Limited-Production Brabus 1300 R Masterpiece Edition Debuts

David Swarts

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September 27, 2023

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World Premiere at Monaco Yacht Show 2023

BRABUS 1300 R MASTERPIECE EDITION

Limited edition of two times 25 naked bikes sporting

exclusive BRABUS design in the two colors

“Onyx Black” and “Diamond White”

The first BRABUS motorcycle was presented in February 2022. Following two extremely successful special editions of the BRABUS 1300 R, the final, likewise strictly limited MASTERPIECE EDITION now puts the crown on this exclusive series. The exciting hyper-naked bike will celebrate its world premiere at the Monaco Yacht Show from September 27 to 30, 2023.

The KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R EVO, of which production is now coming to an end, once again serves as the platform for this special model. As a farewell, BRABUS presents the exclusive BRABUS 1300 R MASTERPIECE EDITION: a series of two times 25 elaborately refined motorcycles in the colors “Onyx Black” and “Diamond White,” which are given even more extravagant looks with select elements finished in the color “Frozen Gold”, and an even further expanded carbon package.

The single-seaters are powered by a V-twin engine rated at 132 kW / 180 hp and reach a top speed of 270 km/h. However, they particularly impress with their spectacular BRABUS Signature design. The thrilling front with its round LED headlight is unmistakable. The headlight is framed by a BRABUS exposed-carbon visor and combines classic motorcycle design with modern features such as the side fairings with integrated winglets inspired by motorsport. Like various parts of the front fender, they also are produced from this hi-tech composite material.

A Brabus 1300 R Masterpiece Edition in Onyx Black. Photo courtesy Brabus.

In addition to the winglets, there are other carefully placed golden elements. They include the striking BRABUS Monoblock Z hi-tech forged wheels featuring polished sections, the decorative rings around the two mufflers of the BRABUS sports exhaust system, the “1 of 25” Sign of Excellence emblem on the tank as well as the MASTERPIECE EDITION badge on the seat pad, which all mark these limited-edition motorcycles.

The BRABUS 1300 R MASTERPIECE EDITION sells for 41,930 euros or $44,066 USD (export price in Germany excluding statutory VAT).

The philosophy of refining a high-end bike such as the KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R EVO and giving it a very special profile in the hallmark BRABUS design idiom by means of high-quality exposed-carbon components struck a chord with motorcycle connoisseurs from all over the world. After two sold-out limited editions, at the end of production of this hyper naked bike there is now one last chance to score one of the world’s most extraordinary machines, which has the potential to become a sought-after collector’s item.

A Brabus 1300 R Masterpiece Edition in Diamond White. Photo courtesy Brabus.

The exclusive BRABUS 1300 R MASTERPIECE EDITION comes in two variants in the colors “Onyx Black” and “Diamond White” with 25 bikes of each being built. Compared with the previous limited editions, they feature an even more extensive carbon package. It includes covers for the single-sided swingarm and the triangular frame sections under the tank and seat, as well as a cover for the top of the alternator enclosure.

This exclusive hyper naked bike from the BRABUS Manufaktur is immediately identifiable by its unique design featuring a front visor with large, round LED headlight and distinctive side fairings with integrated winglets as found on a MotoGP machine. These visual elements are produced from exposed carbon just like parts of the front fender and various cover plates on the engine. When the bike is started, the TFT display of the 1300 R shows an animation specifically programmed for this BRABUS limited edition.

Both versions of the new BRABUS bike feature a matte black trellis frame and the powerful KTM LC8 V-twin engine with a displacement of 1.3 liters, which gives the BRABUS 1300 R special model its name. This engine produces a maximum output of 132 kW / 180 hp at 9,500 rpm and a peak torque of 140 Nm at 8,000 rpm. It catapults the MASTERPIECE EDITION from rest to 100 km/h in a mere 3.2 seconds and propels the bike to a top speed of 270 km/h.

The WP semi-active suspension ensures decidedly sporty and safe handling. In AUTO mode it independently adapts to the road conditions and the driving style. At the touch of a button, the rider can also manually choose between different setups ranging from emphatically comfortable to a firm ride suitable for laps on the racetrack. There are also various available modes for the engine electronics that modify the power delivery in five stages from smooth on wet roads to maximum power output for racing circuits.

The sporty focus of this special model is reflected in a tailor-made tire/wheel combination as well. The 17-inch BRABUS Monoblock Z “GOLD PLATINUM” wheels were developed specifically for these bikes and are manufactured using state-of-the-art forging and CNC technologies. Matching their name, for the MASTERPIECE EDITION they sport a golden finish. Diamond-polished sections give the nine-spoke design an even more exclusive look. The wheels carry performance tires of sizes 120/70 R 17 at the front and 200/55 R 17 at the rear. They offer outstanding grip for sporty cornering.

The Brabus 1300 R Masterpiece Edition is based on the KTM 1290 Super Duke R EVO. Photo courtesy Brabus.

The exclusive color scheme of the wheels is also found in other details of the BRABUS 1300 R MASTERPIECE EDITION. They include “Frozen Gold” highlight features such as the BRABUS MASTERPIECE badges, the winglets in the BRABUS side fairings on the left and right of the tank, ‘Signature Stripes’ on the front and rear, as well as the rings around the two mufflers of the BRABUS slip-on sports exhaust system. The name of this special model is laser-etched on the two sleek rear mufflers. The BRABUS exhaust naturally impresses not only with its sophisticated looks, but also with an even more aggressive exhaust note of the two-cylinder engine.

Its design furthermore is a seamless fit with the extravagant looks created in the BRABUS design studio. Depending on the selected variant, the tank, the tail cowl and parts of the front fender come in “Onyx Black” or “Diamond White.” The BRABUS upholstery shop covers the custom single seat with fine black leather and applies an exceedingly accurate “Diamond Rising” quilting pattern for both color variants. The padding for the tail cowl with golden “BRABUS MASTERPIECE” badge keeps the rider securely on the seat even under full acceleration. The individually adjustable foot pegs and the adjustable clutch and brake levers enable the rider to find the perfect seating position on the BRABUS 1300 R MASTERPIECE EDITION.

This makes the exclusive motorcycle from the latest cooperation between KTM and BRABUS the perfect choice for motorcycle enthusiasts with a penchant for spirited riding who wish for a sporty naked bike with outstanding driving dynamics and extravagant design. Available now in “Onyx Black” or “Diamond White” in a limited edition of 25 bikes each.

Each MASTERPIECE EDITION motorcycle comes with exclusive accessories: These include a tailor-made indoor cover for the motorcycle as well as a mat for the parking space in the garage at home, both of course featuring golden BRABUS 1300 R emblems. Each unit is also delivered with an exclusive BRABUS MASTERPIECE box made of carbon, which not only serves to store the bike’s keys, but also opens up the possibility for the vehicle owner to join the BRABUS MASTERPIECE CLUB. In addition, every owner of this limited-edition motorcycle receives the opportunity to enjoy an exclusive guided tour of the BRABUS Manufaktur in Bottrop.

