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Sportbike Track Time: Upcoming Track Days

Mathilde Gasnier
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Sportbike Track Time: Upcoming Track Days

September is here, and the action is heating up! Sportbike Track Time has a jam-packed schedule of events across the country, offering riders of all skill levels the chance to experience the thrill of the track in a safe and controlled environment. Check out what’s coming up this month!

 

  • Michigan-Area Events

Gingerman Raceway Bike Night: Start the weekend off right! Join us on Friday, September 12th, for Bike Night at GingerMan Raceway. This event features the three-group format (Intermediate, Advanced, and Novice), but please note there is no classroom instruction for the Novice group. The gates, registration, and tech open at 3:00 PM, with a riders’ meeting at 4:00 PM and the track hot from 4:30 PM until dusk. It’s recommended to bring a clear visor for this special sunset session. Online registration will closes later today, but trackside sign-ups are welcome.

Click here to read more!

Grattan Raceway Two-Day Event: Looking for a full weekend of track time? Head to Grattan Raceway on Saturday, September 20th and Sunday, September 21st. This winding and hilly 2.0-mile course is a blast for riders of all abilities, with its challenging corners, elevation changes, and a 3,200-foot straightaway. You can register for a single day or bundle both for a full weekend of riding.
Our Race Certificate Class is available to Intermediate and Advanced riders on Sunday, too!

Click here to register for Saturday, September 20

Click here to register for Sunday, September 21

 

  • Southern Region Events

Talladega Gran Prix Raceway Ladies First Event: Calling all female riders! Join us on Saturday, September 20th, for our special Ladies First track day. This event is designed to create a supportive and encouraging environment for women to get on the track. The Advanced and Intermediate groups will be combined for this day to allow for more Novice availability. Guys, you’re welcome to come as spectators to cheer on the riders!

Click here to read more!

Talladega Gran Prix Raceway: The fun continues at Talladega on Sunday, September 21st. After the Ladies First event, the track is open for all riders to enjoy this 1.35-mile road course. With its combination of banked, decreasing radius, and flat corners, it’s a deceptively simple-looking track that offers a fantastic challenge. Advanced riders, there’s still time to join us! Novice and Intermediate groups are full.

Click here to register today!

 

  • Midwest-Area Events

Autobahn Country Club North Course: Finish out the month with a two-day event at the premier Autobahn Country Club in Joliet, Illinois. We’ll be on the North Course on Saturday, September 27th and Sunday, September 28th. The 1.4-mile, nine-turn North Course is a perfect place to hone your skills and enjoy your bike on one of the country’s top road courses. You can register for a single day or bundle both for a full weekend of riding.
For our Intermediate and Advanced riders, 1:1 Instruction and the Race Certificate Class is available both days!

Click here to register for Saturday, September 27
Novice group sold out

Click here to register for Sunday, September 28
Novice group sold out

MotoGP: Morbidelli Heads Opening Practice At Misano

Mathilde Gasnier
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MotoGP: Morbidelli Heads Opening Practice At Misano

Franco Morbidelli topped MotoGP World Championship Free Practice 1 (FP1) Friday morning at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, in Italy. Riding his Michelin-shod Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Ducati Desmosedici GP24, the Italian turned a lap of 1:31.342 around the 2.63-mile (4.23 km) track and led the 23-rider field.

Fabio Quartararo was second-best with a 1:31.591 on his Monster Energy Yamaha YZR-M1.

Morbidelli’s teammate, Fabio Di Giannantonio was third with a lap of 1:31.596 on his Ducati Desmosedici GP25.

Ducati Lenovo Team’s Marc Marquez finished the session 5th with a time of 1:31.611 and Francesco Baganaia 11th at 1:31.929. 

 

Classification fp1 motogp

 

More from a press release issued by Dorna: 

Morbidelli bags P1 for VR46 ahead of Quartararo in Misano FP1. The Italian gave the home fans what they wanted as ‘El Diablo’ put himself in P2 late on, with the top 17 covered by less than a second. 

Franco Morbidelli’s (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) second homecoming of 2025 has started just as he’d have wished for as he bagged P1 on Friday morning. The #21 looked like he was going to head home a VR46 1-2 until the closing stages but nonetheless gets his San Marino GP weekend off to a flying start. Elsewhere, Yamaha’s new V4-powered YZR-M1 hit the track for the first time in a Grand Prix weekend in the hands of Augusto Fernandez (Yamaha Factory Racing Team), providing plenty of intrigue.

It was a dream start for Franky, who went P1 with a fast lap inside the last ten minutes of the session, having a quarter of a second advantage over Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP). The Frenchman denied VR46 a 1-2 as Fabio Di Giananntonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) took third. Despite the strong start for both Franky and Fabio, it wasn’t without incident as Morbidelli fell on his final flying lap at Turn 10 but was OK. Fourth place went the way of Catalan GP winner Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP), getting the better of Championship-leading brother Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team).

Featuring new rear aero and exhaust, Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) bagged top Honda honours in P6 for the first session of his home weekend, whilst Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was the best KTM just behind him in seventh. Making it five manufacturers inside the top eight, Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) was the best of the RS-GP machines, ahead of Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) and Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing), the latter of which returns to a track for the first time where he has prior Aprilia experience.

Just before the halfway point, Yamaha’s new V4-powered YZR-M1 came to a halt at Turn 7 on the run to Quercia corner. Augusto Fernandez is wildcarding this weekend, debuting the V4 in Grand Prix-trim but a technical problem halted his rhythm in FP1 but he still finished just 1.196s from top spot in P21. Moments later, Yamaha’s day got worse as Miguel Oliveira (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) crashed at Turn 16. Remounting and going out again, the Portuguese rider then crashed again at Turn 1, making for a difficult start to proceedings.

MotoGP FP1 results from Misano!

Moto2 : Gonzalez Tops Opening Practice At Misano

Mathilde Gasnier
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Moto2 : Gonzalez Tops Opening Practice At Misano

Manuel Gonzalez was quickest during Moto2 World Championship Free Practice 1 (FP1) Friday morning at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, in Italy. Riding his Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP Kalex on Pirelli control tires, the Spaniard covered the 2.63-mile (4.23 km) road course in 1:34.977, topping the field of 29 riders.

Jake Dixon was the best of the rest with a 1:35.143 on his ELF Marc VDS Racing Boscoscuro.

Diogo Moreira was third-fastest with a lap time of 1:35.250 on his Italtrans Racing Kalex.

American Joe Roberts finished the opening session in 19th with a 1:36.054 on his Onlyfans American Racing Team Kalex.

 

Classification fp1 moto2

Moto3 : Rueda Quickest In Opening Practice At Misano

Mathilde Gasnier
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Moto3 : Rueda Quickest In Opening Practice At Misano

Jose Antonio Rueda was quickest during Moto3 World Championship Free Practice 1 (FP1) Friday morning at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, in Italy. Riding his Red Bull KTM Ajo on Pirelli control tires, the Spaniard covered the 2.63-mile (4.23 km) road course in 1:41.217, topping the field of 27 riders.

Joel Kelso was the best of the rest with a 1:41.516 on his LevelUp MTA KTM.

David Almansa was third with a lap time of 1:41.693 on his Leopard Racing Honda.

 

Classification moto3 fp1

MotoE™ To Go On Hiatus Following 2025 Season

Mathilde Gasnier
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MotoE™ To Go On Hiatus Following 2025 Season

The FIM and Dorna Sports have agreed to put the FIM MotoE World Championship on hiatus at the end of the 2025 season.

MotoGP listens closely to fans – present and future – to deliver what best resonates within the sports and entertainment ecosystem, as well as consulting closely with the motorcycle industry and key stakeholders. MotoE has not been able to gain sufficient traction within our fanbase during its seven seasons of competition, during which time the electric performance motorcycle market has not developed as expected.

The motorcycle industry has increasingly pivoted towards the development of even more efficient combustion engines, alongside the use of non-fossil fuels. MotoGP fuels will become 100% non-fossil from 2027, increasing from a minimum of 40% non-fossil from 2024, matching the direction of the industry and serving as a clear statement of our commitment towards Racing for the Future.

MotoGP and the FIM will continue to monitor and consult the direction of the industry to ensure the sport remains at the forefront of innovation. MotoE will be reconsidered should the relevance of electric motorcycles – or any other alternative sustainable technology – increase in the future.

Jorge Viegas, FIM President: “Today we announce the suspension of the FIM MotoE World Championship as from the end of this season. In fact, and despite all the best efforts to promote this innovative category together with Dorna, the truth is that we haven’t reached our objectives, nor has the industry associated with performance electric bikes. The racing has been really fantastic and I would like to thank all the riders and teams that have competed in MotoE, and of course Dorna. Together we look to the future and are ready to embrace any new innovations and technologies.”

Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of MotoGP rights holder Dorna Sports: “MotoE has delivered some incredible on-track action and crowned champions and winners, playing a valuable role in MotoGP’s mission to innovate, fearlessly, and never shy away from staging something new. As we continuously strive for innovation on and off track, we must be equally unafraid of listening to our fanbase and the new audiences we seek to connect with, and observe market development. In doing so, together with the FIM, we have decided that the time is right to put MotoE on hiatus at the end of this season. We would like to thank all the riders and teams, Ducati, Michelin, our partners and all the personnel who have made MotoE a reality since its inception in 2019. Thank you for joining us on this valuable journey.”

MotoGP: Preview of The Red Bull Grand Prix of San Marino

Mathilde Gasnier
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MotoGP: Preview of The Red Bull Grand Prix of San Marino

Defeated for the first time in eight weekends, there’s no title on the line this time out. But it’s getting ever closer for Marc Marquez.

It was within just 1.7 seconds of his reach, but Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) will have to wait at least another Grand Prix to have a chance at completing his history-making comeback and win a seventh MotoGP crown. After seven weekends of glory in a row for the #93, it was instead Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) who came out swinging in Barcelona and took his second Grand Prix win of the season – a redemptive ride after crashing out the lead in the Tissot Sprint. Now, both arrive in Misano on two very different missions.

NO TITLE AT MISANO: the wait for the comeback rolls on

There may be no match point for Marc Marquez but there’s plenty of pride to uphold with it being the second home-round for Ducati. The #93 has five wins here, the most on the grid, although it isn’t one of his most emblematic venues. He also knows he can set up that Championship point for Japan – the easiest way is a seemingly foregone P7 or better in the Sprint. Meanwhile, Alex Marquez has never won back-to-back Grands Prix in MotoGP but with it also being his Gresini squad’s home event, the #73 can’t be written off. Still, they are far from the only home team on the grid – and there’s an armada of motivated Italian riders too.

