ASRA Presents Top 15 Excuses Not To Race In 2026

John Ulrich

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January 1, 2026

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ASRA Presents Top 15 Excuses Not To Race In 2026

My Top 15 reasons not to road race in 2026

By Fictional Non-racer John Doe

(Yes, This Is Satire, But May Actually Apply To Non-Racers You Have Met)

Volume 1: Limited Edition – Only Exists in My Imagination

Despite my flawless reaction times and complete lack of fear, I regrettably declined to participate. Below are my official, totally legitimate reasons.

Reason 1

My chassis allocation was delayed due to a worldwide shortage of unobtainium.

Reason 2

Real racers have to qualify. Track days just sort you by self-declared skill level—perfect for eternally placing yourself in “expert” while riding like it’s your third session ever.

Reason 3

Someone scheduled a surprise firmware update that added a mandatory 47-minute “contemplative silence” mode right before every race start. Welcome to ‘next gen.” electronics.

Reason 4

Track days exist for a reason: you can slap on race number plates, look like a racer in the paddock, and still go home with all your skin attached—without ever actually racing anyone.Just stop. Don’t play that role.

Reason 5

Real racers have to deal with tire warmers, data loggers, and team managers yelling at them. You can just show up to a track day, ride like a hero for 20 minutes,”maybe” then spend the rest of the day posting “tourist pace” slow-motion clips with dramatic music.

Reason 6

Real racing has red flags and restarts. Track days have “point-by” rules, so you can wave faster guys past and tell yourself you’re just being polite.

Reason 7

If you never enter a real race, you can keep claiming “I would’ve won if I tried.” Eternal potential—way better than an actual results sheet proving otherwise.

Reason 8

Fuel prices in 2026 are going to be stupid. Why burn premium race gas when you can burn premium coffee while watching onboard laps on YouTube?

Reason 9

My insurance provider doesn’t want me racing their bike.

Reason 10

I spent the entire season watching youtube videos, instead of working on my own telemetry.

Reason 11

The race organizers required a real road race license; Mine looks like a 1990 school library card.

Reason 12

In 2026, track day entries will require carbon offset fees for some nonsense. Racing lets you roast tires guilt-free while claiming you’re “testing for the future.”

Reason 13

2026 races will have live timing apps exposing your every slow lap to the world. Track days? No transponders needed—just manually edit your GoPro timer and post “new PB” anyway.

Reason 14

Sponsorship hunting means cold emails and rejections. Track day glory? Your vinyl guy hooks you up with pro-looking number plates for $50, and suddenly you’re “supported” by energy drinks nobody’s heard of.

Reason 15

I simply identified as a stationary object for the 2026 season.

Bonus Tear-Out Excuse (for presenting to close friends)

“Sorry I couldn’t race in 2026 — I was too busy being maximally truthful on the internet.”

Thank you for understanding my completely valid and non-fabricated reasons. Maybe in 2027… if the unobtainium supply chain improves.

MotoAmerica: Dunlop Test Days at Roebling Road Raceway

Mathilde Gasnier

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December 31, 2025

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MotoAmerica: Dunlop Test Days at Roebling Road Raceway

Roebling Road Raceway will host a two-day Dunlop test on March 2–3, offering MotoAmerica teams a focused opportunity to fine-tune their machines ahead of Daytona.

With spots limited to keep the track from becoming crowded, the event also includes scheduled pit stop practice for teams preparing for the Daytona 200.

Open to eligible classes including Supersport, Bagger, Twins, and Hooligans, the test costs $500 per bike for both days, with tire service available and options for camping, garage rentals, and on-site concessions. Interested participants are encouraged to sign up through Stickboy Racing at [email protected]

MotoAmerica: Video Series Stars FLO4Law’s Benjamin Smith

Michael Gougis

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December 31, 2025

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MotoAmerica: Video Series Stars FLO4Law’s Benjamin Smith

Superbike Unlimited has documented its first season as a premier MotoAmerica Superbike team with rider Benjamin Smiths, in a series of videos. The behind-the-scenes footage shows the team’s struggles, its successes, and ultimately what professional racing in MotoAmerica is all about. During the long, dark days of the off season, these videos are a reminder of what motorcycle road racing fans love most about the sport. See the videos below.