The special equipment features of the BRABUS 1300 R MASTERPIECE EDITION:

BRABUS “1 of 25” Sign of Excellence emblem with “Frozen Gold” highlights

BRABUS 1300 R MASTERPIECE badge on seat pad
Front fender elements, tank and tail cowl with a choice of “Onyx Black” or “Diamond White” paintwork

Frame painted matte black

Exclusive carbon package consisting of dash and connector cover, covers for the triangular frame side sections as well as a cover for the single-sided swingarm

BRABUS Monoblock Z ”GOLD PLATINUM” forged alloy wheels

BRABUS 1300 R slip-on dual exhaust with accent rings in “Frozen Gold”

Heated, black BRABUS single seat with “Diamond Rising” quilting pattern

BRABUS start animation and color scheme for the display

BRABUS exposed-carbon headlight visor with round LED headlight

BRABUS exposed-carbon side fairings with integrated winglets

BRABUS exposed-carbon front spoiler

CNC-milled BRABUS triple clamp

Adjustable, CNC-milled BRABUS front brake and clutch levers

CNC-milled BRABUS aluminum caps for brake and clutch hydraulics reservoirs

Adjustable, CNC-milled BRABUS foot pegs

CNC-milled BRABUS aluminum caps for gas tank and oil tank

BRABUS bar end mirrors

BRABUS exposed-carbon tail with single seat and short license plate bracket

LED turn signals, with integrated tail lights and brake lights at the rear

WP APEX semi-active suspension, choice of AUTO mode or manually adjustable

WP PRO COMPONENTS (WP APEX PRO 7117) steering damper

Engine electronics with five selectable riding modes (STREET – SPORT – RAIN – PERFORMANCE – TRACK).

Quick-action throttle

Heated grips

Lightweight lithium-ion battery

Additional BRABUS exposed-carbon components

Tailor-made BRABUS indoor motorcycle cover

Exclusive BRABUS floor mat for parking the bike in the garage

Exclusive BRABUS MASTERPIECE box made from carbon

MotoAmerica: Final Words From The Races At New Jersey Motorsports Park

David Swarts

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September 27, 2023

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MotoAmerica: Final Words From The Races At New Jersey Motorsports Park

SUZUKI’S PAASCH EARNS ANOTHER TOP-FIVE SUPERBIKE RESULT FOR VISION WHEEL M4 ECSTAR SUZUKI

BREA, CA — Suzuki Motor USA and Team Hammer closed out a successful 2023 MotoAmerica season at New Jersey Motorsports Park on Sunday. After Ty Scott won Saturday’s Supersport race for Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki, the team hoped for a repeat performance but tough conditions from a tropical storm made racing difficult. Brandon Paasch and Richie Escalante earned fifth and sixth in a wet MotoAmerica Superbike race.

Race Highlights:
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki

Supersport

Tyler Scott led early but earned eighth to cap off his great year.

Teagg Hobbs ended his strong season with 17th in a difficult race.

Superbike

Brandon Paasch earned the fifth position as he gained two spots in the second half of the race, including a strong, last-lap pass.

Richie Escalante improved his pace dramatically on Sunday and took sixth.

Brandon Paasch (96) came back strong on Sunday, scoring his fourth top-five Superbike class finish of 2023. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Suzuki Motor USA, LLC.

Brandon Paasch (96) ended Saturday’s race on the ground, but showed remarkable tenacity and rebounded with a solid Superbike class performance on Sunday. The local rider saved his best for the end as he put his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R1000R in the top five on the last lap. Paasch chased teammate Richie Escalante for most of the race but was able to make the move to finish once again in the top five.

“I passed Richie on the last lap, so it felt good to be the top Suzuki finisher,” said Paasch. “The conditions were tough today. It was dryer and the pace was faster, but there were still a lot of slick spots. I felt like I made a few mistakes, but I had some momentum at the end. We had a good year with four top-five results in the last five races. and I learned a lot about how to ride a Superbike.”

Richie Escalante (54) fought for the podium most race weekends and finished the 2023 Superbike season fifth overall. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Suzuki Motor USA, LLC.

Richie Escalante (54) made remarkable progress from Saturday as well. The Mexican racer was off the pace in the wet in Saturday’s race, but much quicker on Sunday. Escalante spent most of the race in fifth position before eventually finishing just behind Paasch.

“It was much better today for me,” said Escalante, after finishing fifth in the season’s final standings, tied with fourth. “Racing in the wet is my weakest area but I had a good start and felt better and more confident today. Honestly, at some points, I felt great. I really wanted to get some more experience on the Superbike in the wet. My teammate passed me on the last lap and so I was sixth. We had a good year, fighting for the podium most weekends. The bike is very competitive, and the team is great, so we will be strong next year. I need to personally make a step this offseason to be even more competitive.”

After Saturday’s Supersport win, Tyler Scott (70) diced for the podium once again on Sunday and came in second overall in the season points. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Suzuki Motor USA, LLC.

In Supersport, Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Tyler Scott (70) diced for a podium position after leading the race early but encountered an issue and momentarily stopped on-course. Scott reset his electronics and was able to rise back up to eighth position at the checkered flag.

Scott, second in the final season points, earned four wins and 11 podiums in 2023 aboard the next-generation Suzuki GSX-R750. The 17-year-old finished his second full season in the class strong, and will no doubt be a contender for the championship again next year.

“We were running in the lead pack and had a small problem that fixed itself, so I was able to get going again,” said Scott. “That’s part of racing, and particularly racing in the rain. I went from last to eighth, so we were able to show something. It felt good out there on my Suzuki, and that will help us as we get ready for next year. I really wanted to win the championship this season, but we won some races, finished on the podium often, and had some great battles. Not only did the team do a great job, but we also had a lot of fun competing. We’ll work harder to get stronger and be ready for Daytona next year.”

Teagg Hobbs (79) learned much in his rookie Supersport season, earning fifth place in the 2023 championship. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Suzuki Motor USA, LLC.

Teagg Hobbs (79) was 17th in the race. Despite a disappointing New Jersey round, Hobbs showed excellent form in his first year with the team, proving himself as a frontrunner in the difficult Supersport class and earning fifth in the final standings.

“Today’s race was tough, really the toughest of the year for me,” said Hobbs. “I just couldn’t find the confidence in the wet here. We had a good first season and I wanted to close out strong. People didn’t expect us to be as close to the front as we were, and it was great to be in the fight every weekend. I learned a ton, even more than I thought I would, especially about how the frontrunners in the class operate.”

With all four Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki riders making outstanding progress in 2023, the team eagerly looks forward to an even more competitive 2024 MotoAmerica season.

ABOUT TEAM HAMMER

The 2023 season marks Team Hammer’s 43rd consecutive year of operating as a professional road racing team. Racebikes built and fielded by Team Hammer have won 133 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National races, have finished on AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National podiums 361 times, and have won 11 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National Championships, as well as two FIM South American Championships (in Superbike and Supersport). The team has also won 137 endurance races overall (including seven 24-hour races) and 13 Overall WERA National Endurance Championships with Suzuki motorcycles, and holds the U.S. record for mileage covered in a 24-hour race. The team also competed in the televised 1990s Formula USA National Championship, famously running “Methanol Monster” GSX-R1100 Superbikes fueled by methanol, and won four F-USA Championships.

