Agostini, Rea, Rossi Attending 2024 Yamaha Racing Heritage Club Events

David Swarts

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May 15, 2024

Agostini, Rea, Rossi Attending 2024 Yamaha Racing Heritage Club Events

Legends Line Up to Help Yamaha Racing Heritage Club Celebrate 2024

The Yamaha Racing Heritage Club is delighted to announce its schedule for 2024, which includes the Sunday Ride Classic, Dijon Motorcycle Legends Cup, Veterans Motocross des Nations, and the Yamaha Racing Experience at Jerez. Stars from the past and present, including Valentino Rossi, Giacomo Agostini, Jonathan Rea, Alessio Chiodi, Johnny Cecotto and Christian Sarron, alongside their iconic race bikes are all set to celebrate a historic year for the manufacturer with several important racing milestones to commemorate.

Launched at EICMA in 2021, the Yamaha Racing Heritage Club (YRHC) was designed to protect, celebrate, and share Yamaha’s rich racing history across all disciplines with younger generations.

The YRHC gives owners the opportunity to register their bikes on the YRHC database and become official members, bringing together owners of iconic Yamaha racing machinery from around the globe, allowing them to share their knowledge and experience with their fellow collectors and offering them the chance to participate in a number of events throughout the year.

The YRHC is not only about machinery; it also aims to reunite the riders who helped write large Yamaha’s name in the history books with the machines on which they achieved their greatest successes. Plus, by bringing together these legendary riders and their iconic bikes alongside Yamaha’s current roster of racing talent, it allows a whole new generation of fans to experience first-hand the passion, determination, and technology that defined bygone eras.

During its inaugural year in 2022, the YRHC focused on celebrating Yamaha’s road racing success by attending events such as the ASI Motoshow in Italy, the Sachsenring Classic in Germany, and the CRMC Classic Motorcycle Festival in England as well as documenting the emotional reunion of three-time 500cc World Champion Wayne Rainey and his title-winning 1992 YZR500 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

In 2023, in addition to continuing to be present at some of the biggest classic events in Europe and making its debut at the Yamaha Racing Experience in Mugello, the YRHC expanded its program by attending events dedicated to celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the YZ range of Motocross bikes.

In 2024, the YRHC aims to honour several historic anniversaries, including the 60th anniversary of Yamaha’s first-ever World Championship when Phil Read lifted the 250cc title in 1964 on the legendary RD56, the 50th anniversary of 15x World Champion Agostini joining the manufacturer and achieving his first title with the marque, the 40th anniversary of Sarron’s 1984 250cc World Championship, the 25th anniversary of the debut of the YZF-R7, plus the 25th anniversary of the first victory for the YZF-R6 in WorldSSP, and much more.

To commemorate these milestones, Agostini and Sarron will take to the track with the YRHC at the Sunday Ride Classic at Circuit Paul Ricard on the 18th and 19th of May before the duo will be joined by two-time World Champion Johnny Cecotto for the Coupes Moto Legende at the Circuit de Dijon-Prenois on the 24th-26th of May.

After the success of 2023, the YRHC will once again play an integral part in the Yamaha Racing Experience (YRE), which this year will be hosted at the Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto on the 3rd- 4th of July.

Heading up this exclusive event is none other than nine-time World Champion Rossi, who will be joined by six-time Superbike World Champion Rea alongside the rest of the current crop of WorldSBK riders, including Andrea Locatelli, Remy Gardner, and Dominique Aegerter, with a number of special guests yet to be announced. Invited YRHC members will not only have the chance to ride the Jerez circuit alongside these modern heroes on classic two-stroke machinery but also enjoy the full Yamaha Racing Experience.

Then to bring the curtain down on an exciting year, the YRHC will return to the Veterans Motocross des Nations (VMXoN) at Foxhills in the UK from the 22nd to 25th of August with three-time World Champion Alessio Chiodi set to be the star of the show once again, alongside a display of historic Yamaha off-road bikes.

Do you own a classic Yamaha race bike? If so, the YHRC is open to owners of bikes from every discipline. From Grand Prix racing, eligible machines are those raced between 1955 and the end of the 500cc two-stroke era in 2003, as well as TZ125 and TZ250 machinery up until 2009.

Registration of bikes from World Superbike and the Endurance World Championship is open to machines raced in any of the production classes from 1985 until 2009, while from the off-road world, the YRHC is open to motocross bikes raced before 1998 and Paris Dakar machines raced in Africa before 2007.

