American Flat Track: Springfield Mile I & II Race Report

David Swarts

-

September 1, 2024

American Flat Track: Springfield Mile I & II Race Report

Mees Takes Control with Springfield Super Sunday Double Victory

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (September 1, 2024) – The Springfield Mile I & II presented by Drag Specialties lived up to its billing as one of the most significant events in the series’ modern history as two of the final three rounds of the 2024 Progressive American Flat Track season, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, played out over the course of a single day at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Illinois.

When the dust settled at the conclusion of the Super Sunday doubleheader, reigning Grand National Champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Rogers Racing/SDI Racing/Indian Motorcycle FTR750) emerged the big winner… again.

A day of domination for the all-time great ended with his third Springfield Mile double – this one leaving him just three points away from the immortality granted by a record tenth premier-class crown.

Mission AFT SuperTwins Main Event 1

Mission AFT SuperTwins Main Event 1 was a contradictory concoction of unpredictability and inevitability courtesy of the sport’s primary protagonists, Mees and Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT), who made a shock return to action just six weeks removed from surgery to repair a broken femur.

Despite hobbling around the paddock on a crutch, Daniels didn’t look to have missed a step once he threw his leg over a racebike. Starting from pole, the Estenson Racing ace mixed it up for the lead with the likes of Mees, Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750), and Brandon Price (No. 92 Memphis Shades/Sody Ent/OTBR Yamaha MT-07) for the race lead.

But a moment of near catastrophe transpired in still in the contest’s early stages when the still-mending Daniels got well sideways, clipped Price’s rear wheel and then Robinson’s, before being sent up the track and down the order… but most crucially, all while somehow remaining upright.

The drama allowed Mees to break the draft and subsequently check out, piling up a monster lead before cruising to a 2.137-second margin of victory at the flag. The win was both his ninth-career victory at the Springfield Mile and his 29th in the Mile discipline overall, tying him with Chris Carr for second on the all-time order.

Mees said, “So many people have contributed to our program. My guys worked so hard just to try to fine-tune it all day. And I needed that in the Main. You don’t really get perfect motorcycles every race, but that Main Event, the thing was really, really close to perfect. It was awesome and came together when we needed it.”

Rather than cower and fold following his near fall, Daniels clawed his way back up from seventh to third, finishing behind only Mees and fellow charger Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750) to resume his run of podiums at 11.

Robinson pulled off a final-lap pass on Price to lock down fourth, limiting the extent of the damage done to his championship chances. While less than ideal, he got off easy compared to fellow title hopeful Briar Bauman (No. 3 Rick Ware Racing/KTM/Parts Plus KTM 790 Duke), who retired from the race and was credited in 19th position.

Mission AFT SuperTwins Main Event 2

Minus a second moment of terror for Daniels, the day’s second scheduled Mees disappearing act proved considerably more difficult to execute. While largely controlling the race from the front, Daniels, Bauman, Robinson, and Fisher kept the champion firmly in their sights over the race’s opening half.

However, Fisher then faded from the lead pack, destined to ultimately finish fifth behind Price. A short while later, Bauman was removed from the equation as well, forced to pull off a second time due to mechanical issues, leaving only Daniels and Robinson to give chase.

With his conditioning left wanting after sitting on the couch for the past month, Daniels eventually had to shift his focus from pursuing Mees to fending off Robinson, which allowed the factory Indian superstar to at last stretch open a bit of padding with a couple minutes to go.

The champ stormed past the checkered flag with almost a second-and-a-half in hand, securing his 10th Springfield Mile win and a Carr-surpassing 30th-career Mile victory.

Now on the verge of an unprecedented tenth Grand National Championship, Mees said, “Total domination all day. We came in super focused but kind of had some jitters and some nerves, just because the pressure was on me because I’ve done so well in the past. I had the target on my back, but I do well with that. A huge shout out to my entire team…. I wanted to get Indian Motorcycle their last couple wins here, I really did. That burnout was for Indian Motorcycle. I’m so happy they put me on board in 2016 and ‘17 – a phenomenal company to ride for.

”We came into the Springfield Mile needing to do this… We’ve got one more to go, but we have a little bit of cushion now.”

Daniels managed to successfully hold off Robinson for second, upping his podium streak to 12 in the process. Robinson, however, did just enough to keep his title hopes alive – if just barely – now 22 points back of the title lead (286-264) with only the finale to go.

Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER Main Event 1

Defying pre-race expectations for another of the Parts Unlimited AFT Singles class’ standard ten-plus-rider Mile track pack wars, a four-pilot breakaway featuring title fighters Kody Kopp (No. 1 Rick Ware Racing/Parts Plus KTM 450 SX-F), Chase Saathoff (No. 88 JPG Motorsports Honda CRF450R), and Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F), along with savvy vet Chad Cose (No. 49 1st Impressions/Media HT Husqvarna FC450), quickly took shape in the day’s opening Main Event.

However, eight minutes of final-lap trial runs and strategic formulations was undone in an instant when a red flag was thrown just as the clocks hit zero. The potential for a pack battle was again on the table with the field bunched back up for a frantic two-lap dash to the checkered flag.