ABOUT VISION WHEEL

Founded in 1976, Vision Wheel is one of the nation’s leading providers of custom wheels for cars and trucks, and one of the first manufacturers of custom wheels and tires for ATVs, UTVs, and golf carts. Vision Wheel looks beyond the current trends and to the future in developing, manufacturing, and distributing its wheels. Vision’s lines of street, race, off-road, American Muscle, and Milanni wheels are distributed nationally and internationally through a trusted network of distributors. Vision Wheel also produces the Vision It AR app to allow users to see how their wheel of choice will look on their vehicle before purchase and installation. For more information on Vision Wheel, visit www.visionwheel.com.

ABOUT SUZUKI

Suzuki Motor USA, LLC. (SMO) distributes Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automotive Parts, Accessories, and ECSTAR Oils & Chemicals via an extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automobiles, Outboard Motors, and related products. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has business relations with 201 countries/regions. For more information, visit www.suzuki.com.

World Endurance: 2024 Season Starts April 18-21 With 24 Hours Of Le Mans

David Swarts

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September 27, 2023

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World Endurance: 2024 Season Starts April 18-21 With 24 Hours Of Le Mans

LIFT-OFF IN LE MANS! 2024 EWC SEASON TO OPEN WITH 24 HEURES MOTOS

(27 September 2023): The race to become the ultimate FIM Endurance World Championship rider and team of 2024 will begin next April when the 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans opens the new EWC season.

Scheduled from 18-21 April, the 47th edition of the 24 Heures Motos will form the opening rounds of the 2024 FIM Endurance World Championship, for the headlining Formula EWC motorcycles, and the 2024 FIM Endurance World Cup, which caters for Dunlop-equipped Superstock machinery.

The event will also provide the first opportunity in 2024 for fans watching trackside and on TV or online around the world to witness the thrilling spectacle that is the all-action EWC.

“It’s always so important to get every new season off to the best possible start and there’s no better event to do this than the 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans,” said Jean-Baptiste Ley, the EWC Series’ Director for promoter WBD Sports. “Not only is the 24 Heures Motos an established event, held at a legendary venue and with a strong reputation globally, organiser Automobile Club de l’Ouest, works tirelessly to deliver a fantastic spectacle and spectator experience. We’re delighted to be continuing our long-term partnership with them and we are already counting down the days to the event getting under way.”

Rather than the 13.626-kilometre Circuit de La Sarthe, the traditional EWC curtain-raiser takes place on the 4.185-kilometre Bugatti Circuit. The demanding layout comes complete with the famous Le Mans start/finish straight, Dunlop Esses and Ford Chicane, while a twisty infield section ensures there’s little respite. Riders also face the prospect of competing during shorter daylight hours, with the prospect of colder temperatures during the night and early in the morning adding to the challenge.

Although the first 24 Heures Motos took place in 1978, when Frenchmen Jean-Claude Chemarin and Christian Léon rode a Honda to victory, the ACO staged its first race for motorbikes in 1912, long before the Bugatti Circuit’s inauguration in September 1966.

F.C.C. TSR Honda France won this year’s 24 Heures Motos following a typically action-packed day and night race, which attracted a combined spectator attendance of 77,200, the highest amount since 2011.

Running one week later than in 2023, the ACO is planning to introduce several measures for the 2024 edition to improve the fan experience by making the event more accessible and with a greater focus on making sure all visitors feel safe and secure at all times. More information will be available at 24h-motos.com when tickets go on sale at the end of October.

The full 2024 FIM Endurance World Championship calendar with details of all the events being planned for the 2024 season will be revealed in due course.

MRA: Hendry Wins Finale, Thornton Crowned Race Of The Rockies GTO Champion

David Swarts

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September 27, 2023

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MRA: Hendry Wins Finale, Thornton Crowned Race Of The Rockies GTO Champion

Hendry and Rizzo Secure Final Premier Class Wins of the Season

Byers, CO – The seventh and final round of the 2023 MRA Championship Series took place at High Plains Raceway over the weekend of September 23-24th on its 2.55-mile Full Course. The weather was ideal for racing as the temperatures hovered around 70 degrees for much of the afternoon.

The Race of the Rockies Qualifying on Sunday went off without a hitch. Ray Thornton, eager to keep his lead in the championship, claimed pole position with a best time of (1:46.48) followed by Mike Applegate (1:46.54) and Brad Hendry (1:47.38).

The pressure was on for Thornton as he only had a six-point lead in the RoR championship. He needed to finish no more than one place behind Applegate in RoR GTO to secure the 2023 championship. To add to that pressure, his BMW S1000RR which he had been so successful on throughout the season was not in working order for this final race. Being an outstanding sportsman and friend, fellow racer James Wilkerson loaned out his Yamaha R1 to Thornton to give him a chance at winning the championship. Wilkerson sacrificed a position in the final standings of RoR by not racing, which goes to show the level of sportsmanship and teamwork demonstrated by the racers of the MRA.

The start of RoR saw Applegate, Hendry, and Thornton all get excellent drives off the line, and nobody wanted to give an inch going into turn one. Coming down the backstraight, Applegate was leading the pack, but after they dropped down the hill into turn five, Hendry overtook Applegate. By the end of lap one, Hendry was leading Applegate and Thornton and had already opened a one second gap. For the next four laps, Hendry dropped his lap times down into the 1:46’s and broke away from the trailing pair, at which point the gap was up to four seconds. On lap nine, Thornton was putting the pressure on Applegate and overtook him for second place. Thornton led Applegate for the next two laps until he made a big mistake in turn eight, losing the front end of the bike. Miraculously, he was able to save himself from a crash. Applegate seized this opportunity and took back second place and was not challenged by Thornton again for the remainder of the 14-lap race. Hendry cruised to victory by over 13 seconds. Rounding out the podium was Applegate in Second and Thornton in third. With his third-place finish, Thornton secured the 2023 RoR GTO Class Championship.

In Race of the Rockies GTU, Salvatore Rizzo (who previously clinched the 2023 RoR GTU Championship) got an excellent start and led the opening lap of the race. Dennis Stowers, looking for his first RoR GTU win, was right on Rizzo’s tail. On lap two, Stowers made a pass on Rizzo and quickly dropped into the 1:51’s. Stowers led the next few laps and opened a 1.8 second lead on Rizzo. Rizzo, not giving up so easily, started taking small chunks out of Stowers’ lead every lap. By lap 8 Rizzo had caught back up and passed Stowers for the lead. Not being discouraged, Stowers stayed within .3 seconds of Rizzo until the final lap where he lined up a move on the final turn. Getting an excellent drive out of turn 15, Stowers pulled right up alongside Rizzo but ran out of tarmac before crossing the start/finish line. Rizzo secured the victory by .05 seconds, followed by Stowers in second and Tyrel Diekmann in third.

That concludes our 2023 50^th anniversary season. The MRA would like to thank all the safety crew members, racers, friends, and family that made this season a remarkable success. Next up, the MRA heads to High Plains Raceway in Byers, CO for the New Racers School with a provisional date of April 12-13, 2024.

The MRA welcomes racers from other clubs across the nation. If you’re a currently licensed racer and would like to race with us in 2024, we have several reciprocity agreements in place along with very competitive pricing on license & entries to our 28 classes. Click here for MRA membership & entry information.

The Motorcycle Roadracing Association is dedicated to promoting safe and competitive motorcycle road racing events for enthusiasts in Colorado and the surrounding area. For more information go to http://www.mra-racing.org/.

