Roadracing World Young Guns 2024: Hayden Bicknese

David Swarts

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April 2, 2024

Roadracing World Young Guns 2024: Hayden Bicknese

Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 28th consecutive year of showcasing an abundance of new talent.

Roadracing World Young Guns have won:

FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;

MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 13 AMA Pro Superbike Championships;

A KTM RC Cup World Final race;

WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;

ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;

AMA Road Racing Grand Championships and Horizon Awards;

USGPRU National Championships;

Many regional and local titles.

The competition has continually become more intense as more – and younger—racers with higher levels of accomplishment are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.

We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2024 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.

The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.

We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.

The entire Roadracing World Young Guns, Class of 2024 is featured in the April 2024 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine.

Hayden Bicknese

Age: 17.

Current home: Defiance, Missouri.

Current height/weight: 5’8”/150 pounds.

School grade level: 12th grade.

Began riding at age: 5 years.

First road race: 2020, Houston, Texas, CMRA, 500 Superbike Novice, 1st place.

Current racebikes: Suzuki GSX-R750, Yamaha YZF-R6, Kawasaki Ninja 400.

Current tuner/mechanic: Randy Bicknese (Father).

Primary race series: MotoAmerica Supersport, CMRA.

Top sponsors: 3D Motorsports, Alpha Omega, Spears Racing, Blud Lubricants, K-Tech, Orient Express, M4, Moto Liberty, Vortex, Brake Tech, Arai, Dunlop, Schaefer Engineering.

Recent racing accomplishments: 2023 season, placed 5th in MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship (5 podium finishes), co-rode to wins in 3 CMRA Ultra-Lightweight Endurance races; 2022 season, placed 8th in MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship (1 podium finish), 4 sprint race wins and 1 endurance race win with CMRA; 2021, placed 12th in MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship (6 top-10 finishes, best finish 7th – 3 times), 8 race wins and 18 podiums finishes with CMRA, 4 podium finishes with CVMA; 2020 season: won CMRA Overall Novice Championship, won 6 CMRA Novice Class Championships (won 29 races).

2024 racing goal: Win MotoAmerica Supersport Championship.

Racing career goal: Race in a World Championship.

Racing hero: Nicky Hayden.

Favorite track: Circuit of The Americas.

Favorite hobby: Hockey.

If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Playing ice hockey.

…

Some of the riders who have graduated from Young Guns and gone on to racing success in National or International series include:

2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion Jason Aguilar (R.I.P.);

2013 AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and 2022 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Corey Alexander;

AMA Pro Daytona SportBike race winner Tommy Aquino (R.I.P.);

2008 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and multi-time MotoAmerica Superbike race winner J.D. Beach;

five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion and Moto2 World Championship point scorer Cameron Beaubier;

MotoAmerica Twins Cup race winner Jackson Blackmon;

former Canadian Sport Bike Champion Tomas Casas;

three-time Canadian Sport Bike Champion and 2014 Canadian Superbike Champion Jodi Christie;

former AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 race winner Josh Day;

2011 Daytona 200 winner Jason DiSalvo;

2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Championship runner-up and current MotoAmerica team owner Dustin Dominguez;

2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2019 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, and 2021 Canadian Superbike Champion Alex Dumas;

four-time Pikes Peak International Hill Climb race winner and former motorcycle track record holder Carlin Dunne (R.I.P.);

Canadian Superbike race winner Bodhi Edie;

two-time AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, two-time AMA Pro XR1200/Harley-Davidson Champion and four-time Daytona 200 winner Danny Eslick;

2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Bobby Fong;

2010 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, 2015 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North America Superstock 1000 Champion, and three-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne;

two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and World Superbike podium finisher Garrett Gerloff;

2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Championship runner-up Michael Gilbert;

2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Champion, 2023 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Champion Hayden Gillim;

