Former racer and track day instructor Stu Smith rides and reviews the Kawasaki ZX-4RR and discusses where a 400cc-class inline-Four fits into club racing categories.
© , Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
First Person/Opinion: Nick Ienatsch Imagines His Future
Fatal State Fair Accident Provides Insight into Future
Motorcyclists Involved in Bumper-car Mishap
Many of you saw the news of the fatal Cook County Fair bumper-car incident where a group of motorcycle riders paid $1.50 to drive the electric bumper-cars for 10 minutes.
From the Cook County Chieftain newspaper: “A group of five crotch-rocket pilots joined the usual mix of kids for a 10-minute bumper-car session at the Cook County Fair last night. At the seven-minute mark a fatal accident occurred when one of the motorcyclists accidentally touched his head against the electrified floor of the bumper-car arena, immediately shocking himself with 5,400 volts.”
That was me. I was trying to get the bumper car to turn better by using my body.
Apparently I lost my balance and my heart was shocked to a standstill with 5,400 volts, but I don’t remember it much. All I know is that I woke up in a town called Purgatory in a long line waiting to talk to “Pete,” according to his name tag.
By the time I reached Pete, he was tired. I gave him my paperwork and he mistook the capital “I” (i) of my last name for a lower-case “l” (L). This happens all the time. “Nick Lenatsch, Nick Lenatsch…” he muttered to himself. “I can’t find any naughty information on you, so please come in.” He swung open a big gate, clapped me on the back, and noticed my “I’d rather push my motorcycle than drive a car” T-shirt and said, “Motorcycle rider? Most all you riders make it up here. Take a left here and follow the signs. The Boss is usually over there anyway.”
I didn’t need the signs because I could hear a bike revving, and as I got closer it sounded more and more like a multi-cylinder two-stroke getting warmed up. I had heard it a thousand times; I turned the corner to finally see the bike. Imagine my shock when I came face to face with God and Jarno Saarinen!
I had never met Jarno or God, but they are both very recognizable. God was holding his beard away from the spinning dry clutch as he crouched next to what appeared to be Valentino Rossi’s championship-winning 2001 NSR500. Jarno was on the other side, blipping the throttle and the thing sounded tight and right.
They both looked over and waved, so I said hello and added, “Man, sounds like you’ve got the jetting perfect!”
God laughed and shook his head. “No, up here everything is fuel-injected.” I then noticed the laptop Jarno held.
“But I thought fuel-injection limited a two-stoke’s ability to rev,” I exclaimed.
Jarno shook his head again. “That excuse is just being put forth by the four-stroke manufacturers who have invested so much time and money in a weak, flawed product that is slow…and difficult and expensive to rebuild.”
God reached up and punched the kill switch, shutting down the four-cylinder 500. In the sudden silence I could hear another smoker running on what sounded like a dirt track. The bike wasn’t being shifted, just run to redline in a single gear then shut-down for the corner. I could hear the engine working as the tire spun on the exits and we all listened for a minute because it was truly heavenly music.
God saw me listening and explained, “Oh, that’s Nicky Hayden and a bunch of his buddies—jokers like Ricky Graham. Nicky started dirt tracking on our two-strokes, and, man, is he glad to be back on what he calls ‘a real engine.'”
“Yep, those guys have just about worn out that track!” I spun around at the sound of the English accent, and there sat Barry Sheene and Mike Hailwood, both in riding gear.
Before I could think, I blurted out, “After all your shenanigans, they let you in here, Barry?” His wild playboy life was well documented, yet here he was, in heaven.
“They did,” he answered. “Almost all motorcycle riders get to heaven.”
“So maybe there’s hope for Kenny Roberts Senior?” I asked.
“Oooh, I don’t know if I’d go that far.” Hailwood looked skeptical too, and God gave a little shake of his head as if to say, “Dat boy’s pretty crazy.” But then he added, “We might have some room for KR… After all, somebody’s gotta school Revvin’ Kevin Rentzell and the boys.”
But then I was distracted by the bikes Sheen and Hailwood were sitting on: A Britten and a Czysz. I’ve been lucky enough to ride them both, but these models looked different and I hurried in for a closer look. Sure enough, big fat expansion chambers signaled two-stroke engines in each bike. “What the hell?” I exclaimed.
“OK, watch your language,” Hailwood said with a furtive glance at God but then continued, “John and Michael never wanted heavy four-stroke engines in their chassis, so now they have a chance to do these bikes correctly. John built a 800cc V-Twin two-stroke and Michael did his offset Inline-4 trick to create a 990cc 5-degree V-4 smoker.”
“They’re both here?” I asked.
“Oh, yeah,” God confirmed. “They’re thick as thieves and have a shop at the track.”
“You have your own track?”
God looked at me and shook his head at my silly question. He pointed to his “God” name tag and I blushed, apologizing, “Sorry, just a bit overwhelmed.”
He continued. “The track was easy. I took Elkhart Lake, Mid-Ohio, Barber, and Laguna Seca and combined the best parts of each. Jarno insisted on three corners from Spa, the final turn from Monza. Kids like Tommy Aquino and Dane Westby have never ridden those European tracks, so they figuratively and literally are in heaven. Of course, we took that silly add-on chicane out of Elkhart.”
“Yeah,” piped in Barry. “Remember Marco’s reaction when you showed him videos of that chicane?”
“Simoncelli?” I asked.
Barry nodded. “Yep, he couldn’t believe they ruined the kink at Elkhart Lake with that chicane and about had a heart attack when he saw what Road Atlanta did to the Gravity Cavity. Marco has the lap record here so far, on the Czysz V, and has led us to victory in the series.”
“You have a racing series?” I had turned back to God.
He was nodding and smiling. “Yes, we do. Four times a year we travel south to Hell and run on their track against their best. Hell’s track is made up of the pavement from the old Nelson Ledges and the retaining walls from Watkins Glen with the weather of Willow Springs in August and the neighbors of Laguna Seca. We also race here four times a year.”
“How’s it going?”
“Oh, we’re undefeated since the series began in 1907.”
“Wow, congratulations,” I gasped. “That’s amazing. And it’s because good always triumphs over evil, right?”
Everybody laughed! “No,” answered God. “They’ve only got normally aspirated four-strokes in Hell.”
God let me ride Rossi’s NSR back to the track shop where I reunited with Britten and Czysz. They swept me into the work area and each still possessed that childlike excitement that had been so unique when I first met them on Earth. Merlyn Plumlee had an engine apart on the bench and then Nicky rolled in his smoker dirt tracker and gave me a dusty hug.
“How is that thing?”
“Man,” he drawled, “it’s the real deal. I don’t have any regrets, but I’d sure like to run this thing at Del Mar. My dad tunes it…we’d kick Tommy’s butt.” Trademark Nicky Hayden smile.
By this time, God, Jarno, Sheene and Hailwood had joined us and they started talking about how God’s fuel-injected two-strokes would have been game-changing on Earth.
“Do they have traction control?” I asked as I examined one of the race Brittens.
“No,” God answered. “Traction and wheelie control were relegated to Hell’s team.”
“Thank God,” Jarno blurted. Then blushed and apologized to God. Everyone laughed when He answered, “You’re welcome.”
I wasn’t laughing and God saw it. “What’s wrong?”
I turned to him and asked the question that had been on my mind since Pete waved me through the gate. “My dad, Bill Ienatsch, died a year ago….do you know of him?”
“Is that how you pronounced Bill’s last name?” Jarno asked. “I always wondered. Yes, Bill has re-engineered the wash racks and completely evolved the waxing and polishing systems we use, including changing us from a liquid wax to a paste carnauba. He and Schwarzi—Larry Schwarzbach—are either cleaning something or out riding.”
I was nodding and smiling. “So he really is in heaven. Where is he now?”
“He’s at lunch at our version of Salt Lake City’s East Canyon, one of your dad’s favorite rides…except up here there’s no gravel, cops, or oncoming traffic texting selfies,” Jarno continued. I could see Jarno and my dad got along well.
But God had walked closer to me. “Nick, did you say your last name was Ienatsch or Lenatsch?”
I gulped nervously, realizing my mistake. “Ienatsch.” I lie all the time, but it seemed impossible to lie to God right there in heaven.
God pulled an iPad out of his coveralls.
He double-checked something on the iPad then gripped my arm firmly. “Sorry, son, you’re not supposed to be here.” He quick-walked me over to a previously invisible membrane and threw me through it, yelling, “You’re going back to Earth for a little while longer, and then I’m afraid you’re going to be racing four-strokes with traction and wheelie control after that!”
As I tumbled through the atmosphere I screamed back up to God, “Wait! Pete and Barry said most motorcyclists get into heaven!”
Through the clouds I heard God’s voice reply, “Yeah, but you’re a journalist!”
I landed with a thud on the bumper-car arena floor with a sweating EMT kneeling over me pumping my chest. I could feel the burn on my forehead as his sweat dripped into the fresh wound. Kids were gathered around and somebody said, “He ain’t no Marc Márquez. He didn’t drag his elbow until after his forehead hit the floor.” But that hurtful statement hardly registered. All I could think about was: I better race AHRMA as much as possible before I die!
MotoGP: Marquez Gets It Wrong & Race Direction Was Right
First/Person Opinion:
By Michael Gougis
Even a master manipulator can get it wrong. Race Direction can get it right. And sometimes everybody just gets lucky.
After picking through the bones of Sunday’s MotoGP starting grid confusion at the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas, those are my key takeaways.
Nobody gets to be an eight-time World Champion just by being fast. Marc Marquez is always thinking and plotting–his mid-season off-track maneuvers last year got him the most desirable ride in the paddock and left many of his strongest competitors worse off.
