IT IS OFFICIAL: MARC MARQUEZ JOINS TEAM GRESINI MOTOGP
The Gresini Family is pleased to announce the arrival of Marc Marquez for the 2024 season. The Spanish rider, a multi-time World Champion, recently announced his separation with Honda and starting from next season, he will be the new standard bearer of Team Gresini MotoGP alongside his brother Alex.
This is a dream pair the one made by the Marquez brothers, with Marc that will get back into play with a satellite team that has already shown it belongs with the best since the squad’s return to the status of independent team in the premier class.
#93 – MARC MARQUEZ
“I’m excited with this new challenge. It wasn’t an easy decision because it’s a big change in every way. But sometimes in life it’s important to get out of the comfort zone and put yourself through the paces in order to keep growing. Bike-chance wise, I know I will have to adapt my riding style to a few things, and it won’t be easy. But I’m also sure that the whole Team Gresini will help me a lot. I can’t wait to get to know the team and start working with them. I’d like to thank Nadia, Carlo and Michele for the trust and respect they showed me.
NADIA PADOVANI GRESINI
“This is a historical moment for the Gresini Family. The fact that Marc Marquez chose to race with us in the upcoming season is absolutely fantastic and I’m extremely happy to be able to make it official. In less than a season we got really close to his brother, and we’ll welcome Marc the same way, as we’re sure he has all the potential to be competitive on the GP23 from the get-go. Last but not least, I would like to thank Fabio Di Giannantonio for his professionalism, and we wish him all the best for the continuation of his career.”
Roadracing World MotoGP Editor and Isle of Man TT winner Mat Oxley and two-time World Championship-winning Crew Chief Peter Bom have started “The Oxley Bom MotoGP Podcast,” which will be focused on the FIM MotoGP World Championship.
This podcast is “India 2023 – If You Can’t Stand the Heat…”
The original podcast can be found on BuzzSprout.com or listened to via other places you get podcasts.
October 7th and 8th 2023 Chuckwalla Valley Raceway
The first round of the CVMA 2023-2024 Winter series kicked off this past weekend at Chuckwalla Valley Raceway. The event brought some of the fastest racers from all over the country together for some fantastic racing. Attendance for the event was the best the club has ever seen for the first round and the racing was super competitive as always.
On the Friday preceding the race weekend, CVMA conducted its New Racer School and the turnout was tremendous! Twenty riders completed the school and obtained their racing license, many of whom raced for the first time over the weekend.
During qualifying on Saturday the club’s #1 plate holder Corey Alexander was the fastest of all on an open class bike turning a 1:46.116 lap time. The fastest lap on a middleweight bike was set by Brenden Ketelsen turning a 1:48.677. Alexander Enriquez was fastest on a lightweight bike with a 1:53.294 lap and Jasmine Nichols set the fastest lap on an ultra-lightweight bike with a 1:55.759 lap. Carbon Merrill was the fastest American Twins rider with a 2:13.026 lap.
Saturday
Some of the standouts from Saturday’s racing included Jacob Fejer winning both Amateur Formula and Supersport Open races and Jasmine Nichols winning two races on her ultra-lightweight bike. Jayden Fernandez also won two races on his ultra-lightweight bike and Kevin Aguerrebere won both amateur middleweight races. Alexander Enriquez won both the Formula Twins and the Formula 2 races.
Sunday
In the premier race of the day, the Stock 1000 Shootout, Corey Alexander got the holeshot followed by Dominik Gajda and Anthony “Lug Nut” Norton third. Norton was able to pass Gajda for second entering Turn Six and that set the finishing order for the race. At the finish it was Alexander for the win, Norton second, and Gajda third.
CVMA modified its rules for the middleweight shootout for this season to align closely with MotoAmerica’s NextGen Supersport class and this was the first event to feature a diverse grid of equipment. The class included several Suzuki GSX-R750s, Kawasaki ZX-6R, Ducati Panigale V2, and Yamaha YZF-R6s. At the start of the race, Brenden “Killer B” Ketelsen was able to lead into Turn One on his ZX-6R followed by David “Aussie Dave” Anthony on a Suzuki GSX-R750 and Owen Williams on another GSX-R750. As the race progressed, Ketelsen and Anthony separated themselves from the pack behind. Ketelsen was able to maintain a gap over Anthony for most of the race, but Anthony was able to close the gap down and pressure Ketelsen for the lead late in the race. Unfortunately for Ketelsen, he ran wide and off the track on the final lap allowing Anthony to take the lead and the win. The finishing order was Anthony for the win, Ketelsen was and to recover and hold onto second with Williams finishing third.
CVMA offers two full days of racing every race weekend and includes Saturday qualifying for grid position in all classes, amateur, and expert, as well as a wide variety of classes to choose from.
CVMA offers free reciprocity as a means of encouraging racers from other clubs to come out and compete. CVMA also offers a New Racers School for those starting out in racing on the Friday prior to each race weekend. Log on to www.cvmaracing.com to sign up or for more information.
Come on out and race with us our next round on November 18th and 19th for some of the most competitive racing in the country!
CVMA. Built for racers by racers and offering the best racing experience around!
CVMA would also like to thank the 2023/2024 Winter Series Sponsors: SoCal Track Days, Apex Assassins, Ryder Gear, Racers Edge/Dunlop, The California Superbike School and CaliPhotography
NRS Sponsors: Alpinestars, 6D Helmets, Racer Gloves, and Racer’s Edge
On Wednesday afternoon PDT, MotoAmerica and Yamaha both issued press releases within the span of 10 minutes on the same topic.
MotoAmerica’s release announced that the fuel sample taken from Jake Gagne’s Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha following Superbike Race Two at Circuit of The Americas was found to be non-compliant with the mandatory and approved spec fuel, VP Racing Fuels MGP, and as a result Gagne was disqualified from his second-place finish in that race.
The Yamaha release included a comment from Team Manager/Team Owner Richard Stanboli, which quoted him as saying, “For Superbike Race 2 at COTA, we cleared the use of the 2022 fuel with the MotoAmerica Tech Director. In hindsight and knowing what we now know, we would not have used it.”
At a glance, the timing of these releases made it seem like it was a move coordinated between MotoAmerica and Yamaha. In reality, MotoAmerica did not see Yamaha’s statement before it was released and actually took exception to Stanboli’s comments.
Asked about Stanboli’s comments, MotoAmerica Chief Operating Officer Chuck Aksland said, “We obviously don’t agree with the way that that was phrased. [MotoAmerica Technical Director] Tige [Daane] was aware that Richard was going to run a 2022 drum [of MGP fuel at COTA], but that has no bearing on what was found in the fuel sample. It’s fine to run 2022 fuel. If somebody had a 2020 drum of fuel it would be fine to run it.
“It doesn’t make any difference. We’ve run the same basic [fuel] specification since 2019 and what was found in the sample taken from the fuel tank [of Gagne’s bike] was not compliant with the spec. It doesn’t matter which year.”
Roadracingworld.com then asked Aksland what specific, non-compliant component was found in the fuel samples taken from Gagne’s bike.
“I’m not going to comment on what was actually found in it,” said Aksland. “All I’m going to say is that it was not compliant with the MGP fuel specification.”
In the past, before the AMA Superbike Championship went to a spec fuel in about 2009, the heavily oxygenated fuels used by most teams added about five horsepower when poured into the tank of a 600cc Supersport bike but were very toxic, to the point where the fumes could make riders and mechanics feel sick. The fuels were also relatively expensive, typically $35 per gallon with some fuel companies offering $500 a gallon blends. But everybody who wanted to be competitive had to spend the money, because everybody else was using it.
