After recently looking at rider performance, Mat Oxley and Peter Bom discuss bike design, manufacturer by manufacturer.
The Oxley Bom MotoGP Podcast, Holiday Special, Manufacturer’s Roundup Part 1
Listen to the podcast here:
The Super Sonic Road Race School will host demonstration race events indoors during all three days of the upcoming 50th annual NA Moto International Motorcycle Supershow, January 9-11, near Toronto’s major airport. Top racers, including Bridgestone CSBK National Championship front running Pro “T.V. Tommy” Casas, Lightweight star Jared Walker and Super Sonic Road Race School founder and Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Famer Toni Sharpless will be among the competitors. All three work during the summer months at the acclaimed School.
This trio, along with other coaches at the Super Sonic Road Race School, will take to the temporary racetrack at the International Centre at 1pm and 4 pm on all three days of the famed Canadian winter show season opening Supershow.
This dynamic exhibition will showcase the program that introduces riders as young as five to the thrilling world of track racing. Using purpose-built Honda CRF50 pit bikes, the School operates on closed paved circuits, including Kart Tracks, to provide a secure and professional foundation for aspiring riders.
Adding world-class inspiration to the event will be 12-year-old Jager Stockill with his ondisplay Ohvale race machine; this young National Champion has twice represented Canada at the FIM Motul MotoMini World Championships in Spain. Stockill will meet and greet with fans, sharing his incredible experiences racing against the top youngsters (10 to 14 years of age) on the World stage.
About Super Sonic Road Race School:
The Super Sonic Road Race School is a premier training ground for aspiring motorcycle competitors of all ages, specializing in introductory and advanced instruction on mini road race machinery. Focused on safety, skill development and fun, the School is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of Canadian road racing talent.
Road Race Canada is the hub for the Super Sonic Road Race School/MiniSBK Championship Series and the premier FIM MotoMini Canada National Series.
Hours for the 50th annual NA Moto Supershow at the International Centre are :
The Dakar Rally roared into life in Saudi Arabia as the New Year dawned, with the Monster Energy Honda HRC riders taking on the opening prologue and getting their first true taste of the world’s toughest rally. Over the short but demanding test, it was Ricky Brabec who emerged as Honda’s strongest performer, securing third overall and finishing just five seconds shy of the fastest time set by Edgar Canet.
From the Yanbu start camp, competitors tackled a 41 km liaison before reaching the start of the 22 km timed prologue. It would be a rapid loop that required absolute focus as high speeds, rock-littered tracks and constantly changing terrain would keep riders on edge as they pushed hard from start to finish.
For two-time Dakar winner Brabec, the importance of a solid opening result was clear. A strong performance would allow him to choose a favourable starting position for stage one and he delivered with confidence, completing the prologue in just over eleven and a half minutes aboard his Honda CRF450 RALLY.
Last year’s Dakar runner-up and 2024’s undisputed prologue specialist, Tosha Schareina, slotted into sixth in RallyGP, 23 seconds off the lead as he worked to maintain a consistent rhythm across the open landscape. Close behind, Adrien Van Beveren, lining up for his eleventh Dakar Rally, crossed the line just one second further back after surrendering a little time in the closing kilometres. Skyler Howes rounded out Honda’s efforts with an encouraging eighth place, clearly at home on the longer prologue and finishing only 32 seconds from the top of the timesheets.
Attention now turns to stage one, where riders will depart Yanbu on a demanding loop back to the bivouac. A total distance of 518 km awaits, including 305 km of competitive timed action across punishing rocky terrain. With punctures a constant threat, precision and patience will be vital, while a hint of dunes and sandy sections will offer a brief taste of what lies ahead in the vast Saudi desert.
Ruben Faria – General Manager:
“We tried to push as much as could during today’s Dakar Rally prologue to secure strong starting positions for tomorrow’s stage one. While the results weren’t exactly what we hoped for, it’s just the beginning of this long rally.
Our standout rider was Ricky, who delivered a strong performance to finish third and this puts him in a favourable position to choose his start spot for tomorrow. Tosha finished sixth in the RallyGP class. He was just two seconds off the lead at the halfway point but struggled in the latter part of the prologue and lost some time. Tomorrow could be tricky for him, as many of today’s top riders may choose to start further back, but he’ll push as hard as he can.
Adrien finished seventh. He went slightly off course in one section, costing him a bit of time, while Skyler, who didn’t have the smoothest prologue, ended up eighth.
Now, we start to focus on stage one. Our riders will aim to maximise their performance and improve their positions as the rally gets underway.”
Ricky Brabec (9):
“The prologue was great, I made it to the finish in a good position so we’re looking good for tomorrow. I’m happy to get some speed under our belt and shake the monkey off our back. Overall it’s a good start, but tomorrow starts the real Dakar Rally.”
Reserve your spot now for an adrenaline-packed weekend with Pacific Track Time!
Experience the thrill of the ride while enjoying top-notch on-site services and expert support every step of the way.
Email Pacific Track Time at [email protected]to be added to the waitlist.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Start your planning now and get those vacation requests in.
2026 is here and we’re excited to present our schedule for the year. Some highlights:
* Season opener at Sonoma
* Full T-Hill West Weekend
* FINAL T-Hill East Weekend before the big repave shutdown
* Yamaha R/World at Sonoma in August
* AFM New Racer Schools on May 11, May 23, and June 27
* $3200 in Discounts Available to Licensed AFM Members in 2026
* 20th Annual Women’s VIP and Season Closer Weekend at T-Hill East with Fresh Pavement in October.
