Dunlop’s Buffalo, NY Tire Factory Celebrates 50 Years of Motorcycle Tire Production
Buffalo, NY: It may be hard to believe that Dunlop has been a critical part of the Western New York Community for 100 years now, with its first tire rolling off the assembly line in 1923. For half of those 100 years, this factory produced over 20 million motorcycle tires for the North American market. Back in the early 1970s, motorcycle tire molds were moved from the Dunlop plant in Whitby, Ontario, across the Canadian border to the nearby Dunlop factory located in Tonawanda, New York, just outside the Buffalo city limits. By 1973, this plant was producing the K81, K70, and eventually the K88 motorcycle tires.
Fast track to March of 1978, a Dunlop K181 built in that same Tonawanda plant won a tire shoot-out conducted by Harley-Davidson in San Antonio, Texas which would solidify its future and change the course of history for the Dunlop brand and the people designing and building tires at the Tonawanda plant. That shootout win started a relationship with Harley-Davidson that eventually led to Dunlop being awarded the Original Equipment tire business for 1981 Harley-Davidson Sportster motorcycles. This partnership has lasted over four decades with the two companies collaborating on numerous tire innovations, including things we take for granted, like wide white walls and multi-tread touring motorcycle tires.
Today, Dunlop Motorcycle Tires remains the largest motorcycle tire manufacturer headquartered and fully operational within the United States. The company is the largest motorcycle tire producer based in the North American market. “It’s incredible to think this facility has been building motorcycle tires for fifty years. Even more remarkable is the brand’s partnership with Harley-Davidson and how that relationship has pushed our technology and innovation to deliver world-class market-driven products for North American riders,” said Mike Buckley, Dunlop Motorcycle’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Having the R&D and manufacturing located so close to the market has been invaluable to our success. It’s not just about touring tires though, additionally, our support of North American Road Racing and Flat Track with tires designed and built here, further demonstrates our commitment to this market.”
Dunlop’s R&D team, located in Buffalo, NY, has been committed to American racing and is the official tire of MotoAmerica and American Flat Track series, where all the tires used in the series are developed and manufactured by Dunlop in its New York facility. In addition, many of Dunlop’s popular tires, like the American Elite, D401, D402, D407, D408, Sportmax Q5, Sportmax Q5S, Trailmax Mission, and many more are produced in the same footprint that started production in 1973.
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, YouTube, and Twitter for the latest Dunlop news. Use #RideDunlop and/or #RaceDunlop to share your Dunlop moments.
With great sadness and deep sorrow, the GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team said farewell to Mirko Giansanti, who passed away today after a serious illness.
Mirko faced this final challenge with courage and dignity, the same attributes that so marked his career, first as a rider and later as the founder and Sporting Director of the Giansanti Racing Team. Unfortunately, this proved to be his final race.
Mirko’s enormous love and passion for motorsport have characterized the team from the day it was founded in 2016 until today and will continue to do so forever.
Mirko’s humanity, strength of spirit and determination have always been a source of inspiration for the team and for all the people who had the privilege to make his acquaintance.
Mirko spent his life on two wheels, initially racing in the 125cc class, before progressing to 250cc and then Supersport, enjoying many successes on the way. The next step came when, with his friend Filippo Conti, he founded the GRT Racing Team. Success came quickly, with the team winning the FIM Supersport World Championship in 2017, before stepping up to the premier production class, WorldSBK, in 2019.
The GRT Racing Team extends its deepest condolences to Mirko’s family and loved ones and asks for people to respect their privacy as they grieve his loss.
“Mirko, we will miss you terribly, but we know you will always be with us. We promise you that we will work even harder to fulfill a common dream of taking your and our creature to the top of the world. Above all, we will always keep your memory alive”
More, from a press release issued by Yamaha:
Yamaha Mourn the loss of GRT Yamaha’s Mirko Giansanti
All at Yamaha Motor Europe and Yamaha Racing extend their sincere condolences to the family, friends, and teammates of Mirko Giansanti, who sadly passed away today after a long battle with a serious illness.
Mirko faced this final challenge with courage and dignity, the same attributes with which he moulded his career, first as a rider and later as the founder and Sporting Director of the Giansanti Racing Team.
Mirko’s humanity, strength of spirit and determination have been a source of inspiration for everyone at the GRT Yamaha Team and for all the Yamaha Racing staff who had the privilege to make his acquaintance.
Andrea Dosoli: Road Racing Manager, Yamaha Motor Europe
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Mirko after a long illness. He was a man who said little, preferring instead to lead by example and with this approach he and the GRT Yamaha Team achieved a lot. Mirko was an integral part of our Yamaha racing family and the WorldSBK paddock will be a lesser place with his passing. Rest in peace, Mirko.”
Two-time and defending MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne was quickest during testing Monday at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), near Austin, Texas. Riding his Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha YZF-R1 in extremely hot conditions, Gagne lapped the 3.4-mile, 20-turn course in 2:10.358.
For comparison, Gagne qualified on pole position for the last MotoAmerica Superbike race at COTA in 2022 with a 2:08.450, and Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati’s Danilo Petrucci turned the fastest race lap of 2:08.648 on his way to a pair of victories.
Ambient temperatures Monday at COTA were well over 100 degrees F.
Josh Herrin was second-quickest Monday with a time of 2:11.623 on his Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R, which was just ahead of Josh Hayes’ 2:11.830 on the second Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha.