But somehow, Saathoff, Drane, Cose, and Kopp instantly shook free yet again, relegating everyone else to an outsized fight for fifth. Saathoff appeared to be in prime position to claim his third straight home-state win when he powered into Turn 3 for the final time with the lead and Drane displaced to third by Cose.

Instead, the Australian immediately countered and leapt out of 4 with a near-perfect launch, enabling him to blast by Saathoff at the stripe by 0.048 seconds. Cose held on for third another 0.048 seconds back, followed by championship leader Kopp in fourth.

“It was definitely a hard race out there,” Drane said. “There was a big battle at the front, and then that red flag made it real dicey towards the end. I was able to just get through on Chad, which gave me a good run on Chase and was able to get him at the line. I couldn’t have done it without my whole Estenson Racing Monster Energy crew; they’ve put in a lot of work, and it paid off.”

Miler extraordinaire Shayna Texter-Bauman (No. 52 Rick Ware Racing/Parts Plus KTM 450 SX-F) took full advantage of the race reset to secure her season’s best result by far in fifth.

Parts Unlimited AFT Singles Main Event 2

After Cose was forced to line up at the back of the grid for jumping the start and Drane, Saathoff, and Kopp stretched open a healthy gap in less than a lap, Parts Unlimited AFT Singles Main Event 2 seemed destined to be a three-contender affair.

Instead, Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) bridged the gap from the second group and then Cose arrived to conclude his torrid climb up the order.

The development of a five-rider freight train at the front was not in the plans for Kopp, especially when he was shuffled down to fifth while seeking a finish of second or better in order to clinch the championship early for the third consecutive season.

A back-and-forth scrap saw Drane and Saathoff cross the line with two laps to go separated by nothing – 0.000 seconds apart – and Cose, Kopp, and Lowe tucked tight in their tow.

The Estenson Racing star moved into the lead to open the final lap while Cose pushed Saathoff down to third. The JPG Motorsports runner responded by overhauling both opponents entering Turn 3. Cose then got completely sideways while holding onto second, allowing Drane and Kopp through as they navigated the final corner.

In the decisive sprint to the flag, Drane replicated his Main Event 1 trick to zap Saathoff for the win once again – this time by an even slimmer 0.019 seconds. Meanwhile, Cose edged ahead of Kopp by 0.045 seconds to keep the championship fight a three-rider affair heading into the season finale.

Lowe took fifth, less than a second removed from the race win.

“That was a really good one,” Drane said. “We had a really good race with me, Chad, and Chase. We were all putting in really good laps and swapping back and forth throughout the race. I got a little bit lucky in that last corner, Chad slipped up a little bit, allowing me to go underneath him and then get Chase to the line.”

Despite failing to end this one early, Kopp remains in a very strong position to claim an unprecedented third class crown. With just 25 points left on the table, the Rick Ware Racing star now leads Drane by 22 points (321-299) and Saathoff by 24 (297).

Next Up:

The battle for the Grand National Championship will conclude at the 2024 season finale, the Lake Ozark Short Track at Lake Ozark Speedway in Eldon, Missouri, on Saturday, September 14. Visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/lake-ozark-short-track-104135 to purchase your tickets today.

For those who can’t catch the action from the circuit, FloRacing is the live streaming home of Progressive AFT. Sign up now and catch every second of the on-track action, from the first practice to the victory podium, at https://flosports.link/aft.

FOX Sports coverage of the Springfield Mile I & II presented by Drag Specialties, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Sunday, September 8. The Springfield Mile I will air at 7:00 a.m. ET (4:00 a.m. PT) with the Springfield Mile II scheduled for 11:00 a.m. ET (8:00 a.m. PT).

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

Canadian Superbike: Race Two Report From Shannonville

David Swarts

-

September 1, 2024

0

Canadian Superbike: Race Two Report From Shannonville

Young wins thrilling last-lap duel with Dumas at CSBK finale in Shannonville

Shannonville, ON – He waited until the very last lap of the Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship season, but Ben Young managed to celebrate from the top step of the podium once again in Shannonville Motorsport Park on Sunday.

The four-time champion found himself in a similar spot to race one on Saturday, dropping from pole position to third on lap one as Alex Dumas fended off an early attack from Sam Guerin.

The race began to play out very similarly, as Guerin desperately looked for a way through on Dumas while Young settled in to a somewhat comfortable third. Just like race one, Guerin’s efforts would inevitably be denied and he would gradually sink back towards Young in the second half.

This time, however, Young was far less patient. The Van Dolder’s Home Team BMW made a decisive move in turn two and immediately set off towards Dumas, hunting down his rival and taking as much as half a second per lap out of his deficit.

That would put him right on the tail of Dumas to begin the final lap, though his first pass attempt into turn two was quickly rejected. Young’s second attempt would get the job done, making a beautiful move on the turn five/six switchover to slice underneath Dumas and seize the lead with half a lap to go.

Dumas would try a retaliatory move off the long back straightaway, but Young completed his own defensive effort in the final few corners to hang on for a fifth victory of the season by only 0.314 seconds.

