ZERO MOTORCYCLES AND INTEGRATED MICRO-ELECTRONICS INC. ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC MANUFACTURING COLLABORATION
The two industry leaders will partner to increase access of the world’s leading full-sized all-electric motorcycles into existing and new markets alike
Santa Cruz, Calif. and Laguna, Philippines (MAR 29, 2023) – Zero Motorcycles, the worldwide leader in electric motorcycles and powertrains, based in Santa Cruz, California, and Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc. (IMI), a top Electronics Manufacturing Services company with headquarters in the Philippines, are proud to announce a strategic manufacturing collaboration. As part of this new collaboration, IMI will begin to assemble Zero Motorcycles’ electric motorcycle models and other motorcycle sub-assemblies in their facility located in Laguna, Philippines. This work will be done in conjunction with the manufacturing facilities for Zero located in Scotts Valley, California. The modular assemblies and complete motorcycles supplied by IMI will be delivered to Zero’s customers and dealers globally with a primary focus on the European and Asian markets.
The manufacturing involves both the full assembly of motorcycles as well as partial, modular assemblies to be finally completed by Zero manufacturing teams, together with the battery module and electronics of the vehicle. Of all the potential partners considered, only IMI possessed the expertise in both electronics manufacturing and motorcycle assembly all located under one roof. Furthermore, IMI’s parent company, Ayala Corporation (AC Industrials), has made great strides toward sustainability, and the collaboration with Zero is expected to open more possible synergies with AC Industrials in the future.
“We are thrilled to partner with IMI and bring their expertise in electronics manufacturing and motorcycle assembly to the Zero Motorcycles lineup of products,” said Zero Motorcycles CEO, Sam Paschel. “This collaboration will be transformational for Zero Motorcycles’ operations. Expanding our manufacturing footprint into a new region allows Zero Motorcycles to efficiently scale up to meet the rapidly growing demand for our products and improve customer delivery and satisfaction in the fastgrowing EV market.”
Mass production is projected to start as early as the second quarter of 2023 as a turnkey program utilizing IMI’s current capability for assembling motorcycles coupled with efforts to develop localization of certain components and parts.
IMI CEO, Arthur R. Tan, stated, “IMI is excited to partner with Zero Motorcycles and help bring their innovative electric motorcycles to the world. This collaboration aligns with our commitment to supporting companies in their growth and sustainability efforts while providing high-quality manufacturing services.”
The facility in Laguna, Philippines will play a crucial role in Zero Motorcycles’ expansion into the global market and will support the company’s goal of reducing its carbon footprint and promoting sustainable transportation while increasing its market share.
MAX WHALE RISES WITH RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING FOR SENOIA SHORT TRACK VICTORY
Round 3 – American Flat Track Championship
SENOIA, Georgia – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Max Whale captured his first AFT Singles victory of the 2023 American Flat Track Championship season in Saturday night’s Senoia Short Track, as defending champion and teammate Kody Kopp finished in fifth position to maintain his points lead following three rounds.
After winning the opening Heat of the round and then going on to earn P1 in the Dash-for-Cash, 21-year-old Whale controlled proceedings in the 22-lap Main Event onboard his KTM 450 SX-F with a wire-to-wire performance. His winning margin was eventually 1.483s, which sees him climb to third in the standings.
Max Whale (18). Photo courtesy Red Bull KTM Factory Racing.
Max Whale: “What a day! We started off on the wrong foot with P7 in qualifying and we had to work hard from there. But, I worked my way through the field to win my Heat, then won the Dash-for-Cash as well. In the Main Event, I rode an awesome race and my 450 SX-F was working so good. I didn’t put a foot wrong, really, was able to check out by 1.4 seconds, which doesn’t seem like a lot, but it is in the slick conditions like this. I’m so pumped to get the win, it’s been a long time for me and a lot of hard work in between – I’m so happy and can’t thank my Red Bull KTM team enough!”
