MRA: Elliott Captures Race of the Rockies Open Championship

Mathilde Gasnier

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September 9, 2026

MRA: Elliott Captures Race of the Rockies Open Championship

The Motorcycle Roadracing Association closed out its 2026 season at High Plains Raceway on September 6, returning to the West Course for the first time since 2024. The two-mile configuration provided a unique challenge for the final round, but with championships on the line across the MRA’s premier classes, the focus remained firmly on the riders fighting for one last opportunity to finish the season on top.

The Fay Myers Race of the Rockies Open championship was one of the season’s most closely watched battles. Mat Cunha came out of the gate strong, winning the opening two rounds and establishing himself as the early championship favorite. Kreece Elliott answered with victories in Rounds 3 and 4, steadily closing the gap before taking over the championship lead heading into the final round.

Justen Behmer remained a consistent presence near the front of the field throughout the season, while David Lambert Sr. stayed within championship contention. Jayden Fernandez was also an important part of the early-season ROTR Open fight before turning his attention to his MotoAmerica commitments for the remainder of the year.

That left Elliott entering the season finale with the championship lead and Cunha looking to close the season with one final victory. With the West Course back on the schedule and the championship still to be decided, the stage was set for one last battle in the MRA’s premier class.

Fay Myers Race of the Rockies Open

Screenshot 2026 09 09 at 09.37.11 — Race of the Rockies opening launch for the 2026 MRA season finale. Photo by Kelley Vernell

Cunha started the final showdown exactly as he intended, putting his Alpha Racing BMW on pole position by just 0.339 seconds over Elliott. Behmer, aboard his #67 machine, completed the front row of the grid.

When the lights went out, it was Elliott who squeezed past Cunha into Turn 1, taking the lead off the start.

Screenshot 2026 09 09 at 09.37.58 — Kreece Elliot takes the holeshot into turn 1 in Race of the Rockies. Photo by Kelly Vernell

Cunha immediately went to work. On the opening lap, down the back straight, the Alpha Racing BMW powered past Elliott before Turn 4, putting Cunha back at the front. Behmer and David Lambert Sr. #28 remained close behind.

Screenshot 2026 09 09 at 09.38.50 — Justen Behmer in hot pursuit of the leading duo. Photo by Kelly Vernell

By Lap 5, Elliott and Behmer had closed the 1.3-second gap to Cunha down to just half a second. From that point forward, the three riders were stuck together like glue, producing one of the most entertaining battles of the season.

Elliott applied constant pressure to Cunha, while Behmer remained close enough to capitalize on any mistake. The trio circulated together for the remainder of the race, but Cunha managed the gap perfectly. Despite Elliott’s relentless pressure, Cunha never gave the championship leader the opening he needed.

Screenshot 2026 09 09 at 09.40.30 — Mat Cunha leads in Race of the Rockies Open. Photo by Kelly Vernell

Cunha held on to take the checkered flag and the final Race of the Rockies Open victory of the 2026 season. Elliott crossed the line second, with Behmer completing the podium in third.

Fay Myers Race of the Rockies Open — Round 5 Results

Screenshot 2026 09 09 at 09.42.07 — Race of the Rockies Open podium from left, Kreece Elliot 2nd, Mat Cunha 1st, Justen Behmer 3rd. Photo by Chandler Dahl

Position	Rider
1st	Mat Cunha #12
2nd	Kreece Elliott #97
3rd	Justen Behmer #67

While Cunha had the final-round victory, Elliott had already done enough to secure the championship.

2026 Fay Myers Race of the Rockies Open — Final Championship Standings

Screenshot 2026 09 09 at 09.43.27 — Kreece Elliot wins the Race of the Rockies Open Championship and secures the #1 plate. Photo by Chandler Dahl

Championship	Rider
1st — Champion	Kreece Elliott #97
2nd	Mat Cunha #12
3rd	David Lambert Sr. #28
4th	Justen Behmer #67

Elliott’s championship capped a season in which momentum repeatedly shifted between the two riders. Cunha opened the year with consecutive victories, while Elliott responded with back-to-back wins of his own in the middle of the season. Elliott’s consistency and strong second half ultimately allowed him to carry the championship lead into the finale and leave High Plains Raceway as the 2026 Fay Myers Race of the Rockies Open Champion.

Cunha’s victory in the finale provided a fitting ending to his championship campaign, while Lambert’s consistency throughout the season earned him third in the final standings. Behmer’s third-place finish in the finale was a strong way to close a season that saw him remain a regular threat at the front of the field, ultimately finishing fourth in the final championship standings.

The final race belonged to Cunha, but the championship belonged to Elliott.

Apex Autoglass Race of the Rockies Middleweight

Screenshot 2026 09 09 at 09.44.44 — Phil Takahashi chases Cruz in Race of the Rockies Middleweight. Photo by Kelly Vernell

The final round of the 2026 Apex Autoglass Race of the Rockies Middleweight championship produced a chaotic opening, an incredibly close finish, and a championship battle that went all the way to the final round.

When the lights went out on the West Course, Phil Takahashi #807, Tyrel Diekmann #724 and Geovanni Cruz #21 launched into Turn 1 nearly three-wide, setting the tone for what would become one of the most action-packed races of the season.

Chaos unfolded almost immediately. An Open-class rider farther ahead made contact with another competitor and crashed, creating a scramble for the riders behind. Diekmann and Cruz were able to slip through the incident cleanly and emerge at the front, while Takahashi was forced to check up and slotted into third.

Diekmann came through the opening sequence with the lead, but his time at the front would be short-lived.

Screenshot 2026 09 09 at 09.45.48 — Geovanni Cruz takes the lead in Race of the Rockies Middleweight. Photo by Kelly Vernell

On the opening lap, Cruz made his move at the exit of Turn 8, taking the lead away from Diekmann. Takahashi followed closely behind, putting himself right back into the fight for the top spot.

Further back, Orkun Krand #9 found himself locked in a battle with Tim Ellis #915 for fourth. Krand got a slightly better drive approaching Turn 3 and used it to outbrake Ellis into Turn 4, taking over fourth position.

Screenshot 2026 09 09 at 09.47.00 — Tim Ellis chases the leading pack in Race of the Rockies Middleweight. Photo by Kelly Vernell

At the front, Cruz and Takahashi immediately began trading blows, running virtually wheel-to-wheel as they fought for control of the race.

Krand continued his charge forward, executing a clean outside pass on the entry to Turn 7 to get around Diekmann and move into third.

The battle for the lead continued to intensify. Takahashi eventually made his move in Turn 8, taking control of the race and putting Cruz into second. The two riders remained locked together as the laps clicked away.

Behind them, Krand appeared poised to complete the podium, but the race would take another dramatic turn. Later in the race, Krand asked too much of the front tire heading into Turn 2 and lost the front, ending his podium charge.

Ellis was in the perfect position to capitalize. After battling his way forward early in the race, he was ready to pick up the pieces and inherited third place.

At the front, Takahashi and Cruz continued their fight all the way to the checkered flag. When the timing tower finally settled, Takahashi had held on for the victory — but by the slimmest of margins.

Cruz crossed the line just 0.009 seconds behind Takahashi, producing an incredible finish to the final Apex Autoglass Race of the Rockies Middleweight race of the season.

Ellis completed the podium in third, earning his first Race of the Rockies Middleweight podium of the 2026 season.

