MotoAmerica: Jacobsen, Yaakov Riding For Rahal Ducati Moto

David Swarts

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November 10, 2023

MotoAmerica: Jacobsen, Yaakov Riding For Rahal Ducati Moto

RAHAL DUCATI MOTO ANNOUNCES ALL-AMERICAN RIDER LINE-UP FOR 2024

PJ Jacobsen and Kayla Yaakov to pilot the No. 15 and No. 19 XPEL Ducati Panigale V2s

ZIONSVILLE, Ind., (11.10.2023) – The much-anticipated rider line up at Rahal Ducati Moto has been finalized as the team welcomes five-time race winner PJ Jacobsen and up-and-comer Kayla Yaakov to the organization. Jacobsen will pilot the No. 15 XPEL Ducati Panigale V2 in the MotoAmerica Supersport class, alongside Yaakov on the No. 19 XPEL Ducati Panigale V2.

“We are incredibly thrilled with the rider line up we have secured for our inaugural MotoAmerica season,” said team owner Graham Rahal. “PJ [Jacobsen] has shown incredible talent in his Supersport and Superbike career. We are grateful he was willing to bring his experience to our team to help set the bar as we (attempt to) contend for a championship (in our maiden/inaugural season). Kayla [Yaakov] is a young, talented rider and we are excited for her to showcase her potential during her rookie Supersport season. She will have both PJ and Ben [Spies] to look to for guidance and experience as she grows in her young career.

“We have a lot of work to do in the next few months as a new team to prepare, so we are eager to get the riders to the track to test with their new mechanics and on their new machines. We have high expectations going into the season and I truly believe we put together a line up to achieve and exceed the standards we have set for ourselves.”

PJ Jacobsen boasts a decorated Grand Prix resume having competed in several racing series around the globe, including the World Superbike Championship and World Supersport Championship. Among his accomplishments are earning the vice-champion title in the World Supersport Championship, securing a second-place finish in the Suzuka 8 Hour in 2018 and claiming second in the championship standings in the MotoAmerica Supersport class in 2019. Most recently, Jacobsen found a home in the MotoAmerica Superbike division where he finished third in the 2023 season championship. Jacobsen’s experience on the track will elevate the competitiveness the Rahal Ducati Moto team will bring in its 2024 debut season.

“I’m really looking forward to being a part of the Rahal Ducati Moto racing team,” said Jacobsen. “It’s great to be a part of this racing family and I think it’s very good for my future to be with this amazing group of people. Having Ben Spies back is going to be absolutely awesome to help with riding and the mechanics and strategy of the motorcycle racing. When I heard about the possibility of [Rahal Ducati Moto] coming to the paddock, my eyes lit up because they run such a professional team in car racing, and they will also have a great, professional team in motorcycle racing. It’s great for our sport to have people like this involved, and again, I’m very honored to get the call from them to be one of the riders to fight for wins and a championship. I’m super excited to get testing started and really, really motivated for the 2024 season – especially after having such a strong Superbike season in 2023. I feel very fit and in top-form in my career right now, and ready to fight for the top honors. Thank you to Graham and the people that truly believe in me. I’m really looking forward to a great 2024 season!”

Tytlers Cycle Racing's Kayla Yaakov (23). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Tytlers Cycle Racing. — Kayla Yaakov (19). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Tytlers Cycle Racing.

From an early age Kayla Yaakov had the drive to race. She started racing motorcycles at the young age of four and climbed her way through the ranks. In 2022, Yaakov became the first female to win a MotoAmerica race (Ridge Motorsports Park, Round 2), which was highlighted in her third-place finish in the Junior Cup Championship that year. After that first win, Yaakov found herself standing on the top step of the podium three additional times for a total of four wins and 11 collective podiums for the season. In 2023, the 16-year-old found herself in the Twins Cup Championship, finishing seventh in the championship, despite missing the first four races due to a pre-season injury. Yaakov, an inspiration for females aspiring to break into a male-dominated industry, will take on her debut MotoAmerica Supersport season for the team in 2024.

