Former AMA Pro Superbike and WERA National Championship racer and racing mentor Jim Knipp died January 18 in a hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was 64.
“Knipp had been hospitalized for a couple of weeks after suffering a seizure and brain bleed and being found unconscious in his Greenwood, Indiana home. According to his stepson Joey Wertzberger, Jim regained consciousness during his first days at the hospital, but then he slipped out of consciousness and remained that way for several weeks due to a bleed in his brain and was placed on life support.”
Jim Knipp back in the day. Photo by Greg Sickmeier, courtesy Rider Files.
Knipp won the 1981 C Superbike WERA National Championship and in years later took some top-20 finishes in AMA Pro Superbike races. And through the Indianapolis, Indiana shop he and partners Greg Sickmeier and Marc Wertzberger ran, The Superbike Factory, Knipp also helped several racers from central Indiana, including Lawrence, get started.
Shelton, WA – 2Fast Track Days is thrilled to announce a novel series of rider training schools, the Ken Hill Motorcycle Fundamentals Masterclass, catering to riders of all levels who want to take their skills to new heights—and their lap times to new lows!
Join us for this cutting-edge rider development program at one of the most exciting and challenging tracks on the MotoAmerica circuit Ridge Motorsports Park, in Shelton, Washington. Take your pick of three schools scheduled for the 2024 season: May 24-25, June 24-25, and July 16-17.
The Masterclass curriculum follows Ken Hill’s Order of the Sport, which teaches the six fundamentals of motorcycle riding and best practice techniques used by the world’s top riders. The modular, step-by-step methodology is designed to help you become a faster, safer, and more confident rider, whether you just got your first bike or are an experienced racer.
Are you frustrated with one-size-fits-all coaching and getting advice on what to do, but not how to do it? The Masterclass prioritizes individualized support and instruction based on your skill level, riding goals, and learning style. Ken’s approach embraces holistic rider development and includes training both on and off the bike, combining theoretical instruction of key concepts and techniques with on-track drills to develop mental, physical, and technical mastery.
The Motorcycle Fundamentals Masterclass is divided into classroom and on-track sessions—including more riding time than a standard track day! In the classroom, Ken Hill will lead you through a comprehensive introduction to the six fundamentals of the sport: (1) Bike Placement, (2) Vision and Focus, (3) Motor Controls, (4) Brake Adjustability, (5) Turn-In Point and Turn-In Rate, and (6) Body Position and Body Timing. You’ll receive a new training handbook authored by Ken, available exclusively to Masterclass students.
Additional sessions will also focus on electronics and data, including instruction on how to collect and review video and GPS speed data to support your riding goals.
These classes will be followed by extended 45-minute sessions on the track to help you implement what you’ve learned, involving practice drills and coaching from our expert instructors. With only 15-20 riders per group, you’ll receive personalized support to achieve your riding goals. Registration is limited, so sign up early!
MASTERCLASS HIGHLIGHTS
Guaranteed 4:1 student to instructor ratio
Small groups of 15-20 riders for Novice/Low Intermediate and High Intermediate/Advanced
45-minute sessions, switching between the classroom and on-track
270 minutes total riding time per day
Exclusive Ken Hill Order of the Sport curriculum handbook provided for classroom workshops
Drinks, snacks, and catered lunch provided on both days
Motorcycle rentals and insurance are available (please inquire via email)
CURRICULUM OVERVIEW
Day 1
Day 2
Classroom sessions:
• Bike placement
• Reference points and vision
• Motor controls
• Brake adjustability
• Body position
Classroom sessions:
• Building a feedback loop
• Slowest point of the corner
• Throttle control
• Electronics and data
• What’s holding you back?
On-track drills and sessions:
• Identifying correct bike placement
• Reference points
• Vision timing
• Motor controls and brake release point
• High speed awareness
• Open lapping
On-track drills and sessions:
• Establishing precise bike placement
• Slowest point of the corner
• Initial throttle
• Collecting data
• Body position and body timing
• Open lapping
ABOUT KEN HILL
Ken Hill raced motorcycles for over 20 years before making the switch to professional coaching. Over the last 15 years, he has produced and worked with numerous national championship-winning riders, including JD Beach and Hayden Gillim. He first started coaching at the Freddie Spencer High Performance Riding School from 2003-2008, then served as lead instructor for its successor, the Yamaha Champions Riding School, until 2015. He also led and developed the curriculum for the Rick Development Camp for aspiring championship racers, served as head coach and crew chief for the Rickdiculous racing team at MotoAmerica, and directed riding programs and schools for track day organizers and riders across the country. Currently, he runs the MotoAmerica Supersport program for CJ LaRoche, and continues to work with other riders, drivers, and track day providers through his private company, Ken Hill Coaching. Online, you can find his work and educational resources by listening to his podcast or subscribing to his Substack: Motorsports Coaching.
ABOUT 2FAST TRACK DAYS
Founded in 2003, 2Fast Motorcycle Track Days & Instruction is the longest running track day organization in the Pacific Northwest. We pride ourselves on offering professionally-run, punctual events that provide the safest environment possible, with high levels of customer service, riding instruction, and customer value, guaranteeing a riding experience second to none. 2Fast has decades of experience establishing itself as the premier track day organization in the region, organizing high-end events throughout the PNW, giving riders the track time they want at the tracks they want to ride. Our staff of trained instructors, on-track marshals, and veteran corner workers welcomes all riders, no matter your speed or skill level, to ensure every one of our guests has the finest track day experience money can buy. Check out 2Fast’s full 2024 schedule and get more information online at www.2-fast.org.
NEW-LOOK GASGAS MOTOGP™ GETS RED BULL POWER FOR 2024 CHARGE!
2024 MotoGP news
Get on the GAS for 2024 with wings, extra promise, and a lot of excitement! Augusto Fernandez, Pedro Acosta and Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 accelerate the changes for the forthcoming season.
Don’t miss our super-cool 2024 Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 introduction where the youngest and wildest line-up on the MotoGP grid usher in the second season of Grand Prix action!
First-up, official pre-season tests in Malaysia and Qatar but then there is tonnes of anticipation for the fresh world championship campaign, that will launch with the Grand Prix of Qatar at the Lusail International Circuit on March 9-10. The dash under the lights will be the first of 22 rounds and 44 outings (2024 will be the second term of the Saturday Sprint format) across the globe and into the month of November.
Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 are strapped and eager for the red lights to go out thanks to their vibrant rider roster. 2022 Moto2™ World Champion and 2023 MotoGP Rookie of the Year Augusto Fernandez will tackle his sophomore attempt at the premier class with the GASGAS RC16 and will be aiming to better a ‘PB’ race result of 4th from 2023 as well as enter the top ten of the championship standings. The 26-year-old is, of course, joined by fellow Spaniard and reigning Moto2 #1 Pedro Acosta. The 19-year-old already has Moto3 and Moto2 titles in just three years of GP competition and comes to the MotoGP fray with deserved hype and expectation. 2024 will be his first taste of the demands and technical complexities of MotoGP and the initial step of what could be a truly spectacular career.
Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 is again led by Nicolas Goyon, for the second season in a row, and with excellent back up from the likes of Pol Espargaro in a test rider and supporting role and the team’s loyal band of partners and suppliers.
Augusto Fernandez: “Everything was new and there was a lot to learn last year but there were points towards the end of the season where I felt fast and like I had the speed. I felt comfortable riding the bike but as a rookie you had to be very patient and trust the process. When I finished 2023 I analyzed the season and saw I had made the steps I needed to take. I am looking forward to this year because I now have the references of each track with the GASGAS RC16 and I know on Fridays we need to put a lot of input because it can decide much of the weekend. I’m super-proud to be partnering with Red Bull, and to have them on the bike. It’s a dream and we have everything we need to perform. It’s in our hands so let’s go for it.”