If you are interested in joining, thanks to an all-new registration portal, it is now even easier to register your machine on the database and become a member of the YRHC; simply click here to begin the registration process.

Paolo Pavesio

Marketing & Motorsport Director, Yamaha Motor Europe“The YRHC has grown from strength to strength since its launch in 2021, and this year is no exception. We are delighted to be able to share the history of Yamaha with our passionate and loyal fans, plus we have now made it even easier to become a member with a new online registration portal. We have an exciting schedule of events for 2024, both on and off-road, to help us celebrate a historic year for Yamaha, with several major anniversaries. The YRHC not only helps us honour the past, but by bringing together our legendary riders and bikes from years gone by with our current roster of riding talent, it allows us to introduce a whole new audience to Yamaha’s rich and illustrious racing legacy.”

Hendry Takes Premier Class Win At MRA Season Opener

David Swarts

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May 15, 2024

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Hendry Takes Premier Class Win At MRA Season Opener

Hendry and Behmer Secure First Premier Class Wins of 2024 Season

Byers, CO – The opening round of the 2024 Motorcycle Roadracing Association (MRA) Championship Series took place at High Plains Raceway over the weekend of May 11-12th on their 1.86 mile North Course. The weather this weekend was less than ideal for racing as the temperatures hovered around 50 degrees for much of Saturday and Sunday.

New for the 2024 season, the MRA has added an Amateur GTO payout class to the Saturday race schedule, adding more incentive and excitement during the weekend. Racers must qualify on Saturday morning to participate in the class, adding a new strategic element to the weekend. Tim May-Ellis took the inaugural pole position with a time of (1:19.687), followed by Dylan Unger (1:21.228) and Vinh Nguyen (1:22.012). The race kicked off later Saturday afternoon and was dominated by May-Ellis after he jumped out to an early lead, and never looked back. Unger and Nguyen exchanged positions for much of the race, but ultimately Nguyen secured second, and Unger rounded out the podium in third.

The Race of the Rockies Qualifying on Sunday went well despite the 49 degree temperature and moderate winds. Brad Hendry, continuing his excellent form from last year, qualified on pole with a time of (1:15.237). Gage Mollman qualified second with a time of (1:16.272) followed by Nathan Entz (1:17.040).

As the Race of the Rockies premier class race grew near, the weather started to look a bit ominous. Clouds rolled in, bringing moderate rain and cooler temperatures, causing the racers to scramble to get on their rain tires. The race was delayed 45 minutes to give ample time for the tire changes, ensuring the safest possible conditions. Many racers opted out, causing the grid to shrink down to just eight riders.

The start of RoR GTO saw Hendry jump out to an early lead. Jeremy Ross was right on Hendry’s tail for the first lap, but during lap two, Ross had an incident on the exit of turn 13, ending his race. With Ross out, Hendry settled in and pulled out to a commanding lead, clicking off consistent 1:30’s on a very wet track. Dustin Pfeiffer found some excellent speed during the second half of the 16-lap race as he grew more comfortable on his rain tires. Pfeiffer set the fastest lap of the race with a (1:26.701), easily making his way to second position. Unfortunately, Pfeiffer ran out of laps before he could catch up to Hendry, finishing nine seconds off the lead. Rounding off the podium in third position was Mollman, who was struggling for traction with his DOT road tires.

In RoR GTU, Justin Behmer got an excellent start and led the entire race. Behmer, riding a Twins Cup spec bike, had excellent pace in the wet, leading many of the bigger GTO bikes for much of the race. Salvatore Rizzo, last year’s RoR GTU class champion, stayed in second place for the entirety of the race. The battle for third place was between Dennis Stowers and Kevin Caputo. Caputo held third position for the first six laps, until Stowers made a pass on the back straight. Stowers opened a slight gap, but Caputo was determined to get on the podium. As the race went on, Caputo chipped away at Stowers and executed a clean pass with only a lap and a half to go. Caputo got his head down and never let Stowers get close enough to retaliate. Caputo claimed third position, earning his first ever premier class podium!

Next up, the MRA heads to Pueblo Motorsports Park in Pueblo, CO for Round 2 on May 25-26 for a full weekend of racing including the SuperStreet event on Saturday afternoon. SuperStreet gives street riders the opportunity to experience motorcycle road racing with minimal cost and preparation. See https://www.mra-racing.org/superstreet/superstreet-information for details.

The MRA welcomes racers from other clubs across the nation. If you’re a currently licensed racer, 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/.