Apex Autoglass Race of the Rockies Middleweight — Round 5 Results

Screenshot 2026 09 09 at 09.48.18 — Race of the Rockies Middleweight Podium from left, Tim Ellis 3rd, Geovanni Cruz 2nd, Phil Takahashi 3rd. Photo by Chandler Dahl

Position	Rider
1st	Phil Takahashi #807
2nd	Geovanni Cruz #21
3rd	Tim Ellis #915

2026 Apex Autoglass Race of the Rockies Middleweight — Final Championship Standings

Screenshot 2026 09 09 at 09.49.13 — Phil Takahashi wins Race of the Rockies Middleweight Championship. Photo by Chandler Dahl

Championship	Rider
1st — Champion	Phil Takahashi #807
2nd	Josh Radcliffe #342
3rd	Orkun Krand #9

Takahashi’s victory provided the perfect ending to his 2026 campaign, as he finished the season atop the Apex Autoglass Race of the Rockies Middleweight championship. Josh Radcliffe secured second in the final standings, while Orkun Krand completed the championship podium in third, just one single point behind Radcliffe.

The final race itself was a fitting conclusion to the season: aggressive from the opening corner, unpredictable throughout, and decided by just nine thousandths of a second at the finish.

Rider Justice Amateur Open

Screenshot 2026 09 09 at 09.50.19 — Tony Ewan leads the charge in Amateur Open. Photo by Kelly Vernell

The 2026 Rider Justice Amateur Open championship came to its conclusion on the West Course at High Plains Raceway, and while the final race would ultimately belong to the rider who had dominated the class all season, it didn’t start quite as smoothly as Tony Ewan #125 had hoped.

Screenshot 2026 09 09 at 09.51.12 — Lee Denney gets the holeshot in Amateur Open. Photo by Kelly Vernell

When the lights went out, Ewan struggled to get his motorcycle into first gear, costing him valuable positions off the line and dropping him to third as the field charged toward Turn 1. Walt Vogl #117 was able to capitalize, while Lee Denney #272 got the holeshot and led the field into the opening corner.

Ewan’s setback wouldn’t last long.

On the opening lap, Ewan immediately went to work. Driving down the back straight, he made an aggressive but decisive move, passing both Vogl and Denney to go from third to first in one stretch of racetrack.

Once back at the front, Ewan settled into the dominant form he had displayed throughout the 2026 season. With the championship already firmly within his grasp, the pressure was off, but Ewan showed no signs of slowing down. He quickly established control of the race and went on to take the checkered flag.

Screenshot 2026 09 09 at 09.51.52 — Walt Vogl chases the podium in Amateur Open. Photo by Kelly Vernell

Behind him, the battle for second continued to unfold. Denney was able to manage the gap to Vogl and maintain his position, securing second place at the finish. Vogl completed the podium in third.

Rider Justice Amateur Open — Round 5 Results

Screenshot 2026 09 09 at 09.53.48 — Amateur Open podium from left, Lee Denney 2nd, Tony Ewan 1st, Walt Vogl 3rd. Photo by Chandler Dahl

Position	Rider
1st	Tony Ewan #125
2nd	Lee Denney #272
3rd	Walt Vogl #117

Ewan’s victory provided another exclamation point on what had been a dominant 2026 campaign. Even a poor start couldn’t keep the championship leader from reaching the front, and once he got there, the result looked much like it had throughout the season.

With the final checkered flag of the year now in the books, Ewan was crowned the 2026 Rider Justice Amateur Open Champion.

2026 Rider Justice Amateur Open — Final Championship Standings

Screenshot 2026 09 09 at 09.56.21 — Tony Ewan celebrates his Amateur Open championship title win. Photo by Chandler Dahl

Championship	Rider
1st — Champion	Tony Ewan #125
2nd	Nicholas Stentiford#851
3rd	Lee Denney #272

Nicholas Stentiford finished second in the final championship standings, while Denney’s runner-up finish in the finale helped propel him to third overall.

The fight for the final championship positions also had implications beyond the podium. Dan Parker #314, who had been in contention for a top-three championship finish, saw his hopes take a major hit following his crash in the Race of the Rockies. The incident allowed Denney to edge Parker out and secure third in the final championship standings.

For Ewan, the championship was the culmination of a season defined by consistency and speed. Even when the final race threw an unexpected problem at him before Turn 1, he responded immediately, charging back through the field and finishing the season exactly where he had spent so much of it — at the front.

The 2026 Rider Justice Amateur Open championship belonged to Tony Ewan #125, and his final-round victory was a fitting way to close out a dominant season.

Looking Ahead to 2027

With the final checkered flags flying at High Plains Raceway, the 2026 Motorcycle Roadracing Association season officially came to a close. From the opening round at High Plains Raceway to the return of the West Course for the season finale, the year delivered close championship battles, dramatic finishes, new faces on the podium, and plenty of memorable racing action.

Five rounds of competition produced champions across the MRA’s premier classes, but perhaps more importantly, the 2026 season once again showcased the depth of talent and competitive spirit that makes MRA racing special. Whether battling for a championship, chasing a first podium, or simply fighting for every position on the track, the riders continued to provide the kind of racing that keeps fans and competitors coming back.

As the 2026 season comes to an end, the MRA would like to thank all of the riders, teams, sponsors, officials, corner workers, volunteers, and fans who made another season of motorcycle road racing possible. Their dedication and support are what keep the organization moving forward.

The trophies may be handed out and the race bikes may be heading into the garage for the winter, but the work for next season has already begun.

The Motorcycle Roadracing Association looks forward to welcoming everyone back in 2027 for another season of competition, camaraderie, and, most importantly, more great racing action.

MotoAmerica: Superbike Heading To COTA

Mathilde Gasnier

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September 9, 2026

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SDK Leads Quad Lock Superbike Championship Into Penultimate Round At Circuit Of The Americas. Andrew Lee Aims To Lockdown 2026 Superbike Cup Title One Round Early.

IRVINE, CA – Round eight of the 2026 MotoAmerica Quad Lock Superbike Championship is coming to Circuit of The Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, September 11-13, and the battle for the title remains wide open. Four riders are separated by just 38 points, and a total of 125 points remain up for grabs. With the last two rounds in sight, time is running out to close the gap to the leaders and riders will feel the pressure in the Texas heat.

COTA stands as one of the most physically and technically demanding venues on the entire MotoAmerica calendar. The 3.41-mile, 20-turn counterclockwise circuit tests premier Superbike racers and machinery with fast esses, heavy braking zones, and a signature 130-foot elevation climb to Turn 1. While the long back straight provides critical drafting and passing opportunities into Turn 12, the Texas heat forecasted over the weekend will push competitors to their absolute limits, placing a maximum premium on a riders mental and physical endurance.

OrangeCat Racing’s Sean Dylan Kelly leads the premier class into Austin, Texas, piloting his high-performance BMW M 1000 RR with an even 250 points. The 24-year-old Floridian has captured 12 podium finishes in 15 races, translating to a staggering 80% podium to this point in the season.

Down but not out. SDK charged from the ground in Turn 1 all the way to P15 in Race 3 at VIR, salvaging a crucial championship point. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Strack Racing’s Mathew Scholtz is just 17 points behind the leader, Kelly. The South African’s Yamaha YZF-R1 is notoriously solid in the technical sections of the Austin circuit but lacks the outright power and top end speed of the European machines for the 0.6 mile COTA backstretch. The South African will need to lean on his notorious corner speed and maximize edge grip in the technical sections to keep touch with the the draft down the endless back straight.

Mathew Scholtz (#11) needs to minimize mistakes and maximize his cornering prowess to gain points on SDK (#40). Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing teammates JD Beach and Bobby Fong sit third and fourth in the standings, respectively, with Beach trailing championship leader Sean Dylan Kelly by 31 points and Fong just 38 marks adrift. The duo remains within striking distance of the front and brings a strong track record to the Lone Star State. While Fong secured double-podium success aboard his Yamaha Superbike last year, Beach swept both races in the Stock 1000 class. Both riders have the outright pace to contend for victories and will be fighting for a return to the box in Texas.