We’re still working on some final details so once that’s all done, we’ll update the site and enable reservations.
We at Z2 Track Days are so thankful for you, our wonderful extended track family. It’s always great to see so many familiar faces at our events and equally great to see the nervous but excited new faces you bring to our events for a first track day.
A few accomplishments in 2025 thanks to YOU:
* 500 Novice Rider spots in 2025
* $1700 in AFM discounts given out
* More than 40 Women Riders at our 19th Women’s VIP event
* Z2 family donated the equivalent of 171 care packages for deployed military personnel around the globe through Sacramento Blue Star Moms
Thanks for riding with Z2 Track Days!
Statement of intent from Honda HRC as five-time World Champion Jeffrey Herlings signs.
Five-time world champion and the winningest GP rider in history, Jeffrey Herlings is joining Honda HRC in a multi-year deal, as he looks to add to his list of amazing achievements in the MXGP class. In a massive change for the Dutchman, he will be lining up on a Honda CRF450R for the first ever time in his career, and he’ll be expecting to continue to challenge at the very highest level in motocross.
Given that he’ll only have just over three months before the first round of the 2026 MXGP World Championship, it won’t be any easy task, but ‘The Bullet’ is determined not to waste any time and will begin riding his new steed today. From then onwards, he’ll be learning, testing and trying to get everything ready for the new track in Bariloche, Argentina, and the first gate-drop in this new chapter of what is a storied career.
Beginning with an 85cc world championship back in 2008, Herlings has won titles and broken records at an incredible rate, wowing fans with his sand-riding in particular, but also showing he can win GPs on any terrain and in any conditions, as he racked up 112 overall victories around the world. In fact, the #84 has won races in 15 out of his 16 years as a full-time professional and while the 2026 MXGP class is shaping up to be extremely competitive, the fact that he was able to step onto the top of the podium five times in 2025, should stand him in good stead.
Alongside him, in what is a triple-threat attack for Honda HRC, will be Tom Vialle and Ruben Fernandez, bringing back memories of the 1980s, when the HRC team dominated the 500cc championship, and together with Valerio Lata in the MX2 class, there is real excitement that 2026 could add another page or two into those history books.
Career Highlights
Jeffrey Herlings (84):
“Obviously this is a big change for me, but honestly, I am so excited to join Honda HRC and ride a CRF450R. Having been around the paddock for a long time, you get to see how different teams and people operate, so once I found out that they were interested in signing me, it wasn’t a hard decision to make because I knew that I’d be joining an extremely professional and organised operation, that does everything it can to help a rider succeed. From today, to the MXGP of Argentina is just over two months so I don’t have a lot of time to adapt to this brand-new machine, but we are going riding right now and I’m like a kid at Christmas, just waiting to unwrap a new toy. I wasn’t sure I’d ever be in this position, but now that I am, I can’t wait to get started as a factory HRC rider.”
Marcus Pereira de Freitas – HRC General Manager – MXGP:
“The chance to sign a five-time world champion and leading GP winning doesn’t come about often, so we knew that when the opportunity arose, we had to make it happen. Immediately we could tell that Jeffrey was thrilled for the challenge and highly motivated to try and add to his list of accolades, so I think this is going to be a very exciting season for everyone on the team. It’s a new environment for Jeffrey and he won’t have as long as we all would have liked before the start of the season, but the #84 will be riding straight away and we can’t wait to see how he looks on a Honda CRF450R.”
Tim Gajser’s time with Honda HRC is coming to an end after 12 years, in what has been a record-breaking partnership between the Slovenian rider and the Japanese manufacturer.
‘Tiga 243’ as he is affectionately known to his legion of fans worldwide, has been a consistent challenger since joining the team in 2014, racking up podiums, race wins, GP wins and championships at unprecedented rate and moving himself to the top of what is a legendary list of riders who’ve been privileged to go racing for HRC.
As a young amateur, the #243 had enjoyed plenty of success, including a European and World 125cc championship victory, but after a tough transition to the four-stroke machinery in 2013, few would have predicted the success he’d have in the next 12 years, however Giacomo Gariboldi saw something and made the decision to work with this youngster from the Slovenian countryside. The first season with the team saw him gradually improve throughout the year, eventually taking a couple of moto wins at the end of the season and show everyone that perhaps in 2015 we’d really see the best of the #243.
After a couple of tough rounds, Gajser took his first MX2 GP win at the 2015 MXGP of Trentino a venue that would become his known as his ‘home’ track. However, it wasn’t until mid-season when he really caught fire and asserted his dominance on the series, being crowned champion in emotional scenes at the final round in Glen Helen, announcing himself and the return of HRC to the world stage.
Continuing that momentum into 2016, together with the team, Gajser made the brave decision to move up to the MXGP class and try to make it back-to-back championships as a rookie. A one-one performance in Qatar at the opening round immediately vindicated that decision, and solid results throughout the campaign – including seven moto wins out of eight during one period – saw him take his second world title.
2017 started well but was derailed by injury, while 2018 was the toughest of his career as he struggled to overcome a pre-season crash. In fact, when he won the 2019 MXGP of Trentino, it had been almost 19 months since he’d stood on top of the podium. However, his season took off after that and seven GP wins in a row, solidified his third title three rounds before the end of the season as Slovenians invaded Imola, Italy in jubilant scenes.