“These guys obviously got a better start than me, so I just tried to settle into a rhythm again and follow fairly close, but not too closely,” Young said. “Eventually I was able to pull the trigger on Sam, but Alex really had no weak points. I just saw a little opportunity on the last lap and was able to find a way through, so it’s nice to end the year on top.”

Young was a bit more emotional than usual on the podium, reflecting on what has been a whirlwind 2024 campaign for the Van Dolder’s Home Team BMW crew.

“This team has been amazing every step of the way since 2016. We’ve had a great run for a while now, winning four championships, and I’m so happy to be a part of it,” Young said. “The BMW is such a great platform, I can’t say it enough. As always, we’ll see what the future holds, but I owe everyone a huge thanks.”

As for Dumas, the Economy Lube Ducati rider led every lap except the most important one at Shannonville, though he continued to make progress with his new program by reeling in a seventh podium of the season aboard the V4 Panigale – passing Pascal Picotte for the most by a Ducati rider in GP Bikes Pro Superbike history.

However, Dumas was also somewhat coy about his 2025 plans, having joined the Economy Lube team midway through the season.

“We tried a new setup today, it didn’t really work the way we wanted it but we’re still making lots of progress,” Dumas said. “I would have loved to do the full season, but I’m happy to finish the year with two wins. Hopefully I’m back next year, but things are pretty up in the air.”

Rounding out the podium for a second day in a row was Guerin, who once again found himself unable to claw his way into the lead but kept his rivals closer than in race one as he claimed his eighth podium this season.

Unlike his rivals, the championship runner-up was very adamant about his 2025 plans, eyeing a first career Canada Cup for the EFC Group BMW team.

“I had some more issues in the second half, but it was another big improvement from yesterday,” Guerin said. “I have to give a huge thanks to BMW Canada and the whole team for their help this season, and I can’t wait to be back fighting again next year.”

Jordan Szoke managed to hang with the leaders for the opening stint of the race, holding steady in the frontrunning group of four through the first five laps. The 14-time champion would eventually slump back to a lonelier fourth, though he represented a much bigger challenge than in race one as he ends the campaign with a top-four finish in every race for CKM Kawasaki.

Tomas Casas avoided any early mistakes to take an impressive fifth on Sunday, coming out on top of a spectacular five-rider battle in the early laps.

Casas eventually broke free of the pack and would settle into a third top-five finish in four races for Yamaha Motors Canada, a strong end to the season as he jumps to tenth in the final standings despite appearing in just four of 12 races.

David MacKay ended his debut Superbike season with another consistent finish in sixth, coming out on top of another back-and-forth battle with Trevor Daley. That will keep MacKay fifth in the final year-end standings for ODH Snow City Cycle Honda, an incredible effort for the reigning Pro Sport Bike champion.

Daley would fight through a wrist injury to claim seventh for OneSpeed Suzuki, while Eli Daccache charged back to eighth after he ran off the back straightaway during his battle with Casas aboard the Milwaukee Yamaha.

Connor Campbell exited the year with a solid ninth-place finish and thus secured the Brooklin Cycle Racing Pro Rookie of the Year award, capping off an impressive debut campaign for B&T MacFarlane/Kubota Kawasaki.

AIM Insurance Amateur Superbike champion Goran Radisic completed the top ten for a second day in a row at Shannonville, a pair of excellent finishes in his pro debut for PMR BMW as he graduated early from the amateur ranks.

Young’s late comeback from third to win also earned him the last FAST Riding School Hard Charger award of the season, overcoming a near three-second deficit at the midway point to snatch an unlikely victory from Dumas.

Full results can be found on the series’ official website.

Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup: Race Two Results From MotorLand Aragon

David Swarts

-

September 1, 2024

0

Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup: Race Two Results From MotorLand Aragon

Editorial Note: American Kristian Daniel Jr. finished fifth in Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Race Two Sunday at MotorLand Aragon, in Spain.

Session for ARA RookiesCup RAC2 copy

More, from a press release issued by Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup:

Hakim Danish scores a stunning wet Rookies victory in Aragón Race 2

A first and dominant Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup victory for Hakim Danish on a soaking wet Motorland Aragón made history. A fall and no points for Cup leader Álvaro Carpe opened up the title chase. His nearest challenger Brian Uriarte finished 2nd and closed the points gap to just 13 with 2 races remaining next weekend in Misano

Rico Salmela put in a huge effort, fighting his way through the field to swap places several times with Uriarte at the final corner. He only lost out on the hunt for grip between the two KTMs on the drive for the line and finished 3rd.

Danish takes historic first Malaysian win in Rookies Cup

“I knew it had rained a lot in the night,” explained the 17-year-old in his second Cup season. “So when I woke up I prepared myself for a wet race and I was determined to be focused. I made 2 sighting laps and I already got confidence in the bike, I had the grip and a good feeling. So when I arrived on the starting grid I said to my mechanic, ‘OK maybe this is my time.’”