RRW 2023 MRA Final Results Round 7

MotoAmerica: 2024 Schedule Announced

David Swarts

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September 27, 2023

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MotoAmerica 2024: More Races, More Action Headlined By 20 Superbike Races

The Daytona 200, The Addition Of Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Two More Mission King Of The Bagger Races, And Eight Championships To Fight For In 2024

IRVINE, CA (September 27, 2023) – MotoAmerica, North America’s premier road racing series, is pleased to release its tentative 2024 MotoAmerica Championship schedule with eight classes set to battle for titles, including 20 Superbike races held over nine rounds, two additional Mission King Of The Baggers races, the Daytona 200, and a return to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course after a 10-year hiatus.

MotoAmerica will again begin its season with its Supersport class competing in the non-points-paying Daytona 200, with the Mission King Of The Baggers Championship, Twins Cup and Mission Super Hooligan National Championship kicking off their seasons with the start of those three championships. For 2024, the 82nd running of the Daytona 200 at Daytona International Speedway will be the only extended-distance, pit-stop round of the Supersport series.

Like last year, the 20-race Superbike series will compete three times over the course of the weekend at two rounds – Barber Motorsports Park and Circuit of The Americas – with a single race on Saturday followed by two races on Sunday. Additionally, as was the case in 2023, all classes will compete twice over the course of their scheduled race weekends.

“It’s hard to believe that the 2024 season represents 10 years since MotoAmerica took over the AMA Superbike series,” said MotoAmerica COO Chuck Aksland. “Since that time, we’ve seen tremendous growth, not only with our television broadcast footprint and social media but also our on-site spectator attendance. We are confident of that continued growth especially with the addition of Mid-Ohio to next year’s schedule. Although we just finished up our 2023 season, we know 2024 is just around the corner and we look forward to seeing everyone at Daytona in March.”

The Superbike Championship will get rolling with its traditional opening round at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta (April 19-21) with the Georgia round also featuring Supersport, Twins Cup, Junior Cup and Mission King Of The Baggers.

From Road Atlanta the series stays in the south with round two set for Barber Motorsports Park (May 17-19) and the first of two tripleheader Medallia Superbike races. In addition to the Superbikes, the Barber round will also feature Supersport, Twins Cup, Junior Cup and the opening round of Stock 1000.

Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, will be the third round of the championship on its traditional date of the first weekend in June (May 31-June 2) and will feature Superbike, Supersport, Twins Cup, Junior Cup and Mission King Of The Baggers.

Following the Road America round, the series heads west and stops at Brainerd International Raceway for round four (June 14-16) with Superbike, Stock 1000, Supersport, Twins Cup, Junior Cup and Mission King Of The Baggers.

Then it’s off to Ridge Motorsports Park for the fifth round of the title chase in Shelton, Washington (June 28-30) with the Superbikes headlining the event that will also feature Stock 1000, Supersport and round two of the Mission Super Hooligan National Championship.

Two weeks later and the MotoAmerica Championship lands in Monterey, California, for round six at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca (July 12-14) for Superbike, Stock 1000, Supersport, Mission King Of The Baggers and the Mission Super Hooligan National Championship.

Following the four-week summer break, the series heads to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (August 16-18) for the first time since 2014 and the first time since MotoAmerica took over the AMA Superbike Championship. In addition to the two Superbike races, Mid-Ohio will also play host to Supersport, Junior Cup, Mission King Of The Baggers and the Mission Super Hooligan National Championship.

The MotoAmerica Championship returns to Circuit of The Americas for a second straight year as a standalone event in Texas (September 13-15) with Superbike, Supersport, Twins Cup, Mission King Of The Baggers and the Mission Super Hooligan National Championship.

Two weeks later (September 27-29) the championship will come to a close with the season finale slated for New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville, New Jersey, and featuring Superbike, Stock 1000, Supersport, Junior Cup and Mission King Of The Baggers.

The Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. series will again be featured at select MotoAmerica events in 2024 with that schedule to be released shortly.

Tentative 2024 MotoAmerica Calendar

March 7-9 Daytona International Speedway Daytona Beach, FL

April 19-21 Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta Braselton, GA

May 17-19 Barber Motorsports Park Birmingham, AL

May 31-June 2 Road America Elkhart Lake, WI

June 14-16 Brainerd International Raceway Brainerd, MN

June 28-30 Ridge Motorsports Park Shelton, WA

July 12-14 WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Monterey, CA

Aug. 16-18 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Lexington, OH

Sept. 13-15 Circuit of The Americas Austin, TX

Sept. 27-29 New Jersey Motorsports Park Millville, NJ

2024 Superbike Series

April 19-21 Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta Braselton, GA

*May 17-19 Barber Motorsports Park Birmingham, AL

May 31-June 2 Road America Elkhart Lake, WI

June 14-16 Brainerd International Raceway Brainerd, MN

June 28-30 Ridge Motorsports Park Shelton, WA

July 12-14 WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Monterey, CA

Aug. 16-18 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Lexington, OH

*Sept. 13-15 Circuit of The Americas Austin, TX

Sept. 27-29 New Jersey Motorsports Park Millville, NJ

*Tripleheader Round

2024 Supersport Series

*March 7-9 Daytona International Speedway Daytona Beach, FL

April 19-21 Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta Braselton, GA

May 17-19 Barber Motorsports Park Birmingham, AL

May 31-June 2 Road America Elkhart Lake, WI

June 14-16 Brainerd International Raceway Brainerd, MN

June 28-30 Ridge Motorsports Park Shelton, WA

July 12-14 WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Monterey, CA

Aug. 16-18 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Lexington, OH

Sept. 13-15 Circuit of The Americas Austin, TX

Sept. 27-29 New Jersey Motorsports Park Millville, NJ

*Non-Points Paying Round

2024 Mission King Of The Baggers Series

March 7-9 Daytona International Speedway Daytona Beach, FL

April 19-21 Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta Braselton, GA

May 31-June 2 Road America Elkhart Lake, WI

June 14-16 Brainerd International Raceway Brainerd, MN

July 12-14 WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Monterey, CA

Aug. 16-18 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Lexington, OH

Sept. 13-15 Circuit of The Americas Austin, TX

Sept. 27-29 New Jersey Motorsports Park Millville, NJ

2024 Twins Cup Series

March 7-9 Daytona International Speedway Daytona Beach, FL

April 19-21 Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta Braselton, GA

May 17-19 Barber Motorsports Park Birmingham, AL

May 31-June 2 Road America Elkhart Lake, WI

June 14-16 Brainerd International Raceway Brainerd, MN

Sept. 13-15 Circuit of The Americas Austin, TX

2024 Junior Cup Series

April 19-21 Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta Braselton, GA

May 17-19 Barber Motorsports Park Birmingham, AL

May 31-June 2 Road America Elkhart Lake, WI

June 14-16 Brainerd International Raceway Brainerd, MN

Aug. 16-18 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Lexington, OH

Sept. 27-29 New Jersey Motorsports Park Millville, NJ

2024 Stock 1000 Series

May 17-19 Barber Motorsports Park Birmingham, AL

June 14-16 Brainerd International Raceway Brainerd, MN

June 28-30 Ridge Motorsports Park Shelton, WA

July 12-14 WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Monterey, CA

Sept. 27-29 New Jersey Motorsports Park Millville, NJ

2024 Mission Super Hooligan National Championship

March 7-9 Daytona International Speedway Daytona Beach, FL

June 28-30 Ridge Motorsports Park Shelton, WA

July 12-14 WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Monterey, CA

Aug. 16-18 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Lexington, OH

Sept. 13-15 Circuit of The Americas Austin, TX

MotoGP: Provisional 2024 Schedule Released With 22 Rounds

David Swarts

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September 27, 2023

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MotoGP: Provisional 2024 Schedule Released With 22 Rounds

Provisional 2024 FIM MotoGP™ World Championship calendar revealed

The world’s most exciting sport takes it to another level in 2024, with 22 Grands Prix in 18 countries set to thrill fans across the globe

Wednesday, 27 September 2023

The provisional calendar for the 2024 FIM MotoGP™ World Championship can now be revealed! The world’s most exciting sport will stage 22 Grands Prix across 18 countries in 2024 as we gear up for the biggest season ever.