“I am extremely excited to be joining the Rahal Ducati Moto team for the 2024 MotoAmerica Supersport season,” said Yaakov. “Being a part of a team with such an iconic backing is a privilege, not only with one of the most prolific motorcycle brands in the world, but also with the Rahal family. Also, having a world champion like Ben Spies in our corner is such an honor. After talking to him for several years, coming together in this team is going to be huge for my progression in this sport! Although it’s a new team that comes with a lot of pressure, I am extremely confident in the abilities of the team and myself for this 2024 season. I can’t wait to get rolling with this amazing crew and am thankful to everyone that has made this possible. I’ll see you on the high banks of Daytona!”

The duo will begin testing their new horses early next year in preparation for the 2024 season. The MotoAmerica Supersport division will begin competition at the Daytona 200 (a non-points race) March 7-9 followed by the regular season points races at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta (April 19-21), Barber Motorsports Park (May 17-19), Road America (May 31-June 2), Brainerd International Raceway (June 14-16), Ridge Motorsports Park (June 28-30), WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca (July 12-14), Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (August 16-18), Circuit of the Americas (September 13-15) and New Jersey Motorsports Park (September 27-29).

For more information about the series or team, visit www.motoamerica.com and www.rahalducati.com.

MotoGP: Alex Marquez Close To Lap Record In FP2 At Sepang

David Swarts

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November 10, 2023

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MotoGP: Alex Marquez Close To Lap Record In FP2 At Sepang

Alex Marquez was fastest during MotoGP World Championship Free Practice Two (FP2) Friday afternoon at Sepang International Circuit, in Malaysia. Riding his Gresini Racing Ducati, the Spaniard lapped the 3.4-mile (5.5 km) road course in 1:57.823, which was just shy of Jorge Martin’s 2022 All-Time Lap Record of 1:57.790.

Marquez’s countryman Martin was the best of the rest with a 1:57.997 on his Prima Pramac Racing Ducati.

Australian Jack Miller was third-quickest with a 1:58.232 on his Red Bull KTM RC16 and just ahead of his teammate Brad Binder (1:58.307).

Maverick Vinales rounded out the top five with a 1:58.312 on his factory Aprilia.

MotoGP FP2

Moto2: Ogura On Top In FP2 At Sepang

David Swarts

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November 10, 2023

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Ai Ogura was quickest during Moto2 World Championship Free Practice Two (FP2) Friday afternoon at Sepang International Circuit, in Malaysia. Riding his Idemitsu Honda Team Asia Kalex, the Japanese star navigated the 3.4-mile (5.5 km) course in 2:06.093 to top the field of 32 riders.

Americans Joe Roberts (2:06.911) and Sean Dylan Kelly (2:08.795) were 11th and 29th, respectively, in the session.

moto2 FP2

Moto3: Furusato Fastest In FP2 At Sepang

David Swarts

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November 10, 2023

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Moto3: Furusato Fastest In FP2 At Sepang

Taiyo Furusato was fastest during Moto3 World Championship Free Practice Two (FP2) Friday afternoon at Sepang International Circuit, in Malaysia. The Honda Team Asia pilot lapped the 3.4-mile (5.5 km) track in 2:12.518 to lead the field of 28 competitors.

Moto3 FP2

MotoGP: Martin Tops FP1 At Sepang

David Swarts

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November 10, 2023

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Jorge Martin topped MotoGP World Championship Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at Sepang International Circuit, in Malaysia. Piloting his Prima Pramac Racing Ducati, the Spaniard ripped up the 3.4-mile (5.5 km) road course in 1:59.513, which not only led the field of 23 riders it was quicker than Martin’s own Race Lap Record of 1:59.634 from 2022.

Alex Marquez was second-best with a 1:59.562 on his Gresini Racing Ducati, and Martin’s teammate Johann Zarco made it a Ducati sweep of the top three spots with a 1:59.914.

The quickest non-Ducati rider was Franco Morbidelli, who turned a fourth-fastest 2:00.055 on his Monster Energy Yamaha YZR-M1.

MotoGP FP1

Moto2: Aldeguer P1, Roberts P6, SDK P24 In FP1 At Sepang

David Swarts

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November 10, 2023

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Moto2: Aldeguer P1, Roberts P6, SDK P24 In FP1 At Sepang

Fermin Aldeguer topped Moto2 World Championship Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at Sepang International Circuit, in Malaysia. Riding his Beta Tools SpeedUp Boscoscuro machine, the Spaniard covered the 3.4-mile (5.5 km) course in 2:06.163 to lead the field of 32 riders.