Using a spec fuel, theoretically, makes racing safer and less expensive for teams and competitors. And a spec fuel is a limiter in terms of engine performance.
Over decades there have been engine tuners and crew chiefs who have sought to go the easy route to get more performance from their engine by secretly adding oxygenated fuel additives to spec fuels. One such additive is MTBE.
MTBE, or Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether, is a chemical compound manufactured by the reaction of methanol and isobutylene, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It was produced in very large quantities in the not-so-distant past and used to replace lead as an octane-enhancing additive and oxygenate in automobile gasoline to help prevent the harmful effects of detonation or “knocking.” Its use was expanded in the 1990s when it was found to reduce pollution emissions from automobiles, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). MTBE accomplished this with its extra oxygen content.
MTBE is a little over 18% oxygen by mass, while a spec racing fuel like the 94-octane VP Racing Fuels MGP currently used by MotoAmerica has 2.56% oxygen by mass.
More oxygen in fuel also makes it possible to burn more fuel in the combustion chamber, which means a bigger bang, which means more energy pushing a piston, which means more engine performance.
The use of MTBE in automobile gasoline was phased out (and replaced by the use of ethanol) when it was discovered to be contaminating ground water from leaky underground fuel storage tanks, and was found to cause eye, skin, and airway irritation in high exposure situations. MTBE is also believed to be a cause of cancer, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), but that link has not been proven as of post time.
But MTBE still exists and is still available (Grainger.com sells it for $1914.82 for four 1-gallon glass bottles) and it still adds oxygen to gasoline.
MTBE as sold by Grainger for $1,914.82 for four 1-gallon bottles.
MTBE is a key ingredient in VP Import car racing fuel, with 15-20% MTBE content. VP T4 fuel uses a similar compound, with 35-40% ETBE content. VP U44 fuel is 35-45% MTBE.
Rumors circulating in the MotoAmerica paddock at New Jersey Motorsports Park two weeks after the COTA event promoted the idea that Gagne’s fuel samples included 20% MTBE. Without seeing the actual test report, that’s impossible to verify or refute. If that was true, it could produce a substantial performance advantage compared to bikes running the spec fuel without MTBE added.
So, what would deter an engine tuner from slipping MTBE into their fuel if they felt they needed to control detonation and/or wanted to advance ignition timing, to gain quick and easy performance?
To start with, fuel testing. MotoAmerica had not done any fuel testing after 2018, until fuel samples were taken from the top-three finishing bikes in Superbike Race Two at COTA. MTBE is detectable in gas chromatography (GC) testing, which is the “preferred fuel testing method,” of MotoAmerica and other racing sanctioning bodies. GC testing breaks a substance down into its core elements. (Detailed Hydrocarbon Analysis, or DHA, will also detect MTBE and ETBE, but is very expensive.)
For instance, a GC testing readout of VP Racing Fuels’ MGP would include: 20-26% Naphtha (CAS# 64741-66-8), 17-21% Toluene (CAS# 108-88-3), 14-18% 2-methylbut-2-ene (CAS# 513-35-9), 7-12% 2-methylbutane (CAS# 78-78-4), 5-9% Ligroine (CAS# 8032-32-4), 5-9% Cyclopentane (CAS #287-92-3), 4-6% Xylenes (CAS# 1330-20-7), 3-5% Ethanol (CAS# 64-17-5), 3-5% Mesitylene (CAS# 108-67-8), 1-4% Propan-2-ol (CAS# 67-63-0), and 1-3% Methanol (CAS# 67-56-1), according to the Safety Data Sheet for VP Racing Fuels’ MGP.
Each CAS number identifies each chemical component included; note that Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether (CAS# 1634-04-4) is not on that list.
But earlier this year, VP sent cans of an experimental, prototype 2024 spec fuel for MotoAmerica teams to test. The cans (see an example below) carried an interesting label…
More:
Asked to comment on what made the fuel samples taken from Gagne’s bike illegal, Bruce Hendel of VP sent this text to Roadracingworld.com: “It’s not my place to comment on that. That info would need to come from MotoAmerica.”
May wins 4SR Pro Challenge race at the 18th Annual Barber Vintage Festival
(October 11, 2023, Knoxville, TN) Geoff May, riding his World Superbike 2012 Buell 1190RS won the 2nd annual 4SR Pro Challenge on Saturday during the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) road race held at Barber Motorsports Park.
Sponsored by 4SR USA and Fast by Ferracci Racing Products, the 4SR Pro Challenge was a 10-lap featured race highlighted during the 18th Annual Barber Vintage Festival in conjunction with the Bridgestone Tires AHRMA National Roadracing series season finale.
The qualifying session for the race took place on Friday, October 6, with May taking pole, Stefano Mesa second on a 2015 prototype Pierobon X80 sponsored by Larrabure Framing, Hayden Gillim third riding a 2023 Buell Hammerhead, Gus Rodio fourth on an NCR Millona, Michael Hilton fifth on a 2006 Ducati 999 GP and Rennie Scaysbrook taking sixth position racing a 2023 Kramer GP2-890RR.
Gillim experienced a mechanical problem during qualifying and his team drove through the night from Michigan arriving just in time to replace his engine for the race.
The 4SR Pro Challenge took place immediately following lunchtime activities on Saturday afternoon. Mesa took the holeshot into Turn One, increasing his lead each lap by half to one second ultimately building an almost six second lead. Shortly after crossing start-finish at the beginning of lap nine, Mesa pulled off the track at the end of the front straight with a mechanical problem. This handed the lead to May, who had a nine-second gap over the battle for second place between Fillmore and Gillim. May took the checkered with a convincing lead, followed by Fillmore, who took second by 0.108 second ahead of Gillim. Rodio finished in fourth position, Scaysbrook came home fifth, with Posse taking sixth.
The $20,000 purse was distributed as follows:
Finish
Amount
1
$7,000
2
$5,000
3
$3,000
4
$2,250
5
$1,750
6
$1,000
“I’m really excited about the added interest and color that this brings to the AHRMA season finale,” said Carl Anderson, AHRMA’s 2023 Chairman of the Board. “A special thanks to 4SR USA and Fast by Ferracci Racing Products for their continued support of this special race.”
“4SR USA is delighted to support AHRMA with this featured purse race at the Barber Vintage Festival incorporating Pro riders into the festival to bring notoriety to the AHRMA series and paddock,” said Jerry Nickel, CEO of 4SR USA.
“Eraldo Ferracci was thrilled to be a co-sponsor of the Pro Challenge and disappointed that he was unable to attend,” said Bob Robbins, longtime friend and associate of Ferracci.
The annual 4SR Pro Challenge sponsored by 4SR USA and Fast by Ferracci Racing Products run at the Barber Vintage Festival allows Pro riders to bring added attention and prestige to an already world-renowned event. By offering a generous purse, this race draws top talent from around the world.