“When we started the race I tried as quickly as I could to pull away, to make a gap. I wanted to get away but I also wanted to be under control. In the first laps, I was under pressure, I could see that Brian was just 0.5 behind but I kept going and I did make a gap.”

“I kept my concentration and made sure that I kept momentum and focus and the lap times consistent. I think I did a really good job, I didn’t relax, I wanted as big a gap as I could.”

Uriarte happier with 2nd than 3rd

“Today was better than yesterday,” smiled the understated 16-year-old Spaniard. “I’m a bit happier. At the beginning I was catching Hakim in some corners, in others he took a bit of a gap on me. It was hard to follow Hakim but not impossible. I saw that going with him was taking a risk and I saw that I was 2 seconds ahead of the rest, from the 3rd guy so I honestly didn’t want to take a risk.”

“I saw some images on the screen that something had happened with Alvaro but I didn’t want to think about this. I was concentrating on riding my own race, if I wasn’t fighting for the championship I would be doing exactly the same, I was enjoying the race and doing the maximum in the conditions. It was a nice race today.”

Salmela spinning his way to 3rd

“I had to make many overtakes in the first laps because I started P11,” explained the 16-year-old Finn. “I got stuck early in the race with a few riders, the first few guys already escaped. But lap by lap I started to get a better feeling, I tried to put the pressure on Valentin, seemed like it worked.”

“I thought that I also had the pace to pass him anyway and go after Brian but he fell so I didn’t have to. Then the plan was not to go for Brian, he was quite far ahead but with 3 laps to go I had a really good feeling with the front, the rear started to slide a bit but it was OK and I could control it.”

“I saw that Brian was coming closer all the time and we had a good fight in the last corner, I tried my best but was just spinning the rear tyre on the exit and he passed me back so it was a pretty good race.”

Carpe still leads the Cup after P16 finish

“Not good today because I crashed,” stated the Spanish 17-year-old. “I picked up my bike and got going again, I broke my clutch lever, half was gone but I could still manage. I tried to push as much as I could, to pass as many riders as I could. But I finished 16th, near the points but not enough.”

“It was tricky conditions and I was not comfortable with my bike. I am still leading the points by 13 I think, in front of Brian and not so bad as it might have been.”

September 2024

Magazine Issue

Trudy Ulrich

-

September 1, 2024

0

On the Front Cover: Josh Herrin left Mid-Ohio with a 52-point MotoAmerica Superbike lead over Bobby Fong, with two rounds and five races left in the season. If Herrin wins, it will be the high point of his 19 years in motorcycle racing, 11 years after winning his first Superbike title. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology is THE definitive source for motorcycle racing, riding, and tech information.

—

Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Or call (909) 654-4779 to subscribe, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.

Log in HERE to read the September 2024 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology with your online subscription.

SEPTEMBER 2024 ISSUE

FEATURES

Inside Info: Buell Super Cruiser orders open up; Honda goes electric in the USA; KTM’s 450 SMR raises the bar, and more…

Historic Racebike Illustrations: 1988 Yamaha TZ250U

Intro: Riding The Yamaha MT-09 SP Hypernaked Triple

Hanging With: MotoAmerica Superbike Points Leader Josh Herrin

Collections: Lyon Air Museum’s The Motorcycles

RACING

Racing History: 75 Years Of MotoGP

MotoGP: Bastianini Battles Back At Silverstone

MotoGP: Pecco Perfect At Red Bull Ring

MotoAmerica Superbike: Herrin Times Two At Mid-Ohio

American Kid Racing In Europe: Kristian Daniel Jr.

MotoGP Goes Retro To Celebrate History

World Superbike: Toprak Makes History

Moto2: American Racing Hits 100 Races

COLUMNS

Letters To The Editor: Buying A Yamaha MT-09 SP, And Looking Back In The Day

10 Years Ago: Kevin Schwantz tested a MotoGP bike on the cover of
the September 2014 issue; Pirelli’s Giorgio Barbier looked at a decade of spec tires in World Superbike; Racing Editor Chris Ulrich was a wildcard entry in World Superbike at Laguna Seca; Marc Marquez won MotoGP races in Europe; and Josh Hayes took control of AMA
Superbike, winning at Barber, Laguna, and Mid-Ohio.

The Crash Page: Angel Piqueras & Scott Ogden At Silverstone

Racing, School, & Track Day Calendar: Where & When To Ride

Classified Ads/Advertiser Index

High Performance Parts & Services Directory

Chris Ulrich: Adventures Of An Ex-Racer: On Track At COTA

*******************************************************************

Click here to receive a sample issue of Roadracing World magazine (print edition). One sample issue per household, U.S. address only.

MotoGP: World Championship Race Results From MotorLand Aragon (Updated)

David Swarts

-

September 1, 2024

0

MotoGP: World Championship Race Results From MotorLand Aragon (Updated)

Marc Marquez thrilled his home country fans by taking his first full-length MotoGP race victory in nearly three years Sunday at MotorLand Aragon, in Alcaniz, Spain. Riding his Gresini Racing Ducati Desmosedici on Michelin control tires, the six-time MotoGP World Champion started from pole position and won the 23-lap race by nearly five seconds.