PMFF Brings Global Motorcycle Cinema to Portland

Mathilde Gasnier

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December 31, 2025

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PMFF Brings Global Motorcycle Cinema to Portland

The Portland Motorcycle Film Festival (PMFF) announces films selected for their January 30-31, 2026 event at the Hollywood Theatre in Portland, Oregon, USA.

Selected feature films include: Malle Moto – the Forgotten Dakar Story, The Drixton, Southbound EPII, and Dirt Track Dickie.

Selected mid-length films, between 20-40 minutes, include Slowly Going Faster, Lemans – Racing Beyond Limits, Not the NC500, and with special permission from the Isle of Man TT, Between The Hedges – Joey Dunlop.

Tickets are on sale now. Detailed film descriptions, links to movie trailers and ticket purchase, and a full log of films shown at the event since 2014 are available at www.PDXMotorcyclefilms.com.

The Hollywood Theatre, home of the Portland Motorcycle Film Festival, was built in 1926, and today operates as a non-profit showing a mix of first run and historic films. It is on the National Register of Historic Places, has a 50’ screen, modern digital projection including 70mm, and is recently expanded. More information about The Hollywood can be found at https://hollywoodtheatre.org.

The Portland Motorcycle Film Festival is a non-profit organization that has worked with the non-profit Roadracing World Action Fund and has raised over $100,000 for deployment of Airfence soft barriers and also for related safety gear used at Portland International Raceway by the Oregon Motorcycle Road Racing Association (OMRRA). OMRRA has hosted motorcycle road race events in the Pacific Northwest since 1972.

Every show in the history of the Portland Motorcycle Film Festival has sold out. Purchase tickets early!

Mecum Auction: More Road Racing Dream Machines

Michael Gougis

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December 30, 2025

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Mecum Auction: More Road Racing Dream Machines

It’s not just about the machines. Spending time perusing the list of motorcycles up for bidding at the upcoming 35th annual Antique & Vintage Motorcycle Auction by Mecum Auctions (scheduled for January 27-31 at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas) is an opportunity to reflect on the artistry and engineering of old race bikes. It’s not just a trip down memory lane for old times’ sake, but an opportunity to reflect on how those builders, engineers and innovators thought, how they solved issues, how with their limited knowledge and technology they sought to make their race bikes quicker, lighter and better handling. And it’s an opportunity to reflect on the skills of those riders, who did breathtaking things on machines with the limitations of the day. I mean, seriously, the tires alone from the 1950s would scare you senseless on a racetrack today!

So, a few more of the amazing race bikes that are going to be up for sale:

Bob Robbins’ 1978 Ducati NCR 900 racebike shown with its fairing removed. Photo courtesy Mecum Auctions.

An original NCR factory race bike now owned by Bob Robbins has a Daspa frame and is powered by a 905cc air-cooled square-case V-Twin engine featuring bevel-driven camshafts and desmodromic valve actuation. The machine is equipped with race-modified Dell’Orto PHM 40 carburetors, a white-dial Veglia tachometer with an 8,500 rpm redline, magnesium Campagnolo wheels fitted with original Michelin S41 front and rear TV4 race tires, a hand-laid fiberglass fairing, and Marzocchi 320mm shocks. It has only ever been ridden for parade laps in 2011 in New Zealand by Paul Smart and is a sister machine to the 1978 Ducati that Mike Hailwood rode to a win at the Isle of Man. And, once again, fair warning of an impending time sink: The Falloon Report written specifically for current bike owner (and serious supporter of U.S. road racing) Robbins that accompanies the racebike is mesmerizing and you will find yourself reading the entire report, from beginning to end.

A replica Honda RC174. Photo courtesy Mecum Auctions.

The 297cc, six-cylinder Honda RC174 engine. Photo courtesy Mecum Auctions.