2002 AMA Superbike Champion and 2006 FIM MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden (R.I.P.);

2007 AMA Pro 600cc Supersport Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up, and 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship runner-up Roger Hayden;

eight-time AMA Pro Superbike race winner and two-time AMA Supersport Champion Tommy Hayden;

2013 AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and three-time Daytona 200 winner Josh Herrin;

MotoAmerica Supersport front-runner Teagg Hobbs;

AMA Pro Superstock race winner Jake Holden;

2011 British Superbike Championship runner-up and former MotoGP and World Superbike regular John Hopkins;

2015 Supersport World Championship runner-up, 2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Patrick “P.J.” Jacobsen;

2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, Moto2 World Championship point scorer, and MotoAmerica Superbike racer Sean Dylan Kelly;

Canadian Superbike race winner Kevin Lacombe;

two-time MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2020 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up Rocco Landers;

two-time MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Andrew Lee;

2021 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 and Superbike Cup Champion Jake Lewis;

MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Sam Lochoff;

MotoAmerica Superstock 600 race winner Nick McFadden;

AMA Pro SuperSport race winner and MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Stefano Mesa;

Elena Myers, the first and only woman to win AMA Pro Supersport races;

AMA Pro XR1200 race winner, multi-time Loudon Classic winner, and three-time BRL Champion Shane Narbonne;

2012 Canadian Superbike Championship runner-up Andrew Nelson;

2016 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Champion, 2019 British Motostar (Moto3) Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and two-time Daytona 200 winner Brandon Paasch;

2012 Daytona 200 winner and 2010 AMA Pro Supersport West Champion Joey Pascarella;

2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and powersports dealership owner Bryce Prince;

AMA Pro and Canadian National race winner and multi-time N2/WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Peris;

two-time AMA Pro SuperSport National Champion, British Supersport podium finisher, 2020 AFT Production Twins Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Championship runner-up James Rispoli;

2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport race winner, and Moto2 World Championship race winner Joe Roberts;

2022 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up and 2023 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship runner-up Gus Rodio;

former Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Champion and former FIM Moto2 European Championship competitor Benny Solis, Jr.;

three-time AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2009 Superbike World Champion, MotoGP race winner, and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Ben Spies;

multi-time AMA Pro race winner and four-time overall WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Ulrich;

MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher and former World Superbike competitor Jayson Uribe;

2017 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Championship runner-up, 2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher Cory Ventura;

Canadian Superbike race winner Alex Welsh;

former AMA Pro Superbike Rookie of the Year, Chinese Superbike Championship race winner, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and MotoAmerica Super Hooligan race winner Cory West;

MotoAmerica Junior Cup and Superbike Cup race winner Ashton Yates;

and two-time AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up Blake Young.

April 2024

Magazine Issue

Trudy Ulrich

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April 1, 2024

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On the Front Cover: Josh Herrin (2) took his second consecutive and third overall Daytona 200 victory on his Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati Panigale
V2, putting him in an exclusive club. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology is THE definitive source for motorcycle racing, riding, and tech information.

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Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Or call (909) 654-4779 to subscribe, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.

Log in HERE to read the April 2024 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology with your online subscription.

APRIL 2024 ISSUE

FEATURES

Inside Info: Husqvarna Unleashes Svartpilen 801, Indian Celebrates
With FTR x RSD Super Hooligan Special Edition, KTM’s Track-Only RC
8C Returns, PIERER Mobility AG Acquires Majority Share Of MV Agusta,
Triumph Rocket 3 Gets Even More Power, and more…

Historic Racebike Illustrations: 1974 Yamaha 0W20

Triumph Daytona 660: The Middleweight Sportbike Is Not Extinct!