It’s already set to be a landmark year as MotoGP™ celebrates the 75th anniversary of motorcycle Grand Prix racing in 2024. The sport also marks the milestone with another as the transition to 100% sustainable fuel begins. From 2024, fuel must be a minimum of 40% of non-fossil origin before that rises to 100% by 2027. The 2024 calendar also retains its regionalised nature, with races grouped geographically and along routes that allow increased efficiency as freight and personnel traverse the world. With 11 races before the summer break and 11 after, it’s a perfect balance.

So, where do we start? Action will begin under the floodlights as the Grand Prix of Qatar returns as the season opener, with the spectacular Lusail International Circuit followed up by the equally showstopping Autodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portugal. MotoGP™ then heads for the Americas and the first back-to-back as Termas de Rio Hondo and the Circuit of the Americas host in April.

From there it’s back to Europe for the classic Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto, before Le Mans aims to break its own all-time attendance record in May. The Catalan GP returns to an earlier slot thereafter, and it stacks back-to-back with the stunning Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello.

MotoGP™ is set to break new ground at Sokol International Racetrack in mid-June, with the circuit to become the 75th venue to host a premier class race as Kazakhstan becomes the 31st country to host motorcycle Grand Prix racing. Another back-to-back then brings the curtain down on the first half of the season in style as the TT Circuit Assen prefaces the Sachsenring ahead of summer break.

Action returns at Silverstone and the Red Bull Ring before the final European back-to-back sees MotorLand Aragon return to the calendar, slotting in just ahead of Misano. From there, the paddock takes off for two action-packed triple headers.

After a celebrated debut for the Indian Grand Prix in 2023, Buddh International Circuit is our first stop in Asia in 2024 too. Then it’s on to Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit in Indonesia before the Mobility Resort Motegi wraps up the first triple header in Japan.

After a weekend off, the final stint starts up Down Under. MotoGP™ takes on Phillip Island before heading back north to Buriram in Thailand and then Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. Finally, the curtain closer beckons at the classic Circuit Ricardo Tormo as a history-making season wraps up.

22 Grands Prix + 18 countries = even MORE MotoGP™! Get ready for a truly blockbuster season and make sure to tune in for the crescendo to 2023 as the action heats up and the Championship fight continues getting closer!

BMW Issues “Temporary Voluntary Stop Sell” Order To Dealers

David Swarts

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September 26, 2023

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BMW Issues “Temporary Voluntary Stop Sell” Order To Dealers

BMW of North America is dedicated to providing vehicles to our customers that meet their expectations. To ensure that our vehicles are of the highest industry standards, BMW performs ongoing testing and evaluation.

Following a recent quality analysis, BMW is pursuing measures to further evaluate the material used in a component of its motorcycle evaporative system, which may not have been produced to material specifications.

As a result, BMW of North America is issuing a temporary, voluntary stop sale for all new and pre-owned BMW motorcycle models in dealer inventory, except for the CE 04.

This temporary stop sale is not safety related and BMW owners may continue to ride their motorcycles as normal.

BMW cannot yet advise as to the duration of this temporary stop, but we ask that you please check with your dealer frequently, as information is shared with them as it is made available to us.

MotoAmerica: Even More From The Races At New Jersey Motorsports Park (Updated)

David Swarts

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September 26, 2023

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MotoAmerica: Even More From The Races At New Jersey Motorsports Park (Updated)

Corey Alexander races to double podium finish as Tytlers Cycle Racing end 2023 third overall in MotoAmerica Superbike

It was a successful end to the 2023 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship for Tytlers Cycle Racing which was held at New Jersey Motorsports Park last weekend (September 22-24), the team securing third overall in the final standings with PJ Jacobsen.

Corey Alexander raced to a debut podium in the class in difficult conditions on Saturday before backing it up with a second podium finish on Sunday. Stefano Mesa also rode well, achieving another top-10 finish.

A solid fourth on Saturday for PJ, backed up by a second position finish, his eighth podium of the year, was enough to secure P3 overall for the #99 and the team.

Corey finished seventh overall in the final points classification at the end of his debut year in Superbike. Having made the jump from STK1000 where he won the title for the squad a year ago, the #23 showed great speed particularly towards the end of the season and his double podium in the season finale is just reward for his efforts.

Stefano was called up to replace the injured Cameron Beaubier after PittRace and once again showed his ability to adapt to any racing situation. A top 10 on Saturday in his first wet race on the BMW M 1000 RR shows he has a bright future in Superbike. He was unlucky not to finish on Sunday.

Corey Alexander: “It’s been an unbelievable weekend here at NJMP. The weather brought an unexpected variable that played in our favour. The bike worked amazing in both races and I’m super thankful to my guys for all the hard work with all the challenges that have been thrown our way these last few races. Two superbike podiums are like a dream come true. Hopefully we have the opportunity for some more next year.”

PJ Jacobsen (99). Photo courtesy Tytlers Cycle Racing BMW.

PJ Jacobsen: “Starting on Pole was a pretty good start to the New Jersey weekend. I was hunting down (Jake) Gagne, but when I passed (Josh) Herrin there was a yellow flag which I didn’t see, and I was penalized to fourth position. That was a huge bummer, but I knew we could make amends on Sunday. There wasn’t much grip on Sunday, and I was sliding all over the place. It was nice to end the season on the podium in P2 and to have Corey up there with me was great for the team. Race One really hurt me overall in the championship as without the penalty given by MotoAmerica I would have been second and not third.”

Stefano Mesa (37). Photo courtesy Tytlers Cycle Racing BMW.

Stefano Mesa: “Race One was pretty good given the conditions we faced. I was having a good time out there on the bike and lap by lap I kept figuring things out a little. In Race Two, we had a bit more direction for the wet conditions and I felt a lot better on Sunday than on Saturday. I was running fifth and the bike felt great, but we unfortunately had a mechanical [problem] – but that’s racing. I want to thank the team for their work. It was another great experience this weekend for me with the Tytlers Cycle Racing team.”

The team of course cannot sign off from the 2023 season without saying a big thanks to Cameron Beaubier who took the team to their first win in their debut race together before mounting what was a serious assault on the MotoAmerica title before bad luck and injury intervened.