American Flat Track: Rescheduled Silver Dollar Short Track Is Saturday

David Swarts

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May 14, 2024

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American Flat Track: Rescheduled Silver Dollar Short Track Is Saturday

Progressive AFT Completes California Swing with Inaugural Silver Dollar Short Track

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 14, 2024) – Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, will complete its run of five Short Tracks in its opening six races with this weekend’s inaugural Silver Dollar Short Track at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, California, on Saturday, May 18.

While two weeks later than originally scheduled due to inclement weather on the original date, the visit to the historic venue is actually overdue by measure of decades rather than weeks. The track is fabled among West Coast auto racing superstars and finally has its opportunity to earn its place in the esteem of the world’s elite motorcycle dirt trackers starting this weekend.

There have been different winners in each of the four Mission AFT SuperTwins Short Track Main Events to date this season: points leader Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT), second-ranked Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750), reigning Grand National Champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Rogers Racing/SDI Racing/Indian Motorcycle FTR750), and last weekend’s victor, Briar Bauman (No. 3 Rick Ware Racing/KTM/Parts Plus KTM 790 Duke).

Solid arguments can be made for all four heading into this weekend. But that level of parity combined with the novel nature of the Silver Dollar Short Track makes it difficult, if not impossible, to predict who is most likely to hold the upper hand.

Of course, the ‘24 season could continue on brand and deliver fans a fifth winner in as many STs. Brandon Price (No. 92 Memphis Shades/Corbin/OTBR Yamaha MT-07) and Sammy Halbert (No. 69 Dodge Bros. Racing/Castrol Harley-Davidson XR750) have both earned runners-up in the discipline this year, while Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 JMC Motorsports/Fairway Ford Ohio Indian FTR750), Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750), and Bronson Bauman (No. 37 Fastrack Racing Mission Foods KTM 790 Duke) have all stood atop the box in recent seasons.

Historically, Short Tracks have a way of springing surprises. So perhaps one of a number of talented underdogs will step to the fore in Chico, a group of riders that includes the likes of Kolby Carlile (No. 36 G&G Racing/Yamaha Racing MT-07), Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Mission Foods/Zanotti Racing KTM 790 Duke), Max Whale (No. 18 Latus Motors Racing/Liqui Moly Harley-Davidson XG750R), and Dan Bromley (No. 62 Memphis Shades/Vinson/Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda Transalp).

Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER

By contrast, this year’s four ST wins in the Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER category have been split evenly by just two riders, reigning class champ Kody Kopp (No. 1 Rick Ware Racing/Parts Plus KTM 450 SX-F) and his most persistent challenger, Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F).

Outside of a last-lap incident in the opener that cost Australian Drane what could prove to be a vital haul of points, the two have been nearly perfectly matched, with each rider boasting two wins among four podium finishes this season.

Chase Saathoff (No. 88 JPG Motorsports Honda CRF450R), Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 D&D Racing/Certified KTM 450 SX-F), and Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) haven’t been too far off that form. Saathoff boasts a pair of top threes including his maiden victory, former class champ Gauthier has reeled in two runners-up among three podiums, while Lowe has taken a pair of thirds.

Others to watch include Californians James Ott (No. 19 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450), Travis Petton IV (No. 82 ECG Racing/A.M Ortega KTM 450 SX-F), Tarren Santero (No. 75 Vinson Construction, P&M Motorcycles Honda CRF450R), and Tyler Raggio (No. 55 Raggio Racing/Sluggo Racing KTM 450 SX-F), as well as up-and-comers Logan Eisenhard (No. 66 Hannum’s Harley-Davidson KTM 450 SX-F) and Evan Renshaw (No. 265 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R).

There will be plenty to keep spectators entertained off the track as well, including numerous vendors, plenty of food and beverage options, live music, activities for kids, and extensive motorcycle parking.

General Admission Grandstand tickets are just $30 (kids 12 and under free), while Reserved Grandstand tickets are $40 (all ages), Trackside Box tickets are $60 (all ages), and Pit Grandstand tickets offer premium viewing experiences for $70 (all ages).

New for 2024 is the Opening Ceremonies Trackside Fan Experience ($150 all ages). This ticket option provides reserved seating with Pit Pass access, a guided tour of, and photo opportunities at, the infield podium and start/finish line, infield viewing of Opening Ceremonies and the heat races, and a track talk and photo opportunity with 2016 Grand National Champion Bryan Smith.

Visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/silver-dollar-short-track-89147 to reserve your seats today.