MotoGP Analysis: Inside Michelin’s Top-Secret MotoGP Tire Lab

28th Annual Young Gun Awards: The Best Up-And-Coming Racers

Army Of Darkness: Lightning Strikes & Shock Swaps

Interview: American Moto2 Star Joe Roberts

Hanging With: Double MotoAmerica Champion Hayden Gillim

RACING

MotoAmerica: Herrin Wins His Third Daytona 200

MotoGP: Bagnaia Starts His Title Defense In The Desert

WorldSBK: Alex Lowes Breaks His Drought In Australia

COLUMNS

Letters To The Editor: Name Confusion; Aggression vs. Reality; MotoGP Tire
Pressure; Pirelli Moto2 & Moto3 Tires

10 Years Ago, April 2014: Racers test ahead of the final DMG-led AMA Pro Road Racing
season; Garrett Gerloff and Joe Roberts are featured in Young Guns; Army of
Darkness races its new BMW; Galfer USA profiled in Shops

The Crash Page: Raul Fernandez’s Fiery Crash In Qatar

Racing, School, & Track Day Calendar: Where & When To Ride

Classified Ads/Advertiser Index

High Performance Parts & Services Directory

Chris Ulrich: Adventures Of An Ex-Racer: A Tough Daytona

*******************************************************************

Click here to receive a sample issue of Roadracing World magazine (print edition). One sample issue per household, U.S. address only.

Where To Ride In April: Track Days, Schools, And Races

David Swarts

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April 1, 2024

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Where To Ride In April: Track Days, Schools, And Races

The following track days, riding schools, and racing events are scheduled by organizations based in the United States and Canada during April 2024.

Motorcycle track days, riding schools, and races are posted under the Event Calendar tab on the home page of this website, or you can access the Event Calendar for April 2024 directly by clicking HERE.

Once on the Event Calendar page, you can search for the event you are looking for by its date.

When you click on the event you want to attend you should find a link to the website and/or email address of the host organization, a link to the website of the host venue, the physical address of the host venue, a Google map to the host venue, and buttons to add the event and its information to your calendar application.

To have your motorcycle racing or riding event added to the Event Calendar on this website and published in the print edition of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine, submit your calendar and contact information via the contact page on this website or by clicking HERE.

4/1 Pacific Track Time Track Days, Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma, CA

4/1 Z² Track Days, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, CA

4/1-3 Yamaha Champions Riding School, Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA

4/3-4 JP43 Training School, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

4/3-4 Racers Edge Track Days and Private Coaching Days, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

4/5 Apex Assassins Track Days, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

4/5 Jennings GP Novice School, Jennings GP, Jennings, FL

4/5-6 California Superbike School, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, NV

4/6 ASMA Track Days and Advanced Rider Training, Arroyo Seco Raceway, Deming, NM

4/6 Sandy Hook Mini Moto Road Race Series (Minis), Sandy Hook Speedway, Street, MD

4/6 SFLminiGP (South Florida MiniGP) Rider Development Days (Minis), Bushnell Motorsports Park, Bushnell, FL

4/6 SoCal Supermoto School, Adams Motorsport Park, Riverside, CA

4/6-7 AMA Sanctioned ASRA National Endurance/Team Challenge Series, Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC

4/6-7 ASMA Series, Arroyo Seco Raceway, Deming, NM

4/6-7 ASRA Atlantic/Mid-Atlantic/Southeast Roadracing Championship Series, Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC

4/6-7 Brake Free Track Time Track Days, The Podium Club at Attesa, Casa Grande, AZ

4/6-7 Cornerspin School: Roadracing In The Dirt (Dirt Track School), Cornerspin Facility, Spencer, NC

4/6-7 CVMA 2023-2024 Winter Series, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

4/6-7 Evolve GT School and Track Days, NCBike, Garysburg, NC

4/6-7 NOLA Riding Academy Motorcycle Training and Track Days, NOLA Motorsports Park, Avondale, LA

4/6-7 Precision Track Days, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Munford, AL

4/6-7 Road America Motorplex Open Track Days, Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI

4/6-7 South Florida MiniGP Series (Minis), Bushnell Motorsports Park, Bushnell, FL

4/6-8 Jennings GP Track Days, Jennings GP, Jennings, FL

4/7-8 California Superbike School, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, NV