Last Sunday, the Moto2 race was wet, and punished riders who chose slicks–American Joe Roberts among them. And as the MotoGP bikes were sent to the grid for the Grand Prix race, it was still drizzling on and off. But it was hot, so the track was drying; then it would drizzle and wet the track again. Most teams went to the grid on rain tires.
It is critical to understand that changing to a rain setup on a modern MotoGP racebike is not simple. Teams were swapping fork springs on the grid. Just pulling off the front wheel requires the removal of the brake discs and sensors. And the crew has to do this in a tiny cordoned-off area with a pile of tools, a starter, tire warmers, stands, and other equipment, and with a bunch of media types trying to do broadcasts or take pictures. There are often-clueless celebrities and VIPs milling around trying to get the perfect selfie. It is a crowded, confusing place for the riders and for the crew to make complicated changes to a very complicated racebike and to plot strategy. It’s easy for a well-meaning journalist to take a wrong step and accidently knock a rider sideways (sorry, Marc!)
As the civilians were clearing off the grid, Marquez was plotting. He was watching the weather and knew that rain tires were not the right choice, and that there was no time to switch the bike back to slicks. So he told the team to prep the backup bike in the garage, and just before the three-minute board was displayed he planned to bolt for pit lane, leaving the rain-tire-shod bike, the crew, and the stuff on the grid.
Other riders were thinking the same thing. Some were staring at the sky, knowing their team had made the wrong call on tires. Some were watching Marquez carefully when he oh-so-casually got off his bike and stood next to it. When he ran for the garage, it started a stampede. Half the other riders followed in his footsteps. Some said later they didn’t even know why they were running, but they have a deep respect for Marc’s machinations, and they figured that Marquez had figured out something.
Problem was, Marquez was wrong. To be fair, his team wasn’t exactly clear on the rules, either. Marquez thought that if he swapped bikes before the three-minute board was displayed he’d start from the back of the grid, which he would have been OK with. But he actually would have had a ride-through penalty, according to the rules. After a 2018 start-line fiasco in Argentina, the rules had changed to severely penalize MotoGP riders who swapped bikes to go from rains to slicks (or vice-versa) after the sighting lap. And the rains clearly would not have lasted the distance on Sunday. The riders on rain tires would have had to do a bike swap mid-race, costing them just as much time as a ride-through.
Marquez also thought that if 10 riders followed him, the rules required Race Direction to delay the proceedings and start everyone from the grid. But that only applies if 10 or more riders would be starting from pit lane–for example, if riders pulled in after the warmup lap and then headed back out when the race began. In reality, there was the potential for half the field to have ride-through penalties!
So with three minutes left before the start of the race, half the riders were running for the garages. (Poor Jack Miller gets to the Pramac Yamaha garage and found out that his backup machine was also on rains!) There were motorcycles abandoned on the grid. Maverick Vinales’ KTM shut itself off. There are bikes everywhere, crew members everywhere, stuff everywhere.
And this is where Race Director Mike Webb blew the whistle and brought proceedings to a halt.
Regardless of what the rules said, the situation was escalating into something dangerous. Riders who swapped bikes would have been charging down Pit Lane to get to the exit before it was closed, right at the time when crew members were trying to pull abandoned bikes and equipment off the grid. Motorsport history is littered with tragedies that have happened in Pit Lane. And being on Pit Lane just before the start of a MotoGP race gives a real perspective of just how chaotic it is under the best of circumstances. It is really easy to understand how easily someone could get hurt.
Webb did exactly what a Race Director should do–monitor a situation and take appropriate action.
Ironically, it was the chaos that Marquez sparked that ultimately worked to his benefit. Because Webb stopped everything on safety grounds and called for a quick restart, the teams had time to work on the bikes and everyone went with slicks and dry set-ups. And the grid reformed in its original configuration as per the restart rules. “They were very lucky to get away with that,” Webb said later.
At the end of the day, the three riders who initially gambled on slicks–Brad Binder, Enea Bastiannini and Ai Ogura–weren’t happy that they didn’t get to enjoy the benefits of their decision. But Binder’s bike shut itself off. Bastiannini finished seventh, more than 12 seconds down, and Ogura was ninth, more than 16 seconds back. If Marquez or Francesco Bagnaia had to serve a ride-through penalty or switch bikes, Bastiannini or Ogura may or may not have been able to hold them off. But it is likely that Bastiannini or Ogura would have finished higher than they did. So yes, the decision to stop proceedings did harm them.
Webb says the rules will be re-assessed in the wake of Sunday’s drama. And if there are penalties to be assessed, by all means, assess them. But Webb’s snap decision meant that I’m not here today writing a story about a pit lane tragedy. That’s a win in my book.
MotoAmerica: Edge Racing Enters Superbike Cup, Stock 1000
Edge Racing riders Jason Waters (92) and Jesse Ruehling (990) will be competing in the MotoAmerica Stock1000 and Superbike Cup championships starting next weekend at Barber Motorsports Park.
The team will also be competing in the WERA National Challenge and Endurance series on the PirelliMoto shod BMWs. Edge Racing thanks its sponsors and looks forward to a great 2025 season!
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Where To Ride In April And May 2025
The following track days, riding schools, and racing events are scheduled by organizations based in the United States during April and May 2025.
This list includes 50 opportunities (days) to ride at races, schools, and track days during the months of April and May 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.
4/4 Evolve GT School And Track Days, Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC
4/4-5 California Superbike School, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, North Las Vegas, NV (All Levels)
4/4-6 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North America Road Racing Series, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL
4/5-6 Precision Track Days, Atlanta Motorsports Park, Dawsonville, GA
4/5-6 Evolve GT School And Track Days, NCBIKE, Garysburg, NC
4/5-6 Evolve GT School And Track Days, Summit Point Circuit, Summit Point, WV (Main Track)
4/ 5-6 ASRA MiniCup Championship Series (AMA Sanctioned), Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC
4/5-6 ASRA Atlantic Region Championship Series, Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC
4/5-6 Hallett Advanced Rider Training (HART), Hallett Motor Racing Circuit, Jennings, OK
4/7 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL
4/11 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Munford, AL
4/11 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School, Private Training Day
4/11-13 CRA (California Roadrace Association) Series, Las Vegas Motor Speedway Classic Course, North Las Vegas, NV
4/12 MRA Series, New Racer School, High Plains Raceway, Deer Trail, CO
4/12 Southeast Mini Moto Series, Lamar County Speedway, Barnesville, GA
4/12-13 Pacific Track Time Track Days, Thunderhill Raceway Park, Willows, CA
4/12-13 WERA National Challenge Series Co-Sanctioned by AMA, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Talladega, AL
4/12-13 AFM Series, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Classic Track, Buttonwillow CA
4/12-13 WERA Sportsman Series Mid Central Region Co-Sanctioned by AMA, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Talladega, AL-M,N,rs
4/12-13 WERA Sportsman Series Southeast Region Co-Sanctioned by AMA, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Talladega, AL-M,N,rs,
4/13 Superbike-Coach Corp. Schools & Track Days, Cornering School Day 1, Little 99 Raceway, Stockton, CA
4/13 Evolve GT School And Track Days, VIRginia Int. Raceway, Alton, VA (Patriot Course)
4-14 Evolve GT School And Track Days, VIRginia Int. Raceway, Alton, VA (North Course)
4/14-15 California Superbike School, Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma, CA (All Levels)
4/16 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School, Practice & Skill Reinforcement Day
4/17-18-19-20 California Superbike School, Streets of Willow Springs, Rosamond, CA (All Levels)
4/17-18 Yamaha Champions Riding School, Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA
4/18 Trackdaz Track Days, Buttonwillow Circuit (New Track) Buttonwillow, CA
4/18 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School, Learn To Ride Off-Road Course
4/18-19 Evolve GT School And Track Days, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ (Thunderbolt)
4/18-19 Precision Track Days, Pittsburg Int’l Race Complex (Full Course) Ken Hill School + Track Day
4/18-20 AHRMA National Road Racing Series, Willow Springs International Raceway, Rosamond, CA
4/18-20 CVMA Winter Series, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA* =double points
4/19 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School, Off-Road Challenge Course
4/19-20 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL
4/19-20 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Grattan Raceway, Belding, MI
4/21 N2 Track Days*, New Jersey Motorsports Park (Thunderbolt), Millville, NJ
4/23-24 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School, POST Motorcycle Officer Update Course
4/24-25 Yamaha Champions Riding School, NCBike, Garysburg, NC
4/25 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, GingerMan Raceway Bike Night, South Haven, MI
4/25 Penguin Riding School, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Loudon, NH
4/25 Jennings GP, Jennings, FL (Novice School)
4/25-27 AHRMA National Road Racing Series, Inde Motorsports Ranch, Willcox AZ
4/26 Superbike-Coach Corp. Schools & Track Days, Body Position Camp/Knee Down Class, Little 99 Raceway, Stockton, CA
