Complete race results from the 2025 AHRMA Roadracing Series presented by Motobilia event held August 2-3 at Blackhawk Farms Raceway, South Beloit, IL.
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RACEMoto Ontario Regional Series Recap From Shannonville
Leon Rebounds for Win
Veteran Pro competitor Michael Leon, who traces his road race routes to the now defunct ASM Regional Series at the closed St. Eustache Autodrome, rebounded from Saturday adversity during round four of the RACEMoto Ontario Regional Championship on the perimeter Pro version (2.47 km in length) of Shannonville Motorsport Park. Leon took his second straight win in the Lou-Ann Printing Pro Superbike Feature.
Aboard his Royal Distributing/Pro6 Cycle backed BMW Motorrad entry, Leon had just moved ahead of arch-rival Elie Daccache (Milwaukee Yamaha YZF-R1) during Saturday’s mid-day Almaguin Sprint Cup race when he tucked the front and his BeeMm slid into the infield in a cloud of dust, visible from the pit lane.
His team got the damaged bike repaired for Sunday, and Leon, winner of the previous round, openly discussed his recent history of recovering from setbacks when he seemed to be on a roll. Sunday’s conditions were not as hit as Saturday, the day overcast due to the remnants of northern forest fires.
Reigning Series Champ Daccache won the Sprint Cup event Sunday, but in the Pro Superbike Feature at the end of the day, Leon grabbed the lead on lap one and built a small lead to edge Daccache by 3.2 seconds. Daccache maintains his title chase lead with 47 points, with rising star Matt Vanderhorst second at 36 points and Leon in third at 28.
Speaking of his frustrating fall Saturday, post victory on Sunday, Leon confirmed that “part of the challenge was in my head, and I had to pretend I was back on my FZR400 at St. Eustache and just don’t think about things too much.”
“I was worried about the repair from the crash, I hurt a coolant pipe, but the bike felt fine. My guys did a great job and I’m proud it’s not bent.”
“I got the lead, my board showed plus zero, plus zero, and then I started to relax,” continued Leon. “The I put down a 5.9 (lap in the 1:05 range, his best an eventual 1:05.8, beaten only by Daccache, by just one tenth of a second), and that pace wasn’t expected –the switch just turned on!”
As far as the challenge from arch-rival Daccache, Leon explained that “he didn’t show me a wheel, and I try not to look back. But I risked a look over my shoulder at the hairpin, and he wasn’t right there…”
Behind runner-up Daccache, Vanderhorst put on a charge to earn third, even though he was disappointed with his pace between old tires in practice Saturday and new rubber Sunday.
Fourth went to Yamaha YZF-R1 mounted “fastest farmer” Ernest Bernhard, Suzuki pilot Matthew Annable good for a close fifth after 12 laps.
In the combined Pro6 Cycle Supersport race on Sunday right after lunch, Yamaha mounted Matt Simpson resumed his weekend long dispute with third-in-National Points Alex Michel (Speed Factory Kawasaki).
Simpson won Saturday, but on Sunday the former National title challenger suhered mechanical issues and handed the win to Michel, visiting in preparation for the next weekend’s Bridgestone National at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (“old Mosport”). Michel also placed third, among the 1000cc racers, aboard his 636 in Sprint Cup, placing third behind Daccache and Leon.
The Amateur Supersport event produced a run-away win, the Triumph of Zaim Laflamme eventually nine seconds up from the Yamaha of Alexis Beaudoin. In Amateur Superbike, Martin Perreault won on a Kawasaki from Beaudoin and Ducati-mounted J.S. Lefebvre. In the Amateur Superbike Championship, Beaudoin has 48 points, just two up on Perreault with one round left.
CSBK Preview: Superbike Heads To CTMP
Dumas leads four-rider showdown into championship finale at CTMP
The most anticipated season finale in years is finally here in the Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship, as the feature GP Bikes Pro Superbike class is set to crown another champion this weekend at historic Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, August 8-10.
Just who will lift the Canada Cup this year, however, is anyone’s guess.
Four riders will enter the doubleheader finale covered by just 24 points, with Alex Dumas leading reigning champion Ben Young, Sam Guerin, and Jordan Szoke in what has been a clear-cut lead four the entire season.
The trio of Dumas, Young, and Guerin each won races last time out in the Edmonton tripleheader, while Szoke has been a mainstay at the front himself despite a first win of the year still eluding him, giving all four their own bit of momentum entering CTMP.
Despite the practically even odds, Dumas would be the betting favourite by virtue of his five-point championship lead over familiar rival Young, a place the two have found themselves in multiple times before.
Dumas carried slim title leads over Young into the 2021 and 2023 seasons, though with very contrasting fortunes. He would sweep the final round in ’21 to earn a stunning championship as a rookie, but a crash out of the lead in ’23 spoiled his second attempt to hand that title to Young.
Neither one of those finale’s were at CTMP, but it’s unclear who will be more excited by the change of venue. Since their head-to-head rivalry began in 2021, Young has taken five wins and eleven podiums at “Old Mosport,” while Dumas has countered with three wins and ten podiums.
But a part of Young’s success – even by his own admission sometimes – was the BMW package underneath him, one that has mastered the very fast CTMP layout and now belongs to Dumas.
None of this should write off Young from a fourth consecutive title and fifth in his career, as his record at CTMP speaks for itself regardless of machine – including a pair of dramatic last-corner passes on Dumas to add to that win total.
While Young has dealt with his growing pains aboard the new Van Dolder’s Home Team Honda, his CBR1000RR is more than capable of keeping him in the lead fight at a track where it’s often difficult to break away from a chasing pack thanks to the long Andretti Straightaway.
The bigger problem for Young may be that it’s not a straight fight with Dumas this time around, as he will also have to contend with a former BMW-mate and a career-long rival in his title charge.
Guerin might be the one with the most confidence behind him, having out-scored every other rider in rounds two and three with three victories and five consecutive podiums, the only rider who’s been in the top three every time in that span.
The EFC Group BMW star is still paying for a heartbreaking electronics issue that knocked him out of the lead battle in round one, but he’s managed to cut that deficit to just 16 points behind Dumas thanks to his incredible mid-season comeback.
He also will be carrying that momentum into one of his strongest circuits, even though a first victory at CTMP still eludes him. It was here last season where Guerin took pole by the largest margin in history (1.6 seconds), and his six podiums since 2020 are fewer than only Young and Dumas.
If machinery proves to be a difference-maker, Guerin is also on the same M1000RR as Dumas, meaning he will have all the tools to stay with the two former champions as he chases a first Canada Cup of his own.
The last rider of the four, though one still in a very good position, is Szoke. The 14-time champion has finished in the top four in every single race this season, taking four podiums for the Canadian Kawasaki Motors team.
Szoke has come up painfully short of a 79th career victory on a few occasions, but that might finally change at a venue where’s won an astonishing 20 times before, especially with a tweaked ZX-10RR this season that has proven to be far more competitive.
The problem for Szoke is that his impressive consistency will only get him so far if Dumas, Young, and Guerin avoid any major issues, meaning he will have to get his elbows out if he wants to add another #1 plate to his loaded resumé – something he will have no problem doing with a title on the line.
Should the lead pack extend beyond the four usual names, there will be a handful of proven riders vying for their first Pro Superbike win, headlined by a pair of emerging Honda stars in David MacKay and Phil DeGama-Blanchet.
MacKay has been consistently “best of the rest” in 2025, his second Superbike campaign, finishing between seventh and fourth in every race he’s finished aboard the ODH Snow City Cycle Honda.
As for DeGama-Blanchet, the 17-year-old has been equally as impressive in his first year aboard the Mots Machining Honda, finishing between seventh and fifth in all but one race, though he will have far less experience around CTMP compared to former Supersport champion MacKay.
Both riders will be crucial to Honda’s hopes of a first Constructors Championship, which will require a heroic effort from Young and company as they trail reigning champions BMW by 59 points with Dumas and Guerin at the front.
Entering the fray for Kawasaki will be Supersport flag-bearer Alex Michel, who fills in for the injured Connor Campbell to make his Superbike debut aboard the B&T MacFarlane/CKM Kawasaki.
Michel has been a regular frontrunner in the middleweight class, including taking a first career pro podium at CTMP in 2023, and will hope to carry that form into his first career weekend in the feature class.
Barring anything dramatic, the doubleheader will likely see Laurent Laliberte-Girard crowned as the latest winner of the Brooklin Cycle Racing Pro Rookie of the Year award, holding a 32-point lead over Zoltan Frast.
Laliberte-Girard has done double-duty aboard his Nadon Sport Yamaha YZF-R6, and his career best fifth-place finish in Edmonton may prove to be the crucial difference as the reigning Amateur Supersport winner tries to cap off his strong rookie year in the history books.
The feature class will officially begin it’s highly-anticipated season finale with practice and BS Battery Qualifying on Friday, before the decisive doubleheader gets underway on Saturday and Sunday at CTMP, just an hour east of Toronto.
More information can be found on the series’ official website.
For more information on the Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship, visit www.csbk.ca or email info@csbk.ca.
MiniSBK: Stockill Back on Top at Shannonville
In a busy day for MiniSBK competitors, a week after the opening National of the season suffered a rain out at Brechin, ON, and some competitors were racing for Team Canada in China, a strong field competed for victory around the perimeter Pro layout of Shannonville Motorsport Park at round four of the RACEMoto Regional Ontario Championship Series.
Opening regional winner on the 613 Cycle-backed Ohvale 160, Jager Stockill qualified on pole for the Moto1 class in warm and sunny conditions, and then got the jump on the deepest grid so far in the first year for the category running with the revamped Shannonville Regional Championships.
Jonathan Massignani held second on his Bucci 190 ahead of YCF190 pilot Ben Hodgson, while Philippe Luisgan was moving up to fourth aboard a YCF190 after stalling as the start lights turned oK.
A good mid-field battle developed for what would eventually turn out to be fifth overall, with two-stroke Kawasaki KX112 super moto pilot Chelsea Boursier, 15-years-old, holding off a group of several top runners. Eventually an on-form Boursier earned fifth ahead of her father, Yam Boursier (Bucci 190) in sixth, Ohvale 160 National Series competitor Mateen O’Brien (seventh) and eight overall Jacob Abnett on a YCF190.
Up front, Stockill gradually pulled clear for a solid (12.7 second at the chequered) advantage, turning a best tour at 49.19 seconds, close to his pole performance of 49.32. Inthe fight for second, Luisgnan used traffic to pass both Massignani and Hodgson, with second overall (and series rookie) Luisgnan turning the best overall lap of the race at 48.75 seconds.
A small field took to the inside Go Kart layout for the Moto4 or “50s” race, and a solid fight developed for first between Honda mounted Thorleif Grummet and Austin Da on a Yamaha. Da got the hole shot but Grummett, grand son of RACEMoto series co-founders Dave and Jill Grummett, moved into first and hung on from the pressuring Da. But Da had bike issues in the backfield Chicane and had to pull off track, loosing almost a lap as Grummett ran away.
8-year-old Grumett eventually won by 52 seconds in his second career road race, fresh from a recent M/X Camp. A frustrated Da (age 10) netted second, but did turn the best lap of the race at 1:05.78, to the 1:07.6 of victor Grummett.