As for current AFT Singles number one Kopp, after sweeping Daytona’s opening double-header rounds, he finished fourth in Heat 2 and then was in podium contention during the Main Event. It was a determined ride for the 18-year-old, however, he took the checkered flag in fifth place and continues to hold the series lead with a five-point advantage.
Kody Kopp (1). Photo courtesy Red Bull KTM Factory Racing.
Kody Kopp: “I felt like I faced a little more adversity than I probably have in six or seven rounds, including last year. It’s hard to push through that when everybody’s so competitive. We ended up P5 in the Main Event, so there are positives and negatives to take from Senoia – a lot of positives in the end. In practice, I was 17th, so it was pretty gnarly to end up where we did with a top-five result. We’ve gotta be stronger to start on tracks like this that are new to everybody, so we will learn from that. Thanks to the Red Bull KTM team, we still have the points lead going into Arizona next weekend.”
Next Race: Arizona Super TT – Chandler, Arizona – April 1, 2023
Round 3 Results – Senoia Short Track
AFT Singles Main Event
1. Max Whale, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
2. James Ott, Husqvarna
3. Dalton Gauthier, KTM
OTHER KTM
5. Kody Kopp, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
9. Shayna Texter-Bauman, KTM
14. Tanner Dean, KTM
17. Travis Petton IV, KTM
19. Justin Jones, KTM
2023 AFT Singles Point Standings
1. Kody Kopp, 65 points
2. Dalton Gauthier, 60
3. Max Whale, 53
OTHER KTM
11. Justin Jones, 24
12. Logan Eisenhard, 22
16. Travis Petton IV, 12
17. Shayna Texter-Bauman, 11
18. Hunter Bauer, 11
19. Tanner Dean, 9
23. Clarke Morian V, 5
More, from a press release issued by Indian Motorcycle:
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE RACING AND JARED MEES SECURE FIRST WIN OF 2023 SEASON AT SENOIA SHORT TRACK
Mees Edges Out Competition for Win Aboard Indian FTR750, Jumps to Second in Season Standings
Jared Mees (1). Photo courtesy Indian Motorcycle.
Minneapolis, MN – Indian Motorcycle Racing, presented by Progressive Motorcycle Insurance, secured its first win of the 2023 American Flat Tracksm season following a nail-biting performance by reigning SuperTwins Champion and Indian Motorcycle Wrecking Crew rider Jared Mees. Piloting the championship winning Indian FTR750, Mees and Dallas Daniels went head-to-head at the Senoia Short Track, as the exciting Main event ended with Mees passing the finish line mere .174 seconds before Daniels.
Having missed the podium at the season-opening doubleheader in Daytona, Mees arrived at Senoia Raceway seeking redemption. After securing the top qualifying position, Mees took advantage of his prime starting position and demonstrated his racing prowess during the Main event. Though he relinquished the lead to Daniels around the halfway point, the bar-to-bar battled continued into the final lap, where Mees ultimately took control and edged out Daniels and captured his first win of the 2023 season.
“This was the bounce-back performance Jared needed, and we all expected,” said Gary Gray, Vice President Racing, Service & Technology for Indian Motorcycle. “Though it’s early in the season, Jared came into the race with a must-win mentality, as he fully understands the importance of keeping the points close as he competes for his ninth career championship.”
Through three races, Mees’ win and two fourth place finishes rank him 14 points behind Daniels, who sits atop the season leaderboard. As a highly decorated veteran flat track racer, having won four of the last six SuperTwins championships aboard the Indian FTR750, Mees is now just one shy from his personal career goal to reach Scottie Parker’s record of nine championships. Mees has more than 60 career wins and multiple records.
The 2023 American Flat Track season continues April 1 for the Arizona Super TT at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, AZ. For more information on Indian Motorcycle Racing, visit IndianMotorcycle.com and follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
ABOUT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE®
Indian Motorcycle Company is America’s First Motorcycle Company®. Founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycle has won the hearts of motorcyclists around the world and earned distinction as one of America’s most legendary and iconic brands through unrivaled racing dominance, engineering prowess and countless innovations and industry firsts. Today that heritage and passion is reignited under new brand stewardship. To learn more, please visit www.indianmotorcycle.com.