Gates will open for fans at 6:00 p.m. ET (3:00 p.m. PT) with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 10:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. PT). You can catch the livestream of all the weekend’s racing activities on FloRacing. Motorsports fans can subscribe to FloRacing to enjoy over 1,000 live motorsports events in 2024. FloSports is available by visiting https://flosports.link/aft or by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and Chromecast.

FOX Sports coverage of the Silver Dollar Short Track, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Saturday, May 25, at 11:00 a.m. ET (8:00 a.m. PT).

For more information on Progressive AFT visit https://www.americanflattrack.com.

AHRMA: Hall, Spargo Win Vintage Cup Races At Talladega

David Swarts

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May 14, 2024

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AHRMA: Hall, Spargo Win Vintage Cup Races At Talladega

AHRMA 2024 Vintage Cup 350GP Hall and Spargo split wins again

(Knoxville, TN) A two-stroke versus four-stroke battle may mark every round of the 2024 AHRMA Vintage Cup.

Rounds six and seven of AHRMA’s 2024 Vintage Cup series, which highlights its 350 GP class, were held May 11 and 12 at Talladega Gran Prix Raceway in Munford, AL as part of the 2024 Bridgestone Tires AHRMA Roadracing Series.

Rob Hall, racing a four-stroke 1965 AJS 7R, in a repeat of rounds three and four, split wins with Christopher Spargo, who was aboard a two-stroke 1967 Yamaha TD2 with Hall taking Saturday’s checkered flag, and Spargo taking Sunday’s.

Sponsored by Hagerty Insurance, Roadracingworld.com, and NYC Norton (nycnorton.com), AHRMA’s 2024 Vintage Cup features the 350 GP class which includes 350cc four-stroke and 250cc two-stroke powered machines built up to and including 1968. Featured bikes from this era would include bikes such as the AJS 7R “Boy Racer”, 350 Manx Norton, Benelli 350-Four, Aermacchi 350 Road Racer, Yamaha TD2, and more. 350 GP is a true Grand Prix class from the “golden era” up until the early 1980s and was won by such great racers such as Giacomo Agostini, Jim Redman, Mike Hailwood, John Surtees, and Geoff Duke.

“It’s a well-worn battle of the 2 and 4 stroke machines. Rob Hall is so good on the brakes and gets his well handling Seeley 7R through the turns like no one’s business. Spargo is always fast, and he has really gelled with this Yamaha TD2 and uses its peaky power wisely.” said Kenny Cummings of NYC Norton (nycnorton.com). “I’m happy to see everyone in the 350 GP class out there giving it their all at Little Tally, and particularly happy to see these two consistent front-runners splitting it up and keeping the Vintage Cup as exciting as we could ask for. On to Nelson Ledges in a couple of weeks!”

The start of Saturday’s race saw Hall, on Stu Carter’s 1965 AJS 7R taking the lead for the hole shot through turn one with Spargo on John Turner’s 1967 Yamaha TD2 on his heels. Spargo was able to overtake Hall in turn two of lap four, but he was unable to make it stick, with Hall retaking the lead. Hall led in a very close race, and towards the end, was able to navigate through back traffic and held on for the win. Spargo, just a couple of bike lengths behind Hall, took a close second. David Rhodes, riding a 1966 Yamaha TD1 rounded out the podium.

The balance of the grid in order of finish included: Jerry Duke in fourth on his 1967 Ducati 350 Scrambler, Doug Bowie finishing fifth riding a 1968 Ducati Mach 1, Zeca Pires sixth on a 1966 Suzuki X6 Hustler T10, John Tunstall in seventh on his 1968 Ducati 350, and Craig Light eighth, riding his 1973 Bultaco.

On Sunday, Spargo got the hole shot into turn one. Hall pulled alongside Spargo several times but never succeeded in overtaking him. Hall experienced a mechanical failure mid-way through and pulled out of the race. Spargo took the checkered flag unchallenged. Behind Spargo, a heated battle between Rhodes and Tunstall was underway. Rhodes took turn one ahead of Tunstall at the start. Tunstall was close behind, keeping the gap narrow passing Rhodes halfway through lap three and led until they passed the white flag. At that point, Rhodes put his head down and was able to pass Tunstall in the back section, keeping his position through the checkered flag for second place, Tunstall in third.

The balance of the grid, in order of finish was Pires in fourth and Hall finishing in fifth position.

“I’m loving the 2024 Vintage Cup because I love four-strokes and two-strokes,” said Greg Tomlinson, 2024 Chairman of the AHRMA Board of Trustees. “What I love even more is close, unpredictable racing. That’s what this series is shaping up to be all about.”