P3 FIGHT: Bagnaia and Aprilia reload

On the rostrum in every San Marino GP since 2020 – when he took his first MotoGP podium – Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) endured a tough Catalan GP weekend before staging a notable comeback from P21 to P7 on Sunday. He was starting to feel the heat with Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) closing him down too, but Bez’s Barcelona struggles means that it’s now 40 points that split the duo. Just as both race on home turf, so do their factories – and Aprilia would enjoy nothing more than claiming Misano for themselves. Jorge Martin, on the other side of the Aprilia box, returns to where he tested before he returned from injury back in July too, with more and more kilometers on the clock as he looks to get back in the fight at the front.

KTM ON A ROLL: taking the fight to Ducati

Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) led orange charge in Barcelona, and that’s not even one of his best venues – so the ‘Beast’ will be in the spotlight at Misano. Here, he’s both won in MotoGP and taken some incredibly memorable podiums, from his first ever rostrum finish to his street-fighting 2024 charge past Martin to the podium.Likewise continuing to make progress even if Barcelona wasn’t the home podium he was gunning for is Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). He was fast but he was also beaten by Bastianini – what better way to return the favour than aiming to reverse that on the #23’s home turf.

Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was also in good form to challenge for the top five in Barcelona, part of that stunning three-rider battle – so close it almost looked like a display run. Meanwhile, Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3) continues to recover from his shoulder injury, adding the kilometers and likely encouraged by the form shown by the trio able to push at the front last time out.

PODIUM CONTENDERS: high targets and seeking redemption

P3 in the Barcelona Sprint was followed up with fifth on Sunday for Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP). Now, the Frenchman returns to the scene of his 2021 MotoGP title and one of his first big standout performances from his rookie year. Three P7s and a P9 from last year’s Grands Prix and Sprints – and fresh from a first test with Yamaha’s V4 in a private outing in Barcelona – ‘El Diablo’ is in form and the Iwata factory have that here too. That very V4 will also wildcard this weekend in the hands of test rider Augusto Fernandez.

Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) had a Catalan GP to forget but this is both his and the team’s home round. He’s tied with teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio and it’s a big weekend for both. Morbidelli took a Sprint podium at Misano last year and a first win here in 2020, whereas ‘Diggia’ took a Sprint P3 in Barcelona but has never had a top eight at Misano. Don’t discount Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) from a rostrum challenge either, despite a tricky last two rounds.

CHASING TOP 10s: battles aplenty through the pack

Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) was disappointed after his fall from fifth on Sunday last weekend and will want more, whereas Luca Marini(Honda HRC Castrol) took eighth last weekend as his uptick in impressive performances continues. His teammate Joan Mir struggled had a tougher one after having been the standout a couple of races ago, and Mir’s best Sunday result in 2024 was taken here. Meanwhile, returning to the top ten for the first time since Mugello was Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) and Misano is the scene of his last Moto2™ win last year. Teammate Raul Fernandez is without a top ten since Austria but a best Misano result of P8 in 2023 spurs him on.

P9 and a best result of 2025 last time out for Miguel Oliveira (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) is something he’ll want to build from, whereas teammate Jack Miller hopes for a top ten for the first time since Brno. After a first DNF of 2025, Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) seeks to bounce back at the San Marino GP. Welcomed back after injury, Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) gets ready for a new challenge at Misano too.

Home turf for many, enemy territory for others, and even a balance of the two for some on the grid, Misano brings with it a sense of unpredictability year after year. In the area where so many young Italians get their first taste of motorcycling and the first dreams of becoming Champion, what lies ahead at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli? It’s either a match point in Japan or a huge twist in the tale on the horizon – so tune in for more MotoGP this weekend!

 

 

Manuel Gonzalez (18) at Montmelo. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Manuel Gonzalez (18) at Montmelo. Photo courtesy Dorna.

 

Moto2™: Gonzalez gains the momentum heading to Misano

 

It wasn’t a win, it wasn’t a second, and it wasn’t a third either. But that P4 for Manuel Gonzalez (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) in Barcelona could prove to be the difference come the end of the season after Aron Canet (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego) crashed out, and Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) scored just two points.

It’s a result that means Gonzalez arrives in Misano with a 38-point advantage over Canet, who suffered a heavy crash on Sunday. Thankfully, the #44 suffered no fractures and will be raring to go this weekend at a venue he picked up two P2s at in 2024, while Moreira will be out to forget his quiet weekend in Catalonia. The Brazilian has fallen 42 points behind Gonzalez, a number that Moreira will want to see decrease before we jet off to Asia.

While the championship fight story will take centre stage the remainder of 2025, Daniel Holgado’s (CFMOTO Impulse Aspar Team) debut Moto2 victory certainly stole plenty of the headlines. Pole position and a commanding victory on home turf signalled a perfect weekend at the office for the rookie, who beat second place Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) by 2.5s. The Briton earned his first podium finish since Germany, and the #96 is now just one point behind fourth place Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego) in the standings.

And what about Daniel Muñoz’s (Red Bull KTM Ajo) P3? Deniz Öncü’s stand-in stunned to deliver his first Moto2 podium at his home round, so can Muñoz establish himself as a regular front runner before he more than likely joins the grid full-time in 2026?

Of the home favourites, Celestino Vietti (Beta Tools SpeedRS Team) has five top six results in his last seven races, and he arrives at a circuit he won at last year at the Emilia-Romagna GP. A repeat would go down very well with the home crowd.

Does Gonzalez extend his points lead, or is it a weekend where Canet, Moriera and co reel in the Spaniard?

 

Moto3 race at Montmelo. Photo courtesy Dorna
Moto3 race at Montmelo. Photo courtesy Dorna

 

Moto3™: can Piqueras pinch more points from Rueda in Misano?

 

It may only be five points, but winning is exactly what Angel Piqueras(FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI) needs to continue doing if he wants to stop Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) from winning the 2025 Moto3 World Championship. And that’s exactly what he did last year at our next port of call: the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli.

Piqueras clinched his first Moto3 win at Misano last year despite having two Long Lap penalties. Not bad. And a week later, it was only eventual World Champion David Alonso who beat the Spaniard, so a gold and silver medal from 2024 – plus two wins in his last three outings – will see a confident Piqueras arrive this weekend.

Rueda’s Long Lap to P2 was impressive in Barcelona, and having racked up two P5s in Austria and Hungary, a return to the podium was needed for the title chase leader. 64 points is still a very healthy margin in the #99’s favour, but Piqueras has stepped on the gas when he needed to. A big weekend awaits.

Elsewhere, all of Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team), David Muñoz (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) and Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) will be wanting an immediate response to their low-key Catalan GP results, while Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) hopes his Barcelona P3 is the catalyst for more of the same in the coming weeks.

With 102 points now the gap between Rueda and Quiles, is it a two-horse race for the Moto3 title between Rueda and Piqueras? We’ll know more come Sunday in Misano.

Fong to Make Wild Card Appearance in WorldSBK

Mathilde Gasnier
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Fong to Make Wild Card Appearance in WorldSBK

Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing and Strack Racing team up to field a wild card entry with Bobby Fong at the final two rounds of the 2025 WorldSBK season.

 

MARIETTA, Ga. –  September 11, 2025 – Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.’s (YMUS) official Superbike team, Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing, and YMUS’ official Supersport team, Strack Racing, will join forces to field a wild card entry in the 2025 FIM Superbike World Championship. With Attack Performance leading team operations, Strack Racing joins the effort as a strategic partner to support the successful Superbike program on the world stage. MotoAmerica Superbike points leader Bobby Fong will pilot the Attack Performance Strack Racing Progressive Yamaha R1 as he makes his WorldSBK debut at the penultimate round in Estoril, Portugal, on October 10-12, and the season finale in Jerez, Spain, on October 17-19. In addition to support from YMUS, the effort will also receive technical support from Yamaha Motor Europe. 

 

Attack Performance, one of the sport’s premier manufacturers of high-performance components and services for modern sportbikes, has carried on the winning tradition of the Yamaha R1 since becoming YMUS’ official Superbike team in 2020. The championship-winning program has delivered four premier-class titles and 69 victories thus far, and looks to add a fifth title this season. Additionally, Attack Performance has experience in international competition, fielding wild card entries in both WorldSBK and MotoGP – the most recent effort in 2022, when the team raced the Portuguese WorldSBK round in Portimao after securing a second-consecutive MotoAmerica Superbike title with Jake Gagne.

 

In a short amount of time, Strack Racing has cemented its reputation as a top competitor in the MotoAmerica paddock. Newly rebranded in 2024, the young team enjoyed a championship-winning season with Yamaha and the R6 as Mathew Scholtz secured the MotoAmerica Supersport title a race early with a total of eight victories. As YMUS’ official Supersport team in 2025, they found immediate success with the all-new R9. With two rounds remaining, Scholtz has a seven-point lead in the hotly contested MotoAmerica Supersport Championship and a total of seven race wins and 12 podiums. Adding to the team’s tally, new recruit Blake Davis has three victories and seven podiums to his credit, and sits third in the points standings during his sophomore season in the class.

 

Fong, who will lead the U.S. team’s effort overseas, is eager to make his WorldSBK debut. The 2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion joined Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing in 2025 and has enjoyed a standout season with the team. The talented rider from Stockton, California, has been on a hot streak in the latter half of the season, doubling his premier class wins with five consecutive victories and a total of 11 podium finishes. Heading into this weekend’s penultimate round at the Circuit of The Americas, Fong has a 17-point lead in the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship. 

 

Jeff Sidlovsky – Yamaha Racing Assistant Department Manager for YMUS

“Yamaha is pleased to support Attack Performance’s effort in World Superbike for the final two rounds, and we are excited to do it in conjunction with Strack Racing. It is a strong showcase for the R1 platform and the successful partnerships we have with Richard, Peter, and the Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing and Strack Racing teams. We look forward to seeing the American program on track at Estoril and Jerez.”

 

Niccolò Canepa, Road Racing Sporting Manager, Yamaha Motor Europe

“We are looking forward to welcoming Bobby to the World Superbike paddock for the Estoril and Jerez events. 2025 has been a remarkable season for him and the Attack Performance team, fighting for the title in the MotoAmerica championship. We are always looking to give riders who have been successful in their national series the opportunity to race on the world stage, so we are pleased to be able to provide support to help make these wildcards happen. Good luck to both Bobby and the team for the final MotoAmerica rounds, and fingers crossed he will join us in Portugal as the reigning champion!”

 

Richard Stanboli – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing Team Manager

“Bobby and the team are very excited to go race the last two rounds of the World Superbike season at Estoril and Jerez after the MotoAmerica season. We know it will be challenging, but we’re looking forward to that challenge. These wild-card entries that we have done in the past at the World Championship level – whether it be World Superbike or MotoGP – have always been a great learning exercise and have helped us improve as a team. It’s a great extension of the work we do here with our championship-winning program in MotoAmerica Superbike. 