4/26-27-28 Jennings GP, Jennings, FL (Track Days)
4/26 (Progressive) AMA Pro American Flat Track (AFT), Ventura Short Track, Ventura Raceway, Ventura, CA
4/26 Southeast Mini Moto Series, Lamar County Speedway, Barnesville, GA
4/26-27 ASMA Series, Podium Club at Atessa, Casa Grande, AZ
4/26-27 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School, Fun Camp
4/26-27 N2 Track Days*, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA
4/26-27 N2 Track Days*, NCBike, Garysville, NC
4/26-27 Evolve GT School And Track Days, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ
4/26-27 TrackAddix Track Days & Races, Motorsports Park Hastings, Hastings, NE
4/27 Superbike-Coach Corp. Schools & Track Days, Wheelie Course, Little 99 Raceway, Stockton, CA
4/28 Spicy Track Days, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ
4/28 Precision Track Days, Virginia International Raceway (South), Alton, VA
4/28 N2 Track Days*, Summit Point Raceway (Main), Summit Point, WV Summit Point Raceway (Main), Summit Point, WV
4/28-29 Yamaha Champions Riding School, NCBike, Garysburg, NC (ChampGrad)
4/28-29-30 – 5/1 California Superbike School, VIRginia International Raceway, Alton, VA (All Levels)
5/2 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School, Private Training Day
5/2-4 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North America Road Racing Series, Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA
5/2-4 CRA (California Roadrace Association) Series, Buttonwillow Raceway Park Classic Track, Buttonwillow, CA
5/3 (Progressive) AMA Pro American Flat Track (AFT), Silver Dollar Short Track, Silver Dollar Speedway, Chico, CA
5/3-4 Precision Track Days, Roebling Road Raceway, Bloomingdale, GA
5/3-4 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School, Fun Camp
5/3-4 AFM Series, Thunderhill Raceway Park, Willows, CA
5/3-4 Evolve GT School And Track Days, NCBIKE, Garysburg, NC
5/3-4 Fast Line Track Days, NCM Motorsports Park, Bowling Green, KY
5/4 Superbike-Coach Corp. Schools & Track Days, Cornering School Day 1, Little 99 Raceway, Stockton, CA
5/5 Motovid, Blackhawk Farms Raceway S. Beloit, IL – PRC
5/6-7 Yamaha Champions Riding School, Inde Motorsport Ranch, Willcox, AZ
5/5-6-7-8-9 California Superbike School, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ (All Levels)
5/8-29 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School, Kids Ride and Wrench Advanced Weekly Camp
5/9 Evolve GT School And Track Days, Pittsburgh Int. Race Complex (PittRace), Wampum, PA
5/9 Jennings GP, Jennings, FL (Novice School)
5/10 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School, Learn To Ride Off-Road Course
5/10 N2 Track Days*, Summit Point Raceway (Main), Summit Point, WV Summit Point Raceway (Main), Summit Point, WV
5/10 MRA Series, High Plains Raceway, Deer Trail, CO (Friday lapping by HPR)
5/10 Compact Octane Track Days, Streets Of Willow Course, Willow Springs Raceway, Rosamond, CA
5/10-11-12 Jennings GP, Jennings, FL (Track Days)
5/10-11 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Munford, AL
5/10-11 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Grattan Raceway, Belding, MI
5/10-11 ASRA National Series (AMA Sanctioned), Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA
5/10-11 ASRA National Endurance and Team Challenge Series (AMA Sanctioned),Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA
5/10-11 ASRA Atlantic Region Championship Series, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA
5/10-11 Precision Track Days, Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC
5/10-11 ASRA MiniCup Championship Series (AMA Sanctioned), Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA
5/10-11 South Central Motorcycle Roadracing Championship (SCMRC), NOLA Motorsports Park, Avondale, LA
5/10-11 Evolve GT School And Track Days, Ozarks International Raceway, Gravois Mills, MO
5/11-12 Evolve GT School And Track Days, Summit Point Circuit, Summit Point, WV (Main Track)
5/12 N2 Track Days*, New Jersey Motorsports Park (Thunderbolt), Millville, NJ
5/13-14 Yamaha Champions Riding School, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ
5/13-14 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School, POST Motorcycle Officer Update Course
5/14 Motovid, Blackhawk Farms Raceway S. Beloit, IL
5/16 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Grattan Raceway, Belding, MI
5/17-18 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL
5/17-18 TrackAddix Track Days & Races, Motorsports Park Hastings, Hastings, NE
5/17-18 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Putnam Park Road Course, Mount Meridian, IN
5/17-18 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School, Fun Camp
5/17-18 Evolve GT School And Track Days, Polecat Training Center (PTC), Lynchburg, TN
5/17-18 N2 Track Days*, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA
5/17-18 N2 Track Days*, Roebling Road Raceway, Bloomington, GA
5/17-18 Trackdaz Track Days, Podium Club at Atessa, Casa Grande, AZ
5/17 Southeast Mini Moto Series, Carolina Motorsports Park (CMP) Kart Track, Kershaw, SC
5/17-18 WERA Sportsman Series North Central Region Co-Sanctioned by AMA, Grattan Raceway Park, Grattan, MI-c,DH,M,rs,V,
5/17-18 Pacific Track Time Track Days, Thunderhill Raceway Park, Willows, CA
5/17-18 NOLA Riding Academy’s Track Days, NOLA Motorsports Park, Avondale, LA
5/18 Superbike-Coach Corp. Schools & Track Days, Cornering School Day 2, Little 99 Raceway, Stockton, CA
5/19 N2 Track Days, Summit Point Raceway (Main), Summit Point, WV
5/19-20 California Superbike School, National Corvette Museum, Bowling Green, KY (All Levels)
5/22-25 WERA Sportsman Series Mid Central Region Co-Sanctioned by AMA, WERA Cycle Jam at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA-DH,E,N,rs,V,
5/23 Evolve GT School And Track Days, Summit Point Circuit, Summit Point, WV (Main Track)
5/23-25 WERA National Challenge Series Co-Sanctioned by AMA, WERA Cycle Jam at Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA-DH
5/23-25 WERA Sportsman Series Atlantic Coastal Region Co-Sanctioned by AMA, WERA Cycle Jam at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Braselton
5/23-25 WERA Sportsman Series Southeast Region Co-Sanctioned by AMA, WERA Cycle Jam at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Braselton,GA-DH,E,N,rs,V,
5/23-24-25-26-27-28 California Superbike School, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL (All Levels)
5/24 WERA National Endurance Series Co-Sanctioned by AMA, WERA Cycle Jam at Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA – Friday Race
5/24-25 Yamaha Champions Riding School, High Plains Raceway, Deer Trail, CO
5/24-25 ASRA National Series (AMA Sanctioned), Summit Point Motorsports Park, Summit Point, WV
5/24-25 ASRA MiniCup Championship Series (AMA Sanctioned), Summit Point Motorsports Park, Summit Point, WV
5/24-25 ASRA Atlantic Region Championship Series, Summit Point Motorsports Park, Summit Point, WV
5/24-25-26 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Autobahn Country Club, Joliet, IL
5/26 Yamaha Champions Riding School, Code 303 Training Ctr., Littleton (Douglas County), CO (ChampStreet)
5/26 Evolve GT School And Track Days, Summit Point Circuit, Summit Point, WV (Main Track)
5/30 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, GingerMan Raceway Bike Night, South Haven, MI
5/30-6/1 MotoAmerica AMA/ FIM North America Road Racing Series, Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI
5/30-6/1 AHRMA National Road Racing Series, Motorsport Park Hastings, Hastings, NE
5/30-6/1 Precision Track Days, NCM, Garysburg, NC
5/31 Ramming Speed/Classic Trackdays, Streets of Willow Course, Willow Springs Raceway, Rosamond, CA
5/31-6/1 WERA Sportsman Series Atlantic Coastal Region Co-Sanctioned by AMA, Roebling Road Raceway, Faulkville, GA-DH,M,rs,V,
5/31-6/1 WERA Sportsman Series Southeast Region Co-Sanctioned by AMA, Roebling Road Raceway, Faulkville, GA-DH,M,rs,V,
5/31-6/1 Evolve GT School And Track Days, Ozarks International Raceway, Gravois Mills, MO
5/31-6/1 Hallett Advanced Rider Training (HART), Hallett Motor Racing Circuit, Jennings, OK
5/31-6/1 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, GingerMan Raceway, South Haven, MI
5/31-6/1 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Munford, AL
5/31- 6/1 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School, Kids Ride and Wrench Camp
5/31- 6/1 The United States Classic Racing Association (USCRA), Thompson Motor Speedway, Thompson, Connecticut
MotoGP: Provisional 2025 Rookies Cup Calendar
Provisional 2025 Rookies Cup Calendar
2025 will see another season of incomparable action in the 19th running of the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup. 14 races at 7 different rounds starting in Jerez at the end of April and ending in Misano in mid-September. Customary bookends to a series that has a track record of producing future MotoGP riders and World Champions.
The pre-season test was delayed a week and moved from flood-damaged Jerez to Aragon due to flood damage at Jerez.
Provisional Calendar
4/4-5-6 Pre-Season Test, Aragon, Spain
4/26-27, Jerez, Spain
5/10-11, Le Mans, France
6/7-8, Aragon, Spain
6/21-22, Mugello, Italy
7/12-13, Sachsenring, Germany
8/16-17, Spielberg, Austria
9/13-14, Misano, Italy
MotoAmerica: 3D Motorsports Fielding Da Silva In Stock 1000, Superbike Cup
A late off-season decision was made to put Gabriel Da Silva on for MotoAmerica Stock 1000 championship and Superbike Cup with the 3D Motorsports team excited to have Da Silva on for 2025 and are looking forward to more podiums with the Florida native.
“Gabriel is a great addition to the team both on and off the track. He has great results with multiple podiums and wins. We are most impressed with his off-track core values and personality,” stated 3D Motorsports team owner Dustin Dominguez.
Gabriel Da Silva added: “Really happy and honored with the opportunity to be working with 3D Motorsports for this season! I think together we can put up a great season and fight for a championship. Very grateful to everyone who has helped me make this possible and to Dustin for giving me this opportunity!”
Da Silva had a great 2024 season and the team is looking to build for a strong 2025 run at the Stock 1000 championship. The team will start its effort together at Barber Motorsports Park in the Superbike Cup.
3D Motorsports would like to thank all of their sponsors for all the support and looks forward to seeing fans at the track. More news coming soon.