More, from a press release issued by Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering:

Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering riders Rodio, Landers wrap up 2023 Twins Cup season second, third in standings

Gloddy nearly scores podium in first Twins Cup race since Daytona round

MILLVILLE, N.J. — It wasn’t the ending to the 2023 season that either Gus Rodio or Rocco Landers had hoped for, but the pair of Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering riders performed admirably in their first time racing their Aprilia RS 660s in full wet conditions on Saturday and ended the season on Sunday with a total of six poles, nine wins and nine additional podium finishes between them.

The Sept. 22-24 round at New Jersey Motorsports Park also marked Ben Gloddy’s return to MotoAmerica competition with a near-podium finish after being sidelined with an injury from the Daytona International Speedway round in March.

The Rodio Racing Powered by Robem Engineering riders had a strong start to the round in Friday’s dry conditions. Landers was the fastest rider in Friday practice, as he set a best lap time of 1:27.629 that was about 1.4 seconds faster than the next fastest rider. Rodio finished that session third, and Gloddy was sixth. Later Friday, the team’s riders found even more pace and secured first, second and sixth place on the provisional starting grid. Landers was again at the top of the time sheet with a 1:24.659, Rodio provisionally qualified alongside his teammate in second. Gloddy was the sixth-fastest rider in the session.

Tropical Storm Ophelia began its trek across southern New Jersey Saturday morning, which made for very wet conditions on the 2.25-mile NJMP Thunderbolt track. The conditions allowed Landers’ qualifying time from Friday to earn him his sixth Twins Cup pole of 2023. In the wet conditions, Landers was still among the fastest riders in the Twins Cup field. He finished Qualifying 2 as the second-fastest rider, and Gloddy was 10th-fastest. Rodio was a little off the pace, as he finished the session in 11th.

At the start of Saturday afternoon’s Race 1, it was Gloddy who got the best launch of the trio. He moved up three places during the first lap and ended up running in third place for most of the race. It was a different story for Rodio and Landers who lost several places as the field funneled through the first turn. Rodio finished Lap 1 all the way down in 10th place and Landers in seventh. Those two riders didn’t waste time making up the positions they lost, as Landers had moved up to fifth place by the end of Lap 3 and Rodio was running in fourth place by the end of Lap 6. Rodio’s paced improved as the race went on, and he got by Gloddy on the last lap to secure his 10th appearance on a MotoAmerica Twins Cup podium this year while also putting the fastest lap of race on the last lap. Gloddy held onto fourth place and Landers finished in fifth.

Race 2 on Sunday took place with mixed track conditions as the near-constant precipitation began to subside. Rodio got a good launch and led the field through the first corner. As Rodio and his championship rival pulled away from the rest of the field, Landers was struggling a little for pace and had fallen to fifth place by the end of Lap 2. The race was stopped on Lap 3 due to a crash at the exit of Turn 12, and Rodio got another good start when racing resumed. Though he was able to maintain the lead for the first two laps of the restarted race, Rodio got passed at the start of the next lap. As Rodio was trying to retake the lead, his teammates Gloddy and Landers were running in sixth and 10th place, respectively. Rodio’s race came to a premature end, as he highsided in the same area as the rider whose crash had brought out the red flag, and the race was stopped and later called complete. In the final race results, Gloddy was classified in fifth place and Landers in seventh.

Gus Rodio (96). Photo by Sara Chappell, courtesy Aprilia.

Gus Rodio / No. 96

“I had never ridden the Aprilia in the rain, and we got on the podium on Saturday in a rain race. On Sunday, it was more mixed conditions, and there wasn’t much more we could’ve done. I’d hoped MotoAmerica would delay the race a bit more than they did, but unfortunately that’s not what happened. I put it on the floor trying today, and it was a big one. It’s been an up-and-down kind of season. A lot of things went wrong, but a lot went right too. Overall, it was a good year.”

Rocco Landers (97). Photo by Sara Chappell, courtesy Aprilia.

Rocco Landers / No. 97

“It was an eventful weekend – that’s for sure. It’s too bad we couldn’t win the championship for Aprilia. But, it goes like that sometimes. If conditions had been dry this weekend, I think Gus and I would’ve been right up at the front, This season has been hard for me, but I also didn’t think I was going to be racing at all this year. I was trying to get to 50 career wins this year, but I at least got that total up to 48. We’ll see what next year holds. Without Aprilia, I wouldn’t be in as strong a position to move up a class next year.”

Ben Gloddy (72). Photo by Sara Chappell, courtesy Rodio Racing.

Ben Gloddy / No. 72

“It was a good weekend, as I was just coming back from my injury at Daytona. It was a good dry day on Friday, and I ended up qualifying in sixth. I ran most of Saturday’s race in third place, but Gus was able to run me down at the end. Today, with the tricky weather, I just didn’t have the confidence I needed to move up the field. I didn’t have any high expectations for this weekend. I just wanted to have some fun and get back into it.”

Robem Engineering’s technical partners for 2023 include Aprilia Racing, Piaggio Group Americas, Bitubo Suspension, Dunlop, Woodcraft Technologies, Dymag, Vesrah, Sprint Filter, DID, Sara Chappell Photos, NGK/NTK, Blud Lubricants, Millennium Technologies, Motovation USA and SC-Project.

Rodio Racing’s technical partners for 2023 include NJ MiniGP, Luxestar VIP, MAR Contractors, Evolve GT, N2 Racing, Dunlop, Spellcaster Productions, Kathedral, The Martinn and MVR Endeavor.

More, from a press release issued by Dunlop:

Congratulations to Dunlop’s 2023 MotoAmerica Champions!

Rancho Cucamonga, CA: Dunlop is proud to be the AMA MotoAmerica spec tire for all classes since 2015, and Dunlop and MotoAmerica recently renewed their contract, allowing Dunlop to remain the official tire supplier of MotoAmerica through 2025! Each year, it seems like North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series continues to become more and more thrilling. The 2023 MotoAmerica Series was no exception, with it ending at wet and technical New Jersey Motorsports Park.

This year was an even more exciting season for the Dunlop crew, with an all-new tire available for all racers. The all-new Sportmax Slick replaced the industry standard KR448 and KR451 range of slicks and are now the Official Tires of the MotoAmerica series. Countless lap and class records have been demolished with the new and improved tire during the 2023 MotoAmerica series at multiple tracks in multiple classes! Impressive example: Superbike rider Josh Herrin broke Road America’s race record by over 1.5 seconds on this new Sportmax Slick.

Last year, Jake Gagne took home an astounding 12 race wins to earn his second MotoAmerica Superbike championship. This season was more challenging for the two-time defending champion with competition from 2022 Supersport Champion Josh Herrin, who kept him on his toes. At the eighth stop of the race tour in Pittsburgh, Gagne was able to wrap up his third straight MotoAmerica Superbike title with two rounds and four races on the schedule remaining. The Fresh N’ Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing rider grabbed a few more wins before the season ended, securing the championship by 148 points over Josh Herrin on the new Dunlop Sportmax Slicks!

In addition, in round eight, Avery Dreher clinched the Junior Cup championship on his Bad Boys Racing Kawasaki and in the hands-on Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. Championship, rider Mikayla Moore swept all seven races in the series to dominate her championship.