JD Beach (#95) sits third in points with six podiums and three victories on the year. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Wrench Motorcycles’ Cameron Petersen sits 105 points behind the leader in fifth. The 31-year-old South African knows he will need to put it all on the line to keep himself alive in the championship chase.

M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Richie Escalante is sixth with 106 points, however the Mexican-native will miss the remainder of the season to heal from injuries sustained in a crash at the previous round. In his place, and making his Quad Lock Superbike class debut will be the team’s 20-year-old Supersport class rider, Tyler Scott. Scott will focus solely on the Superbike class this weekend as the team has another rider lined up for their Supersport machine in Texas.

The top 10 is finished off by Rahal Ducati Moto with XPEL’s PJ Jacobsen in eighth, Escalante’s teammate Brandon Paasch ninth and Warhorse HSBK Ducati Flo4Law’s Loris Baz in tenth.

Beaubier’s Return

While the championship fight takes center stage, COTA will also mark the return of a very familiar name to the Quad Lock Superbike grid. Six-time and defending Superbike champion Cameron Beaubier returns to the Warhorse HSBK Ducati Flo4Law team after missing five rounds due to a shoulder injury suffered at Road America. The move pushes Frenchman Loris Baz out of his fill-in duties after his recent win in Race 3 at VIRginia International Raceway. Beaubier aims to quickly regain his race pace; given his history of running up front at the Texas circuit, he could easily play the role of spoiler in the lead group.

Cameron Beaubier at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin (May 2026). Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Superbike Cup

The chase for the separate Superbike Cup trophy is also taking center stage at COTA, where class leader Andrew Lee is on the verge of sealing the deal. Flying the flag for Real Steel Honda with 330 points, Lee sits on a commanding 102-point lead over BPR Racing Yamaha’s Deion campbell in second and 124 over third place competitor Carl Soltisz. With only a handful of races remaining, the 27-year-old just needs a lead of more than 100 points after Saturday’s Race 1 to wrangle the 2026 Superbike Cup crown in Texas.

Andrew Lee (#14) led Superbike riders like his teammate Hayden Gillim (#69) and Brandon Paasch (#66) at VIRginia International Speedway. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Aftercare Scheibe Racing Adds Ulsterman Simon Reid For COTA.

Adding to the depth of the field, Aftercare Scheibe Racing is bringing Banbridge, Northern Ireland’s Simon Reid across the Atlantic to make his MotoAmerica Superbike Cup debut. Reid currently competes in the highly competitive Pirelli National Superstock Championship in the UK for Carl Cox BMW by MLav Racing. The talented rider is eager to make the trip to the US to see exactly how his pace stacks up against the MotoAmerica field.

Simon Reid aboard the Carl Cox BMW by MLav Racing BMW M 1000 RR in the Pirelli National Superstock Championship. Photo courtesy of Simon Reid.

For the full 2026 MotoAmerica schedule and tickets, CLICK HERE
For information on how to watch the MotoAmerica series, CLICK HERE
For photos and full results, CLICK HERE

About MotoAmerica:

MotoAmerica is North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series. Established in 2014, MotoAmerica is home to the AMA Superbike Championship as well as additional classes including Supersport, Twins Cup, Talent Cup, Super Hooligan National Championship, and King Of The Baggers. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership including three-time 500cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey; ex-racer and former manager of Team Roberts Chuck Aksland; motorsports marketing executive Terry Karges; and businessman Richard Varner. For more information, please visit

www.MotoAmerica.com and follow MotoAmerica on Facebook Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube. To watch all things MotoAmerica, subscribe to MotoAmerica’s live streaming and video on demand service, MotoAmerica Live+

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

Mathilde Gasnier

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September 9, 2026

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

HOT HEADLINES: the title fight turns up the wick at Misano. Martin. Marquez. Bezzecchi. Aprilia. Ducati. And that’s not even half of it – get ready for a showdown to remember on the riviera.

Who fancies two more European blockbusters before the flyaway stretch of the season begins? We certainly do, and good job too – because that’s exactly what MotoGP has in store in the next two weeks. Austria’s stunning Styrian mountains, where the Red Bull Ring nestles, arrives shortly. But first, we’re strapping in for a date on the glittering Adriatic as the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli gears up for the Red Bull Grand Prix of San Marino and the Rimini Riviera.

The tantalising MotoGP title race took a couple more twists last time out in Aragon, and it means we land at Misano with the top three in the championship split by a slender 24 points – and that includes one of the home heroes this weekend, Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing).

Marc Márquez (93) at Aragon. Photo courtesy Ducati.

MM93 REELS IN MARTIN

We’ll come onto Bez and Aprilia shortly, but after a 37-point haul weekend on a happy hunting ground, Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) lands in enemy territory looking to reduce his 19-point deficit to World Championship leader Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) further. Or if possible, seize the title race lead – which is possible.

Most expected the reigning World Champion to collect maximum points at Aragon and the #93 delivered. Now, while Misano isn’t necessarily considered a MM93 stranglehold, Marquez does boast six MotoGP victories at the circuit – including two in the last two years. And if we hark back to the 2025 San Marino GP, we’ll recall a fascinating battle between Marc Marquez and Bezzecchi. A repeat would be more than welcome.
As it really ramps up, we’re now into the unrelenting run to Valencia. Martin, Marc Marquez, and Bezzecchi split by those 24 points. Is it between those three, or can anyone else propel themselves back into contention?

apriliaracing aragongp13 2026 saturday 03 — Marco Bezzecchi (72) at Aragon. Photo courtesy Aprilia Racing.

APRILIA SEEKING RESPONSE ON HOME TERRITORY

While some ground was given up in Aragon, it wasn’t a bad weekend at the office for Aprilia. Given Bezzecchi’s continuing return to full fitness, it was a very good weekend for the Italian ahead of his home Grand Prix, and one where Bez chopped the championship gap to Martin down by a few points.

For Martin, Aragon was a weekend where he simply didn’t have the pace to scrap for a podium. Instead, it was about settling for the absolute maximum possible, which is exactly what the #89 did with a pair of P5s. A cool, calm, and experienced head is on the shoulders of Martin in 2026, who knows from his 2024 title-winning campaign that consistency is key. Having said that, consistency alone isn’t key. The Spaniard was a Tissot Sprint and Grand Prix winner at the San Marino GP in 2023, can he be fighting for those honours again this weekend to keep – or extend – his standings lead?

Fabio Di Giannantonio (49) at Aragon. Photo courtesy VR46 Team.

THE CHASERS

Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) endured one of his toughest weekends of the season to surrender valuable points in the championship. A Misano podium would be very much welcomed from the Italian, who needs some big results soon if he’s going to drag himself back into serious title contention.

48 points is the gap from Martin to Di Giannantonio, with Ai Ogura (SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team) now 53 away from the championship lead after his hand injury ruled the Japanese star out of MotorLand. Where will Ogura slot back in?

Then there’s Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). It was a sublime ride on Sunday in Aragon, going toe-to-toe with his 2027 teammate for the majority of the Grand Prix, Acosta showed exactly what he’s about. And while a title tilt looks to be too far of a stretch, the #37 looks set to have a big say on where the 2026 crown ends up. Can Acosta produce more of the same at Misano?

In seventh, Raul Fernandez (SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team). After a Grand Prix to remember at Silverstone, Aragon was the opposite for the Spaniard, who after an unfortunate mechanical issue on Sunday sees his deficit to the top rise to 70 points. Fernandez will be seeking a rapid response this weekend.