Pedro Acosta: “If I think about my career and journey so far then it is quite nice! Nice to say I had the opportunity to ride for a factory team in my first season, nice to say I won two titles in three years, it is nice to say I come into a factory team for the first season in MotoGP. But it is also quite tough to play with the pressure, to play with the comments. I don’t want to think about results at the moment. I just have one day on the bike, and it is not the time to talk about results or targets because it is not realistic. I will try to enjoy the Malaysia test and try to get as much experience as I can to try and be competitive at the beginning of the season but during that we also need to take race experience to grow step-by-step.”
Nicolas Goyon, Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 Team Manager: “In 2023 we had a lot of changes. We had this new Sprint format, and the new team structure but this means we are set and ready for the coming season. Augusto was strong for his rookie season. Of course, we all expect him to improve for 2024.He is very calm! He always takes some time to think about what has happened on the track and then to explain the technique and his feelings. This is something super-important for the team to develop and set-up the bike. Pedro is a great talent but my message for the fans would be ‘be patient’. You know, it is not so easy for a rookie to perform. It is complicated now with ride-height devices and a lot of electronics. The format of the weekend is also complicated and something to learn. Let’s give him time. For me, the 2024 Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 line-up will be even closer to the fans. Both riders are young, and we know this is the main target for GASGAS, to connect and excite all those that watch MotoGP.”
Hervé Poncharal, Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 Team Principal: “One of the very exciting things that has happened this winter is the return of Red Bull with Tech3, and we are extremely happy to have them again featuring on our MotoGP™ bike. This season will be more exciting than ever, with a very competitive grid: riders and technical packages are so close to each other, so I truly believe that we are set for an amazing show. Augusto Fernandez learnt a lot last year, and he is ready to perform and fight for top positions. One of the most exciting prospects that MotoGP™ has known in recent years, Pedro Acosta, will line up for us. His first day at the Valencia test gave us the insurance that he has everything to have a brilliant rookie season, and we are looking forward to heading to Sepang to kick things off!”
Pit Beirer, GASGAS Motorsport Director: “2023 was a very intense year for our first season with GASGAS on the grid but Augusto came in with a great approach – he is super-positive and a fighter – and gave us a highlight in Le Mans with his 4th position. I feel the team adapted really well over the whole season and I’m looking forward to seeing what Augusto can do in his second go. With Pedro I think the whole paddock and community agrees that there is a diamond coming up in this sport. He is a very special rider, a unique rider who has already broken so many records at a young age.Pedro will make us better and stronger for the future, so we are happy to have him. I feel GASGAS is a very dynamic brand, and looking to the team spirit with these two fantastic athletes it is definitely the one to watch out for in ’24.”
Hubert Trunkenpolz, Member of the Board, Pierer Mobility AG: “One of the reasons why we went with GASGAS into MotoGP was to create brand awareness and it worked perfectly. MotoGP is, by far, the biggest and most successful platform because the media value and the public attendance is immense and we are absolutely happy we made that move. We now have a very exciting combination of Augusto and Pedro and a motorcycle that has proven it is ready for trophies. We know it will be a long season and the Sprints have been challenging: the really positive thing is that the fans really appreciate [the Sprints], the action on Saturday, and frankly speaking I also like it. At the end of the day the guys are racers. It’s great to have Red Bull onboard this year and I think the 2024 livery looks fantastic.”
BellissiMoto Now The Title Sponsor Of MotoAmerica Twins Cup Series
Exotic Motorcycle Parts, Gear And Accessories Importer/Distributor Set For Title Sponsorship Of Highly Competitive Twins Cup Class
IRVINE, CA (January 29, 2024) – MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is pleased to announce BellissiMoto as the new title sponsor of the 2024 MotoAmerica BellissiMoto Twins Cup Championship.
BellissiMoto is the new title sponsor of the 2024 BellissiMoto Twins Cup Championship.
Established in 2008 and headquartered in its showroom in Las Vegas, Nevada, importer/distributor BellissiMoto boasts an inventory of motorcycle parts, gear, and accessories from hundreds of the world’s top brands.
“We’re really happy to have BellissiMoto come onboard as the title sponsor of the MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship,” said Lance Bryson, MotoAmerica’s Director of Sponsorship. “Everyone at BellissiMoto is a racing fan and they are going to be wonderful partners for MotoAmerica. Plus, the brands they carry are the brands our actual racers and fans have been purchasing from them and using in competition every year since MotoAmerica started so the fit is a natural one.”
“BellissiMoto loves racing,” said BellissiMoto President Randy Nedescu. “Since our founding in 2008, BellissiMoto has been dedicated to fueling the racing dreams of riders and teams worldwide. Our support extends across prestigious events and championships, including the Daytona 200, Pikes Peak Hill Climb, CVMA, WERA, AHRMA, MotoAmerica, and many more. Whether sponsoring rookies or supporting seasoned veterans, we consistently provide topnotch parts and gear to numerous racers each year. We’ve also done plenty of racing outright by ourselves like a few years ago when our employee Javelin Broderick raced in the Supersport class and, more recently, Paul Geldziler in Twins Cup. This year looks to be more competitive than ever, and we’re very proud and excited to become the title sponsor for Twins Cup for 2024.”
Last year’s BellissiMoto Twins Cup Championship was won by Blake Davis in a title chase that went to the very last race of the series at New Jersey Motorsports Park in September.
Featured In the January 2024 issue of Roadracing World:
The mentality instilled in American football players is hard for someone who has never experienced it for themselves to understand. Not only do you want to win with every ounce of your mind and body, but you want to win while burning your opposition into the ground and grinding your cleats in their smoldering ashes.
For some, this mental state fades away as soon as they step off the playing field. For others, this ultra-competitive nature sticks with them and the positive traits it instills can serve them well. An example is Championship-winning racer Tyler O’Hara…
“Hanging With: Tyler O’Hara,” by David Swarts
Tyler O’Hara won the 2022 MotoAmerica Mission Foods King Of The Baggers Championship, but his involvement in racing goes much, much deeper. Take a look at the life of a man committed to the sport in every way—it’s in the latest issue of Roadracing World!
Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats.
Click here for a sample issue of Roadracing World magazine. (Print Edition, one sample issue per household, U.S. address only.)
From left, Trackhouse rider Raul Fernandez, team owner and founder Justin Marks, MotoAmerica presenter Hannah Lopa, rider Miguel Oliveira, and Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola at the team’s introduction in Los Angeles. Photo by Michael Gougis.
The Trackhouse Racing introduction of its 2024 MotoGP team in Hollywood on Friday was a major event for American motorcycle road racing and for Aprilia. There were multiple World Champions and U.S. Champions on hand, as well as representatives from the top level of Aprilia’s motorcycle road racing efforts.
Massimo Rivola, CEO of Aprilia Racing. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola said that Trackhouse was important to the factory’s racing efforts. With four 2024-spec bikes on the track and in the hands of a team with close ties to the factory, Aprilia will gather more data, more feedback and thus follow Ducati’s example of using the maximum amount of information gathered on the track to hone its racebikes to their optimum on race weekends.
Trackhouse Team Manager, former Yamaha MotoGP crew chief and former 250cc Grand Prix racer Wilco Zeelenberg (left) with 1993 500cc Grand Prix Champion Kevin Schwantz (right). Photo by Michael Gougis.
