintage Cup program in 2025. “Go out and have some fun on old bikes!” said John Ulrich, Founder & Editor of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine.

The Vintage Cup will be highlighted during and after each of the 2025 AHRMA National road races.  Added enhancements for the 2025 season include:

  • Enhanced trophies throughout the season.
  • Special awards for series champion.
  • Articles and photos on Roadracingworld.com to spotlight the class.
  • Roadracing World print magazine enhanced exposure for AHRMA and 500 Premier.
  • Discounted race entry fees.
  • Racer spotlight features in AHRMA MAG.
  • Class champion on cover of the AHRMA MAG.

Motorcycles eligible for AHRMA’s 500 Premier class must have been built before December 31, 1968, or be based on a like design and may have up to a 500cc air-cooled four-stroke engine with overhead valves and cams or a 750cc side-valve engine.  A list of eligible machines can be found in the AHRMA Handbook in Section 10.2.1 (www.ahrma.org/ahrma-handbook).

The first American to win a race at the Isle of Man TT, Dave Roper, who is also a multi-time AHRMA champion and frequent 500 Premier competitor, shared the following: “The 500cc class has been the premier class in World Championship road racing since at least the end of WWI to 2002 when the MotoGP four stroke era was introduced.  The Isle of Man TT established the 500cc limit for the Senior Class in 1912 and it continued until 1984.  Between the world wars, there was no formal World Championship and the European Championship was based on a single race which rotated from country to country.  Norton dominated in this period with riders Stanley Woods, Freddy Frith, Harold Daniel, ‘Crasher’ White, Wal Handley, and Jimmy Guthrie. Toward the end of this period, BMW and Gilera made inroads into Norton’s dominance. 

“After WWII and with the establishment of the World Championship in 1949, Britain continued to lead with the AJS Porcupine then the Norton Featherbed,” Roper continued. “But, then the Italians took over, first with Gilera and Geoff Duke, then with MV and John Surtees, Mike Hailwood, Giacomo Agostini, and Phil Reed.  In 1975, the two-strokes took over, first with Ago on the Yamaha, then the RG 500 Suzuki with Barry Sheene, back to Yamaha with Kenny Roberts, back to Suzuki with Lucchinelli and Uncini, then to Honda with Freddie Spencer and Yamaha with Eddie Lawson. In 1987, Wayne Gardner interrupted a string of American World Champions, with Lawson and Wayne Rainey and Kevin Schwantz following. Australian Mick Doohan followed with five successive World Championships for Honda, Criville giving Honda one more. Suzuki had one year with Kenny Roberts, Jr., then the Valentino Rossi period began on the 500cc two stroke Honda and making the transition into the MotoGP four-stroke era.

“500 Premier was one of AHRMA’s inaugural classes and the championship has been won mostly on Matchless G-50 and Norton Manx, but also with a 500 Triton, Honda 450 based machine, and even a 350 Aermacchi.”

 

About AHRMA:

The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to competing on fantastic classic and true vintage machines along with a wide range of modern motorcycles.  With over 3,000 members, AHRMA is the largest vintage racing group in North America and one of the biggest in the world. The association has grown steadily over the years, reflecting the increasing interest in classic bikes.

 

Video: Harley-Davidson’s MotoAmerica Baggers Docuseries Returns

A round has been added to the 2023 MotoAmerica Mission King Of The Baggers Championship and that round is at Circuit of The Americas in conjunction with the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas. Kyle Wyman (33) is shown on his Screamin' Eagle Harley-Davidson Road Glide at COTA in 2023. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Kyle Wyman (33) as seen on his Harley-Davidson Road Glide at COTA in 2023. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON ANNOUNCES PUSH THE LIMIT: HARLEY-DAVIDSON RACING SEASON 2 DEBUT ON YOUTUBE 

Dramatic Six-Episode Docuseries Provides Behind-the-Scenes Perspective of the 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Race Season

MILWAUKEE (April 3, 2024) – Harley-Davidson® has today released a preview of Push the Limit: Harley-Davidson Racing Season 2, a dramatic new docuseries on YouTube that follows the Harley-Davidson Factory Race Team and other racers during the 2023 season of the MotoAmerica Mission King Of The Baggers series. The adrenaline-fueled docuseries puts fans behind the scenes and right in the middle of the wheel-to-wheel action, showcasing the excitement of King Of The Baggers racing and providing a behind-the-scenes perspective of the immense effort these racers and teams make to achieve victory. The six-episode docuseries will be released episodically, with a new episode debuting each week, beginning Friday, April 5 at 10:00 a.m. CT on the Harley-Davidson App for members, followed by a YouTube release on Monday, April 8 at 7:00 p.m. CT.

Push the Limit: Harley-Davidson Racing Season 2 follows select King Of The Baggers racers throughout the 2023 season, including the most successful racer in MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers history, Factory Harley-Davidson pilot Kyle Wyman. Wyman won seven races during the 2023 King Of The Baggers season and finished third in the season championship. Wyman has won 14 of 26 events since the start of the series in 2021 and earned the 2021 championship. King Of The Baggers 2023 and defending champion Hayden Gillim, and racers James Rispoli, Travis Wyman, Cory West, Jake Lewis, Patricia Fernandez-West, Frankie Garcia, and others also appear in the docuseries.

 

 

The MotoAmerica Mission King Of The Baggers series offers exciting competition between American V-Twin touring motorcycles prepared for competition and equipped with a fairing/windscreen and saddlebags. The 2024 season was expanded to 18 races over nine double-header weekends held in conjunction with the MotoAmerica Superbike Series. The season’s first races were held in Daytona the first weekend of March.

For the 2024 season, the Harley-Davidson® Factory Race Team is sponsored by Mission® Foods, Rockford Fosgate®, Brembo®, Öhlins®, Protolabs®, SYN3® lubricants, and Screamin’ Eagle® Performance Parts and Accessories.

 

2024 MotoAmerica Mission King Of The Baggers Remaining Schedule

(Two races each weekend)

April 12-13: Circuit of The Americas – Austin, Texas (Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas)

April 19-21: Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta – Braselton, Ga.

May 31-June 2: Road America – Elkhart Lake, Wis.

June 14-16: Brainerd International Raceway – Brainerd, Minn.

July 12-14: WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca – Monterey, Calif.

August 16-18: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course – Lexington, Ohio

September 13-15: Circuit of The Americas – Austin, Texas

September 27-29: New Jersey Motorsports Park – Millville, N.J.

1...338339340...7,453Page 339 of 7,453
0FansLike
0FollowersFollow
0FollowersFollow
1,620SubscribersSubscribe

Latest Posts

Follow us

43,094FansLike
19,223FollowersFollow
16,430FollowersFollow
1,200SubscribersSubscribe

Menu

Information

© , Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AUTHOR LOGIN