Alex Marquez on the grid at Aragon. Photo courtesy Gresini.

MIXED FORTUNES

BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP’s Alex Marquez collected a Sprint silver medal and P4 in Aragon to continue his very solid return to action, and Fermin Aldeguer’s double P6 was a fine way to bounce back after his injury layoff. The Spaniards will be confident of fighting at the front in San Marino. Unfortunately for Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), meanwhile, it was a weekend to forget at MotorLand, who now has three Sunday DNFs in his last four outings. The Italian will be desperate to find some forward momentum in front of his adoring fans at Misano. Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) too, who goes in search of a return to the top 10 for the first time since the Catalan GP on home soil.

Meanwhile, Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) lands at Misano – a circuit ‘The Beast’ won at in 2024 and bagged a debut MotoGP podium at in 2021 – from a P8 finish in Aragon, while Brad Binder’s (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) Sunday P10 didn’t tell the full tale after the South African was shuffled down to P20 at beginning of the Grand Prix and shot back up the order. And after Pol Espargaro stepped in to replace the injured Maverick Viñales at the last two Grands Prix, the #44 will continue to race at Red Bull KTM Tech3 at Misano as Viñales’ recovery continues.

Johann Zarco (5) at Aragon. Photo courtesy Honda LCR.

BUILDING MOMENTUM

How good was it to see Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) back in the saddle? And what a return it was too! Having missed the last six Grands Prix, Zarco sailed into Q2, backed it up with a P9 in the Sprint, and then salvaged a point after his double Long Lap on Sunday. Teammate Diogo Moreira (Pro Honda LCR) also impressed, with P7 in the Sprint and a P9 in the Grand Prix secured the Brazilian a second Saturday-Sunday double points haul of the year. That’s now five Sunday top 10s so far for Moreira in 2026, and the #11 bagged top HRC honours in Aragon too. Impressive progress. On the flip side, despite both riders picking up points in Aragon, it was a lowkey weekend for both Joan Mir and Honda HRC Castrol teammate Luca Marini, who will be looking for more at Misano – Marini especially on home turf.

Aragon saw Yamaha back in the top 10 mix too, with Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) leading the charge. It’s four top 12 results on the spin in the lead up to Misano for him. Teammate Toprak Razgatlioglu ended his weekend with a Turn 12 crash, but the Turk was ruffling feathers in the fight for a top 10 too for much of the weekend. Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) collected points in P13 at his home Grand Prix, while teammate Fabio Quartararo goes in search of a first Sunday points finish since his German GP P7, at the circuit where he became the 2021 MotoGP World Champion.

37 points a weekend makes every GP a pivotal stage as the pendulum keeps swinging in 2026. Will it remain that trio pulling away at the front? Or can someone make a stand to get back in contention? Tune in for the Red Bull Grand Prix of San Marino and the Rimini Riviera as we take aim at Valencia and ramp up the pressure.

WSBK: Jack Miller Signs With Pata Maxus Yamaha Team

Mathilde Gasnier

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September 8, 2026

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WSBK: Jack Miller Signs With Pata Maxus Yamaha Team

After 11 seasons in the MotoGP paddock, Jack Miller will trade Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP purple for WorldSBK Pata Maxus Yamaha blue next season. One of several MotoGP riders who had found themselves without a seat for next season, he will bring top of the line talent and a burst of new energy to the team after what has been an uphill battle in 2026.

BREAKOUT SUCCESS IN GERMANY

Earning his stripes back in 2011 with an eye-catching German IDM 125cc championship run on the back of one win and seven podiums, he earned a full-time seat in Moto3 at just 16 years old in the subsequent 2012 season on Honda machinery. Over the next three years, he grew into that role tremendously, landing 23^rd on the Championship standings in 2012, up to 7^th in 2013, and even better once again in 2014 with his move to Red Bull KTM Ajo, taking second place with six wins and 10 podiums, losing out to Alex Marquez for the Moto3 title.

STRAIGHT FROM MOTO3 TO MOTOGP

That showing however made Miller a hot commodity on the rider market, and earned him a jump directly into MotoGP with LCR Honda. After a debut season of growth, he swapped seats to ride with the Marc VDS Racing Team in 2016, where he landed his maiden win at a rainy Assen, charging up the grid from P18. Over subsequent seasons, the Australian rode well for nearly every manufacturer on the grid, swapping in 2018 to ride on a Ducati with Pramac Racing, then in 2021 swapping to the factory Ducati seat for two years, before a two-year stint with the Red Bull KTM factory Racing bike, and most recently, two seasons back with Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP. Overall, he has compiled a total of four wins and 23 podium finishes in the class.

“I’VE HAD A SMALL TASTE OF THE BIKE AT SUZUKA… HOPEFULLY WE CAN DO SOMETHING REALLY STRONG”

The Aussie will bring his 11 years of MotoGP lessons and experience to the WorldSBK paddock, along with a fun-loving character and sharp wit. Miller’s hunger to win is beyond question, and he will be an encouraging face to build around for the likes of Paul Denning as the Yamaha outfit look to bring their bike back to its former glory.

On his move into the WorldSBK paddock next season, Miller said: “I am really excited to announce that I’m heading over to WorldSBK together with Yamaha, extending our partnership together. I have really enjoyed working with the brand these past few years in MotoGP and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to see what we can do on the R1. I have had a small taste of the bike at Suzuka the last couple of years, and while the WorldSBK-spec bike is a bit different I am really looking forward to this next chapter in my career and hopefully we can do something really strong over there.”

Yamaha Motor Europe Road Racing Sporting Manager, Niccolo Canepa added: “We are hugely excited to welcome Jack Miller to Yamaha’s WorldSBK project in 2027, and personally I am very happy to have him join our team. The opportunity to bring a rider of his experience and talent into our official team was too good to miss, and we are already looking forward to the first tests. His Grand Prix experience, particularly his knowledge of Michelin tires, will be extremely valuable for us. He has already achieved strong results with the R1 at Suzuka, so we are excited to see what he can do on the WorldSBK-spec bike and what he can contribute to the R1’s continued development. Beyond the technical side, Jack’s personality and international profile will also be a great asset in strengthening Yamaha’s presence and bringing even more attention to the WorldSBK Championship. We are very much looking forward to starting this new chapter together.”

Tune in for the final rounds of this season as the battles up and down the grid heats up at Cremona on Friday, September 25^th! Don’t miss a moment with the WorldSBK VideoPass! Now 70% off!

AHRMA: Poons’ Artwork Heads to Auction at Barber

Mathilde Gasnier

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September 8, 2026

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AHRMA: Poons’ Artwork Heads to Auction at Barber

Larry Poons’ Original Art to be Auctioned again at the 21st Barber Vintage Festival.

(September 8, Knoxville, TN) Renowned artist and motorcycle road racer Larry Poons is adding an artistic touch to a world class motorsports festival.

Poons is donating an original, matted-and-framed acrylic on paper creation that will be auctioned at the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) event during the Barber Vintage Festival in Leeds, AL.

Bids for the silent auction will be accepted in the AHRMA road race registration area until 5:00pm Saturday, October 10 and a live auction will bring the auction to a conclusion during the road race awards ceremony Saturday evening. Proceeds from the auction will benefit AHRMA, which is a not-for-profit organization.