Rounds eight and nine of the AHRMA National Road Race Series will be May 25-26 at Nelson Ledges Road Course, Garrettsville, OH.

The annual Vintage Cup spotlights one of AHRMA’s road racing classes with extra attention on competitors in the selected class during each race event. Enhanced awards for the Vintage Cup competitors are presented separately from other class trophies during the Saturday awards ceremony at each AHRMA National Road Race event. Highlights from each Vintage Cup race will be reported in RoadracingWorld.com’s online edition. At the conclusion of each season, the perpetual Vintage Cup trophy will be engraved with the national champion winner’s name and presented to the winner at the National Awards Banquet to keep for one year.

2024 Bridgestone Tires AHRMA Roadracing Series, 350GP – Vintage Cup Results

Saturday, May 11, 2024

1 – 270 Rob Hall, 1965 AJS 7R, Charlotte, NC

2 – 19 Christopher Spargo, 1967 Yamaha TD2, Hopkins, MN

3 – 97L Dave Rhodes, 1966 Yamaha TD1, Columbia, IL

4 – 9K Jerry Duke, 1967 Ducati 350 Scrambler, Florence, AL

5 – 350 Doug Bowie, 1968 Ducati Mach 1, Lilburn, GA

6 – 50A Zeca Pires, 1966 Suzuki X6 Hustler T10, Sandy Springs, GA

7 – 36T John Tunstall, 1968 Ducati 350, St. Petersburg, FL

8 – 79A Craig Light, 1973 Bultaco, Peachtree City, GA

Sunday, May 12, 2024

1 – 19 Christopher Spargo, 1967 Yamaha TD2, Hopkins, MN

2 – 97L David Rhodes, 1966 Yamaha TD1, Columbia, IL

3 – 36T John Tunstall, 1968 Ducati 350, St. Petersburg, FL

4 – 50A Zeca Pires, 1966 Suzuki X6 Hustler T10, Sandy Springs, GA

5 – 270 Rob Hall, 1965 AJS 7R, Charlotte, NC

About AHRMA:

The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to competing on fantastic classic and true vintage along with a wide range of modern motorcycles. With 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.

Video: Push The Limit – Harley-Davidson King Of The Baggers Season 2, Chapter 2

David Swarts

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May 14, 2024

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Video: Push The Limit – Harley-Davidson King Of The Baggers Season 2, Chapter 2

After mixed results from Round 2 of the 2023 @MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers season at Road Atlanta, the Harley-Davidson Factory Race Team heads to the @CircuitAmericas for a weekend of testing their Road Glides with fellow Harley-equipped teams Vance & Hines and Saddlemen.

#HarleyDavidson #MotoAmerica #KingoftheBaggers

Canadian Superbike: Championship Opens May 17-19 At Shannonville

David Swarts

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May 14, 2024

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Canadian Superbike: Championship Opens May 17-19 At Shannonville

Superbike Preview: Young kicks off 2024 title quest at Shannonville

Hamilton, ON – The long wait for the 2024 Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship season is finally over, as the national series will return to historic Shannonville Motorsport Park for the opening round this weekend, presented by the Fallen Riders Support Team sponsored by Pace Law.

It was just over five months ago that Shannonville hosted the 2023 season finale, a chaotic weekend in the feature GP Bikes Pro Superbike class as Ben Young clinched his third Canada Cup and second in a row.

A lot has happened in those months since, however, and the dynamic of the Superbike grid has shifted dramatically from the one fans would remember in September. Absent will be 2021 champion Alex Dumas, the main rival to Young and a three-time winner at SMP, along with frontrunners Trevor Daley and Tomas Casas.

Losing Dumas – the usual thorn in Young’s side – will be music to the ears of the Van Dolder’s Home Team BMW squad, as the two rivals had combined to win every race in the last two seasons and 24 of the last 26 races overall (12 victories each).

Betting on Young to potentially sweep the 2024 season would be a popular choice, having won at five of the six venues on the calendar and riding at the highest level of his career with five consecutive victories to snatch the 2023 crown.

But one rider’s absence is another rider’s opportunity, and you don’t have to look any farther than round one a year ago to see that Young is completely bulletproof. The Collingwood, ON native finished a distant second in race one before a bodywork issue relegated him to sixth in race two, undoubtedly his worst weekend of the season.

Young also won’t forget who was leading that opening race, as the eventual victory was handed to Dumas after a crash out of the lead by Sam Guerin – perhaps Young’s biggest rival entering the 2024 campaign.