Next Mini event is a Motul MiniGP National round at Lombardy Raceway, north of Kingston, ON, August 22-23 with the series returning to Shannonville in a month, September 5-6.
MotoAmerica: Team Releases And More From VIR (Updated)
From a news release issued by Yamaha Motor Corporation USA:
Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Bobby Fong capped off a flawless weekend with a dominant Race 2 victory at Round 6 of the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship at Virginia International Raceway in Alton, Virginia. His fourth consecutive win moved him within five points of the championship lead. Teammate Jake Gagne battled in a fierce multi-rider fight for the podium, ultimately crossing the line fifth.
Fong continued to top the timesheets in morning warm-up, and then got a great start in Race 2 to take the lead from pole position. Although he was passed on that opening lap, he stayed close and reclaimed the lead on Lap 3 after the championship leader crashed in Turn 1. From there, Fong continued to set a blistering pace and built a comfortable gap up front, securing his fourth win by a 14-second margin. It was a perfect weekend for the Northern Californian, who led every session, and won both races, advancing him to second in the championship and closing the gap to within five points of the leader.
Gagne continued his progress and was fourth in the morning warmup. In sixth after the start of Race 2, he made his way to fourth by the second lap and then to third after the frontrunner crashed on the following lap. Locked in a multi-rider fight for the podium, Gagne was third until the final laps, when he dropped back to fifth. The Colorado rider stayed in the fight but ultimately would cross the line fifth to finish the weekend with a pair of top-five finishes, maintaining fourth in the standings.
Next up for the Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing team is Round 7 of the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, on August 15-17.
Richard Stanboli – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing Team Manager
“I always hate to predict an outcome, but we had a really good idea this race was going to go the same way. Bobby did what we asked him to do — he kept a good, solid pace, put the pressure on the competition, and got us into a good position in the championship. Jake is still working on getting back to full strength, but has made some progress. We’re still not counting the championship points. We just want to go out and keep on winning, and show how good this R1 really is.”
Bobby Fong – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing #50
“It’s good to get two wins this weekend and keep the momentum going. The crew deserves it. We’ve been working hard and making progress. I’m just happy to close in on the gap in the championship. I’m looking forward to Mid-Ohio and hopefully getting two Yamahas on the box.”
Jake Gagne – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing #32
“The bike was working really well. It was just a tough weekend for me, dealing with my stuff and getting stronger, but Mid-Ohio will be better. Congrats to Bobby for getting another win for the team.”
From a news release issued by Suzuki Motor USA:
Suzuki Motor USA reeled in ten top ten finishes, including multiple top fives – highlighted by a spectacular twin Superbike podium – as the MotoAmerica season made its annual stop at VIRginia International Raceway in Alton, Virginia.
Race Highlights:
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki Superbike
Sean Dylan Kelly claimed a pair of top fours, including second place, his first podium finish of the season. Richie Escalante joined his teammate on the box following a thrilling five-way melee for third place.
Supersport
Tyler Scott closed out a solid weekend with a blistering final lap to lock down a fourth-place result. Max VanDenBrouck secured his third top ten of 2025.
RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Twins Cup
Matthew Chapin claimed pole position and rebounded from a Race 1 crash with a Race 2 top five Stock 1000. Rocco Landers was consistently fast en route to equaling his best finish of the Stock 1000 season.
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Sean Dylan Kelly earned his first podium of the 2025 Superbike season on Sunday. Kelly had been plenty fast on the GSX-R1000R throughout and had come incredibly close on multiple occasions – finishing fourth six times, including in Saturday’s Superbike Race 1. But it all finally came together in Sunday’s rematch, when Kelly successfully countered teammate Richie Escalante’s last-lap pass with one of his own to finish as the race’s runner-up.
SDK said, “That was unbelievable. We’ve been working really hard since the start of the season, which feels like two years ago. I think everyone knew this was coming; but it’s one thing knowing and another actually making it happen. I’m really happy with the work we’ve done. A huge thank you to the Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki team – those guys have worked so hard. This feels so good to be back. I’m so, so excited.”
Escalante completed the Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki double podium by claiming the checkered flag fractions of a second behind Kelly. Escalante found his form at VIR on the GSX-R1000R during Sunday’s race after finishing ninth on Saturday as a result of a mid-race mishap. The Mexican threw haymaker after haymaker to claw his way forward and ultimately finish in third.
“I’m really happy, honestly,” Escalante said. “We started the weekend with many problems, but my team did an amazing job. Every session I felt better and better. Today’s race was insane. It’s amazing to have both of us finish on the podium. Big thanks to my Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki team for an amazing job and believing in me. We’re going to enjoy this moment and be ready for Ohio.”
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Tyler Scott battled it out in Supersport duty all weekend long despite riding at less than full health. After qualifying fifth aboard the team’s next-generation GSX-R750, the hard-charging pilot came out on top of a three-rider scrap for sixth in Saturday’s Race 1. Scott pulled off the same feat in a four-way fight for fourth on Sunday, passing his way up to the position on the final lap and then successfully executing a late break to lock down the spot at the checkered flag.
Scott said, “Going into the weekend, I had a sore shoulder from being taken out by another rider at a practice day about ten days ago, then had some respiratory issues on top of that. Saturday, I wasn’t feeling that great, and the weekend became about doing as well as I could at less than 100%. Sunday, I felt better. The bike was great, and this time I was able to battle more, so we got fourth. This doesn’t seem like it will be a problem at Ohio, so I am looking forward to those races.”
Scott’s Supersport compatriot, Max VanDenBrouck, enjoyed an impressive weekend himself. Starting from eleventh, Max Van raced his way to his third top-ten result of the season aboard the Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750, crossing the line in 10th on Saturday. He nearly did so again on Sunday, coming home a very respectable 11th.
“I like riding at VIR, so every lap I enjoyed,” VanDenBrouck said. “We qualified 11th, finished 10 in Race 1 and 11th in Race 2. I was able to maintain my qualifying position in the races. The starts went better, and I was able to be aggressive early. The team worked flawlessly all weekend. With Mid-Ohio two weeks away, I will go home and work out hard to be ready.”
RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki’s Matthew Chapin saw his weekend start off in unreal fashion – claiming pole position for the Twins Cup class by a margin of more than two seconds. Unfortunately, he suffered a crash on the opening lap of Race 1 after leaping out into the early lead. The reigning Junior Cup champ bounced back with a top five on Sunday, finishing fifth on the team’s Suzuki GSX-8R.
Chapin said, “I thought it was a pretty good weekend overall. I crashed out in the first race and had an arm pump issue early in the second one, so I didn’t get the results we have been getting at other rounds. We were still pretty competitive, though. We’re working on reducing some wheelspin, and I’m confident the team will continue improving the bike for us next time.”
RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki’s Rocco Landers continued to showcase his developing literbike chops by demonstrating consistent pace aboard the team’s Stock 1000-spec GSX-R1000. Landers qualified on the second row, from where he logged seventh- and sixth-place results, the latter matching his best result on the 1000cc machine to date.
“Our best weekend so far,” said Landers. “Race 1 was one of the best times I have felt on the bike and Race 2 was the best. We’re getting closer and learning more every time. I got to ride the 1000 in the rain and the rider aids made it very controllable. We’re looking forward to racing again and continue to make improvements.”
The 2025 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Championship resumes on August 15-17 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.
Please visit SuzukiCycles.com/Racing/road-racing for more team news.
About Team Hammer
The 2025 season marks Team Hammer’s 45th consecutive year of operating as a professional road racing team. Racebikes built and fielded by Team Hammer have won 135 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National races, have finished on AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National podiums 381 times and have won 11 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National Championships, as well as two FIM South American Championships (in Superbike and Supersport). The team has also won 137 endurance races overall (including seven 24-hour races) and 13 Overall WERA National Endurance Championships with Suzuki motorcycles, and holds the U.S. record for mileage covered in a 24-hour race. The team also competed in the televised 1990s Formula USA National Championship, famously running “Methanol Monster” GSX-R1100 Superbikes fueled by methanol, and won four F-USA Championships.
About Vance & Hines Motorsports
Vance & Hines Motorsports is a powerhouse in the world of motorcycle racing, boasting a rich legacy of success. With a focus on innovation, performance, and commitment to pushing boundaries, the team continues to redefine excellence in NHRA and MotoAmerica.
More, from a news release issued by Aprilia:
Entering the 2025 MotoAmerica Twins Cup season, Robem Engineering’s Alessandro Di Mario was widely considered a frontrunner in the highly competitive class. By the end of Round 5 of 6, the defending champion proved untouchable aboard his Aprilia RS 660.
Di Mario secured his second consecutive MotoAmerica Twins Cup title on Saturday at Virginia International Raceway, clinching Aprilia’s third championship in the category since the RS 660 became eligible five years ago.
After opening the 2025 season with three straight runner-up finishes, Di Mario has since gone on a dominant run – winning the last seven consecutive Twins Cup races, including both contests at the August 1–3 VIR round.
Saturday’s race featured an all-Aprilia podium, led by Di Mario, followed by his Robem Engineering teammate Hank Vossberg and Bad Boys Racing’s Avery Dreher in third. On Sunday, Di Mario and Vossberg returned to the podium, with Dreher narrowly missing out in fourth.
Despite less-than-ideal conditions during Friday morning practice, six Aprilia riders finished inside the top 10. The session was led by inaugural Twins Cup champion Chris Parrish (Ghetto Customs), followed by Di Mario in third, Chase Brown (Brown Town Racing) in fourth, Dreher in sixth, Vossberg in eighth, and Logan Cunnison (Speeddemon Racing) in ninth. Inclement weather led to the cancellation of Friday’s Qualifying 1 session.
In Saturday morning’s Qualifying 2, Dreher edged Di Mario for second on the starting grid by just 0.207 seconds. Vossberg qualified fourth, and Cunnison sixth.
Race 1 began with multiple early incidents and a tight battle for the lead. Di Mario led early, briefly lost position, then reclaimed the lead on Lap 6 of the 13-lap race and steadily pulled away. He crossed the finish line more than three seconds ahead to seal the title. Vossberg narrowly beat Dreher to the line by just 0.002 seconds, securing a second-place finish and an all-Aprilia podium.
Other Aprilia riders in the top 10 included Brown (fifth), Cunnison (sixth), Andrew Weyh (Weyh Racing, eighth), and Zachary Foster (Moto-Ace Racing, 10th).
With the championship secured, Di Mario delivered another dominant performance in Sunday’s Race 2, leading every lap and taking victory by over four seconds. Vossberg claimed his second podium of the weekend, finishing just 0.059 seconds shy of an Aprilia 1–2. Dreher placed fourth, Brown sixth, Cunnison seventh, and Weyh ninth. Of the 37 riders entered at VIR, 16 competed aboard Aprilia RS 660s, demonstrating the bike’s continued dominance in the class.
The final round of the 2025 MotoAmerica Twins Cup season takes place September 26–28 at New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville, New Jersey.
Alessandro Di Mario / Robem Engineering
“The race weekend was really good. I had two strong starts, and the plan all along was to break away at the front. That’s exactly what happened, and I’m really happy with the results. I want to thank the team for all their support this weekend.”