As is the case with most top-level motorsport launches, the machines displayed are not the actual vehicles the team will go racing with. Building a MotoGP machine is an incredibly complicated process, and Aprilia is still building the bikes for the upcoming season. Trackhouse Team Manager and former Grand Prix racer Wilco Zeelenberg said the 2024 machines that rider Miguel Oliveira will race already were in Malaysia for the first pre-season test. Interestingly, job one for the team from an on-track perspective is making sure that the 2024 machine is developed to a higher level of performance than the 2023 bike. Last year’s machine was good enough to win two races and nearly lock out the podium in Barcelona. Raul Fernandez (who raced 2022 versions of the RS-GP in 2023) said when he got a chance to test the 2023 version of Aprilia’s RS-GP at the post-season test in Valencia, he had much, much more confidence tipping the bike toward the apex on the brakes, and his performance showed–he was fifth-fastest on the day, just behind eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez.
From left, Kevin Schwantz, Wayne Rainey and MotoAmerica racer (and 2022 FIM Northern Talent Cup Champion) Rossi Moor. Photo courtesy Stefano Favaro.
On hand were not only the current MotoGP riders and key personnel for the Aprilia project, but several U.S. racers who have competed at the sport’s highest level. Wayne Rainey and Kevin Schwantz, 500cc Grand Prix World Champions; Superbike World Champion, 250cc World Champion, and three-time 500cc Grand Prix race winner John Kocinski; Joe Roberts, America’s most recent Grand Prix winner (in Moto2); four-time MotoGP podium finisher John Hopkins; and four-time AMA Superbike Champion Josh Hayes; were all on hand. (Remember, in his first and only MotoGP event, Hayes filled in for the injured Colin Edwards on the Tech3 Yamaha YZR-M1 at Valencia in 2011, led the wet morning warm-up session, and finished seventh in the MotoGP race.) All spent time talking with young American racer Rossi Moor, who has won races and the 2022 Northern Talent Cup Championship (part of the Road to MotoGP program) in Europe.
American racer Rossi Moor tucks in behind the fairing of a Trackhouse Aprilia RS-GP at the team’s 2024 introduction. Photo courtesy Stefano Favaro.
Cooper Webb Wins Anaheim 2 Triple Crown Supercross
Levi Kitchen Wins 250SX Class, Marking Eight Different Winners In Four Events
Anaheim, Calif., – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb became the fourth different Monster Energy AMA Supercross winner in four rounds when he took the victory at the Anaheim 2 Supercross in front of 43,753 fans in Angel Stadium. Anaheim 2 was the first of three Triple Crown events this year which combine the results from three races to determine one winner on the night. Webb won the overall with (2-2-5) race results.
Cooper Webb (2). Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports.
Going (5-7-1), Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac had the crowd cheering when he earned second place overall with a win in the final race of the evening as the sport celebrates 50 years of racing this year. Last week’s winner, Red Bull KTM’s Aaron Plessinger, earned third place with (6-4-3) and retains the points lead heading into Round 5. In the Western Regional 250SX Class, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Levi Kitchen fought hard for the overall win with (1-2-3) race scores. And Supercross Futures, a part of SMX Next, held its first of five races to feature the future stars of Supercross; in what was the best battle of the night. Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Cole Davies emerged with the victory over Monster Energy Star Yamaha’s Gavin Towers.
“If you do really well the first two [races], the third one sometimes is easy… I had a lot of wiggle room [in Race #3] and could just, honestly, have a solo ride in fifth place. But it is a little bit weird, for sure, to not go over the checkered flag first. But I think that’s kinda the unique thing about the Triple Crown, is we’ve seen a lot of this happen. You can have big point swings, and you can have one bad race and then have two good ones [and] you end up on the podium and something like that. So it’s never over for sure in these kind of situations… I saw Jason [Anderson] right in front of me [in Race #3], he went down, and it probably wasn’t the best thing for me, because it was instantly like, ‘All right, I can just kinda chill,’ but I was grateful to put myself in that situation.” – Cooper Webb
“I was pretty frustrated after those first two [races]. I was like, ‘Okay, here I’m just – what am I now, fifth – seventh place guy right now?’ I don’t know. I just had to go do something, I had to get off the gate there, so it was good. It was good. Had a good flow. I was able to get the whoop combo down, and I felt like that was important for me, and yeah, felt good.” – Eli Tomac
“I knew Detroit was the next race and I really, really wanted to carry the red plate into Detroit given the events that happened last year.” [Plessinger crashed while leading Detroit 2023] “That’s gonna be a special race and yeah, I’m ready for it. I’m ready to get back to Florida this week and put in some work and then go up to the freezing cold and hopefully my moustache doesn’t break off in the 20 degree weather [laughs]. But no, I’m ready to get back up there and do some damage.” – Aaron Plessinger
The Western Regional 250SX Class held its second round and Levi Kitchen became the fourth rider in four rounds to take home a win. Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s RJ Hampshire battled hard in the first two races but a flat tire in the third Race took his chances at an overall victory. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Nate Thrasher followed up a win last weekend with a third place finish at Anaheim 2.
Levi Kitchen. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports.
“We’re all really close right now. Obviously I want to be the dominant guy, but yeah, it’s closer now. You can’t start in like fifth and sixth with these guys and have them up front. You’d have to have a pretty amazing – I don’t even know what you’d have to do to be able to get up to them. I think it’s tighter than in years’ past. Especially the top five of us, we’re all pretty experienced by now, so it’s definitely tight racing.” – Levi Kitchen
“For the first time in my career I had a flat tire on a Supercross track, so yeah, it was eventful. I knew something was wrong, didn’t necessarily know what until it shot me off in the whoops… I was fine the next couple laps, and then once that rear tire breaks the bead and it’s off the rim, that’s when it gets really, really scary. But overall it was an awesome night. That first and second moto were sick. If we could do that every weekend, I mean, we’d probably get paid a lot more because that was a show. [smiles]. But like I said, that was fun. All in all, it was a really solid day.” – RJ Hampshire
“[The new bike is] the same motor package but a whole different chassis. So all the suspension characteristics are completely different. So we’re still leaning, but I think I got a good package this weekend. I felt like it was a big step in the right direction for me, and we’re still learning, still working, still trying to get a little bit better, but last week [in testing] I think we found a little bit and it showed this weekend… It was a very hardpack track out there today and on the bike I was racing a couple weekends ago I was struggling pretty bad with the hardpack. So yeah, it was definitely a little bit better spot for me.” – Nate Thrasher
“It was an awesome battle. We were just going back and forth. And it was super tiring, I was breathing so hard and, you’re just glad to be on top… I couldn’t even feel myself. I was like so frickin – I was like in a dream it felt like.” – Cole Davies (#17)
Others in attendance include: USA Olympic Skateboarder Nyjah Huston, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire director Gil Kenan, Influencers Ben Azelart and Hayes Grier, world-renowned drummer Jason Bonham of Bonham and Sammy Hagar’s “The Best of All Worlds” Van Halen Tour, rock guitarist Carlos Cavazo of Quiet Riot and Ratt, who was also recently inducted into the Metal Hall of Fame.
Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan hosts Round 5 of the 17-round Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship next Saturday, February 3rd. The Detroit Supercross will run on a daytime schedule rather than under the lights. The racing starts at 3:00PM Eastern Time. Doors open for fans attending the race at 8:00AM Eastern Time. The race will kick off the 9-round Eastern Regional 250SX Championship.
Each Supercross round also pays points toward the 31-round SuperMotocross World Championship. In its second year, the SuperMotocross League combines the Supercross season and the 11-round AMA Pro Motocross season to seed riders into two Super Motocross World Championship Playoffs and a Final in September.