“We appreciate the continued support from Yamaha U.S. and Yamaha Europe, who will provide some technical assistance. We’re also happy to have Strack Racing come on board to support this effort. I would also like to thank Pirelli for the assistance and technical support they will bring to the team. Our goal is to continue our development of the R1, and to put on a good show and make our fans proud.”

 

Peter Strack – Strack Racing Team Owner 

“We are proud to stand alongside Yamaha and Attack Performance in this World Superbike wild card effort. By building on the championship foundation Richard and his team have established in MotoAmerica, our role is to provide the resources and strategic support needed to showcase that excellence on the global stage.”

 

Bobby Fong – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing #50

“I am beyond excited to race the last two rounds of World Superbike. It’s always been a dream of mine to showcase my talents on an international stage. I know it’s going to be a big task. The times there are super close, and we are ready to bring our best efforts forward. My personal goal is to be in the fight for the top 10 and to keep improving each session. I personally want to thank Richard, Yamaha, Strack Racing, and the whole Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha crew for making this all happen.”

 

About Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. :

Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the outdoor recreation industry. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings include Motorcycles and Scooters, ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles, Snowmobiles, Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outboard Motors, Outdoor Power Equipment, Power Assist Bicycles, Golf Cars [sold, serviced, and distributed by Yamaha Golf-Car Company], Power Assist Wheelchair Systems, Surface Mount Technology and Robotic Machines, Unmanned Helicopters, Accessories, Apparel, Yamalube products, and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of distributors and dealers in the United States.

YMUS has a corporate office in California, three corporate offices in Georgia, as well as facilities in Wisconsin, Alabama, and Florida. YMUS subsidiaries Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America (YMMC), based in Georgia, and Yamaha Jet Boat Manufacturing U.S.A. (YJBM) based in Tennessee, each assemble and manufacture selected Yamaha brand products. YMUS owns Skeeter Boats [Texas] with its division G3 Boats [Missouri]. Additional U.S.-based subsidiaries include Yamaha Marine Systems Company, Inc. (YMSC) with subsidiary Siren Marine [Rhode Island] and divisions Bennett Marine [Florida], Yamaha Marine Rotational Molders [Wisconsin] and Yamaha Precision Propeller Inc. [Indiana].

Yamaha Motor Finance Corporation, USA, dba Yamaha Financial Services, is an affiliate of Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA offering financing solutions to support Yamaha Dealers and loyal Yamaha Customers nationwide.

AHRMA: Announces Purse For Pro Challenge at Barber

Mathilde Gasnier
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AHRMA: Announces Purse For Pro Challenge at Barber

The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) is excited to announce a $20,750 purse for the AHRMA Pro Challenge. The 12 lap race will be held on October 4, 2025, at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, AL, during the 20th Annual Barber Vintage Festival as part of the 2025 AHRMA Roadracing Series presented by Motobilia.  Sponsored by Fast by Ferracci Racing and Moto Corse Performance, with supporting sponsors NOLA Riding Academy and Larrabure Framing, the race will feature a vast array of today’s most exciting race bikes.

For 2025, the purse again will be split among pro and non-pro racers, giving the dedicated AHRMA racers a chance to participate in the prizes.

 

Pro Payout

  • 1st place $6,000
  • 2nd place $3,600
  • 3rd place $2,400
  • 4th place $1,800
  • 5th place $1,200

 

Non-pro Payout to AHRMA qualified racers

  • 1st place $2,000
  • 2nd place $1,500
  • 3rd place $1,000
  • 4th place $750
  • 5th place $500

 

Riders will elect Pro or Non-Pro status before the race. A Pro rider on an AHRMA waiver cannot elect Non-Pro status, but a Barber Qualified AHRMA racer can elect Pro if they chose to do so.  An AHRMA Non-Pro rider on an AHRMA waiver may elect Non-Pro status pending approval by the race director.

 

Details regarding racer and machine eligibility can be found here: https://www.ahrma.org/fourth-annual-pro-challenge-at-the-barber-vintage-festival/

 

About AHRMA: 

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

 

MotoGP: Yamaha Unveil V4-Powered YZR-M1 In Misano

Mathilde Gasnier
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0
MotoGP: Yamaha Unveil V4-Powered YZR-M1 In Misano

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. unveiled its V4-powered YZR-M1 today in Misano. The presentation of the prototype so early in the 2025 season underlines Yamaha’s bold new approach to bike development. The V4 prototype will be seen in action around the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli this weekend, piloted by Yamaha Factory Racing Test Team’s Augusto Fernández, who enters the Grand Prix of San Marino as a wild card. Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins will also have a chance to ride the new prototype again, this time in public during Monday’s San Marino MotoGP Test.

 

Yamaha V4-powered YZR-M1. Photo courtesy Yamaha Factory Team.
Yamaha V4-powered YZR-M1. Photo courtesy Yamaha Factory Team.

 

The highly anticipated Yamaha V4-powered prototype unveiling event took place today inside the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP hospitality at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli. Yamaha’s management proudly presented the brand-new bike, designed to suit the V4 engine.

The introduction of the prototype at only Round 16 of the MotoGP World Championship reflects Yamaha’s long-term commitment to advancing motorcycle innovation and their new ‘more aggressive approach’ to bike development.

Yamaha Motor Company’s General Manager of Motor Sports Development Division Takahiro Sumi, Yamaha Motor Racing Managing Director Paolo Pavesio, Project Leader Kazuhiro Masuda, and Technical Director Max Bartolinishared their excitement to start this new chapter, discussing Yamaha’s dedication towards the V4 engine and bike development, the new Yamaha structure and mindset in 2025, and the preparations for 2026.

 

Yamaha V4-powered YZR-M1. Photo courtesy Yamaha Factory Team.

Test Rider and Rider Performance Advisor Andrea Dovizioso and Official MotoGP Test Rider for the Yamaha Factory Racing Team Augusto Fernández were also put in the spotlight as major contributors to the V4 project. Through their expertise and precision, the two riders have shown themselves to be a cohesive and highly effective team, providing valuable support to the collaborative efforts of Yamaha’s test riders, engineers, and the full-time MotoGP teams and riders.

The unveiling event included a first view of Fernández’s bike, sporting a full-blue Yamaha corporate livery.

Fernández will be riding the V4-powered prototype as a wild card during the San Marino GP, allowing MotoGP enthusiasts the world over to see the brand-new prototype in action for the very first time.

Fernández, who announced he has recently signed on as an Official Test Rider for Yamaha in 2026-2027, has already ridden the new bike in various private Yamaha tests, one of them held at the Misano track.

 

Yamaha V4-powered YZR-M1 exhaust. Photo courtesy Yamaha Factory Team.

With the upcoming wild-card entry for the Grand Prix of San Marino, Yamaha aims to have Fernández try the prototype bike in a MotoGP race-weekend setting.

The sole purpose of the wild card is data gathering. No bike development decisions will be based on this weekend’s results.

MotoGP media and fans will also be able to get a first glimpse of Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins in action aboard the new bike on Monday 15th during the San Marino MotoGP Test.

Want to see exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of the V4-powered prototype development? Check out Yamaha’s ‘The Blue Shift’ YouTube Series latest episode:

The Blue Shift | Episode 3 – Plan V

 

 

 

TAKAHIRO SUMI – General Manager, Motor Sports Development Division: 

“We have taken on an ambitious project developing a new V4 engine and a whole new bike, and it is particularly demanding when done simultaneously with the 2025 bike development. Such a challenge comes with high stakes and pressure: it’s the type of project that can only be done right when it’s not just a ‘team effort’ but a ‘company effort’, and all involved have to give it 100%.

“From the start of the V4 project there were many questions to be answered, and we are still in the development stage, but one thing is for certain: our goal is to return Yamaha to winning ways with an evidence‑based approach. The V4‑powered prototype reflects one integrated project where Japan and Europe share responsibilities and expertise. Thanks to the hard work of Project Leader Kazuhiro Masuda, Technical Director Max Bartolini, the Yamaha engineers, the Yamaha Factory Racing Test Team, the test riders, the technical partners, and all others who contributed, we are able to take strategic steps and make progress.

“We thank the fans for their never-failing support, and we hope that they will continue to show interest in our journey back to the pinnacle of motorcycle road racing. Exploration is part of Yamaha’s DNA. The V4‑powered prototype opens an additional technical pathway. We will race what proves most competitive.”

 

PAOLO PAVESIO – Managing Director, Yamaha Motor Racing: 

“The development of the V4-powered prototype is the result of a collaborative effort between Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (YMC) in Japan, Yamaha Motor Racing (YMR) in Europe, and a select group of technical partners, alongside the Yamaha Factory Racing Test Team.

“The track will ultimately determine whether we have achieved our goals, but I’m already proud of the challenging spirit we’ve embraced in reshaping how we work: faster, more agile, and more open to leveraging our global assets, both organizationally and technically.

“Within this renewed approach, signing Andrea and Augusto last year was a pivotal moment in bringing Plan V to life. Given its scope, the upcoming 850cc project, and the change in tyre supplier, having two test riders was essential. Their complementary strengths were also a key consideration: Andrea brings a development discipline that aligns perfectly with our pursuit of high-quality feedback. His decades at the top of MotoGP and deep technical expertise make him an invaluable asset. Augusto, meanwhile, has seamlessly complemented Andrea’s work, especially through his contributions in tests and wild-card entries. As a recent full-time MotoGP rider still in peak form, he’s instrumental in pushing the limits of our new V4 engine and prototype bike. These stress tests not only yield critical data but also offer a clear view of our competitive reality.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Cal Crutchlow for his work as a Test Rider over the past years. Although he has not been involved in the V4 project, we remain deeply grateful for his longstanding contributions to Yamaha‘s bike development.

“Looking ahead, we’re thrilled that both Andrea and Augusto have chosen to continue their journey with us into 2026 and 2027, remaining key figures in the evolution of the V4 project. This weekend’s wild-card entry marks an exciting new chapter, one we believe will capture the attention of MotoGP fans.”

 

 

KAZUHIRO MASUDA – Yamaha YZR-M1 Project Leader:

The development of the V4-equipped prototype has progressed according to a structured, phased plan. Thus far, we have completed dyno testing, followed by track correlation, and this weekend we are conducting ‘stress tests’ under real-life GP conditions.

“As for the next steps: this Monday we’ll have the IRTA test with Fabio and Álex, aimed at expanding our data set. We are unable to disclose details regarding private test sessions, but we remain fully committed to the programme and are approaching each phase with the utmost diligence.

“We are applying a comprehensive and disciplined approach, ensuring no aspect is overlooked. At this stage, I’m pleased to report that the progress is in line with our expectations. If all goes well this weekend and on Monday, subsequent steps include further testing at Sepang and Valencia.”

 

 

 

MASSIMO BARTOLINI – Technical Director, Yamaha Factory Racing:

“Our team has designed a coherent package: power delivery, chassis balance, and aerodynamics tuned as a system. This weekend’s focus is not on performance benchmarks, but on operational learning under real-world MotoGP Grand Prix conditions.