Covid-19 affected the 2020 season, but that didn’t stop the #243 as he won his fourth championship by over 100 points with a strong run of form that saw him win five of the latter rounds in the series, including a couple more victories in Trentino. 2021’s schedule was similarly affected, and by the end of it, Gajser was just 20 points away from adding another title, after a three-way battle that came down to the final moto. The Honda HRC rider wasn’t to be denied though as the fifth crowd did come 12 months later in a dominant year that included 10 GP victories and another points gap of over 100.
In the preseason of 2023, Gajser suffered a nasty crash that ruled him out for the majority of the year, but he did still manage to win two GPs at the end of the season, setting himself up nicely for an assault on the 2024 title, which he only narrowly missed out on by 10 points, after a season-long duel.
In 2025, it did look like a sixth title would get added after dominating the first five rounds of the series, but an unfortunate incident in Switzerland meant he had to bow out of the championship battle, with his last GP victory for HRC coming fittingly at the Pietramurata venue, surrounded by thousands of his fans.
Everyone associated with Honda and HRC would like to thank Tim for all his efforts both on and off the racetrack, and for being such an important part of the brand’s history. He leaves as the winningest rider in the team’s history and HRC truly wishes him the best with his future endeavours.
Tim Gajser’s Honda Career in Numbers
Marcus Pereira de Freitas – HRC General Manager – MXGP
“It has been a privilege to have worked with Tim all these years and to see him grow as a person, as well as a rider. He has gone through a lot of difficult times, but each time he does, he comes out stronger and better prepared and I think that has shown throughout the amazing time he has had with Honda and HRC. He joined us as a talented boy, with a lot of potential but it shows his character that he leaves us as a five-time world champion. He has made friends with everyone on the team, and I think everyone will be sad to see him leave, but this is motocross and sometimes this happens, so now we all wish him the very best in the future, whatever that brings.”
Windsor, Ontario — Joe Rocket Canada Inc. (JRC Inc.) is proud to announce the acquisition of the U.S. based Joe Rocket brand from Sullivans Inc., reuniting the full Joe Rocket brand for the first time in 20 years. The transaction consolidates all trademarks, product development, and global brand rights back under the control of the original team that built Joe Rocket into one of North America’s most successful motorcycle apparel brands.
Founded in 1992, Joe Rocket quickly became a leader and innovator in motorcycle riding apparel, recognized for advancing rider safety, technical textiles, and performance-driven design. “This is a historic moment for the brand, for our team, and for riders everywhere,” said Max Charlebois, President of JRC Inc., “For more than 30 years, riders have trusted Joe Rocket to deliver gear that keeps them safe, comfortable, and confident on the road. That trust—and the loyalty we’ve earned from millions of riders— is the foundation of everything we do. Bringing the brand back under one roof allows us to honour that legacy while building an even stronger future.”
Joe Rocket Canada Inc., the original creator of the brand, now has full control of product design, global brand positioning, and future growth initiatives. The company plans to revitalize and modernize the Joe Rocket portfolio while honoring the legacy that made the brand a household name among riders for more than 30 years.
“We are deeply proud to reunite the brand that we built,” added Max Charlebois. “Riders who grew up with Joe Rocket can expect a renewed commitment to quality, innovation and the rider-first design philosophy that defined us from the beginning.”
More information will be shared soon as JRC continues to develop a complete global strategy for the unified Joe Rocket brand.
About Joe Rocket:
Founded in 1992, Joe Rocket is one of North America’s most influential and recognizable names in motorcycle riding apparel. For over 30 years, Joe Rocket has led the industry in technical innovation, rider protection, and performance-driven design.
Monster Energy Honda HRC is ready to unleash its full force on the 2026 Dakar Rally, arriving in Saudi Arabia to tackle the 48th edition of the world’s most gruelling motorsport event. After a strong campaign in the 2025 World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC), the team enters Dakar with momentum, confidence and renewed determination to fight for overall victory aboard their Honda CRF450 RALLY machines.
Two-time Dakar champion Ricky Brabec leads the charge. With ten Dakar campaigns under his belt and a stellar 2025 season, which included a runner-up finish at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge and two third-place podiums at the South African Safari Rally and Rallye du Maroc, Brabec arrives ready to confront the punishing Saudi terrain head-on.
Fellow American Skyler Howes, is targeting a return to the Dakar podium after securing third place in 2023. Now back to full fitness following his 2024 Vegas to Reno injury, which disrupted his World Rally-Raid Championship campaign this year, Howes heads into the rally encouraged by his fifth-place finish at the inaugural South African Safari Rally and is eager to take on the fresh challenges awaiting in Saudi Arabia.
French sand specialist Adrien Van Beveren returns from injuries sustained at Rally-Raid Portugal and wrist surgery stronger than ever. Following a commanding performance at Rallye du Maroc, where he narrowly missed out on a podium spot and with two consecutive third-place Dakar finishes in his pocket, Van Beveren is laser-focused on finally claiming the dream victory that has eluded him as he lines up for his eleventh Dakar.
Spain’s Tosha Schareina delivered a remarkable runner-up finish at this year’s Dakar despite riding much of the event with a collarbone injury, an achievement that underscored his grit and potential. His victory at Rallye du Maroc secured second in the World Rally-Raid Championship standings and although he is the least experienced of the Monster Energy Honda HRC lineup, he is undeniably a rising threat over the 8,000 km they will all face.