2023 2nd Annual 4SR Pro Champion Race
Saturday, October 7, 2023
Geoff May, 2012 Buell 1190RS, Sugar Hill, GA
Chris Fillmore, 2023 Kramer GP2-890RR, Oxford, MI
Hayden Gillim, 2023 Buell Hammerhead, Philpot, KY
Gus Rodio, NCR Millona, Hammonton, NJ
Rennie Scaysbrook, 2023 Kramer GP2-890RR, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
William Posse, 2020 Suzuki GSX-R1000R, Moncure, NC
Michael Hilton, 2006 Ducati 999 GP, Murfreesboro, TN
Shane Quigg, 2014 Triumph 675, Grandview, MO
About 4SR USA
4SR USA is the exclusive distributor in the USA. We pride ourselves in providing the best protective and stylish gear for the track or racing down the road. 4SR is a Czech company that produces stylish and functional motorcycle racing and riding clothing. We pride ourselves on producing gear that is of the highest quality. We are active bikers and competitors. All our designs, materials, development, and testing are performed by us and our sponsored riders.
About Fast by Ferracci
The names Ducati and Eraldo Ferracci are synonymous with road racing Championships in both World Superbike, AMA Pro Twins and AMA Superbike throughout the years. Still some 30 plus years later, Mr. Ferracci is deeply involved in the team effort in MotoAmerica in both Supersport and Superbike with Ducati and Warhorse/HSBK where the winning ways from his past continue. Fast By Ferracci Racing Products still supplies performance products for road and race bikes alike.
The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to competing on fantastic classic and true vintage machines along with a wide range of modern motorcycles. With over 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.
Indonesian GP (Lombok): Bastianini is back on track alongside Bagnaia at Mandalika
The Ducati Lenovo Team is ready to return to the track this weekend to tackle the fifteenth round of the 2023 MotoGP Championship, scheduled at the Mandalika International Circuit in Lombok, Indonesia. Located along the island’s south coast, the Indonesian track was only introduced on the calendar last year and, therefore, has only hosted one GP so far, which saw an intense thunderstorm heavily affecting the race.
Fresh off the back of a second-place obtained precisely in the wet in the last round held in Japan, Francesco Bagnaia arrives in Indonesia determined to strengthen his leadership in the Championship. Pecco has a 3-point lead over fellow Ducati rider Jorge Martín (Pramac Racing Team). At the same time, there are 54 points between him and third-placed Marco Bezzecchi (VR46 Racing Team), who underwent surgery on his collarbone last Sunday after a training accident and is still in doubt for this race.
Enea Bastianini, who was forced to miss his home GP in Misano, the round in India and the last Grand Prix in Japan after an injury sustained in the race in Barcelona, is finally back on track in Mandalika. The rider from Rimini will undergo the usual medical check on Thursday to get the final okay from doctors to participate in the Indonesian GP.
Francesco Bagnaia (#1, Ducati Lenovo Team) – 1st (319 points)
“I am thrilled to be back racing in Indonesia. The Mandalika race track is in a stunning area, and the Indonesian public’s passion for MotoGP is huge! I can’t wait to entertain all the fans who will come to watch us race this weekend! After the Japanese GP, we had a few days off to rest, so I am coming charged up to Mandalika, motivated to come back and fight for the win. My approach to the weekend has not changed: we must stay focused and do our best, as always, to get the best result. Again, the weather will be the big unknown here, but I am confident I can do well in any condition.”
“I’m finally back on track with my team. Having had to skip other races just as I was starting to feel comfortable on the Desmosedici GP was not what we needed, but after the operation, it was important to dedicate a few weeks to recover as best I could, even if I’m still not 100%. Now, we will have to restart calmly and dedicate these last races to settle down and be competitive as soon as possible. So I don’t have high expectations for this weekend; I just want to work in the best possible way with my team.”
The Ducati Lenovo Team will take to the track in Mandalika on Friday, 13th October at 10:45am local time (4:45am in Italy) for the first free practice. The Sprint race will be held on Saturday at 3:00pm (9:00am CEST) over a distance of 13 laps, while the GP will be held on Sunday also at 3:00pm (9:00am in Italy) over a 27-lap distance.
Mikey Lou Sanchez gets double win at Circuito de Cartagena in the Finetwork MIR Racing Cup.
Once again Mikey Lou steps on top of the podium in the Finetwork MIR Racing Cup Promo3 Championship. This time he secured two first-place finishes!
On Friday evening, all competitors changed motors to the regulated MIR Racing Cup Promo3 motor. On Saturday morning during the first qualification session, Mikey’s motor wasn’t running correctly due to an issue with the regulator rectifier. That morning session had ideal conditions to get the best lap of the day since the temperatures were cooler. In the afternoon session, it was hot and harder to go any faster than the first session, but Mikey was able to improve his lap time by half a second and secured P3 in qualifying.
Sanchez’s father Mike Sanchez said, “We were trying to get the pole position, which is an extra five points, and Mikey is behind in points because he missed the first round of the championship. He did about six laps in Qualifying Two (Q2) as we were trying to save his tires for the races since they are only allowed to run one set of tires for the entire weekend.”
On Sunday morning, the weather was perfect and Mikey was ready for Race One. The MIR Racing Cup was a combined grid with the Copa de España Series (COPA). The race was only seven laps, so it was a full on sprint! Mikey got a great start and led the MIR Racing Cup the entire race and was only behind one other COPA pilot.
Mikey said, “I was going to pass the other COPA rider on the last lap, but I made a little contact with his swing arm. So, I decided I didn’t want to risk it and kept my position and got the win!”
In Race 2, Mikey had a great start, and once again led the MIR Cup race the entire time, getting the double win, and also setting the fastest lap time in each race, giving him an extra 10 points in the championship.
With two more rounds to go in this championship, Mikey might have a chance to finish in the top three.
We would personally like to thank all our sponsors: Roadway Traffic Control, HJC Helmets, Texas Motorcycle Academy, San Marcos Iron Doors, Williams Custom Painting, Moto Liberty, 212 Decals, Mark Niemi. Fred and Maggie Beck, Theo Bick, Ben Fondu, Paul Stamper, Stacey Pawelek.
Gagne DQ’d From Race Two At Circuit Of The Americas
The Fuel In The Three-Time Series Champion’s Yamaha Found To Be Not In Compliance
IRVINE, CA (October 11, 2023) – MotoAmerica, North America’s premier road race series, has announced that Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Jake Gagne has been disqualified from his second-place finish in race two at Circuit of The Americas, round eight of the 2023 MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship.
Sample testing from the COTA round found that the fuel in Gagne’s Yamaha YZF-R1 was not in compliance with the 2023 AMA/FIMNA MotoAmerica regulations that require all competitors to use VP MGP fuel. As a result, Gagne loses the 20 points from his second-place finish. The disqualification has no effect on Gagne’s MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship as he had already wrapped up his third successive title in the previous round at Pittsburgh International Race Complex.
Gagne finished four seconds behind Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC’s Josh Herrin in the second race at COTA and was a similar distance ahead of third-placed PJ Jacobsen on his Tytlers Cycle Racing BMW M 1000 RR. Gagne’s DQ thus moves everyone up a spot with Jacobsen moving to second behind Herrin with Wrench Motorcycles’ Bobby Fong earning the final podium spot.
The only change in the points standings is fourth and fifth with Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Richie Escalante swapping spots with Westby Racing’s Mathew Scholtz. With the change, Escalante finishes the season in fourth, one point better than Scholtz.
For updated results from race two at COTA, click HERE
For updated final championship 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, Stock 1000, Twins Cup, Junior Cup, 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.
More, from a press release issued by Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.:
Statement From Yamaha Racing Following AMA/FIMNA MotoAmerica Sanction
MARIETTA, Ga. – October 11, 2023 – Following MotoAmerica’s announcement that Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Jake Gagne was disqualified from his second-place finish in Race 2 at the Circuit of The Americas, the team shares its position.