INDIAN and INDIAN MOTORCYCLE are registered trademarks of Indian Motorcycle International, LLC. Always wear a helmet, protective clothing and eyewear and insist your passenger does the same. Ride within the limits of the law and your own abilities. Read, understand and follow your owner’s manual. Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team pushes for harsher penalties on reckless racing
CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team, following a recent incident of reckless and irresponsible racing displayed by Marc Marquez against Miguel Olivera, is pushing for harsher and severe penalties from the FIM Stewards.
MotoGP races whether it be a sprint or main races, are high-speed and high-intensity, where every rider wants to win at all costs. However, such aggressive behavior can often lead to dire consequences, not only for the riders themselves but also for their fellow competitors.
The incident at the recent race between Marc Marquez and Miguel Olivera should serve as a wake-up call for riders in MotoGP, Moto2, and Moto3. Thus, it is imperative that they are reminded of the severity of the punishment for any kind of reckless and irresponsible racing.
CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team condemns such behavior and strongly advocates for stricter penalties to deter future offenders including the team own riders. We urge the FIM Stewards to take quick and decisive action against such reckless riding, setting examples for the younger and upcoming riders in Moto3 and Moto2.
We believe that safety is the top priority in any sport, and MotoGP must take necessary actions to ensure the safety of all its riders. We look forward to supporting the FIM Stewards in their ongoing efforts to develop a safer and more responsible racing environment.
Injury forces Miguel Oliveira to sit out Argentina Grand Prix
Lisbon, Portugal – Local hero and MotoGP rider Miguel Oliveira will not be participating in the upcoming Argentina Grand Prix due to a recent injury. Following his crash at the Portuguese Grand Prix, Oliveira underwent further testing in his hometown where further damage have been revealed, which doesn’t allow him to start the second GP of the season.
Despite the setback, Oliveira remains committed to his goal of being competitive in the World Championship and will focus on his recovery in order to return to the saddle of his Aprilia RS-GP at round three of the season in Austin, Texas just two weeks later.
The entire CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP team wishes Oliveira a speedy recovery and looks forward to his return to racing. He will not be replaced in Argentina.
Updates regarding his condition will be released by the CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team in the near future.
The American Racing Team leaves Portimão with some valuable learnings and experience as Sean Dylan Kelly crossed the line in 20th position after a rollercoaster weekend whilst Rory Skinner takes 22nd on his first visit to the Algarve in six years.
Sean’s weekend started off as mixed as Friday’s weather. Rain in FP1 curtailed the session but as the track cleared up for FP2, Sean made stellar progress but narrowly missed out on a direct spot into Q2 by a mere 0.13s. Unfortunately, a mistake on his final flying lap during Qualifying prevented SDK from advancing any further than 24th on the grid.
Sean made a steady start to the race as he battled with Lorenzo Dalla Porta and Dennis Foggia for a spot in the top 20. After making his way into 18th position, he was pushed back down into 20th where he ended the race.
Rookie Rory’s first weekend as a full-time Moto2 rider got underway with a steady start as the Scot ended the weather-shortened Friday running in 25th position, only two seconds off the top. Rory continued to make good progress throughout Saturday as he adjusted to the Moto2 machinery, ending Qualifying in 25th position.
Rory’s learning curve continued on Sunday but the Scot handled it well. Making up two positions by the halfway mark, Rory avoided any drama to bring the bike back in 22nd place with some valuable grand prix experience under his belt.
Sean Dylan Kelly #4 –
Overall, it was a really solid weekend and I’m happy with the work we did. It was definitely not the final result I was looking to get in the race but I’m just sticking with the positives because I’m happy with the feeling that I had all race long and the battles that I had with all the guys from lap one through to the chequered flag. I was in a good fight, I was in a pretty good position and the feeling that I had on the bike was something that I haven’t had ever on this Moto2 bike so, we’re working in the right direction and it gives me a lot of confidence going into the next few rounds because Portimão isn’t my strongest track so, to be able to leave with this feeling definitely gives me confidence going into other weekends like Argentina which I think will be a good track for me.