After traveling from the American Flat Track (AFT) race in Rapid City, South Dakota, on Sunday, JD Beach arrived at the track late on Monday, jumped on the Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Superbike he will be racing at Pittsburgh International Race Complex, and did a 2:14.239.
Herrin’s teammate Xavi Fores was the sole Supersport rider at the test and did a 2:14.954.
Progressive Insurance/Mission Foods Indian’s Tyler O’Hara and Jeremy McWilliams split their time Monday between their Indian Challenger King Of The Baggers (KOTB) and Indian FTR 1200 Super Hooligan racebikes. O’Hara was fastest on the KOTB machines at 2:18.637, while McWilliams led the way on the Super Hooligan bikes with a 2:20.263.
Testing is scheduled to continue on Tuesday.
Monday’s Unofficial Test Times (as provided by Speedhive/MyLaps):
Two days of sunshine and perfect New Hampshire summer temperatures were a welcome
sight for riders in Round 4 of the 2023 NEMRR series, who were coming off a long six-week break following the 100th Loudon Classic.
The exceptional forecast led to full grids all weekend long across all classes August 5-6 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. A bright spot before the event was the overwhelming support of the NEMRR riders for the series as a whole. The 100th Loudon Classic was a landmark event with a record-breaking purse, top level talent from MotoAmerica and a fantastic turnout from New England racing enthusiasts who have been part of the regional racing scene dating all the way back to the 1960s.
There were hundreds of faces who had not visited NHMS in years and helped to make the 100th Classic the special gathering it was designed to be. The motorcycle community as a whole has rallied behind the organization, as an unfortunate stroke of luck as a terrible weather forecast kept many would-be spectators (and their accompanying revenue) home on the day of the Classic. If there was any message that was to be taken from the event it was that NEMRR is alive and well.
Not only will the series be racing in 2024 and beyond, but the 101st Loudon Classic
may be an even bigger event next season. Fans and riders can expect an announcement in the coming months.
The top performer for the weekend was veteran Brett Guyer, who rode his Seacoast Sport Cycles Aprilia RS 660 to victory in all seven of his Expert races. While Guyer won the majority of his races handily, the closest contest was the Lightweight Superbike by Freedom Cycle race on Saturday afternoon. Guyer slotted in behind his son Adam Guyer on lap one, with the pair followed by and coming MotoAmerica Rider Jacob
Crossman in third. Guyer used his strength on the brakes to close pass Adam on lap two and put his head down to run the fastest lap of the race on lap three. As the elder Guyer pulled away, Crossman was anxiously probing for a way by the Ducati of Adam Guyer, finally pushing his way past by lap four. Crossman made inroads into the lead as the pair sliced through traffic, but got balked by a group of riders on the last lap and came up a couple seconds shy as the checkered flag flew.
The fastest times of the weekend were set by Penguin Racing/Woodcraft’s Eric Wood on his Kawasaki ZX-10R. Wood went four-for-four in the Unlimited classes, setting the fast time of the weekend in the Unlimited Supersport by Orient Express race on Sunday morning. The big Kawasaki flexed its muscles down the straights of New Hampshire Motor Speedway as Wood clocked in a 1:11.4 on his route to victory.
The feature Michelin/MotoRace Dash for Cash was missing two key players this weekend. Tyler Sweeney missed the event as he was recovering from a recent broken collarbone, and 2022 Champion Scott Greenwood is still recovering from a shoulder injury sustained while playing hockey this past winter. The favorite coming into the event was Eli Block, who has
showed impressive speed during his first full season on his Yamaha R6.
Block came out swinging with the holeshot, follow by Triumph pilot Ian Beam and the Yamaha R6 of Micheal Lee. As Block began to pull away, Lee’s race ended on lap three and Harlan Hlidebrand moved into the third spot. As Block continued his charge, veteran Rick Doucette was moving forward fast after a terrible start that left him in sixth spot on the
opening lap.
In an unexpected turn, Block crashed on the final lap in the Turn Six “Bowl.” This allowed Beam to collect his maiden Dash for Cash victory as he was joined on the podium by Hidebrand and Doucette. Block got up, uninjured, and finished the race in eighth place.
The weekend was marred by a concerning event and NEMRR president John Grush was rushed to the hospital after a non-racing related medical emergency on Saturday afternoon. At the time of writing John is still in the hospital, and the family is deeply appreciative of the support of the racing community and respectfully asks for some privacy at this time. We can report that John is now awake and able to communicate and
we all share our heartfelt wishes for a full and speedy recovery.
Round Five of the NEMRR series resumes on August 19-20 at New Hampshire
Motor Speedway.
Ross Millson acquires Bridgestone CSBK operator Professional Motor Sports Productions
Toronto, ON – Former pro motorcycle racer and industry insider, Ross Millson, has officially confirmed the transfer of ownership for Professional Motor Sports Productions, Inc. (PMP), the operator of the Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship.
“Negotiations to acquire rights to PMP began in 2022 and finalized prior to the Bridgestone tire test at Jennings in March 2023. With support from my wife, Sabrina, we agreed to continue facilitating and developing racing in Canada. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to develop the national championships, taking advantage of recent growth, particularly on the broadcast television side,” explains Millson.
“I have known Colin Fraser since I started road racing at Shannonville Motorsport Park more than 20 years ago and appreciate the efforts he and his team have made to keep the series alive, especially during recent COVID events. We aim to take things to the next level, with the help of our competitors, stake holders, and dedicated staff.”