“Larry Poons has become such a familiar and welcome presence in the AHRMA paddock, and he brings a wonderful mix of passion for racing and the arts to our community,” said Greg “GT” Tomlinson, Chairman of the AHRMA Board of Trustees for 2026. “Larry is, of course, a highly respected and collectible artist whose work is sought after around the world, so having one of his original pieces available at our Barber auction is something pretty special. The live auction during Saturday’s awards ceremony has become one of the highlights of our race weekend, and we hope everyone will come out and be part of it. We’re incredibly grateful to Larry for his generosity and for being such an important part of the AHRMA family. The proceeds from his painting will go directly to support AHRMA’s Benevolent and Safety Funds, making this a great opportunity to enjoy Larry’s work while helping fellow members of our community.”

Poons has competed in a variety of AHRMA road racing events for decades aboard Ducati and Seeley-framed machines. He was the 500 Premier class champion in 1998 and 2003. In 2003, he and his wife Paula received AHRMA’s John & Ginny Demoisey Memorial Award for outstanding husband and wife racing team.

His career as an artist was kickstarted in 1963 with his first solo exhibition at Richard Bellamy’s Green Gallery in New York. His works have appeared in shows along with other notable artists including Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning. He pioneered ground-breaking techniques along with his contemporary and collaborator Frank Stella.

Poons continues to create original works including the piece to be auctioned during the Barber Vintage Festival. Read more about Larry Poons and his art at larrypoons.com.

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.

Oxley Bom MotoGP Podcast: Track Designer Bob Barnard

Mathilde Gasnier

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September 8, 2026

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Oxley Bom MotoGP Podcast: Track Designer Bob Barnard

Sadly, we’ve lost Philip Island. So now what’s going to take us back to Australia?

Well, welcome to the Adelaide Street Circuit. It’s 4,13 km (2,57 miles) long, has 15 turns and might run straight through some very special parkland.

It’s also, thanks to reasons not completely unrelated to the above, rather controversial.

Having seen the virtual rendition, Mat and Peter are wary. Don’t get us wrong, it seems like a lovely idea to make a street track. But should it really be in the middle of a park? Regardless, it’s happening next year so we might as well see if it’s any good for racing. And in order to do that, we decided to call an old friend of the show.

His name is Bob Barnard, and he makes racetracks for a living. Racetracks like Philip Island. For some reason, he doesn’t seem to be the Adelaide Street Circuit’s biggest fan.

If you haven’t heard our previous interview with Bob, I can recommend giving it a listen. He’s got some great stories and he knows how to tell them. He’s also got a mind like nobody else when it comes to the complexities of track design, as he shows us this week how many factors enter into the nightmare of complexities that is a racing track.

So come join us as we ask Bob to take us on a tour from the right shapes of gravel to actual riot control. Let’s go!

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE!

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Want more? Visit our website or support us on Patreon. With big thanks as always to Brad Baloo from The Next Men and Gentleman’s Dub Club for writing our theme song. Check out The Nextmen for more great music!

Oh, and a quick word in regards to sponsors:
If you’re interested in connecting with a really unique MotoGP audience — we’re working with Smash Brand Group out of Sydney to manage partnerships. Curious? Just head to smashbrandgroup.com.au and get in touch!

Moto4 Latin Cup: Matsudaira Podiums, Salem P4

Mathilde Gasnier

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September 7, 2026

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Moto4 Latin Cup: Matsudaira Podiums, Salem P4

American rider Kensei Matsudaira scored three podium finishes during Rounds 7-8-9 of the 2026 Moto4 Latin Cup at San Juan Villicum, qualifying P2 and finishing P3 P3 in races 1 & 2, and P2 in race 3.

Kensei Matsudaira: “Another weekend in the books. The races today were better with me being in the front group fighting for the win. In the end both races came down to strategy and I definitely learned and will continue to push. Thank you to all the fans and supporters.”

Kensei Matsudaira on the podium after finishing P.3 in race 1 at San Juan Villicum. Photo courtesy of Kensei Matsudaira.

Palestinian-American Mahdi Salem qualified P4 and finished 4th in Race 1. After a timing issue forced him to start Race 2 from P7, Salem recovered to finish P4, followed by P5 in Race 3. He remains third in the championship with two rounds remaining.

Mahdi Salem at San Juan Villicum. Photo courtesy Mahdi Salem.

Mahdi Salem: “Not the easiest weekend, but still a lot of positives to take from it. Friday was a decent day getting to know the track and finding some pace. Saturday we qualified P4 and finished P4 in Race 1. Sunday was a bit more challenging. Some technical issues with the live timing so we had to start P7, but we kept pushing. Finished P4 in Race 2 and P5 in Race 3. Definitely not the weekend we were hoping for, but we learned a lot. P3 in the championship with 2 rounds to go. We’ll come back stronger for the next one”

Series Points:

MotoMINI Canadian National: Round 5 From Lombardy

Mathilde Gasnier

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September 7, 2026

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MotoMINI Canadian National: Round 5 From Lombardy

Cardenas breaks through while Stockill Rebounds.

The penultimate round of the 2026 MotoMINI FIM Canadian National Championships took place at their “home base” of Lombardy Raceway, north of Kingston on Lake Ontario. Lombardy is the only venue to host events in every season of the Mini “Spec” Nationals. In GP-0 action for the big wheel 190 Ohvale division, 13-year-old, locally based Jager Stockill returned to form to win both races, after the frustration of double electrical DNFs at the previous Shannonville Nat.

The big news was in the busy Ohvale 160 category, where Martina Cardenas, age 11, scored her first career National win in the seventh instalment of the ten-race series. Cardenas is the first female racer in North America to win a Mini National event.

After poor starts hurt her efforts in previous rounds, a full-focus Cardenas nailed the hole shot to lead light-to-flag in the opener, edging runner-up Tommy Molnar by just over three seconds. So far this season, Molnar has dominated the 160 division.

Molnar is from Port Coquitlam, British Columbia on Canada’s west coast, with Cardenas based nearby in Maple Ridge. This area is famous for producing six-time Canadian Superbike Champion Steve Crevier.

In 160 Qualifying One, Cardenas was quickest by just .09 of a second from Molnar, the pace at 47.53 sec. Third was Dayton, Ohio’s SWG-backed Xander Hilligas, joining the series for the first time. In Q2, Cardenas dropped the pace to 47.51, good enough for pole from Molnar (47.8), Hilligas (49.2) and the other typical front runner, Will Brown (49.5) earning the pole on row two.

Race one for the 160s was an entertaining affair, with Cardenas in the lead and Molnar trying everything to stay with her. Brown and Hilligas fought for third, eventually placing 16 seconds back from the winner in that order. Next was the fight for fifth, Deacon Hoffman eventually fighting off Tammer Chehade.

In race two Molnar responded to race one defeat in fine form, taking the point from the start and then holding off extreme pressure from the closely pursing Cardenas. Traffic eventually settled the outcome, with Molnar 1.7 seconds ahead of Cardenas. Twenty-four seconds further back, Hilligas shook off Brown to complete the podium.

Brown placed fourth, while Hoffman was fifth ahead of Abel Byberg. Molnar looks to have a trip to Spain for the World Championships locked in:

Ohvale 160 GP-0 Points Standings after eight of ten races:

Tommy Molnar 190 Pts.
Martina Cardenas 153 Pts.
Will Brown 106 Pts.
Tammer Chehade 76 Pts.
Xander Hilligas 75 Pts.

209C6B~1 — Historical moment: the opening Ohvale 160 Canadian MotoMINI National at Lombardy was won by Martina Cardenas (centre), the first success by a female. Points leader Tommy Molnar (left was second) and Will Brown (right) netted third. Photo by Colin Fraser for Super Sonic Roadracing School.