I’m really excited for Argentina as it’s pretty much my second home race and I’m really excited to see my family again first and then ride at a track that I really enjoyed last year.
Rory Skinner #33 –
My debut full-time grand prix race was good! It was nice to finally get a race under my belt this year. Having done the wildcards last year, it was good, but I was in the middle of my British Superbike season so they just kind of faded into vivid memory because it was such a hectic time. But I had a good time and worked out a couple of things that I need to improve with my riding and with the bike as well and we worked really well as a team which is good since it’s our first grand prix weekend with everybody here. I really enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to going on to Argentina.
Engines running, traffic lights off, off we go. The new 2023 season of the MotoGP World Championship started today, with the Portuguese Grand Prix in Portimao.
A race in recovery for Italtrans Racing Team, with Joe Roberts called to confirm himself in this third year with the team from Bergamo and rookie Dennis Foggia making his debut in Moto2.
Starting from 19th on the grid after qualifying penalized by the wind, Joe Roberts led a good comeback race finishing 14th at the end of 21 laps. A not brilliant result, due to a problem with his right arm during braking, but which gives him 2 world championship points in a championship that is only just beginning.
Positive debut in Moto2 for Dennis Foggia, who today faced his first GP in the intermediate class. 23rd on the grid, he ran a good race in recovery until finishing 18th, with the points zone within reach.
Now no break: from the Portuguese Grand Prix we fly to Argentina, to the Thermas de Rio Hondo circuit, for the second round of the season.
Dennis Foggia #71 | 18th
“As the first day of school, it didn’t go badly. The goal was to finish in the points and we narrowly missed it. We need to improve the feeling with the bike and get to know each other well with the team. From here we can only take steps forward. See you in Argentina!”.
Joe Roberts #16 | 14th
“I’m quite disappointed with today’s race. I had a problem with my right arm. We have to understand what happened, it’s not a normal thing for me. However it is a long season, we will regroup and come back stronger in the next one!”.
John Sandi | TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
“Going back we knew it wouldn’t be an easy race. However, I’m not satisfied because in his third season with us I expect more from Joe. Dennis made a good debut: we gathered important ideas to continue working. We move to Argentina confident of doing well”.
Pecco Bagnaia powers to another superb win at Portimao. Two Ducatis on the podium in Sunday’s Portuguese GP with Marco Bezzecchi (VR46 Racing Team) in third
After winning the first sprint race in MotoGP history yesterday, Francesco Bagnaia dominated once again the Portugal GP, the opening round of the 2023 season held this afternoon at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão.
Starting from second on the grid, the World Champion could impose himself from the opening stages, as he managed to gain the race lead already on the second lap. Thanks to an impressive pace and good tyre management, Bagnaia could fend off Maverick Viñales, who stayed close behind him throughout the race. Pecco secured his second win of the season, crossing the line with a 687-thousandths advantage over the Spaniard. The Ducati Lenovo Team rider scored his 12th MotoGP victory, bringing his lead in the standings to 12 points. The Ducati of Marco Bezzecchi, VR46 Racing Team rider, also finished on the podium today, with the Italian protagonist of a remarkable comeback after starting from eighth on the grid.
After the first round of the 2023 season, Ducati and the Ducati Lenovo Team also occupy the first position in the constructors’ and teams’ standings.
Francesco Bagnaia (#1, Ducati Lenovo Team) – 1st
“This is definitely the best start to the season I have ever had in my career, so I can only be happy. My team and I did a great job during testing, so the bike setup was already pretty much defined at the beginning of the weekend. In Argentina, the situation will definitely be different. Still, my feeling with the new bike is incredible, so I think we will be ready to face any condition.”