4/8-9 Carters@thetrack Track Days, Thunderhill Raceway Park, Willows, CA

4/8-11 Colin Edwards’ Texas Tornado Boot Camp, Montgomery, TX

4/9-10 Yamaha Champions Riding School, MotorSports Ranch, Cresson, TX

4/10-11 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Prather, CA (POST Motorcycle Officer Update Course)

4/11 Yamaha Champions Riding School, MotorSport Ranch, Cresson, TX (Yamaha R-World Event)

4/11-12 California Superbike School, Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA

4/12 2 Wheels Track Days, Willow Springs International Raceway, Rosamond, CA

4/12 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Munford, AL

4/12-13 American Supercamp (Dirt Track Schools), Gainesville, GA

4/12-13 (Mission) MotoAmerica Mini Cup by Motul East Coast Series (Minis), Anderson Racepark, Palmetto, FL

4/12-13 MRA Series New Racers School, High Plains Raceway, Deer Trail, CO

4/12-13 The Riders Club Track Days, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ

4/12-14 Evolve GT School and Track Days, Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC

4/12-14 FIM MotoGP World Championship, Circuit of The Americas, Austin, TX, USA

4/13 2WTD Mini Racing (Minis), Horsethief Mile, Rosamond, CA (MotoAmerica Mini Cup Qualifier)

4/13 Classic Track Day, Willow Springs International Raceway, Rosamond, CA

4/13 Southeast Mini Moto Series and Track Days (Minis), Lamar County Speedway, Barnesville, GA

4/13-14 California Superbike School, Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA

4/13-14 Cornerspin School: Roadracing In The Dirt (Dirt Track School), Cornerspin Facility, Spencer, NC

4/13-14 Motogladiator Series, Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC

4/13-14 JP43 Training School, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

4/13-14 N2 Track Days, NCBike, Garysburg, NC

4/13-14 NOLA Riding Academy Motorcycle Training and Track Days, Gulfport, MS

4/13-14 Pacific Track Time Track Days, Thunderhill Raceway Park, Willows, CA

4/13-14 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Prather, CA (Fun Camp)

4/13-14 SoCal Track Days, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

4/13-14 WERA National Challenge Co-Sanctioned by AMA/WERA Sportsman Series Mid-Central/Southeast Region, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Munford, AL

4/13-15 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL

4/14 2Fast Motorcycle Track Days & Instruction, Ridge Motorsports Park, Shelton, WA

4/14 Road America Motorplex Open Track Days, Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI

4/14 Willow Springs Grand Prix (Vintage), Willow Springs International Raceway, Rosamond, CA

4/14 XCEL Trackdays Track Days, Arizona Motorsports Park, Litchfield Park, AZ

4/14-15 American Supercamp (Dirt Track Schools), Gainesville, GA

4/14-15 Evolve GT School and Track Days, VIRginia International Raceway, Alton, VA

4/15 Aprilia Racers Days Track Day/Demo Program, Circuit of The Americas, Austin, TX

4/15 Fun Track Dayz, Thunderhill Raceway Park, Willows, CA

4/15 Let’s Ride Track Days, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

4/15 SoCal Supermoto School, Adams Motorsport Park, Riverside, CA

4/15 Yamaha Champions Riding School, Circuit of The Americas, Austin, TX

4/15-16 CLASS Motorcycle School with 3x AMA Superbike Champion Reg Pridmore, Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA

4/15-16 Yamaha Champions Riding School, Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC

4/17 The Riders Club Track Days, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ

4/17-18 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Prather, CA (POST Motorcycle Officer Update Course)

4/18 The Riders Club Track Days, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ (VIP Day)

4/19 2Fast Motorcycle Track Days & Instruction, Portland International Raceway, Portland, OR

4/19-21 (Bridgestone) AHRMA American Historic Racing Series, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

4/19-21 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Series, Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA

4/19-21 OMRRA Series, Portland International Raceway, Portland, OR

4/19-21 Western Sidecars Series, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

4/20 Apex Track Days, Utah Motorsports Campus, Grantsville, UT

4/20 Fastrack Riders Academy & Apex Club Track Days & School, Willow Springs International Raceway, Rosamond, CA

4/20 Tactical Motorcycle Dynamics Track Days, Utah Motorsports Campus, Grantsville, UT

4/20 TrackAddix/Ducati Omaha Racing Series, Motorsports Park Hastings, Hastings, NE

4/20 UtahSBA New Racer Certification, Utah Motorsports Campus, Grantsville, UT

4/20-21 AFM Series, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

4/20-21 Central Illinois Mini Moto Track Days (Minis), Mid-State Kart Club, Dawson, IL

4/20-21 Evolve GT School and Track Days, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ

4/20-21 N2 Track Days, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA

4/20-21 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Prather, CA (Fun Camp)

4/20-21 RideSmart Motorcycle School, MSR Houston, Angleton, TX

4/20-21 Sandia Motorcycle Roadracing Inc. (SMRI) Schools And Track Days, Suika Circuit (a.k.a. Sandia Motorsports Park), Albuquerque, NM

4/20-21 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Grattan Raceway, Belding, MI

4/20-21 TrackDaz Track Days, Thunderhill Raceway Park, Willows, CA

4/20-21 TrackXperience Track Days, Willow Springs International Raceway, Rosamond, CA

4/21 Central Illinois Mini Moto Series (Minis), Mid-State Kart Club, Mechanicsburg, IL

4/21 Florida Trackdays, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead, FL

4/21 John Long’s Longevity Racing School, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead, FL

4/21 Road America Motorplex Open Track Days, Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI

4/21 Skip Day Track Days, Oregon Raceway Park, Grass Valley, OR

4/21 SoCal Supermoto School, Adams Motorsport Park, Riverside, CA

4/21 TrackAddix/Ducati Omaha Track Days, Motorsports Park Hastings, Hastings, NE

4/22 Aprilia Racers Days Track Day/Demo Program, Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA

4/22 Yamaha Champions Riding School, Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA

4/25 NOLA Riding Academy Motorcycle Training and Track Days, Circuit Grand Bayou, Belle Rose, LA

4/25 The Riders Club Track Days, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ (Advanced Day)

4/25-26 Yamaha Champions Riding School, NCBike, Garysburg, NC

4/26 The Riders Club Track Days, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ (ASRA Practice Day)

4/26 Compact Octane Track Days, Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA

4/26 Jennings GP Novice School, Jennings GP, Jennings, FL

4/26 Penguin Riding School, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Loudon, NH

4/26 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Prather, CA (Private Training Day)

4/26-27 American Supercamp (Dirt Track Schools), Springfield, IL

4/26-28 CMRA Series, Hallett Motor Racing Circuit, Hallett, OK

4/27 (Progressive) AMA Pro American Flat Track (AFT), Texas Half-Mile, Texas Motor Speedway, Ft. Worth, TX

4/27 Road America Motorplex Open Track Days, Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI

4/27 Sandy Hook Mini Moto Road Race Series (Minis), Sandy Hook Speedway, Street, MD

4/27 SoCal Supermoto School, Adams Motorsport Park, Riverside, CA

4/27-28 ASRA Atlantic/Mid-Atlantic Roadracing Championship Series, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ

4/27-28 Cornerspin School: Roadracing In The Dirt (Dirt Track School), Cornerspin Facility, Spencer, NC

4/27-28 Evolve GT School and Track Days, Polecat Training Center, Fayetteville, TN

4/27-28 N2 Track Days, NCBike, Garysburg, NC (Staff-Only Event)

4/27-28 NEMRR Series, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Loudon, NH

4/27-28 Northern Nevada Kart Club (NNKC) Series, Desert Park Raceway, Reno, NV (MotoAmerica Mini Cup Qualifier)