“Our key objectives are to validate core assumptions, gather high-quality data, and inform the next phase of iteration. While the long-term ambition remains a competitive V4 platform for the 2026 season, any final commitment will be based on an evaluation of outcomes at the end of the 2025 programme.

“This initiative is a strategic approach to broaden our technical options and accelerate our learning curve to ensure we make the most informed decision for our future in MotoGP racing.”

 

 

 

ANDREA DOVIZIOSO – Test Rider & Riders Performance Advisor:

“Since the very first outing in Malaysia, the project has given me very positive feelings. From the moment I tried the V4-powered prototype, I liked it straight away. With every run the feeling has improved, and I’ve always sensed great potential. Of course, there is still work to be done, but the indications so far are very encouraging. I believe we’ve made excellent progress, and I’m really enjoying this role as a test rider. I’m working very well with the Yamaha engineers, we’re building a strong relationship and gaining a deeper understanding step by step.

“I’m also very pleased with the relationship I have with Augusto. We’re working extremely well together, we share very similar feedback, and it’s both satisfying and enjoyable to collaborate with him. I really look forward to seeing him race on the new bike.”

 

 

 

AUGUSTO FERNÁNDEZ – Yamaha Factory Racing Test Rider:

“I’m really excited to race with the new bike. It’s an honour to be involved in such a big project for Yamaha and to be the first one to race the new bike! It will be a weekend during which we focus on improving our V4-powered prototype and define its strengths and weaknesses whilst riding with the rest of the MotoGP riders, in real time, in a race setting. So, it will be an important weekend – we get to see where we stand – so I’m really excited for this GP and can’t wait to start.”

AFT Heads To Lake Ozark Short Track

Mathilde Gasnier
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AFT Heads To Lake Ozark Short Track

The Grand National Championship will be decided when the 2025 Progressive American Flat Track season, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, concludes with the Arby’s Lake Ozark Short Track presented by Arrowhead Brass at Lake Ozark Speedway in Eldon, Missouri on Saturday, September 13. 

And the season finale will once again play out in suitably festive surroundings, serving as a centerpiece of this year’s 19th Annual Lake of the Ozarks BikeFest, an event destined to attract some 125,000 motorcycle enthusiasts to the area from September 10-14. 

 

The Grand. National. Championship. 

Any concerns that Mission AFT SuperTwins would lose a bit of intrigue and drama after ten-time class king Jared Mees rode off into the sunset have not just been proven unfounded but resoundingly so. 

Over the course of an unforgettable ‘25 title fight, Mees’ latter-day foils, Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) and Briar Bauman (No. 3 RWR/Parts Plus/Latus Motors Harley-Davidson XG750R), established their own rivalry which could potentially define the sport for the next decade. 

Their battles have been epic and at times not without controversy or acrimony. Momentum has been seized and reseized. And each has faced down adversity while making their respective bids to assume Mees’ throne this season. 

The tides turned yet again – and in a big way – at the Springfield Mile doubleheader. 

Bauman powered into Springfield on a high following his triumphant performance in Peoria. He left in disappointment, an 11-point advantage transformed into a 13-point deficit. That margin puts his chances for a third Grand National Championship in serious peril, a reality he’s all too aware of. 

However it plays out, Bauman has already done as much this season to cement his legacy as an all-time great as any of his prior campaigns, including the two in which he defeated Mees for the title. 

This season, Bauman and his Rick Ware Racing team took a previously winless Harley-Davidson XG750R and made it a genuine title threat on the strength of seven wins to date. But it goes beyond the numbers – the manner and style in which he’s done it left even the gifted Daniels and the powerhouse Estenson Racing team behind him at times bewildered. 

Perhaps paradoxically, Bauman was never more impressive than he was in Springfield, where he routinely sliced and diced the world’s elite motorcycle flat trackers up through the corners just to cling to contention down the straights. 

However, overpowered on Saturday and luckless on Sunday, Bauman now faces a steep climb to the title this weekend despite his overall brilliance in 2025. 

 

1.56% 

Just how steep? 

If Bauman wins this weekend – and he should be viewed as the favorite considering the desperation of his situation along with his status as the winningest Short Track rider in series history – he’ll end the year with 307 points and a tiebreaking eight wins. 

That would mean Daniels would have to finish seventh or better to accumulate at least 308 points, and along with it, the 2025 Grand National Championship. 

And just how likely is that? 

Consider the following:  

Daniels has participated in 64 Main Events throughout the entirety of his near four-season premier-class career. During that span, he has finished outside the top five just once. That outlier took place during the 2022 Volusia double finale weekend, in which he crashed from fourth and ultimately finished 12th. 

Since that time, the Estenson Racing star has finished fifth or better in 47 consecutive races – 42 of those on the box. 

As has been said many times – by Bauman and many others – it’s not so much Daniels’ speed (which is remarkable) or his talent (which is considerable), but rather his unprecedented consistency that is his greatest attribute as a title fighter. 

One bad day. One bad race. One bad moment. Give Daniels an opportunity, and he’ll make you pay. 

Bauman had a bad day in Springfield. 

However, it’s not over just yet. Pile on the pressure of a lifelong goal, and the chance that the unthinkable happens might increase a percentage point or ten. 

It’s happened before; the racing annals overfloweth with stories of less likely scenarios coming to fruition. 

 

Give The Man His Due 

Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Harley-Davidson XG750R) has spent the bulk of the season lost in the shadow of the fascinating Daniels/Bauman showdown. 

However, step back and admire another campaign that has only furthered his argument for eventual inclusion in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. 

26 points up on fourth, Robinson has already locked in his fifth Grand National Championship ranking of third or better. He’s also added five more podiums to his career tally, including a long-sought  first win on the Harley-Davidson XG750R he helped usher into the series eight years back. 

While no doubt frustrated after taking a step back from 2024’s title contention, Robinson has quietly penned another strong season in a career that’s gradually elevated him up to some pretty lofty statistical territory. 

 

Lowe Man Wins 

Much has been made – and deservedly so – of Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Progressive Insurance Honda Transalp) scoring Honda’s first twin-cylinder premier-class win of the millennium with his Springfield surprise. 

But perhaps lost in that excitement was just how much his huge weekend transformed his championship standing outlook. 

Prior to Springfield, Lowe was locked in a tight fight for sixth with James Ott (No. 19 G&G Racing Yamaha MT-07), Dan Bromley (No. 62 Memphis Shades/Vinson Construction Suzuki GSX-8S), and Max Whale (No. 18 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650). 

Meanwhile, Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing KTM 790 Duke) and Jarod VanDerKooi (No. 20 Fastrack Racing/Wally Brown Racing KTM 790 Duke) still held outside hopes of edging Robinson for third at the time. 

Lowe’s stunning success combined with twin misfortune for Fisher and ‘VDK,’ has painted a very different picture with just one race to go. As it stands, it’s now Lowe who sits fourth with 172 points, followed closely by Fisher (169) and VanDerkooi (167). 

Even before the breakthrough victory, Lowe’s top-five finish at the Lucas Oil Short Track was likely good enough to consider 2025 a positive one of the Big Red SuperTwins program. The victory more than assured that.  
But fourth in the overall standings? That would certainly be something. 

 

Rookie of the Year 

Lowe’s Springfield triumph also handed him a commanding lead in the chase for Mission AFT SuperTwins Rookie of the Year honors. 

Lowe and Ott have gone back and forth in a two-rider tilt all year long, but Lowe’s big win pushed him 18 points out in front with just the finale to go. In other words, it would take a monster result from Ott and utter catastrophe from Lowe to prevent the Honda pilot from being named premier-class Rookie of the Year. 

That said, congratulations to Ott, who has been hugely impressive in his own right. With one race left to shine, the Californian has already racked up four top fives on the G&G Yamaha – highlighted by a pair of podiums – in his first Mission AFT SuperTwins campaign. 

 

It’s Best to Rest Before BikeFest 

There will be no shortage of entertainment options at the 19th Annual Lake of the Ozarks BikeFest in general and the Lake Ozark Short Track in particular.  

Along with the season-ending action on track culminating in the crowing of the 2025 Grand National Champion, fans will be treated to Jumbotron-enhanced viewing, dedicated motorcycle parking, numerous food and beverage options, the Fans Zone – complete with a face painter – and a fireworks display to conclude the evening’s activities. 

 

Your Ticket to the Land of Oz(ark) 

General Admission tickets are just $40 (kids 12 and under free with a paid adult General Admission ticket). Students can get a GA ticket for just $20 ticket at the gate with a student ID, while qualified individuals can take advantage of the Military/First Responder discount to purchase $20 General Admission tickets via the GovX link found on the event ticket pages.  

Reserved Grandstand tickets, which are located along the front stretch of the racetrack with ideal sightlines, are just $50 (all ages). 

H.O.G. members can purchase a H.O.G. Membership Ticket for $30 (all ages), which grants access to both a dedicated parking area and dedicated grandstand seating, along with a meet and greet and photo opportunity with the Harley-Davidson racers and a private infield tour. 

Finally, there’s the Opening Ceremonies Trackside Fan Experience ($99), which includes General Admission seating with full pit pass access, a guided tour of the infield podium and start/finish line, photo opps, and up-close viewing of Opening Ceremonies and the night’s race action. 

Visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/lake-ozark-short-track-126438 to purchase your tickets today. 

Gates will open for fans at 3:00 p.m. ET (12:00 p.m. PT) with Opening Ceremonies set to begin at 8:00 p.m. ET (5:00 a.m. PT). 

 

How to Watch 

 

  • FloRacing 

For those that can’t catch the live action from the circuit, FloRacing is the live streaming home of Progressive AFT. Motorsports fans can subscribe to FloRacing to enjoy over 1,000 live motorsports events in 2025. FloSports is available by visiting https://flosports.link/aft or by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and Chromecast. 

 

  • FS1 

FOX Sports coverage of the Arby’s Lake Ozark Short Track presented by Arrowhead Brass, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Saturday, September 20, at 11:00 a.m. ET (8:00 a.m. PT). 

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

Sportbike Track Time: Upcoming Track Days

Two students riding during a Sportbike track day. Photo by SPImages.
Two students riding during a Sportbike track day. Photo by SPImages.

September is here, and the action is heating up! Sportbike Track Time has a jam-packed schedule of events across the country, offering riders of all skill levels the chance to experience the thrill of the track in a safe and controlled environment. Check out what’s coming up this month!

 

  • Michigan-Area Events

Gingerman Raceway Bike Night: Start the weekend off right! Join us on Friday, September 12th, for Bike Night at GingerMan Raceway. This event features the three-group format (Intermediate, Advanced, and Novice), but please note there is no classroom instruction for the Novice group. The gates, registration, and tech open at 3:00 PM, with a riders’ meeting at 4:00 PM and the track hot from 4:30 PM until dusk. It’s recommended to bring a clear visor for this special sunset session. Online registration will closes later today, but trackside sign-ups are welcome.