Millson’s first duties with the CSBK National series came in 2015, when he organized a program that helped Amateur racers from the east attend the national event in Edmonton, AB, through a transportation service conducted with Brooklin Cycle Racing of Pickering, ON.
When the COVID-19 pandemic forced an abbreviated CSBK season in 2020, Millson joined the working event staff as an official member of the national series effort.
“I am happy that we have reached a deal to have Ross continue the development of our CSBK,” Fraser said. “It is a real challenge to run a national championship, and he understands all the elements involved. We have made some big steps recently that I believe we have put CSBK on a solid footing moving forward.”
Professional Motor Sports Productions began in 1994, with the purpose of producing television coverage of the Canadian National Superbike Series, primarily on TSN in Canada (The Sports Network), as well as additional broadcasters such as Speedvision in the United States.
The Canadian motorcycle manufacturer group requested that PMP take over all operations of the national superbike tour in 1996, meaning that PMP has produced the events at-track and for broadcast distribution for the past 27 years.
Until recently, PMP has been run by co-founder Colin Fraser, who has worked with superbikes in Canada since the first race of that class at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in September 1978, then called Mosport International Raceway.
The first official Canadian National Superbike race was in Edmonton in June of 1980 at the long-gone Edmonton International Speedway, and the category has continued at a national level since.
“It is important to me that the history and legacy of the 43 years of the CSBK tour is recognized, supported and ongoing, and Ross is the right person for that challenge,” explains Fraser.
Fraser will continue with the CSBK team as an Executive Producer with the Bridgestone CSBK national championship tour.
CSBK will work to expand Canadian racing nationally, and continue to develop and promote young Canadian talent. With the addition of new series sponsors and the continued support of existing partners, racers and fans can look forward to many more successful seasons on track.
AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Earl Bowlby Passes Away
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame sends its condolences to the family and friends of Earl Bowlby, a 10-time AMA national hillclimb champion, who passed away Saturday, Aug. 5. He was 90 years old.
Born on Oct. 27, 1933, in Hocking County, Ohio, Bowlby’s love for motorcycles began as a teenager as he rode his paper route aboard a Whizzer motorbike during the 1940s. Bowlby’s racing career didn’t get started until the late 1950s, but instead of hillclimb, he first dabbled in drag racing.
In 1960, Bowlby established his own motorcycle dealership in Logan, Ohio, and began to ramp up his racing activities. Bowlby tried a variety of disciplines, spanning from enduros to hare scrambles, but ultimately found his true calling: hillclimb.
Earning his pro license at 32 in 1966, it took only two years for Bowlby to claim his first national victory with a win in Muskegon, Mich., in 1968. From that point forward, Bowlby dominated the national hillclimb scene, claiming 10 national titles across his 25 years of professional racing, a record that stood until 2021.
In addition to his 10 national titles on the AMA hillclimb circuit, Bowlby also added six Canadian national championships to his trophy case during his career. In 1984, Bowlby became the first competitor to complete the triple crown of hillclimb by winning the national invitational at Muskegon while claiming the AMA and Canadian national titles.
As a result of his illustrious racing career, in which he captured more than 80 AMA national hillclimb wins, Bowlby was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999 and remained a steadfast supporter from that point forward. In February 2023, Bowlby donated his 1967 BSA 650 to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame collection.
About the American Motorcyclist Association
Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. Besides offering members money-saving discounts on products and services, the AMA also publishes American Motorcyclist, a recently revitalized and monthly full-color magazine (and digital version of same) that covers current events and motorcycle history with brilliant photography and compelling writing. American Motorcyclist is also North America’s largest-circulation magazine. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit americanmotorcyclist.com.
Not a member? Join the AMA today: americanmotorcyclist.com.
Galvis crowned as inaugural FIM MiniGP Canada champion at Lombardy
Lombardy, ON – The first season of the FIM MiniGP Canada Series came to a nail-biting conclusion on Sunday, with three different winners in each of the three feature races helping crown Michael Galvis as the inaugural champion at Lombardy Karting Club.
Galvis entered the last championship weekend of the season with just a one-point title lead over Treston Morrison, with only another 22 points separating the duo from a red-hot Ben Hardwick, the winner of both races one weekend ago at Lombardy.
While the series returned again to Lombardy for the season finale only seven days later, this time it was on the reverse counter-clockwise layout, though the change didn’t seem to faze Hardwick as he squeezed out pole position from Galvis in second and Morrison on the end of the front row in third.
Race one quickly negated that grid position advantage, as Morrison snatched the holeshot with Hardwick and eleven-year-old Galvis close behind, the lead trio running only marginally ahead of Ashton Parker in fourth.
With Galvis unable to launch an attack on Hardwick for second, Morrison seemed to be on the verge of snatching the top championship spot, but that quickly turned to disaster as the 13-year-old crashed out of the lead early on lap five.
The heartbreaking mistake promoted the battle between Hardwick and Galvis to the front, but it didn’t completely ruin Morrison’s race as he managed to quickly remount and begin a charge back up the field, ultimately salvaging much-needed points in fourth.
Galvis kept sustained pressure on Hardwick right to the finish, but was unable to find an opening as the 14-year-old out of Sudbury, ON won his third race in a row, moving himself even further into the title mix.
Ben Hardwick (43) held off Michael Galvis (83) to take race one at Lombardy on Sunday, his third consecutive win at the circuit. Photo by Jeremy Fleming, courtesy FIM MiniGP Canada.