MotoAmerica: Danilo Lewis Signs With Aftercare Scheibe Racing
Aftercare Scheibe Racing Going Brazilian For 2025 Superbike Championship
Aftercare Scheibe Racing has been competing in the MotoAmerica Championship since the series debuted in 2015, and team owner Steve Scheibe has been campaigning BMW literbikes since the beginning of the MotoAmerica era. Meanwhile, Brazilian rider Danilo Lewis has been racing aboard BMW literbikes and in the MotoAmerica series since 2020. Did you ever wonder, “Hey, when are Scheibe and Lewis going to get together?”
Well, it has finally happened. Aftercare Scheibe Racing is proud to announce that Danilo Lewis has joined the team, and he will be racing in MotoAmerica Superbike on BMW machinery prepared by Scheibe and his seasoned crew.
Lewis, who is a two-time Brazilian Superbike Champion, participated in a test with Aftercare Scheibe Racing at Roebling Road Raceway, and by all accounts, everything went well. Both Lewis and the Aftercare Scheibe Racing team were impressed with the pace that Lewis had during his first time in the saddle of the Scheibe BMW. Both the team and the rider are excited about this coming Superbike season.
“I was impressed with our first test,” Lewis said. “The bike is very capable, and I felt a great synergy with the team. Huge ‘thank you’ to Steve and the team for this opportunity, and I am ready to show everyone how capable we are.”
“We’ve been competing in AMA Superbike for almost 20 years, and it’s our 11th year racing BMW motorcycles in the MotoAmerica series,” commented Scheibe. “Danilo (Lewis) rode our bikes in testing, and both he and our team really liked what we saw. He was very comfortable on our bikes and showed impressive pace. We’re looking forward to working with him this year as we move our program and his forward together.”
Aftercare Scheibe Racing and their new rider Danilo Lewis will make their debut on April 4 through 6 at Barber Motorsports, which is round one of the 2025 MotoAmerica Super Championship.
Scheibe Racing is also proud to continue its long-term relationship with title sponsor Aftercare. The company has been involved in the powersports industry for more than three decades, and they offer a wide range of innovative finance and insurance products available at powersports AftercareCorp.com dealerships throughout the U.S. Visit your local powersports dealer and Ask for Aftercare. Or call 800-832-3237 or visit them at AftercareCorp.com
MotoGP: More From The Red Bull Grand Prix Of The Americas
Jack Miller continued to demonstrate impressive wet weather skills. On a sodden track on Friday, Miller was second-fastest in Free Practice One, the highest a Yamaha rider has climbed the time sheets for a full-field session all season long. On Sunday, Miller was the highest-finishing rider not on a Ducati, taking the Pramac Racing Yamaha YZR-M1 to fifth.
It wasn’t the weekend Maverick Vinales wanted. A dominant winner of the Sprint and Grand Prix races last year at COTA, Vinales has moved from the factory Aprilia squad to the Tech3 KTM team and says he still is adapting to the new machine. Vinales retired from the Sprint with serious vibration in the rear, something several riders complained about, and his bike switched itself off twice on the grid for the Grand Prix. Conversely, two-time MotoGP World Champion Francesco Bagnaia (63) finished on the podium in the Sprint race, inherited the MotoGP race lead when Marc Marquez crashed, and took his first win of 2025.
Alex Marquez kept his head down and rarely put a wheel wrong all weekend long in incredibly changing conditions. He was rewarded with two second-place finishes and left Austin with the MotoGP World Championship points lead.
Ducati’s stranglehold on the MotoGP class shows no sign of loosening. In Argentina, Ducati took four of the top five spots in the Sprint and all five of the top spots in the Grand Prix. In Austin, Ducatis took the top five spots in the Sprint race, and even though Marc Marquez and Fermin Aldeguer crashed in the Grand Prix, the remaining four Desmosedicis took the top four places.
MotoGP : World Championship Race Results From Austin
Francesco Bagnaia won the MotoGP World Championship race Sunday at Circuit of The America (COTA), in Austin, Texas. Riding his Lenovo Team Ducati Desmosedici GP25 on Michelin control tires, the Two-time MotoGP World Champion won the 19-lap race by 2.089 seconds.
Alex Marquez was the runner-up on his BK8 Gresini Ducati Desmosedici.
Fabio Di Giannantonio placed third on his Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team Ducati Desmosedici GP25.
Bagnaia’s teammate and six-time MotoGP World Champion, Marc Marquez crashed his bike.
For the championship, M.Marquez is 1 point behind his brother A.Marquez who has 87 points. Bagnaia is third with 75 points.
worldstanding motogpMore, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Bagnaia capitalises on Marc Marquez crash in drama-filled Americas GP. Rain, a delayed start and an end to the #93’s 100% win record – Sunday in Austin had a little bit of everything as Alex Marquez becomes the new title chase leader.
Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) is a Grand Prix winner in 2025 after an immensely dramatic MotoGP Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas unfolds on a Sunday afternoon that saw COTA King, Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team), crash out of the lead. With another P2 finish, Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) becomes the new MotoGP title chase leader, as Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) completed the podium in an absolutely unforgettable Round 3.
RAIN CREATES PRE-RACE CHAOS IN AUSTIN
Talk about amplified drama. Rain before the MotoGP Grand Prix of The Americas saw the riders face incredibly tricky conditions heading to the grid, as Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) proved. The Frenchman crashed on his sighting lap but managed to get back round to the grid, as we then saw something we very rarely see.
Just before the three-minute board was signalled, Marc Marquez dashed off the grid. This led to Bagnaia, Di Giannantonio, Alex Marquez and more following suit, with riders and team members sprinting down pit lane to grab the spare bikes that were fitted with slick tyres.
Some though, including Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol), Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team), to name a few, opted to gamble on slick tyres from the get-go and remained on the grid. However, in the chaos, the red flags were thrown. Astonishing.
After a brief pause, the updated information was a 14:10 pit lane green light and a quick start procedure, with original grid positions the lay of the land. Then, it was time to try again – every rider now on slicks. But again, there was drama. Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3) had to be wheeled off the grid before we finally got the Grand Prix underway.
LIGHTS OUT: Marc Marquez grabs early lead
Marc Marquez launched well and grabbed the holeshot, with Alex Marquez holding off Bagnaia into Turn 1. Pecco was trying to wriggle his way past the Gresini rider, first at Turn 11, then at Turn 12, but both attempts failed. Meanwhile, Marc Marquez built a 1.1s lead at the end of Lap 1, with the top four – Marquez, Marquez, Bagnaia and Di Giannantonio – nearly two seconds up the road from Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP Team), who was enjoying a good battle with Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team).
On Lap 4, Marc Marquez’s lead was up to 1.4s over Alex Marquez, who had Bagnaia and Di Giannantonio clinging onto his tailpipes. Then, at Turn 12, Bagnaia’s latest manoeuvre worked. The #63 was now in P2, so with clear air, could he reel in teammate Marquez?
A 2:02.466 from the #93 saw Marquez stretch his lead to 1.6s at the start of Lap 5, and then a 2:02.433 meant the gap was now up to the two-second mark. Meanwhile, further down the pack in the fantastic fight for P6, Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) crashed at Turn 1.
MORE DRAMA: The #93’s first error of 2025
Then, fancy another massive slice of drama? Because that’s what we got. Turn 4 was the place, and it was race leader Marc Marquez who was on the floor! The front end washed away as he clipped across the curb too far, hit a wet patch, and with that, the undefeated run was over. Marquez was able to remount in P18, but without a right foot peg, plus more damage to his GP25, there was no way back into the points for the #93 with both Viñales and Lorenzo Savadori (Aprilia Racing) passing the six-time MotoGP Champion.
BOUNCING BACK: Bagnaia holds on for victory
So where did that leave us? Bagnaia led Alex Marquez by 1.6s, with the latter 2.2s clear of Di Giannantonio. And on Lap 13, Marc Marquez called time on his 2025 Sunday outing at the Americas GP. The victory streak was officially over.
On Lap 15 of 19, Bagnaia grew his advantage to three seconds. A lap later, it was a tenth more as Marquez continued to hold Di Giannantonio at arm’s length – 1.3s to be exact. Meanwhile, the fastest rider on track was Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) and the rookie, with two laps left, bullied his way past Miller for P5. However, a fantastic ride then ended in the gravel trap at Turn 15, and at a similar time, Zarco’s impressive display ended at Turn 12.
Last lap time. Bagnaia simply had to bring it home, but 2.5s behind, Alex Marquez couldn’t relax as much. Diggia was prowling, a second split the two, so any slight error from the #73 could prove costly. In the end, it stayed as you were. Bagnaia bagged a massive 25 points to become the 10th rider in history to earn 30 MotoGP wins, as new World Championship leader, Alex Marquez, crossed the line in P2 for the sixth straight outing. Di Giannantonio’s efforts weren’t enough for P2, but nevertheless, a phenomenal P3 was pocketed for the Italian in Austin.
POINTS SCORERS: Americas GP edition
Morbidelli came home in P4, with Miller grabbing his best Yamaha result with a very classy P5. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) came from P13 on the grid to finish P6, Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) rose to the occasion on a Sunday once more to fly the KTM flag highest in P7, as Marini, Ogura, and Quartararo completed the top 10.
Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) was P11, Raul Fernandez leaves Trackhouse MotoGP Team’s home race with a P12, as Augusto Fernandez (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP), Viñales and Savadori rounded out the points finishers in Texas.
Well, MotoGP delivers again. Drama, drama and a bit more drama. Marc Marquez’s 100% record vanishes as a new Marquez sits atop the Championship – Alex. And how big will that victory be for Pecco? The double MotoGP World Champion will now be brimming with confidence heading to Qatar for Round 4. See you all there.