Guerin has yet to taste victory in the pro ranks but proved he is more than capable a year ago, finishing third in the championship and at times looking like the only rider who could match the duo at the front.

The EFC Group BMW star would like nothing better than to finish what he started a year ago, winning the opening race at Shannonville and ending Young’s quest for a “perfect season” before it even begins, but he is hardly the only one with those ambitions.

Trevor Dion will also be chasing his first career Superbike victory in 2024, and he may not have to wait long for it after his breakthrough performances to end 2023. After starting the year with Kawasaki and only cracking the top-five on one occasion, Dion joined Economy Lube Ducati for the final round and promptly rattled off three podium finishes in a row to finish as the Pro Rookie of the Year.

The 22-year-old never got the chance to race around Shannonville’s round one “pro track” layout last season, missing the opener with an injury, but his performances at the “long track” finale were enough to put the entire field on notice.

The final name of the “big four” to watch will be one much more familiar to Young, however, as he is sure to renew his rivalry with 14-time champion Jordan Szoke at some point this season.

Now the healthiest he’s been since the 2021 season, Szoke has seemed revitalized in his quest for another title and is never one to doubt on at any track, including Shannonville where he has totalled an impressive seven career victories. The Canadian Kawasaki rider scored two podiums at the venue last season and will be hoping to add to that total this weekend from the top step of the box.

While the names above seem the most likely to pressure Young at the season opener, they are hardly the only riders capable of turning heads at Shannonville.

David MacKay will be an especially intriguing rider to watch as the reigning Pro Sport Bike champion adjusts to a bigger Snow City Cycle Honda machine, piloting a Superbike for the first time in his national career.

Joining him in the midfield will be teenage sensation John Fraser, who narrowly missed out on top rookie honours a year ago with six top-eight finishes on the season, including a career best fifth at the Shannonville pro track aboard his RLS Contracting Suzuki.

Fighting alongside him will be the favourite for this year’s Brooklin Cycle Racing Pro Rookie of the Year award in Connor Campbell, who made the jump to Superbike in the final round last season and will continue with B&T MacFarlane/Kubota Kawasaki for the full campaign in 2024.

Other dark horses to keep an eye out for at Shannonville will be Paul Macdonell and Guillaume Fortin, both of whom will be racing new machines this season. Macdonell has switched to Vass Performance BMW and will look to build upon his best finish of seventh at SMP last year, while Fortin returns to the series aboard a Turcotte Performance Ducati after just one appearance last season.

The fourth year of the Constructors Championship will also get underway at Shannonville, where two-time reigning champions BMW hope to kickstart their title defence with Young and Guerin at the front.

Inaugural champs and 2023 runners-up Suzuki will need to rely mostly on Fraser in round one at SMP, opening the door for the likes of Kawasaki and Ducati to join the title fight for the first time after the award was introduced in 2021.

The full weekend schedule for the GP Bikes Pro Superbike class – and the rest of the seven Bridgestone CSBK categories – can be found on the series’ official website at CSBK.ca.

For more information on the Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship, visit www.csbk.ca or email [email protected].

MotoAmerica Superbike: Forés Will Sub For Escalante On Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki

John Ulrich

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May 13, 2024

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MotoAmerica Superbike: Forés Will Sub For Escalante On Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki

XAVI FORÉS SUBSTITUTING FOR RICHIE ESCALANTE AND VISION WHEEL M4 ECSTAR SUZUKI

Team Hammer announces that Xavi Forés will substitute for injured Richie Escalante aboard the Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R1000R Superbike when the 2024 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Championship season resumes at Barber Motorsports Park, in Birmingham, Alabama, on May 17-19. Forés will substitute until Escalante is cleared by MotoAmerica medical.

Escalante is on the mend after crashing with another rider moments after taking the checkered flag in eighth in the 2024 Superbike season-opening round at Road Atlanta. Despite walking away from the fall under his own power, the Mexican star was later diagnosed with a left wrist fracture and a left ankle fracture, plus compression fractures of his L1, L2, and L4 vertebrae.

Spaniard Forés is well suited to step into the role on short notice. He is a very experienced road racer, having competed in many top-level series during his two-decade-plus professional career.

Prior to joining the MotoAmerica tour in 2023, Forés won the IDM Superbike Championship (2014), the European Superstock 1000 Championship (2013), and the CEV Stock Extreme Championship (2010 and 2013). He also has competed in MotoGP, Moto2, MotoE, 125cc Grand Prix, World Superbike, World Supersport, World Endurance, and British Superbike.