Every race is available live on PeacockTV, with select rounds also viewable on NBC, USA Network, CNBC, NBCSports.com, and the NBC Sports app. Fans around the globe can catch the action live, with both English and Spanish commentary, through the SuperMotocross Video Pass (supermotocross.tv).
For video highlights, race results, schedule information, broadcast airtimes, and to purchase tickets, please go to SupercrossLIVE.com.
BENNETTS BSB – THRILL OF THE RACE – EPISODE 11 – DAY OF DESTINY
The finale episode of Thrill of the Race bringing you closer than ever before to the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at an incredible title decider at Brands Hatch. Relive all of the emotion, drama and intensity of the final round of the 2023 season at Brands Hatch in the final battle to become 2023 Champion We hope you enjoyed the ride
Featured In the January 2024 issue of Roadracing World:
An era ended quietly with the conclusion of the Moto2 race in Valencia. Dunlop was out of Grand Prix racing. And the next day a new era opened, with the first official test for the Moto2 and Moto3 teams on spec Pirelli tires.
Already the control tire in World Superbike, World Supersport, and several National-level series, (as well as in Formula One car racing), Pirelli made a positive first impression in the smaller-displacement classes, beating the best-ever Moto2 lap times at Valencia and crushing the Moto3 lap record…
“Pirelli Takes Over,” by Michael Gougis
Giorgio Barbier, Racing Manager for Pirelli, was on hand in Valencia to give an overview of the first official test for Pirelli tires in the Moto2 and Moto3 classes, and he was quite pleased. Setting lap records will do that. Read his impressions in the latest issue of Roadracing World!
Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats.
Click here for a sample issue of Roadracing World magazine. (Print Edition, one sample issue per household, U.S. address only.)
Unveiling the 2024 Bagger Racing League “Battle of the Baggers” Schedule.
Rev up your engines and mark your calendars as the 2024 Bagger Racing League promises an adrenaline-fueled season with the “Battle of the Baggers.” With a thrilling schedule featuring international showdowns and new classes, this season is set to redefine the world of bagger GP racing.
**Round 1: Motorsport Park Hastings, NE (May 24-26) – Double Header**
Kicking off the season in grand style, Motorsport Park Hastings in Nebraska will host the inaugural races, treating fans to a double-header extravaganza. The intense competition is sure to set the tone for an action-packed championship.
**Round 2: Gingerman Raceway, MI (June 28-30) – Double Header**
The excitement continues at Gingerman Raceway in Michigan, where riders will face off in another thrilling double-header. The challenging circuit promises to push competitors to their limits, ensuring every lap is a spectacle for fans.
**Round 3: Bridgestone Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, ON (August 9-11) – International Double Header**
The Battle of the Baggers goes international with Round 3 taking place at Bridgestone Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Bowmanville, Ontario. This Canadian showdown will not only test the skills of the riders but also add a global flavor to the competition. Get ready for an unforgettable double-header on Canadian soil.
**Round 4: Finals at Willow Springs International Raceway, CA (November 16-17) – Double Header**
As the season reaches its climax, the Finals at Willow Springs International Raceway in California promise to be a spectacular culmination. The double-header format ensures that every twist and turn of this iconic circuit will play a pivotal role in deciding the ultimate champion.
*Introducing the SUPER STREET CLASS.
Adding a new layer of excitement to the 2024 season, the Bagger Racing League introduces the SUPER STREET CLASS. This category will showcase the prowess of baggers in a unique setting, challenging riders to navigate the streets with speed and precision.
*Shane Narbone Defends His Title**
All eyes will be on the reigning champion, Shane Narbone, as he aims to defend his 2023 title in the bagger GP. Narbone’s skill, experience, and determination make him a formidable contender, but the competition will be fierce, and only time will tell if he can secure another championship. For more information and updates on the 2024 Bagger Racing League “Battle of the Baggers,” visit http://www.BaggerRacingLeague.com. Strap in and get ready for a season of high-speed thrills, intense rivalries, and the relentless pursuit of victory on the bagger racing circuit.
Jim Knipp with his WERA National Championship-winning Kawasaki KZ650, after it was restored in 2017. Photo by Larry Lawrence/Rider Files.
Former AMA Pro Superbike and WERA National Championship racer and racing mentor Jim Knipp died January 18 in a hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was 64.
“Knipp had been hospitalized for a couple of weeks after suffering a seizure and brain bleed and being found unconscious in his Greenwood, Indiana home. According to his stepson Joey Wertzberger, Jim regained consciousness during his first days at the hospital, but then he slipped out of consciousness and remained that way for several weeks due to a bleed in his brain and was placed on life support.”
Jim Knipp back in the day. Photo by Greg Sickmeier, courtesy Rider Files.
Knipp won the 1981 C Superbike WERA National Championship and in years later took some top-20 finishes in AMA Pro Superbike races. And through the Indianapolis, Indiana shop he and partners Greg Sickmeier and Marc Wertzberger ran, The Superbike Factory, Knipp also helped several racers from central Indiana, including Lawrence, get started.
Ken Hill (in red leathers) with students and fellow riding instructors. Photo by Joe Salas, 4theRiders.com, courtesy 2Fast Motorcycle Track Days.
KEN HILL MOTORCYCLE FUNDAMENTALS MASTERCLASS
PROVIDED IN COLLABORATION WITH 2FAST TRACK DAYS
2024 SCHOOL DATES:
MAY 24–25 //JUNE 24–25 // JULY 16–17
@ RIDGE MOTORSPORTS PARK
Shelton, WA – 2Fast Track Days is thrilled to announce a novel series of rider training schools, the Ken Hill Motorcycle Fundamentals Masterclass, catering to riders of all levels who want to take their skills to new heights—and their lap times to new lows!
Join us for this cutting-edge rider development program at one of the most exciting and challenging tracks on the MotoAmerica circuit Ridge Motorsports Park, in Shelton, Washington. Take your pick of three schools scheduled for the 2024 season: May 24-25, June 24-25, and July 16-17.
The Masterclass curriculum follows Ken Hill’s Order of the Sport, which teaches the six fundamentals of motorcycle riding and best practice techniques used by the world’s top riders. The modular, step-by-step methodology is designed to help you become a faster, safer, and more confident rider, whether you just got your first bike or are an experienced racer.
Are you frustrated with one-size-fits-all coaching and getting advice on what to do, but not how to do it? The Masterclass prioritizes individualized support and instruction based on your skill level, riding goals, and learning style. Ken’s approach embraces holistic rider development and includes training both on and off the bike, combining theoretical instruction of key concepts and techniques with on-track drills to develop mental, physical, and technical mastery.
The Motorcycle Fundamentals Masterclass is divided into classroom and on-track sessions—including more riding time than a standard track day! In the classroom, Ken Hill will lead you through a comprehensive introduction to the six fundamentals of the sport: (1) Bike Placement, (2) Vision and Focus, (3) Motor Controls, (4) Brake Adjustability, (5) Turn-In Point and Turn-In Rate, and (6) Body Position and Body Timing. You’ll receive a new training handbook authored by Ken, available exclusively to Masterclass students.
Additional sessions will also focus on electronics and data, including instruction on how to collect and review video and GPS speed data to support your riding goals.
These classes will be followed by extended 45-minute sessions on the track to help you implement what you’ve learned, involving practice drills and coaching from our expert instructors. With only 15-20 riders per group, you’ll receive personalized support to achieve your riding goals. Registration is limited, so sign up early!