American Joe Roberts was sixth in the session with a 2:06.760 on his Italtrans Racing Kalex.

American Sean Dylan Kelly (SDK) was back in action on the Forward Team racebike and turned a 2:08.994, which ranked him 24th in the session and five spots better than his teammate Alex Escrig (2:09.335).

Moto2 FP1

Moto3: Masia Under Race Lap Record In FP1 At Sepang

David Swarts

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November 10, 2023

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Moto3: Masia Under Race Lap Record In FP1 At Sepang

Jaume Masia was quickest during Moto3 World Championship Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at Sepang International Circuit, in Malaysia. Riding his Leopard Racing Honda, the Spaniard lapped the 3.4-mile (5.5 km) track in 2:12.065, which was quicker than Ayumu Sasaki’s Race Lap Record of 2:12.671 from 2022.

Moto3 FP1

CVMA Lands New Sponsors Ahead Of Round Two

David Swarts

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November 9, 2023

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CVMA Lands New Sponsors Ahead Of Round Two

CVMA Racing New Sponsors

Round Two of the CVMA 2023/2024 Winter Series is approaching as fast as some of our racers! Registration is open for the event which occurs over the weekend of November 18th and 19th so get signed up for some of the most competitive club racing in the country.

CVMA is happy to welcome several new sponsors for this upcoming event!

Del’s Flooring in Palm Desert (www.delsflooring.com) will be sponsoring the Formula Ultra Lightweight class for this round and the remainder of the series. Del’s Flooring is a second- & third-generation, family-owned business priding itself on quality working relationships and a high standard of flooring experience. Del’s will be providing a $600.00 purse for each remaining round. Payouts for both races (Saturday and Sunday) will be as follows:

1st – $150

2nd – $100

3rd – $50

Road Race City – Bridgestone Tires (www.roadracecity.com) will be sponsoring the Formula Twins class for the remainder of the season offering a $600 purse for each of the remaining rounds. Road Race City is a full-service motorcycle service center based out of Temple City, CA, and provides trackside tire sales and support for Bridgestone tires. Payouts for both races (Saturday and Sunday) will be as follows:

1St – $150

2nd – $100

3rd – $50

RideHVMC (www.ridehvmc.com) a premier track experience provider will be sponsoring the Amateur SuperSport Middleweight class. They are rewarding the winner of the class (most points for the weekend) a 1-on-1 training day at Chuckwalla Valley Raceway with 2022 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Corey Alexander. RideHVMC offers many services at Chuckwalla Valley Raceway including seasonal garage membership and equipment storage, rider training, bike rentals, trackside service, and group track events.

With Veterans Day closely preceding this next round of the series, the veteran-owned-and-operated Ryder Gear (www.ryder-gear.com) will be offering special Veterans Day pricing on gloves the entire race weekend.

The weather forecast is looking pretty awesome for our next round and we are super pumped to welcome racers from all over the country to the California sunshine and some of the most competitive racing you will find anywhere. Come on out and race with us!

CVMA offers two full days of racing every race weekend and also includes Saturday qualifying for grid position in all classes, amateur, and expert, as well as a wide variety of classes to choose from.

CVMA offers free reciprocity to encourage racers from other clubs to come out and compete. CVMA also offers a New Racers School for those starting out in racing on the Friday prior to each race weekend. Log on to www.cvmaracing.com to sign up or for more information.

Come on out and race with us on November 18th and 19th for our next round for some of the most competitive racing in the country!

CVMA. Built for racers by racers and offering the best racing experience around!

CVMA would also like to thank the 2023/2024 Winter Series Sponsors: SoCal Track Days, Apex Assassins, Ryder Gear, Racers Edge/Dunlop, The California Superbike School, CaliPhotography, Del’s Flooring, Ride HMVC, Road Race City/Bridgestone

NRS Sponsors: Alpinestars, 6D Helmets, Racer Gloves, and Racer’s Edge

MotoGP: Bautista Says “No Expectations” For Wild Card At Sepang

David Swarts

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November 9, 2023

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MotoGP: Bautista Says “No Expectations” For Wild Card At Sepang

Bautista and the Ducati Desmosedici GP of the Aruba.it Racing team in Malaysia for the fascinating MotoGP wild card

There could not have been a more fascinating way to end the extraordinary 2023 season. After having been crowned Superbike World Champion for the second year in a row and having contributed to the “triple crown” conquered by the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team in WorldSBK, Alvaro Bautista landed to Malaysia where the Grand Prix of Malaysia will kick off tomorrow at the Sepang circuit.