Video: Stuman Rides The Kawasaki ZX-4RR At Chuckwalla
Former racer and track day instructor Stu Smith rides and reviews the Kawasaki ZX-4RR and discusses where a 400cc-class inline-Four fits into club racing categories.
First Person/Opinion: Nick Ienatsch Imagines His Future
Fatal State Fair Accident Provides Insight into Future
Motorcyclists Involved in Bumper-car Mishap
Many of you saw the news of the fatal Cook County Fair bumper-car incident where a group of motorcycle riders paid $1.50 to drive the electric bumper-cars for 10 minutes.
From the Cook County Chieftain newspaper: “A group of five crotch-rocket pilots joined the usual mix of kids for a 10-minute bumper-car session at the Cook County Fair last night. At the seven-minute mark a fatal accident occurred when one of the motorcyclists accidentally touched his head against the electrified floor of the bumper-car arena, immediately shocking himself with 5,400 volts.”
That was me. I was trying to get the bumper car to turn better by using my body.
Apparently I lost my balance and my heart was shocked to a standstill with 5,400 volts, but I don’t remember it much. All I know is that I woke up in a town called Purgatory in a long line waiting to talk to “Pete,” according to his name tag.
By the time I reached Pete, he was tired. I gave him my paperwork and he mistook the capital “I” (i) of my last name for a lower-case “l” (L). This happens all the time. “Nick Lenatsch, Nick Lenatsch…” he muttered to himself. “I can’t find any naughty information on you, so please come in.” He swung open a big gate, clapped me on the back, and noticed my “I’d rather push my motorcycle than drive a car” T-shirt and said, “Motorcycle rider? Most all you riders make it up here. Take a left here and follow the signs. The Boss is usually over there anyway.”
I didn’t need the signs because I could hear a bike revving, and as I got closer it sounded more and more like a multi-cylinder two-stroke getting warmed up. I had heard it a thousand times; I turned the corner to finally see the bike. Imagine my shock when I came face to face with God and Jarno Saarinen!
I had never met Jarno or God, but they are both very recognizable. God was holding his beard away from the spinning dry clutch as he crouched next to what appeared to be Valentino Rossi’s championship-winning 2001 NSR500. Jarno was on the other side, blipping the throttle and the thing sounded tight and right.
They both looked over and waved, so I said hello and added, “Man, sounds like you’ve got the jetting perfect!”
God laughed and shook his head. “No, up here everything is fuel-injected.” I then noticed the laptop Jarno held.
“But I thought fuel-injection limited a two-stoke’s ability to rev,” I exclaimed.
Jarno shook his head again. “That excuse is just being put forth by the four-stroke manufacturers who have invested so much time and money in a weak, flawed product that is slow…and difficult and expensive to rebuild.”
God reached up and punched the kill switch, shutting down the four-cylinder 500. In the sudden silence I could hear another smoker running on what sounded like a dirt track. The bike wasn’t being shifted, just run to redline in a single gear then shut-down for the corner. I could hear the engine working as the tire spun on the exits and we all listened for a minute because it was truly heavenly music.
God saw me listening and explained, “Oh, that’s Nicky Hayden and a bunch of his buddies—jokers like Ricky Graham. Nicky started dirt tracking on our two-strokes, and, man, is he glad to be back on what he calls ‘a real engine.'”
“Yep, those guys have just about worn out that track!” I spun around at the sound of the English accent, and there sat Barry Sheene and Mike Hailwood, both in riding gear.
Before I could think, I blurted out, “After all your shenanigans, they let you in here, Barry?” His wild playboy life was well documented, yet here he was, in heaven.
“They did,” he answered. “Almost all motorcycle riders get to heaven.”
“So maybe there’s hope for Kenny Roberts Senior?” I asked.
“Oooh, I don’t know if I’d go that far.” Hailwood looked skeptical too, and God gave a little shake of his head as if to say, “Dat boy’s pretty crazy.” But then he added, “We might have some room for KR… After all, somebody’s gotta school Revvin’ Kevin Rentzell and the boys.”
But then I was distracted by the bikes Sheen and Hailwood were sitting on: A Britten and a Czysz. I’ve been lucky enough to ride them both, but these models looked different and I hurried in for a closer look. Sure enough, big fat expansion chambers signaled two-stroke engines in each bike. “What the hell?” I exclaimed.
“OK, watch your language,” Hailwood said with a furtive glance at God but then continued, “John and Michael never wanted heavy four-stroke engines in their chassis, so now they have a chance to do these bikes correctly. John built a 800cc V-Twin two-stroke and Michael did his offset Inline-4 trick to create a 990cc 5-degree V-4 smoker.”
“They’re both here?” I asked.
“Oh, yeah,” God confirmed. “They’re thick as thieves and have a shop at the track.”
“You have your own track?”
God looked at me and shook his head at my silly question. He pointed to his “God” name tag and I blushed, apologizing, “Sorry, just a bit overwhelmed.”
He continued. “The track was easy. I took Elkhart Lake, Mid-Ohio, Barber, and Laguna Seca and combined the best parts of each. Jarno insisted on three corners from Spa, the final turn from Monza. Kids like Tommy Aquino and Dane Westby have never ridden those European tracks, so they figuratively and literally are in heaven. Of course, we took that silly add-on chicane out of Elkhart.”
“Yeah,” piped in Barry. “Remember Marco’s reaction when you showed him videos of that chicane?”
“Simoncelli?” I asked.
Barry nodded. “Yep, he couldn’t believe they ruined the kink at Elkhart Lake with that chicane and about had a heart attack when he saw what Road Atlanta did to the Gravity Cavity. Marco has the lap record here so far, on the Czysz V, and has led us to victory in the series.”
“You have a racing series?” I had turned back to God.
He was nodding and smiling. “Yes, we do. Four times a year we travel south to Hell and run on their track against their best. Hell’s track is made up of the pavement from the old Nelson Ledges and the retaining walls from Watkins Glen with the weather of Willow Springs in August and the neighbors of Laguna Seca. We also race here four times a year.”
“How’s it going?”
“Oh, we’re undefeated since the series began in 1907.”
“Wow, congratulations,” I gasped. “That’s amazing. And it’s because good always triumphs over evil, right?”
Everybody laughed! “No,” answered God. “They’ve only got normally aspirated four-strokes in Hell.”
God let me ride Rossi’s NSR back to the track shop where I reunited with Britten and Czysz. They swept me into the work area and each still possessed that childlike excitement that had been so unique when I first met them on Earth. Merlyn Plumlee had an engine apart on the bench and then Nicky rolled in his smoker dirt tracker and gave me a dusty hug.
“How is that thing?”
“Man,” he drawled, “it’s the real deal. I don’t have any regrets, but I’d sure like to run this thing at Del Mar. My dad tunes it…we’d kick Tommy’s butt.” Trademark Nicky Hayden smile.
By this time, God, Jarno, Sheene and Hailwood had joined us and they started talking about how God’s fuel-injected two-strokes would have been game-changing on Earth.
“Do they have traction control?” I asked as I examined one of the race Brittens.
“No,” God answered. “Traction and wheelie control were relegated to Hell’s team.”
“Thank God,” Jarno blurted. Then blushed and apologized to God. Everyone laughed when He answered, “You’re welcome.”
I wasn’t laughing and God saw it. “What’s wrong?”
I turned to him and asked the question that had been on my mind since Pete waved me through the gate. “My dad, Bill Ienatsch, died a year ago….do you know of him?”
“Is that how you pronounced Bill’s last name?” Jarno asked. “I always wondered. Yes, Bill has re-engineered the wash racks and completely evolved the waxing and polishing systems we use, including changing us from a liquid wax to a paste carnauba. He and Schwarzi—Larry Schwarzbach—are either cleaning something or out riding.”
I was nodding and smiling. “So he really is in heaven. Where is he now?”
“He’s at lunch at our version of Salt Lake City’s East Canyon, one of your dad’s favorite rides…except up here there’s no gravel, cops, or oncoming traffic texting selfies,” Jarno continued. I could see Jarno and my dad got along well.
But God had walked closer to me. “Nick, did you say your last name was Ienatsch or Lenatsch?”
I gulped nervously, realizing my mistake. “Ienatsch.” I lie all the time, but it seemed impossible to lie to God right there in heaven.
God pulled an iPad out of his coveralls.
He double-checked something on the iPad then gripped my arm firmly. “Sorry, son, you’re not supposed to be here.” He quick-walked me over to a previously invisible membrane and threw me through it, yelling, “You’re going back to Earth for a little while longer, and then I’m afraid you’re going to be racing four-strokes with traction and wheelie control after that!”
As I tumbled through the atmosphere I screamed back up to God, “Wait! Pete and Barry said most motorcyclists get into heaven!”
Through the clouds I heard God’s voice reply, “Yeah, but you’re a journalist!”
I landed with a thud on the bumper-car arena floor with a sweating EMT kneeling over me pumping my chest. I could feel the burn on my forehead as his sweat dripped into the fresh wound. Kids were gathered around and somebody said, “He ain’t no Marc Márquez. He didn’t drag his elbow until after his forehead hit the floor.” But that hurtful statement hardly registered. All I could think about was: I better race AHRMA as much as possible before I die!
MotoGP: Marquez Gets It Wrong & Race Direction Was Right
First/Person Opinion:
By Michael Gougis
Even a master manipulator can get it wrong. Race Direction can get it right. And sometimes everybody just gets lucky.
After picking through the bones of Sunday’s MotoGP starting grid confusion at the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas, those are my key takeaways.
Nobody gets to be an eight-time World Champion just by being fast. Marc Marquez is always thinking and plotting–his mid-season off-track maneuvers last year got him the most desirable ride in the paddock and left many of his strongest competitors worse off.