Three support class titles were decided in the penultimate round at the Circuit of Americas. In the Supersport class, Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC Xavi Fores was crowned after winning a record-breaking eight wins at the start of the season. In addition, in the Stock 1000 class, Hayden Gillim was awarded champion after winning six races on his Disrupt Racing Suzuki. The Indian Motorcycle/Progressive/Mission Foods rider Tyler O’Hara also finished the season as champion in Texas, in the always-exciting Super Hooligans series.

At the season finale in New Jersey, the Twins Cup title was wrapped up by Blake Davis on his N2 Racing BobbleHeadMoto Yamaha. The head-to-head battle with Gus Rodio was cut short due to Rodio falling susceptible to the track conditions ending up out of the race. Meanwhile, the Vance & Hines Mission Harley-Davidson rider Hayden Gillim clinched the King of the Baggers Championship by riding conservatively to a second-place finish at the season finale after his competition struggled in the tricky conditions.

“MotoAmerica racing in 2023 has been some of the most exhilarating racing we’ve witnessed in years, as multiple lap records were broken with our new Sportmax Slick tire offerings!” said Mike Buckley, Senior VP, Sales and Marketing, Dunlop Motorcycle Tires. “The continued evolution of the series, classes, and tires are a testament to the dedication of MotoAmerica, our Dunlop support crew, and all the riders, racers, teams, and supporters. We are honored to be the official tire of MotoAmerica for years to come.”

About Dunlop Motorcycle Tires:

Dunlop is the largest supplier of original equipment and replacement motorcycle tires in the U.S.A. For more information, visit www.DunlopMotorcycleTires.com. Follow @ridedunlop on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for the latest Dunlop news. Use #RideDunlop and/or #RaceDunlop to share your Dunlop moments.

More, from a press release issued by KYT Americas:

3 MotoAmerica Class Champions!

2023 MotoAmerica Champions (from left): Junior Cup Champion Avery Dreher, Supersport Champion Xavi Fores, and Twins Cup Champion Blake Davis. Image courtesy KYT Americas.

KYT Americas proudly congratulates Xavi Fores, Blake Davis, and Avery Dreher on their 2023 championships. Xavi Fores demonstrated exceptional talent, skill, and determination throughout the season, ultimately securing the championship title in his first full year racing MotoAmerica’s Supersport class. Blake Davis, last year’s Twins Cup champion, retains his number one plate due to his consistent podiums and front-running pace throughout the season. Avery Dreher was a tactician and master in the draft against the extremely tight competition of the Junior Cup class.

This achievement underscores the incredible skill, dedication, and unwavering commitment of these athletes. KYT Americas has long been a leader in safety and performance in motorsports, and we are honored to support these racers in their pursuit of championships.

The champions and their respective classes are as follows:

1. Xavi Fores – Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati

MotoAmerica Supersport

2. Blake Davis – N2 Racing / BobbleHeadMoto

MotoAmerica Twins Cup

3. Avery Dreher – Bad Boys Racing

MotoAmerica Junior Cup

Brandon Cretu, CEO at KYT Americas, expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “Going into 2023, KYT Americas was looking forward to supporting these guys. We knew they were talented, even world class, but it’s so hard to predict how a season will turn out. Having three riders we sponsored win their respective class championships is very exciting for us. We look forward to continuing to support their journey and witnessing their future successes.”

KYT Americas remains steadfast in its mission to provide the highest quality safety equipment and support to racers around the world, ensuring they can perform at their best while staying safe on the track. We appreciate the trust our athletes put in us.

More, from a press release issued by Altus Motorsports:

MotoAmerica: Altus Motorsports Results from New Jersey Motorsports Park

(Millville, NJ) Historically, the New Jersey round always has the potential for interesting weather and the final round of the 2023 MotoAmerica season was no exception.

After a difficult season that challenged the team on many levels, Altus Motorsports finished the 2023 season strong and with a solid platform to build on for the future.

Supersport:

Jaret Nassaney continued to improve on his Suzuki GSX-R750 in the New Jersey Supersport races. He qualified 9th in the dry on Friday and only 1.7 seconds out of pole. This is the closest he has been to the top spot all year. Saturdays qualifying was in the rain, so the team worked on their rain setup for race one. Jaret faced rain for the entirety of Supersport Race 1. After starting from 9th, Nassaney crossed the finish line in 6th. The Sunday weather was only marginally better; a drying track mixed with puddles. In spite of the conditions, he pulled off another 6th place. Both races were his best finishes of the season.

Jaret Nassaney (59). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Altus Motorsports.

Jaret Nassaney: “I got two 6th place finishes and I am super stoked with that, given the race conditions! I am very happy to end the season on a high note. The conditions were sketchy, but we rode hard and got it done. I have to thank my Crew Chief Boyd Bruner, lead mechanic William Gerken, and assistant LJ for everything this weekend.”

Junior Cup

In the dry practice and qualifying on Friday, Alessandro Di Mario showed fantastic pace. He qualified in 6th, less than a second off of the pole sitter. Unfortunately, both of the Junior Cup races were wet. Di Mario struggled to get comfortable on the soaked surface at NJMP. He finished Race 1 in 15th and Race 2 in 20th.

Alessandro Di Mario (70). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Altus Motorsports.

Alessandro Di Mario: “It was a tough weekend. It was my first time with the bike and the tires in the wet. It took me a while, but my pace got a lot better toward the end. We have to work on getting better in these kinds of conditions.”

George Nassaney: “After a very difficult season it was nice to finish the last few rounds strong. We made a lot of changes this year and we’re finishing the season with a good crew and a solid trajectory for the future. Preparation has already begun for 2024 and i am currently in discussions with several riders. I hope to have a couple riders signed soon, so we can begin winter testing. I can’t thank everybody enough for their support this year.”

Altus Motorsports team is supported by our great family of sponsors: Altus Motorsports, FLY Racing WPS, Suzuki Motor Corporation, Yamaha Motor Company, Barnett, Buy A Jet From Steve Main, Maxima Racing Oils, Moto-D Racing, Bonamici, Hot Bodies Racing, M4 Exhausts, Vortex EK, Motion Pro, SBS Brakes, BrakeTech USA, Inc., Ohlins, K-Tech, RS Taichi, Arai, Yoshimura, Chicken Hawk Tire Warmers, CarbonSmith, Law Tigers Oklahoma, and Altus Factory Racing

MotoGP: World Championship Continues Next Weekend At Motegi

David Swarts

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September 26, 2023

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MotoGP: World Championship Continues Next Weekend At Motegi

Closer than ever: the Championship fight touches down at Motegi!

Hard braking, hard racing, home glory and much more is on the line at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan

Tuesday, 26 September 2023

After a headline-packed Indian GP, we’re heading east for another clash of the titans as the Mobility Resort Motegi welcomes MotoGP™. The gap at the top is the closest the Championship has been for some time, with a shock crash for leader Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) at Buddh leaving the door open for his closest rivals to capitalize – and that they did. Pecco will be gunning for some redemption and he’s no stranger to rising to that occasion in style, but there’s everything to play for.

Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) and Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) arrive with the momentum. Martin from another Tissot Sprint win, equaling Bagnaia’s count this year, and then a hard-fought second place on Sunday. The Spaniard is now just 13 points off Bagnaia’s lead as he digs in and keeps pulling back that gap. But Bezzecchi? On paper he may not have done the double, but he was, without a doubt, the fastest rider in India.