Luigi Dall’Igna (Ducati Corse General Manager)
“Being the World Champion and having the number 1 on your fairing gives you the awareness that you have the means to be able to win, and since Pecco got his first win two years ago, he has continued to do extraordinary things, and today was yet another demonstration of that. However, the Championship is only at the beginning and is really long, so we must keep our feet on the ground and keep working hard. Congratulations also to Marco Bezzecchi, who also did a beautiful race!”
With Bastianini also forced to sit out the GP of Argentina after suffering a fracture in his right shoulder in the Sprint Race yesterday, it will be only Bagnaia to take part in the next round, scheduled next week, from 31st March to 2nd April, at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit.
Developing the Advanced Motorcycle Stabilization Assist System (AMSAS)
Controlling drive and steering forces for rider–machine unity and peace of mind for all motorcyclists
Last year, Yamaha Motor announced its Jin-Ki Kanno x Jin-Ki Anzen Safety Vision, which aims to create a world free of accidents together with our customers. The three pillars of the approach are: 1) Technology that assists with rider recognition, judgment, operation, and damage mitigation, 2) Skills, in which we encourage improvement of users’ riding skills, and Connectivity, where the Cloud is used to provide feedback for safety initiatives. To highlight the Technology pillar in this issue, we spoke with the developers of the Advanced Motorcycle Stabilization Assist System (AMSAS). As it is naturally linked to Jin-Ki Anzen, we asked about its aims and the value it offers.
A Rider Aid to Enhance Stability with Starts and at Low Speeds
Accidents involving motorcycles have been attributed primarily to recognition errors (10%), decision errors (17%), and operation errors (5%) on the part of the rider. Data also indicates that approximately 70% of motorcycle accidents occur within two seconds of the trigger leading to the accident. Based on these analyses of accident causes, Yamaha Motor’s development of rider aids is underway according to four vectors: assisted danger prediction, damage prevention and assisted defensive riding, assisted evasive riding maneuvers, and damage mitigation.
Yamaha’s Advanced Motorcycle Stabilization Assist System (AMSAS) YZF-R25 test mule has a drive actuator on the front wheel. Photo courtesy Yamaha.
Unveiled last year, AMSAS stabilizes a vehicle’s attitude at low speeds by controlling drive forces and steering forces. “[Its most distinctive feature is] its approach to use an arrangement highly applicable to existing vehicles since it does not require any modifications to the frame,” says Project Leader Akitoshi Suzuki. The prototype system under development uses a production YZF-R25 for its platform and is equipped with a 6-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) along with drive and steering actuators.
Yamaha’s Advanced Motorcycle Stabilization Assist System (AMSAS) YZF-R25 test mule has steering actuators for minute steering inputs to help maintain balance at low speeds. Photo courtesy Yamaha.
AMSAS is a rider aid that focuses on the instability a motorcycle experiences when starting off or when riding at low speeds, and works to enhance the stability of the vehicle during these moments. “When starting or stopping, the drive actuator fitted to the front wheel aids with stability, and from there up to about 5 km/h (3 mph), the steering actuator attached to the handlebars takes over,” explains Suzuki. Through the coordination of the two, the mid-development AMSAS prototype vehicle can move at walking speeds without falling over, regardless of the skill level of the rider aboard.
A Technology Platform Adaptable to Various Mobility Applications
Yamaha Motor once made headlines when it unveiled the MOTOBOT—an autonomous motorcycle-riding humanoid robot—and MOTOROiD, a proof-of-concept experimental motorcycle equipped with AI and self-balancing technology. “The R&D for AMSAS began with the idea of bringing the technologies and know-how acquired through developing these two models to customers around the world,” says Suzuki.
Jun Sakamoto, who handles safety strategy at Yamaha, explains the value AMSAS aims to offer: “It’s to create conditions where the rider can focus more on operating their bike, so that everyone can enjoy that sense of being one with your machine. By providing an assist when the bike is more unstable and requires skill to operate, we want to deliver fun rooted in peace of mind to a wide range of riders.”