Last Sunday, the Moto2 race was wet, and punished riders who chose slicks–American Joe Roberts among them. And as the MotoGP bikes were sent to the grid for the Grand Prix race, it was still drizzling on and off. But it was hot, so the track was drying; then it would drizzle and wet the track again. Most teams went to the grid on rain tires.
It is critical to understand that changing to a rain setup on a modern MotoGP racebike is not simple. Teams were swapping fork springs on the grid. Just pulling off the front wheel requires the removal of the brake discs and sensors. And the crew has to do this in a tiny cordoned-off area with a pile of tools, a starter, tire warmers, stands, and other equipment, and with a bunch of media types trying to do broadcasts or take pictures. There are often-clueless celebrities and VIPs milling around trying to get the perfect selfie. It is a crowded, confusing place for the riders and for the crew to make complicated changes to a very complicated racebike and to plot strategy. It’s easy for a well-meaning journalist to take a wrong step and accidently knock a rider sideways (sorry, Marc!)
As the civilians were clearing off the grid, Marquez was plotting. He was watching the weather and knew that rain tires were not the right choice, and that there was no time to switch the bike back to slicks. So he told the team to prep the backup bike in the garage, and just before the three-minute board was displayed he planned to bolt for pit lane, leaving the rain-tire-shod bike, the crew, and the stuff on the grid.
Other riders were thinking the same thing. Some were staring at the sky, knowing their team had made the wrong call on tires. Some were watching Marquez carefully when he oh-so-casually got off his bike and stood next to it. When he ran for the garage, it started a stampede. Half the other riders followed in his footsteps. Some said later they didn’t even know why they were running, but they have a deep respect for Marc’s machinations, and they figured that Marquez had figured out something.
Problem was, Marquez was wrong. To be fair, his team wasn’t exactly clear on the rules, either. Marquez thought that if he swapped bikes before the three-minute board was displayed he’d start from the back of the grid, which he would have been OK with. But he actually would have had a ride-through penalty, according to the rules. After a 2018 start-line fiasco in Argentina, the rules had changed to severely penalize MotoGP riders who swapped bikes to go from rains to slicks (or vice-versa) after the sighting lap. And the rains clearly would not have lasted the distance on Sunday. The riders on rain tires would have had to do a bike swap mid-race, costing them just as much time as a ride-through.
Marquez also thought that if 10 riders followed him, the rules required Race Direction to delay the proceedings and start everyone from the grid. But that only applies if 10 or more riders would be starting from pit lane–for example, if riders pulled in after the warmup lap and then headed back out when the race began. In reality, there was the potential for half the field to have ride-through penalties!
So with three minutes left before the start of the race, half the riders were running for the garages. (Poor Jack Miller gets to the Pramac Yamaha garage and found out that his backup machine was also on rains!) There were motorcycles abandoned on the grid. Maverick Vinales’ KTM shut itself off. There are bikes everywhere, crew members everywhere, stuff everywhere.
And this is where Race Director Mike Webb blew the whistle and brought proceedings to a halt.
Regardless of what the rules said, the situation was escalating into something dangerous. Riders who swapped bikes would have been charging down Pit Lane to get to the exit before it was closed, right at the time when crew members were trying to pull abandoned bikes and equipment off the grid. Motorsport history is littered with tragedies that have happened in Pit Lane. And being on Pit Lane just before the start of a MotoGP race gives a real perspective of just how chaotic it is under the best of circumstances. It is really easy to understand how easily someone could get hurt.
Webb did exactly what a Race Director should do–monitor a situation and take appropriate action.
Ironically, it was the chaos that Marquez sparked that ultimately worked to his benefit. Because Webb stopped everything on safety grounds and called for a quick restart, the teams had time to work on the bikes and everyone went with slicks and dry set-ups. And the grid reformed in its original configuration as per the restart rules. “They were very lucky to get away with that,” Webb said later.
At the end of the day, the three riders who initially gambled on slicks–Brad Binder, Enea Bastiannini and Ai Ogura–weren’t happy that they didn’t get to enjoy the benefits of their decision. But Binder’s bike shut itself off. Bastiannini finished seventh, more than 12 seconds down, and Ogura was ninth, more than 16 seconds back. If Marquez or Francesco Bagnaia had to serve a ride-through penalty or switch bikes, Bastiannini or Ogura may or may not have been able to hold them off. But it is likely that Bastiannini or Ogura would have finished higher than they did. So yes, the decision to stop proceedings did harm them.
Webb says the rules will be re-assessed in the wake of Sunday’s drama. And if there are penalties to be assessed, by all means, assess them. But Webb’s snap decision meant that I’m not here today writing a story about a pit lane tragedy. That’s a win in my book.
MotoAmerica: Edge Racing Enters Superbike Cup, Stock 1000
Edge Racing riders Jason Waters (92) and Jesse Ruehling (990) will be competing in the MotoAmerica Stock1000 and Superbike Cup championships starting next weekend at Barber Motorsports Park.
The team will also be competing in the WERA National Challenge and Endurance series on the PirelliMoto shod BMWs. Edge Racing thanks its sponsors and looks forward to a great 2025 season!
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Where To Ride In April And May 2025
The following track days, riding schools, and racing events are scheduled by organizations based in the United States during April and May 2025.
This list includes 50 opportunities (days) to ride at races, schools, and track days during the months of April and May 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.
4/4 Evolve GT School And Track Days, Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC
4/4-5 California Superbike School, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, North Las Vegas, NV (All Levels)
4/4-6 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North America Road Racing Series, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL
4/5-6 Precision Track Days, Atlanta Motorsports Park, Dawsonville, GA
4/5-6 Evolve GT School And Track Days, NCBIKE, Garysburg, NC
4/5-6 Evolve GT School And Track Days, Summit Point Circuit, Summit Point, WV (Main Track)
4/ 5-6 ASRA MiniCup Championship Series (AMA Sanctioned), Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC
4/5-6 ASRA Atlantic Region Championship Series, Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC
4/5-6 Hallett Advanced Rider Training (HART), Hallett Motor Racing Circuit, Jennings, OK
4/7 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL
4/11 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Munford, AL
4/11 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School, Private Training Day
4/11-13 CRA (California Roadrace Association) Series, Las Vegas Motor Speedway Classic Course, North Las Vegas, NV
4/12 MRA Series, New Racer School, High Plains Raceway, Deer Trail, CO
4/12 Southeast Mini Moto Series, Lamar County Speedway, Barnesville, GA
4/12-13 Pacific Track Time Track Days, Thunderhill Raceway Park, Willows, CA
4/12-13 WERA National Challenge Series Co-Sanctioned by AMA, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Talladega, AL
4/12-13 AFM Series, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Classic Track, Buttonwillow CA
4/12-13 WERA Sportsman Series Mid Central Region Co-Sanctioned by AMA, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Talladega, AL-M,N,rs
4/12-13 WERA Sportsman Series Southeast Region Co-Sanctioned by AMA, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Talladega, AL-M,N,rs,
4/13 Superbike-Coach Corp. Schools & Track Days, Cornering School Day 1, Little 99 Raceway, Stockton, CA
4/13 Evolve GT School And Track Days, VIRginia Int. Raceway, Alton, VA (Patriot Course)
4-14 Evolve GT School And Track Days, VIRginia Int. Raceway, Alton, VA (North Course)
4/14-15 California Superbike School, Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma, CA (All Levels)
4/16 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School, Practice & Skill Reinforcement Day
4/17-18-19-20 California Superbike School, Streets of Willow Springs, Rosamond, CA (All Levels)
4/17-18 Yamaha Champions Riding School, Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA
4/18 Trackdaz Track Days, Buttonwillow Circuit (New Track) Buttonwillow, CA
4/18 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School, Learn To Ride Off-Road Course
4/18-19 Evolve GT School And Track Days, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ (Thunderbolt)
4/18-19 Precision Track Days, Pittsburg Int’l Race Complex (Full Course) Ken Hill School + Track Day
4/18-20 AHRMA National Road Racing Series, Willow Springs International Raceway, Rosamond, CA
4/18-20 CVMA Winter Series, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA* =double points
4/19 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School, Off-Road Challenge Course
4/19-20 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL
4/19-20 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Grattan Raceway, Belding, MI
4/21 N2 Track Days*, New Jersey Motorsports Park (Thunderbolt), Millville, NJ
4/23-24 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School, POST Motorcycle Officer Update Course
4/24-25 Yamaha Champions Riding School, NCBike, Garysburg, NC
4/25 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, GingerMan Raceway Bike Night, South Haven, MI
4/25 Penguin Riding School, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Loudon, NH
4/25 Jennings GP, Jennings, FL (Novice School)
4/25-27 AHRMA National Road Racing Series, Inde Motorsports Ranch, Willcox AZ
4/26 Superbike-Coach Corp. Schools & Track Days, Body Position Camp/Knee Down Class, Little 99 Raceway, Stockton, CA
