British Superbike: Ryde Leads Practice Friday At Brands Hatch

David Swarts

-

October 13, 2023

British Superbike: Ryde Leads Practice Friday At Brands Hatch

BSB FP1 + FP2

More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision Racing:

Ryde bounces back from crash to end opening day ahead of title rivals

Kyle Ryde took the advantage in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship Free Practice times at Brands Hatch today, bouncing back from a small crash at Sheene Curve during the afternoon to lead the title contenders into tomorrow’s BikeSocial Sprint race.

Ryde arrives at Brands Hatch 35 points adrift of Tommy Bridewell at the top of the standings and the LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha rider stormed ahead in the closing minutes to displace Peter Hickman from the top of the times. The FHO Racing BMW Motorrad Team rider had set the initial pace before a red flag interruption when Charlie Nesbitt crashed out unhurt.

When the session resumed the conditions had continued to improve and Ryde wasted no time in pushing to hit the top of the times as the LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha rider bids to retain the title for the team on Sunday.

Glenn Irwin had been sitting in 12th before the red flag, but when the session resumed he launched the BeerMonster Ducati into third place ahead of Christian Iddon on the Oxford Products Racing Ducati.

Championship leader Tommy Bridewell held a top five position at the end of the opening day with McAMS Yamaha in sixth place ahead of fellow title contenders Jason O’Halloran, Lee Jackson and Josh Brookes.

Max Cook held ninth despite a crash at Clearways in the final minute for Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki and Jack Kennedy. Ryan Vickers and Luke Mossey completed the top 12 who progress through to eBay Qualifying 2 tomorrow.

Leon Haslam meanwhile had a challenging start to the weekend as the title-contending ROKiT BMW Motorrad rider ended the opening day in 22nd position.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, combined Free Practice results:

Kyle Ryde (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) 1m:25.757s
Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) +0.331s
Glenn Irwin (BeerMonster Ducati) +0.466s
Christian Iddon (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +0.678s
Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati) +0.692s
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +0.714s
Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki) +0.724s
Josh Brookes (FHO Racing Motorrad) +0.980s
Max Cook (Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki) +0.988s
Jack Kennedy (Mar-Train Racing Yamaha) +1.052s
Ryan Vickers (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) +1.290s
Luke Mossey (Tactix by Lloyd and Jones BMW) +1.322s

For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com

Kyle Ryde

LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha

“It feels good to end the day fastest and the best way to start the weekend, but it has been mixed conditions and emotions.

“I was very positive today and I was a little bit annoyed too! I missed a couple of minutes of the session, so I was pretty mad. There was no going steady – I went straight out and in a bit of anger I went straight to the top.

“I had a little tip off in the last session, but it was nothing. I just hit a wet patch and was scared to pull the brake and then ran into the gravel at about 70mph. I got beached and fell off, but luckily the bike wasn’t too damaged.

“To be fastest was good and I’ve got a little gap to second as well today but there is definitely room to improve the bike so hopefully we can do that in the morning. Obviously, when the track’s fully dry kerb to kerb, it’s a lot easier to ride and tomorrow people will be going faster for sure.”

Click here for Roadracing World sample issue (One sample issue per household, U.S. address only.)

Canadian Superbike: Kawasaki ZX-4RR Spec Class Added

David Swarts

-

October 13, 2023

0

Canadian Superbike: Kawasaki ZX-4RR Spec Class Added

Bridgestone CSBK confirm new national classes including Kawasaki ZX-4RR spec for 2024

Toronto, ON – A new race division will join the Bridgestone CSBK national series in 2024, with the addition of an Amateur Twins category, and a brand-new Cup class for near standard “spec” Kawasaki ZX-4RR machinery.

“Our goal is to provide an opportunity for affordable competition within the Bridgestone CSBK range of classes,” explains series owner Ross Millson. “We’re excited to have Kawasaki join us in offering something new and exciting for Canadian road racing competitors.”

In 2023, CSBK offered a Pro Twins division in conjunction with the Liqui Moly Pro Sport Bike category, but next season that category will stand alone with an additional Amateur component for the two-cylinder machinery offered by Suzuki, Aprilia, and Yamaha. The rules structure for Pro Twins will mirror other national divisions, with horsepower established at 90 and enforced on the official Dynojet Dyno by Brooklin Cycle Racing of Pickering, ON.

All three manufacturers won National Pro Twins races in 2023, with Aprilia veteran Jeff Williams leading the category prior to a race injury suffered in July. Eventually, Suzuki-mounted first-year pro Andrew Van Winkle, age 16 from Chilliwack, BC, earned the inaugural Bickle Racing Pro Twins title.