Parker would run a quietly solid race to a career-best third ahead of CSBK Scholarship rider Rhys McNutt in fifth, with Lincoln Scott closely behind in sixth from American newcomer Cooper Glover in seventh, with fellow debutant Cole Reimche and Mason Archer completing the field.
A short turnaround then led the MiniGP class into race two, where Hardwick again lost out on the start but this time to title leader Galvis. Hardwick would have more chaos into turn one, colliding not once but twice with Morrison as both riders got their elbows out in an aggressive early battle.
That opening showdown allowed Galvis to stretch out some breathing room, but it didn’t last long as Hardwick ultimately broke free of Morrison and began to reel in Galvis at the front, setting up another late battle for the race win.
Much like race one though, the buildup wouldn’t result in any last-lap heroics as Galvis would hold off Hardwick for his third win of the campaign, and a pivotal one that handed him a comfortable 17-point advantage after Morrison could only muster third.
Parker would continue his strong weekend in fourth with Scott moving up to fifth, while McNutt fended off Glover with Reimche and Archer again concluding the field.
The series then shifted it’s focus to the tenth and final points-paying race of the season, with Galvis hoping to avoid any drama and wrap up the title while Hardwick hunted down Morrison for the vice-champion spot and an invitation to the FIM MiniGP World Final in Valencia, Spain.
This time Hardwick would finally get a good launch, grabbing the holeshot as Galvis and Morrison bumped into turn one, the latter putting plenty of pressure on his former championship rival as he needed a spot in the top-two to preserve his standings advantage over Hardwick.
With the lead beginning to stretch, Morrison forced a daring move into the final corner that would unfortunately prove to be the final nail in the coffin of his weekend, crashing into the barriers and watching his Spanish hopes evaporate.
The drama didn’t end there, however, as a hard-charging Parker quickly caught the back of Hardwick and Galvis and promptly pulled off one of the most spectacular moves many in attendance had ever seen, taking both of the lead riders at once into turn one and moving from third to first.
Hardwick would put plenty of pressure back on Parker, but the weekend’s 14-year-old breakout star wouldn’t give an inch, snatching his first ever FIM MiniGP victory to close out the season, moving himself to fifth in the final standings in the process.
Ashton Parker (45) pulled off a stunning turn one move to beat Ben Hardwick (43), Michael Galvis (83), and Lincoln Scott (41) for his first career victory in race three on Sunday. Photo by Jeremy Fleming, courtesy FIM MiniGP Canada.
The celebration would quickly start further back, though, as Galvis did enough in third to clinch the inaugural Canadian championship and Hardwick narrowly moved his way into second overall, both earning a trip to Valencia in the process.
“I really wanted to go to Spain and race for Canada, so I was trying to protect my spot in the championship,” Galvis said. “Treston went down, and then Ashton passed Ben and I at once, so I didn’t know what would happen. But it was so much fun!”
After dueling all season, he and Hardwick will now plan to become teammates for their trip to Europe and the MotoGP paddock, where both are eager to be Canada’s first ever FIM MiniGP representatives.
“I was trying to take second and get a spot in Spain, so I had to make sure Treston didn’t get there, but I feel bad that he crashed after the season he had,” Hardwick said. “It means a lot to be able to represent Canada, and hopefully I can put us on top.”
A dejected Morrison would remount to finish ninth, holding onto third in the championship.
Fourth would go the way of Scott, who was part of a thrilling four-rider battle at the end to decide the victory, though a pair of late lunges weren’t enough to displace Galvis for the final podium spot. As a result, Scott will wind up sixth in the final standings, losing out to Parker as his last-race victory would prove to be the tiebreaker.
McNutt would hang onto fifth in race three and thus earn fourth in the overall standings aboard his CSBK Scholarship bike, while newcomers Reimche and Glover took sixth and seventh, respectively, with Archer eighth and taking seventh in the title fight.
Galvis and Hardwick will now prepare to represent the series internationally, as they head to the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia on November 24-26 for the FIM MiniGP World Final.
Some teams and riders are testing Monday and Tuesday at Circuit of The Americas in preparation for the MotoAmerica race event scheduled there September 8-10.
Attending the test are Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Jake Gagne and Josh Hayes (with JD Beach expected to join the team as soon as he arrives from the AFT race in South Dakota), Progressive Insurance/Mission Foods Indian’s Tyler O’Hara and Jeremy McWilliams (on both their Indian Challenger King Of The Baggers and Indian FTR 1200 Super Hooligan machines), and Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati’s Xavi Fores and Josh Herrin.
The weather forecast calls for excessive heat, with ambient temperatures expected to reach 107 degrees F Monday and 106 degrees F on Tuesday, and little chance of rain.
Sumitomo Rubber USA/Dunlop's motorcycle tire manufacturing facility in Buffalo, New York. Photo by David Swarts.
Dunlop’s Buffalo, NY Tire Factory Celebrates 50 Years of Motorcycle Tire Production
Buffalo, NY: It may be hard to believe that Dunlop has been a critical part of the Western New York Community for 100 years now, with its first tire rolling off the assembly line in 1923. For half of those 100 years, this factory produced over 20 million motorcycle tires for the North American market. Back in the early 1970s, motorcycle tire molds were moved from the Dunlop plant in Whitby, Ontario, across the Canadian border to the nearby Dunlop factory located in Tonawanda, New York, just outside the Buffalo city limits. By 1973, this plant was producing the K81, K70, and eventually the K88 motorcycle tires.