4/26-27-28 Jennings GP, Jennings, FL (Track Days)
4/26 (Progressive) AMA Pro American Flat Track (AFT), Ventura Short Track, Ventura Raceway, Ventura, CA
4/26 Southeast Mini Moto Series, Lamar County Speedway, Barnesville, GA
4/26-27 ASMA Series, Podium Club at Atessa, Casa Grande, AZ
4/26-27 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School, Fun Camp
4/26-27 N2 Track Days*, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA
4/26-27 N2 Track Days*, NCBike, Garysville, NC
4/26-27 Evolve GT School And Track Days, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ
4/26-27 TrackAddix Track Days & Races, Motorsports Park Hastings, Hastings, NE
4/27 Superbike-Coach Corp. Schools & Track Days, Wheelie Course, Little 99 Raceway, Stockton, CA
4/28 Spicy Track Days, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ
4/28 Precision Track Days, Virginia International Raceway (South), Alton, VA
4/28 N2 Track Days*, Summit Point Raceway (Main), Summit Point, WV Summit Point Raceway (Main), Summit Point, WV
4/28-29 Yamaha Champions Riding School, NCBike, Garysburg, NC (ChampGrad)
4/28-29-30 – 5/1 California Superbike School, VIRginia International Raceway, Alton, VA (All Levels)
5/2 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School, Private Training Day
5/2-4 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North America Road Racing Series, Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA
5/2-4 CRA (California Roadrace Association) Series, Buttonwillow Raceway Park Classic Track, Buttonwillow, CA
5/3 (Progressive) AMA Pro American Flat Track (AFT), Silver Dollar Short Track, Silver Dollar Speedway, Chico, CA
5/3-4 Precision Track Days, Roebling Road Raceway, Bloomingdale, GA
5/3-4 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School, Fun Camp
5/3-4 AFM Series, Thunderhill Raceway Park, Willows, CA
5/3-4 Evolve GT School And Track Days, NCBIKE, Garysburg, NC
5/3-4 Fast Line Track Days, NCM Motorsports Park, Bowling Green, KY
5/4 Superbike-Coach Corp. Schools & Track Days, Cornering School Day 1, Little 99 Raceway, Stockton, CA
5/5 Motovid, Blackhawk Farms Raceway S. Beloit, IL – PRC
5/6-7 Yamaha Champions Riding School, Inde Motorsport Ranch, Willcox, AZ
5/5-6-7-8-9 California Superbike School, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ (All Levels)
5/8-29 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School, Kids Ride and Wrench Advanced Weekly Camp
5/9 Evolve GT School And Track Days, Pittsburgh Int. Race Complex (PittRace), Wampum, PA
5/9 Jennings GP, Jennings, FL (Novice School)
5/10 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School, Learn To Ride Off-Road Course
5/10 N2 Track Days*, Summit Point Raceway (Main), Summit Point, WV Summit Point Raceway (Main), Summit Point, WV
5/10 MRA Series, High Plains Raceway, Deer Trail, CO (Friday lapping by HPR)
5/10 Compact Octane Track Days, Streets Of Willow Course, Willow Springs Raceway, Rosamond, CA
5/10-11-12 Jennings GP, Jennings, FL (Track Days)
5/10-11 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Munford, AL
5/10-11 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Grattan Raceway, Belding, MI
5/10-11 ASRA National Series (AMA Sanctioned), Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA
5/10-11 ASRA National Endurance and Team Challenge Series (AMA Sanctioned),Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA
5/10-11 ASRA Atlantic Region Championship Series, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA
5/10-11 Precision Track Days, Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC
5/10-11 ASRA MiniCup Championship Series (AMA Sanctioned), Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA
5/10-11 South Central Motorcycle Roadracing Championship (SCMRC), NOLA Motorsports Park, Avondale, LA
5/10-11 Evolve GT School And Track Days, Ozarks International Raceway, Gravois Mills, MO
5/11-12 Evolve GT School And Track Days, Summit Point Circuit, Summit Point, WV (Main Track)
5/12 N2 Track Days*, New Jersey Motorsports Park (Thunderbolt), Millville, NJ
5/13-14 Yamaha Champions Riding School, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ
5/13-14 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School, POST Motorcycle Officer Update Course
5/14 Motovid, Blackhawk Farms Raceway S. Beloit, IL
5/16 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Grattan Raceway, Belding, MI
5/17-18 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL
5/17-18 TrackAddix Track Days & Races, Motorsports Park Hastings, Hastings, NE
5/17-18 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Putnam Park Road Course, Mount Meridian, IN
5/17-18 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School, Fun Camp
5/17-18 Evolve GT School And Track Days, Polecat Training Center (PTC), Lynchburg, TN
5/17-18 N2 Track Days*, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA
5/17-18 N2 Track Days*, Roebling Road Raceway, Bloomington, GA
5/17-18 Trackdaz Track Days, Podium Club at Atessa, Casa Grande, AZ
5/17 Southeast Mini Moto Series, Carolina Motorsports Park (CMP) Kart Track, Kershaw, SC
5/17-18 WERA Sportsman Series North Central Region Co-Sanctioned by AMA, Grattan Raceway Park, Grattan, MI-c,DH,M,rs,V,
5/17-18 Pacific Track Time Track Days, Thunderhill Raceway Park, Willows, CA
5/17-18 NOLA Riding Academy’s Track Days, NOLA Motorsports Park, Avondale, LA
5/18 Superbike-Coach Corp. Schools & Track Days, Cornering School Day 2, Little 99 Raceway, Stockton, CA
5/19 N2 Track Days, Summit Point Raceway (Main), Summit Point, WV
5/19-20 California Superbike School, National Corvette Museum, Bowling Green, KY (All Levels)
5/22-25 WERA Sportsman Series Mid Central Region Co-Sanctioned by AMA, WERA Cycle Jam at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA-DH,E,N,rs,V,
5/23 Evolve GT School And Track Days, Summit Point Circuit, Summit Point, WV (Main Track)
5/23-25 WERA National Challenge Series Co-Sanctioned by AMA, WERA Cycle Jam at Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA-DH
5/23-25 WERA Sportsman Series Atlantic Coastal Region Co-Sanctioned by AMA, WERA Cycle Jam at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Braselton
5/23-25 WERA Sportsman Series Southeast Region Co-Sanctioned by AMA, WERA Cycle Jam at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Braselton,GA-DH,E,N,rs,V,
5/23-24-25-26-27-28 California Superbike School, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL (All Levels)
5/24 WERA National Endurance Series Co-Sanctioned by AMA, WERA Cycle Jam at Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA – Friday Race
5/24-25 Yamaha Champions Riding School, High Plains Raceway, Deer Trail, CO
5/24-25 ASRA National Series (AMA Sanctioned), Summit Point Motorsports Park, Summit Point, WV
5/24-25 ASRA MiniCup Championship Series (AMA Sanctioned), Summit Point Motorsports Park, Summit Point, WV
5/24-25 ASRA Atlantic Region Championship Series, Summit Point Motorsports Park, Summit Point, WV
5/24-25-26 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Autobahn Country Club, Joliet, IL
5/26 Yamaha Champions Riding School, Code 303 Training Ctr., Littleton (Douglas County), CO (ChampStreet)
5/26 Evolve GT School And Track Days, Summit Point Circuit, Summit Point, WV (Main Track)
5/30 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, GingerMan Raceway Bike Night, South Haven, MI
5/30-6/1 MotoAmerica AMA/ FIM North America Road Racing Series, Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI
5/30-6/1 AHRMA National Road Racing Series, Motorsport Park Hastings, Hastings, NE
5/30-6/1 Precision Track Days, NCM, Garysburg, NC
5/31 Ramming Speed/Classic Trackdays, Streets of Willow Course, Willow Springs Raceway, Rosamond, CA
5/31-6/1 WERA Sportsman Series Atlantic Coastal Region Co-Sanctioned by AMA, Roebling Road Raceway, Faulkville, GA-DH,M,rs,V,
5/31-6/1 WERA Sportsman Series Southeast Region Co-Sanctioned by AMA, Roebling Road Raceway, Faulkville, GA-DH,M,rs,V,
5/31-6/1 Evolve GT School And Track Days, Ozarks International Raceway, Gravois Mills, MO
5/31-6/1 Hallett Advanced Rider Training (HART), Hallett Motor Racing Circuit, Jennings, OK
5/31-6/1 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, GingerMan Raceway, South Haven, MI
5/31-6/1 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Munford, AL
5/31- 6/1 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School, Kids Ride and Wrench Camp
5/31- 6/1 The United States Classic Racing Association (USCRA), Thompson Motor Speedway, Thompson, Connecticut
MotoGP: Provisional 2025 Rookies Cup Calendar
Provisional 2025 Rookies Cup Calendar
2025 will see another season of incomparable action in the 19th running of the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup. 14 races at 7 different rounds starting in Jerez at the end of April and ending in Misano in mid-September. Customary bookends to a series that has a track record of producing future MotoGP riders and World Champions.
The pre-season test was delayed a week and moved from flood-damaged Jerez to Aragon due to flood damage at Jerez.
Provisional Calendar
4/4-5-6 Pre-Season Test, Aragon, Spain
4/26-27, Jerez, Spain
5/10-11, Le Mans, France
6/7-8, Aragon, Spain
6/21-22, Mugello, Italy
7/12-13, Sachsenring, Germany
8/16-17, Spielberg, Austria
9/13-14, Misano, Italy
MotoAmerica: 3D Motorsports Fielding Da Silva In Stock 1000, Superbike Cup
A late off-season decision was made to put Gabriel Da Silva on for MotoAmerica Stock 1000 championship and Superbike Cup with the 3D Motorsports team excited to have Da Silva on for 2025 and are looking forward to more podiums with the Florida native.
“Gabriel is a great addition to the team both on and off the track. He has great results with multiple podiums and wins. We are most impressed with his off-track core values and personality,” stated 3D Motorsports team owner Dustin Dominguez.
Gabriel Da Silva added: “Really happy and honored with the opportunity to be working with 3D Motorsports for this season! I think together we can put up a great season and fight for a championship. Very grateful to everyone who has helped me make this possible and to Dustin for giving me this opportunity!”
Da Silva had a great 2024 season and the team is looking to build for a strong 2025 run at the Stock 1000 championship. The team will start its effort together at Barber Motorsports Park in the Superbike Cup.
3D Motorsports would like to thank all of their sponsors for all the support and looks forward to seeing fans at the track. More news coming soon.