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR Cup

Meanwhile, the big news is the development of a category focused on the brand new, high-revving four-cylinder Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR family of sports offerings.

Restricted in street trim due to noise regulations in the U.S.A., the CSBK Cup Series will allow for electronic upgrades that increase the engine’s power output. The unrestricted ZX-4RR is capable of more than 75 horsepower on a rear wheel Dyno.

Details of the Ninja ZX-4RR rules package and specific guidelines will be available shortly, the class offering only mild updates (bodywork, suspension, exhaust) to the standard high spec of the Ninja ZX-4RR.

The new series will be supported by Canadian Kawasaki Motors and be open to both Pro and Amateur level competitors.

Kawasaki last supported a “spec” type class in 2015, when CSBK produced 22 identical Ninja 300 twins for use in a special debut media event at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. These Kawasakis formed the basis for what would become the debut of the Amateur Lightweight Sport Bike category in 2018.

The initial 2024 plan will see Pro and Amateur Twins classes share track time with the new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR Series, practicing, qualifying, and racing together. As with the Pro-AM Lightweight category, each group will have one podium post race, with Pros and Amateurs sharing the rostrum.

However, if the two categories see sufficient entries, they could be separated in select later rounds.

In terms of Championship status, the Pros and Amateurs will be scored separately, meaning there will be a total of four National class Champions crowned at the completion of the 2024 season for the Pro-AM Twins/Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR class.

AHRMA Racer Silke Crombie, R.I.P.

David Swarts

-

October 13, 2023

0

(Knoxville, TN – October 13, 2023) It is with great sorrow that the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) shares the loss of a member of our racing family.

Silke Crombie, an AHRMA road racing competitor in the sidecar and solo motorcycle classes, from Mars Hill, NC, experienced a medical emergency on track during the final weekend of the 2023 AHRMA road racing championship at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, AL. Her medical emergency was unrelated to any racing activity.

The incident occurred Saturday, Oct. 7. She passed away at UAB Hospital in Birmingham, AL on Oct 12.

Her family has shared that as an organ donor, she will help others to live.

“Silke was known for her loving smile, her German wit, and her passion for everything, particularly racing motorcycles. Silke’s impact on our lives will forever be remembered,” said Daniel May, AHRMA’s Executive Director. “As we mourn the loss of her physical presence, let us also celebrate the beautiful moments we shared and the positive influence she had on all of us.”

The AHRMA family extends our deepest condolences to Silke’s family.

About AHRMA:

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

MotoGP: Aleix Espargaro Breaks Lap Record At Mandalika

David Swarts

-

October 13, 2023

0

MotoGP: Aleix Espargaro Breaks Lap Record At Mandalika

Aleix Espargaro was fastest during MotoGP World Championship Free Practice Two (FP2) Friday afternoon at Mandalika International Street Circuit, in Indonesia. Riding his factory Aprilia RS-GP, the Spaniard lapped the 2.6-mile (4.3 km) track in 1:30.474, smashing Fabio Quartararo’s 2022 All-Time Lap Record of 1:31.067.

Espargaro’s teammate Maverick Vinales was second-quickest with a 1:30.628.

And Marco Bezzecchi was third in FP2 with a 1:30.644 on his Mooney VR46 Racing Team Ducati just days after undergoing surgery to repair a broken collarbone.

MotoGP FP2

More, from a press release issued by Dorna:

Aprilia top, Bezzecchi third, Bagnaia out of Q2 on headline-packed Day 1 in Indonesia

Aleix Espargaro heads Viñales as Bezzecchi makes a stunning return to competition – with Bagnaia out of Q2 and Martin in the top five

Friday, 13 October 2023

The opening day of the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia has perfectly set the stage for what is set to be a barnstorming weekend of action in Mandalika. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) took top honours in Friday afternoon’s Practice as he turned his session around with a 1:30.474 after hitting the deck earlier on, and it’s his teammate Maverick Viñales in second as he also spent a lot of Friday towards the top end of the timing screens.

The headlines kept coming from there on out as a battered and bruised Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) took third despite an FP1 crash AND coming back from recent collarbone surgery, with reigning Champion and Championship leader Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) more on the back foot after a late mistake sees him heading for Q1.

From the gravel trap to the top of the pile

With Friday afternoon’s Practice session deciding who goes through to Q2, the riders spent the majority of the session working on their race packages before putting in those late time attacks. With six minutes remaining, all riders were in the pits ready to fight for the all-important top 10, and the battle was about to commence with only a few bankers already set.