Stockill was in fine form during practice and Qualifying for the bigger class, pushing all out, knowing he needed solid finishes to make up for two no-points DNFs at the previous National. In Q1, Stockill went quickest at 45.18, then carved a further whole one hundredth off in Q2 to set pole at 45.16 seconds.

Double winner at the previous Shannonville National and a force in RACEMoto Regional Middleweight action on a Snow City Kawasaki 500, Stefan Tanasic netted second overall with a top time in Q1 at 46.2. Second in points Eric Sergi was third at 47.9, with Cohen Byberg fourth (50.8).

Stockill was relentless in the 190 opener, running at a consistent Q pace (best lap of 45.19) to take first by 29 seconds from runner-up Tanasic. Sergi fought off Byberg to earn third, another 47 seconds back from victor Stockill.

2026 MotoMINI CDN NAts Rd 5 Lombardy ON Ohvale 190 race two first lap winner no 68 Jager Stockill leads runner up 15 Stefan Tanasic and third placed No 38 Eric Sergi by CF Sept 5 — Start of the rain-shortened second race for Ohvale 190s at MotoMINI Canadian National round five at Lombardy, Ontario, with eventual winner Jager Stockill (no 68) leading double second placed Stefan Tanasic (No 15) and third in both races Eric Sergi (no 38). Photo by Colin Fraser for Super Sonic Roadracing School.

Race two for the 190s was more of the same, Stockill taking part of the opening of a scheduled 12 laps to get past quick starter Tanasic. From there, Stockill got down to a best lap of 44.9 seconds to take the win by 28 seconds from Tanasic, the race stopped early (9 laps) as rain arrived. Meanwhile Sergi diced with an on-form Byberg, Sergi earning third 43 seconds behind run-away winner Stockill.

With two races left to go, Tanasic looks set to make the trip to Spain, while Stockill has a chance to represent Team Canada for a third consecutive time:

Ohvale 190 GP-2 Point Standings after eight of ten races:

Stefan Tanasic 170 pts.
Jager Stockill 150 pts.
Eric Sergi 136 pts
Cohen Byberg 110 pts.

2026 MiniMOTO CDN Nats Rd 5 Lombardy ON Ohvale 190 Podium Stefan Tanasic Jager Stockill Eric Sergi by CF Sept 5 — Both Podiums for the Ohvale 190 category at the fifth round of the FIM Canadian MotoMINI Nationals were the same (left to right) runner upstefan Tanasic, victor Jager Stockill and third placed Eric Sergi. Photo by Colin Fraser for Super Sonic Roadracing School.

The final round of the MotoMINI FIM Canadian Nationals takes place on Saturday, September 26 at the interior Go-Kart track at Shannonville Motorsport Park, as part of the final RACEMoto Regional and the 50^th Anniversary celebration of the first ever motorcycle race at Nelson International Raceway.

The top racers from the overall points standings in the two Ohvale spec classes, both using spec Pirelli rubber, will then head to Valencia Spain for the World Championships, in support of the final MotoGP round, November 23-26.

AFT: Fisher Over Drane by 0.009 in Caterpillar Springfield Mile II

John Ulrich

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September 6, 2026

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AFT: Fisher Over Drane by 0.009 in Caterpillar Springfield Mile II

Fisher Over Drane by 0.009 in Caterpillar Springfield Mile II Finale Thriller

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (September 6, 2026) – Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing KTM 790 Duke) scored his second-career Mission AFT SuperTwins victory in a thrilling Caterpillar Springfield Mile II that closed out a spectacular 2026 Progressive American Flat Track season, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, in fine style.

As with his first – taken at the 2021 Charlotte Half-Mile – Fisher did so in a season-ending stunner. The difference is this one came in Springfield, Illinois, at the Illinois State Fairgrounds’ fabled Springfield Mile.

Equally noteworthy was the overall makeup of the podium, which did not feature any of the three Grand National Championship protagonists who dominated the headlines and garnered all previous 15 victories leading into the last race of the year.

While champion Dallas Daniels (No. 1 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07) and title rivals Briar Bauman (No. 3 Super.com/RWR/Rocket Doctor Harley-Davidson XG750R) and Kody Kopp (No. 12 Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davidson XG750R) played their roles in the race, Fisher ultimately earned the win by fending off KICKER AFT Singles superstar and Mission AFT SuperTwins wild card Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07) at the flag.

Fisher and Drane went back and forth for first over the back half of the contest, where it became increasingly obvious that Fisher needed to keep Drane behind him entering Turn 3 on the final lap to have any hope of taking the win. And he did exactly that, a fact that allowed him to edge the talented Australian by a meager 0.009 seconds at the flag.

Fisher said, “Tom (Drane) put up a heck of a fight. I just can’t thank the whole Rackley team enough for just chugging away at this and putting the KTM on the top of the box. My long-time sponsor Bob Lanphere from Beaverton Motorcycles made the trip here, and he told me, ‘I’m here to watch you win the Mile.’ And we did that.

“It’s pretty cool going into the off-season on top. I get to look at the scoreboard all year long, just like I did after Charlotte. It’s been a while since I got a win. It was long overdue, and it feels so great.”

2025 Springfield winner Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods Honda CB750 Hornet) finished in third, just 0.057 seconds further adrift to back up his Saturday podium with another on Sunday.

As for the title fighters, Bauman frequently ran at the head of the multi-rider lead pack until he was forced out with an apparent mechanical issue with just over four minutes remaining.

Daniels, meanwhile, lost touch with the lead group just prior to half-distance. He dropped nearly two seconds back at one point before executing a late charge aided by the back-and-forth antics of Fisher and Drane at the front. That enabled him to latch onto the tail of the draft with two laps to go, bringing him near enough to zap Kopp on the final lap for fourth.

Despite that setback, fifth was more than enough for Kopp to overtake the unlucky Bauman and finish his rookie premier-class campaign ranked second in the Grand National Championship.

Behind, Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650) took a lonely sixth, while Declan Bender (No. 70 Memphis Shades/Vinson Construction Yamaha MT-07) won out in a tight all-Yamaha battle for seventh, finishing just ahead of Hunter Bauer (No. 24 G&G Racing Yamaha MT-07) and Chad Cose (No. 49 PRO Roofing/Parker Racing Yamaha MT-07).

The “Wizard” Jeffrey Carver, Jr. (No. 123 Mission Foods/Roof Systems Harley-Davidson XG750R) earned a popular top ten in his return to action at the Springfield Mile.

Daniels concluded his second-consecutive championship-winning campaign with 309 points. He was followed by Kopp (274) and Bauman (270).

Fisher rounded out a fine season in fourth with 216 points, followed by Lowe at 178.

KICKER AFT Singles

The KICKER AFT Singles category held out until its final Main Event of the season to unleash its wildest race of 2026.

Twelve riders went back and forth for ten minutes and (nearly) two laps, swapping the lead at the end of almost every straight. That intensity reached its boiling point on the final lap, at which point Logan Eisenhard (No. 66 Mark Tepper Racing/Pags Powersports KTM 450 SX-F) got sucked up the track and collected Jordan Beaulac (No. 156 Picotte Motosport/Dofralex GASGAS MC 450F), sending both riders into the Airfence.

The incident brought out a red flag while double class champ Tom Drane (No. 1 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) held the lead negotiating the race’s final lap.

However, Chase Saathoff (No. 88 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450) had actually taken the white flag to open that lap inches ahead of both Kage Tadman (No. 28 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) (0.038 seconds back) and Drane (0.039) as the massive group maneuvered to set up their last-gasp sprints to a checkered flag that would never wave.

As a result, the win was awarded to Saathoff in what might prove to be an unexpected conclusion to an epic, years-long KICKER AFT Singles rivalry should one or both graduate to premier-class duty in 2027.