The 2026 Dakar Rally kicks off on 3rd January in Yanbu, a coastal city on Saudi Arabia’s western edge where the Red Sea meets endless desert horizons. Riders will tackle a punishing prologue before embarking on thirteen gruelling stages that wind through towering sand dunes, rocky wadis and vast barren plains. Two marathon stages will push both man and machine to their absolute limits, with no team assistance for riders as they navigate the blistering heat by day and cooler nights, with only basic equipment and food rations.
This epic loop across Saudi Arabia’s diverse and unforgiving terrain will test endurance, skill and strategy at every turn, culminating back in Yanbu where the rally will close another unforgettable chapter in the history of the world’s most legendary motorsport adventure.
Ruben Faria – General Manager:
“The Dakar Rally, the most important race of the year is here. Monster Energy Honda HRC is ready to start as we’ve put a lot of work into the second part of the 2025 season. Ricky finished the Rallye du Maroc in a really good spot, Tosha won it and Adrien, who was coming back from injury, did a really good race as day by day he got better and better. Skyler crashed, but he’s already recovered and his training has gone well ahead of the Dakar, so we have all four riders in really good shape.
The 2026 race looks nice but will again be really tough. In the first week we have a marathon stage, so the riders won’t have assistance and they’ll need to sleep in tents far from cities. The rest day is in Riyadh, like it was some years ago. I think the first week’s terrain will have more stones, riverbeds and will be technical at the same time, so the riders will need to look after their bikes and not crash on these sorts of stages. The second week is more open desert and again there will be a marathon stage. The riders and team are ready,everybody is happy and we want to get this Dakar started on 3rd January. We need to be careful day by day, we cannot push too much on the first stage, but my first goal is to arrive with the four riders to the rest day in a good position inside the top ten, before we can then make a plan for the second week.”
Ricky Brabec (9):
“I’m super excited to be entering another year with Monster Energy Honda HRC and going to another Dakar. It’s been a positive year learning through ups and downs since my injury during the 2024 Rallye du Maroc. This whole year has been really good, mentally I feel like we struggled in areas, although recently I feel like we have fixed a few of these. The team is looking good, healthy, fit and fast. So for the 2026 Dakar I think we have a good programme heading into this one.”
Skyler Howes (10):
“My preparation for the Dakar has been going really well. We’re in a much better place than we were as at this year’s race I was coming off a pretty serious leg injury and not much time to train and test with the team. This season, staying healthy throughout the whole year and a complete season was a major plus. I spent a lot of time with the team, testing more with the bike, getting things refined and being in a much better place for me personally, like being confortable and confident on the bike. Off the bike training, I’ve been cycling a bunch and then in the gym a lot so my physical fitness is in a much better place for me too. I’ve done rally training with Ricky and Preston, we spent a few days out in the desert doing road books and training together, which is really nice to have the other guys here, as it’s like a mini team, we can all work together and train together.
We had a really good shot this year at Dakar, I was in the top three overall for the first week and still had a good finish, but I’m heading into 2026 in a much better position, so I’m excited for that looking forward to getting this race going.”
Adrien Van Beveren (42):
“This year went well, I had some challenges though, tearing my wrist ligament just before South Africa. I raced with that injury, then I had the surgery, so I spent my summer recovering from that. I did a lot of cycling because I couldn’t ride motorcycles for almost two months. Then I rode again in August and I was fit, I was feeling good and got back to a high level quite soon. I went to Portugal, was second in the race fighting for the win and then I had a big crash. I had broken ribs, a broken scapula, a dislocated shoulder and some neck pain. But I faced this challenge and went back to Andorra for ten days of recovery, was in an hyperbaric chamber, had physio everyday and I raced in Morocco ten days later. I wasn’t yet back to full fitness but I finished fourth. I was happy about this as it was a way to turn the page and go forward after the crash. After that I just went full on with my training and focused on that to get back in the best shape. I’m super happy as I’m feeling good on the bike and strong physically. I’ve lost some kilos since this summer and I feel like I’m in my best shape ever. It’s nice to say that because I’m 34 years old, I bring experience with me having competed in 10 Dakar, soon to be 11 and I feel it’s a good moment. I can enjoy this experience but I’m still physically strong and still able to go really fast, navigate well and aim to reach the dream. Dakar is my dream, I’ve been fully dedicated to that throughout my life. It’s nice to feel in this position now where I am a really strong contender. I’ll bring all that experience with me and try to make it happen.”
Tosha Schareina (68):
“We are now in in the last straight before Dakar, the last bit of preparation. Actually we’ve spent all year training for this rally because it’s the main goal and the main race of the year and each race of the World Rally-Raid Championship is to prepare for Dakar.
We have been in Morocco for training and it’s been the last preparation for the bike as well. It’s the same bike that we won the Rallye du Maroc and I think that win was really important for us because it was the last push that we needed as motivation for Dakar, not just for me but for the mechanics and for all the team too.
In the lead up to Dakar I’ve been training, a little bit of gym, cycling, a bit of motocross, because these last weeks before this rally are just for for calm and peace and spending time with the family before spending nearly a month away in Saudi Arabia. I think it’s important to arrive there having rested before the main race and you have to try to find a good balance between training and having time off.
I’m really happy with how we have prepared heading into this Dakar and I think we have everything to get a good result in this 2026 edition.”
Save the Date – Honda HRC Castrol 2026 Launch
February 2nd – Online
On February 02, the 2026 presentation of Honda HRC Castrol will take place online to allow fans from around the world to join. Joan Mir and Luca Marini will unveil the 2026 Honda RC213V as they aim to build on last season’s momentum.