Bezzecchi already had his flyer in and was top of the pile after a heroic effort saw him move the goalposts at the 10-minute mark. But Aleix Espargaro had fire in his belly after crashing out of what was set to be a very hot lap earlier on, in the final five minutes he changed the benchmark time once more to smash the lap record and stamp some authority on Friday’s running.

With the Aprilia on rails around Mandalika, Espargaro was then joined by teammate Viñales as the factory Aprilia duo took the top two spots to demote Bezzecchi to P3.

Another hurdle for the World Champion…

Bagnaia was very much in the danger zone after leaving it to his very last lap of the session to put in a hot lap. With the chequered flag already out Bagnaia was sat outside of the top 10 but was motoring on, on course for a personal best. It looked as if the Champ’s lap was looking pretty safe until a big moment in the latter part of the lap saw his flyer scrapped, heading off at Turn 15 after a moment – and Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) then also crashing out almost in tandem.

Now with just a 3-point advantage over his title rival Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), Bagnaia will be forced to go through Q1 with Martin comfortably sat in the top five just behind Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), who took fourth.

Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) was next up in 6th. The Spaniard has been all over recent headlines after his switch to Gresini Racing MotoGP™ for 2024 was announced, but is proving there are still very much six Grands Prix remaining this year for him to keep pushing.

Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), the rider Marc Marquez will be replacing, finished just behind the eight-time champ in P8, with Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) taking the final two Q2 spots in 9th and 10th.

The Q1 battle

There’s plenty of competition Bagnaia will have to contend with, as Pol Espargaro (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3), Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team), and Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) will all be eyeing up the top two spots.

Equally with the Aprilia looking like a fine package in Indonesia, the CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team riders Raul Fernandez and Miguel Oliveira cannot be discounted either. Make sure you don’t miss a single detail as the action unfolds in Indonesia with Qualifying and Tissot Sprint coming up on Saturday!

Moto2: Acosta Lowers Lap Record In FP2 At Mandalika

David Swarts

-

October 13, 2023

0

Moto2: Acosta Lowers Lap Record In FP2 At Mandalika

Pedro Acosta lowered the All-Time Lap Record during Moto2 World Championship Free Practice Two (FP2) Friday at Mandalika International Street Circuit, in Indonesia.

Riding his Red Bull KTM Ajo Kalex, the Spaniard lapped the 2.6-mile (4.3 km) track in 1:34.456, which eclipsed Manuel Gonzalez’s hours-old record of 1:34.871.

American Joe Roberts was 12th in the session with a 1:35.183 on his Italtrans Racing Kalex.

American Sean Dylan Kelly’s fill-in role at Forward Racing has ended, and he is not riding in Indonesia.

Moto2 FP2

MotoGP: Martin Quickest In FP1 At Mandalika

David Swarts

-

October 13, 2023

0

MotoGP: Martin Quickest In FP1 At Mandalika

Jorge Martin was quickest during MotoGP World Championship Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at Mandalika International Street Circuit, in Indonesia. Riding his Prima Pramac Racing Ducati, the Spaniard led the 22-rider field with a 1:31.811.

Maverick Vinales was second-best with a 1:31.913 on his factory Aprilia RS-GP, and Vinales’ friend and teammate Aleix Espargaro was third in the session at 1:32.913.

MotoGP FP1

Moto3: Oncu On Top In FP2 At Mandalika

David Swarts

-

October 13, 2023

0

Deniz Oncu was fastest during Moto3 World Championship Free Practice Two (FP2) Friday afternoon at Mandalika International Street Circuit, in Indonesia. Riding his Red Bull KTM Ajo machine, the Turkish racer covered the 2.6-mile (4.3 km) course in 1:39.855 to set a lap All-Time Lap Record.

Moto3 FP2

Oxley Bom MotoGP Podcast: Motegi 2023 – The Great Rain Robbery

David Swarts

-

October 13, 2023

0

Oxley Bom MotoGP Podcast: Motegi 2023 – The Great Rain Robbery

Roadracing World MotoGP Editor and Isle of Man TT winner Mat Oxley and two-time World Championship-winning Crew Chief Peter Bom have started “The Oxley Bom MotoGP Podcast,” which will be focused on the FIM MotoGP World Championship.

This podcast is “Motegi 2023 – The Great Rain Robbery.”

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

MV Agusta Launches Superveloce 98 Edizione Limitata

David Swarts

-

October 13, 2023

0

MV AGUSTA SUPERVELOCE 98

EDIZIONE LIMITATA

A TALE TO TELL

In the early 1940s, the war was making life very hard for everyone in Italy, starting with everyday activities. Getting around, for example, was difficult and costly, given an essential absence of public transport. And this is why Domenico Agusta, having taken over the family business in 1927 following the death of his father Giovanni, turned to motorcycles, believing that this might be a way to simplify mobility and guarantee himself and his employees a future at the Officine Aeronautiche Giovanni Agusta.