Team Hammer witnessed the 38-year-old flex all that skill and experience up close a year ago, when Forés won the 2023 MotoAmerica Supersport title in dominant fashion, claiming nine race wins among his 12 podium finishes.

“I am excited for this opportunity. It’s a shame Richie was injured but I am glad to help,” said Forés. “The situation I am in, I have wanted the right opportunity in MotoAmerica Superbike but before this, it hadn’t come up for me yet. Richie and I are friends and he is always telling me the bike is capable of the podium. I know it is a good team supported by Suzuki, so I feel like we have the opportunity to earn good results. Having a great year in America last season and learning the paddock and tracks will help, too.”

ABOUT TEAM HAMMER

The 2024 season marks Team Hammer’s 44th 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 362 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

Canadian Sport Bike: Young Pulling Double Duty In 2024

David Swarts

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May 13, 2024

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Canadian Sport Bike: Young Pulling Double Duty In 2024

Sport Bike Preview: Tremblay, Young face off at Shannonville

Hamilton, ON – The long wait for the 2024 Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship season is finally over, as the national series will return to historic Shannonville Motorsport Park for the opening round this weekend, presented by the Fallen Riders Support Team sponsored by Pace Law.

Included amongst the action will be the Economy Lube Pro Sport Bike class, which has endured plenty of changes from its 2023 grid. Reigning champion David MacKay and former SMP winner Connor Campbell have both graduated to the Superbike ranks, last year’s title runner-up Matt Simpson has entered a semi-retirement, and injuries have sidelined frontrunners Brad Macrae, Alex Coelho, and Louie Raffa.

While a new influx of talent will surely help offset those absences – including a loaded rookie class – it would have been fair for title favourite and 2021 champion Sebastian Tremblay to be licking his chops entering round one at Shannonville.

Instead, he’ll now need to deal with an unexpected rival – three-time Canada Cup champion Ben Young.

The face of the Superbike class will do double-duty for the first time in his career this season, joining the middleweight grid aboard a Van Dolder’s Home Team Suzuki and committing to all six national rounds in both classes.

Young hasn’t raced in the Sport Bike division since 2015, earning a second-place finish in his final appearance at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, but his recent Daytona 200 finish proved there should be minimal adjustment as he pivots back to the smaller machine.

His path to a championship will be anything but a formality, however, as he’ll be going up against one of the best Sport Bike riders of the modern era in Tremblay.

The Turcotte Performance Suzuki rider won the final three races of the 2023 campaign and finished third in the championship despite sitting out round one – the same pro track layout that will host round one this season – reminding everyone why he swept the 2021 campaign behind eight consecutive victories.

That Sport Bike experience will play massively in Tremblay’s favour, setting the table for what should be a fantastic duel between the two former champions both at the opening round in Shannonville and throughout the 2024 campaign.

Focusing on only each other would be a mistake, however, as both will have their hands full just fending off the rest of the field in what has been the most unpredictable class in recent CSBK history.

Leading that charge is the duo of Elliot Vieira and John Laing, the fourth and fifth-place finishers in last year’s championship. Vieira missed three races with mechanical issues and very well could have been in title contention without them, while Laing was one of the most consistent frontrunners following his crash in the opening race of the season.

Vieira will be back aboard his GP Bikes Ducati and hoping to build upon his strong finale at Shannonville last year, where he finished second and third (albeit on the long track layout). As for Laing, the Cochrane, AB native now has a year of experience under his belt around the Ontario circuits, and will aim to build some early momentum ahead of his home races in round three.

Perhaps the biggest leap in potential from 2023 to 2024 is sophomore Alex Michel, who quietly put together a strong rookie pro season last year and recently won the Sport Bike race at the SuperSeries regional at SMP. The young Kawasaki rider finished seventh in each of the two races around the pro track last season before claiming his first career podium at CTMP, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see him return to the front at Shannonville like he did this past weekend.

Amongst the other returnees is a group of dark horse contenders that includes Marco Sousa, Nathan Playford, and Zoltan Frast, amongst others. Sousa in particular has shown some of his best pace at Shannonville, scoring a pair of fifth place finishes to begin last year’s campaign, and a podium spot is hardly out of the question for the Suzuki veteran.

Each of the returnees will need to keep an eye out for some of the new names around them, though, with at least five high-profile rookies expected to make the jump from the amateur ranks this season.

Headlining them is none other than 19-year-old sensation Mavrick Cyr, the champion in both amateur classes last season and one of the brightest talents in the Bridgestone CSBK paddock. Any doubt of Cyr’s potential was quickly silenced in September, when he got an early start to his pro career and finished ninth in the final race of the season aboard his Rizzin Racing Triumph.