Click here to read more!

Grattan Raceway Two-Day Event: Looking for a full weekend of track time? Head to Grattan Raceway on Saturday, September 20th and Sunday, September 21st. This winding and hilly 2.0-mile course is a blast for riders of all abilities, with its challenging corners, elevation changes, and a 3,200-foot straightaway. You can register for a single day or bundle both for a full weekend of riding.
Our Race Certificate Class is available to Intermediate and Advanced riders on Sunday, too!

Click here to register for Saturday, September 20

Click here to register for Sunday, September 21

 

  • Southern Region Events

Talladega Gran Prix Raceway Ladies First Event: Calling all female riders! Join us on Saturday, September 20th, for our special Ladies First track day. This event is designed to create a supportive and encouraging environment for women to get on the track. The Advanced and Intermediate groups will be combined for this day to allow for more Novice availability. Guys, you’re welcome to come as spectators to cheer on the riders!

Click here to read more!

Talladega Gran Prix Raceway: The fun continues at Talladega on Sunday, September 21st. After the Ladies First event, the track is open for all riders to enjoy this 1.35-mile road course. With its combination of banked, decreasing radius, and flat corners, it’s a deceptively simple-looking track that offers a fantastic challenge. Advanced riders, there’s still time to join us! Novice and Intermediate groups are full.

Click here to register today!

 

  • Midwest-Area Events

Autobahn Country Club North Course: Finish out the month with a two-day event at the premier Autobahn Country Club in Joliet, Illinois. We’ll be on the North Course on Saturday, September 27th and Sunday, September 28th. The 1.4-mile, nine-turn North Course is a perfect place to hone your skills and enjoy your bike on one of the country’s top road courses. You can register for a single day or bundle both for a full weekend of riding.
For our Intermediate and Advanced riders, 1:1 Instruction and the Race Certificate Class is available both days!

Click here to register for Saturday, September 27
Novice group sold out

Click here to register for Sunday, September 28
Novice group sold out

MotoGP: Morbidelli Heads Opening Practice At Misano

Franco Morbidelli (21) at Misano. Photo courtesy VR46 Racing Team.
Franco Morbidelli (21) at Misano. Photo courtesy VR46 Racing Team.

Franco Morbidelli topped MotoGP World Championship Free Practice 1 (FP1) Friday morning at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, in Italy. Riding his Michelin-shod Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Ducati Desmosedici GP24, the Italian turned a lap of 1:31.342 around the 2.63-mile (4.23 km) track and led the 23-rider field.

Fabio Quartararo was second-best with a 1:31.591 on his Monster Energy Yamaha YZR-M1.

Morbidelli’s teammate, Fabio Di Giannantonio was third with a lap of 1:31.596 on his Ducati Desmosedici GP25.

Ducati Lenovo Team’s Marc Marquez finished the session 5th with a time of 1:31.611 and Francesco Baganaia 11th at 1:31.929. 

 

Classification fp1 motogp

 

More from a press release issued by Dorna: 

Morbidelli bags P1 for VR46 ahead of Quartararo in Misano FP1. The Italian gave the home fans what they wanted as ‘El Diablo’ put himself in P2 late on, with the top 17 covered by less than a second. 

Franco Morbidelli’s (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) second homecoming of 2025 has started just as he’d have wished for as he bagged P1 on Friday morning. The #21 looked like he was going to head home a VR46 1-2 until the closing stages but nonetheless gets his San Marino GP weekend off to a flying start. Elsewhere, Yamaha’s new V4-powered YZR-M1 hit the track for the first time in a Grand Prix weekend in the hands of Augusto Fernandez (Yamaha Factory Racing Team), providing plenty of intrigue.

It was a dream start for Franky, who went P1 with a fast lap inside the last ten minutes of the session, having a quarter of a second advantage over Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP). The Frenchman denied VR46 a 1-2 as Fabio Di Giananntonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) took third. Despite the strong start for both Franky and Fabio, it wasn’t without incident as Morbidelli fell on his final flying lap at Turn 10 but was OK. Fourth place went the way of Catalan GP winner Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP), getting the better of Championship-leading brother Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team).

Featuring new rear aero and exhaust, Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) bagged top Honda honours in P6 for the first session of his home weekend, whilst Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was the best KTM just behind him in seventh. Making it five manufacturers inside the top eight, Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) was the best of the RS-GP machines, ahead of Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) and Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing), the latter of which returns to a track for the first time where he has prior Aprilia experience.

Just before the halfway point, Yamaha’s new V4-powered YZR-M1 came to a halt at Turn 7 on the run to Quercia corner. Augusto Fernandez is wildcarding this weekend, debuting the V4 in Grand Prix-trim but a technical problem halted his rhythm in FP1 but he still finished just 1.196s from top spot in P21. Moments later, Yamaha’s day got worse as Miguel Oliveira (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) crashed at Turn 16. Remounting and going out again, the Portuguese rider then crashed again at Turn 1, making for a difficult start to proceedings.

MotoGP FP1 results from Misano!

Moto2 : Gonzalez Tops Opening Practice At Misano

Manuel Gonzalez (18) at Montmelo. Photo courtesy IntactGP Team.
Manuel Gonzalez (18) at Montmelo. Photo courtesy IntactGP Team.

Manuel Gonzalez was quickest during Moto2 World Championship Free Practice 1 (FP1) Friday morning at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, in Italy. Riding his Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP Kalex on Pirelli control tires, the Spaniard covered the 2.63-mile (4.23 km) road course in 1:34.977, topping the field of 29 riders.

Jake Dixon was the best of the rest with a 1:35.143 on his ELF Marc VDS Racing Boscoscuro.

Diogo Moreira was third-fastest with a lap time of 1:35.250 on his Italtrans Racing Kalex.

American Joe Roberts finished the opening session in 19th with a 1:36.054 on his Onlyfans American Racing Team Kalex.

 

Classification fp1 moto2

Moto3 : Rueda Quickest In Opening Practice At Misano

Jose Antonio Rueda (99) at Montmelo. Photo courtesy Red Bull KTM Ajo.
Jose Antonio Rueda (99) at Montmelo. Photo courtesy Red Bull KTM Ajo.

Jose Antonio Rueda was quickest during Moto3 World Championship Free Practice 1 (FP1) Friday morning at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, in Italy. Riding his Red Bull KTM Ajo on Pirelli control tires, the Spaniard covered the 2.63-mile (4.23 km) road course in 1:41.217, topping the field of 27 riders.

Joel Kelso was the best of the rest with a 1:41.516 on his LevelUp MTA KTM.

David Almansa was third with a lap time of 1:41.693 on his Leopard Racing Honda.

 

Classification moto3 fp1

MotoE™ To Go On Hiatus Following 2025 Season

MotoE race at Montmelo. Photo courtesy Dorna.
MotoE race at Montmelo. Photo courtesy Dorna.

The FIM and Dorna Sports have agreed to put the FIM MotoE World Championship on hiatus at the end of the 2025 season.

MotoGP listens closely to fans – present and future – to deliver what best resonates within the sports and entertainment ecosystem, as well as consulting closely with the motorcycle industry and key stakeholders. MotoE has not been able to gain sufficient traction within our fanbase during its seven seasons of competition, during which time the electric performance motorcycle market has not developed as expected.

The motorcycle industry has increasingly pivoted towards the development of even more efficient combustion engines, alongside the use of non-fossil fuels. MotoGP fuels will become 100% non-fossil from 2027, increasing from a minimum of 40% non-fossil from 2024, matching the direction of the industry and serving as a clear statement of our commitment towards Racing for the Future.

MotoGP and the FIM will continue to monitor and consult the direction of the industry to ensure the sport remains at the forefront of innovation. MotoE will be reconsidered should the relevance of electric motorcycles – or any other alternative sustainable technology – increase in the future.

Jorge Viegas, FIM President: “Today we announce the suspension of the FIM MotoE World Championship as from the end of this season. In fact, and despite all the best efforts to promote this innovative category together with Dorna, the truth is that we haven’t reached our objectives, nor has the industry associated with performance electric bikes. The racing has been really fantastic and I would like to thank all the riders and teams that have competed in MotoE, and of course Dorna. Together we look to the future and are ready to embrace any new innovations and technologies.”

Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of MotoGP rights holder Dorna Sports: “MotoE has delivered some incredible on-track action and crowned champions and winners, playing a valuable role in MotoGP’s mission to innovate, fearlessly, and never shy away from staging something new. As we continuously strive for innovation on and off track, we must be equally unafraid of listening to our fanbase and the new audiences we seek to connect with, and observe market development. In doing so, together with the FIM, we have decided that the time is right to put MotoE on hiatus at the end of this season. We would like to thank all the riders and teams, Ducati, Michelin, our partners and all the personnel who have made MotoE a reality since its inception in 2019. Thank you for joining us on this valuable journey.”

MotoGP: Preview of The Red Bull Grand Prix of San Marino

MotoGP Race start at Barcelona. Photo courtesy Dorna.
MotoGP Race start at Barcelona. Photo courtesy Dorna.

Defeated for the first time in eight weekends, there’s no title on the line this time out. But it’s getting ever closer for Marc Marquez.

It was within just 1.7 seconds of his reach, but Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) will have to wait at least another Grand Prix to have a chance at completing his history-making comeback and win a seventh MotoGP crown. After seven weekends of glory in a row for the #93, it was instead Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) who came out swinging in Barcelona and took his second Grand Prix win of the season – a redemptive ride after crashing out the lead in the Tissot Sprint. Now, both arrive in Misano on two very different missions.

NO TITLE AT MISANO: the wait for the comeback rolls on

There may be no match point for Marc Marquez but there’s plenty of pride to uphold with it being the second home-round for Ducati. The #93 has five wins here, the most on the grid, although it isn’t one of his most emblematic venues. He also knows he can set up that Championship point for Japan – the easiest way is a seemingly foregone P7 or better in the Sprint. Meanwhile, Alex Marquez has never won back-to-back Grands Prix in MotoGP but with it also being his Gresini squad’s home event, the #73 can’t be written off. Still, they are far from the only home team on the grid – and there’s an armada of motivated Italian riders too.

P3 FIGHT: Bagnaia and Aprilia reload

On the rostrum in every San Marino GP since 2020 – when he took his first MotoGP podium – Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) endured a tough Catalan GP weekend before staging a notable comeback from P21 to P7 on Sunday. He was starting to feel the heat with Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) closing him down too, but Bez’s Barcelona struggles means that it’s now 40 points that split the duo. Just as both race on home turf, so do their factories – and Aprilia would enjoy nothing more than claiming Misano for themselves. Jorge Martin, on the other side of the Aprilia box, returns to where he tested before he returned from injury back in July too, with more and more kilometers on the clock as he looks to get back in the fight at the front.