After recently looking at rider performance, Mat Oxley and Peter Bom discuss bike design, manufacturer by manufacturer.
The Oxley Bom MotoGP Podcast, Holiday Special, Manufacturer’s Roundup Part 1
Listen to the podcast here:
The Super Sonic Road Race School will host demonstration race events indoors during all three days of the upcoming 50th annual NA Moto International Motorcycle Supershow, January 9-11, near Toronto’s major airport. Top racers, including Bridgestone CSBK National Championship front running Pro “T.V. Tommy” Casas, Lightweight star Jared Walker and Super Sonic Road Race School founder and Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Famer Toni Sharpless will be among the competitors. All three work during the summer months at the acclaimed School.
This trio, along with other coaches at the Super Sonic Road Race School, will take to the temporary racetrack at the International Centre at 1pm and 4 pm on all three days of the famed Canadian winter show season opening Supershow.
This dynamic exhibition will showcase the program that introduces riders as young as five to the thrilling world of track racing. Using purpose-built Honda CRF50 pit bikes, the School operates on closed paved circuits, including Kart Tracks, to provide a secure and professional foundation for aspiring riders.
Adding world-class inspiration to the event will be 12-year-old Jager Stockill with his ondisplay Ohvale race machine; this young National Champion has twice represented Canada at the FIM Motul MotoMini World Championships in Spain. Stockill will meet and greet with fans, sharing his incredible experiences racing against the top youngsters (10 to 14 years of age) on the World stage.
About Super Sonic Road Race School:
The Super Sonic Road Race School is a premier training ground for aspiring motorcycle competitors of all ages, specializing in introductory and advanced instruction on mini road race machinery. Focused on safety, skill development and fun, the School is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of Canadian road racing talent.
Road Race Canada is the hub for the Super Sonic Road Race School/MiniSBK Championship Series and the premier FIM MotoMini Canada National Series.
Hours for the 50th annual NA Moto Supershow at the International Centre are :
The Dakar Rally roared into life in Saudi Arabia as the New Year dawned, with the Monster Energy Honda HRC riders taking on the opening prologue and getting their first true taste of the world’s toughest rally. Over the short but demanding test, it was Ricky Brabec who emerged as Honda’s strongest performer, securing third overall and finishing just five seconds shy of the fastest time set by Edgar Canet.
From the Yanbu start camp, competitors tackled a 41 km liaison before reaching the start of the 22 km timed prologue. It would be a rapid loop that required absolute focus as high speeds, rock-littered tracks and constantly changing terrain would keep riders on edge as they pushed hard from start to finish.
For two-time Dakar winner Brabec, the importance of a solid opening result was clear. A strong performance would allow him to choose a favourable starting position for stage one and he delivered with confidence, completing the prologue in just over eleven and a half minutes aboard his Honda CRF450 RALLY.
Last year’s Dakar runner-up and 2024’s undisputed prologue specialist, Tosha Schareina, slotted into sixth in RallyGP, 23 seconds off the lead as he worked to maintain a consistent rhythm across the open landscape. Close behind, Adrien Van Beveren, lining up for his eleventh Dakar Rally, crossed the line just one second further back after surrendering a little time in the closing kilometres. Skyler Howes rounded out Honda’s efforts with an encouraging eighth place, clearly at home on the longer prologue and finishing only 32 seconds from the top of the timesheets.
Attention now turns to stage one, where riders will depart Yanbu on a demanding loop back to the bivouac. A total distance of 518 km awaits, including 305 km of competitive timed action across punishing rocky terrain. With punctures a constant threat, precision and patience will be vital, while a hint of dunes and sandy sections will offer a brief taste of what lies ahead in the vast Saudi desert.
Ruben Faria – General Manager:
“We tried to push as much as could during today’s Dakar Rally prologue to secure strong starting positions for tomorrow’s stage one. While the results weren’t exactly what we hoped for, it’s just the beginning of this long rally.
Our standout rider was Ricky, who delivered a strong performance to finish third and this puts him in a favourable position to choose his start spot for tomorrow. Tosha finished sixth in the RallyGP class. He was just two seconds off the lead at the halfway point but struggled in the latter part of the prologue and lost some time. Tomorrow could be tricky for him, as many of today’s top riders may choose to start further back, but he’ll push as hard as he can.
Adrien finished seventh. He went slightly off course in one section, costing him a bit of time, while Skyler, who didn’t have the smoothest prologue, ended up eighth.
Now, we start to focus on stage one. Our riders will aim to maximise their performance and improve their positions as the rally gets underway.”
Ricky Brabec (9):
“The prologue was great, I made it to the finish in a good position so we’re looking good for tomorrow. I’m happy to get some speed under our belt and shake the monkey off our back. Overall it’s a good start, but tomorrow starts the real Dakar Rally.”
Reserve your spot now for an adrenaline-packed weekend with Pacific Track Time!
Experience the thrill of the ride while enjoying top-notch on-site services and expert support every step of the way.
Email Pacific Track Time at [email protected]to be added to the waitlist.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Start your planning now and get those vacation requests in.
2026 is here and we’re excited to present our schedule for the year. Some highlights:
* Season opener at Sonoma
* Full T-Hill West Weekend
* FINAL T-Hill East Weekend before the big repave shutdown
* Yamaha R/World at Sonoma in August
* AFM New Racer Schools on May 11, May 23, and June 27
* $3200 in Discounts Available to Licensed AFM Members in 2026
* 20th Annual Women’s VIP and Season Closer Weekend at T-Hill East with Fresh Pavement in October.