Hank Vossberg / Robem Engineering
“What a great weekend here at VIR. It went even better than I expected—I made the podium in both races and the bike felt amazing. I didn’t get the start I wanted in Race 1, but just managed to grab second at the line. I had a better start in Race 2 and I’m really happy to be back on the podium.”
More, from a news release issued by Ducati:
Josh Herrin and Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati had a tough weekend as MotoAmerica returned to one of North America’s premier racing venues at Virginia International Raceway for round six.
Herrin secured a hard-fought third place in the first race on the number one Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R to secure solid points on the podium.
Race two, however, did not go to plan. After taking the lead with a decisive early pass, Herrin tried to make a break for it but lost the front of the motorcycle at turn one, sliding into the wet grass on the outside of the track.
Herrin’s motorcycle suffered damage to the right handlebar and throttle assembly, necessitating an emergency pit stop that dropped Herrin to 15th and several laps down on the leaders.
Herrin and the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati team refused to give in, and even with victory hopes dashed, Herrin still made it back on track to finish 14th and gain two championship points ultimately.
Herrin and the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati team remain optimistic and still lead the series points with three rounds to go.
2025 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship After Round Six:
P1 – Josh Herrin (Ducati) 242
P2 – Bobby Fong 237
P3 – Cameron Beaubier 226
P4 – Jake Gagne 187
P5 – Richie Escalante 137
Josh Herrin (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati–#1)
“It’s obviously not what we wanted, but that’s racing,” Herrin philosophically said. “It happens, but that’s why we worked as hard as we did all year to get the points advantage. I didn’t need to win today, but I also wanted to give it my best shot. A win is always preferable to a second or third-place finish.
“I felt better than in race one on Saturday. I’m not sure if I had the bike to win today, but I was pushing hard and lost the front. I tried to hold on, and it helped a little, but I ended up on the ground. Thanks to my Warhorse HSBK Ducati team for getting the bike back together in the pits so we could get two points. Every point counts in the championship.
“We are going into Mid-Ohio and CoTA in Texas next, which are two of the best tracks for me and the Ducati Panigale V4 R. Sometimes weekends like this happen. It’s not the end of the world, but on the bright side, out of the next three tracks go to (Mid-Ohio, CoTA, and New Jersey Motorsports Park) for the rest of the year, we took seven race wins last year, so we’re ready to go.”
Round seven of the 2025 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship will be held in one week at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, August 8-10, 2025.
More, from a news release issued by Dunlop:
Dunlop Motorcycle Tires is excited to announce that new lap records have been established at Virginia International Raceway in Alton, VA. This thrilling showcase of speed and skill wasn’t possible without the Sportmax Slick tires, and the following records were achieved:
Twins Cup:
-Race Lap Record: 1:30.544 – Alessandro Di Mario, Race 2 (8/3/2025)
Supersport:
-Lap Record & Race Lap Record: 1:25.964 – Mathew Scholtz, Race 2 (8/3/2025)
-Lap Record & Race Lap Record: 1:26.094 – PJ Jacobsen, Race 1 (8/2/2025)
Build.Train.Race:
-Lap Record & Race Lap Record: 1:46.428 – Miranda Cain, Race 2 (8/3/2025)
-Lap Record & Race Lap Record: 1:47.957 – Miranda Cain, Race 1 (8/2/2025)
Talent Cup:
-Lap Record: 1:35.328 – Alessandro Di Mario, Warm Up (8/3/2025)
-Race Lap Record: 1:35.876 – Alessandro Di Mario, Race 1 (8/2/2025)
-Lap Record & Race Lap Record: 1:35.876 – Alessandro Di Mario, Race 1 (8/2/2025)
These outstanding performances demonstrate the exceptional grip and reliability of Dunlop’s Sportmax Slick tires, further cementing their position as the tire of choice for all competitive road racing.
To learn more about Dunlop racing tires, please visit www.dunlopracing.com
About Dunlop Motorcycle Tires:
Dunlop is the number one selling and largest supplier of original equipment and replacement motorcycle tires in North America. For more information, visit www.DunlopMotorcycleTires.com. Follow @ridedunlop on Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) for the latest Dunlop news. Use #RideDunlop and/or #RaceDunlop to share your Dunlop moments.
MotoAmerica: More From Sunday At VIR
Precision Track Days brings you the results of this weekend’s events.
Revving Up the Track Day Experience with Precision Track Day!
From a news release issued by MotoAmerica:
The 2025 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship was flipped upside down on Sunday at VIRginia International Raceway with Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Bobby Fong racing to an immaculate doubleheader sweep while championship points leader Josh Herrin crashed out of the lead on the third lap of race two.
And just like that the complexity of the 2025 championship has changed, and things are now suddenly tight at the top as Herrin’s championship points lead has been cut down to just five points with three rounds and seven races left to run in the 2025 season.
Fong was even more unstoppable on Sunday than he was on Saturday as he simply raced at a different level than the rest of the class. After 20 laps of VIRginia International Raceway, he was a tick over 14 seconds ahead of the battle for second place.
And what a battle it was. Five riders raced to the checkered flag with the five separated by just .702 of a second.
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Sean Dylan Kelly led the battle behind him for almost the entire race. The almost came in the final two laps when Kelly’s teammate Richie Escalante, who was having the best ride of his Superbike career, not only threatened but led Kelly with Tytlers Cycle Racing’s Cameron Beaubier, Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Jake Gagne, and Real Steel Honda’s Hayden Gillim all in position to pounce should it go badly for the two Suzukis.
The war went to the final lap and the run to the finish line with Kelly besting Escalante by .093 of a second. Beaubier, whose title hopes got a lot brighter with Herrin’s miscue, was a shadow fourth with Gagne and Gillim breathing down his neck in fifth and sixth, respectively.
It would have been the race of the year if not for Fong, who was miles up the road from the fighting fivesome.
BPR Racing Yamaha’s Bryce Kornbau was seventh, almost five seconds behind but four seconds clear of Real Steel Honda’s JD Beach, with the Kentuckian winning the MotoAmerica Superbike Cup for the top finishing rider on a Stock 1000-spec motorcycle.
Jones Honda’s Ashton Yates and Aftercare Scheibe Racing’s Danilo Lewis rounded out the top 10.
With Fong closing the gap on Herrin, who scored two points for remounting and finishing 14th (three laps behind), to just five points, 242-237, the race for the title is now white-hot. Beaubier was also a benefactor of Herrin’s tip over as he is now 16 points behind with 226 points.
Fong’s teammate Gagne is fourth in the title chase with 187 points, 50 points clear of fifth-placed Escalante. Beach is sixth but leads the Superbike Cup by 59 points over Jason Waters, 283-224. The win at VIR was Beach’s 12th in the class within a class.
Superbike Race 2
- Bobby Fong (Yamaha)
- Sean Dylan Kelly (Suzuki)
- Richie Escalante (Suzuki)
- Cameron Beaubier (BMW)
- Jake Gagne (Yamaha)
- Hayden Gillim (Honda)
- Bryce Kornbau (Yamaha)
- JD Beach (Honda)
- Ashton Yates (Honda)
- Danilo Lewis (BMW)
Bobby Fong – Winner
“When I got to the start/finish line, after the warmup lap, that whole warmup lap going to the start/finish line, my dash wasn’t working. It was staying all red and it was black. So, I was like, ‘I think I need to restart this thing.’ This thing needed a battery to start. So, I did the switch on and off and it died. Then I started back up and the dash was still there. So, I had to recycle the whole program. It’s very rare that it could actually start without the battery. So, I finally got my stuff together and I pushed the button, and it started. The first lap, I was honestly just trying to get back in my rhythm. It kind of just threw me off. Then Josh Herrin got by me. I’m like, ‘Okay. I could already see he was riding really hard for the first two laps.’ He was already out of control. I’m like, ‘I’m just going to sit here. He’ll put his pace.’ I didn’t know how the race was going to go, but I knew once lap nine or 10 rolls around I would be pretty good. He (Herrin) made a small mistake. Bummer for him. I’m stoked to get the win. Four in a row, which is nice. I got to stay humble and just calm. Hero to zero in this racing world happens very fast.”
Sean Dylan Kelly – Second Place
“It was insanely important (to finish on the podium). Like you said, I think it’s been coming since the first race weekend. If you look at Atlanta, I finished fourth a few tenths from the podium. It took six race weekends, or I don’t know how many we’re at now, and a lot of close moments, a lot of good battles, a lot of good speed but it just wasn’t going. A lot of frustrating moments. Probably the most I’ve ever had in racing. I always managed to keep my head down and keep focused. Yesterday was extremely close, too. Finishing fourth again, a couple tenths off. I really just knew that what was holding me back big time, at least yesterday, was my start. Richie (Escalante) said that he had the best start of his Superbike career. I definitely had the best start for myself, and I actually got into the first corner in third, which is amazing. Still losing a place, but it’s not losing four or five, which is kind of the average lately. So, really excited. Super happy that I was able to manage what I did. Once I saw that (Josh) Herrin went down, I tried to keep up with Bobby’s (Fong) pace even though I knew he was on another level. I wanted to use him a little bit as a carrot in front of me, but also not going overboard. I said, ‘Okay, man. I’m in P2.’ I pretty much just want to carry this as long as I can. Yesterday I was on the bad side. I was the one behind someone blocking a lot. So now I’m like, ‘I’m the one in front so let me block a lot.’ I really don’t think the pace was all that amazing, but I knew that it wasn’t that easy to pass me. With five laps to go, I didn’t know the group was that big. I honestly thought it was (Cameron) Beaubier behind me. So, with five laps to go, I started hearing a bike much closer. So, I just started defending. Completely different lines everywhere. I heard a bike on my butt, bad. Then when I go into the last corner, I go into turn 10 and I see this guy pass me. I’m like, what is Richie (Escalante) doing passing me? I didn’t know it was going to be Richie. The first thing I thought was, ‘I think we got a double podium for the team, which is amazing by itself.’ But I also didn’t want this guy to beat me, so I set up last corner really well. Definitely excited to finish in P2, finish on the podium with this guy. We talked about it at the beginning of the year. If we do a double podium, we’re going to celebrate. I’m going to change my flight. We’re going to celebrate. Really, really happy. Finally got this podium. I really hope that this will now lead us to do more and better for the next few races. Just excited that we were finally able to turn around some good speed into a podium.”
Richie Escalante – Third Place
“I’m really happy, honestly. We started the weekend with a big problem with the bike. I didn’t feel really good on the exit, especially it was spinning a lot. But I think everybody on the track was spinning a lot. But step by step, I feel better and better with the bike. Then finally this morning, I found something in the electronics with the rear grip. I think for sure it worked in the race. One of my best starts. I think in this category, in the Superbike class, it’s really important. So then when I saw (Josh) Herrin crash, the group is together again. So, I said, ‘okay, maybe it’s possible to battle for the podium.’ Then I have a big, insane battle with (Cameron) Beaubier, (Jake) Gagne. All the time Sean (Dylan Kelly) is in the front. Then maybe with six laps to go, I know my race pace in the end always is good. So finally, I’m close to the front. In the end I feel really good with the bike. I made some passes in turn 10. I’m really happy to finish on the podium, especially now we were rivals in the past in 2020 and ’21. More like teammates, I think both are good friends. So, I’m really happy with the Team Hammer Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki. Finished on the podium, finally. I think the potential and all the package when everything works correctly it’s possible to battle for these races. I’m super happy.”