A 1967 factory replica built by British builder George Beale represents the third of 10 replicas, finished in period-correct 1967 factory Honda livery. Built with the cooperation and assistance of Honda and using the original Honda blueprints for the chassis and engine, and with reference to existing originals, the motorcycle features a 297cc inline six-cylinder four-stroke engine with Keihin carburetors, a seven-speed gearbox, and a 6-into-6 exhaust system housed in a twin-loop steel frame. This single-owner machine is equipped with full-fairing bodywork, an alloy gas tank, a road race solo seat, telescopic front forks, dual rear shocks, dual-leading-shoe drum front brakes, spoked wheels with vintage road racing tires, chain final drive, and carries Frame No. RC174GB03 and Engine No. RC174GB03. Owned by the late Bob MacLean (founder of World Championship Motorsports), it is believed to be the only one of the 10 that is located in the United States.

1957 Mondial 250cc Bialbero. Photo courtesy Mecum Auctions.

1957 Mondial 250 Bialbero Grand Prix racer featured a 249cc air-cooled single-cylinder DOHC four-stroke engine with dual bevel-gear-driven camshafts. Photo courtesy Mecum Auctions.

Another of MacLean’s bikes is this single-owner 1957 Mondial 250 Bialbero Grand Prix racer restored by Alan Cathcart. It features a 249cc air-cooled single-cylinder DOHC four-stroke engine, a five-speed transmission, and a tubular steel frame with chain final drive, carrying matching Engine and Frame No. 0504. Finished in factory Silver and White Mondial race livery, it is equipped with a steel gas tank, road race solo seat, low-mount single exhaust, telescopic external-spring front forks, dual rear shocks, front and rear drum brakes, and spoked wheels with vintage road racing tires. Known as the “Bialbero” for its gear-driven dual overhead camshafts with bevel-gear timing, the model helped Mondial secure four of six 250cc Grand Prix wins in 1957 and is regarded as one of the last great four-stroke Grand Prix machines of the post-World War II era.

The interview below is with Bob MacLean’s son Ian, who provides some insight into the bikes up for auction.

Applications For Racer Sponsorship From KYT Americas Now Open

Michael Gougis

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December 30, 2025

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Applications For Racer Sponsorship From KYT Americas Now Open

Former MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Josh Herrin (1) wearing his KYT helmet at Road Atlanta, 2025. Photo by Michael Gougis.

KYT Americas is accepting sponsorship applications for the 2026 season!

Racers from the United States and Canada are invited to apply for helmet sponsorship opportunities.

If you’re ready to represent KYT on and off the track, head to kytamericas.com/pages/2026-sponsorship-application to submit your application.

KYT Americas looks forward to supporting dedicated riders chasing championships in 2026—whether you’re racing at the club, regional, or national level.

MotoGP Racebikes Among Drug-Lord’s Confiscated Motorcycles?

John Ulrich

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December 29, 2025

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MotoGP Racebikes Among Drug-Lord’s Confiscated Motorcycles?

MotoGP racebikes appear to be included in what the FBI says were 62 motorcycles worth $40 million confiscated in Mexico and “related to a former Olympic athlete who is among the 10 most wanted fugitives by U.S. authorities.” If the bikes seen in a photo released by the agency actually are MotoGP racebikes, the $40 million estimate could be low.

Motorcycles in two photos released by the FBI look like Ducati racebikes ridden by Valentino Rossi, Andrea Dovisioso, Andrea Iannone, Jorge Lorenzo and other MotoGP stars. What appears to be a Moto2 bike raced by Mark Marquez is also seen in one of the photos.

No information was released by the FBI as to where and how fugitive Ryan Wedding obtained the bikes and then transported them to Mexico.

The FBI says these motorcycles were seized in Mexico from a most-wanted fugitive. FBI photo.

What looks like Ducati MotoGP racebikes ridden by Andrea Dovizioso, Loris Capirossi, and Jorge Lorenzo, with a Marc Marquez Moto2 bike in the background. FBI photo.