4/27-28 Pacific Track Time Track Days, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, CA

4/27-28 Performance Riding Experience (PRE) Track Days, Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC

4/27-28 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Prather, CA (Fun Camp)

4/27-28 Superbike-Coach Corp. (Schools), Little 99 Raceway, Stockton, CA

4/27-29 Jennings GP Track Days, Jennings GP, Jennings, FL

4/28 Legion Moto Trackdays, Pueblo Motorsports Park, Pueblo, CO

4/28 UtahSBA Supermoto/Mini Series, Utah Motorsports Campus Kart Track, Grantsville, UT (MotoAmerica Mini Cup Qualifier)

4/28-29 American Supercamp (Dirt Track Schools), Springfield, IL

4/28-29 HardNoX Track Dayz, Area 27, Oliver, BC

4/29 N2 Track Days, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ

4/29 N2 Track Days, Summit Point Motorsports Park, Summit Point, WV

4/29 Carters@thetrack Track Days, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, CA

4/29-30 California Superbike School, VIRginia International Raceway, Alton, VA

4/29-30 Yamaha Champions Riding School, NCBike, Garysburg, NC (ChampGrad)

4/30 HER Track Day Track Days, Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA

4/30-5/1 Precision Track Days, VIRginia International Raceway, Alton, VA

Yamaha Champions Riding School Adds Post-Race Events At COTA, Road Atlanta (Updated)

David Swarts

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April 1, 2024

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Yamaha Champions Riding School Adds Post-Race Events At COTA, Road Atlanta (Updated)

ChampSchool at COTA and Road Atlanta Presented by Dainese

Oh man, oh man…..a 1-Day ChampSchool at COTA following the US MotoGP and a 1-Day ChampSchool at Road Atlanta following MotoAmerica! Is this a dream come true?

Everyone has the desire to ride their motorcycle on the same hallowed circuits as their MotoGP and MotoAmerica heroes. Dainese would like to give you that opportunity.

We are very happy to announce two extraordinary events at Circuit of the Americas on April 15, 2024, and Road Atlanta on April 22, 2024.

This is not a standard open track day, but an immersive full two-wheeled vehicle dynamics course brought to you by ChampSchool, the premier riding school in North America. You will be guided and taught by some of the best instructors in the country. No matter what level of track riding experience you have, we’re here to help.

The curriculum is tailored for this event to teach you how to maximize the performance of your motorcycle while staying safe and having fun.

The Dainese Track Experience will run between 8am and 5pm with 15-minute track sessions followed by paddock drills and classroom time. The entire event will be catered for lunch. Students will have demo bike opportunities throughout the day, and yes – you’ll get the t-shirt.

This course will be taught at 5:1 student-to-instructor ratio and a dedicated group just for this experience. Instructors will be national champions, authors, world-class racers, team managers, and professional motorcycle instructors. These instructors will include Nick Ienatsch, Keith Culver, Robertino Pietri and Bobby Fong at COTA. Cody Wyman, Robertino Pietri, Stefano Mesa and Hunter Dunham will be the instructors at Road Atlanta.

These events are very exclusive and always sell out. Sign up today. Questions? Email us at [email protected]

More, from a press release issued by Dainese:

Dainese Announces DAINESE RIDING MASTERS Experiences at COTA and Road Atlanta

COSTA MESA, Calif. – Dainese (www.dainese.com), the global leader in protective wear for dynamic sports, is thrilled to unveil its highly anticipated inaugural DAINESE RIDING MASTERS RACE events in the United States. These events mark an exciting milestone for the renowned brand as it brings its expertise and passion for riding to American shores.

Scheduled to kick off on Monday, April 15th, the first event will be held at the esteemed Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, following the MotoGP weekend. Following this exhilarating start, Dainese will host its second event on April 22nd at Road Atlanta, immediately after the MOTO AMERICA weekend.