Fast track to March of 1978, a Dunlop K181 built in that same Tonawanda plant won a tire shoot-out conducted by Harley-Davidson in San Antonio, Texas which would solidify its future and change the course of history for the Dunlop brand and the people designing and building tires at the Tonawanda plant. That shootout win started a relationship with Harley-Davidson that eventually led to Dunlop being awarded the Original Equipment tire business for 1981 Harley-Davidson Sportster motorcycles. This partnership has lasted over four decades with the two companies collaborating on numerous tire innovations, including things we take for granted, like wide white walls and multi-tread touring motorcycle tires.
Today, Dunlop Motorcycle Tires remains the largest motorcycle tire manufacturer headquartered and fully operational within the United States. The company is the largest motorcycle tire producer based in the North American market. “It’s incredible to think this facility has been building motorcycle tires for fifty years. Even more remarkable is the brand’s partnership with Harley-Davidson and how that relationship has pushed our technology and innovation to deliver world-class market-driven products for North American riders,” said Mike Buckley, Dunlop Motorcycle’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Having the R&D and manufacturing located so close to the market has been invaluable to our success. It’s not just about touring tires though, additionally, our support of North American Road Racing and Flat Track with tires designed and built here, further demonstrates our commitment to this market.”
Dunlop’s R&D team, located in Buffalo, NY, has been committed to American racing and is the official tire of MotoAmerica and American Flat Track series, where all the tires used in the series are developed and manufactured by Dunlop in its New York facility. In addition, many of Dunlop’s popular tires, like the American Elite, D401, D402, D407, D408, Sportmax Q5, Sportmax Q5S, Trailmax Mission, and many more are produced in the same footprint that started production in 1973.
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, YouTube, and Twitter for the latest Dunlop news. Use #RideDunlop and/or #RaceDunlop to share your Dunlop moments.
Mirko Giansanti, R.I.P. Photo courtesy GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team.
GRT Yamaha Mourn the loss of Mirko Giansanti
With great sadness and deep sorrow, the GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team said farewell to Mirko Giansanti, who passed away today after a serious illness.
Mirko faced this final challenge with courage and dignity, the same attributes that so marked his career, first as a rider and later as the founder and Sporting Director of the Giansanti Racing Team. Unfortunately, this proved to be his final race.
Mirko’s enormous love and passion for motorsport have characterized the team from the day it was founded in 2016 until today and will continue to do so forever.
Mirko’s humanity, strength of spirit and determination have always been a source of inspiration for the team and for all the people who had the privilege to make his acquaintance.
Mirko spent his life on two wheels, initially racing in the 125cc class, before progressing to 250cc and then Supersport, enjoying many successes on the way. The next step came when, with his friend Filippo Conti, he founded the GRT Racing Team. Success came quickly, with the team winning the FIM Supersport World Championship in 2017, before stepping up to the premier production class, WorldSBK, in 2019.
The GRT Racing Team extends its deepest condolences to Mirko’s family and loved ones and asks for people to respect their privacy as they grieve his loss.
“Mirko, we will miss you terribly, but we know you will always be with us. We promise you that we will work even harder to fulfill a common dream of taking your and our creature to the top of the world. Above all, we will always keep your memory alive”
More, from a press release issued by Yamaha:
Yamaha Mourn the loss of GRT Yamaha’s Mirko Giansanti
All at Yamaha Motor Europe and Yamaha Racing extend their sincere condolences to the family, friends, and teammates of Mirko Giansanti, who sadly passed away today after a long battle with a serious illness.
Mirko faced this final challenge with courage and dignity, the same attributes with which he moulded his career, first as a rider and later as the founder and Sporting Director of the Giansanti Racing Team.
Mirko’s humanity, strength of spirit and determination have been a source of inspiration for everyone at the GRT Yamaha Team and for all the Yamaha Racing staff who had the privilege to make his acquaintance.
Andrea Dosoli: Road Racing Manager, Yamaha Motor Europe
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Mirko after a long illness. He was a man who said little, preferring instead to lead by example and with this approach he and the GRT Yamaha Team achieved a lot. Mirko was an integral part of our Yamaha racing family and the WorldSBK paddock will be a lesser place with his passing. Rest in peace, Mirko.”
Charles Miller (88) leads Stephen Pettinger (736) and the rest of the Sound of Singles 2 field at Blackhawk Farms Raceway. Photo by Cathy Drexler, courtesy AHRMA.
Complete race results from the Bridgestone Tires AHRMA Roadracing Series event held August 5-6 at Blackhawk Farms Raceway, in South Beloit, Illinois.
Use the scroll and zoom tools in the corner of the PDF viewer to better see all of the race results.
Jake Gagne (1), as seen at COTA in 2022. Photo courtesy Yamaha.
Two-time and defending MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne was quickest during testing Monday at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), near Austin, Texas. Riding his Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha YZF-R1 in extremely hot conditions, Gagne lapped the 3.4-mile, 20-turn course in 2:10.358.
For comparison, Gagne qualified on pole position for the last MotoAmerica Superbike race at COTA in 2022 with a 2:08.450, and Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati’s Danilo Petrucci turned the fastest race lap of 2:08.648 on his way to a pair of victories.
Ambient temperatures Monday at COTA were well over 100 degrees F.
Josh Herrin was second-quickest Monday with a time of 2:11.623 on his Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R, which was just ahead of Josh Hayes’ 2:11.830 on the second Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha.