KTM ON A ROLL: taking the fight to Ducati

Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) led orange charge in Barcelona, and that’s not even one of his best venues – so the ‘Beast’ will be in the spotlight at Misano. Here, he’s both won in MotoGP and taken some incredibly memorable podiums, from his first ever rostrum finish to his street-fighting 2024 charge past Martin to the podium.Likewise continuing to make progress even if Barcelona wasn’t the home podium he was gunning for is Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). He was fast but he was also beaten by Bastianini – what better way to return the favour than aiming to reverse that on the #23’s home turf.

Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was also in good form to challenge for the top five in Barcelona, part of that stunning three-rider battle – so close it almost looked like a display run. Meanwhile, Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3) continues to recover from his shoulder injury, adding the kilometers and likely encouraged by the form shown by the trio able to push at the front last time out.

PODIUM CONTENDERS: high targets and seeking redemption

P3 in the Barcelona Sprint was followed up with fifth on Sunday for Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP). Now, the Frenchman returns to the scene of his 2021 MotoGP title and one of his first big standout performances from his rookie year. Three P7s and a P9 from last year’s Grands Prix and Sprints – and fresh from a first test with Yamaha’s V4 in a private outing in Barcelona – ‘El Diablo’ is in form and the Iwata factory have that here too. That very V4 will also wildcard this weekend in the hands of test rider Augusto Fernandez.

Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) had a Catalan GP to forget but this is both his and the team’s home round. He’s tied with teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio and it’s a big weekend for both. Morbidelli took a Sprint podium at Misano last year and a first win here in 2020, whereas ‘Diggia’ took a Sprint P3 in Barcelona but has never had a top eight at Misano. Don’t discount Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) from a rostrum challenge either, despite a tricky last two rounds.

CHASING TOP 10s: battles aplenty through the pack

Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) was disappointed after his fall from fifth on Sunday last weekend and will want more, whereas Luca Marini(Honda HRC Castrol) took eighth last weekend as his uptick in impressive performances continues. His teammate Joan Mir struggled had a tougher one after having been the standout a couple of races ago, and Mir’s best Sunday result in 2024 was taken here. Meanwhile, returning to the top ten for the first time since Mugello was Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) and Misano is the scene of his last Moto2™ win last year. Teammate Raul Fernandez is without a top ten since Austria but a best Misano result of P8 in 2023 spurs him on.

P9 and a best result of 2025 last time out for Miguel Oliveira (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) is something he’ll want to build from, whereas teammate Jack Miller hopes for a top ten for the first time since Brno. After a first DNF of 2025, Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) seeks to bounce back at the San Marino GP. Welcomed back after injury, Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) gets ready for a new challenge at Misano too.

Home turf for many, enemy territory for others, and even a balance of the two for some on the grid, Misano brings with it a sense of unpredictability year after year. In the area where so many young Italians get their first taste of motorcycling and the first dreams of becoming Champion, what lies ahead at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli? It’s either a match point in Japan or a huge twist in the tale on the horizon – so tune in for more MotoGP this weekend!

 

 

Manuel Gonzalez (18) at Montmelo. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Manuel Gonzalez (18) at Montmelo. Photo courtesy Dorna.

 

Moto2™: Gonzalez gains the momentum heading to Misano

 

It wasn’t a win, it wasn’t a second, and it wasn’t a third either. But that P4 for Manuel Gonzalez (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) in Barcelona could prove to be the difference come the end of the season after Aron Canet (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego) crashed out, and Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) scored just two points.

It’s a result that means Gonzalez arrives in Misano with a 38-point advantage over Canet, who suffered a heavy crash on Sunday. Thankfully, the #44 suffered no fractures and will be raring to go this weekend at a venue he picked up two P2s at in 2024, while Moreira will be out to forget his quiet weekend in Catalonia. The Brazilian has fallen 42 points behind Gonzalez, a number that Moreira will want to see decrease before we jet off to Asia.

While the championship fight story will take centre stage the remainder of 2025, Daniel Holgado’s (CFMOTO Impulse Aspar Team) debut Moto2 victory certainly stole plenty of the headlines. Pole position and a commanding victory on home turf signalled a perfect weekend at the office for the rookie, who beat second place Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) by 2.5s. The Briton earned his first podium finish since Germany, and the #96 is now just one point behind fourth place Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego) in the standings.

And what about Daniel Muñoz’s (Red Bull KTM Ajo) P3? Deniz Öncü’s stand-in stunned to deliver his first Moto2 podium at his home round, so can Muñoz establish himself as a regular front runner before he more than likely joins the grid full-time in 2026?

Of the home favourites, Celestino Vietti (Beta Tools SpeedRS Team) has five top six results in his last seven races, and he arrives at a circuit he won at last year at the Emilia-Romagna GP. A repeat would go down very well with the home crowd.

Does Gonzalez extend his points lead, or is it a weekend where Canet, Moriera and co reel in the Spaniard?

 

Moto3 race at Montmelo. Photo courtesy Dorna
Moto3 race at Montmelo. Photo courtesy Dorna

 

Moto3™: can Piqueras pinch more points from Rueda in Misano?

 

It may only be five points, but winning is exactly what Angel Piqueras(FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI) needs to continue doing if he wants to stop Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) from winning the 2025 Moto3 World Championship. And that’s exactly what he did last year at our next port of call: the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli.

Piqueras clinched his first Moto3 win at Misano last year despite having two Long Lap penalties. Not bad. And a week later, it was only eventual World Champion David Alonso who beat the Spaniard, so a gold and silver medal from 2024 – plus two wins in his last three outings – will see a confident Piqueras arrive this weekend.

Rueda’s Long Lap to P2 was impressive in Barcelona, and having racked up two P5s in Austria and Hungary, a return to the podium was needed for the title chase leader. 64 points is still a very healthy margin in the #99’s favour, but Piqueras has stepped on the gas when he needed to. A big weekend awaits.

Elsewhere, all of Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team), David Muñoz (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) and Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) will be wanting an immediate response to their low-key Catalan GP results, while Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) hopes his Barcelona P3 is the catalyst for more of the same in the coming weeks.

With 102 points now the gap between Rueda and Quiles, is it a two-horse race for the Moto3 title between Rueda and Piqueras? We’ll know more come Sunday in Misano.

Fong to Make Wild Card Appearance in WorldSBK

Bobby Fong aboard his Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha YZF-R1. Photo courtesy Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A
Bobby Fong aboard his Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha YZF-R1. Photo courtesy Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A

Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing and Strack Racing team up to field a wild card entry with Bobby Fong at the final two rounds of the 2025 WorldSBK season.

 

MARIETTA, Ga. –  September 11, 2025 – Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.’s (YMUS) official Superbike team, Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing, and YMUS’ official Supersport team, Strack Racing, will join forces to field a wild card entry in the 2025 FIM Superbike World Championship. With Attack Performance leading team operations, Strack Racing joins the effort as a strategic partner to support the successful Superbike program on the world stage. MotoAmerica Superbike points leader Bobby Fong will pilot the Attack Performance Strack Racing Progressive Yamaha R1 as he makes his WorldSBK debut at the penultimate round in Estoril, Portugal, on October 10-12, and the season finale in Jerez, Spain, on October 17-19. In addition to support from YMUS, the effort will also receive technical support from Yamaha Motor Europe. 

 

Attack Performance, one of the sport’s premier manufacturers of high-performance components and services for modern sportbikes, has carried on the winning tradition of the Yamaha R1 since becoming YMUS’ official Superbike team in 2020. The championship-winning program has delivered four premier-class titles and 69 victories thus far, and looks to add a fifth title this season. Additionally, Attack Performance has experience in international competition, fielding wild card entries in both WorldSBK and MotoGP – the most recent effort in 2022, when the team raced the Portuguese WorldSBK round in Portimao after securing a second-consecutive MotoAmerica Superbike title with Jake Gagne.

 

In a short amount of time, Strack Racing has cemented its reputation as a top competitor in the MotoAmerica paddock. Newly rebranded in 2024, the young team enjoyed a championship-winning season with Yamaha and the R6 as Mathew Scholtz secured the MotoAmerica Supersport title a race early with a total of eight victories. As YMUS’ official Supersport team in 2025, they found immediate success with the all-new R9. With two rounds remaining, Scholtz has a seven-point lead in the hotly contested MotoAmerica Supersport Championship and a total of seven race wins and 12 podiums. Adding to the team’s tally, new recruit Blake Davis has three victories and seven podiums to his credit, and sits third in the points standings during his sophomore season in the class.

 

Fong, who will lead the U.S. team’s effort overseas, is eager to make his WorldSBK debut. The 2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion joined Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing in 2025 and has enjoyed a standout season with the team. The talented rider from Stockton, California, has been on a hot streak in the latter half of the season, doubling his premier class wins with five consecutive victories and a total of 11 podium finishes. Heading into this weekend’s penultimate round at the Circuit of The Americas, Fong has a 17-point lead in the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship. 

 

Jeff Sidlovsky – Yamaha Racing Assistant Department Manager for YMUS

“Yamaha is pleased to support Attack Performance’s effort in World Superbike for the final two rounds, and we are excited to do it in conjunction with Strack Racing. It is a strong showcase for the R1 platform and the successful partnerships we have with Richard, Peter, and the Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing and Strack Racing teams. We look forward to seeing the American program on track at Estoril and Jerez.”

 

Niccolò Canepa, Road Racing Sporting Manager, Yamaha Motor Europe

“We are looking forward to welcoming Bobby to the World Superbike paddock for the Estoril and Jerez events. 2025 has been a remarkable season for him and the Attack Performance team, fighting for the title in the MotoAmerica championship. We are always looking to give riders who have been successful in their national series the opportunity to race on the world stage, so we are pleased to be able to provide support to help make these wildcards happen. Good luck to both Bobby and the team for the final MotoAmerica rounds, and fingers crossed he will join us in Portugal as the reigning champion!”

 

Richard Stanboli – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing Team Manager

“Bobby and the team are very excited to go race the last two rounds of the World Superbike season at Estoril and Jerez after the MotoAmerica season. We know it will be challenging, but we’re looking forward to that challenge. These wild-card entries that we have done in the past at the World Championship level – whether it be World Superbike or MotoGP – have always been a great learning exercise and have helped us improve as a team. It’s a great extension of the work we do here with our championship-winning program in MotoAmerica Superbike. 

“We appreciate the continued support from Yamaha U.S. and Yamaha Europe, who will provide some technical assistance. We’re also happy to have Strack Racing come on board to support this effort. I would also like to thank Pirelli for the assistance and technical support they will bring to the team. Our goal is to continue our development of the R1, and to put on a good show and make our fans proud.”