Joining Cyr will be a quartet of young rivals from his amateur days, including the likes of Mack Weil, Phil Degama-Blanchet (the youngest pro rider at just 16 years old), Bryce DeBoer, and Andrew Cooney. Weil joined Cyr in the pro finale last year, finishing 13th, and is hoping to build on that experience aboard his MotorcycleCourse.com Kawasaki.

New to the class in 2024 will be the Constructors Championship, which has added an extra layer of intrigue in the Superbike class since its introduction in 2021 and will now expand to the middleweight division.

Suzuki will enter as the overwhelming favourites with the two main title protagonists in their stable, while Sousa will provide support as the third rider in their program.

Kawasaki will lose a major piece of their 2023 puzzle with MacKay gone, but will only need two of Laing, Michel, Weil, or Degama-Blanchet to perform well at SMP to open the year on a high note.

Ducati will rely heavily on Vieira and Playford in the early going, adding Raffa to the mix once healthy, while former frontrunners Yamaha will be in tough following Simpson’s departure and Macrae’s injury.

The full weekend schedule for the Economy Lube Pro Sport Bike class – and the rest of the seven Bridgestone CSBK categories – can be found here.

For more information on the Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship, visit www.csbk.ca or email [email protected].

Oxley Bom MotoGP Podcast: MotoGP – A Slice Of Humble Pie

David Swarts

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May 13, 2024

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Oxley Bom MotoGP Podcast: MotoGP – A Slice Of Humble Pie

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 “MotoGP – A Slice Of Humble Pie.”

The original podcast can be found on BuzzSprout.com or listened to via other places you get podcasts.

From the Oxley Bom Podcast:

It’s been a week since we saw Bagnaia and Marquez battle it out at Jerez, but what did we learn? Well, that Marquez is back, of course – that much is obvious. Less obvious is what it revealed about the nature of the bikes on the grid, and the engineers working on them.

See, something strange seems to be happening at Yamaha. On the outside, it seems little has changed. But Mat and Peter think that first looks can be very deceiving, in this case….

Also, Peter tells us about the smell of KTM burning rubber and Mat has a little chat with Gigi dall’Igna about the fine line between ‘vibration’ and ‘chatter’. Enjoy!

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

MotoGP: French GP Drew Record 297,471 Fans

David Swarts

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May 13, 2024

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MotoGP: French GP Drew Record 297,471 Fans

297,471 fans make MotoGP™ history at Le Mans

The 2024 French GP breaks the all-time record to become the best-attended MotoGP™ event in history

Monday, 13 May 2024

The 2024 Michelin® Grand Prix de France put on an incredible show right to the final lap and a record-breaking crowd was there to see it. An awe-inspiring 297,471 fans flocked to historic Le Mans across the weekend, making it the highest-attended Grand Prix in history.

The previous record was set at the 2023 French GP, when 278,805 fans joined MotoGP™ to celebrate the 1000th Grand Prix. Le Mans now sets a new benchmark as MotoGP™ continues to record impressive levels of growth, only matched by the incredible action on track.

Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of MotoGP™ rights holder Dorna Sports: “The atmosphere in Le Mans is legendary and for good reason. The incredible roar from the crowd is one of the purest expressions of passion for sport in the world and it’s a privilege to hear it.

“After Le Mans set a new all-time attendance record last season, the benchmark was high but the 2024 French GP delivered. Nearly 300,000 people across the weekend is absolutely incredible, and it is testament to the world-class work undertaken by PHA Claude Michy every year. The event is exactly what we want every time we race: stunning racing on track that fills the grandstands, paired with a full agenda of activities and entertainment to make every minute of the weekend something special for every fan. We thank Claude and his team for their commitment to MotoGP.

“As for the fans, they are equally committed to the sport and show that every time we go out on track. They are young and diverse, reflecting the power of MotoGP to engage with a wide audience and create a powerful connection. As we look to grow the sport around the world, this is proof of concept that MotoGP is for everyone – and once you hear the engines roar out of pitlane, you know it’s for you.

“Thank you, Le Mans, for sharing your astounding passion with us as we continue to make history. It is our pleasure to share the stage with you in the world’s most exciting sport.”

Agostini, Rea, Rossi Attending 2024 Yamaha Racing Heritage Club Events

May 15, 2024

Valentino Rossi (46) on his personal YZF-R1 earlier this year in Portugal. Photo courtesy Yamaha.