Prima Pramac Racing Ducati rider Jorge Martin extended his World Championship point lead with his runner-up finish.

Rookie sensation Pedro Acosta made it an all-Spanish podium by taking third on his Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 machine.

Brad Binder was fourth on his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing RC16.

Enea Bastianini brought his Lenovo Ducati home in fifth.

Two-time and defending World Champion Francesco Bagnaia got off to a rough start, and then things only got worse when he had contact with Alex Marquez and they both crashed out of the race.

MotoGP Race
MotoGP Points after Race

More, from a press release issued by Dorna:

1043 days later: Marc Marquez roars back to glory, drama hits for Bagnaia

The #93 completes a history-making weekend at MotorLand as Martin’s lead increases following a clash between Alex Marquez and Bagnaia

Marc Marquez (93) leading Sunday at MotorLand Aragon. Photo courtesy Dorna.

Sunday, 01 September 2024

1043 days, multiple surgeries, a change of team and factory later, and Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) is back on the top step of the Grand Prix podium. The #93 dominated the majority of the Gran Premio GoPro de Aragon including a stunning first Tissot Sprint win, but being the fastest isn’t a guarantee of glory. Come Sunday, however, Marquez shot off the line for the holeshot and never looked back, underlining one of the greatest comebacks in MotoGP™ history.

There was plenty to talk about in his wake too, with Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) taking second and extending his title lead – gained back from Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) on Saturday – after Bagnaia’s podium charge came to a halt in a clash with Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™). The verdict from the FIM MotoGP™ Stewards: racing incident and no further action. The verdict from each rider wildly opposes both that and each other.

Meanwhile, Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) took the final spot on the podium, back on the GP box for the first time since the Americas GP in April and adding to an impressive point tally for the rookie, who currently sits fifth in the World Championship standings.

As the lights went out, Marc Marquez took the holeshot once again, and there was drama for Bagnaia once again as the #1 struggled off the line and got close to Alex Marquez in a near-repeat of the Sprint start. Acosta moved up into second and Martin took over in third, with Bagnaia left with work to do down in P7.

The #89 attempted a move at Turn 8 on Lap 2, running wide and allowing Acosta back through before making an overtake stick at Turn 13. Acosta then began to drop back, with Alex Marquez now entering the podium positions.

Bagnaia began to recover positions, overtaking Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) for sixth position. The Italian set his sights on Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing), aiming to re-enter the top five, and not long after Morbidelli then ran wide, dropping to eighth and allowing the #1 through.

After an early crash for Miguel Oliveira (Trackhouse Racing), Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ Team) then joined him as a DNF, unable to secure a double top 10 finish in Aragon after a crash at Turn 5. Further back, Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) was battling for the final places inside the top 10 with Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing).

Back at the front, Marc Marquez extended his lead to over three seconds, with the #89 remaining as his closest rival. Martin, however, still held that crucial ground on Bagnaia as the #1 was up into P4 after a spectacular overtake on Acosta at the end of Lap 11. Next target: Alex Marquez.

Marc Marquez celebrating his first full-length race win in nearly three years. Photo courtesy Dorna.

By Lap 19, Bagnaia was tagged right onto the back of the #73, and as the Gresini ran wide on the entry to Turn 12, the door seemed open. Bagnaia went for it, meanwhile Alex Marquez tried to keep it. The result was contact between the two as they slid off in a tangle to forfeit the podium, riders ok and Martin’s points advantage suddenly bolstered to 23 points by the flag.

Up ahead though, Marc Marquez suffered no such dramas. Extending his margin to five seconds, the #93 kept it calm at the head of the field to take that coveted first victory since 2021, his first with Ducati and Gresini, 1043 days – and so much more – later.

Behind Martin and Acosta, who swept past the Bagnaia-Alex Marquez drama to complete the podium, was a strong P4 for Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). Bastianini, after a somewhat disastrous grid position as he lost out on Q2, put in a classic comeback to round out the top five. Morbidelli claimed sixth after a solid weekend, ahead of Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team’s Di Giannantonio and Marco Bezzecchi, who crossed the line in that order but then got switched after a Tyre Pressure Penalty for Diggia. Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) took P9, ahead of the final place in the top ten for Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) after a tyre pressure penalty for Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) dropped the Aussie out the top ten.

Make sure you join us next week when the world’s most exciting sport returns for the Gran Premio Red Bull di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini. Enemy territory for the Championship leader and the most recent winner. Home turf for the reigning Champion. See you in Misano?

Dixon throws his hat in the Championship ring with stunning Aragon win

It was another Moto2™ showstopper at the Gran Premio GoPro de Aragon, with Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) storming to a second victory of the season, holding off Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) as the Italian got back on the podium for the first time in 2024. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) topped off a weekend to remember in his rookie Moto2™ season, becoming the first Turkish rider to finish on the podium in the intermediate class since Kenan Sofuoglu in 2011.

Polesitter Dixon claimed the holeshot at the start, but Arbolino hit the front on Lap 4 in a big group battle. A couple of laps later though, the Brit made the decisive move to take back the lead and start pushing to break the group.