We’re still working on some final details so once that’s all done, we’ll update the site and enable reservations.
We at Z2 Track Days are so thankful for you, our wonderful extended track family. It’s always great to see so many familiar faces at our events and equally great to see the nervous but excited new faces you bring to our events for a first track day.
A few accomplishments in 2025 thanks to YOU:
* 500 Novice Rider spots in 2025
* $1700 in AFM discounts given out
* More than 40 Women Riders at our 19th Women’s VIP event
* Z2 family donated the equivalent of 171 care packages for deployed military personnel around the globe through Sacramento Blue Star Moms
Thanks for riding with Z2 Track Days!
Statement of intent from Honda HRC as five-time World Champion Jeffrey Herlings signs.
Five-time world champion and the winningest GP rider in history, Jeffrey Herlings is joining Honda HRC in a multi-year deal, as he looks to add to his list of amazing achievements in the MXGP class. In a massive change for the Dutchman, he will be lining up on a Honda CRF450R for the first ever time in his career, and he’ll be expecting to continue to challenge at the very highest level in motocross.
Given that he’ll only have just over three months before the first round of the 2026 MXGP World Championship, it won’t be any easy task, but ‘The Bullet’ is determined not to waste any time and will begin riding his new steed today. From then onwards, he’ll be learning, testing and trying to get everything ready for the new track in Bariloche, Argentina, and the first gate-drop in this new chapter of what is a storied career.
Beginning with an 85cc world championship back in 2008, Herlings has won titles and broken records at an incredible rate, wowing fans with his sand-riding in particular, but also showing he can win GPs on any terrain and in any conditions, as he racked up 112 overall victories around the world. In fact, the #84 has won races in 15 out of his 16 years as a full-time professional and while the 2026 MXGP class is shaping up to be extremely competitive, the fact that he was able to step onto the top of the podium five times in 2025, should stand him in good stead.
Alongside him, in what is a triple-threat attack for Honda HRC, will be Tom Vialle and Ruben Fernandez, bringing back memories of the 1980s, when the HRC team dominated the 500cc championship, and together with Valerio Lata in the MX2 class, there is real excitement that 2026 could add another page or two into those history books.
Career Highlights
Jeffrey Herlings (84):
“Obviously this is a big change for me, but honestly, I am so excited to join Honda HRC and ride a CRF450R. Having been around the paddock for a long time, you get to see how different teams and people operate, so once I found out that they were interested in signing me, it wasn’t a hard decision to make because I knew that I’d be joining an extremely professional and organised operation, that does everything it can to help a rider succeed. From today, to the MXGP of Argentina is just over two months so I don’t have a lot of time to adapt to this brand-new machine, but we are going riding right now and I’m like a kid at Christmas, just waiting to unwrap a new toy. I wasn’t sure I’d ever be in this position, but now that I am, I can’t wait to get started as a factory HRC rider.”
Marcus Pereira de Freitas – HRC General Manager – MXGP:
“The chance to sign a five-time world champion and leading GP winning doesn’t come about often, so we knew that when the opportunity arose, we had to make it happen. Immediately we could tell that Jeffrey was thrilled for the challenge and highly motivated to try and add to his list of accolades, so I think this is going to be a very exciting season for everyone on the team. It’s a new environment for Jeffrey and he won’t have as long as we all would have liked before the start of the season, but the #84 will be riding straight away and we can’t wait to see how he looks on a Honda CRF450R.”
Tim Gajser’s time with Honda HRC is coming to an end after 12 years, in what has been a record-breaking partnership between the Slovenian rider and the Japanese manufacturer.
‘Tiga 243’ as he is affectionately known to his legion of fans worldwide, has been a consistent challenger since joining the team in 2014, racking up podiums, race wins, GP wins and championships at unprecedented rate and moving himself to the top of what is a legendary list of riders who’ve been privileged to go racing for HRC.
As a young amateur, the #243 had enjoyed plenty of success, including a European and World 125cc championship victory, but after a tough transition to the four-stroke machinery in 2013, few would have predicted the success he’d have in the next 12 years, however Giacomo Gariboldi saw something and made the decision to work with this youngster from the Slovenian countryside. The first season with the team saw him gradually improve throughout the year, eventually taking a couple of moto wins at the end of the season and show everyone that perhaps in 2015 we’d really see the best of the #243.
After a couple of tough rounds, Gajser took his first MX2 GP win at the 2015 MXGP of Trentino a venue that would become his known as his ‘home’ track. However, it wasn’t until mid-season when he really caught fire and asserted his dominance on the series, being crowned champion in emotional scenes at the final round in Glen Helen, announcing himself and the return of HRC to the world stage.
Continuing that momentum into 2016, together with the team, Gajser made the brave decision to move up to the MXGP class and try to make it back-to-back championships as a rookie. A one-one performance in Qatar at the opening round immediately vindicated that decision, and solid results throughout the campaign – including seven moto wins out of eight during one period – saw him take his second world title.
2017 started well but was derailed by injury, while 2018 was the toughest of his career as he struggled to overcome a pre-season crash. In fact, when he won the 2019 MXGP of Trentino, it had been almost 19 months since he’d stood on top of the podium. However, his season took off after that and seven GP wins in a row, solidified his third title three rounds before the end of the season as Slovenians invaded Imola, Italy in jubilant scenes.