More, from another news release issued by MotoAmerica:
Strack Racing’s Mathew Scholtz completed a perfect weekend in the Motovation Supersport class as he raced to victory on Sunday at VIRginia International Raceway after setting the precedent on Saturday.
While Scholtz was able to eke away at the front, the battle behind him went the distance after some back and forth between Rahal Ducati Moto w/XPEL’s PJ Jacobsen and Scholtz’s Strack Racing teammate Blake Davis.
Although it was Davis getting the holeshot, Jacobsen found a hole and came out of turn one with the lead. The New Yorker put his head down and opened a slight gap, but it all went away with Scholtz and Davis closing in. On the fourth lap, Scholtz went into the lead as the threesome ran together. A lap later, Davis moved past Jacobsen for second, but the three were still locked together with Celtic/Economy Lube+Tire/Warhorse HSBK’s Cameron Petersen getting chippy behind them as he tried to close in on the three-rider pack ahead of him.
By the halfway mark, Scholtz had started to pull away ever so slightly. At the end of the ninth lap, the South African clicked off a new lap record of 1:25.964 to lead Davis by almost a second.
On the 10th lap, Petersen was out of the race with a crash in turn four, Scholtz had given himself a lead that wouldn’t allow him to be caught, and Davis and Jacobsen were set to fight to the finish.
After 18 laps of the 2.24-mile racetrack, Jacobsen was .114 of a second ahead of Davis as the pair crossed the finish line – 3.3 seconds behind Scholtz.
The top three were in another league entirely as fourth-placed Tyler Scott and his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki were almost 30 seconds adrift. Scott was half a second ahead of Rahal Ducati Moto w/ XPEL’s Kayla Yaakov, who barely beat BPR Racing Yamaha’s Josh Hayes for fifth with Rahal Ducati Moto w/Roller Die’s Corey Alexander right behind Hayes in seventh.
Altus Motorsports’ Torin Collins, Bauce BARTCON Racing’s Joseph LiMandri Jr. and MP13 Racing’s Aiden Sneed rounded out the top 10.
Stock 1000 – Back-To-Back Beach
Real Steel Honda’s JD Beach cultivated a perfect weekend in the Stock 1000 class as he came out on top of a battle to the flag over OrangeCat Racing’s Jayson Uribe by .055 of a second after passing the Californian on the final lap. It was the second day in a row that Beach had won a close one as he topped BPR Racing’s Bryce Kornbau by just .194 of a second on Saturday at VIR.
The race was red flagged on the first lap due to a crash, and the restart saw a four-rider battle for victory. Uribe was doing the leading, with Beach, Jones Honda’s Ashton Yates, and Uribe’s teammate Andrew Lee flying in formation.
As they started the final lap, Yates’ Honda failed him, and he coasted to a stop on the outside of turn one. That left three riders, though Uribe and Beach had a slight gap to Lee. Beach made his move in the turn-three left-hander, diving under Uribe. Beach was perfect from there to the finish line as he managed to keep Uribe behind him, albeit by just .055 of a second.
Beach’s perfect weekend vaulted him into contention for the championship as he now trails Lee by just 10 points, 122-112. Uribe is third with 94 points with two rounds and four races remaining.
“I wasn’t being patient,” Beach said. “I wanted to make that move sooner before that, but I just kept fighting, kept fighting. I didn’t want to wait until the last lap to do something, but I thought I had a pretty good move there. I tried the lap before and about high-sided. I was going all in. I got to thank my whole (team and) American Honda. This bike has just been working great. My whole crew has been working so hard this weekend. To get the double win like that just feels amazing. I feel like I’m back, I’m racing. It’s a big difference from last year. I’m just excited and pumped. I’m grateful for this team and this chance I got. It’s going to be a battle these last four races, but I’m ready for it.”
Parts Unlimited Talent Cup By Motul – Di Mario Bounces Back
Warhorse Ducati/American Racing’s Alessandro Di Mario made up for yesterday’s disappointment in the Parts Unlimited Talent Cup By Motul race by winning today’s race two after a game of cat and mouse with yesterday’s winner Hank Vossberg and his Tytlers Cycle Racing Krämer APX-350 MA.
On Saturday, Di Mario looked to have victory in the bag when his shifter broke, forcing him to slow to what was ultimately a fifth-place finish. All he could do was watch as Vossberg pulled away to victory.
Sunday’s race had a different sort of drama as the top two, Di Mario and Vossberg, pulled away from the pack and then, on the final lap, did the “you lead, no, you lead” game that was reminiscent of races at Daytona International Speedway where no one wants to lead out of the chicane. Di Mario put Vossberg in a position where he really had no choice but to try and lead to the flag.
But it didn’t work out for Vossberg as Di Mario’s plan worked to perfection as he was able to draft past at the finish line to win by .086 of a second.
Those two were 11 seconds ahead of the scrap behind them with Bodie Paige Racing/Mission Foods/D&D Certified’s Bodie Paige getting the better of a six-rider scrap for third place. It was ultra-close with the difference between third-placed Paige and seventh-placed Kody Kopp, on his Team Roberts Krämer, being just .326 of a second.
MP13 Racing’s Ella Dreher crossed the line on Paige’s tail with Jones Honda’s Julian Correa, Yamaha BLU CRU Estenson Racing’s Sam Drane and Kopp crossing the line in a gaggle.
Bettencourt Racing’s Nathan Bettencourt and Rossi Motorsports Powered By 3:16’s Rossi Garcia rounded out the top 10.
“The pace was insane,” Di Mario said. “I was like, ‘There’s no way he’s keeping up.’ I kept looking back and he’s right there. So, in the first couple laps, he drafted past me at the line so I knew he would get me. So, I didn’t know what the plan was, but it was definitely not going in the last turn first. So, at that point, when he got to the last turn, I thought he was going to speed up and try and get the run but we both slowed down. I was able to tell that he slowed down a little too much. So, I was pretty confident he wouldn’t be able to draft past me. It was the weirdest race of my life. I’m not going to lie. I have to thank the whole Warhorse team. Mr. Ferracci, Moto Liberty, KYT, Dainese, and just everyone that’s helped me out. Thank you so much.”
SC-Project Twins Cup – Who Else But Di Mario
Robem Engineering’s Alessandro Di Mario won his seventh SC-Project Twins Cup race in a row on Sunday at VIR, a day after the Kentuckian wrapped up the 2025 Twins Cup Championship.
Di Mario beat a three-rider battle for second by 4.5 seconds. That fight for the podium spots was won by Giaccmoto Yamaha Racing’s Dominic Doyle by .059 of a second over Di Mario’s Robem Engineering teammate Hank Vossberg. Bad Boys Racing’s Avery Dreher was a shadow fourth.
RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki’s Matthew Chapin was about six seconds behind the podium battle and a second ahead of Brown Town Racing’s Chase Brown. Speeddemon Racing’s Logan Cunnison, Karns/TST Racing’s Levi Badie, Weyh Racing’s Andrew Weyh, and Koch Racing’s Sean Ungvarsky rounded out the top 10.
With just one round left, Di Mario has an insurmountable 106-point lead. Chapin is still second, though he’s just 13 points ahead of Dreher, who in turn is 11 points ahead of Vossberg. Doyle rounds out the top five, 10 points behind Vossberg.
Royal Enfield Build.Train.Race. – Knebel Krowned!
Kira Knebel wasted little time getting to the front of the Royal Enfield Build.Train.Race. finale on Sunday morning at VIR as she went about winning the class championship in style. Job one was winning the title, job two was winning the race. When Shea MacGregor, the only person in the race with a chance of stealing the title from Knebel, crashed on the second lap, the job was complete. She was champion in her second year after finishing third in the 2024 title chase.
At the finish line of the seven-lap race, it was Knebel slowing in the final laps to beat Miranda Cain by 1.4 seconds. Cain was giving it her all and ended up turning in the fastest lap of the race on the final lap – a 1:46.428.
Third place went to Saturday’s race winner Camille Conrad after a race-long battle with Cassie Creer, Bryanna Everitt, and Kate West. Those four were covered by just 1.4 seconds.
The victory was Knebel’s sixth in the eight-race Royal Enfield season.
“Thank you so much,” Knebel said. “It’s definitely been an emotional rollercoaster this round. A little bit more drama than I was hoping for, but they kept saying that’s what’s going to make the win even sweeter. It’s just awesome what we were able to do with the team. Freddie Spencer was there working on the bike with us, letting us take parts from his bike. Just trying to make sure that we could get the bike working today. All of our sponsors for giving us the extra parts. We ended up switching out the battery and my rectifier. The battery managed to stay running this whole time. I had to go out there and just run like hell. “I wanted this program to be a first step, and a lot of it is just huge personal growth. Learning a ton about racecraft and making a ton of connections and lifelong friends. Just being able to move on from here and continue perfecting the craft and hopefully also introducing and guiding other newer riders, women, to get into a program like this, just get into racing and get out there and compete and do your best. Work on personal improvement. Just follow your dreams. Just get out there and do what you want to do.”
Video: Superbike And Supersport Race Two Press Conferences From VIRginia International Raceway
MotoAmerica: Results From Sunday Twins Cup Race At VIR
Precision Track Days brings you the results of this weekend’s events.
Revving Up the Track Day Experience with Precision Track Day!
Robem Engineering’s Alessandro Di Mario won Sunday’s MotoAmerica SC-Project Twins Cup race at VIRginia International Raceway over Giaccmoto Yamaha’s Dominic Doyle and Robem teammate Hank Vossberg. Bad Boys Racing’s Avery Dreher was fourth, ahead of RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines’ Matthew Chapin.
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MotoAmerica: Results From Sunday Superbike Race At VIR
Precision Track Days brings you the results of this weekend’s events.
Revving Up the Track Day Experience with Precision Track Day!
Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha’s Bobby Fong took his fourth MotoAmerica Superbike win in a row, ahead of Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Sean Dylan Kelly and Richie Escalante at VIRginia International Raceway on Sunday. Tytlers Cycle Racing BMW’s Cameron Beaubier was fourth, ahead of Attack’s Jake Gagne.
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MotoAmerica: Results From Sunday Supersport Race At VIR
Precision Track Days brings you the results of this weekend’s events.
Revving Up the Track Day Experience with Precision Track Day!
Strack Racing’s Mathew Scholtz won Sunday’s MotoAmerica Motovation Supersport race at VIRginia International Raceway. Rahal Ducati Moto w/XPEL’s PJ Jacobsen was second, ahead of Strack’s Blake Davis, Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR’s Tyler Scott and Rahal’s Kayla Yaakov.
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MotoAmerica: Results From Sunday Talent Cup Race At VIR
Precision Track Days brings you the results of this weekend’s events.
Revving Up the Track Day Experience with Precision Track Day!
Warhorse Ducati/American Racing’s Alessandro Di Mario took the MotoAmerica Parts Unlimited Talent Cup win at VIRginia International Raceway on Sunday. He was followed by Tytler’s Cycle Racing’s Hank Vossberg, Bodie Paige Racing/Mission Foods/D&D Certified’s Bodie Paige, MP13 Racing’s Ella Dreher and Jones Honda’s Julian Correa.