MotoAmerica: Danilo Lewis Signs With Aftercare Scheibe Racing
Aftercare Scheibe Racing Going Brazilian For 2025 Superbike Championship
Aftercare Scheibe Racing has been competing in the MotoAmerica Championship since the series debuted in 2015, and team owner Steve Scheibe has been campaigning BMW literbikes since the beginning of the MotoAmerica era. Meanwhile, Brazilian rider Danilo Lewis has been racing aboard BMW literbikes and in the MotoAmerica series since 2020. Did you ever wonder, “Hey, when are Scheibe and Lewis going to get together?”
Well, it has finally happened. Aftercare Scheibe Racing is proud to announce that Danilo Lewis has joined the team, and he will be racing in MotoAmerica Superbike on BMW machinery prepared by Scheibe and his seasoned crew.
Lewis, who is a two-time Brazilian Superbike Champion, participated in a test with Aftercare Scheibe Racing at Roebling Road Raceway, and by all accounts, everything went well. Both Lewis and the Aftercare Scheibe Racing team were impressed with the pace that Lewis had during his first time in the saddle of the Scheibe BMW. Both the team and the rider are excited about this coming Superbike season.
“I was impressed with our first test,” Lewis said. “The bike is very capable, and I felt a great synergy with the team. Huge ‘thank you’ to Steve and the team for this opportunity, and I am ready to show everyone how capable we are.”
“We’ve been competing in AMA Superbike for almost 20 years, and it’s our 11th year racing BMW motorcycles in the MotoAmerica series,” commented Scheibe. “Danilo (Lewis) rode our bikes in testing, and both he and our team really liked what we saw. He was very comfortable on our bikes and showed impressive pace. We’re looking forward to working with him this year as we move our program and his forward together.”
Aftercare Scheibe Racing and their new rider Danilo Lewis will make their debut on April 4 through 6 at Barber Motorsports, which is round one of the 2025 MotoAmerica Super Championship.
Scheibe Racing is also proud to continue its long-term relationship with title sponsor Aftercare. The company has been involved in the powersports industry for more than three decades, and they offer a wide range of innovative finance and insurance products available at powersports AftercareCorp.com dealerships throughout the U.S. Visit your local powersports dealer and Ask for Aftercare. Or call 800-832-3237 or visit them at AftercareCorp.com
MotoGP: More From The Red Bull Grand Prix Of The Americas
Jack Miller continued to demonstrate impressive wet weather skills. On a sodden track on Friday, Miller was second-fastest in Free Practice One, the highest a Yamaha rider has climbed the time sheets for a full-field session all season long. On Sunday, Miller was the highest-finishing rider not on a Ducati, taking the Pramac Racing Yamaha YZR-M1 to fifth.
It wasn’t the weekend Maverick Vinales wanted. A dominant winner of the Sprint and Grand Prix races last year at COTA, Vinales has moved from the factory Aprilia squad to the Tech3 KTM team and says he still is adapting to the new machine. Vinales retired from the Sprint with serious vibration in the rear, something several riders complained about, and his bike switched itself off twice on the grid for the Grand Prix. Conversely, two-time MotoGP World Champion Francesco Bagnaia (63) finished on the podium in the Sprint race, inherited the MotoGP race lead when Marc Marquez crashed, and took his first win of 2025.
Alex Marquez kept his head down and rarely put a wheel wrong all weekend long in incredibly changing conditions. He was rewarded with two second-place finishes and left Austin with the MotoGP World Championship points lead.
Ducati’s stranglehold on the MotoGP class shows no sign of loosening. In Argentina, Ducati took four of the top five spots in the Sprint and all five of the top spots in the Grand Prix. In Austin, Ducatis took the top five spots in the Sprint race, and even though Marc Marquez and Fermin Aldeguer crashed in the Grand Prix, the remaining four Desmosedicis took the top four places.
MotoGP : World Championship Race Results From Austin
Francesco Bagnaia won the MotoGP World Championship race Sunday at Circuit of The America (COTA), in Austin, Texas. Riding his Lenovo Team Ducati Desmosedici GP25 on Michelin control tires, the Two-time MotoGP World Champion won the 19-lap race by 2.089 seconds.
Alex Marquez was the runner-up on his BK8 Gresini Ducati Desmosedici.
Fabio Di Giannantonio placed third on his Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team Ducati Desmosedici GP25.
Bagnaia’s teammate and six-time MotoGP World Champion, Marc Marquez crashed his bike.
For the championship, M.Marquez is 1 point behind his brother A.Marquez who has 87 points. Bagnaia is third with 75 points.
worldstanding motogpMore, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Bagnaia capitalises on Marc Marquez crash in drama-filled Americas GP. Rain, a delayed start and an end to the #93’s 100% win record – Sunday in Austin had a little bit of everything as Alex Marquez becomes the new title chase leader.
Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) is a Grand Prix winner in 2025 after an immensely dramatic MotoGP Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas unfolds on a Sunday afternoon that saw COTA King, Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team), crash out of the lead. With another P2 finish, Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) becomes the new MotoGP title chase leader, as Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) completed the podium in an absolutely unforgettable Round 3.
RAIN CREATES PRE-RACE CHAOS IN AUSTIN
Talk about amplified drama. Rain before the MotoGP Grand Prix of The Americas saw the riders face incredibly tricky conditions heading to the grid, as Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) proved. The Frenchman crashed on his sighting lap but managed to get back round to the grid, as we then saw something we very rarely see.
Just before the three-minute board was signalled, Marc Marquez dashed off the grid. This led to Bagnaia, Di Giannantonio, Alex Marquez and more following suit, with riders and team members sprinting down pit lane to grab the spare bikes that were fitted with slick tyres.
Some though, including Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol), Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team), to name a few, opted to gamble on slick tyres from the get-go and remained on the grid. However, in the chaos, the red flags were thrown. Astonishing.
After a brief pause, the updated information was a 14:10 pit lane green light and a quick start procedure, with original grid positions the lay of the land. Then, it was time to try again – every rider now on slicks. But again, there was drama. Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3) had to be wheeled off the grid before we finally got the Grand Prix underway.
LIGHTS OUT: Marc Marquez grabs early lead
Marc Marquez launched well and grabbed the holeshot, with Alex Marquez holding off Bagnaia into Turn 1. Pecco was trying to wriggle his way past the Gresini rider, first at Turn 11, then at Turn 12, but both attempts failed. Meanwhile, Marc Marquez built a 1.1s lead at the end of Lap 1, with the top four – Marquez, Marquez, Bagnaia and Di Giannantonio – nearly two seconds up the road from Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP Team), who was enjoying a good battle with Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team).
On Lap 4, Marc Marquez’s lead was up to 1.4s over Alex Marquez, who had Bagnaia and Di Giannantonio clinging onto his tailpipes. Then, at Turn 12, Bagnaia’s latest manoeuvre worked. The #63 was now in P2, so with clear air, could he reel in teammate Marquez?
A 2:02.466 from the #93 saw Marquez stretch his lead to 1.6s at the start of Lap 5, and then a 2:02.433 meant the gap was now up to the two-second mark. Meanwhile, further down the pack in the fantastic fight for P6, Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) crashed at Turn 1.
MORE DRAMA: The #93’s first error of 2025
Then, fancy another massive slice of drama? Because that’s what we got. Turn 4 was the place, and it was race leader Marc Marquez who was on the floor! The front end washed away as he clipped across the curb too far, hit a wet patch, and with that, the undefeated run was over. Marquez was able to remount in P18, but without a right foot peg, plus more damage to his GP25, there was no way back into the points for the #93 with both Viñales and Lorenzo Savadori (Aprilia Racing) passing the six-time MotoGP Champion.
BOUNCING BACK: Bagnaia holds on for victory
So where did that leave us? Bagnaia led Alex Marquez by 1.6s, with the latter 2.2s clear of Di Giannantonio. And on Lap 13, Marc Marquez called time on his 2025 Sunday outing at the Americas GP. The victory streak was officially over.
On Lap 15 of 19, Bagnaia grew his advantage to three seconds. A lap later, it was a tenth more as Marquez continued to hold Di Giannantonio at arm’s length – 1.3s to be exact. Meanwhile, the fastest rider on track was Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) and the rookie, with two laps left, bullied his way past Miller for P5. However, a fantastic ride then ended in the gravel trap at Turn 15, and at a similar time, Zarco’s impressive display ended at Turn 12.
Last lap time. Bagnaia simply had to bring it home, but 2.5s behind, Alex Marquez couldn’t relax as much. Diggia was prowling, a second split the two, so any slight error from the #73 could prove costly. In the end, it stayed as you were. Bagnaia bagged a massive 25 points to become the 10th rider in history to earn 30 MotoGP wins, as new World Championship leader, Alex Marquez, crossed the line in P2 for the sixth straight outing. Di Giannantonio’s efforts weren’t enough for P2, but nevertheless, a phenomenal P3 was pocketed for the Italian in Austin.
POINTS SCORERS: Americas GP edition
Morbidelli came home in P4, with Miller grabbing his best Yamaha result with a very classy P5. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) came from P13 on the grid to finish P6, Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) rose to the occasion on a Sunday once more to fly the KTM flag highest in P7, as Marini, Ogura, and Quartararo completed the top 10.
Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) was P11, Raul Fernandez leaves Trackhouse MotoGP Team’s home race with a P12, as Augusto Fernandez (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP), Viñales and Savadori rounded out the points finishers in Texas.
Well, MotoGP delivers again. Drama, drama and a bit more drama. Marc Marquez’s 100% record vanishes as a new Marquez sits atop the Championship – Alex. And how big will that victory be for Pecco? The double MotoGP World Champion will now be brimming with confidence heading to Qatar for Round 4. See you all there.