Sportbike Track Time Releases its 2026 Schedule

Mathilde Gasnier

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December 29, 2025

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Sportbike Track Time Releases its 2026 Schedule

Sportbike Track Time has unveiled its 2026 schedule, outlining a packed season of track days running from February through early December.

Where To Ride In January 2026

Mathilde Gasnier

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December 28, 2025

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The following track days, riding schools, and racing events are scheduled by organizations based in the United States during January 2026.

This list includes 29 opportunities to ride at races, schools, and track days during the month of January in North America.

To have your motorcycle racing or riding event added to the Event Calendar on this website and published in the print edition of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine, submit your calendar and contact information via the contact page on this website or by emailing to [email protected] or to [email protected].

Before heading to an event, contact the organization or track and confirm that it’s going to be held as publicized.

1/2 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Private Training Day – Flat Track

1/2-4 SFLminiGP Championship Series, Gainesville Raceway, Gainesville, FL (3 Day Riders Camp)

1/3 Socal Supermoto School, Apex Motorsports Park, Perris, CA

1/3-4 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Fun Camp

1/3-4-5 Precision Track Days, Jennings GP, Jennings, FL

1/3-5 Jennings GP Track Days & Novice Schools, Jennings GP, Jennings, FL (Track Days)

1/9 CVMA, Support Moto Racing Ride Day, Chuckwalla Valley Rcwy., CCW, Desert Center, CA

1/9 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Private Training Day -Ooff Road

1/10 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Learn To Ride Off-Road Course

1/10 Race Pace Track Days, Chuckwalla Valley Rcwy., CCW, Desert Center, CA

1/10 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Off-Road Challenge Course

1/10 Socal Supermoto School, Apex Motorsports Park, Perris, CA

1/10 Jason Pridmore’s JP43 1-on-1, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

1/11 Brake Free Track Time Track Days, The Podium Club at Attesa CCW, Casa Grande AZ

1/11 Race Pace Track Days, Chuckwalla Valley Rcwy., CCW, Desert Center, CA

1/12 Socal Supermoto School, Apex Motorsports Park, Perris, CA, semi Private Supermoto School

1/14 Racers Edge Track Days And Private Coaching Days, Private day « Ride Only », Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

1/15 Racers Edge Track Days And Private Coaching Days, Private day « Ride Only », Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

1/15 Racers Edge Track Days And Private Coaching Days, Private day with training, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

1/16-17 Yamaha Champions Riding School, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead, FL

1/17 Socal Supermoto School, Apex Motorsports Park, Perris, CA

1/18 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), PSR Day

1/17-18 N2 Track Days, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead, FL

1/19 Socal Supermoto School, Apex Motorsports Park, Perris, CA, semi Private Supermoto School

1/25 Socal Supermoto School, Apex Motorsports Park, Perris, CA

1/25 XCEL Trackdays, Firebird Motorsports Park, West Track

1/25 Superbike-Coach, Cornering School, Day 1, Little 99 Raceway, Stockton, CA

1/27 Socal Supermoto School, Apex Motorsports Park, Perris, CA, semi Private Supermoto School

1/29-30 American Supercamp (Dirt Track School), Double Check Arena, Eaton, CO – 30th Anniversary Non-Racer Ca

1/31 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), PSR Day

Suzuki Int.Series: Mitch Rees Wins Again in Whanganui

Mathilde Gasnier

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December 27, 2025

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Suzuki Int.Series: Mitch Rees Wins Again in Whanganui

His trophy cabinet is bulging and ready to burst, but still Bay of Plenty’s Mitch Rees reckons there’s room for a few more.

The Honda-mounted motorcycle road-racer from Whakatane loves to win races and he did just that on Boxing Day when he collected three more vital pieces of silverware.

The just-turned 33-year-old multi-time New Zealand superbike champion was up to his same old tricks around the public streets of Whanganui, the central North Island city again staging its iconic Cemetery Circuit race meeting, the third and final round of the popular annual Suzuki International Series.