MASTERCLASS HIGHLIGHTS
Guaranteed 4:1 student to instructor ratio
Small groups of 15-20 riders for Novice/Low Intermediate and High Intermediate/Advanced
45-minute sessions, switching between the classroom and on-track
270 minutes total riding time per day
Exclusive Ken Hill Order of the Sport curriculum handbook provided for classroom workshops
Drinks, snacks, and catered lunch provided on both days
Motorcycle rentals and insurance are available (please inquire via email)
CURRICULUM OVERVIEW
Day 1
Day 2
Classroom sessions:
• Bike placement
• Reference points and vision
• Motor controls
• Brake adjustability
• Body position
Classroom sessions:
• Building a feedback loop
• Slowest point of the corner
• Throttle control
• Electronics and data
• What’s holding you back?
On-track drills and sessions:
• Identifying correct bike placement
• Reference points
• Vision timing
• Motor controls and brake release point
• High speed awareness
• Open lapping
On-track drills and sessions:
• Establishing precise bike placement
• Slowest point of the corner
• Initial throttle
• Collecting data
• Body position and body timing
• Open lapping
ABOUT KEN HILL
Ken Hill raced motorcycles for over 20 years before making the switch to professional coaching. Over the last 15 years, he has produced and worked with numerous national championship-winning riders, including JD Beach and Hayden Gillim. He first started coaching at the Freddie Spencer High Performance Riding School from 2003-2008, then served as lead instructor for its successor, the Yamaha Champions Riding School, until 2015. He also led and developed the curriculum for the Rick Development Camp for aspiring championship racers, served as head coach and crew chief for the Rickdiculous racing team at MotoAmerica, and directed riding programs and schools for track day organizers and riders across the country. Currently, he runs the MotoAmerica Supersport program for CJ LaRoche, and continues to work with other riders, drivers, and track day providers through his private company, Ken Hill Coaching. Online, you can find his work and educational resources by listening to his podcast or subscribing to his Substack: Motorsports Coaching.
ABOUT 2FAST TRACK DAYS
Founded in 2003, 2Fast Motorcycle Track Days & Instruction is the longest running track day organization in the Pacific Northwest. We pride ourselves on offering professionally-run, punctual events that provide the safest environment possible, with high levels of customer service, riding instruction, and customer value, guaranteeing a riding experience second to none. 2Fast has decades of experience establishing itself as the premier track day organization in the region, organizing high-end events throughout the PNW, giving riders the track time they want at the tracks they want to ride. Our staff of trained instructors, on-track marshals, and veteran corner workers welcomes all riders, no matter your speed or skill level, to ensure every one of our guests has the finest track day experience money can buy. Check out 2Fast’s full 2024 schedule and get more information online at www.2-fast.org.
Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 riders Pedro Acosta (left) and Augusto Fernandez (right). Photo by Philip Platzer, courtesy Red Bull GASGAS Tech3.
NEW-LOOK GASGAS MOTOGP™ GETS RED BULL POWER FOR 2024 CHARGE!
2024 MotoGP news
Get on the GAS for 2024 with wings, extra promise, and a lot of excitement! Augusto Fernandez, Pedro Acosta and Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 accelerate the changes for the forthcoming season.
Don’t miss our super-cool 2024 Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 introduction where the youngest and wildest line-up on the MotoGP grid usher in the second season of Grand Prix action!
First-up, official pre-season tests in Malaysia and Qatar but then there is tonnes of anticipation for the fresh world championship campaign, that will launch with the Grand Prix of Qatar at the Lusail International Circuit on March 9-10. The dash under the lights will be the first of 22 rounds and 44 outings (2024 will be the second term of the Saturday Sprint format) across the globe and into the month of November.
Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 are strapped and eager for the red lights to go out thanks to their vibrant rider roster. 2022 Moto2™ World Champion and 2023 MotoGP Rookie of the Year Augusto Fernandez will tackle his sophomore attempt at the premier class with the GASGAS RC16 and will be aiming to better a ‘PB’ race result of 4th from 2023 as well as enter the top ten of the championship standings. The 26-year-old is, of course, joined by fellow Spaniard and reigning Moto2 #1 Pedro Acosta. The 19-year-old already has Moto3 and Moto2 titles in just three years of GP competition and comes to the MotoGP fray with deserved hype and expectation. 2024 will be his first taste of the demands and technical complexities of MotoGP and the initial step of what could be a truly spectacular career.
Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 is again led by Nicolas Goyon, for the second season in a row, and with excellent back up from the likes of Pol Espargaro in a test rider and supporting role and the team’s loyal band of partners and suppliers.
Augusto Fernandez: “Everything was new and there was a lot to learn last year but there were points towards the end of the season where I felt fast and like I had the speed. I felt comfortable riding the bike but as a rookie you had to be very patient and trust the process. When I finished 2023 I analyzed the season and saw I had made the steps I needed to take. I am looking forward to this year because I now have the references of each track with the GASGAS RC16 and I know on Fridays we need to put a lot of input because it can decide much of the weekend. I’m super-proud to be partnering with Red Bull, and to have them on the bike. It’s a dream and we have everything we need to perform. It’s in our hands so let’s go for it.”
Pedro Acosta: “If I think about my career and journey so far then it is quite nice! Nice to say I had the opportunity to ride for a factory team in my first season, nice to say I won two titles in three years, it is nice to say I come into a factory team for the first season in MotoGP. But it is also quite tough to play with the pressure, to play with the comments. I don’t want to think about results at the moment. I just have one day on the bike, and it is not the time to talk about results or targets because it is not realistic. I will try to enjoy the Malaysia test and try to get as much experience as I can to try and be competitive at the beginning of the season but during that we also need to take race experience to grow step-by-step.”
Nicolas Goyon, Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 Team Manager: “In 2023 we had a lot of changes. We had this new Sprint format, and the new team structure but this means we are set and ready for the coming season. Augusto was strong for his rookie season. Of course, we all expect him to improve for 2024.He is very calm! He always takes some time to think about what has happened on the track and then to explain the technique and his feelings. This is something super-important for the team to develop and set-up the bike. Pedro is a great talent but my message for the fans would be ‘be patient’. You know, it is not so easy for a rookie to perform. It is complicated now with ride-height devices and a lot of electronics. The format of the weekend is also complicated and something to learn. Let’s give him time. For me, the 2024 Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 line-up will be even closer to the fans. Both riders are young, and we know this is the main target for GASGAS, to connect and excite all those that watch MotoGP.”
Hervé Poncharal, Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 Team Principal: “One of the very exciting things that has happened this winter is the return of Red Bull with Tech3, and we are extremely happy to have them again featuring on our MotoGP™ bike. This season will be more exciting than ever, with a very competitive grid: riders and technical packages are so close to each other, so I truly believe that we are set for an amazing show. Augusto Fernandez learnt a lot last year, and he is ready to perform and fight for top positions. One of the most exciting prospects that MotoGP™ has known in recent years, Pedro Acosta, will line up for us. His first day at the Valencia test gave us the insurance that he has everything to have a brilliant rookie season, and we are looking forward to heading to Sepang to kick things off!”
Pit Beirer, GASGAS Motorsport Director: “2023 was a very intense year for our first season with GASGAS on the grid but Augusto came in with a great approach – he is super-positive and a fighter – and gave us a highlight in Le Mans with his 4th position. I feel the team adapted really well over the whole season and I’m looking forward to seeing what Augusto can do in his second go. With Pedro I think the whole paddock and community agrees that there is a diamond coming up in this sport. He is a very special rider, a unique rider who has already broken so many records at a young age.Pedro will make us better and stronger for the future, so we are happy to have him. I feel GASGAS is a very dynamic brand, and looking to the team spirit with these two fantastic athletes it is definitely the one to watch out for in ’24.”