Meanwhile, there would soon be drama for Fermin Aldeguer (Sync SpeedUp), who suffered a crash on Lap 7 after contact with Öncü – leaving the #54 with zero points on Sunday. He wouldn’t be the only key name to fail to score either, with points leader Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) battling outside the points, getting an LLP and then pulling in.

Meanwhile, Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) was on the verge of points as he returns form injury, entering the top 15 at the end of Lap 7. Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) soon dropped back towards Ogura too after contact with OnlyFans American Racing Team’s Joe Roberts on the entry to Turn 16. Roberts was later handed a Long Lap for the incident, dropping the American to eighth… and on the very final lap he then became another key Championship contender to take nil points, sliding off.

As Öncü fought back following the contact with Aldeguer that had sent him wide, Alonso Lopez (Sync SpeedUp) became the final hurdle before a podium position for the Turkish rider. Once past, Öncü was able to make enough of a cushion to secure that maiden Moto2™ podium.

Up ahead, Dixon was able to hold Arbolino at bay and then find some margin in the latter stages to pull out 1.7 seconds by the flag. That puts him 43 points off the top now, in fifth behind Roberts. Arbolino’s second was still a first rostrum of 2024, and for Öncü it was a stunner too.

Lopez, meanwhile, missed out on the podium but that P4 is a valuable haul as only Dixon, in the top five in the title fight, outscored him. The #21 is now third overall. Ogura managed to charge up to eighth, however, closing teammate Garcia’s lead down to just 12 points and staying ahead of Lopez.

Manuel Gonzalez (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™), Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia) and Marcos Ramirez (OnlyFans American Racing Team) were next up, ahead of Ogura in P8. Darryn Binder (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) and Vietti took the final spots inside the top 10.

It’s now just 12 points in it, so join us in Misano as the Championship battle begins to heat up at the Gran Premio Red Bull di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini in just one week!

Jose Antonio Rueda (99). Photo courtesy Dorna.

Rueda puts in a ride to remember for maiden Grand Prix win

The Gran Premio GoPro de Aragon saw Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) make a little history, taking his own maiden win and in doing so becoming the 400th different winner in Grand Prix history. After David Alonso (CFMoto Gaviota Aspar Team) shot off into an early lead and made a gap, Rueda managed was one of those able to hunt him down, get past and then take his own turn leading from the front, able to hold off and then pull away in the latter laps.

Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) came home second after leading the charge for the chasing pack, with Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) the final rider able to arrive at and overhaul Alonso in the latter stages. For the Italian it’s a maiden Grand Prix podium rewarding an impressive season so far.

Alonso shot off the line and had impressive pace in the opening stages, earning some clear space on track before Veijer was able to cut three seconds back to nothing and pounce on Lap 12, demoting Alonso as Rueda and Lunetta also began to edge closer.

In a four-way fight at the front, Rueda then took over in the lead on Lap 13. Entering the final lap, Veijer was less than one second behind but the #99 pushed on to open up some breathing space and secure his first win. Lunetta caught and passed Alonso, demoting the Colombian to fourth.

Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports) rounded out the top five, just ahead of Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia). The #72 showed a strong pace in the opening stages on Sunday, and finished ahead of David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports).

Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Xabi Zurutuza was eighth, taking his best Grand Prix finish in an incredible result for the rookie. Meanwhile, Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) was down in ninth as Kopron Rivacold Snipers Team’s Matteo Bertelle took the final spot inside the top 10. Further back, Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) had a tough Grand Prix, finishing P12 and dropping to third in the Championship as Veijer takes over in second.

Now it’s reset, reload and head off for Misano as another 25 points go on the table next weekend!

Moto2: World Championship Race Results From MotorLand Aragon

David Swarts

-

September 1, 2024

0

Moto2: World Championship Race Results From MotorLand Aragon

Jake Dixon won the Moto2 World Championship race Sunday at MotorLand Aragon, in Spain. Riding his CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team Kalex on Pirelli control tires, the British racer won the 19-lap race by 1.779 seconds.

Tony Arbolino was the runner-up on his Elf Marc VDS Racing Kalex.

Denis Oncu placed third on his Red Bull KTM Ajo Kalex.

American Joe Roberts ran as high as fifth during the race. After serving a long-lap penalty for irresponsible riding, Roberts was fighting for seventh with his OnlyFans American Racing teammate Marcos Ramirez, but Roberts crashed out of the race on the final lap. Fortunately for Roberts, World Championship leader Sergio Garcia also DNF the race, and Roberts ended the day fourth in the standings and just 32 points behind the leader.

Moto2 Race
Moto2 Points after Race

Moto3: World Championship Race Results From MotorLand Aragon

David Swarts

-

September 1, 2024

0

Moto3: World Championship Race Results From MotorLand Aragon

Jose Antonio Rueda won the Moto3 World Championship race Sunday at MotorLand Aragon, in Alcaniz, Spain. Riding his Red Bull KTM Ajo machine on spec Pirelli tires, the young Spaniard won the 17-lap race by 1.985 seconds.

Collin Veijer was the runner-up on his Liqui Moly Intact GP Husqvarna.