The Spaniard will climb aboard the Ducati Desmosedici GP of the Aruba.it Racing team for the third wild card of the season in MotoGP, following the ones held by Michele Pirro in Italy, first at the Mugello Circuit and then at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli.

Bautista therefore returns to MotoGP competition after last racing at Valencia in 2018.
Free practice for the Grand Prix of Malaysia will get underway tomorrow at 3.45 am CEST. Saturday’s schedule will see first qualifying (from 3.50 am CEST) then the Sprint Race (8.00 am CEST). On Sunday, finally, the Grand Prix of Malaysia (20 laps) will start at 8.00 am CEST.

Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing #19)

“I am happy to be back racing in Malaysia also because Sepang is definitely one of my favorite circuits. Having the opportunity to ride the Desmosedici GP again after a few years means a lot to me: it is a great emotion. I’m sure it will be a good weekend, also because we arrive in Malaysia with no expectations but only with the desire to do a good job with the team from Friday. The aim is to find a good feeling with the bike as soon as possible, as in the light of the new format, the time available is not much. It won’t be easy, but I’ll try my best and have fun. This is a bonus that Ducati and Aruba.it have given me for the results obtained in WorldSBK and I’d like to make the most of it”.

MotoGP: Bagnaia Says Pressure Motivates Him

David Swarts

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November 9, 2023

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MotoGP: Bagnaia Says Pressure Motivates Him

“It’s a pleasure to have this pressure”: a pivotal weekend begins at Sepang

Hear from Bagnaia, Martin, Bezzecchi and Binder as the final triple header begins

Thursday, 09 November 2023

Three weekends, 111 points and it all starts here at Sepang for the PETRONAS Grand Prix of Malaysia. Before the bikes get out on track, it was time to hear from Championship leader Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), closest challenger Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), final rider in contention Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) and Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) on the tails of a stunning Thai GP.

Here are some quotes and talking points from Thursday!

FRANCESCO BAGNAIA: “This is one of my favourite tracks. I always love being here. I have good memories from all the categories and I’m always very happy to be here. So we have to see and we have to have a bit of luck with the weather forecast. But I think we can be competitive in any situation. Some parts of the track have been resurfaced, so I think it will be great.”

Francesco Bagnaia (left) and Jorge Martin (right). Photo courtesy Dorna.

Can you solve quali woes this weekend?

“I think so, for sure at this track it will be different because I think the race tyre will be the medium, that will be the ‘soft’ here, so maybe yes, last time we were here was the test in February and everything went perfectly. So let’s see. It will be interesting for sure because the level at this track is always really high across the board, not just us, so it would be nice to have a great battle, but I hope to start more at the front to not have some kind of battle like this.” (referencing Marc vs Aleix being shown on screen)

Do you feel pressure?

“I think it’s a pleasure to have this kind of pressure. We are fighting for the title and without pressure it means you don’t care too much about what you’re doing. So I think the pressure is normal. It’s a great fuel from my point of view, so we have to use this to improve on our side and to feel the hunger of being champion again.”

Will last year’s experience benefit this year?

“I don’t know, honestly. I remember last year there was a lot of pressure here and I won the race. Every person and every rider has a different feeling with the pressure. In my case it can affect me, but it’s always a motivation. I don’t know about Jorge, but for sure the experience of last year maybe can help me in some situations, but it’s totally different compared to the last year.”

JORGE MARTIN: “After the last race I was super happy. I think I did an amazing weekend and as you said a fourth double win of the year was great. I decided to stay here because normally I struggle with the jet lag so I thought it would be a good option to stay here and get used to the conditions and train in the heat. I’m happy, I think this week off I had too much time to think about everything, I prefer to race straight away because I had the feeling. Back in Malaysia and looking forward to race!”

What about that gesture on the podium in Thailand?