Yamaha has set a target of reducing the number of fatal motorcycle accidents to zero by 2050 and is ramping up efforts according to the three aforementioned pillars of Technology, Skills, and Connectivity. AMSAS is one technology with the potential to become a pivotal rider aid if used in conjunction with other technologies, like the radar-linked Unified Brake System—the first of its kind in the world—already deployed on the TRACER 9 GT+.
Yamaha’s MOTOROiD, a proof-of-concept experimental motorcycle equipped with AI and self-balancing technology. Photo courtesy Yamaha.
“With the base technologies in place now, we’re halfway to our goal of bringing AMSAS’ value to customers,” asserts Suzuki. He and the team have high aspirations for the technology: “From here on, we’ll be working to downscale the sizes of the various components and so on, as we want to develop it into a platform not just for motorcycles, but one also adaptable to a wide range of other personal mobility applications, like bicycles.”
Message from the Editor
As the developers explained, AMSAS uses drive and steering actuators to stabilize the vehicle’s attitude. The motor on the front wheel enables the bike to remain upright at a standstill by using the dynamics of an inverted pendulum, like balancing a broom upside down in your palm.
The actuator mounted on the handlebars, on the other hand, increases the vehicle’s stability with minute steering inputs, like when standing still on a bicycle without pedaling. If you imagine these two scenes working at the same time, you might get a clearer idea of how AMSAS and its principles work with a motorcycle.
– Ayuko Kobayashi
About Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA
Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the outdoor recreation industry. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings include Motorcycles and Scooters, ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles, Snowmobiles, WaveRunner Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outboard Motors, Outdoor Power Equipment, Power Assist Bicycles, Golf Cars, Power Assist Wheelchair Systems, Surface Mount Technology (SMT) and Robotic Machines, Unmanned Helicopters, Accessories, Apparel, Yamalube products, and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of distributors and dealers in the United States.
YMUS has a corporate office in California, two corporate offices in Georgia, facilities in Wisconsin and Alabama, and factory operations in Tennessee and Georgia. Additional U.S.-based subsidiaries include Yamaha Marine Systems Company (YMSC) with divisions Bennett Marine (Florida), Kracor Systems (Wisconsin) and Siren Marine, Inc. (Rhode Island), Skeeter Boats (Texas), with division G3 Boats (Missouri), and Yamaha Precision Propeller (Indiana).
Westby Racing Continues March To Atlanta With Preseason Test At Buttonwillow
Tulsa, OK – March 27, 2023 – With round one of the MotoAmerica Superbike season coming up on April 21-23 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Westby Racing and its rider Mathew Scholtz completed its third of four planned preseason tests this past Wednesday and Thursday at Buttonwillow Raceway Park in Buttonwillow, California.
Weather has been a factor at each of the Buttonwillow tests thus far, but crew chief Ed Sullivan and his experienced crew were determined to continue dialing in the firmware update that they made to the Marelli ECU on the #11 Westby Racing Yamaha YZF-R1. With Mathew in the saddle, the team made judicious use of the track time and extracted maximum value from the laps available.
“I was very happy with the progress we made last week,” Mathew said. “Similar to our last test, the weather really didn’t play into our hands, and it kind of limited our track time, but I think we made some very good progress with the new firmware upgrade. I’m getting really good feeling with the bike again, and we managed to figure out a few things. We’ve gotten to the point where we have a really good base setup with the bike’s electronics. We’ll have one more two-day test at Buttonwillow, which will be our final test before our first race weekend at Road Atlanta. The plan at the next test is to fine-tune a few things and also try a couple of things with the chassis. My Westby Racing crew has been working hard, and we’ve made a lot of really good progress. We’re closing in on having a very good feeling with the bike for the first race weekend.”
Mathew and the Westby Racing team will be at Buttonwillow again on April 4 and 5 for their final preseason test. For more updates about Westby Racing, including news, photos, and videos, visit http://www.WestbyRacing.com
Also, follow “Westby Racing” on your favorite social media sites.