Luca Lunetta placed third on his SIC58 Squadra Corse Honda.

Moto3 Race
Moto3 Points after Race

Canadian Superbike: Race One Results from Shannonville

David Swarts

-

August 31, 2024

0

Canadian Superbike: Race One Results from Shannonville

Dumas fends off early attack to win Superbike race one at Shannonville

Shannonville, ON – A near-perfect weekend continued for Alex Dumas on Saturday, leading start to finish despite plenty of pressure along the way to take his second victory of the Bridgestone CSBK season in the final round at Shannonville Motorsport Park.

Dumas grabbed the holeshot from pole position despite an equally good launch from Sam Guerin, and the pair quickly stretched away from the field and ran nose-to-tail for well over half the race as Guerin desperately looked for a way through.

An obvious passing point never materialized, however, as Dumas completed one of the best defensive efforts of his career to escape with a dramatic win in the penultimate race of the GP Bikes Pro Superbike season.

The victory – his second since joining Economy Lube Ducati – is just the latest part of what has been a dominant weekend from Dumas so far, having led FP1, FP2, and taken the BS Battery Pole award to now go along with a 14th career Superbike win.

“We won our first one at CTMP and led start to finish in that one too, but it was a lot harder today,” Dumas admitted. “I made a few mistakes, didn’t really make it easy on myself. But it was an awesome battle and a lot of fun, so hopefully we can do it again tomorrow.”

The victory also gives Dumas his sixth podium since joining the Economy Lube program, tying Pascal Picotte for the most by a Ducati rider in feature class history as he continues to look like a 2025 title contender on the V4 Panigale.

Guerin’s early assault wouldn’t be enough to displace Dumas and wasn’t quite enough to hold onto second, either, as newly-crowned champion Ben Young began to find a rhythm in the second half of the race and put himself back into second with four laps remaining.

Young would actually drop the gap to Dumas significantly in the final moments, setting the fastest lap of the race on the last lap but ultimately running out of time. Still, the four-time Canada Cup winner was happy to salvage a strong result after a bittersweet Friday, where he clinched his third championship in a row despite mechanical issues on his primary M1000RR machine.

“I didn’t get the best start, so I just tried to settle in on this ‘B-bike’ after we had some troubles yesterday, but I couldn’t quite get it there,” Young said. “But the team worked really hard overnight while I was celebrating, so I owe a huge thanks to them. The Van Dolder’s Home Team BMW is such an amazing package to be a part of and a hell of a bike, so I know we’ll get there tomorrow.”

Guerin would have to settle for third, a disappointing result after it looked like he might challenge for his third victory of the campaign but still a strong indicator of just how far Guerin and the EFC Group BMW team have come since the season began, clinching the runner-up spot in the 2024 standings.

“I had a few moments out there, almost lost the front a couple times, so I tried to bring it home in second but once I backed off a little Ben was able to get by me,” Guerin said. “I was able to put a ton of pressure on Alex, and even though I really wanted the win I was happy to see the progress we’ve made since the last time here in round one.”

Completing the top four once again was Jordan Szoke, who continued his own bittersweet run of finishing top-four in every race this season. The 14-time champion is the only rider besides Young to do so and continues to look strong aboard his CKM Kawasaki, though by a comfortable margin to the podium finishers ahead of him.

Rounding out the top five after a late push was David MacKay, who found himself locked in a thrilling battle with Trevor Daley for much of race one. MacKay was able to make an excellent move into the penultimate corner and had the pace to chase after Szoke, though with only a handful of laps left as he settled for a strong fifth.

Daley’s run of “Daley Double’s” would come to an end after winning the Sport Bike race earlier in the afternoon, though he still managed an impressive sixth for OneSpeed Suzuki as he battles through a wrist injury and made some last-minute repairs to his GSX-R1000 following a Friday crash.

Making up for an early error was Tomas Casas in seventh, who had the pace to fight inside the top-five but ran off the back straight on lap one. The Yamaha Motors Canada rider admitted it was his mistake as he got sucked into the slipstream of the group ahead, but his comeback effort to finish seventh was enough to secure him the FAST Hard Charger Award for the third time in his career.

Casas’ late push came at the expense of Connor Campbell, who had an excellent charge in his own right as he climbed from 15th on the grid to finish eighth and at one point ran as high as sixth for B&T MacFarlane/Kubota Kawasaki.

The strong finish will move Campbell a solid 16 points ahead in the Brooklin Cycle Racing Pro Rookie of the Year fight entering the last day of the season, as he looks poised to become the first Kawasaki winner of the award since Nico Meunier in 2019.

Eli Daccache would salvage ninth after running off the back straight on a pair of occasions, flashing the pace to fight inside the top-six but suffering from his costly mistakes aboard the Milwaukee Yamaha.

Rounding out the top ten in his pro debut was Goran Radisic, who clinched the AIM Insurance Amateur Superbike crown last time out at CTMP and decided to end the year by advancing to the pro ranks early for PMR BMW.