A sample testing found that the fuel in Gagne’s bike was not in compliance with the 2023 AMA/FIMNA MotoAmerica regulations. The team acknowledges the decision of the sanctioning body and would like to clarify that there was no malintent in making the fuel selection for that second race at the penultimate round of the championship.
“For Superbike Race 2 at COTA, we cleared the use of the 2022 fuel with the MotoAmerica Tech Director,” said Richard Stanboli, the Team Manager. “In hindsight and knowing what we now know, we would not have used it.”
“We stand behind the team and firmly believe that there was no foul play,” said Tom Halverson, the Yamaha Racing Assistant Department Manager for YMUS. “After four years of working side by side with them, we know firsthand that every person on the team is of the utmost integrity.”
Gagne’s disqualification had no impact to the title defense as he secured his third-consecutive superbike championship at the previous round at the Pittsburgh International Race Complex. The team looks ahead to focus on making another title run in the 2024 MotoAmerica Superbike season.
About Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA
Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the outdoor recreation industry. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings include Motorcycles and Scooters, ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles, Snowmobiles, WaveRunner Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outboard Motors, Outdoor Power Equipment, Power Assist Bicycles, Golf Cars, Power Assist Wheelchair Systems, Surface Mount Technology (SMT) and Robotic Machines, Unmanned Helicopters, Accessories, Apparel, Yamalube products, and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of distributors and dealers in the United States.
YMUS has a corporate office in California, two corporate offices in Georgia, facilities in Wisconsin and Alabama, and factory operations in Tennessee and Georgia. Additional U.S.-based subsidiaries include Yamaha Marine Systems Company (YMSC) with divisions Bennett Marine (Florida), Kracor Systems (Wisconsin) and Siren Marine, Inc. (Rhode Island), Skeeter Boats (Texas), with division G3 Boats (Missouri), and Yamaha Precision Propeller (Indiana)
CSBK announce 2024 schedule, includes return to Edmonton
Toronto, ON – The Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship will be expanding to six rounds next season, announcing their provisional 2024 calendar for all national classes.
The schedule follows mostly the same rotation as 2023, but with one important distinction: a return to RAD Torque Raceway in Edmonton, Alberta. The national tour hasn’t raced west of Ontario since the last trip to what was then called Castrol Raceway in 2015, but a renewed focus on racing in Western Canada will begin with the trip to Edmonton next summer.
The 14-turn, 2.7 km circuit will be the host of round three on the 2024 slate, set for June 21-23. Immediately afterwards, the Bridgestone CSBK series will host a mid-season test at nearby Rocky Mountain Motorsports, with the goal of adding the Calgary venue to the 2025 calendar.
Jordan Szoke won both races in CSBK’s first and only appearance at RAD Torque, and will be one of the only names expected to return to the circuit for a second time next season. However, there will be no lack of familiarity amongst 2023’s breakout western stars, including Alberta natives Paul Macdonell and John Laing who will lead the charge in their home venue for the first time as national riders.
CSBK last visited Edmonton in 2015, as shown here, with Jordan Szoke (101) winning both races of a doubleheader weekend over Kenny Riedmann (42), Trevor Daley (116) and defending champ Jodi Christie (1). Photo by Rob O’Brien, courtesy CSBK.
It’s otherwise a similar calendar to this past season, as the year will begin and end at Shannonville Motorsport Park with the pro track layout in round one and long track configuration in round six.
Grand Bend Motorplex will again host round two, while the trip east to Atlantic Motorsport Park shifts to round four and after the unofficial mid-season break following RAD Torque.
The famed annual Canadian Tire Motorsport Park event will remain as the penultimate round, but will run slightly earlier than usual as the weekend now kicks off Bike Week at CTMP, with more exciting additions to the event planned for 2024.
Provisional 2024 Bridgestone CSBK Schedule
Round 1 – Shannonville Motorsport Park – May 17-19
Round 2 – Grand Bend Motorplex – June 7-9
Round 3 – RAD Torque Raceway – June 21-23
Round 4 – Atlantic Motorsport Park – July 12-14
Round 5 – Canadian Tire Motorsport Park – August 9-11
Round 6 – Shannonville Motorsport Park – August 30-September 1
The Canadian Superbike Championship has not run a six-round schedule since 2009, when Szoke held off Brett McCormick to win the Canada Cup. However, that season saw just one doubleheader at CTMP, meaning 2024 will likely feature a record number of races in the feature class.
The full breakdown of races for each national category is yet to be confirmed, with more details to be provided at a later date. Additional info regarding pre-season and mid-season tests will also be announced shortly.
IT IS OFFICIAL: MARC MARQUEZ JOINS TEAM GRESINI MOTOGP
The Gresini Family is pleased to announce the arrival of Marc Marquez for the 2024 season. The Spanish rider, a multi-time World Champion, recently announced his separation with Honda and starting from next season, he will be the new standard bearer of Team Gresini MotoGP alongside his brother Alex.
This is a dream pair the one made by the Marquez brothers, with Marc that will get back into play with a satellite team that has already shown it belongs with the best since the squad’s return to the status of independent team in the premier class.
#93 – MARC MARQUEZ
“I’m excited with this new challenge. It wasn’t an easy decision because it’s a big change in every way. But sometimes in life it’s important to get out of the comfort zone and put yourself through the paces in order to keep growing. Bike-chance wise, I know I will have to adapt my riding style to a few things, and it won’t be easy. But I’m also sure that the whole Team Gresini will help me a lot. I can’t wait to get to know the team and start working with them. I’d like to thank Nadia, Carlo and Michele for the trust and respect they showed me.
NADIA PADOVANI GRESINI
“This is a historical moment for the Gresini Family. The fact that Marc Marquez chose to race with us in the upcoming season is absolutely fantastic and I’m extremely happy to be able to make it official. In less than a season we got really close to his brother, and we’ll welcome Marc the same way, as we’re sure he has all the potential to be competitive on the GP23 from the get-go. Last but not least, I would like to thank Fabio Di Giannantonio for his professionalism, and we wish him all the best for the continuation of his career.”
Roadracing World MotoGP Editor and Isle of Man TT winner Mat Oxley (left) and two-time World Championship-winning Crew Chief Peter Bom (right) in the paddock at Jerez. Photo courtesy Mat Oxley.
Roadracing World MotoGP Editor and Isle of Man TT winner Mat Oxley and two-time World Championship-winning Crew Chief Peter Bom have started “The Oxley Bom MotoGP Podcast,” which will be focused on the FIM MotoGP World Championship.
This podcast is “India 2023 – If You Can’t Stand the Heat…”
The original podcast can be found on BuzzSprout.com or listened to via other places you get podcasts.
Corey Alexander (1). Photo by CaliPhotography.com, courtesy CVMA.
CVMA Racing Round 1 2023/2024 Winter Series
October 7th and 8th 2023 Chuckwalla Valley Raceway
The first round of the CVMA 2023-2024 Winter series kicked off this past weekend at Chuckwalla Valley Raceway. The event brought some of the fastest racers from all over the country together for some fantastic racing. Attendance for the event was the best the club has ever seen for the first round and the racing was super competitive as always.
On the Friday preceding the race weekend, CVMA conducted its New Racer School and the turnout was tremendous! Twenty riders completed the school and obtained their racing license, many of whom raced for the first time over the weekend.