After picking up his second victory of the season, home-state hero Saathoff said, “It still feels great to win. I’m super grateful, and I do feel we would have had a chance at the line. I can’t thank the whole team enough; it’s been a great year. I’m very blessed to be up here right now, even though it was by a technicality… it happens.”

Tadman was credited with second while Drane officially finished third – a tough luck end to his seven-race Mile win streak aboard the YZ450F.

Trevor Brunner (No. 21 JMC Motorsports/Fairway GMC KTM 450 SX-F) and Jared Lowe (No. 63 Big R Racing/Vinson Construction Honda CRF450R) rounded out the top five in that order.

Walker Porter (No. 10 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), Bradon Pfanders (No. 83 Memphis Shades/Corbin Seats Yamaha YZ450F), Tarren Santero (No. 75 Roof Systems/Texas Utility Studies/Vinson Construction Honda CRF450R), Jett Katarzy (No. 117 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450) and Kaleb Martin (No. 93 GETMOREBIKE Honda CRF450F) were listed sixth through tenth, respectively, in the official results.

Despite Sunday’s minor disappointment, Drane had already locked down a record-breaking nine-win season to round out a second consecutive crushing title triumph. He ended his campaign with 303 points, followed by Saathoff at 257 and Tadman with 226.

AFT SPringfield II Official results
AFT Singles official final results Springfield IIPSF1PRESS

R.I.P.: Remembering Mert Lawwill, Champion & Movie Star (Videos)

John Ulrich

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September 6, 2026

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Remembering Mert Lawwill, Champion & Movie Star

1940-2026

By Lori Tyson Richwine

The motorcycle and mountain bike communities came together at the Carson Center in Carson, California to pay their respects and say goodbye to a true legend, Mert Lawwill.

There were amazing vintage dirt track bikes and racing bicycles lining the entryway, along with a wall of career-defining photos from way back in the early days up to the latter days of his career.

The banquet room was filled with the warmth of Mert’s legacy. Nearly 500 attendees watched Dana Brown’s tribute film with tearful eyes and grins on faces. And Mert’s son Joe’s speech brought a tear to the eye and a smile to many faces.

For many, it was a reminder of the original On Any Sunday movie, prominently featuring Mert’s AMA Championship.

And learning about how “Mert’s Hands” prosthetics giving wounded bicycle and motorcycle riders their dignity and freedom back, was a side that many were not aware of.

Mert Lawwill was and is a legend who won’t be soon forgotten.

May He Rest In Peace…

Scroll down for videos.

1980 ME Mert SJ 2024 Mush Emmons — Mert Lawwill in 1980. Photo copyright 2026 by Mush Emmons, all rights reserved.

Mert and Joe Lawwill back in the day IMG 0418 — Mert Lawwill and his son Joe, back in the day. Photo courtesy Joe Lawwill/Lawwill family.

Young family: Mert, June, and baby Lawwill. Photo courtesy Joe Lawwill/Lawwill family.

Mert wave email — A photo of Mert Lawwill in more recent times, superimposed over a flat track action shot from his AMA racing days, when he ran and won as #18. Photo artwork courtesy Joe Lawwill/Lawwill family.

Lawwill1 — Several racebikes were on display at the event honoring Mert Lawwill at the Carson Center. Photo by Lori Tyson Richwine.

Lawwill1 street tracker 1 Tyson — The first Mert Lawwill Enterprises street tracker. Photo by Lori Tyson Richwine.

Photo wall Tyson — One side of a photo wall commemorating Mert Lawwill’s life. Photo by Lori Tyson Richwine.

Mert Lawwill flip side of wall of fame ReNoLcNA — Seen on the flip side of the Wall of Fame at the event honoring Mert Lawwill’s legacy. Photo by Lori Tyson Richwine.

Mert Lawwill event speakers Q8FOR GQ — Speakers at the Mert Lawwill event included, from left, Don Emde, On Any Sunday camera man Allan Seymour, David Aldana, Kenny Roberts, and Wayne Rainey. The photo in the background shows (from left) Lawwill, Steve McQueen, a film crew member, Malcolm Smith, and film maker/director Bruce Brown. Photo by Lori Tyson Richwine.

Mert commemoration David Aldana L3HXg Dw — David Aldana speaking about being featured along with Mert Lawwill in the On Any Sunday movie. Aldana also raced a couple of XR750s built by Mert. Photo by Lori Tyson Richwine.

Mert Lawwill commemoration Kenny Roberts speaks Sk J k0g — Kenny Roberts talking about racing and working with Mert Lawwill. Photo by Lori Tyson Richwine.

Mert sharper Wayne photo by Lori — Wayne Rainey remembers Mert Lawwill as he speaks to the crowd. Photo by Lori Tyson Richwine.

Joe Lawwill Lori Richwine picsY5J7BjA — Joe Lawwill speaking at the Carson Center. Photo by Lori Tyson Richwine.

More, From Mert’s Son Joe Lawwill:

To everyone who joined us on Sunday,

I want to express my heartfelt thanks to all of you who attended Mert’s Celebration of Life. Seeing nearly 500 people gathered together to celebrate my father was incredibly moving. Many of you traveled a great distance to be there, and I want you to know how much that effort meant to me and our entire family.

As I shared in my speech, I have been deeply touched by the response to Mert’s passing and by the unwavering support I received while putting this event together. Everywhere I turned for help or guidance, I consistently heard the same response:

“For Mert? Absolutely. What do you need?”

That says so much about the way Mert treated people throughout his life. It is also a powerful reminder that how we treat the people around us matters. Being generous with our time, helping others and setting a good example whenever we have the opportunity really does make a lasting difference. The love and support surrounding Sunday’s event were a reflection of the impact Mert had on so many people.

I would also like to thank each of our speakers for sharing their memories and stories on stage. Together, they helped tell the story of Mert’s life in a way that was personal, honest, funny and meaningful. Hearing those stories—and hearing the laughter and emotion throughout the room—was exactly what I hoped the day would be.

I also want to recognize Chris Curto from High Impact Event Technology and his entire AV team for their outstanding work throughout the program. The audio and visual presentation was exceptional, and their skill and professionalism helped everything on stage come together seamlessly. Their work was a critical part of the experience, and I am extremely grateful for everything they did.

A very special acknowledgment must go to our beloved Mert’s Hands crew. Having Jake McCullough, Sherman Lee, Shane Cahill, Josie Fouts and John Van Hoove, better known as “Bandit,” all in attendance was truly special. Every one of these remarkable people is an inspiration, and Mert would have been absolutely delighted to know they were all there together.

I also want to sincerely thank the many attendees who made additional donations in support of the event. A very special thank-you goes to Chris Carter of Motion Pro, whose generosity and support made a tremendous difference. These contributions allowed me to continue moving forward with the level of quality and attention to detail that I felt Mert’s celebration deserved. Quite simply, that generosity helped make it possible to create the first-class event that all of us experienced on Sunday.

I also want to recognize the incredible team at Proforma Hi-Rez. They were instrumental in turning the vision for the displays into reality. Working within a tight timeline, they kept this ambitious project moving forward, worked through countless construction details, built the displays and handled the printing of all the graphics. Throughout the process, they continually checked in with me to make sure everything remained true to the vision and that I was comfortable with each direction before they proceeded. Their commitment to getting it all across the finish line was extraordinary. They were truly fabulous to work with, and without their talent, dedication and tireless work behind the scenes, the displays could never have come together as beautifully as they did.