Hubert Trunkenpolz, Member of the Board, Pierer Mobility AG: “One of the reasons why we went with GASGAS into MotoGP was to create brand awareness and it worked perfectly. MotoGP is, by far, the biggest and most successful platform because the media value and the public attendance is immense and we are absolutely happy we made that move. We now have a very exciting combination of Augusto and Pedro and a motorcycle that has proven it is ready for trophies. We know it will be a long season and the Sprints have been challenging: the really positive thing is that the fans really appreciate [the Sprints], the action on Saturday, and frankly speaking I also like it. At the end of the day the guys are racers. It’s great to have Red Bull onboard this year and I think the 2024 livery looks fantastic.”
Blake Davis (1), Gus Rodio (96), and Rocco Landers (97) as seen during MotoAmerica Twins Cup Race Two at PittRace in 2023. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
BellissiMoto Now The Title Sponsor Of MotoAmerica Twins Cup Series
Exotic Motorcycle Parts, Gear And Accessories Importer/Distributor Set For Title Sponsorship Of Highly Competitive Twins Cup Class
IRVINE, CA (January 29, 2024) – MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is pleased to announce BellissiMoto as the new title sponsor of the 2024 MotoAmerica BellissiMoto Twins Cup Championship.
BellissiMoto is the new title sponsor of the 2024 BellissiMoto Twins Cup Championship.
Established in 2008 and headquartered in its showroom in Las Vegas, Nevada, importer/distributor BellissiMoto boasts an inventory of motorcycle parts, gear, and accessories from hundreds of the world’s top brands.
“We’re really happy to have BellissiMoto come onboard as the title sponsor of the MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship,” said Lance Bryson, MotoAmerica’s Director of Sponsorship. “Everyone at BellissiMoto is a racing fan and they are going to be wonderful partners for MotoAmerica. Plus, the brands they carry are the brands our actual racers and fans have been purchasing from them and using in competition every year since MotoAmerica started so the fit is a natural one.”
“BellissiMoto loves racing,” said BellissiMoto President Randy Nedescu. “Since our founding in 2008, BellissiMoto has been dedicated to fueling the racing dreams of riders and teams worldwide. Our support extends across prestigious events and championships, including the Daytona 200, Pikes Peak Hill Climb, CVMA, WERA, AHRMA, MotoAmerica, and many more. Whether sponsoring rookies or supporting seasoned veterans, we consistently provide topnotch parts and gear to numerous racers each year. We’ve also done plenty of racing outright by ourselves like a few years ago when our employee Javelin Broderick raced in the Supersport class and, more recently, Paul Geldziler in Twins Cup. This year looks to be more competitive than ever, and we’re very proud and excited to become the title sponsor for Twins Cup for 2024.”
Last year’s BellissiMoto Twins Cup Championship was won by Blake Davis in a title chase that went to the very last race of the series at New Jersey Motorsports Park in September.
Tyler O'Hara (1) as seen at Daytona in 2023. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Featured In the January 2024 issue of Roadracing World:
The mentality instilled in American football players is hard for someone who has never experienced it for themselves to understand. Not only do you want to win with every ounce of your mind and body, but you want to win while burning your opposition into the ground and grinding your cleats in their smoldering ashes.
For some, this mental state fades away as soon as they step off the playing field. For others, this ultra-competitive nature sticks with them and the positive traits it instills can serve them well. An example is Championship-winning racer Tyler O’Hara…
“Hanging With: Tyler O’Hara,” by David Swarts
Tyler O’Hara won the 2022 MotoAmerica Mission Foods King Of The Baggers Championship, but his involvement in racing goes much, much deeper. Take a look at the life of a man committed to the sport in every way—it’s in the latest issue of Roadracing World!
Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats.
Click here for a sample issue of Roadracing World magazine. (Print Edition, one sample issue per household, U.S. address only.)
Raul Fernandez and Miguel Oliveira introduced the liveries of their 2024 Trackhouse MotoGP machines before heading to Malaysia for the first of the preseason tests. Photo by Michael Gougis.
From left, Trackhouse rider Raul Fernandez, team owner and founder Justin Marks, MotoAmerica presenter Hannah Lopa, rider Miguel Oliveira, and Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola at the team’s introduction in Los Angeles. Photo by Michael Gougis.
The Trackhouse Racing introduction of its 2024 MotoGP team in Hollywood on Friday was a major event for American motorcycle road racing and for Aprilia. There were multiple World Champions and U.S. Champions on hand, as well as representatives from the top level of Aprilia’s motorcycle road racing efforts.
Massimo Rivola, CEO of Aprilia Racing. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola said that Trackhouse was important to the factory’s racing efforts. With four 2024-spec bikes on the track and in the hands of a team with close ties to the factory, Aprilia will gather more data, more feedback and thus follow Ducati’s example of using the maximum amount of information gathered on the track to hone its racebikes to their optimum on race weekends.
Trackhouse Team Manager, former Yamaha MotoGP crew chief and former 250cc Grand Prix racer Wilco Zeelenberg (left) with 1993 500cc Grand Prix Champion Kevin Schwantz (right). Photo by Michael Gougis.
As is the case with most top-level motorsport launches, the machines displayed are not the actual vehicles the team will go racing with. Building a MotoGP machine is an incredibly complicated process, and Aprilia is still building the bikes for the upcoming season. Trackhouse Team Manager and former Grand Prix racer Wilco Zeelenberg said the 2024 machines that rider Miguel Oliveira will race already were in Malaysia for the first pre-season test. Interestingly, job one for the team from an on-track perspective is making sure that the 2024 machine is developed to a higher level of performance than the 2023 bike. Last year’s machine was good enough to win two races and nearly lock out the podium in Barcelona. Raul Fernandez (who raced 2022 versions of the RS-GP in 2023) said when he got a chance to test the 2023 version of Aprilia’s RS-GP at the post-season test in Valencia, he had much, much more confidence tipping the bike toward the apex on the brakes, and his performance showed–he was fifth-fastest on the day, just behind eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez.
From left, Kevin Schwantz, Wayne Rainey and MotoAmerica racer (and 2022 FIM Northern Talent Cup Champion) Rossi Moor. Photo courtesy Stefano Favaro.
On hand were not only the current MotoGP riders and key personnel for the Aprilia project, but several U.S. racers who have competed at the sport’s highest level. Wayne Rainey and Kevin Schwantz, 500cc Grand Prix World Champions; Superbike World Champion, 250cc World Champion, and three-time 500cc Grand Prix race winner John Kocinski; Joe Roberts, America’s most recent Grand Prix winner (in Moto2); four-time MotoGP podium finisher John Hopkins; and four-time AMA Superbike Champion Josh Hayes; were all on hand. (Remember, in his first and only MotoGP event, Hayes filled in for the injured Colin Edwards on the Tech3 Yamaha YZR-M1 at Valencia in 2011, led the wet morning warm-up session, and finished seventh in the MotoGP race.) All spent time talking with young American racer Rossi Moor, who has won races and the 2022 Northern Talent Cup Championship (part of the Road to MotoGP program) in Europe.
American racer Rossi Moor tucks in behind the fairing of a Trackhouse Aprilia RS-GP at the team’s 2024 introduction. Photo courtesy Stefano Favaro.
The 2024 AMA Supercross opening ceremony fireworks show at Angels Stadium in Anaheim, California. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports.