 

Peter Strack – Strack Racing Team Owner 

“We are proud to stand alongside Yamaha and Attack Performance in this World Superbike wild card effort. By building on the championship foundation Richard and his team have established in MotoAmerica, our role is to provide the resources and strategic support needed to showcase that excellence on the global stage.”

 

Bobby Fong – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing #50

“I am beyond excited to race the last two rounds of World Superbike. It’s always been a dream of mine to showcase my talents on an international stage. I know it’s going to be a big task. The times there are super close, and we are ready to bring our best efforts forward. My personal goal is to be in the fight for the top 10 and to keep improving each session. I personally want to thank Richard, Yamaha, Strack Racing, and the whole Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha crew for making this all happen.”

 

About Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. :

Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the outdoor recreation industry. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings include Motorcycles and Scooters, ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles, Snowmobiles, Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outboard Motors, Outdoor Power Equipment, Power Assist Bicycles, Golf Cars [sold, serviced, and distributed by Yamaha Golf-Car Company], Power Assist Wheelchair Systems, Surface Mount Technology and Robotic Machines, Unmanned Helicopters, Accessories, Apparel, Yamalube products, and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of distributors and dealers in the United States.

YMUS has a corporate office in California, three corporate offices in Georgia, as well as facilities in Wisconsin, Alabama, and Florida. YMUS subsidiaries Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America (YMMC), based in Georgia, and Yamaha Jet Boat Manufacturing U.S.A. (YJBM) based in Tennessee, each assemble and manufacture selected Yamaha brand products. YMUS owns Skeeter Boats [Texas] with its division G3 Boats [Missouri]. Additional U.S.-based subsidiaries include Yamaha Marine Systems Company, Inc. (YMSC) with subsidiary Siren Marine [Rhode Island] and divisions Bennett Marine [Florida], Yamaha Marine Rotational Molders [Wisconsin] and Yamaha Precision Propeller Inc. [Indiana].

Yamaha Motor Finance Corporation, USA, dba Yamaha Financial Services, is an affiliate of Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA offering financing solutions to support Yamaha Dealers and loyal Yamaha Customers nationwide.

AHRMA: Announces Purse For Pro Challenge at Barber

2022 Barber Vintage Fest with Stefano Mesa (37), Nate Kern (9T), Jeff Graham (222), Arnold Hastings (38A), and Ray Hofman (771). Photo Credit Etechphoto.
2022 Barber Vintage Fest with Stefano Mesa (37), Nate Kern (9T), Jeff Graham (222), Arnold Hastings (38A), and Ray Hofman (771). Photo Credit Etechphoto.

The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) is excited to announce a $20,750 purse for the AHRMA Pro Challenge. The 12 lap race will be held on October 4, 2025, at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, AL, during the 20th Annual Barber Vintage Festival as part of the 2025 AHRMA Roadracing Series presented by Motobilia.  Sponsored by Fast by Ferracci Racing and Moto Corse Performance, with supporting sponsors NOLA Riding Academy and Larrabure Framing, the race will feature a vast array of today’s most exciting race bikes.

For 2025, the purse again will be split among pro and non-pro racers, giving the dedicated AHRMA racers a chance to participate in the prizes.

 

Pro Payout

  • 1st place $6,000
  • 2nd place $3,600
  • 3rd place $2,400
  • 4th place $1,800
  • 5th place $1,200

 

Non-pro Payout to AHRMA qualified racers

  • 1st place $2,000
  • 2nd place $1,500
  • 3rd place $1,000
  • 4th place $750
  • 5th place $500

 

Riders will elect Pro or Non-Pro status before the race. A Pro rider on an AHRMA waiver cannot elect Non-Pro status, but a Barber Qualified AHRMA racer can elect Pro if they chose to do so.  An AHRMA Non-Pro rider on an AHRMA waiver may elect Non-Pro status pending approval by the race director.

 

Details regarding racer and machine eligibility can be found here: https://www.ahrma.org/fourth-annual-pro-challenge-at-the-barber-vintage-festival/

 

About AHRMA: 

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

 

MotoGP: Yamaha Unveil V4-Powered YZR-M1 In Misano

Yamaha V4-powered YZR-M1. Photo courtesy Yamaha Factory Team.

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. unveiled its V4-powered YZR-M1 today in Misano. The presentation of the prototype so early in the 2025 season underlines Yamaha’s bold new approach to bike development. The V4 prototype will be seen in action around the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli this weekend, piloted by Yamaha Factory Racing Test Team’s Augusto Fernández, who enters the Grand Prix of San Marino as a wild card. Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins will also have a chance to ride the new prototype again, this time in public during Monday’s San Marino MotoGP Test.

 

Yamaha V4-powered YZR-M1. Photo courtesy Yamaha Factory Team.
Yamaha V4-powered YZR-M1. Photo courtesy Yamaha Factory Team.

 

The highly anticipated Yamaha V4-powered prototype unveiling event took place today inside the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP hospitality at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli. Yamaha’s management proudly presented the brand-new bike, designed to suit the V4 engine.

The introduction of the prototype at only Round 16 of the MotoGP World Championship reflects Yamaha’s long-term commitment to advancing motorcycle innovation and their new ‘more aggressive approach’ to bike development.

Yamaha Motor Company’s General Manager of Motor Sports Development Division Takahiro Sumi, Yamaha Motor Racing Managing Director Paolo Pavesio, Project Leader Kazuhiro Masuda, and Technical Director Max Bartolinishared their excitement to start this new chapter, discussing Yamaha’s dedication towards the V4 engine and bike development, the new Yamaha structure and mindset in 2025, and the preparations for 2026.

 

Yamaha V4-powered YZR-M1. Photo courtesy Yamaha Factory Team.

Test Rider and Rider Performance Advisor Andrea Dovizioso and Official MotoGP Test Rider for the Yamaha Factory Racing Team Augusto Fernández were also put in the spotlight as major contributors to the V4 project. Through their expertise and precision, the two riders have shown themselves to be a cohesive and highly effective team, providing valuable support to the collaborative efforts of Yamaha’s test riders, engineers, and the full-time MotoGP teams and riders.

The unveiling event included a first view of Fernández’s bike, sporting a full-blue Yamaha corporate livery.

Fernández will be riding the V4-powered prototype as a wild card during the San Marino GP, allowing MotoGP enthusiasts the world over to see the brand-new prototype in action for the very first time.

Fernández, who announced he has recently signed on as an Official Test Rider for Yamaha in 2026-2027, has already ridden the new bike in various private Yamaha tests, one of them held at the Misano track.

 

Yamaha V4-powered YZR-M1 exhaust. Photo courtesy Yamaha Factory Team.

With the upcoming wild-card entry for the Grand Prix of San Marino, Yamaha aims to have Fernández try the prototype bike in a MotoGP race-weekend setting.

The sole purpose of the wild card is data gathering. No bike development decisions will be based on this weekend’s results.

MotoGP media and fans will also be able to get a first glimpse of Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins in action aboard the new bike on Monday 15th during the San Marino MotoGP Test.

Want to see exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of the V4-powered prototype development? Check out Yamaha’s ‘The Blue Shift’ YouTube Series latest episode:

The Blue Shift | Episode 3 – Plan V

 

 

 

TAKAHIRO SUMI – General Manager, Motor Sports Development Division: 

“We have taken on an ambitious project developing a new V4 engine and a whole new bike, and it is particularly demanding when done simultaneously with the 2025 bike development. Such a challenge comes with high stakes and pressure: it’s the type of project that can only be done right when it’s not just a ‘team effort’ but a ‘company effort’, and all involved have to give it 100%.

“From the start of the V4 project there were many questions to be answered, and we are still in the development stage, but one thing is for certain: our goal is to return Yamaha to winning ways with an evidence‑based approach. The V4‑powered prototype reflects one integrated project where Japan and Europe share responsibilities and expertise. Thanks to the hard work of Project Leader Kazuhiro Masuda, Technical Director Max Bartolini, the Yamaha engineers, the Yamaha Factory Racing Test Team, the test riders, the technical partners, and all others who contributed, we are able to take strategic steps and make progress.

“We thank the fans for their never-failing support, and we hope that they will continue to show interest in our journey back to the pinnacle of motorcycle road racing. Exploration is part of Yamaha’s DNA. The V4‑powered prototype opens an additional technical pathway. We will race what proves most competitive.”

 

PAOLO PAVESIO – Managing Director, Yamaha Motor Racing: 

“The development of the V4-powered prototype is the result of a collaborative effort between Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (YMC) in Japan, Yamaha Motor Racing (YMR) in Europe, and a select group of technical partners, alongside the Yamaha Factory Racing Test Team.

“The track will ultimately determine whether we have achieved our goals, but I’m already proud of the challenging spirit we’ve embraced in reshaping how we work: faster, more agile, and more open to leveraging our global assets, both organizationally and technically.

“Within this renewed approach, signing Andrea and Augusto last year was a pivotal moment in bringing Plan V to life. Given its scope, the upcoming 850cc project, and the change in tyre supplier, having two test riders was essential. Their complementary strengths were also a key consideration: Andrea brings a development discipline that aligns perfectly with our pursuit of high-quality feedback. His decades at the top of MotoGP and deep technical expertise make him an invaluable asset. Augusto, meanwhile, has seamlessly complemented Andrea’s work, especially through his contributions in tests and wild-card entries. As a recent full-time MotoGP rider still in peak form, he’s instrumental in pushing the limits of our new V4 engine and prototype bike. These stress tests not only yield critical data but also offer a clear view of our competitive reality.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Cal Crutchlow for his work as a Test Rider over the past years. Although he has not been involved in the V4 project, we remain deeply grateful for his longstanding contributions to Yamaha‘s bike development.

“Looking ahead, we’re thrilled that both Andrea and Augusto have chosen to continue their journey with us into 2026 and 2027, remaining key figures in the evolution of the V4 project. This weekend’s wild-card entry marks an exciting new chapter, one we believe will capture the attention of MotoGP fans.”

 

 

KAZUHIRO MASUDA – Yamaha YZR-M1 Project Leader:

The development of the V4-equipped prototype has progressed according to a structured, phased plan. Thus far, we have completed dyno testing, followed by track correlation, and this weekend we are conducting ‘stress tests’ under real-life GP conditions.

“As for the next steps: this Monday we’ll have the IRTA test with Fabio and Álex, aimed at expanding our data set. We are unable to disclose details regarding private test sessions, but we remain fully committed to the programme and are approaching each phase with the utmost diligence.

“We are applying a comprehensive and disciplined approach, ensuring no aspect is overlooked. At this stage, I’m pleased to report that the progress is in line with our expectations. If all goes well this weekend and on Monday, subsequent steps include further testing at Sepang and Valencia.”