His comeback on Saturday after that unfortunate Turn 1 contact from teammate Luca Marini – who will miss this weekend and won’t be replaced – was an absolute barnstormer, and in only 10 laps. Cat out the bag and his pace proven, there was some pressure on Sunday to deliver the win that speed promised, but deliver he did. With Pecco’s crash behind him opening the door to a real gain in the standings too, it’s now a 44-point deficit for the Mooney VR46 rider. Can he cut that again this weekend?

Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), meanwhile, delivered some big points again too. The South African had a bit of a nightmare end to Practice AND Q1 as yellow flags scrubbed off his best efforts, but despite starting outside the top ten, he took off like a shot to make it P4 in both the Sprint and Grand Prix. He’s now 100 points off the top, but there’s still more than double that on the table, and he took a podium last season at Motegi. He and teammate Jack Miller, aka the 2022 winner at the track, as well as GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 duo Pol Espargaro and Augusto Fernandez, have a last stand of their own this weekend already though: the constructors’ crown is in play for the first time.

Ducati’s impressive and growing form over the past few seasons has seen them wrap up the constructors’ title even when the riders’ crown went begging, with so many fast faces in play at once. But this season that ten-year journey to the top could pay off even earlier as they arrive at Motegi with a 200-point lead over KTM. Yes, you read that correctly. With 222 still in play and 37 available over a weekend, the top Ducati needs to outscore the top KTM by 22 or more. This time they’re riding out with six bikes as three-time Motegi winner Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) joins Marini on the sidelines, not replaced, but there’s Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing), Michele Pirro (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) alongside the Championship top three on track.

Aprilia are now out that constructors’ fight, and they weren’t able to make much hay in the fight at the front in India either, so they’ll want a lot more at Motegi. It could be a tougher one for the agile RS-GP with such hard braking and acceleration, but a little more luck would help as well. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) had a crash in the Sprint and then a DNF in the GP, and teammate Maverick Viñales took some points on Saturday before his Grand Prix race was very much dampened by being sent well wide at Turn 1. Still, he recovered to eighth. Miguel Oliveira (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team) had a tough weekend overall too, whereas teammate Raul Fernandez managed to keep making those steps forward with a best qualifying yet, a Sprint point and top ten on Sunday.

Speaking of steps forward, however, means speaking about Honda and Yamaha, and as both arrive on hallowed home turf at the Mobility Resort Motegi. LCR Honda Castrol’s stand-in Stefan Bradl had a tougher one in India but did take a point, and now-home hero Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) took P11. He’ll be gunning for a lot more at Motegi but there were some great signs.

In India, the Repsol Honda team were back in the postcode they made their own over an incredible few decades in the sport, with podiums more than plausible and one bagged. Can they keep it going? Joan Mir just pipped Marc Marquez to fifth in qualifying before the two delivered some top performances once the lights went out: Mir had a slow slide out in the Sprint but then hounded Binder in a duel for fourth on Sunday. Marquez dug in behind the Ducati duo to take his second Sprint podium of the season, and on Sunday, the number 93 then had an agonizingly slow tip off at Turn 1. He was back on in record time and sliced his way back up the order to a top ten finish, but he lost ten seconds in the crash. And THAT would have dropped him in right on the back of the duel for second…

Last but by no means least, that duel for second may not have seen Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) come out on top, but it did see the Frenchman give it one hell of a shot. Teammate Franco Morbidelli took some solid points in India but Quartararo was able to wring a serious charge at the front out of his Sunday, stalking Martin before getting more than stuck in. The two were locked together over the last lap and it was a flash of what we’re missing as Yamaha look to move forward. A podium ahead of their home round, where they’ll also welcome a wildcard appearance for test rider Cal Crutchlow, is a good preface. Can we see a few more flashes of glory at Motegi? Tune in to find out!

Pedro Acosta (37) extended his Moto2 World Championship point lead with a race victory in India. Photo courtesy Dorna.

Can anyone catch Acosta at Motegi?

Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) is on a serious roll. Another dominant performance in India extended his advantage once more, but at least for Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) it was only a five-point swing, all things considered. After a tougher run, the Italian has been right back in the front fight over the last two rounds too, so he’ll want to repeat that in Japan… and more.

Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team), meanwhile, had an eye on victory before his clash with Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools Speed Up), which also gained the latter two Long Laps for his trouble. That’ll be a hurdle for Lopez, and the deficit to the top is a bigger hurdle for Dixon as both arrive looking to bounce back.

After a return to the rostrum for the first time this year, Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) will want to keep that going at Motegi too, and the rider he just got the better of in that spectacular last lap duel, Sergio Garcia (Pons Wegow Los40), will be gunning for another bite of that top five cherry as his rookie momentum in the intermediate class keeps impressing.

All that said, Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) will be stealing plenty of the spotlight. As the home hero, but also as the winner in 2022 after a truly impressive weekend. Can he go back to back on home turf? We’ll find out on Sunday at 13:15 (GMT +9) as the intermediate class take on the Mobility Resort Motegi!

Jaume Masia (5) leads the Moto3 field at the start of the race in India. Photo courtesy Dorna.

Moto3™ vs Motegi: three riders, one point, and a home hero

The Moto3™ Championship has been closing up for a while, but it’s rarely been closer than this. Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) remains the leader by virtue of his three wins to Jaume Masia’s (Leopard Racing) two, but they’re now equal on points after Masia’s win in India. And Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) is now just one single point behind, right as the paddock touches down on his home turf at Motegi… where he was also on the podium last year. He’s the highest finisher from 2022 who returns to race the track in the class this year, too.

David Alonso (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team), meanwhile, is now fourth overall after he took another top five, coming home just behind Holgado at Buddh. The rider for whom India was an expensive weekend in the standings was instead veteran Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo), whose adventurous Saturday morning gained him a back of the grid start and Long Lap, had a mountain that was just that little too high to climb on Sunday. Öncü will be going all out to gain that ground back and get his elbows out in the process at Motegi. Finally, Kaito Toba (SIC58 Squadra Corse) arrives from a first podium of the season just in time for home turf as well, so he’ll want to stay in that postcode.

We’re straight back in action this weekend, so will there be a change of leader for the first time this year? Or has Holgado got more in his pocket after some good damage limitation in India? Tune in for Moto3™’s return to Motegi, with lights out at 12:00 (GMT +9) on Sunday!

Japanese Superbike: Nakasuga Wins Finale And 12th Title At Okayama

David Swarts

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September 26, 2023

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Japanese Superbike: Nakasuga Wins Finale And 12th Title At Okayama

Katsuyuki Nakasuga won the MFJ All Japan Road Race Championship Series Superbike/JSB1000 season finale September 24 at Okayama International Circuit, in Okayama Prefecture, Japan.

Riding his Yamaha Factory Racing Team YZF-R1, Nakasuga won the 24-lap race by just 0.140 second over his teammate Yuki Okamoto.

Ryo Mizuno was a distant third on his Astemo Honda Dream SI Racing CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP.

With the race victory, Nakasuga wrapped up his 12th MFJ All Japan Superbike/JSB1000 Championship.

0924_JSB1000_result

Limited-Production Brabus 1300 R Masterpiece Edition Debuts

September 27, 2023