In collaboration with Piaggio (Aprilia) and Champ School (YCRS), these exclusive schools promise an unparalleled experience for riders seeking to enhance their skills. Participants will have the unique opportunity to learn from Champ School instructors, utilizing the same cutting-edge methodologies employed in Dainese’s acclaimed Race Master Classes in Italy.

The curriculum will feature classes integrated into the Piaggio event, with dedicated sessions each hour exclusively focused on Dainese. This strategic partnership underscores Dainese’s commitment to fostering excellence in riding and safety within the motorcycle community.

There is limited space for these experiences, with only 15 spots for the COTA event and 20 spots for the Road Atlanta event. Interested riders are encouraged to secure their places promptly to avoid missing out on this unparalleled opportunity to elevate their riding prowess.

Sign Up Here: https://www.dainese.com/us/en/riding-masters/riding-masters-race-track.html

US-Based Liberty Media Buying MotoGP And WorldSBK

David Swarts

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April 1, 2024

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US-Based Liberty Media Buying MotoGP And WorldSBK

Liberty Media announces acquisition of MotoGP™

Acquisition of world’s leading motorcycle racing championship expands Liberty Media’s portfolio of high-quality global sports assets

Monday, 01 April 2024

Liberty Media Corporation has announced an agreement to acquire MotoGP™. MotoGP™ is the pinnacle of two wheels, with 22 of the fastest riders competing on purpose-built prototype motorcycles on some of the world’s greatest racetracks, reaching top speeds above 360 kilometers per hour/223 miles per hour. From the first season in 1949 that staged six rounds across Europe, the sport has grown to comprise more than 20 Grands Prix across five continents, with the television broadcast reaching hundreds of millions around the world.

This new agreement will see Dorna Sports S.L., the exclusive commercial and television rights holder of MotoGP™, remain an independently run company attributed to Liberty Media’s Formula One Group tracking stock. Carmelo Ezpeleta, who has been CEO since 1994, will remain in his position and continue to run the business with his management team. The business will remain based in Madrid.

Dorna also holds exclusive rights to other motorcycle racing series, including MotoGP™ feeder series Moto2™ and Moto3™, the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Championship, the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship and the new FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship.

Liberty Media will acquire approximately 86% of Dorna, with Dorna management retaining approximately 14% of their equity in the business. The transaction reflects an enterprise value for Dorna/MotoGP™ of €4.2 billion and an equity value of €3.5 billion, with MotoGP’s™ existing debt balance expected to remain in place after close.

“We are thrilled to expand our portfolio of leading live sports and entertainment assets with the acquisition of MotoGP,” said Greg Maffei, Liberty Media President and CEO. “MotoGP is a global league with a loyal, enthusiastic fan base, captivating racing and a highly cash flow generative financial profile. Carmelo and his management team have built a great sporting spectacle that we can expand to a wider global audience. The business has significant upside, and we intend to grow the sport for MotoGP fans, teams, commercial partners and our shareholders.”

“This is the perfect next step in the evolution of MotoGP, and we are excited for what this milestone brings to Dorna, the MotoGP paddock and racing fans,” said Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna. “We are proud of the global sport we’ve grown, and this transaction is a testament to the value of the sport today and its growth potential. Liberty has an incredible track record in developing sports assets and we could not wish for a better partner to expand MotoGP’s fanbase around the world.”

The acquisition is expected to be completed by year-end 2024 and is subject to the receipt of clearances and approvals by competition and foreign investment law authorities in various jurisdictions.

Investor Call

Liberty Media’s President and CEO, Greg Maffei, and Dorna’s CEO, Carmelo Ezpeleta, will host an investor conference call at 8:30am ET / 2:30pm CEST on April 1, 2024 to discuss the acquisition in more detail. The call can be accessed by dialing +1 (215) 268-9864 (United States), +34 900 834 876 (Spain) or +44 (0)800 756 3429 (United Kingdom), confirmation code 13745617 at least 10 minutes prior to the start time. For a full list of international toll-free access numbers, please visit https://www.incommconferencing.com/international-dial-in. The call will also be broadcast live across the internet and archived on Liberty Media’s website. Presentation materials to be used during the investor call will be posted to the Liberty Media website in advance. To access the webcast and accompanying presentation materials go to https://www.libertymedia.com/investors/news-events/ir-calendar. An archive of the webcast will also be available on Liberty Media’s website after appropriate filings have been made with the SEC.