 

 

 

MASSIMO BARTOLINI – Technical Director, Yamaha Factory Racing:

“Our team has designed a coherent package: power delivery, chassis balance, and aerodynamics tuned as a system. This weekend’s focus is not on performance benchmarks, but on operational learning under real-world MotoGP Grand Prix conditions.

“Our key objectives are to validate core assumptions, gather high-quality data, and inform the next phase of iteration. While the long-term ambition remains a competitive V4 platform for the 2026 season, any final commitment will be based on an evaluation of outcomes at the end of the 2025 programme.

“This initiative is a strategic approach to broaden our technical options and accelerate our learning curve to ensure we make the most informed decision for our future in MotoGP racing.”

 

 

 

ANDREA DOVIZIOSO – Test Rider & Riders Performance Advisor:

“Since the very first outing in Malaysia, the project has given me very positive feelings. From the moment I tried the V4-powered prototype, I liked it straight away. With every run the feeling has improved, and I’ve always sensed great potential. Of course, there is still work to be done, but the indications so far are very encouraging. I believe we’ve made excellent progress, and I’m really enjoying this role as a test rider. I’m working very well with the Yamaha engineers, we’re building a strong relationship and gaining a deeper understanding step by step.

“I’m also very pleased with the relationship I have with Augusto. We’re working extremely well together, we share very similar feedback, and it’s both satisfying and enjoyable to collaborate with him. I really look forward to seeing him race on the new bike.”

 

 

 

AUGUSTO FERNÁNDEZ – Yamaha Factory Racing Test Rider:

“I’m really excited to race with the new bike. It’s an honour to be involved in such a big project for Yamaha and to be the first one to race the new bike! It will be a weekend during which we focus on improving our V4-powered prototype and define its strengths and weaknesses whilst riding with the rest of the MotoGP riders, in real time, in a race setting. So, it will be an important weekend – we get to see where we stand – so I’m really excited for this GP and can’t wait to start.”

AFT Heads To Lake Ozark Short Track

Dallas Daniels (32), Trent Lowe (48), Briar Bauman (3), Declan Bender (70), Henry Wiles (911), and Brandon Price (92) race down the front straightaway during the Mission AFT SuperTwins Main Event in Springfield during the Springfield Mile II event. Photo by Tim Lester / courtesy American Flat Track.
Dallas Daniels (32), Trent Lowe (48), Briar Bauman (3), Declan Bender (70), Henry Wiles (911), and Brandon Price (92) race down the front straightaway during the Mission AFT SuperTwins Main Event in Springfield during the Springfield Mile II event. Photo by Tim Lester / courtesy American Flat Track.

The Grand National Championship will be decided when the 2025 Progressive American Flat Track season, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, concludes with the Arby’s Lake Ozark Short Track presented by Arrowhead Brass at Lake Ozark Speedway in Eldon, Missouri on Saturday, September 13. 

And the season finale will once again play out in suitably festive surroundings, serving as a centerpiece of this year’s 19th Annual Lake of the Ozarks BikeFest, an event destined to attract some 125,000 motorcycle enthusiasts to the area from September 10-14. 

 

The Grand. National. Championship. 

Any concerns that Mission AFT SuperTwins would lose a bit of intrigue and drama after ten-time class king Jared Mees rode off into the sunset have not just been proven unfounded but resoundingly so. 

Over the course of an unforgettable ‘25 title fight, Mees’ latter-day foils, Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) and Briar Bauman (No. 3 RWR/Parts Plus/Latus Motors Harley-Davidson XG750R), established their own rivalry which could potentially define the sport for the next decade. 

Their battles have been epic and at times not without controversy or acrimony. Momentum has been seized and reseized. And each has faced down adversity while making their respective bids to assume Mees’ throne this season. 

The tides turned yet again – and in a big way – at the Springfield Mile doubleheader. 

Bauman powered into Springfield on a high following his triumphant performance in Peoria. He left in disappointment, an 11-point advantage transformed into a 13-point deficit. That margin puts his chances for a third Grand National Championship in serious peril, a reality he’s all too aware of. 

However it plays out, Bauman has already done as much this season to cement his legacy as an all-time great as any of his prior campaigns, including the two in which he defeated Mees for the title. 

This season, Bauman and his Rick Ware Racing team took a previously winless Harley-Davidson XG750R and made it a genuine title threat on the strength of seven wins to date. But it goes beyond the numbers – the manner and style in which he’s done it left even the gifted Daniels and the powerhouse Estenson Racing team behind him at times bewildered. 

Perhaps paradoxically, Bauman was never more impressive than he was in Springfield, where he routinely sliced and diced the world’s elite motorcycle flat trackers up through the corners just to cling to contention down the straights. 

However, overpowered on Saturday and luckless on Sunday, Bauman now faces a steep climb to the title this weekend despite his overall brilliance in 2025. 

 

1.56% 

Just how steep? 

If Bauman wins this weekend – and he should be viewed as the favorite considering the desperation of his situation along with his status as the winningest Short Track rider in series history – he’ll end the year with 307 points and a tiebreaking eight wins. 

That would mean Daniels would have to finish seventh or better to accumulate at least 308 points, and along with it, the 2025 Grand National Championship. 

And just how likely is that? 

Consider the following:  

Daniels has participated in 64 Main Events throughout the entirety of his near four-season premier-class career. During that span, he has finished outside the top five just once. That outlier took place during the 2022 Volusia double finale weekend, in which he crashed from fourth and ultimately finished 12th. 

Since that time, the Estenson Racing star has finished fifth or better in 47 consecutive races – 42 of those on the box. 

As has been said many times – by Bauman and many others – it’s not so much Daniels’ speed (which is remarkable) or his talent (which is considerable), but rather his unprecedented consistency that is his greatest attribute as a title fighter. 

One bad day. One bad race. One bad moment. Give Daniels an opportunity, and he’ll make you pay. 

Bauman had a bad day in Springfield. 

However, it’s not over just yet. Pile on the pressure of a lifelong goal, and the chance that the unthinkable happens might increase a percentage point or ten. 

It’s happened before; the racing annals overfloweth with stories of less likely scenarios coming to fruition. 

 

Give The Man His Due 

Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Harley-Davidson XG750R) has spent the bulk of the season lost in the shadow of the fascinating Daniels/Bauman showdown. 

However, step back and admire another campaign that has only furthered his argument for eventual inclusion in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. 

26 points up on fourth, Robinson has already locked in his fifth Grand National Championship ranking of third or better. He’s also added five more podiums to his career tally, including a long-sought  first win on the Harley-Davidson XG750R he helped usher into the series eight years back. 

While no doubt frustrated after taking a step back from 2024’s title contention, Robinson has quietly penned another strong season in a career that’s gradually elevated him up to some pretty lofty statistical territory. 

 

Lowe Man Wins 

Much has been made – and deservedly so – of Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Progressive Insurance Honda Transalp) scoring Honda’s first twin-cylinder premier-class win of the millennium with his Springfield surprise. 

But perhaps lost in that excitement was just how much his huge weekend transformed his championship standing outlook. 

Prior to Springfield, Lowe was locked in a tight fight for sixth with James Ott (No. 19 G&G Racing Yamaha MT-07), Dan Bromley (No. 62 Memphis Shades/Vinson Construction Suzuki GSX-8S), and Max Whale (No. 18 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650). 

Meanwhile, Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing KTM 790 Duke) and Jarod VanDerKooi (No. 20 Fastrack Racing/Wally Brown Racing KTM 790 Duke) still held outside hopes of edging Robinson for third at the time. 

Lowe’s stunning success combined with twin misfortune for Fisher and ‘VDK,’ has painted a very different picture with just one race to go. As it stands, it’s now Lowe who sits fourth with 172 points, followed closely by Fisher (169) and VanDerkooi (167). 

Even before the breakthrough victory, Lowe’s top-five finish at the Lucas Oil Short Track was likely good enough to consider 2025 a positive one of the Big Red SuperTwins program. The victory more than assured that.  
But fourth in the overall standings? That would certainly be something. 

 

Rookie of the Year 

Lowe’s Springfield triumph also handed him a commanding lead in the chase for Mission AFT SuperTwins Rookie of the Year honors. 

Lowe and Ott have gone back and forth in a two-rider tilt all year long, but Lowe’s big win pushed him 18 points out in front with just the finale to go. In other words, it would take a monster result from Ott and utter catastrophe from Lowe to prevent the Honda pilot from being named premier-class Rookie of the Year. 

That said, congratulations to Ott, who has been hugely impressive in his own right. With one race left to shine, the Californian has already racked up four top fives on the G&G Yamaha – highlighted by a pair of podiums – in his first Mission AFT SuperTwins campaign. 

 

It’s Best to Rest Before BikeFest 

There will be no shortage of entertainment options at the 19th Annual Lake of the Ozarks BikeFest in general and the Lake Ozark Short Track in particular.  

Along with the season-ending action on track culminating in the crowing of the 2025 Grand National Champion, fans will be treated to Jumbotron-enhanced viewing, dedicated motorcycle parking, numerous food and beverage options, the Fans Zone – complete with a face painter – and a fireworks display to conclude the evening’s activities. 

 

Your Ticket to the Land of Oz(ark) 

General Admission tickets are just $40 (kids 12 and under free with a paid adult General Admission ticket). Students can get a GA ticket for just $20 ticket at the gate with a student ID, while qualified individuals can take advantage of the Military/First Responder discount to purchase $20 General Admission tickets via the GovX link found on the event ticket pages.  

Reserved Grandstand tickets, which are located along the front stretch of the racetrack with ideal sightlines, are just $50 (all ages). 

H.O.G. members can purchase a H.O.G. Membership Ticket for $30 (all ages), which grants access to both a dedicated parking area and dedicated grandstand seating, along with a meet and greet and photo opportunity with the Harley-Davidson racers and a private infield tour. 

Finally, there’s the Opening Ceremonies Trackside Fan Experience ($99), which includes General Admission seating with full pit pass access, a guided tour of the infield podium and start/finish line, photo opps, and up-close viewing of Opening Ceremonies and the night’s race action. 

Visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/lake-ozark-short-track-126438 to purchase your tickets today. 

Gates will open for fans at 3:00 p.m. ET (12:00 p.m. PT) with Opening Ceremonies set to begin at 8:00 p.m. ET (5:00 a.m. PT). 

 

How to Watch 

 

  • FloRacing 

For those that can’t catch the live action from the circuit, FloRacing is the live streaming home of Progressive AFT. Motorsports fans can subscribe to FloRacing to enjoy over 1,000 live motorsports events in 2025. FloSports is available by visiting https://flosports.link/aft or by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and Chromecast. 

 

  • FS1 

FOX Sports coverage of the Arby’s Lake Ozark Short Track presented by Arrowhead Brass, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Saturday, September 20, at 11:00 a.m. ET (8:00 a.m. PT). 

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

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