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AHRMA: Race Results From Blackhawk Farms Raceway
Complete race results from the 2025 AHRMA Roadracing Series presented by Motobilia event held August 2-3 at Blackhawk Farms Raceway, South Beloit, IL.
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RACEMoto Ontario Regional Series Recap From Shannonville
Leon Rebounds for Win
Veteran Pro competitor Michael Leon, who traces his road race routes to the now defunct ASM Regional Series at the closed St. Eustache Autodrome, rebounded from Saturday adversity during round four of the RACEMoto Ontario Regional Championship on the perimeter Pro version (2.47 km in length) of Shannonville Motorsport Park. Leon took his second straight win in the Lou-Ann Printing Pro Superbike Feature.
Aboard his Royal Distributing/Pro6 Cycle backed BMW Motorrad entry, Leon had just moved ahead of arch-rival Elie Daccache (Milwaukee Yamaha YZF-R1) during Saturday’s mid-day Almaguin Sprint Cup race when he tucked the front and his BeeMm slid into the infield in a cloud of dust, visible from the pit lane.
His team got the damaged bike repaired for Sunday, and Leon, winner of the previous round, openly discussed his recent history of recovering from setbacks when he seemed to be on a roll. Sunday’s conditions were not as hit as Saturday, the day overcast due to the remnants of northern forest fires.
Reigning Series Champ Daccache won the Sprint Cup event Sunday, but in the Pro Superbike Feature at the end of the day, Leon grabbed the lead on lap one and built a small lead to edge Daccache by 3.2 seconds. Daccache maintains his title chase lead with 47 points, with rising star Matt Vanderhorst second at 36 points and Leon in third at 28.
Speaking of his frustrating fall Saturday, post victory on Sunday, Leon confirmed that “part of the challenge was in my head, and I had to pretend I was back on my FZR400 at St. Eustache and just don’t think about things too much.”
“I was worried about the repair from the crash, I hurt a coolant pipe, but the bike felt fine. My guys did a great job and I’m proud it’s not bent.”
“I got the lead, my board showed plus zero, plus zero, and then I started to relax,” continued Leon. “The I put down a 5.9 (lap in the 1:05 range, his best an eventual 1:05.8, beaten only by Daccache, by just one tenth of a second), and that pace wasn’t expected –the switch just turned on!”
As far as the challenge from arch-rival Daccache, Leon explained that “he didn’t show me a wheel, and I try not to look back. But I risked a look over my shoulder at the hairpin, and he wasn’t right there…”
Behind runner-up Daccache, Vanderhorst put on a charge to earn third, even though he was disappointed with his pace between old tires in practice Saturday and new rubber Sunday.
Fourth went to Yamaha YZF-R1 mounted “fastest farmer” Ernest Bernhard, Suzuki pilot Matthew Annable good for a close fifth after 12 laps.
In the combined Pro6 Cycle Supersport race on Sunday right after lunch, Yamaha mounted Matt Simpson resumed his weekend long dispute with third-in-National Points Alex Michel (Speed Factory Kawasaki).
Simpson won Saturday, but on Sunday the former National title challenger suhered mechanical issues and handed the win to Michel, visiting in preparation for the next weekend’s Bridgestone National at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (“old Mosport”). Michel also placed third, among the 1000cc racers, aboard his 636 in Sprint Cup, placing third behind Daccache and Leon.
The Amateur Supersport event produced a run-away win, the Triumph of Zaim Laflamme eventually nine seconds up from the Yamaha of Alexis Beaudoin. In Amateur Superbike, Martin Perreault won on a Kawasaki from Beaudoin and Ducati-mounted J.S. Lefebvre. In the Amateur Superbike Championship, Beaudoin has 48 points, just two up on Perreault with one round left.
CSBK Preview: Superbike Heads To CTMP
Dumas leads four-rider showdown into championship finale at CTMP
The most anticipated season finale in years is finally here in the Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship, as the feature GP Bikes Pro Superbike class is set to crown another champion this weekend at historic Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, August 8-10.
Just who will lift the Canada Cup this year, however, is anyone’s guess.
Four riders will enter the doubleheader finale covered by just 24 points, with Alex Dumas leading reigning champion Ben Young, Sam Guerin, and Jordan Szoke in what has been a clear-cut lead four the entire season.
The trio of Dumas, Young, and Guerin each won races last time out in the Edmonton tripleheader, while Szoke has been a mainstay at the front himself despite a first win of the year still eluding him, giving all four their own bit of momentum entering CTMP.
Despite the practically even odds, Dumas would be the betting favourite by virtue of his five-point championship lead over familiar rival Young, a place the two have found themselves in multiple times before.
Dumas carried slim title leads over Young into the 2021 and 2023 seasons, though with very contrasting fortunes. He would sweep the final round in ’21 to earn a stunning championship as a rookie, but a crash out of the lead in ’23 spoiled his second attempt to hand that title to Young.
Neither one of those finale’s were at CTMP, but it’s unclear who will be more excited by the change of venue. Since their head-to-head rivalry began in 2021, Young has taken five wins and eleven podiums at “Old Mosport,” while Dumas has countered with three wins and ten podiums.
But a part of Young’s success – even by his own admission sometimes – was the BMW package underneath him, one that has mastered the very fast CTMP layout and now belongs to Dumas.
None of this should write off Young from a fourth consecutive title and fifth in his career, as his record at CTMP speaks for itself regardless of machine – including a pair of dramatic last-corner passes on Dumas to add to that win total.
While Young has dealt with his growing pains aboard the new Van Dolder’s Home Team Honda, his CBR1000RR is more than capable of keeping him in the lead fight at a track where it’s often difficult to break away from a chasing pack thanks to the long Andretti Straightaway.
The bigger problem for Young may be that it’s not a straight fight with Dumas this time around, as he will also have to contend with a former BMW-mate and a career-long rival in his title charge.
Guerin might be the one with the most confidence behind him, having out-scored every other rider in rounds two and three with three victories and five consecutive podiums, the only rider who’s been in the top three every time in that span.
The EFC Group BMW star is still paying for a heartbreaking electronics issue that knocked him out of the lead battle in round one, but he’s managed to cut that deficit to just 16 points behind Dumas thanks to his incredible mid-season comeback.
He also will be carrying that momentum into one of his strongest circuits, even though a first victory at CTMP still eludes him. It was here last season where Guerin took pole by the largest margin in history (1.6 seconds), and his six podiums since 2020 are fewer than only Young and Dumas.
If machinery proves to be a difference-maker, Guerin is also on the same M1000RR as Dumas, meaning he will have all the tools to stay with the two former champions as he chases a first Canada Cup of his own.
The last rider of the four, though one still in a very good position, is Szoke. The 14-time champion has finished in the top four in every single race this season, taking four podiums for the Canadian Kawasaki Motors team.
Szoke has come up painfully short of a 79th career victory on a few occasions, but that might finally change at a venue where’s won an astonishing 20 times before, especially with a tweaked ZX-10RR this season that has proven to be far more competitive.
The problem for Szoke is that his impressive consistency will only get him so far if Dumas, Young, and Guerin avoid any major issues, meaning he will have to get his elbows out if he wants to add another #1 plate to his loaded resumé – something he will have no problem doing with a title on the line.
Should the lead pack extend beyond the four usual names, there will be a handful of proven riders vying for their first Pro Superbike win, headlined by a pair of emerging Honda stars in David MacKay and Phil DeGama-Blanchet.
MacKay has been consistently “best of the rest” in 2025, his second Superbike campaign, finishing between seventh and fourth in every race he’s finished aboard the ODH Snow City Cycle Honda.
As for DeGama-Blanchet, the 17-year-old has been equally as impressive in his first year aboard the Mots Machining Honda, finishing between seventh and fifth in all but one race, though he will have far less experience around CTMP compared to former Supersport champion MacKay.
Both riders will be crucial to Honda’s hopes of a first Constructors Championship, which will require a heroic effort from Young and company as they trail reigning champions BMW by 59 points with Dumas and Guerin at the front.
Entering the fray for Kawasaki will be Supersport flag-bearer Alex Michel, who fills in for the injured Connor Campbell to make his Superbike debut aboard the B&T MacFarlane/CKM Kawasaki.
Michel has been a regular frontrunner in the middleweight class, including taking a first career pro podium at CTMP in 2023, and will hope to carry that form into his first career weekend in the feature class.
Barring anything dramatic, the doubleheader will likely see Laurent Laliberte-Girard crowned as the latest winner of the Brooklin Cycle Racing Pro Rookie of the Year award, holding a 32-point lead over Zoltan Frast.
Laliberte-Girard has done double-duty aboard his Nadon Sport Yamaha YZF-R6, and his career best fifth-place finish in Edmonton may prove to be the crucial difference as the reigning Amateur Supersport winner tries to cap off his strong rookie year in the history books.
The feature class will officially begin it’s highly-anticipated season finale with practice and BS Battery Qualifying on Friday, before the decisive doubleheader gets underway on Saturday and Sunday at CTMP, just an hour east of Toronto.
More information can be found on the series’ official website.
For more information on the Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship, visit www.csbk.ca or email info@csbk.ca.
MiniSBK: Stockill Back on Top at Shannonville
In a busy day for MiniSBK competitors, a week after the opening National of the season suffered a rain out at Brechin, ON, and some competitors were racing for Team Canada in China, a strong field competed for victory around the perimeter Pro layout of Shannonville Motorsport Park at round four of the RACEMoto Regional Ontario Championship Series.
Opening regional winner on the 613 Cycle-backed Ohvale 160, Jager Stockill qualified on pole for the Moto1 class in warm and sunny conditions, and then got the jump on the deepest grid so far in the first year for the category running with the revamped Shannonville Regional Championships.
Jonathan Massignani held second on his Bucci 190 ahead of YCF190 pilot Ben Hodgson, while Philippe Luisgan was moving up to fourth aboard a YCF190 after stalling as the start lights turned oK.
A good mid-field battle developed for what would eventually turn out to be fifth overall, with two-stroke Kawasaki KX112 super moto pilot Chelsea Boursier, 15-years-old, holding off a group of several top runners. Eventually an on-form Boursier earned fifth ahead of her father, Yam Boursier (Bucci 190) in sixth, Ohvale 160 National Series competitor Mateen O’Brien (seventh) and eight overall Jacob Abnett on a YCF190.
Up front, Stockill gradually pulled clear for a solid (12.7 second at the chequered) advantage, turning a best tour at 49.19 seconds, close to his pole performance of 49.32. Inthe fight for second, Luisgnan used traffic to pass both Massignani and Hodgson, with second overall (and series rookie) Luisgnan turning the best overall lap of the race at 48.75 seconds.
A small field took to the inside Go Kart layout for the Moto4 or “50s” race, and a solid fight developed for first between Honda mounted Thorleif Grummet and Austin Da on a Yamaha. Da got the hole shot but Grummett, grand son of RACEMoto series co-founders Dave and Jill Grummett, moved into first and hung on from the pressuring Da. But Da had bike issues in the backfield Chicane and had to pull off track, loosing almost a lap as Grummett ran away.