Covid-19 affected the 2020 season, but that didn’t stop the #243 as he won his fourth championship by over 100 points with a strong run of form that saw him win five of the latter rounds in the series, including a couple more victories in Trentino. 2021’s schedule was similarly affected, and by the end of it, Gajser was just 20 points away from adding another title, after a three-way battle that came down to the final moto. The Honda HRC rider wasn’t to be denied though as the fifth crowd did come 12 months later in a dominant year that included 10 GP victories and another points gap of over 100.
In the preseason of 2023, Gajser suffered a nasty crash that ruled him out for the majority of the year, but he did still manage to win two GPs at the end of the season, setting himself up nicely for an assault on the 2024 title, which he only narrowly missed out on by 10 points, after a season-long duel.
In 2025, it did look like a sixth title would get added after dominating the first five rounds of the series, but an unfortunate incident in Switzerland meant he had to bow out of the championship battle, with his last GP victory for HRC coming fittingly at the Pietramurata venue, surrounded by thousands of his fans.
Everyone associated with Honda and HRC would like to thank Tim for all his efforts both on and off the racetrack, and for being such an important part of the brand’s history. He leaves as the winningest rider in the team’s history and HRC truly wishes him the best with his future endeavours.
Tim Gajser’s Honda Career in Numbers
Marcus Pereira de Freitas – HRC General Manager – MXGP
“It has been a privilege to have worked with Tim all these years and to see him grow as a person, as well as a rider. He has gone through a lot of difficult times, but each time he does, he comes out stronger and better prepared and I think that has shown throughout the amazing time he has had with Honda and HRC. He joined us as a talented boy, with a lot of potential but it shows his character that he leaves us as a five-time world champion. He has made friends with everyone on the team, and I think everyone will be sad to see him leave, but this is motocross and sometimes this happens, so now we all wish him the very best in the future, whatever that brings.”
Windsor, Ontario — Joe Rocket Canada Inc. (JRC Inc.) is proud to announce the acquisition of the U.S. based Joe Rocket brand from Sullivans Inc., reuniting the full Joe Rocket brand for the first time in 20 years. The transaction consolidates all trademarks, product development, and global brand rights back under the control of the original team that built Joe Rocket into one of North America’s most successful motorcycle apparel brands.
Founded in 1992, Joe Rocket quickly became a leader and innovator in motorcycle riding apparel, recognized for advancing rider safety, technical textiles, and performance-driven design. “This is a historic moment for the brand, for our team, and for riders everywhere,” said Max Charlebois, President of JRC Inc., “For more than 30 years, riders have trusted Joe Rocket to deliver gear that keeps them safe, comfortable, and confident on the road. That trust—and the loyalty we’ve earned from millions of riders— is the foundation of everything we do. Bringing the brand back under one roof allows us to honour that legacy while building an even stronger future.”
Joe Rocket Canada Inc., the original creator of the brand, now has full control of product design, global brand positioning, and future growth initiatives. The company plans to revitalize and modernize the Joe Rocket portfolio while honoring the legacy that made the brand a household name among riders for more than 30 years.
“We are deeply proud to reunite the brand that we built,” added Max Charlebois. “Riders who grew up with Joe Rocket can expect a renewed commitment to quality, innovation and the rider-first design philosophy that defined us from the beginning.”
More information will be shared soon as JRC continues to develop a complete global strategy for the unified Joe Rocket brand.
About Joe Rocket:
Founded in 1992, Joe Rocket is one of North America’s most influential and recognizable names in motorcycle riding apparel. For over 30 years, Joe Rocket has led the industry in technical innovation, rider protection, and performance-driven design.
Monster Energy Honda HRC is ready to unleash its full force on the 2026 Dakar Rally, arriving in Saudi Arabia to tackle the 48th edition of the world’s most gruelling motorsport event. After a strong campaign in the 2025 World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC), the team enters Dakar with momentum, confidence and renewed determination to fight for overall victory aboard their Honda CRF450 RALLY machines.
Two-time Dakar champion Ricky Brabec leads the charge. With ten Dakar campaigns under his belt and a stellar 2025 season, which included a runner-up finish at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge and two third-place podiums at the South African Safari Rally and Rallye du Maroc, Brabec arrives ready to confront the punishing Saudi terrain head-on.
Fellow American Skyler Howes, is targeting a return to the Dakar podium after securing third place in 2023. Now back to full fitness following his 2024 Vegas to Reno injury, which disrupted his World Rally-Raid Championship campaign this year, Howes heads into the rally encouraged by his fifth-place finish at the inaugural South African Safari Rally and is eager to take on the fresh challenges awaiting in Saudi Arabia.
French sand specialist Adrien Van Beveren returns from injuries sustained at Rally-Raid Portugal and wrist surgery stronger than ever. Following a commanding performance at Rallye du Maroc, where he narrowly missed out on a podium spot and with two consecutive third-place Dakar finishes in his pocket, Van Beveren is laser-focused on finally claiming the dream victory that has eluded him as he lines up for his eleventh Dakar.
Spain’s Tosha Schareina delivered a remarkable runner-up finish at this year’s Dakar despite riding much of the event with a collarbone injury, an achievement that underscored his grit and potential. His victory at Rallye du Maroc secured second in the World Rally-Raid Championship standings and although he is the least experienced of the Monster Energy Honda HRC lineup, he is undeniably a rising threat over the 8,000 km they will all face.