“It wasn’t on purpose, I don’t know why I did it. It was quite similar but more for the grandstand. Anyways, it’s not bad, some spicy moments, I didn’t want to make a funny thing or something like this, it just came naturally. You just have this impulse that sometimes happen, but I was so happy for the moment and I went to the podium and no one was shouting, so I was like ‘come on guys!’ After two bad results, and really unlucky situations we finally did a great job so I was super happy and proud.”

Is this a revenge mission after Malaysia 2022?

“Yeah I’m missing that victory, I felt I could make it. Maybe two or three more laps and I was able to make the gap but I couldn’t because I crashed. I think with the new asphalt we can improve because it seems the bumps are less so the turns could be faster and for the race, let’s see, maybe it’s not the best strategy to pull away.”

Are you feeling the pressure, how different was Buriram feeling?

“I feel it out of the races, for example when I was in Bali because you have time to think about winning or losing a big thing, but when I’m at the race track I’m just focused on racing. Today I was relaxed and feel confident that it can go well.”

And what about those rumours of the factory seat?

“I can’t say a lot. I would be proud to continue with Pramac next season but if Ducati want to join on the red bike next year, I would be super happy also.”

MARCO BEZZECCHI: “It was an intense triple header for me. Unfortunately, my physical condition wasn’t very good. It was important to go back home. I didn’t really rest, but I tried to recover as much as I could with the shoulder and continue to train to be able to arrive to the final part of the season. As ready as possible. Yeah, I can’t complain. I feel a bit better still. For sure it will be painful, but overall I have to say that my condition is surprising me a little bit.”

Did you go have time to go the ranch?

“I don’t want to see the ranch for many months! I didn’t ride the bike, I thought it was better to rest my body from motorbikes, especially because MotoGP is very stressful and I have to arrive in a good shape. I’m still not 100% for sure because as soon as I put some stress on the shoulder then all my neck in all my shoulder and my back starts to create a lot of problems for me, but at least I’ve recovered a little bit and I will try to be strong.”

Do you feel that you’re going to be more in the game to fight for victory this weekend?

“Yeah, in Thailand I was really fast but unfortunately in the race I made a few mistakes and then I lost too much time to be able to recover. But I was consistent and I was very quick and I think that here I can try to make the same and try to be fast and more consistent. Of course the weather conditions will be a key for the weekend because it might be a little bit crazy. But I will try my best to be strong.”

And the Championship?

“Yeah, well, it’s still possible. Of course. It’s really tough because you know, they are very quick and I’m still not fully fit. So it will be tough, but if I get a good result, I will go on the podium like this. Yeah, I will try… they are very strong, but I will give my best.”

BRAD BINDER: “The plan is to pick up where we left off last time, stay among the top bunch and try and fight it out till the last lap again but hopefully get it right! That would be nice! Yeah, I have some good memories here for sure, it’s a track I really enjoy. It’s going to be interesting for me because Testing we had a lot of issues and the guys have done a great job throughout the season on the bike. Things are completely different now, it’s going to be interesting to see how big the step is that we’ve made.”

Improvements since the Test?

“The biggest thing is when we were here in February is we were trying to decide which direction we needed to go in. I don’t think I did more than two exits with the same bike and played with all sorts of parameters. Oh yeah now if we look at where we were and where we are now things are completely different, where the biggest thing that I’m looking forward to is just riding this track comfortably. That should be fun.”

3 chances to win a race, where does Sepang sit in terms of those chances?

“If I look back at my last two races, I felt like Australia I messed up and last time I really wanted to give it a go and put myself on the green. I haven’t really been able to put it together. I feel like we’ve been fast over the last five or six tracks, and I’d love nothing more than to finally get a win for my team. Yeah, we’ve won two Sprints, but a main race is the goal.”

Now you’re the South African with most podiums, do you hope that can inspire more riders?

“It’s a really cool stat. It’s quite different. Nowadays we have 21 races and back then they had less than half so it’s not quite fair! It’s super cool anyways and awesome to know. For me it’s great to see how MotoGP is growing back in South Africa. Every time I go home it seems more and more people are enjoying the racing as much as I do. Who knows? The better things go here, the better they can go back home too!”

MotoAmerica: Jacobsen, Yaakov Riding For Rahal Ducati Moto

November 10, 2023

PJ Jacobsen (99). Photo by Brian J. Nelson.