After traveling from the American Flat Track (AFT) race in Rapid City, South Dakota, on Sunday, JD Beach arrived at the track late on Monday, jumped on the Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Superbike he will be racing at Pittsburgh International Race Complex, and did a 2:14.239.
Herrin’s teammate Xavi Fores was the sole Supersport rider at the test and did a 2:14.954.
Progressive Insurance/Mission Foods Indian’s Tyler O’Hara and Jeremy McWilliams split their time Monday between their Indian Challenger King Of The Baggers (KOTB) and Indian FTR 1200 Super Hooligan racebikes. O’Hara was fastest on the KOTB machines at 2:18.637, while McWilliams led the way on the Super Hooligan bikes with a 2:20.263.
Testing is scheduled to continue on Tuesday.
Monday’s Unofficial Test Times (as provided by Speedhive/MyLaps):
Ian Beam (340). Photo by Martin Hanlon, courtesy NEMRR.
Two days of sunshine and perfect New Hampshire summer temperatures were a welcome
sight for riders in Round 4 of the 2023 NEMRR series, who were coming off a long six-week break following the 100th Loudon Classic.
The exceptional forecast led to full grids all weekend long across all classes August 5-6 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. A bright spot before the event was the overwhelming support of the NEMRR riders for the series as a whole. The 100th Loudon Classic was a landmark event with a record-breaking purse, top level talent from MotoAmerica and a fantastic turnout from New England racing enthusiasts who have been part of the regional racing scene dating all the way back to the 1960s.
There were hundreds of faces who had not visited NHMS in years and helped to make the 100th Classic the special gathering it was designed to be. The motorcycle community as a whole has rallied behind the organization, as an unfortunate stroke of luck as a terrible weather forecast kept many would-be spectators (and their accompanying revenue) home on the day of the Classic. If there was any message that was to be taken from the event it was that NEMRR is alive and well.
Not only will the series be racing in 2024 and beyond, but the 101st Loudon Classic
may be an even bigger event next season. Fans and riders can expect an announcement in the coming months.
The top performer for the weekend was veteran Brett Guyer, who rode his Seacoast Sport Cycles Aprilia RS 660 to victory in all seven of his Expert races. While Guyer won the majority of his races handily, the closest contest was the Lightweight Superbike by Freedom Cycle race on Saturday afternoon. Guyer slotted in behind his son Adam Guyer on lap one, with the pair followed by and coming MotoAmerica Rider Jacob
Crossman in third. Guyer used his strength on the brakes to close pass Adam on lap two and put his head down to run the fastest lap of the race on lap three. As the elder Guyer pulled away, Crossman was anxiously probing for a way by the Ducati of Adam Guyer, finally pushing his way past by lap four. Crossman made inroads into the lead as the pair sliced through traffic, but got balked by a group of riders on the last lap and came up a couple seconds shy as the checkered flag flew.
The fastest times of the weekend were set by Penguin Racing/Woodcraft’s Eric Wood on his Kawasaki ZX-10R. Wood went four-for-four in the Unlimited classes, setting the fast time of the weekend in the Unlimited Supersport by Orient Express race on Sunday morning. The big Kawasaki flexed its muscles down the straights of New Hampshire Motor Speedway as Wood clocked in a 1:11.4 on his route to victory.
The feature Michelin/MotoRace Dash for Cash was missing two key players this weekend. Tyler Sweeney missed the event as he was recovering from a recent broken collarbone, and 2022 Champion Scott Greenwood is still recovering from a shoulder injury sustained while playing hockey this past winter. The favorite coming into the event was Eli Block, who has
showed impressive speed during his first full season on his Yamaha R6.
Block came out swinging with the holeshot, follow by Triumph pilot Ian Beam and the Yamaha R6 of Micheal Lee. As Block began to pull away, Lee’s race ended on lap three and Harlan Hlidebrand moved into the third spot. As Block continued his charge, veteran Rick Doucette was moving forward fast after a terrible start that left him in sixth spot on the
opening lap.
In an unexpected turn, Block crashed on the final lap in the Turn Six “Bowl.” This allowed Beam to collect his maiden Dash for Cash victory as he was joined on the podium by Hidebrand and Doucette. Block got up, uninjured, and finished the race in eighth place.
The weekend was marred by a concerning event and NEMRR president John Grush was rushed to the hospital after a non-racing related medical emergency on Saturday afternoon. At the time of writing John is still in the hospital, and the family is deeply appreciative of the support of the racing community and respectfully asks for some privacy at this time. We can report that John is now awake and able to communicate and
we all share our heartfelt wishes for a full and speedy recovery.
Round Five of the NEMRR series resumes on August 19-20 at New Hampshire
Motor Speedway.
Ross Millson (center) speaking with 14-time CSBK Champion Jordan Szoke (left) and CSBK Tech official Fred Benjamin (right) at Grand Bend Motorplex. Photo by Rob O'Brien, courtesy CSBK.
Ross Millson acquires Bridgestone CSBK operator Professional Motor Sports Productions
Toronto, ON – Former pro motorcycle racer and industry insider, Ross Millson, has officially confirmed the transfer of ownership for Professional Motor Sports Productions, Inc. (PMP), the operator of the Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship.
“Negotiations to acquire rights to PMP began in 2022 and finalized prior to the Bridgestone tire test at Jennings in March 2023. With support from my wife, Sabrina, we agreed to continue facilitating and developing racing in Canada. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to develop the national championships, taking advantage of recent growth, particularly on the broadcast television side,” explains Millson.