The 2026 Dakar Rally kicks off on 3rd January in Yanbu, a coastal city on Saudi Arabia’s western edge where the Red Sea meets endless desert horizons. Riders will tackle a punishing prologue before embarking on thirteen gruelling stages that wind through towering sand dunes, rocky wadis and vast barren plains. Two marathon stages will push both man and machine to their absolute limits, with no team assistance for riders as they navigate the blistering heat by day and cooler nights, with only basic equipment and food rations.
This epic loop across Saudi Arabia’s diverse and unforgiving terrain will test endurance, skill and strategy at every turn, culminating back in Yanbu where the rally will close another unforgettable chapter in the history of the world’s most legendary motorsport adventure.
Ruben Faria – General Manager:
“The Dakar Rally, the most important race of the year is here. Monster Energy Honda HRC is ready to start as we’ve put a lot of work into the second part of the 2025 season. Ricky finished the Rallye du Maroc in a really good spot, Tosha won it and Adrien, who was coming back from injury, did a really good race as day by day he got better and better. Skyler crashed, but he’s already recovered and his training has gone well ahead of the Dakar, so we have all four riders in really good shape.
The 2026 race looks nice but will again be really tough. In the first week we have a marathon stage, so the riders won’t have assistance and they’ll need to sleep in tents far from cities. The rest day is in Riyadh, like it was some years ago. I think the first week’s terrain will have more stones, riverbeds and will be technical at the same time, so the riders will need to look after their bikes and not crash on these sorts of stages. The second week is more open desert and again there will be a marathon stage. The riders and team are ready,everybody is happy and we want to get this Dakar started on 3rd January. We need to be careful day by day, we cannot push too much on the first stage, but my first goal is to arrive with the four riders to the rest day in a good position inside the top ten, before we can then make a plan for the second week.”
Ricky Brabec (9):
“I’m super excited to be entering another year with Monster Energy Honda HRC and going to another Dakar. It’s been a positive year learning through ups and downs since my injury during the 2024 Rallye du Maroc. This whole year has been really good, mentally I feel like we struggled in areas, although recently I feel like we have fixed a few of these. The team is looking good, healthy, fit and fast. So for the 2026 Dakar I think we have a good programme heading into this one.”
Skyler Howes (10):
“My preparation for the Dakar has been going really well. We’re in a much better place than we were as at this year’s race I was coming off a pretty serious leg injury and not much time to train and test with the team. This season, staying healthy throughout the whole year and a complete season was a major plus. I spent a lot of time with the team, testing more with the bike, getting things refined and being in a much better place for me personally, like being confortable and confident on the bike. Off the bike training, I’ve been cycling a bunch and then in the gym a lot so my physical fitness is in a much better place for me too. I’ve done rally training with Ricky and Preston, we spent a few days out in the desert doing road books and training together, which is really nice to have the other guys here, as it’s like a mini team, we can all work together and train together.
We had a really good shot this year at Dakar, I was in the top three overall for the first week and still had a good finish, but I’m heading into 2026 in a much better position, so I’m excited for that looking forward to getting this race going.”
Adrien Van Beveren (42):
“This year went well, I had some challenges though, tearing my wrist ligament just before South Africa. I raced with that injury, then I had the surgery, so I spent my summer recovering from that. I did a lot of cycling because I couldn’t ride motorcycles for almost two months. Then I rode again in August and I was fit, I was feeling good and got back to a high level quite soon. I went to Portugal, was second in the race fighting for the win and then I had a big crash. I had broken ribs, a broken scapula, a dislocated shoulder and some neck pain. But I faced this challenge and went back to Andorra for ten days of recovery, was in an hyperbaric chamber, had physio everyday and I raced in Morocco ten days later. I wasn’t yet back to full fitness but I finished fourth. I was happy about this as it was a way to turn the page and go forward after the crash. After that I just went full on with my training and focused on that to get back in the best shape. I’m super happy as I’m feeling good on the bike and strong physically. I’ve lost some kilos since this summer and I feel like I’m in my best shape ever. It’s nice to say that because I’m 34 years old, I bring experience with me having competed in 10 Dakar, soon to be 11 and I feel it’s a good moment. I can enjoy this experience but I’m still physically strong and still able to go really fast, navigate well and aim to reach the dream. Dakar is my dream, I’ve been fully dedicated to that throughout my life. It’s nice to feel in this position now where I am a really strong contender. I’ll bring all that experience with me and try to make it happen.”
Tosha Schareina (68):
“We are now in in the last straight before Dakar, the last bit of preparation. Actually we’ve spent all year training for this rally because it’s the main goal and the main race of the year and each race of the World Rally-Raid Championship is to prepare for Dakar.
We have been in Morocco for training and it’s been the last preparation for the bike as well. It’s the same bike that we won the Rallye du Maroc and I think that win was really important for us because it was the last push that we needed as motivation for Dakar, not just for me but for the mechanics and for all the team too.
In the lead up to Dakar I’ve been training, a little bit of gym, cycling, a bit of motocross, because these last weeks before this rally are just for for calm and peace and spending time with the family before spending nearly a month away in Saudi Arabia. I think it’s important to arrive there having rested before the main race and you have to try to find a good balance between training and having time off.
I’m really happy with how we have prepared heading into this Dakar and I think we have everything to get a good result in this 2026 edition.”
Save the Date – Honda HRC Castrol 2026 Launch
February 2nd – Online
On February 02, the 2026 presentation of Honda HRC Castrol will take place online to allow fans from around the world to join. Joan Mir and Luca Marini will unveil the 2026 Honda RC213V as they aim to build on last season’s momentum.