Oxley Bom MotoGP Podcast: Qatar 2024 – The Japanese Championship

David Swarts

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April 1, 2024

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Oxley Bom MotoGP Podcast: Qatar 2024 – The Japanese Championship

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 “Qatar 2024 – The Japanese Championship.”

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 on! The first race of the MotoGP Championship 2024 has finished in Qatar, and Bagnaia bagged his first win. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Yamaha and Honda struggle to keep up with Aprilla, KTM and Ducati. Can they keep up with this Italian competition? Or has the gap already become so big that this season will bring us two champions – one world champion, and one winner of the “Japanese Tournament”?
And on another subject, should you always believe a rider when he’s just gotten of his bike?
Mat and Peter have lots to discuss, so join us in the first episode of this new season. Enjoy!

P.S. We recorded this while Mat was still at the track, so apologies for any problems with the audio…

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, who wrote our theme song. Check out The Nextmen for more great music!

Roadracing World Young Guns 2024: Eli Banish

David Swarts

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April 1, 2024

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Roadracing World Young Guns 2024: Eli Banish

Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 28th consecutive year of showcasing an abundance of new talent.

Roadracing World Young Guns have won:

FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;

MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 13 AMA Pro Superbike Championships;

A KTM RC Cup World Final race;

The Daytona 200 (12 times);

WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;

ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;

AMA Road Racing Grand Championships and Horizon Awards;

USGPRU National Championships;

Many regional and local titles.

The competition has continually become more intense as more – and younger—racers with higher levels of accomplishment are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.

We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2024 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.

The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.

We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.

The entire Roadracing World Young Guns, Class of 2024 is featured in the April 2024 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine.

Age: 15.

Current home: Burlington, Kentucky (currently living in Valencia, Spain).

Current height/weight: 5’9”/138 pounds.

Current school grade level: 9th grade.

Began riding at age: 4 years.

First road race: 2017, Circleville, Ohio, Ohio Mini Road Racing League, Kids50, 4th Place.

Current racebike: Honda NSF250R.

Current tuners/mechanics: Nathan Smith, Jordan Pritchard, Marc Seager.

Primary race series: British Talent Cup.

Sponsors: Viking Precision Engineers, Dainese Chicago, Best Western Resorts & Hotels, KMA Racing, Rising Sun Cycles, POP Shadow Decals & Wraps, Vortex Racing, 35 Motorsports.

Recent racing accomplishments: 2023 season, finished 17^th in British Talent Cup Championship (best race result was 7^th at Thruxton); 2022 season, tied for 29^th in British Talent Cup Championship (best race finish was 12^th), won WERA Sportsman Clubman National Championship, won 2 WERA North Central Regional Championships (won 18 WERA races); 2021 season, won AMA Moto3 Expert Grand Championship, took 2^nd in Formula Two WERA National Challenge Series Championship, won 8 WERA Sportsman Regional Class Championships (won 26 WERA races); 2020 season, won D Superbike Novice WERA Sportsman North Central Championship (won 6 WERA races); 2019 season, named AMA Youth Road Racer of the Year, won 5 WERA Sportsman Regional Championships in Novice classes (win 13 WERA races).

2024 racing goal: Finish top 10 in British Talent Cup Championship.

Racing career goal: Compete in the MotoGP World Championship.

Racing hero: Nicky Hayden.

Favorite track: Road Atlanta.

Favorite hobbies: Cooking, cycling.

If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Making cooking videos for YouTube.