The feature class will now prepare for their final race of the 2024 campaign when the series returns to Shannonville on Sunday, with the trio of Dumas, Young, and Guerin each looking to make a statement heading into the offseason.

Full results can be found on the series’ official website.

Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup: Race One Results From MotorLand Aragon

David Swarts

-

August 31, 2024

0

Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup: Race One Results From MotorLand Aragon

Editorial Note: American Kristian Daniel Jr. finished 17th in Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Race One Saturday at MotorLand Aragon, in Spain.

Session for ARA RookiesCup RAC2

More, from a press release issued by Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup:

Carpe’s cool Rookies Aragon win over Perrone and Uriarte

Three wins in a row extend Álvaro Carpe’s Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup points lead to 33 as the Spanish 17-year-old continues his late-season charge. Argentine 16-year-old Valentin Perrone almost passed him on the line, missing out by just 0.026 seconds after a thrilling battle on their KTMs. Third was Spain’s Brian Uriarte, just another 0.052 behind.

Uriarte is still second in the points table and crucially Perrone moves up to third in the title chase after Màximo Quiles scored zero points because of two falls.

The race was run in two parts following a Red Flag due to a fallen rider on the track though he was later found to be uninjured. The initial race was stopped after 4 laps, Part 2 ran for 5 laps and determined the overall result.

Carpe will not stop winning

“I feel that I managed the race very well, I led almost all the time, running a fast pace. It was fast enough so the three of us broke away from the rest. I looked back and saw it was just three of us and Rico was some distance behind us.”

“I knew that I had a very good plan and line for the back straight and the final corner so I was happy to lead on the last lap.”

“I am very happy that I have had this run of three wins. That means that tomorrow is my first possible match point. I have to stay calm and give 100%. I am not going to play just for points, I want to win because that is what I enjoy.”

Perrone hoped for a mistake

“In the beginning of the first part, I started just trying to be calm, running a bit slow. So I wouldn’t use all the tyre and like this, I would have something left for the end. So the Red Flag was perfect for this it shortened the race and I did have some tyre left at the end.”

“In the last lap the grip was not so bad in the last corner Carpe was super fast. My only chance was to stay behind him and hope he made a mistake so I could pass him out of the slipstream but he did it perfectly, my bike was moving around through the last corner and he made no mistake.”

Uriarte tried everything

“Well, it was tough but I managed to get the podium. I was pushing at the beginning so I was feeling confident and the tyre was giving me a lot of confidence. I was having a nice balance between the bike and me. The Red Flag didn’t help me because I was running my pace and after the stop, the tyre was destroyed, after the sighting lap I could feel it was finished.”

“Lucky, I was able to go with Alvaro and Valentin and get away from the others. I was struggling so much through the fast corners and I struggled to stay with the first two. The other two had managed to save the tyres a bit and I couldn’t catch them, it was close but no way to finish in front.”

Quiles slips to 4th in title chase

“I’m a bit angry but, well this is racing,” stated the emotional 16-year-old Spaniard after the race. He fell due to an incident with Hakim Danish and the Malaysian 17-year-old was given a ‘double long lap penalty due to irresponsible riding’.

“A bit disappointed because now it is a bit difficult to do top three but it’s possible so I will try my best tomorrow and see what happens,” he added after falling again on his own at the end of the race after restarting following the first incident.

American Flat Track: Springfield Mile I Postponed Until Sunday

David Swarts

-

August 31, 2024

0

American Flat Track: Springfield Mile I Postponed Until Sunday

Stage Set for Spectacular Super Sunday Doubleheader at Springfield

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (August 31, 2024) – Due to excessive rain overnight, today’s Progressive American Flat Track round at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Illinois, has been rescheduled for tomorrow, September 1, setting the stage for a Springfield Sunday spectacular doubleheader.

Tomorrow’s Springfield Mile I & II presented by Drag Specialties will see two full rounds completed in succession in a single day, each complete with their own qualifying, heats and Main Events and separated by the Fan Walk. Representing two of the final three rounds in an ultra-close 2024 Grand National Championship fight, Sunday is destined to be one of the most impactful days in recent Progressive AFT history.

Tickets purchased for today’s Springfield Mile I will be honored for tomorrow’s Super Sunday event. Ticket holders must present their printed or electronic tickets upon arrival. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the gate.

Gates will open for fans at 9:00 a.m. local time, with the first practice set to get underway at 10:00 a.m. and Opening Ceremonies scheduled for 12:00 p.m. A complete updated schedule will be made available shortly.

For additional assistance with ticketing matters please call Mees Promotions at 217-632-0277.

About Progressive American Flat Track

Progressive American Flat Track is the world’s premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest-running championships in the history of motorsports. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., the series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing on the globe. Progressive American Flat Track is televised on FOX Sports and streams live via FloRacing. For more information on Progressive American Flat Track, please visit us on the web, like us on Facebook, follow us on X, and check us out on Instagram.

American Flat Track: Springfield Mile I & II Race Report

September 1, 2024

Jared Mees (1) leads the field during the first AFT SuperTwins main event at the Springfield Mile doubleheader. Photo by Tim Lester, courtesy AFT.