The 2025 edition of the series kicked off at the Taupo International Motorsport Park on the first weekend in December and round two was staged at Manfeild, in Feilding, just a week later.

The grand finale on the fabled Cemetery Circuit on Boxing Day, a massive annual festival of speed that is always a popular last fling before New Year celebrations begin, certainly delighted the large crowd that showed up on Friday, with Rees and his Honda CRB1000RR-R again leading the way.

Rees cracked the ‘triple’ once again this season, winning the premier Formula one/Superbike class overall for the series, then the New Zealand F1 TT title for winning race two at Whanganui, and then also snatching the coveted Robert Holden Memorial feature race trophy on Boxing Day.

He qualified his 1000cc superbike fastest and then won both F1 races at Whanganui before putting underlining that performance by also winning the Robert Holden Memorial (RHM) feature race.

It was Rees’ fifth F1 title win in a row for this series.

Rees previously won the F1 class overall in the Suzuki International Series in 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024 (the series was not run in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic).

And because Rees then added the RHM feature race victory to the ones he had previously celebrated in 2022, 2023 and 2024, it became four times in a row that he has won this prestigious trophy.

It could have been another Rees family battle at the front this year too, with 58-year-old “elder statesman” Tony Rees chasing hard early on in the 2025 series, until his unfortunate crash at Manfeild two weeks ago sent him to the sidelines and, with a broken ankle, Tony Rees did not race in Whanganui on Friday.

Instead, it was rising star Rhys Lindsay, from Porirua, and Taupiri youngster Jesse Stroud who completed the RHM race podium.

The Robert Holden Memorial trophy probably holds a special place in the Rees family home, with Mitch Rees’ late younger brother Damon Rees having also won it in 2020 and it has also been won by their father, Tony Rees, on seven occasions (between 1990 and 2016).

“My goal this year was to make history, to do something that’s never been done before, and I achieved that,” said Mitch Rees.

“To get my name on the Robert Holden Memorial trophy four years in a row was absolutely mega.

“It has been something of a development year for me as we try out different things with the bike and I’ll be ready to face up to some big-name international riders expected to come over for this series next season.”

Class winners in the 2025 Suzuki International Series, which wrapped up in Whanganui on Boxing Day, are: Whakatane’s Mitch Rees (formula one); Auckland’s Cameron Leslie (formula two/supersport 600); Silverdale’s Tyler King (formula three); Silverdale’s Tyler King (supersport 300); Paraparaumu’s Richard Markham-Barrett (formula sport, senior, over-600cc); Whanganui’s Jeff Croot (formula sport, junior, up to 600cc); Auckland’s Paul Pavletich (Pre 89 post classics, senior, over-600cc); Auckland’s Scott Findlay and Hawera’s Martin Gray (Pre 89, post classics junior, under-600cc) first equal; Upper Hutt’s Keiran Mair (Pre 95, post classics senior, over-600cc); Te Awanga’s Eddie Kattenberg (Pre 95, post classics junior, under-600cc); Tokomaru’s Barry Smith/Whanganui’s Louise Blythe (F1 sidecars); Whanganui’s Tracey Bryan & Jo Franzen (F2 sidecars); Whanganui’s Richie Dibben (supermoto); Masterton’s Jadin Galway (pre 72 classic solos, Cemetery Circuit only); Carterton’s Mark Smith & Graham Wilkinson (pre 82 classic sidecars, Cemetery Circuit only).

Robert Holden Memorial feature race top five:

1. Mitch Rees,

2. Rhys Lindsay,

3. Jesse Stroud,

4. Levin’s Tahana Parker,

5. Upper Hutt’s Sasha Drain.

DATES FOR 2025 SUZUKI INTERNATIONAL SERIES

• Round 1, Taupo, Dec 6-7;

• Round 2, Manfeild, Feilding, Dec 13-14;

• Round 3, Whanganui’s Cemetery Circuit, Dec 26.