Cooper Webb Wins Anaheim 2 Triple Crown Supercross
Levi Kitchen Wins 250SX Class, Marking Eight Different Winners In Four Events
Anaheim, Calif., – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb became the fourth different Monster Energy AMA Supercross winner in four rounds when he took the victory at the Anaheim 2 Supercross in front of 43,753 fans in Angel Stadium. Anaheim 2 was the first of three Triple Crown events this year which combine the results from three races to determine one winner on the night. Webb won the overall with (2-2-5) race results.
Cooper Webb (2). Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports.
Going (5-7-1), Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac had the crowd cheering when he earned second place overall with a win in the final race of the evening as the sport celebrates 50 years of racing this year. Last week’s winner, Red Bull KTM’s Aaron Plessinger, earned third place with (6-4-3) and retains the points lead heading into Round 5. In the Western Regional 250SX Class, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Levi Kitchen fought hard for the overall win with (1-2-3) race scores. And Supercross Futures, a part of SMX Next, held its first of five races to feature the future stars of Supercross; in what was the best battle of the night. Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Cole Davies emerged with the victory over Monster Energy Star Yamaha’s Gavin Towers.
“If you do really well the first two [races], the third one sometimes is easy… I had a lot of wiggle room [in Race #3] and could just, honestly, have a solo ride in fifth place. But it is a little bit weird, for sure, to not go over the checkered flag first. But I think that’s kinda the unique thing about the Triple Crown, is we’ve seen a lot of this happen. You can have big point swings, and you can have one bad race and then have two good ones [and] you end up on the podium and something like that. So it’s never over for sure in these kind of situations… I saw Jason [Anderson] right in front of me [in Race #3], he went down, and it probably wasn’t the best thing for me, because it was instantly like, ‘All right, I can just kinda chill,’ but I was grateful to put myself in that situation.” – Cooper Webb
“I was pretty frustrated after those first two [races]. I was like, ‘Okay, here I’m just – what am I now, fifth – seventh place guy right now?’ I don’t know. I just had to go do something, I had to get off the gate there, so it was good. It was good. Had a good flow. I was able to get the whoop combo down, and I felt like that was important for me, and yeah, felt good.” – Eli Tomac
“I knew Detroit was the next race and I really, really wanted to carry the red plate into Detroit given the events that happened last year.” [Plessinger crashed while leading Detroit 2023] “That’s gonna be a special race and yeah, I’m ready for it. I’m ready to get back to Florida this week and put in some work and then go up to the freezing cold and hopefully my moustache doesn’t break off in the 20 degree weather [laughs]. But no, I’m ready to get back up there and do some damage.” – Aaron Plessinger
The Western Regional 250SX Class held its second round and Levi Kitchen became the fourth rider in four rounds to take home a win. Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s RJ Hampshire battled hard in the first two races but a flat tire in the third Race took his chances at an overall victory. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Nate Thrasher followed up a win last weekend with a third place finish at Anaheim 2.
Levi Kitchen. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports.
“We’re all really close right now. Obviously I want to be the dominant guy, but yeah, it’s closer now. You can’t start in like fifth and sixth with these guys and have them up front. You’d have to have a pretty amazing – I don’t even know what you’d have to do to be able to get up to them. I think it’s tighter than in years’ past. Especially the top five of us, we’re all pretty experienced by now, so it’s definitely tight racing.” – Levi Kitchen
“For the first time in my career I had a flat tire on a Supercross track, so yeah, it was eventful. I knew something was wrong, didn’t necessarily know what until it shot me off in the whoops… I was fine the next couple laps, and then once that rear tire breaks the bead and it’s off the rim, that’s when it gets really, really scary. But overall it was an awesome night. That first and second moto were sick. If we could do that every weekend, I mean, we’d probably get paid a lot more because that was a show. [smiles]. But like I said, that was fun. All in all, it was a really solid day.” – RJ Hampshire
“[The new bike is] the same motor package but a whole different chassis. So all the suspension characteristics are completely different. So we’re still leaning, but I think I got a good package this weekend. I felt like it was a big step in the right direction for me, and we’re still learning, still working, still trying to get a little bit better, but last week [in testing] I think we found a little bit and it showed this weekend… It was a very hardpack track out there today and on the bike I was racing a couple weekends ago I was struggling pretty bad with the hardpack. So yeah, it was definitely a little bit better spot for me.” – Nate Thrasher
“It was an awesome battle. We were just going back and forth. And it was super tiring, I was breathing so hard and, you’re just glad to be on top… I couldn’t even feel myself. I was like so frickin – I was like in a dream it felt like.” – Cole Davies (#17)
Others in attendance include: USA Olympic Skateboarder Nyjah Huston, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire director Gil Kenan, Influencers Ben Azelart and Hayes Grier, world-renowned drummer Jason Bonham of Bonham and Sammy Hagar’s “The Best of All Worlds” Van Halen Tour, rock guitarist Carlos Cavazo of Quiet Riot and Ratt, who was also recently inducted into the Metal Hall of Fame.
Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan hosts Round 5 of the 17-round Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship next Saturday, February 3rd. The Detroit Supercross will run on a daytime schedule rather than under the lights. The racing starts at 3:00PM Eastern Time. Doors open for fans attending the race at 8:00AM Eastern Time. The race will kick off the 9-round Eastern Regional 250SX Championship.
Each Supercross round also pays points toward the 31-round SuperMotocross World Championship. In its second year, the SuperMotocross League combines the Supercross season and the 11-round AMA Pro Motocross season to seed riders into two Super Motocross World Championship Playoffs and a Final in September.
Every race is available live on PeacockTV, with select rounds also viewable on NBC, USA Network, CNBC, NBCSports.com, and the NBC Sports app. Fans around the globe can catch the action live, with both English and Spanish commentary, through the SuperMotocross Video Pass (supermotocross.tv).
For video highlights, race results, schedule information, broadcast airtimes, and to purchase tickets, please go to SupercrossLIVE.com.
British Superbike fans on pit lane during an event at Brands Hatch in 2023. Photo courtesy MSVR.
BENNETTS BSB – THRILL OF THE RACE – EPISODE 11 – DAY OF DESTINY
The finale episode of Thrill of the Race bringing you closer than ever before to the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at an incredible title decider at Brands Hatch. Relive all of the emotion, drama and intensity of the final round of the 2023 season at Brands Hatch in the final battle to become 2023 Champion We hope you enjoyed the ride
Darryn Binder (15) said the new Pirellis have more grip but that performance falls off more than the Dunlops used previously. “It's definitely going to be interesting next year to see how they go over race distance,” Binder said. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Featured In the January 2024 issue of Roadracing World:
An era ended quietly with the conclusion of the Moto2 race in Valencia. Dunlop was out of Grand Prix racing. And the next day a new era opened, with the first official test for the Moto2 and Moto3 teams on spec Pirelli tires.
Already the control tire in World Superbike, World Supersport, and several National-level series, (as well as in Formula One car racing), Pirelli made a positive first impression in the smaller-displacement classes, beating the best-ever Moto2 lap times at Valencia and crushing the Moto3 lap record…
“Pirelli Takes Over,” by Michael Gougis
Giorgio Barbier, Racing Manager for Pirelli, was on hand in Valencia to give an overview of the first official test for Pirelli tires in the Moto2 and Moto3 classes, and he was quite pleased. Setting lap records will do that. Read his impressions in the latest issue of Roadracing World!
Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats.
Click here for a sample issue of Roadracing World magazine. (Print Edition, one sample issue per household, U.S. address only.)