During qualifying on Saturday the club’s #1 plate holder Corey Alexander was the fastest of all on an open class bike turning a 1:46.116 lap time. The fastest lap on a middleweight bike was set by Brenden Ketelsen turning a 1:48.677. Alexander Enriquez was fastest on a lightweight bike with a 1:53.294 lap and Jasmine Nichols set the fastest lap on an ultra-lightweight bike with a 1:55.759 lap. Carbon Merrill was the fastest American Twins rider with a 2:13.026 lap.
Saturday
Some of the standouts from Saturday’s racing included Jacob Fejer winning both Amateur Formula and Supersport Open races and Jasmine Nichols winning two races on her ultra-lightweight bike. Jayden Fernandez also won two races on his ultra-lightweight bike and Kevin Aguerrebere won both amateur middleweight races. Alexander Enriquez won both the Formula Twins and the Formula 2 races.
Sunday
In the premier race of the day, the Stock 1000 Shootout, Corey Alexander got the holeshot followed by Dominik Gajda and Anthony “Lug Nut” Norton third. Norton was able to pass Gajda for second entering Turn Six and that set the finishing order for the race. At the finish it was Alexander for the win, Norton second, and Gajda third.
CVMA modified its rules for the middleweight shootout for this season to align closely with MotoAmerica’s NextGen Supersport class and this was the first event to feature a diverse grid of equipment. The class included several Suzuki GSX-R750s, Kawasaki ZX-6R, Ducati Panigale V2, and Yamaha YZF-R6s. At the start of the race, Brenden “Killer B” Ketelsen was able to lead into Turn One on his ZX-6R followed by David “Aussie Dave” Anthony on a Suzuki GSX-R750 and Owen Williams on another GSX-R750. As the race progressed, Ketelsen and Anthony separated themselves from the pack behind. Ketelsen was able to maintain a gap over Anthony for most of the race, but Anthony was able to close the gap down and pressure Ketelsen for the lead late in the race. Unfortunately for Ketelsen, he ran wide and off the track on the final lap allowing Anthony to take the lead and the win. The finishing order was Anthony for the win, Ketelsen was and to recover and hold onto second with Williams finishing third.
CVMA offers two full days of racing every race weekend and includes Saturday qualifying for grid position in all classes, amateur, and expert, as well as a wide variety of classes to choose from.
CVMA offers free reciprocity as a means of encouraging racers from other clubs to come out and compete. CVMA also offers a New Racers School for those starting out in racing on the Friday prior to each race weekend. Log on to www.cvmaracing.com to sign up or for more information.
Come on out and race with us our next round on November 18th and 19th for some of the most competitive racing in the country!
CVMA. Built for racers by racers and offering the best racing experience around!
CVMA would also like to thank the 2023/2024 Winter Series Sponsors: SoCal Track Days, Apex Assassins, Ryder Gear, Racers Edge/Dunlop, The California Superbike School and CaliPhotography
NRS Sponsors: Alpinestars, 6D Helmets, Racer Gloves, and Racer’s Edge
Drums of VP Racing Fuels MGP, the official spec fuel of most MotoAmerica classes since 2019. Photo by Brian J Nelson.
FIRST PERSON/OPINION:
By David Swarts
On Wednesday afternoon PDT, MotoAmerica and Yamaha both issued press releases within the span of 10 minutes on the same topic.
MotoAmerica’s release announced that the fuel sample taken from Jake Gagne’s Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha following Superbike Race Two at Circuit of The Americas was found to be non-compliant with the mandatory and approved spec fuel, VP Racing Fuels MGP, and as a result Gagne was disqualified from his second-place finish in that race.
The Yamaha release included a comment from Team Manager/Team Owner Richard Stanboli, which quoted him as saying, “For Superbike Race 2 at COTA, we cleared the use of the 2022 fuel with the MotoAmerica Tech Director. In hindsight and knowing what we now know, we would not have used it.”
At a glance, the timing of these releases made it seem like it was a move coordinated between MotoAmerica and Yamaha. In reality, MotoAmerica did not see Yamaha’s statement before it was released and actually took exception to Stanboli’s comments.
Asked about Stanboli’s comments, MotoAmerica Chief Operating Officer Chuck Aksland said, “We obviously don’t agree with the way that that was phrased. [MotoAmerica Technical Director] Tige [Daane] was aware that Richard was going to run a 2022 drum [of MGP fuel at COTA], but that has no bearing on what was found in the fuel sample. It’s fine to run 2022 fuel. If somebody had a 2020 drum of fuel it would be fine to run it.
“It doesn’t make any difference. We’ve run the same basic [fuel] specification since 2019 and what was found in the sample taken from the fuel tank [of Gagne’s bike] was not compliant with the spec. It doesn’t matter which year.”
Roadracingworld.com then asked Aksland what specific, non-compliant component was found in the fuel samples taken from Gagne’s bike.
“I’m not going to comment on what was actually found in it,” said Aksland. “All I’m going to say is that it was not compliant with the MGP fuel specification.”
In the past, before the AMA Superbike Championship went to a spec fuel in about 2009, the heavily oxygenated fuels used by most teams added about five horsepower when poured into the tank of a 600cc Supersport bike but were very toxic, to the point where the fumes could make riders and mechanics feel sick. The fuels were also relatively expensive, typically $35 per gallon with some fuel companies offering $500 a gallon blends. But everybody who wanted to be competitive had to spend the money, because everybody else was using it.
Using a spec fuel, theoretically, makes racing safer and less expensive for teams and competitors. And a spec fuel is a limiter in terms of engine performance.
Over decades there have been engine tuners and crew chiefs who have sought to go the easy route to get more performance from their engine by secretly adding oxygenated fuel additives to spec fuels. One such additive is MTBE.
MTBE, or Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether, is a chemical compound manufactured by the reaction of methanol and isobutylene, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It was produced in very large quantities in the not-so-distant past and used to replace lead as an octane-enhancing additive and oxygenate in automobile gasoline to help prevent the harmful effects of detonation or “knocking.” Its use was expanded in the 1990s when it was found to reduce pollution emissions from automobiles, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). MTBE accomplished this with its extra oxygen content.
MTBE is a little over 18% oxygen by mass, while a spec racing fuel like the 94-octane VP Racing Fuels MGP currently used by MotoAmerica has 2.56% oxygen by mass.
More oxygen in fuel also makes it possible to burn more fuel in the combustion chamber, which means a bigger bang, which means more energy pushing a piston, which means more engine performance.
The use of MTBE in automobile gasoline was phased out (and replaced by the use of ethanol) when it was discovered to be contaminating ground water from leaky underground fuel storage tanks, and was found to cause eye, skin, and airway irritation in high exposure situations. MTBE is also believed to be a cause of cancer, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), but that link has not been proven as of post time.
But MTBE still exists and is still available (Grainger.com sells it for $1914.82 for four 1-gallon glass bottles) and it still adds oxygen to gasoline.
MTBE as sold by Grainger for $1,914.82 for four 1-gallon bottles.
MTBE is a key ingredient in VP Import car racing fuel, with 15-20% MTBE content. VP T4 fuel uses a similar compound, with 35-40% ETBE content. VP U44 fuel is 35-45% MTBE.
Rumors circulating in the MotoAmerica paddock at New Jersey Motorsports Park two weeks after the COTA event promoted the idea that Gagne’s fuel samples included 20% MTBE. Without seeing the actual test report, that’s impossible to verify or refute. If that was true, it could produce a substantial performance advantage compared to bikes running the spec fuel without MTBE added.