ASRA Presents Top 15 Excuses Not To Race In 2026

January 1, 2026

IMG_1567 ASRA 500 CupSAT — An ASRA 500 Cup Race at Summit Point, 2025, with Valen Gomez (64x) leading Jaden McKellar (177), Cole Varnes (241) and Melvin McKeller (198). Photo by Bob Hartman/etechphoto.com

My Top 15 reasons not to road race in 2026

By Fictional Non-racer John Doe

(Yes, This Is Satire, But May Actually Apply To Non-Racers You Have Met)

Volume 1: Limited Edition – Only Exists in My Imagination

Despite my flawless reaction times and complete lack of fear, I regrettably declined to participate. Below are my official, totally legitimate reasons.

Reason 1

My chassis allocation was delayed due to a worldwide shortage of unobtainium.

Reason 2

Real racers have to qualify. Track days just sort you by self-declared skill level—perfect for eternally placing yourself in “expert” while riding like it’s your third session ever.

Reason 3

Someone scheduled a surprise firmware update that added a mandatory 47-minute “contemplative silence” mode right before every race start. Welcome to ‘next gen.” electronics.

Reason 4

Track days exist for a reason: you can slap on race number plates, look like a racer in the paddock, and still go home with all your skin attached—without ever actually racing anyone.Just stop. Don’t play that role.

Reason 5

Real racers have to deal with tire warmers, data loggers, and team managers yelling at them. You can just show up to a track day, ride like a hero for 20 minutes,”maybe” then spend the rest of the day posting “tourist pace” slow-motion clips with dramatic music.

Reason 6

Real racing has red flags and restarts. Track days have “point-by” rules, so you can wave faster guys past and tell yourself you’re just being polite.

Reason 7

If you never enter a real race, you can keep claiming “I would’ve won if I tried.” Eternal potential—way better than an actual results sheet proving otherwise.

Reason 8

Fuel prices in 2026 are going to be stupid. Why burn premium race gas when you can burn premium coffee while watching onboard laps on YouTube?

Reason 9

My insurance provider doesn’t want me racing their bike.

Reason 10

I spent the entire season watching youtube videos, instead of working on my own telemetry.

Reason 11

The race organizers required a real road race license; Mine looks like a 1990 school library card.

Reason 12

In 2026, track day entries will require carbon offset fees for some nonsense. Racing lets you roast tires guilt-free while claiming you’re “testing for the future.”

Reason 13

2026 races will have live timing apps exposing your every slow lap to the world. Track days? No transponders needed—just manually edit your GoPro timer and post “new PB” anyway.

Reason 14

Sponsorship hunting means cold emails and rejections. Track day glory? Your vinyl guy hooks you up with pro-looking number plates for $50, and suddenly you’re “supported” by energy drinks nobody’s heard of.

Reason 15

I simply identified as a stationary object for the 2026 season.

Bonus Tear-Out Excuse (for presenting to close friends)

“Sorry I couldn’t race in 2026 — I was too busy being maximally truthful on the internet.”

Thank you for understanding my completely valid and non-fabricated reasons. Maybe in 2027… if the unobtainium supply chain improves.

MotoAmerica: Dunlop Test Days at Roebling Road Raceway

December 31, 2025

BJN63753_P — Dunlop is hosting a pre-Daytona tire test for invited MotoAmerica teams, at Roebling Road Raceway. Photo by Brian J. Nelson/courtesy MotoAmerica.

Roebling Road Raceway will host a two-day Dunlop test on March 2–3, offering MotoAmerica teams a focused opportunity to fine-tune their machines ahead of Daytona.

With spots limited to keep the track from becoming crowded, the event also includes scheduled pit stop practice for teams preparing for the Daytona 200.

Open to eligible classes including Supersport, Bagger, Twins, and Hooligans, the test costs $500 per bike for both days, with tire service available and options for camping, garage rentals, and on-site concessions. Interested participants are encouraged to sign up through Stickboy Racing at [email protected]

MotoAmerica: Video Series Stars FLO4Law’s Benjamin Smith

December 31, 2025

Benjamin Smith Road Atlanta BJNB9103_P — MotoAmerica Superbike racer Benjamin Smith, Road Atlanta, 2025. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Superbike Unlimited has documented its first season as a premier MotoAmerica Superbike team with rider Benjamin Smiths, in a series of videos. The behind-the-scenes footage shows the team’s struggles, its successes, and ultimately what professional racing in MotoAmerica is all about. During the long, dark days of the off season, these videos are a reminder of what motorcycle road racing fans love most about the sport. See the videos below.