Jesse Janisch (77) and Shane Narbonne (1) in action during the Bagger Racing League event at PittRace in 2023. Photo courtesy Trask Performance.
Unveiling the 2024 Bagger Racing League “Battle of the Baggers” Schedule.
Rev up your engines and mark your calendars as the 2024 Bagger Racing League promises an adrenaline-fueled season with the “Battle of the Baggers.” With a thrilling schedule featuring international showdowns and new classes, this season is set to redefine the world of bagger GP racing.
**Round 1: Motorsport Park Hastings, NE (May 24-26) – Double Header**
Kicking off the season in grand style, Motorsport Park Hastings in Nebraska will host the inaugural races, treating fans to a double-header extravaganza. The intense competition is sure to set the tone for an action-packed championship.
**Round 2: Gingerman Raceway, MI (June 28-30) – Double Header**
The excitement continues at Gingerman Raceway in Michigan, where riders will face off in another thrilling double-header. The challenging circuit promises to push competitors to their limits, ensuring every lap is a spectacle for fans.
**Round 3: Bridgestone Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, ON (August 9-11) – International Double Header**
The Battle of the Baggers goes international with Round 3 taking place at Bridgestone Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Bowmanville, Ontario. This Canadian showdown will not only test the skills of the riders but also add a global flavor to the competition. Get ready for an unforgettable double-header on Canadian soil.
**Round 4: Finals at Willow Springs International Raceway, CA (November 16-17) – Double Header**
As the season reaches its climax, the Finals at Willow Springs International Raceway in California promise to be a spectacular culmination. The double-header format ensures that every twist and turn of this iconic circuit will play a pivotal role in deciding the ultimate champion.
*Introducing the SUPER STREET CLASS.
Adding a new layer of excitement to the 2024 season, the Bagger Racing League introduces the SUPER STREET CLASS. This category will showcase the prowess of baggers in a unique setting, challenging riders to navigate the streets with speed and precision.
*Shane Narbone Defends His Title**
All eyes will be on the reigning champion, Shane Narbone, as he aims to defend his 2023 title in the bagger GP. Narbone’s skill, experience, and determination make him a formidable contender, but the competition will be fierce, and only time will tell if he can secure another championship. For more information and updates on the 2024 Bagger Racing League “Battle of the Baggers,” visit http://www.BaggerRacingLeague.com. Strap in and get ready for a season of high-speed thrills, intense rivalries, and the relentless pursuit of victory on the bagger racing circuit.
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Accessibility Statement
www.roadracingworld.com
September 12, 2025
Compliance status
We firmly believe that the internet should be available and accessible to anyone, and are committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience,
regardless of circumstance and ability.
To fulfill this, we aim to adhere as strictly as possible to the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG 2.1) at the AA level.
These guidelines explain how to make web content accessible to people with a wide array of disabilities. Complying with those guidelines helps us ensure that the website is accessible
to all people: blind people, people with motor impairments, visual impairment, cognitive disabilities, and more.
This website utilizes various technologies that are meant to make it as accessible as possible at all times. We utilize an accessibility interface that allows persons with specific
disabilities to adjust the website’s UI (user interface) and design it to their personal needs.
Additionally, the website utilizes an AI-based application that runs in the background and optimizes its accessibility level constantly. This application remediates the website’s HTML,
adapts Its functionality and behavior for screen-readers used by the blind users, and for keyboard functions used by individuals with motor impairments.
If you’ve found a malfunction or have ideas for improvement, we’ll be happy to hear from you. You can reach out to the website’s operators by using the following email
Screen-reader and keyboard navigation
Our website implements the ARIA attributes (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) technique, alongside various different behavioral changes, to ensure blind users visiting with
screen-readers are able to read, comprehend, and enjoy the website’s functions. As soon as a user with a screen-reader enters your site, they immediately receive
a prompt to enter the Screen-Reader Profile so they can browse and operate your site effectively. Here’s how our website covers some of the most important screen-reader requirements,
alongside console screenshots of code examples:
Screen-reader optimization: we run a background process that learns the website’s components from top to bottom, to ensure ongoing compliance even when updating the website.
In this process, we provide screen-readers with meaningful data using the ARIA set of attributes. For example, we provide accurate form labels;
descriptions for actionable icons (social media icons, search icons, cart icons, etc.); validation guidance for form inputs; element roles such as buttons, menus, modal dialogues (popups),
and others. Additionally, the background process scans all the website’s images and provides an accurate and meaningful image-object-recognition-based description as an ALT (alternate text) tag
for images that are not described. It will also extract texts that are embedded within the image, using an OCR (optical character recognition) technology.
To turn on screen-reader adjustments at any time, users need only to press the Alt+1 keyboard combination. Screen-reader users also get automatic announcements to turn the Screen-reader mode on
as soon as they enter the website.
These adjustments are compatible with all popular screen readers, including JAWS and NVDA.
Keyboard navigation optimization: The background process also adjusts the website’s HTML, and adds various behaviors using JavaScript code to make the website operable by the keyboard. This includes the ability to navigate the website using the Tab and Shift+Tab keys, operate dropdowns with the arrow keys, close them with Esc, trigger buttons and links using the Enter key, navigate between radio and checkbox elements using the arrow keys, and fill them in with the Spacebar or Enter key.Additionally, keyboard users will find quick-navigation and content-skip menus, available at any time by clicking Alt+1, or as the first elements of the site while navigating with the keyboard. The background process also handles triggered popups by moving the keyboard focus towards them as soon as they appear, and not allow the focus drift outside it.
Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Disability profiles supported in our website
Epilepsy Safe Mode: this profile enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
Visually Impaired Mode: this mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
Cognitive Disability Mode: this mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
ADHD Friendly Mode: this mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
Blindness Mode: this mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
Keyboard Navigation Profile (Motor-Impaired): this profile enables motor-impaired persons to operate the website using the keyboard Tab, Shift+Tab, and the Enter keys. Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Additional UI, design, and readability adjustments
Font adjustments – users, can increase and decrease its size, change its family (type), adjust the spacing, alignment, line height, and more.
Color adjustments – users can select various color contrast profiles such as light, dark, inverted, and monochrome. Additionally, users can swap color schemes of titles, texts, and backgrounds, with over seven different coloring options.
Animations – person with epilepsy can stop all running animations with the click of a button. Animations controlled by the interface include videos, GIFs, and CSS flashing transitions.
Content highlighting – users can choose to emphasize important elements such as links and titles. They can also choose to highlight focused or hovered elements only.
Audio muting – users with hearing devices may experience headaches or other issues due to automatic audio playing. This option lets users mute the entire website instantly.
Cognitive disorders – we utilize a search engine that is linked to Wikipedia and Wiktionary, allowing people with cognitive disorders to decipher meanings of phrases, initials, slang, and others.
Additional functions – we provide users the option to change cursor color and size, use a printing mode, enable a virtual keyboard, and many other functions.
Browser and assistive technology compatibility
We aim to support the widest array of browsers and assistive technologies as possible, so our users can choose the best fitting tools for them, with as few limitations as possible. Therefore, we have worked very hard to be able to support all major systems that comprise over 95% of the user market share including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera and Microsoft Edge, JAWS and NVDA (screen readers).
Notes, comments, and feedback
Despite our very best efforts to allow anybody to adjust the website to their needs. There may still be pages or sections that are not fully accessible, are in the process of becoming accessible, or are lacking an adequate technological solution to make them accessible. Still, we are continually improving our accessibility, adding, updating and improving its options and features, and developing and adopting new technologies. All this is meant to reach the optimal level of accessibility, following technological advancements. For any assistance, please reach out to