“I have known Colin Fraser since I started road racing at Shannonville Motorsport Park more than 20 years ago and appreciate the efforts he and his team have made to keep the series alive, especially during recent COVID events. We aim to take things to the next level, with the help of our competitors, stake holders, and dedicated staff.”
Millson’s first duties with the CSBK National series came in 2015, when he organized a program that helped Amateur racers from the east attend the national event in Edmonton, AB, through a transportation service conducted with Brooklin Cycle Racing of Pickering, ON.
When the COVID-19 pandemic forced an abbreviated CSBK season in 2020, Millson joined the working event staff as an official member of the national series effort.
“I am happy that we have reached a deal to have Ross continue the development of our CSBK,” Fraser said. “It is a real challenge to run a national championship, and he understands all the elements involved. We have made some big steps recently that I believe we have put CSBK on a solid footing moving forward.”
Professional Motor Sports Productions began in 1994, with the purpose of producing television coverage of the Canadian National Superbike Series, primarily on TSN in Canada (The Sports Network), as well as additional broadcasters such as Speedvision in the United States.
The Canadian motorcycle manufacturer group requested that PMP take over all operations of the national superbike tour in 1996, meaning that PMP has produced the events at-track and for broadcast distribution for the past 27 years.
Until recently, PMP has been run by co-founder Colin Fraser, who has worked with superbikes in Canada since the first race of that class at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in September 1978, then called Mosport International Raceway.
The first official Canadian National Superbike race was in Edmonton in June of 1980 at the long-gone Edmonton International Speedway, and the category has continued at a national level since.
“It is important to me that the history and legacy of the 43 years of the CSBK tour is recognized, supported and ongoing, and Ross is the right person for that challenge,” explains Fraser.
Fraser will continue with the CSBK team as an Executive Producer with the Bridgestone CSBK national championship tour.
CSBK will work to expand Canadian racing nationally, and continue to develop and promote young Canadian talent. With the addition of new series sponsors and the continued support of existing partners, racers and fans can look forward to many more successful seasons on track.
AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Earl Bowlby Passes Away
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame sends its condolences to the family and friends of Earl Bowlby, a 10-time AMA national hillclimb champion, who passed away Saturday, Aug. 5. He was 90 years old.
Born on Oct. 27, 1933, in Hocking County, Ohio, Bowlby’s love for motorcycles began as a teenager as he rode his paper route aboard a Whizzer motorbike during the 1940s. Bowlby’s racing career didn’t get started until the late 1950s, but instead of hillclimb, he first dabbled in drag racing.
In 1960, Bowlby established his own motorcycle dealership in Logan, Ohio, and began to ramp up his racing activities. Bowlby tried a variety of disciplines, spanning from enduros to hare scrambles, but ultimately found his true calling: hillclimb.
Earning his pro license at 32 in 1966, it took only two years for Bowlby to claim his first national victory with a win in Muskegon, Mich., in 1968. From that point forward, Bowlby dominated the national hillclimb scene, claiming 10 national titles across his 25 years of professional racing, a record that stood until 2021.
In addition to his 10 national titles on the AMA hillclimb circuit, Bowlby also added six Canadian national championships to his trophy case during his career. In 1984, Bowlby became the first competitor to complete the triple crown of hillclimb by winning the national invitational at Muskegon while claiming the AMA and Canadian national titles.
As a result of his illustrious racing career, in which he captured more than 80 AMA national hillclimb wins, Bowlby was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999 and remained a steadfast supporter from that point forward. In February 2023, Bowlby donated his 1967 BSA 650 to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame collection.
About the American Motorcyclist Association
Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. Besides offering members money-saving discounts on products and services, the AMA also publishes American Motorcyclist, a recently revitalized and monthly full-color magazine (and digital version of same) that covers current events and motorcycle history with brilliant photography and compelling writing. American Motorcyclist is also North America’s largest-circulation magazine. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit americanmotorcyclist.com.
Not a member? Join the AMA today: americanmotorcyclist.com.
Inaugural FIM MiniGP Canada Series Champion Michael Galvis (83) trails rivals Treston Morrison (125) and Ben Hardwick (43) ahead of the rest of the field early in race one at Lombardy on Sunday. Photo Jeremy Fleming, courtesy FIM MiniGP Canada.
Galvis crowned as inaugural FIM MiniGP Canada champion at Lombardy
Lombardy, ON – The first season of the FIM MiniGP Canada Series came to a nail-biting conclusion on Sunday, with three different winners in each of the three feature races helping crown Michael Galvis as the inaugural champion at Lombardy Karting Club.
Galvis entered the last championship weekend of the season with just a one-point title lead over Treston Morrison, with only another 22 points separating the duo from a red-hot Ben Hardwick, the winner of both races one weekend ago at Lombardy.
While the series returned again to Lombardy for the season finale only seven days later, this time it was on the reverse counter-clockwise layout, though the change didn’t seem to faze Hardwick as he squeezed out pole position from Galvis in second and Morrison on the end of the front row in third.
Race one quickly negated that grid position advantage, as Morrison snatched the holeshot with Hardwick and eleven-year-old Galvis close behind, the lead trio running only marginally ahead of Ashton Parker in fourth.
With Galvis unable to launch an attack on Hardwick for second, Morrison seemed to be on the verge of snatching the top championship spot, but that quickly turned to disaster as the 13-year-old crashed out of the lead early on lap five.