PMFF Brings Global Motorcycle Cinema to Portland

December 31, 2025

484810147_9951845348182029_2286112772412097971_n — The Hollywood Theatre in Portland, in Oregon. Photo courtesy The Hollywood Theatre.

The Portland Motorcycle Film Festival (PMFF) announces films selected for their January 30-31, 2026 event at the Hollywood Theatre in Portland, Oregon, USA.

Selected feature films include: Malle Moto – the Forgotten Dakar Story, The Drixton, Southbound EPII, and Dirt Track Dickie.

Selected mid-length films, between 20-40 minutes, include Slowly Going Faster, Lemans – Racing Beyond Limits, Not the NC500, and with special permission from the Isle of Man TT, Between The Hedges – Joey Dunlop.

Tickets are on sale now. Detailed film descriptions, links to movie trailers and ticket purchase, and a full log of films shown at the event since 2014 are available at www.PDXMotorcyclefilms.com.

The Hollywood Theatre, home of the Portland Motorcycle Film Festival, was built in 1926, and today operates as a non-profit showing a mix of first run and historic films. It is on the National Register of Historic Places, has a 50’ screen, modern digital projection including 70mm, and is recently expanded. More information about The Hollywood can be found at https://hollywoodtheatre.org.

The Portland Motorcycle Film Festival is a non-profit organization that has worked with the non-profit Roadracing World Action Fund and has raised over $100,000 for deployment of Airfence soft barriers and also for related safety gear used at Portland International Raceway by the Oregon Motorcycle Road Racing Association (OMRRA). OMRRA has hosted motorcycle road race events in the Pacific Northwest since 1972.

Every show in the history of the Portland Motorcycle Film Festival has sold out. Purchase tickets early!

Mecum Auction: More Road Racing Dream Machines

December 30, 2025

NCR 900 589267 — A 1978 Ducati NCR 900 racebike currently owned by Bob Robbins. Photo courtesy Mecum Auctions.

It’s not just about the machines. Spending time perusing the list of motorcycles up for bidding at the upcoming 35th annual Antique & Vintage Motorcycle Auction by Mecum Auctions (scheduled for January 27-31 at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas) is an opportunity to reflect on the artistry and engineering of old race bikes. It’s not just a trip down memory lane for old times’ sake, but an opportunity to reflect on how those builders, engineers and innovators thought, how they solved issues, how with their limited knowledge and technology they sought to make their race bikes quicker, lighter and better handling. And it’s an opportunity to reflect on the skills of those riders, who did breathtaking things on machines with the limitations of the day. I mean, seriously, the tires alone from the 1950s would scare you senseless on a racetrack today!

So, a few more of the amazing race bikes that are going to be up for sale:

An original NCR factory race bike now owned by Bob Robbins has a Daspa frame and is powered by a 905cc air-cooled square-case V-Twin engine featuring bevel-driven camshafts and desmodromic valve actuation. The machine is equipped with race-modified Dell’Orto PHM 40 carburetors, a white-dial Veglia tachometer with an 8,500 rpm redline, magnesium Campagnolo wheels fitted with original Michelin S41 front and rear TV4 race tires, a hand-laid fiberglass fairing, and Marzocchi 320mm shocks. It has only ever been ridden for parade laps in 2011 in New Zealand by Paul Smart and is a sister machine to the 1978 Ducati that Mike Hailwood rode to a win at the Isle of Man. And, once again, fair warning of an impending time sink: The Falloon Report written specifically for current bike owner (and serious supporter of U.S. road racing) Robbins that accompanies the racebike is mesmerizing and you will find yourself reading the entire report, from beginning to end.