So, what would deter an engine tuner from slipping MTBE into their fuel if they felt they needed to control detonation and/or wanted to advance ignition timing, to gain quick and easy performance?
To start with, fuel testing. MotoAmerica had not done any fuel testing after 2018, until fuel samples were taken from the top-three finishing bikes in Superbike Race Two at COTA. MTBE is detectable in gas chromatography (GC) testing, which is the “preferred fuel testing method,” of MotoAmerica and other racing sanctioning bodies. GC testing breaks a substance down into its core elements. (Detailed Hydrocarbon Analysis, or DHA, will also detect MTBE and ETBE, but is very expensive.)
For instance, a GC testing readout of VP Racing Fuels’ MGP would include: 20-26% Naphtha (CAS# 64741-66-8), 17-21% Toluene (CAS# 108-88-3), 14-18% 2-methylbut-2-ene (CAS# 513-35-9), 7-12% 2-methylbutane (CAS# 78-78-4), 5-9% Ligroine (CAS# 8032-32-4), 5-9% Cyclopentane (CAS #287-92-3), 4-6% Xylenes (CAS# 1330-20-7), 3-5% Ethanol (CAS# 64-17-5), 3-5% Mesitylene (CAS# 108-67-8), 1-4% Propan-2-ol (CAS# 67-63-0), and 1-3% Methanol (CAS# 67-56-1), according to the Safety Data Sheet for VP Racing Fuels’ MGP.
Each CAS number identifies each chemical component included; note that Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether (CAS# 1634-04-4) is not on that list.
But earlier this year, VP sent cans of an experimental, prototype 2024 spec fuel for MotoAmerica teams to test. The cans (see an example below) carried an interesting label…
More:
Asked to comment on what made the fuel samples taken from Gagne’s bike illegal, Bruce Hendel of VP sent this text to Roadracingworld.com: “It’s not my place to comment on that. That info would need to come from MotoAmerica.”
Geoff May (99). Photo by etechphoto.com, courtesy AHRMA.
May wins 4SR Pro Challenge race at the 18th Annual Barber Vintage Festival
(October 11, 2023, Knoxville, TN) Geoff May, riding his World Superbike 2012 Buell 1190RS won the 2nd annual 4SR Pro Challenge on Saturday during the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) road race held at Barber Motorsports Park.
Sponsored by 4SR USA and Fast by Ferracci Racing Products, the 4SR Pro Challenge was a 10-lap featured race highlighted during the 18th Annual Barber Vintage Festival in conjunction with the Bridgestone Tires AHRMA National Roadracing series season finale.
The qualifying session for the race took place on Friday, October 6, with May taking pole, Stefano Mesa second on a 2015 prototype Pierobon X80 sponsored by Larrabure Framing, Hayden Gillim third riding a 2023 Buell Hammerhead, Gus Rodio fourth on an NCR Millona, Michael Hilton fifth on a 2006 Ducati 999 GP and Rennie Scaysbrook taking sixth position racing a 2023 Kramer GP2-890RR.
Gillim experienced a mechanical problem during qualifying and his team drove through the night from Michigan arriving just in time to replace his engine for the race.
The 4SR Pro Challenge took place immediately following lunchtime activities on Saturday afternoon. Mesa took the holeshot into Turn One, increasing his lead each lap by half to one second ultimately building an almost six second lead. Shortly after crossing start-finish at the beginning of lap nine, Mesa pulled off the track at the end of the front straight with a mechanical problem. This handed the lead to May, who had a nine-second gap over the battle for second place between Fillmore and Gillim. May took the checkered with a convincing lead, followed by Fillmore, who took second by 0.108 second ahead of Gillim. Rodio finished in fourth position, Scaysbrook came home fifth, with Posse taking sixth.
The $20,000 purse was distributed as follows:
Finish
Amount
1
$7,000
2
$5,000
3
$3,000
4
$2,250
5
$1,750
6
$1,000
“I’m really excited about the added interest and color that this brings to the AHRMA season finale,” said Carl Anderson, AHRMA’s 2023 Chairman of the Board. “A special thanks to 4SR USA and Fast by Ferracci Racing Products for their continued support of this special race.”
“4SR USA is delighted to support AHRMA with this featured purse race at the Barber Vintage Festival incorporating Pro riders into the festival to bring notoriety to the AHRMA series and paddock,” said Jerry Nickel, CEO of 4SR USA.
“Eraldo Ferracci was thrilled to be a co-sponsor of the Pro Challenge and disappointed that he was unable to attend,” said Bob Robbins, longtime friend and associate of Ferracci.
The annual 4SR Pro Challenge sponsored by 4SR USA and Fast by Ferracci Racing Products run at the Barber Vintage Festival allows Pro riders to bring added attention and prestige to an already world-renowned event. By offering a generous purse, this race draws top talent from around the world.
2023 2nd Annual 4SR Pro Champion Race
Saturday, October 7, 2023
Geoff May, 2012 Buell 1190RS, Sugar Hill, GA
Chris Fillmore, 2023 Kramer GP2-890RR, Oxford, MI
Hayden Gillim, 2023 Buell Hammerhead, Philpot, KY
Gus Rodio, NCR Millona, Hammonton, NJ
Rennie Scaysbrook, 2023 Kramer GP2-890RR, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
William Posse, 2020 Suzuki GSX-R1000R, Moncure, NC
Michael Hilton, 2006 Ducati 999 GP, Murfreesboro, TN
Shane Quigg, 2014 Triumph 675, Grandview, MO
About 4SR USA
4SR USA is the exclusive distributor in the USA. We pride ourselves in providing the best protective and stylish gear for the track or racing down the road. 4SR is a Czech company that produces stylish and functional motorcycle racing and riding clothing. We pride ourselves on producing gear that is of the highest quality. We are active bikers and competitors. All our designs, materials, development, and testing are performed by us and our sponsored riders.
About Fast by Ferracci
The names Ducati and Eraldo Ferracci are synonymous with road racing Championships in both World Superbike, AMA Pro Twins and AMA Superbike throughout the years. Still some 30 plus years later, Mr. Ferracci is deeply involved in the team effort in MotoAmerica in both Supersport and Superbike with Ducati and Warhorse/HSBK where the winning ways from his past continue. Fast By Ferracci Racing Products still supplies performance products for road and race bikes alike.
The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to competing on fantastic classic and true vintage machines along with a wide range of modern motorcycles. With over 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.
Enea Bastianini (23) in action earlier this season in Portugal. Photo courtesy Ducati.
Indonesian GP (Lombok): Bastianini is back on track alongside Bagnaia at Mandalika
The Ducati Lenovo Team is ready to return to the track this weekend to tackle the fifteenth round of the 2023 MotoGP Championship, scheduled at the Mandalika International Circuit in Lombok, Indonesia. Located along the island’s south coast, the Indonesian track was only introduced on the calendar last year and, therefore, has only hosted one GP so far, which saw an intense thunderstorm heavily affecting the race.
Fresh off the back of a second-place obtained precisely in the wet in the last round held in Japan, Francesco Bagnaia arrives in Indonesia determined to strengthen his leadership in the Championship. Pecco has a 3-point lead over fellow Ducati rider Jorge Martín (Pramac Racing Team). At the same time, there are 54 points between him and third-placed Marco Bezzecchi (VR46 Racing Team), who underwent surgery on his collarbone last Sunday after a training accident and is still in doubt for this race.