Having ChadMichael Morrisette from Oh Mannequin to lean on for all of the mannequins was also a tremendous help and relief. His support played an important role in bringing the racing displays together and allowing us to present those pieces of Mert’s history in such a compelling way. I am also very grateful to Alec Call and Bryan Johns for generously sponsoring ChadMichael’s services and helping make this important part of the displays possible.

Once again, I need to give special credit to Don Emde. Don’s help and guidance early in the planning process paved the way for much of what you experienced on Sunday. He also made the wonderful commemorative booklet about Mert’s life possible. A heartfelt thank-you goes to Mike Cowan, who stepped up in a very significant way to help ensure we could afford to produce the booklet in full color and with the quality I felt Mert’s story deserved. I also want to recognize Zap Espinoza for helping craft so many of the words in the book, as well as Mert’s childhood friend Al Kozak, who contributed the wonderful stories that brought Mert’s early years to life.

I hope everyone in attendance received a copy of the booklet. For anyone who did not—or for those who were unable to attend—I have added a digital copy to Mert’s website. The wonderful tribute video created by the Brown family is also available there. You can find both on the Mert Lawwill Celebration of Life page.

We will also be sharing a short highlight video on Mert’s Instagram and Facebook pages as soon as possible. A special thank-you goes to Rich Van Every, who hustled throughout the event capturing photos and video and will be editing both of our recap videos. His work will help preserve the day and allow us to share it with many more people.

In addition to the quick recap, we are producing an extended video that will capture much more of the complete experience of Mert’s Celebration of Life. We expect to share it in the coming weeks.

I am also very happy to share that many of the displays you saw on Sunday will have a future home. Troy Lee is planning to open a small museum at the Troy Lee Designs headquarters in Corona, with the goal of having it open in December. Once it is ready, you will have an opportunity to revisit many of the displays from Mert’s Celebration of Life and experience those pieces of his story again. I will share more information as those plans come together on Mert’s Instagram and Facebook pages.

For those who ordered a Mert T-shirt but were unable to attend the event, please know that we will absolutely get your shirt sent to you. We just need a little time to decompress and then sort through the remaining orders to identify all of the shirts that need to be shipped. We promise we will get to it as soon as possible, and we appreciate your patience and understanding.

For anyone who did not preorder a shirt but would still like one, we will be offering a limited additional print run. We will announce the details on Mert’s social media pages.

There were so many people working behind the scenes, offering advice, loaning important items, sharing photographs and stories, building displays, helping with registration and doing whatever was needed to bring the day together. I remain incredibly grateful to every one of you. I will never forget the generosity, encouragement and friendship you showed me and my family.

Most of all, thank you for being there. Thank you for sharing your stories, your laughter and your memories. Thank you for helping us give Mert the celebration he deserved.

It was an unforgettable day, and all of you made it possible.

With sincere gratitude,

Joe Lawwill

Mert Crowd Number 2 0h5dHiOg — A crowd of nearly 500 people showed up for the Mert Lawwill commemorative event. Photo by Lori Tyson Richwine.

Lawwill Crowd another view 21 yzEBQ — Another view of the crowd at the Mert Lawwill memorial event. Photo by Lori Tyson Richwine.

Merts Hands display IMG 1725 — Besides building motorcycle and mountain bike frames and suspension parts, Mert Lawwill also engineered and built prosthetic hands to allow amputees to ride motorcycles and bicycles with more secure control. This display was at the Lawwill memorial event. Photo by Don Emde.

Speakers, in order of appearance on stage:

Don Emde (emcee)

Joe Lawwill

Marcy Lawwill (Mert’s daughter, Joe’s younger sister; their mom June predeceased Mert)

Al Kozak

Kyle Kozak

Allan Seymour

David Aldana

Kenny Roberts

Wayne Rainey

John Parker

Zap Espinoza

Troy Lee

Jake McCullough

John Van Hoove

Josie Fouts

Sherman Lee

Shane Cahill

Dana Brown

Online, check these videos out:

https://www.mertlawwill.com/pages/celebration-of-life

MRA: Elliott Captures Race of the Rockies Open Championship

September 9, 2026

DSC 8863 — Kreece Elliot wins Race of the Rockies Open Championship. Photo by Kelly Vernell

The Motorcycle Roadracing Association closed out its 2026 season at High Plains Raceway on September 6, returning to the West Course for the first time since 2024. The two-mile configuration provided a unique challenge for the final round, but with championships on the line across the MRA’s premier classes, the focus remained firmly on the riders fighting for one last opportunity to finish the season on top.

The Fay Myers Race of the Rockies Open championship was one of the season’s most closely watched battles. Mat Cunha came out of the gate strong, winning the opening two rounds and establishing himself as the early championship favorite. Kreece Elliott answered with victories in Rounds 3 and 4, steadily closing the gap before taking over the championship lead heading into the final round.

Justen Behmer remained a consistent presence near the front of the field throughout the season, while David Lambert Sr. stayed within championship contention. Jayden Fernandez was also an important part of the early-season ROTR Open fight before turning his attention to his MotoAmerica commitments for the remainder of the year.

That left Elliott entering the season finale with the championship lead and Cunha looking to close the season with one final victory. With the West Course back on the schedule and the championship still to be decided, the stage was set for one last battle in the MRA’s premier class.

Fay Myers Race of the Rockies Open

Cunha started the final showdown exactly as he intended, putting his Alpha Racing BMW on pole position by just 0.339 seconds over Elliott. Behmer, aboard his #67 machine, completed the front row of the grid.

When the lights went out, it was Elliott who squeezed past Cunha into Turn 1, taking the lead off the start.

Cunha immediately went to work. On the opening lap, down the back straight, the Alpha Racing BMW powered past Elliott before Turn 4, putting Cunha back at the front. Behmer and David Lambert Sr. #28 remained close behind.

By Lap 5, Elliott and Behmer had closed the 1.3-second gap to Cunha down to just half a second. From that point forward, the three riders were stuck together like glue, producing one of the most entertaining battles of the season.

Elliott applied constant pressure to Cunha, while Behmer remained close enough to capitalize on any mistake. The trio circulated together for the remainder of the race, but Cunha managed the gap perfectly. Despite Elliott’s relentless pressure, Cunha never gave the championship leader the opening he needed.

Cunha held on to take the checkered flag and the final Race of the Rockies Open victory of the 2026 season. Elliott crossed the line second, with Behmer completing the podium in third.

Fay Myers Race of the Rockies Open — Round 5 Results

Position	Rider
1st	Mat Cunha #12
2nd	Kreece Elliott #97
3rd	Justen Behmer #67

While Cunha had the final-round victory, Elliott had already done enough to secure the championship.

2026 Fay Myers Race of the Rockies Open — Final Championship Standings

Championship	Rider
1st — Champion	Kreece Elliott #97
2nd	Mat Cunha #12
3rd	David Lambert Sr. #28
4th	Justen Behmer #67

Elliott’s championship capped a season in which momentum repeatedly shifted between the two riders. Cunha opened the year with consecutive victories, while Elliott responded with back-to-back wins of his own in the middle of the season. Elliott’s consistency and strong second half ultimately allowed him to carry the championship lead into the finale and leave High Plains Raceway as the 2026 Fay Myers Race of the Rockies Open Champion.

Cunha’s victory in the finale provided a fitting ending to his championship campaign, while Lambert’s consistency throughout the season earned him third in the final standings. Behmer’s third-place finish in the finale was a strong way to close a season that saw him remain a regular threat at the front of the field, ultimately finishing fourth in the final championship standings.

The final race belonged to Cunha, but the championship belonged to Elliott.

Apex Autoglass Race of the Rockies Middleweight