A 1967 factory replica built by British builder George Beale represents the third of 10 replicas, finished in period-correct 1967 factory Honda livery. Built with the cooperation and assistance of Honda and using the original Honda blueprints for the chassis and engine, and with reference to existing originals, the motorcycle features a 297cc inline six-cylinder four-stroke engine with Keihin carburetors, a seven-speed gearbox, and a 6-into-6 exhaust system housed in a twin-loop steel frame. This single-owner machine is equipped with full-fairing bodywork, an alloy gas tank, a road race solo seat, telescopic front forks, dual rear shocks, dual-leading-shoe drum front brakes, spoked wheels with vintage road racing tires, chain final drive, and carries Frame No. RC174GB03 and Engine No. RC174GB03. Owned by the late Bob MacLean (founder of World Championship Motorsports), it is believed to be the only one of the 10 that is located in the United States.

Another of MacLean’s bikes is this single-owner 1957 Mondial 250 Bialbero Grand Prix racer restored by Alan Cathcart. It features a 249cc air-cooled single-cylinder DOHC four-stroke engine, a five-speed transmission, and a tubular steel frame with chain final drive, carrying matching Engine and Frame No. 0504. Finished in factory Silver and White Mondial race livery, it is equipped with a steel gas tank, road race solo seat, low-mount single exhaust, telescopic external-spring front forks, dual rear shocks, front and rear drum brakes, and spoked wheels with vintage road racing tires. Known as the “Bialbero” for its gear-driven dual overhead camshafts with bevel-gear timing, the model helped Mondial secure four of six 250cc Grand Prix wins in 1957 and is regarded as one of the last great four-stroke Grand Prix machines of the post-World War II era.

The interview below is with Bob MacLean’s son Ian, who provides some insight into the bikes up for auction.

Applications For Racer Sponsorship From KYT Americas Now Open

December 30, 2025

KYT Americas is accepting sponsorship applications for the 2026 season!

Racers from the United States and Canada are invited to apply for helmet sponsorship opportunities.

If you’re ready to represent KYT on and off the track, head to kytamericas.com/pages/2026-sponsorship-application to submit your application.

KYT Americas looks forward to supporting dedicated riders chasing championships in 2026—whether you’re racing at the club, regional, or national level.

MotoGP Racebikes Among Drug-Lord’s Confiscated Motorcycles?

December 29, 2025

Francesco "Pecco" Bagnaia (63) leads mentor Valentino Rossi (46) at Valencia, 2021. Photo courtesy Michelin. — Francesco "Pecco" Bagnaia (63) leads mentor Valentino Rossi (46) at Valencia, 2021. Several machines that appear to be ex-Rossi racebikes were in a stash of 62 confiscated by Mexican authorities who were working with the FBI. Photo courtesy Michelin.

MotoGP racebikes appear to be included in what the FBI says were 62 motorcycles worth $40 million confiscated in Mexico and “related to a former Olympic athlete who is among the 10 most wanted fugitives by U.S. authorities.” If the bikes seen in a photo released by the agency actually are MotoGP racebikes, the $40 million estimate could be low.

Motorcycles in two photos released by the FBI look like Ducati racebikes ridden by Valentino Rossi, Andrea Dovisioso, Andrea Iannone, Jorge Lorenzo and other MotoGP stars. What appears to be a Moto2 bike raced by Mark Marquez is also seen in one of the photos.

No information was released by the FBI as to where and how fugitive Ryan Wedding obtained the bikes and then transported them to Mexico.

Sportbike Track Time Releases its 2026 Schedule

December 29, 2025

1124 web STT PR CMP — Riders having fun during a Sportbike Track Time (STT) track day at CMP. Photo by US129Photos.

Sportbike Track Time has unveiled its 2026 schedule, outlining a packed season of track days running from February through early December.

Where To Ride In January 2026

December 28, 2025

0125 web precisian track days action photo img-0 — Riders having fun at a Precision Track Day event at Roebling Road Raceway. Photo by Raul Jerez/Highside Photo, courtesy Precision Track Day.