8-year-old Grumett eventually won by 52 seconds in his second career road race, fresh from a recent M/X Camp. A frustrated Da (age 10) netted second, but did turn the best lap of the race at 1:05.78, to the 1:07.6 of victor Grummett.
Next Mini event is a Motul MiniGP National round at Lombardy Raceway, north of Kingston, ON, August 22-23 with the series returning to Shannonville in a month, September 5-6.
MotoAmerica: Team Releases And More From VIR (Updated)
From a news release issued by Yamaha Motor Corporation USA:
Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Bobby Fong capped off a flawless weekend with a dominant Race 2 victory at Round 6 of the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship at Virginia International Raceway in Alton, Virginia. His fourth consecutive win moved him within five points of the championship lead. Teammate Jake Gagne battled in a fierce multi-rider fight for the podium, ultimately crossing the line fifth.
Fong continued to top the timesheets in morning warm-up, and then got a great start in Race 2 to take the lead from pole position. Although he was passed on that opening lap, he stayed close and reclaimed the lead on Lap 3 after the championship leader crashed in Turn 1. From there, Fong continued to set a blistering pace and built a comfortable gap up front, securing his fourth win by a 14-second margin. It was a perfect weekend for the Northern Californian, who led every session, and won both races, advancing him to second in the championship and closing the gap to within five points of the leader.
Gagne continued his progress and was fourth in the morning warmup. In sixth after the start of Race 2, he made his way to fourth by the second lap and then to third after the frontrunner crashed on the following lap. Locked in a multi-rider fight for the podium, Gagne was third until the final laps, when he dropped back to fifth. The Colorado rider stayed in the fight but ultimately would cross the line fifth to finish the weekend with a pair of top-five finishes, maintaining fourth in the standings.
Next up for the Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing team is Round 7 of the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, on August 15-17.
Richard Stanboli – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing Team Manager
“I always hate to predict an outcome, but we had a really good idea this race was going to go the same way. Bobby did what we asked him to do — he kept a good, solid pace, put the pressure on the competition, and got us into a good position in the championship. Jake is still working on getting back to full strength, but has made some progress. We’re still not counting the championship points. We just want to go out and keep on winning, and show how good this R1 really is.”
Bobby Fong – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing #50
“It’s good to get two wins this weekend and keep the momentum going. The crew deserves it. We’ve been working hard and making progress. I’m just happy to close in on the gap in the championship. I’m looking forward to Mid-Ohio and hopefully getting two Yamahas on the box.”
Jake Gagne – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing #32
“The bike was working really well. It was just a tough weekend for me, dealing with my stuff and getting stronger, but Mid-Ohio will be better. Congrats to Bobby for getting another win for the team.”
From a news release issued by Suzuki Motor USA:
Suzuki Motor USA reeled in ten top ten finishes, including multiple top fives – highlighted by a spectacular twin Superbike podium – as the MotoAmerica season made its annual stop at VIRginia International Raceway in Alton, Virginia.
Race Highlights:
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki Superbike
Sean Dylan Kelly claimed a pair of top fours, including second place, his first podium finish of the season. Richie Escalante joined his teammate on the box following a thrilling five-way melee for third place.
Supersport
Tyler Scott closed out a solid weekend with a blistering final lap to lock down a fourth-place result. Max VanDenBrouck secured his third top ten of 2025.
RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Twins Cup
Matthew Chapin claimed pole position and rebounded from a Race 1 crash with a Race 2 top five Stock 1000. Rocco Landers was consistently fast en route to equaling his best finish of the Stock 1000 season.
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Sean Dylan Kelly earned his first podium of the 2025 Superbike season on Sunday. Kelly had been plenty fast on the GSX-R1000R throughout and had come incredibly close on multiple occasions – finishing fourth six times, including in Saturday’s Superbike Race 1. But it all finally came together in Sunday’s rematch, when Kelly successfully countered teammate Richie Escalante’s last-lap pass with one of his own to finish as the race’s runner-up.
SDK said, “That was unbelievable. We’ve been working really hard since the start of the season, which feels like two years ago. I think everyone knew this was coming; but it’s one thing knowing and another actually making it happen. I’m really happy with the work we’ve done. A huge thank you to the Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki team – those guys have worked so hard. This feels so good to be back. I’m so, so excited.”
Escalante completed the Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki double podium by claiming the checkered flag fractions of a second behind Kelly. Escalante found his form at VIR on the GSX-R1000R during Sunday’s race after finishing ninth on Saturday as a result of a mid-race mishap. The Mexican threw haymaker after haymaker to claw his way forward and ultimately finish in third.
“I’m really happy, honestly,” Escalante said. “We started the weekend with many problems, but my team did an amazing job. Every session I felt better and better. Today’s race was insane. It’s amazing to have both of us finish on the podium. Big thanks to my Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki team for an amazing job and believing in me. We’re going to enjoy this moment and be ready for Ohio.”
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Tyler Scott battled it out in Supersport duty all weekend long despite riding at less than full health. After qualifying fifth aboard the team’s next-generation GSX-R750, the hard-charging pilot came out on top of a three-rider scrap for sixth in Saturday’s Race 1. Scott pulled off the same feat in a four-way fight for fourth on Sunday, passing his way up to the position on the final lap and then successfully executing a late break to lock down the spot at the checkered flag.
Scott said, “Going into the weekend, I had a sore shoulder from being taken out by another rider at a practice day about ten days ago, then had some respiratory issues on top of that. Saturday, I wasn’t feeling that great, and the weekend became about doing as well as I could at less than 100%. Sunday, I felt better. The bike was great, and this time I was able to battle more, so we got fourth. This doesn’t seem like it will be a problem at Ohio, so I am looking forward to those races.”
Scott’s Supersport compatriot, Max VanDenBrouck, enjoyed an impressive weekend himself. Starting from eleventh, Max Van raced his way to his third top-ten result of the season aboard the Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750, crossing the line in 10th on Saturday. He nearly did so again on Sunday, coming home a very respectable 11th.
“I like riding at VIR, so every lap I enjoyed,” VanDenBrouck said. “We qualified 11th, finished 10 in Race 1 and 11th in Race 2. I was able to maintain my qualifying position in the races. The starts went better, and I was able to be aggressive early. The team worked flawlessly all weekend. With Mid-Ohio two weeks away, I will go home and work out hard to be ready.”
RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki’s Matthew Chapin saw his weekend start off in unreal fashion – claiming pole position for the Twins Cup class by a margin of more than two seconds. Unfortunately, he suffered a crash on the opening lap of Race 1 after leaping out into the early lead. The reigning Junior Cup champ bounced back with a top five on Sunday, finishing fifth on the team’s Suzuki GSX-8R.
Chapin said, “I thought it was a pretty good weekend overall. I crashed out in the first race and had an arm pump issue early in the second one, so I didn’t get the results we have been getting at other rounds. We were still pretty competitive, though. We’re working on reducing some wheelspin, and I’m confident the team will continue improving the bike for us next time.”
RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki’s Rocco Landers continued to showcase his developing literbike chops by demonstrating consistent pace aboard the team’s Stock 1000-spec GSX-R1000. Landers qualified on the second row, from where he logged seventh- and sixth-place results, the latter matching his best result on the 1000cc machine to date.
“Our best weekend so far,” said Landers. “Race 1 was one of the best times I have felt on the bike and Race 2 was the best. We’re getting closer and learning more every time. I got to ride the 1000 in the rain and the rider aids made it very controllable. We’re looking forward to racing again and continue to make improvements.”
The 2025 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Championship resumes on August 15-17 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.
Please visit SuzukiCycles.com/Racing/road-racing for more team news.
About Team Hammer
The 2025 season marks Team Hammer’s 45th consecutive year of operating as a professional road racing team. Racebikes built and fielded by Team Hammer have won 135 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National races, have finished on AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National podiums 381 times and have won 11 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National Championships, as well as two FIM South American Championships (in Superbike and Supersport). The team has also won 137 endurance races overall (including seven 24-hour races) and 13 Overall WERA National Endurance Championships with Suzuki motorcycles, and holds the U.S. record for mileage covered in a 24-hour race. The team also competed in the televised 1990s Formula USA National Championship, famously running “Methanol Monster” GSX-R1100 Superbikes fueled by methanol, and won four F-USA Championships.
About Vance & Hines Motorsports
Vance & Hines Motorsports is a powerhouse in the world of motorcycle racing, boasting a rich legacy of success. With a focus on innovation, performance, and commitment to pushing boundaries, the team continues to redefine excellence in NHRA and MotoAmerica.
More, from a news release issued by Aprilia:
Entering the 2025 MotoAmerica Twins Cup season, Robem Engineering’s Alessandro Di Mario was widely considered a frontrunner in the highly competitive class. By the end of Round 5 of 6, the defending champion proved untouchable aboard his Aprilia RS 660.
Di Mario secured his second consecutive MotoAmerica Twins Cup title on Saturday at Virginia International Raceway, clinching Aprilia’s third championship in the category since the RS 660 became eligible five years ago.
After opening the 2025 season with three straight runner-up finishes, Di Mario has since gone on a dominant run – winning the last seven consecutive Twins Cup races, including both contests at the August 1–3 VIR round.
Saturday’s race featured an all-Aprilia podium, led by Di Mario, followed by his Robem Engineering teammate Hank Vossberg and Bad Boys Racing’s Avery Dreher in third. On Sunday, Di Mario and Vossberg returned to the podium, with Dreher narrowly missing out in fourth.
Despite less-than-ideal conditions during Friday morning practice, six Aprilia riders finished inside the top 10. The session was led by inaugural Twins Cup champion Chris Parrish (Ghetto Customs), followed by Di Mario in third, Chase Brown (Brown Town Racing) in fourth, Dreher in sixth, Vossberg in eighth, and Logan Cunnison (Speeddemon Racing) in ninth. Inclement weather led to the cancellation of Friday’s Qualifying 1 session.
In Saturday morning’s Qualifying 2, Dreher edged Di Mario for second on the starting grid by just 0.207 seconds. Vossberg qualified fourth, and Cunnison sixth.
Race 1 began with multiple early incidents and a tight battle for the lead. Di Mario led early, briefly lost position, then reclaimed the lead on Lap 6 of the 13-lap race and steadily pulled away. He crossed the finish line more than three seconds ahead to seal the title. Vossberg narrowly beat Dreher to the line by just 0.002 seconds, securing a second-place finish and an all-Aprilia podium.
Other Aprilia riders in the top 10 included Brown (fifth), Cunnison (sixth), Andrew Weyh (Weyh Racing, eighth), and Zachary Foster (Moto-Ace Racing, 10th).
With the championship secured, Di Mario delivered another dominant performance in Sunday’s Race 2, leading every lap and taking victory by over four seconds. Vossberg claimed his second podium of the weekend, finishing just 0.059 seconds shy of an Aprilia 1–2. Dreher placed fourth, Brown sixth, Cunnison seventh, and Weyh ninth. Of the 37 riders entered at VIR, 16 competed aboard Aprilia RS 660s, demonstrating the bike’s continued dominance in the class.
The final round of the 2025 MotoAmerica Twins Cup season takes place September 26–28 at New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville, New Jersey.