Enea Bastianini, who was forced to miss his home GP in Misano, the round in India and the last Grand Prix in Japan after an injury sustained in the race in Barcelona, is finally back on track in Mandalika. The rider from Rimini will undergo the usual medical check on Thursday to get the final okay from doctors to participate in the Indonesian GP.
Francesco Bagnaia (#1, Ducati Lenovo Team) – 1st (319 points)
“I am thrilled to be back racing in Indonesia. The Mandalika race track is in a stunning area, and the Indonesian public’s passion for MotoGP is huge! I can’t wait to entertain all the fans who will come to watch us race this weekend! After the Japanese GP, we had a few days off to rest, so I am coming charged up to Mandalika, motivated to come back and fight for the win. My approach to the weekend has not changed: we must stay focused and do our best, as always, to get the best result. Again, the weather will be the big unknown here, but I am confident I can do well in any condition.”
“I’m finally back on track with my team. Having had to skip other races just as I was starting to feel comfortable on the Desmosedici GP was not what we needed, but after the operation, it was important to dedicate a few weeks to recover as best I could, even if I’m still not 100%. Now, we will have to restart calmly and dedicate these last races to settle down and be competitive as soon as possible. So I don’t have high expectations for this weekend; I just want to work in the best possible way with my team.”
The Ducati Lenovo Team will take to the track in Mandalika on Friday, 13th October at 10:45am local time (4:45am in Italy) for the first free practice. The Sprint race will be held on Saturday at 3:00pm (9:00am CEST) over a distance of 13 laps, while the GP will be held on Sunday also at 3:00pm (9:00am in Italy) over a 27-lap distance.
American Mikey Lou Sanchez (55) on his way to winning two races at Circuit de Cartagena, in 2023. Photo courtesy Sanchez Racing.
Mikey Lou Sanchez gets double win at Circuito de Cartagena in the Finetwork MIR Racing Cup.
Once again Mikey Lou steps on top of the podium in the Finetwork MIR Racing Cup Promo3 Championship. This time he secured two first-place finishes!
On Friday evening, all competitors changed motors to the regulated MIR Racing Cup Promo3 motor. On Saturday morning during the first qualification session, Mikey’s motor wasn’t running correctly due to an issue with the regulator rectifier. That morning session had ideal conditions to get the best lap of the day since the temperatures were cooler. In the afternoon session, it was hot and harder to go any faster than the first session, but Mikey was able to improve his lap time by half a second and secured P3 in qualifying.
Sanchez’s father Mike Sanchez said, “We were trying to get the pole position, which is an extra five points, and Mikey is behind in points because he missed the first round of the championship. He did about six laps in Qualifying Two (Q2) as we were trying to save his tires for the races since they are only allowed to run one set of tires for the entire weekend.”
On Sunday morning, the weather was perfect and Mikey was ready for Race One. The MIR Racing Cup was a combined grid with the Copa de España Series (COPA). The race was only seven laps, so it was a full on sprint! Mikey got a great start and led the MIR Racing Cup the entire race and was only behind one other COPA pilot.
Mikey said, “I was going to pass the other COPA rider on the last lap, but I made a little contact with his swing arm. So, I decided I didn’t want to risk it and kept my position and got the win!”
In Race 2, Mikey had a great start, and once again led the MIR Cup race the entire time, getting the double win, and also setting the fastest lap time in each race, giving him an extra 10 points in the championship.
With two more rounds to go in this championship, Mikey might have a chance to finish in the top three.
We would personally like to thank all our sponsors: Roadway Traffic Control, HJC Helmets, Texas Motorcycle Academy, San Marcos Iron Doors, Williams Custom Painting, Moto Liberty, 212 Decals, Mark Niemi. Fred and Maggie Beck, Theo Bick, Ben Fondu, Paul Stamper, Stacey Pawelek.
Jake Gagne (1) in action at Circuit of The Americas (COTA). Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Gagne DQ’d From Race Two At Circuit Of The Americas
The Fuel In The Three-Time Series Champion’s Yamaha Found To Be Not In Compliance
IRVINE, CA (October 11, 2023) – MotoAmerica, North America’s premier road race series, has announced that Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Jake Gagne has been disqualified from his second-place finish in race two at Circuit of The Americas, round eight of the 2023 MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship.
Sample testing from the COTA round found that the fuel in Gagne’s Yamaha YZF-R1 was not in compliance with the 2023 AMA/FIMNA MotoAmerica regulations that require all competitors to use VP MGP fuel. As a result, Gagne loses the 20 points from his second-place finish. The disqualification has no effect on Gagne’s MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship as he had already wrapped up his third successive title in the previous round at Pittsburgh International Race Complex.
Gagne finished four seconds behind Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC’s Josh Herrin in the second race at COTA and was a similar distance ahead of third-placed PJ Jacobsen on his Tytlers Cycle Racing BMW M 1000 RR. Gagne’s DQ thus moves everyone up a spot with Jacobsen moving to second behind Herrin with Wrench Motorcycles’ Bobby Fong earning the final podium spot.
The only change in the points standings is fourth and fifth with Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Richie Escalante swapping spots with Westby Racing’s Mathew Scholtz. With the change, Escalante finishes the season in fourth, one point better than Scholtz.
For updated results from race two at COTA, click HERE
For updated final championship 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, Stock 1000, Twins Cup, Junior Cup, 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.
More, from a press release issued by Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.:
Statement From Yamaha Racing Following AMA/FIMNA MotoAmerica Sanction
MARIETTA, Ga. – October 11, 2023 – Following MotoAmerica’s announcement that Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Jake Gagne was disqualified from his second-place finish in Race 2 at the Circuit of The Americas, the team shares its position.
A sample testing found that the fuel in Gagne’s bike was not in compliance with the 2023 AMA/FIMNA MotoAmerica regulations. The team acknowledges the decision of the sanctioning body and would like to clarify that there was no malintent in making the fuel selection for that second race at the penultimate round of the championship.
“For Superbike Race 2 at COTA, we cleared the use of the 2022 fuel with the MotoAmerica Tech Director,” said Richard Stanboli, the Team Manager. “In hindsight and knowing what we now know, we would not have used it.”
“We stand behind the team and firmly believe that there was no foul play,” said Tom Halverson, the Yamaha Racing Assistant Department Manager for YMUS. “After four years of working side by side with them, we know firsthand that every person on the team is of the utmost integrity.”
Gagne’s disqualification had no impact to the title defense as he secured his third-consecutive superbike championship at the previous round at the Pittsburgh International Race Complex. The team looks ahead to focus on making another title run in the 2024 MotoAmerica Superbike season.
About Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA
Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the outdoor recreation industry. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings include Motorcycles and Scooters, ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles, Snowmobiles, WaveRunner Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outboard Motors, Outdoor Power Equipment, Power Assist Bicycles, Golf Cars, Power Assist Wheelchair Systems, Surface Mount Technology (SMT) and Robotic Machines, Unmanned Helicopters, Accessories, Apparel, Yamalube products, and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of distributors and dealers in the United States.
YMUS has a corporate office in California, two corporate offices in Georgia, facilities in Wisconsin and Alabama, and factory operations in Tennessee and Georgia. Additional U.S.-based subsidiaries include Yamaha Marine Systems Company (YMSC) with divisions Bennett Marine (Florida), Kracor Systems (Wisconsin) and Siren Marine, Inc. (Rhode Island), Skeeter Boats (Texas), with division G3 Boats (Missouri), and Yamaha Precision Propeller (Indiana)
The 2024 Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship calendar was released today with six rounds scheduled from Nova Scotia to Alberta. Photo by Rob O'Brien, courtesy CSBK.