The heartbreaking mistake promoted the battle between Hardwick and Galvis to the front, but it didn’t completely ruin Morrison’s race as he managed to quickly remount and begin a charge back up the field, ultimately salvaging much-needed points in fourth.
Galvis kept sustained pressure on Hardwick right to the finish, but was unable to find an opening as the 14-year-old out of Sudbury, ON won his third race in a row, moving himself even further into the title mix.
Ben Hardwick (43) held off Michael Galvis (83) to take race one at Lombardy on Sunday, his third consecutive win at the circuit. Photo by Jeremy Fleming, courtesy FIM MiniGP Canada.
Parker would run a quietly solid race to a career-best third ahead of CSBK Scholarship rider Rhys McNutt in fifth, with Lincoln Scott closely behind in sixth from American newcomer Cooper Glover in seventh, with fellow debutant Cole Reimche and Mason Archer completing the field.
A short turnaround then led the MiniGP class into race two, where Hardwick again lost out on the start but this time to title leader Galvis. Hardwick would have more chaos into turn one, colliding not once but twice with Morrison as both riders got their elbows out in an aggressive early battle.
That opening showdown allowed Galvis to stretch out some breathing room, but it didn’t last long as Hardwick ultimately broke free of Morrison and began to reel in Galvis at the front, setting up another late battle for the race win.
Much like race one though, the buildup wouldn’t result in any last-lap heroics as Galvis would hold off Hardwick for his third win of the campaign, and a pivotal one that handed him a comfortable 17-point advantage after Morrison could only muster third.
Parker would continue his strong weekend in fourth with Scott moving up to fifth, while McNutt fended off Glover with Reimche and Archer again concluding the field.
The series then shifted it’s focus to the tenth and final points-paying race of the season, with Galvis hoping to avoid any drama and wrap up the title while Hardwick hunted down Morrison for the vice-champion spot and an invitation to the FIM MiniGP World Final in Valencia, Spain.
This time Hardwick would finally get a good launch, grabbing the holeshot as Galvis and Morrison bumped into turn one, the latter putting plenty of pressure on his former championship rival as he needed a spot in the top-two to preserve his standings advantage over Hardwick.
With the lead beginning to stretch, Morrison forced a daring move into the final corner that would unfortunately prove to be the final nail in the coffin of his weekend, crashing into the barriers and watching his Spanish hopes evaporate.
The drama didn’t end there, however, as a hard-charging Parker quickly caught the back of Hardwick and Galvis and promptly pulled off one of the most spectacular moves many in attendance had ever seen, taking both of the lead riders at once into turn one and moving from third to first.
Hardwick would put plenty of pressure back on Parker, but the weekend’s 14-year-old breakout star wouldn’t give an inch, snatching his first ever FIM MiniGP victory to close out the season, moving himself to fifth in the final standings in the process.
Ashton Parker (45) pulled off a stunning turn one move to beat Ben Hardwick (43), Michael Galvis (83), and Lincoln Scott (41) for his first career victory in race three on Sunday. Photo by Jeremy Fleming, courtesy FIM MiniGP Canada.
The celebration would quickly start further back, though, as Galvis did enough in third to clinch the inaugural Canadian championship and Hardwick narrowly moved his way into second overall, both earning a trip to Valencia in the process.
“I really wanted to go to Spain and race for Canada, so I was trying to protect my spot in the championship,” Galvis said. “Treston went down, and then Ashton passed Ben and I at once, so I didn’t know what would happen. But it was so much fun!”
After dueling all season, he and Hardwick will now plan to become teammates for their trip to Europe and the MotoGP paddock, where both are eager to be Canada’s first ever FIM MiniGP representatives.
“I was trying to take second and get a spot in Spain, so I had to make sure Treston didn’t get there, but I feel bad that he crashed after the season he had,” Hardwick said. “It means a lot to be able to represent Canada, and hopefully I can put us on top.”
A dejected Morrison would remount to finish ninth, holding onto third in the championship.
Fourth would go the way of Scott, who was part of a thrilling four-rider battle at the end to decide the victory, though a pair of late lunges weren’t enough to displace Galvis for the final podium spot. As a result, Scott will wind up sixth in the final standings, losing out to Parker as his last-race victory would prove to be the tiebreaker.
McNutt would hang onto fifth in race three and thus earn fourth in the overall standings aboard his CSBK Scholarship bike, while newcomers Reimche and Glover took sixth and seventh, respectively, with Archer eighth and taking seventh in the title fight.
Galvis and Hardwick will now prepare to represent the series internationally, as they head to the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia on November 24-26 for the FIM MiniGP World Final.
Circuit of The Americas. Photo courtesy Circuit of The Americas.
Some teams and riders are testing Monday and Tuesday at Circuit of The Americas in preparation for the MotoAmerica race event scheduled there September 8-10.
Attending the test are Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Jake Gagne and Josh Hayes (with JD Beach expected to join the team as soon as he arrives from the AFT race in South Dakota), Progressive Insurance/Mission Foods Indian’s Tyler O’Hara and Jeremy McWilliams (on both their Indian Challenger King Of The Baggers and Indian FTR 1200 Super Hooligan machines), and Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati’s Xavi Fores and Josh Herrin.
The weather forecast calls for excessive heat, with ambient temperatures expected to reach 107 degrees F Monday and 106 degrees F on Tuesday, and little chance of rain.
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