Alessandro Di Mario / Robem Engineering
“The race weekend was really good. I had two strong starts, and the plan all along was to break away at the front. That’s exactly what happened, and I’m really happy with the results. I want to thank the team for all their support this weekend.”
Hank Vossberg / Robem Engineering
“What a great weekend here at VIR. It went even better than I expected—I made the podium in both races and the bike felt amazing. I didn’t get the start I wanted in Race 1, but just managed to grab second at the line. I had a better start in Race 2 and I’m really happy to be back on the podium.”
More, from a news release issued by Ducati:
Josh Herrin and Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati had a tough weekend as MotoAmerica returned to one of North America’s premier racing venues at Virginia International Raceway for round six.
Herrin secured a hard-fought third place in the first race on the number one Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R to secure solid points on the podium.
Race two, however, did not go to plan. After taking the lead with a decisive early pass, Herrin tried to make a break for it but lost the front of the motorcycle at turn one, sliding into the wet grass on the outside of the track.
Herrin’s motorcycle suffered damage to the right handlebar and throttle assembly, necessitating an emergency pit stop that dropped Herrin to 15th and several laps down on the leaders.
Herrin and the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati team refused to give in, and even with victory hopes dashed, Herrin still made it back on track to finish 14th and gain two championship points ultimately.
Herrin and the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati team remain optimistic and still lead the series points with three rounds to go.
2025 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship After Round Six:
P1 – Josh Herrin (Ducati) 242
P2 – Bobby Fong 237
P3 – Cameron Beaubier 226
P4 – Jake Gagne 187
P5 – Richie Escalante 137
Josh Herrin (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati–#1)
“It’s obviously not what we wanted, but that’s racing,” Herrin philosophically said. “It happens, but that’s why we worked as hard as we did all year to get the points advantage. I didn’t need to win today, but I also wanted to give it my best shot. A win is always preferable to a second or third-place finish.
“I felt better than in race one on Saturday. I’m not sure if I had the bike to win today, but I was pushing hard and lost the front. I tried to hold on, and it helped a little, but I ended up on the ground. Thanks to my Warhorse HSBK Ducati team for getting the bike back together in the pits so we could get two points. Every point counts in the championship.
“We are going into Mid-Ohio and CoTA in Texas next, which are two of the best tracks for me and the Ducati Panigale V4 R. Sometimes weekends like this happen. It’s not the end of the world, but on the bright side, out of the next three tracks go to (Mid-Ohio, CoTA, and New Jersey Motorsports Park) for the rest of the year, we took seven race wins last year, so we’re ready to go.”
Round seven of the 2025 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship will be held in one week at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, August 8-10, 2025.
More, from a news release issued by Dunlop:
Dunlop Motorcycle Tires is excited to announce that new lap records have been established at Virginia International Raceway in Alton, VA. This thrilling showcase of speed and skill wasn’t possible without the Sportmax Slick tires, and the following records were achieved:
Twins Cup:
-Race Lap Record: 1:30.544 – Alessandro Di Mario, Race 2 (8/3/2025)
Supersport:
-Lap Record & Race Lap Record: 1:25.964 – Mathew Scholtz, Race 2 (8/3/2025)
-Lap Record & Race Lap Record: 1:26.094 – PJ Jacobsen, Race 1 (8/2/2025)
Build.Train.Race:
-Lap Record & Race Lap Record: 1:46.428 – Miranda Cain, Race 2 (8/3/2025)
-Lap Record & Race Lap Record: 1:47.957 – Miranda Cain, Race 1 (8/2/2025)
Talent Cup:
-Lap Record: 1:35.328 – Alessandro Di Mario, Warm Up (8/3/2025)
-Race Lap Record: 1:35.876 – Alessandro Di Mario, Race 1 (8/2/2025)
-Lap Record & Race Lap Record: 1:35.876 – Alessandro Di Mario, Race 1 (8/2/2025)
These outstanding performances demonstrate the exceptional grip and reliability of Dunlop’s Sportmax Slick tires, further cementing their position as the tire of choice for all competitive road racing.
To learn more about Dunlop racing tires, please visit www.dunlopracing.com
About Dunlop Motorcycle Tires:
Dunlop is the number one selling and largest supplier of original equipment and replacement motorcycle tires in North America. For more information, visit www.DunlopMotorcycleTires.com. Follow @ridedunlop on Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) for the latest Dunlop news. Use #RideDunlop and/or #RaceDunlop to share your Dunlop moments.
MotoAmerica: More From Sunday At VIR
Precision Track Days brings you the results of this weekend’s events.
Revving Up the Track Day Experience with Precision Track Day!
From a news release issued by MotoAmerica:
The 2025 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship was flipped upside down on Sunday at VIRginia International Raceway with Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Bobby Fong racing to an immaculate doubleheader sweep while championship points leader Josh Herrin crashed out of the lead on the third lap of race two.
And just like that the complexity of the 2025 championship has changed, and things are now suddenly tight at the top as Herrin’s championship points lead has been cut down to just five points with three rounds and seven races left to run in the 2025 season.
Fong was even more unstoppable on Sunday than he was on Saturday as he simply raced at a different level than the rest of the class. After 20 laps of VIRginia International Raceway, he was a tick over 14 seconds ahead of the battle for second place.
And what a battle it was. Five riders raced to the checkered flag with the five separated by just .702 of a second.
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Sean Dylan Kelly led the battle behind him for almost the entire race. The almost came in the final two laps when Kelly’s teammate Richie Escalante, who was having the best ride of his Superbike career, not only threatened but led Kelly with Tytlers Cycle Racing’s Cameron Beaubier, Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Jake Gagne, and Real Steel Honda’s Hayden Gillim all in position to pounce should it go badly for the two Suzukis.
The war went to the final lap and the run to the finish line with Kelly besting Escalante by .093 of a second. Beaubier, whose title hopes got a lot brighter with Herrin’s miscue, was a shadow fourth with Gagne and Gillim breathing down his neck in fifth and sixth, respectively.
It would have been the race of the year if not for Fong, who was miles up the road from the fighting fivesome.
BPR Racing Yamaha’s Bryce Kornbau was seventh, almost five seconds behind but four seconds clear of Real Steel Honda’s JD Beach, with the Kentuckian winning the MotoAmerica Superbike Cup for the top finishing rider on a Stock 1000-spec motorcycle.
Jones Honda’s Ashton Yates and Aftercare Scheibe Racing’s Danilo Lewis rounded out the top 10.
With Fong closing the gap on Herrin, who scored two points for remounting and finishing 14th (three laps behind), to just five points, 242-237, the race for the title is now white-hot. Beaubier was also a benefactor of Herrin’s tip over as he is now 16 points behind with 226 points.
Fong’s teammate Gagne is fourth in the title chase with 187 points, 50 points clear of fifth-placed Escalante. Beach is sixth but leads the Superbike Cup by 59 points over Jason Waters, 283-224. The win at VIR was Beach’s 12th in the class within a class.
Superbike Race 2
- Bobby Fong (Yamaha)
- Sean Dylan Kelly (Suzuki)
- Richie Escalante (Suzuki)
- Cameron Beaubier (BMW)
- Jake Gagne (Yamaha)
- Hayden Gillim (Honda)
- Bryce Kornbau (Yamaha)
- JD Beach (Honda)
- Ashton Yates (Honda)
- Danilo Lewis (BMW)
Bobby Fong – Winner
“When I got to the start/finish line, after the warmup lap, that whole warmup lap going to the start/finish line, my dash wasn’t working. It was staying all red and it was black. So, I was like, ‘I think I need to restart this thing.’ This thing needed a battery to start. So, I did the switch on and off and it died. Then I started back up and the dash was still there. So, I had to recycle the whole program. It’s very rare that it could actually start without the battery. So, I finally got my stuff together and I pushed the button, and it started. The first lap, I was honestly just trying to get back in my rhythm. It kind of just threw me off. Then Josh Herrin got by me. I’m like, ‘Okay. I could already see he was riding really hard for the first two laps.’ He was already out of control. I’m like, ‘I’m just going to sit here. He’ll put his pace.’ I didn’t know how the race was going to go, but I knew once lap nine or 10 rolls around I would be pretty good. He (Herrin) made a small mistake. Bummer for him. I’m stoked to get the win. Four in a row, which is nice. I got to stay humble and just calm. Hero to zero in this racing world happens very fast.”
Sean Dylan Kelly – Second Place
“It was insanely important (to finish on the podium). Like you said, I think it’s been coming since the first race weekend. If you look at Atlanta, I finished fourth a few tenths from the podium. It took six race weekends, or I don’t know how many we’re at now, and a lot of close moments, a lot of good battles, a lot of good speed but it just wasn’t going. A lot of frustrating moments. Probably the most I’ve ever had in racing. I always managed to keep my head down and keep focused. Yesterday was extremely close, too. Finishing fourth again, a couple tenths off. I really just knew that what was holding me back big time, at least yesterday, was my start. Richie (Escalante) said that he had the best start of his Superbike career. I definitely had the best start for myself, and I actually got into the first corner in third, which is amazing. Still losing a place, but it’s not losing four or five, which is kind of the average lately. So, really excited. Super happy that I was able to manage what I did. Once I saw that (Josh) Herrin went down, I tried to keep up with Bobby’s (Fong) pace even though I knew he was on another level. I wanted to use him a little bit as a carrot in front of me, but also not going overboard. I said, ‘Okay, man. I’m in P2.’ I pretty much just want to carry this as long as I can. Yesterday I was on the bad side. I was the one behind someone blocking a lot. So now I’m like, ‘I’m the one in front so let me block a lot.’ I really don’t think the pace was all that amazing, but I knew that it wasn’t that easy to pass me. With five laps to go, I didn’t know the group was that big. I honestly thought it was (Cameron) Beaubier behind me. So, with five laps to go, I started hearing a bike much closer. So, I just started defending. Completely different lines everywhere. I heard a bike on my butt, bad. Then when I go into the last corner, I go into turn 10 and I see this guy pass me. I’m like, what is Richie (Escalante) doing passing me? I didn’t know it was going to be Richie. The first thing I thought was, ‘I think we got a double podium for the team, which is amazing by itself.’ But I also didn’t want this guy to beat me, so I set up last corner really well. Definitely excited to finish in P2, finish on the podium with this guy. We talked about it at the beginning of the year. If we do a double podium, we’re going to celebrate. I’m going to change my flight. We’re going to celebrate. Really, really happy. Finally got this podium. I really hope that this will now lead us to do more and better for the next few races. Just excited that we were finally able to turn around some good speed into a podium.”
Richie Escalante – Third Place
“I’m really happy, honestly. We started the weekend with a big problem with the bike. I didn’t feel really good on the exit, especially it was spinning a lot. But I think everybody on the track was spinning a lot. But step by step, I feel better and better with the bike. Then finally this morning, I found something in the electronics with the rear grip. I think for sure it worked in the race. One of my best starts. I think in this category, in the Superbike class, it’s really important. So then when I saw (Josh) Herrin crash, the group is together again. So, I said, ‘okay, maybe it’s possible to battle for the podium.’ Then I have a big, insane battle with (Cameron) Beaubier, (Jake) Gagne. All the time Sean (Dylan Kelly) is in the front. Then maybe with six laps to go, I know my race pace in the end always is good. So finally, I’m close to the front. In the end I feel really good with the bike. I made some passes in turn 10. I’m really happy to finish on the podium, especially now we were rivals in the past in 2020 and ’21. More like teammates, I think both are good friends. So, I’m really happy with the Team Hammer Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki. Finished on the podium, finally. I think the potential and all the package when everything works correctly it’s possible to battle for these races. I’m super happy.”