The first MV Agusta engine came into being in 1943. A 98 cc single-cylinder, it made use of a lubricated two-speed gearbox. Light and compact, it immediately went into production but occupation of the factory, in September 1943, brought all activity to a halt just a few weeks later. The project was shelved until just after the war when, the hostilities over, assembly of the complete motorcycle could resume. On its debut, the MV 98 was ‘dressed’ in an elegant shade of burgundy.

It is difficult to imagine the reasons behind such an unusual colour choice – perhaps relating to Giovanni Agusta’s aristocratic roots, that his son wanted to honour, or simply a flash of inspiration, a matter of personal taste. The burgundy colour scheme nevertheless added a significant touch of elegance to a motorcycle that was ready to take on the devastated streets of that time.

Today, 80 years after the birth of the first MV Agusta engine, the “98” signature reappears on the fairings of another MV Agusta motorcycle. Produced in just 300 numbered units, the Superveloce 98 Edizione Limitata is immediately recognisable thanks to its “Rosso Verghera” colour scheme. Directly inspired by the original colour palette, Rosso Verghera is a sophisticated and very high-quality product, the formula of which was developed at an experimental level in the CRC research centre and then industrialised exclusively for MV Agusta. Applied by hand in multiple phases, the colour comprises a two-component matte base paired with a polished layer for a finish that magnifies the metallic pigments. A tribute to a tale of success, courage, and initiative that could never have been written without the design of the 98 engine, back in 1943.

A new MV Agusta Superveloce 98 Edizione Limitata. Photo courtesy MV Agusta.

The “98 Edizione Limitata” signature is positioned laterally on the tail section as well as on the upper part. It is flanked by the Italian flag, which highlights the quintessential “Made in Italy” origins of every MV Agusta, built without exception in the factory in Schiranna, on the banks of Varese Lake. Reference to the size of the historic engine designed in 1943 and the limited-edition status of the motorcycle is also flaunted on the steering plate, thanks to laser engraving technology, and highlighted on the certificate of authenticity, delivered together with the motorcycle.

The racing vocation of the Superveloce has been important ever since the model’s launch and is emphasised on the Superveloce 98 Edizione Limitata by way of a dedicated kit. A burgundy-coloured box contains the tail cover, dedicated motorcycle cover, aforementioned certificate of authenticity and two refined parts, or rather the Arrow triple-exit exhaust, for exclusive track use (in North America not included but available as Technical Accessory), and the dedicated racing ECU, perfect for extracting maximum performance from the Italian three-cylinder engine.

The engine in question is the iconic 798 cc inline three. Powerful (147 hp), compact and extremely lightweight, it contributes to keeping the dry weight of the motorcycle down to just 173 kg, or as little as 165 kg with the racing kit. Many technical characteristics ensure that this engine is an example of efficiency and performance, not least the counter-rotating crankshaft, cams with DLC coating to reduce friction and heighten performance, titanium valves, and bearings and rods developed to reduce mechanical losses.

The technical excellence of the Superveloce 98 Edizione Limitata is guaranteed by its comprehensive equipment, including spoked wheels with a gold finish, an optimised and more lightweight braking system complete with Brembo PR 16/19 radial master cylinder and M4.30 Stylema front callipers, and the support of the recalibrated Continental MK100 ABS. This, in addition to Ride by Wire that is improved thanks to the negative throttle rotation; the 5.5” colour TFT instrument panel, highly customisable and connected to the smartphone; high-performance Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV Corsa tyres, and Mobisat anti-theft satellite positioning system.

Only 300 units of the Superveloce 98 Edizione Limitata will be made available, most of which have already been ordered by the brand’s most loyal collectors.

Moto2: Gonzalez Breaks Lap Record During FP1 At Mandalika

David Swarts

-

October 13, 2023

0

Moto2: Gonzalez Breaks Lap Record During FP1 At Mandalika

Manuel Gonzalez smashed the All-Time Lap Record during Moto2 World Championship Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at Mandalika International Street Circuit, in Indonesia. Riding his Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Team Kalex, the Spaniard lapped the 2.6-mile (4.3 km) track in 1:34.871. That time smashed Somkiat Chantra’s 2022 lap record of 1:35.591.

American Joe Roberts was 11th with a 1:35.846 on his Italtrans Racing Kalex.

Sean Dylan Kelly’s fill-in ride at Forward Racing has come to an end, and the Floridian is not riding in Indonesia.

Moto2 FP1

British Superbike: Ryde Leads Practice Friday At Brands Hatch

October 13, 2023