CSBK announce 2024 schedule, includes return to Edmonton
Toronto, ON – The Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship will be expanding to six rounds next season, announcing their provisional 2024 calendar for all national classes.
The schedule follows mostly the same rotation as 2023, but with one important distinction: a return to RAD Torque Raceway in Edmonton, Alberta. The national tour hasn’t raced west of Ontario since the last trip to what was then called Castrol Raceway in 2015, but a renewed focus on racing in Western Canada will begin with the trip to Edmonton next summer.
The 14-turn, 2.7 km circuit will be the host of round three on the 2024 slate, set for June 21-23. Immediately afterwards, the Bridgestone CSBK series will host a mid-season test at nearby Rocky Mountain Motorsports, with the goal of adding the Calgary venue to the 2025 calendar.
Jordan Szoke won both races in CSBK’s first and only appearance at RAD Torque, and will be one of the only names expected to return to the circuit for a second time next season. However, there will be no lack of familiarity amongst 2023’s breakout western stars, including Alberta natives Paul Macdonell and John Laing who will lead the charge in their home venue for the first time as national riders.
CSBK last visited Edmonton in 2015, as shown here, with Jordan Szoke (101) winning both races of a doubleheader weekend over Kenny Riedmann (42), Trevor Daley (116) and defending champ Jodi Christie (1). Photo by Rob O’Brien, courtesy CSBK.
It’s otherwise a similar calendar to this past season, as the year will begin and end at Shannonville Motorsport Park with the pro track layout in round one and long track configuration in round six.
Grand Bend Motorplex will again host round two, while the trip east to Atlantic Motorsport Park shifts to round four and after the unofficial mid-season break following RAD Torque.
The famed annual Canadian Tire Motorsport Park event will remain as the penultimate round, but will run slightly earlier than usual as the weekend now kicks off Bike Week at CTMP, with more exciting additions to the event planned for 2024.
Provisional 2024 Bridgestone CSBK Schedule
Round 1 – Shannonville Motorsport Park – May 17-19
Round 2 – Grand Bend Motorplex – June 7-9
Round 3 – RAD Torque Raceway – June 21-23
Round 4 – Atlantic Motorsport Park – July 12-14
Round 5 – Canadian Tire Motorsport Park – August 9-11
Round 6 – Shannonville Motorsport Park – August 30-September 1
The Canadian Superbike Championship has not run a six-round schedule since 2009, when Szoke held off Brett McCormick to win the Canada Cup. However, that season saw just one doubleheader at CTMP, meaning 2024 will likely feature a record number of races in the feature class.
The full breakdown of races for each national category is yet to be confirmed, with more details to be provided at a later date. Additional info regarding pre-season and mid-season tests will also be announced shortly.
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Additionally, the website utilizes an AI-based application that runs in the background and optimizes its accessibility level constantly. This application remediates the website’s HTML,
adapts Its functionality and behavior for screen-readers used by the blind users, and for keyboard functions used by individuals with motor impairments.
If you’ve found a malfunction or have ideas for improvement, we’ll be happy to hear from you. You can reach out to the website’s operators by using the following email
Screen-reader and keyboard navigation
Our website implements the ARIA attributes (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) technique, alongside various different behavioral changes, to ensure blind users visiting with
screen-readers are able to read, comprehend, and enjoy the website’s functions. As soon as a user with a screen-reader enters your site, they immediately receive
a prompt to enter the Screen-Reader Profile so they can browse and operate your site effectively. Here’s how our website covers some of the most important screen-reader requirements,
alongside console screenshots of code examples:
Screen-reader optimization: we run a background process that learns the website’s components from top to bottom, to ensure ongoing compliance even when updating the website.
In this process, we provide screen-readers with meaningful data using the ARIA set of attributes. For example, we provide accurate form labels;
descriptions for actionable icons (social media icons, search icons, cart icons, etc.); validation guidance for form inputs; element roles such as buttons, menus, modal dialogues (popups),
and others. Additionally, the background process scans all the website’s images and provides an accurate and meaningful image-object-recognition-based description as an ALT (alternate text) tag
for images that are not described. It will also extract texts that are embedded within the image, using an OCR (optical character recognition) technology.
To turn on screen-reader adjustments at any time, users need only to press the Alt+1 keyboard combination. Screen-reader users also get automatic announcements to turn the Screen-reader mode on
as soon as they enter the website.
These adjustments are compatible with all popular screen readers, including JAWS and NVDA.
Keyboard navigation optimization: The background process also adjusts the website’s HTML, and adds various behaviors using JavaScript code to make the website operable by the keyboard. This includes the ability to navigate the website using the Tab and Shift+Tab keys, operate dropdowns with the arrow keys, close them with Esc, trigger buttons and links using the Enter key, navigate between radio and checkbox elements using the arrow keys, and fill them in with the Spacebar or Enter key.Additionally, keyboard users will find quick-navigation and content-skip menus, available at any time by clicking Alt+1, or as the first elements of the site while navigating with the keyboard. The background process also handles triggered popups by moving the keyboard focus towards them as soon as they appear, and not allow the focus drift outside it.
Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Disability profiles supported in our website
Epilepsy Safe Mode: this profile enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
Visually Impaired Mode: this mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
Cognitive Disability Mode: this mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
ADHD Friendly Mode: this mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
Blindness Mode: this mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
Keyboard Navigation Profile (Motor-Impaired): this profile enables motor-impaired persons to operate the website using the keyboard Tab, Shift+Tab, and the Enter keys. Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Additional UI, design, and readability adjustments
Font adjustments – users, can increase and decrease its size, change its family (type), adjust the spacing, alignment, line height, and more.
Color adjustments – users can select various color contrast profiles such as light, dark, inverted, and monochrome. Additionally, users can swap color schemes of titles, texts, and backgrounds, with over seven different coloring options.
Animations – person with epilepsy can stop all running animations with the click of a button. Animations controlled by the interface include videos, GIFs, and CSS flashing transitions.
Content highlighting – users can choose to emphasize important elements such as links and titles. They can also choose to highlight focused or hovered elements only.
Audio muting – users with hearing devices may experience headaches or other issues due to automatic audio playing. This option lets users mute the entire website instantly.
Cognitive disorders – we utilize a search engine that is linked to Wikipedia and Wiktionary, allowing people with cognitive disorders to decipher meanings of phrases, initials, slang, and others.
Additional functions – we provide users the option to change cursor color and size, use a printing mode, enable a virtual keyboard, and many other functions.
Browser and assistive technology compatibility
We aim to support the widest array of browsers and assistive technologies as possible, so our users can choose the best fitting tools for them, with as few limitations as possible. Therefore, we have worked very hard to be able to support all major systems that comprise over 95% of the user market share including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera and Microsoft Edge, JAWS and NVDA (screen readers).
Notes, comments, and feedback
Despite our very best efforts to allow anybody to adjust the website to their needs. There may still be pages or sections that are not fully accessible, are in the process of becoming accessible, or are lacking an adequate technological solution to make them accessible. Still, we are continually improving our accessibility, adding, updating and improving its options and features, and developing and adopting new technologies. All this is meant to reach the optimal level of accessibility, following technological advancements. For any assistance, please reach out to