More, from another news release issued by MotoAmerica:
Strack Racing’s Mathew Scholtz completed a perfect weekend in the Motovation Supersport class as he raced to victory on Sunday at VIRginia International Raceway after setting the precedent on Saturday.
While Scholtz was able to eke away at the front, the battle behind him went the distance after some back and forth between Rahal Ducati Moto w/XPEL’s PJ Jacobsen and Scholtz’s Strack Racing teammate Blake Davis.
Although it was Davis getting the holeshot, Jacobsen found a hole and came out of turn one with the lead. The New Yorker put his head down and opened a slight gap, but it all went away with Scholtz and Davis closing in. On the fourth lap, Scholtz went into the lead as the threesome ran together. A lap later, Davis moved past Jacobsen for second, but the three were still locked together with Celtic/Economy Lube+Tire/Warhorse HSBK’s Cameron Petersen getting chippy behind them as he tried to close in on the three-rider pack ahead of him.
By the halfway mark, Scholtz had started to pull away ever so slightly. At the end of the ninth lap, the South African clicked off a new lap record of 1:25.964 to lead Davis by almost a second.
On the 10th lap, Petersen was out of the race with a crash in turn four, Scholtz had given himself a lead that wouldn’t allow him to be caught, and Davis and Jacobsen were set to fight to the finish.
After 18 laps of the 2.24-mile racetrack, Jacobsen was .114 of a second ahead of Davis as the pair crossed the finish line – 3.3 seconds behind Scholtz.
The top three were in another league entirely as fourth-placed Tyler Scott and his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki were almost 30 seconds adrift. Scott was half a second ahead of Rahal Ducati Moto w/ XPEL’s Kayla Yaakov, who barely beat BPR Racing Yamaha’s Josh Hayes for fifth with Rahal Ducati Moto w/Roller Die’s Corey Alexander right behind Hayes in seventh.
Altus Motorsports’ Torin Collins, Bauce BARTCON Racing’s Joseph LiMandri Jr. and MP13 Racing’s Aiden Sneed rounded out the top 10.
Stock 1000 – Back-To-Back Beach
Real Steel Honda’s JD Beach cultivated a perfect weekend in the Stock 1000 class as he came out on top of a battle to the flag over OrangeCat Racing’s Jayson Uribe by .055 of a second after passing the Californian on the final lap. It was the second day in a row that Beach had won a close one as he topped BPR Racing’s Bryce Kornbau by just .194 of a second on Saturday at VIR.
The race was red flagged on the first lap due to a crash, and the restart saw a four-rider battle for victory. Uribe was doing the leading, with Beach, Jones Honda’s Ashton Yates, and Uribe’s teammate Andrew Lee flying in formation.
As they started the final lap, Yates’ Honda failed him, and he coasted to a stop on the outside of turn one. That left three riders, though Uribe and Beach had a slight gap to Lee. Beach made his move in the turn-three left-hander, diving under Uribe. Beach was perfect from there to the finish line as he managed to keep Uribe behind him, albeit by just .055 of a second.
Beach’s perfect weekend vaulted him into contention for the championship as he now trails Lee by just 10 points, 122-112. Uribe is third with 94 points with two rounds and four races remaining.
“I wasn’t being patient,” Beach said. “I wanted to make that move sooner before that, but I just kept fighting, kept fighting. I didn’t want to wait until the last lap to do something, but I thought I had a pretty good move there. I tried the lap before and about high-sided. I was going all in. I got to thank my whole (team and) American Honda. This bike has just been working great. My whole crew has been working so hard this weekend. To get the double win like that just feels amazing. I feel like I’m back, I’m racing. It’s a big difference from last year. I’m just excited and pumped. I’m grateful for this team and this chance I got. It’s going to be a battle these last four races, but I’m ready for it.”
Parts Unlimited Talent Cup By Motul – Di Mario Bounces Back
Warhorse Ducati/American Racing’s Alessandro Di Mario made up for yesterday’s disappointment in the Parts Unlimited Talent Cup By Motul race by winning today’s race two after a game of cat and mouse with yesterday’s winner Hank Vossberg and his Tytlers Cycle Racing Krämer APX-350 MA.
On Saturday, Di Mario looked to have victory in the bag when his shifter broke, forcing him to slow to what was ultimately a fifth-place finish. All he could do was watch as Vossberg pulled away to victory.
Sunday’s race had a different sort of drama as the top two, Di Mario and Vossberg, pulled away from the pack and then, on the final lap, did the “you lead, no, you lead” game that was reminiscent of races at Daytona International Speedway where no one wants to lead out of the chicane. Di Mario put Vossberg in a position where he really had no choice but to try and lead to the flag.
But it didn’t work out for Vossberg as Di Mario’s plan worked to perfection as he was able to draft past at the finish line to win by .086 of a second.
Those two were 11 seconds ahead of the scrap behind them with Bodie Paige Racing/Mission Foods/D&D Certified’s Bodie Paige getting the better of a six-rider scrap for third place. It was ultra-close with the difference between third-placed Paige and seventh-placed Kody Kopp, on his Team Roberts Krämer, being just .326 of a second.
MP13 Racing’s Ella Dreher crossed the line on Paige’s tail with Jones Honda’s Julian Correa, Yamaha BLU CRU Estenson Racing’s Sam Drane and Kopp crossing the line in a gaggle.
Bettencourt Racing’s Nathan Bettencourt and Rossi Motorsports Powered By 3:16’s Rossi Garcia rounded out the top 10.
“The pace was insane,” Di Mario said. “I was like, ‘There’s no way he’s keeping up.’ I kept looking back and he’s right there. So, in the first couple laps, he drafted past me at the line so I knew he would get me. So, I didn’t know what the plan was, but it was definitely not going in the last turn first. So, at that point, when he got to the last turn, I thought he was going to speed up and try and get the run but we both slowed down. I was able to tell that he slowed down a little too much. So, I was pretty confident he wouldn’t be able to draft past me. It was the weirdest race of my life. I’m not going to lie. I have to thank the whole Warhorse team. Mr. Ferracci, Moto Liberty, KYT, Dainese, and just everyone that’s helped me out. Thank you so much.”
SC-Project Twins Cup – Who Else But Di Mario
Robem Engineering’s Alessandro Di Mario won his seventh SC-Project Twins Cup race in a row on Sunday at VIR, a day after the Kentuckian wrapped up the 2025 Twins Cup Championship.
Di Mario beat a three-rider battle for second by 4.5 seconds. That fight for the podium spots was won by Giaccmoto Yamaha Racing’s Dominic Doyle by .059 of a second over Di Mario’s Robem Engineering teammate Hank Vossberg. Bad Boys Racing’s Avery Dreher was a shadow fourth.
RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki’s Matthew Chapin was about six seconds behind the podium battle and a second ahead of Brown Town Racing’s Chase Brown. Speeddemon Racing’s Logan Cunnison, Karns/TST Racing’s Levi Badie, Weyh Racing’s Andrew Weyh, and Koch Racing’s Sean Ungvarsky rounded out the top 10.
With just one round left, Di Mario has an insurmountable 106-point lead. Chapin is still second, though he’s just 13 points ahead of Dreher, who in turn is 11 points ahead of Vossberg. Doyle rounds out the top five, 10 points behind Vossberg.
Royal Enfield Build.Train.Race. – Knebel Krowned!
Kira Knebel wasted little time getting to the front of the Royal Enfield Build.Train.Race. finale on Sunday morning at VIR as she went about winning the class championship in style. Job one was winning the title, job two was winning the race. When Shea MacGregor, the only person in the race with a chance of stealing the title from Knebel, crashed on the second lap, the job was complete. She was champion in her second year after finishing third in the 2024 title chase.
At the finish line of the seven-lap race, it was Knebel slowing in the final laps to beat Miranda Cain by 1.4 seconds. Cain was giving it her all and ended up turning in the fastest lap of the race on the final lap – a 1:46.428.
Third place went to Saturday’s race winner Camille Conrad after a race-long battle with Cassie Creer, Bryanna Everitt, and Kate West. Those four were covered by just 1.4 seconds.
The victory was Knebel’s sixth in the eight-race Royal Enfield season.
“Thank you so much,” Knebel said. “It’s definitely been an emotional rollercoaster this round. A little bit more drama than I was hoping for, but they kept saying that’s what’s going to make the win even sweeter. It’s just awesome what we were able to do with the team. Freddie Spencer was there working on the bike with us, letting us take parts from his bike. Just trying to make sure that we could get the bike working today. All of our sponsors for giving us the extra parts. We ended up switching out the battery and my rectifier. The battery managed to stay running this whole time. I had to go out there and just run like hell. “I wanted this program to be a first step, and a lot of it is just huge personal growth. Learning a ton about racecraft and making a ton of connections and lifelong friends. Just being able to move on from here and continue perfecting the craft and hopefully also introducing and guiding other newer riders, women, to get into a program like this, just get into racing and get out there and compete and do your best. Work on personal improvement. Just follow your dreams. Just get out there and do what you want to do.”
Video: Superbike And Supersport Race Two Press Conferences From VIRginia International Raceway
MotoAmerica: Results From Sunday Twins Cup Race At VIR
Precision Track Days brings you the results of this weekend’s events.
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Robem Engineering’s Alessandro Di Mario won Sunday’s MotoAmerica SC-Project Twins Cup race at VIRginia International Raceway over Giaccmoto Yamaha’s Dominic Doyle and Robem teammate Hank Vossberg. Bad Boys Racing’s Avery Dreher was fourth, ahead of RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines’ Matthew Chapin.
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MotoAmerica: Results From Sunday Superbike Race At VIR
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Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha’s Bobby Fong took his fourth MotoAmerica Superbike win in a row, ahead of Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Sean Dylan Kelly and Richie Escalante at VIRginia International Raceway on Sunday. Tytlers Cycle Racing BMW’s Cameron Beaubier was fourth, ahead of Attack’s Jake Gagne.
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MotoAmerica: Results From Sunday Supersport Race At VIR
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Strack Racing’s Mathew Scholtz won Sunday’s MotoAmerica Motovation Supersport race at VIRginia International Raceway. Rahal Ducati Moto w/XPEL’s PJ Jacobsen was second, ahead of Strack’s Blake Davis, Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR’s Tyler Scott and Rahal’s Kayla Yaakov.
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MotoAmerica: Results From Sunday Talent Cup Race At VIR
Precision Track Days brings you the results of this weekend’s events.
Revving Up the Track Day Experience with Precision Track Day!
Warhorse Ducati/American Racing’s Alessandro Di Mario took the MotoAmerica Parts Unlimited Talent Cup win at VIRginia International Raceway on Sunday. He was followed by Tytler’s Cycle Racing’s Hank Vossberg, Bodie Paige Racing/Mission Foods/D&D Certified’s Bodie Paige, MP13 Racing’s Ella Dreher and Jones Honda’s Julian Correa.
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