Zero DSR/X electric adventure bikes. Photo courtesy Pirelli.
ZERO MOTORCYCLES AND INTEGRATED MICRO-ELECTRONICS INC. ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC MANUFACTURING COLLABORATION
The two industry leaders will partner to increase access of the world’s leading full-sized all-electric motorcycles into existing and new markets alike
Santa Cruz, Calif. and Laguna, Philippines (MAR 29, 2023) – Zero Motorcycles, the worldwide leader in electric motorcycles and powertrains, based in Santa Cruz, California, and Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc. (IMI), a top Electronics Manufacturing Services company with headquarters in the Philippines, are proud to announce a strategic manufacturing collaboration. As part of this new collaboration, IMI will begin to assemble Zero Motorcycles’ electric motorcycle models and other motorcycle sub-assemblies in their facility located in Laguna, Philippines. This work will be done in conjunction with the manufacturing facilities for Zero located in Scotts Valley, California. The modular assemblies and complete motorcycles supplied by IMI will be delivered to Zero’s customers and dealers globally with a primary focus on the European and Asian markets.
The manufacturing involves both the full assembly of motorcycles as well as partial, modular assemblies to be finally completed by Zero manufacturing teams, together with the battery module and electronics of the vehicle. Of all the potential partners considered, only IMI possessed the expertise in both electronics manufacturing and motorcycle assembly all located under one roof. Furthermore, IMI’s parent company, Ayala Corporation (AC Industrials), has made great strides toward sustainability, and the collaboration with Zero is expected to open more possible synergies with AC Industrials in the future.
“We are thrilled to partner with IMI and bring their expertise in electronics manufacturing and motorcycle assembly to the Zero Motorcycles lineup of products,” said Zero Motorcycles CEO, Sam Paschel. “This collaboration will be transformational for Zero Motorcycles’ operations. Expanding our manufacturing footprint into a new region allows Zero Motorcycles to efficiently scale up to meet the rapidly growing demand for our products and improve customer delivery and satisfaction in the fastgrowing EV market.”
Mass production is projected to start as early as the second quarter of 2023 as a turnkey program utilizing IMI’s current capability for assembling motorcycles coupled with efforts to develop localization of certain components and parts.
IMI CEO, Arthur R. Tan, stated, “IMI is excited to partner with Zero Motorcycles and help bring their innovative electric motorcycles to the world. This collaboration aligns with our commitment to supporting companies in their growth and sustainability efforts while providing high-quality manufacturing services.”
The facility in Laguna, Philippines will play a crucial role in Zero Motorcycles’ expansion into the global market and will support the company’s goal of reducing its carbon footprint and promoting sustainable transportation while increasing its market share.
JD Beach (95) leads Jared Mees (1) and the rest of the AFT SuperTwins field at the Senoia Short Track. Photo by Scott Hunter, courtesy AFT.
MAX WHALE RISES WITH RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING FOR SENOIA SHORT TRACK VICTORY
Round 3 – American Flat Track Championship
SENOIA, Georgia – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Max Whale captured his first AFT Singles victory of the 2023 American Flat Track Championship season in Saturday night’s Senoia Short Track, as defending champion and teammate Kody Kopp finished in fifth position to maintain his points lead following three rounds.
After winning the opening Heat of the round and then going on to earn P1 in the Dash-for-Cash, 21-year-old Whale controlled proceedings in the 22-lap Main Event onboard his KTM 450 SX-F with a wire-to-wire performance. His winning margin was eventually 1.483s, which sees him climb to third in the standings.
Max Whale (18). Photo courtesy Red Bull KTM Factory Racing.
Max Whale: “What a day! We started off on the wrong foot with P7 in qualifying and we had to work hard from there. But, I worked my way through the field to win my Heat, then won the Dash-for-Cash as well. In the Main Event, I rode an awesome race and my 450 SX-F was working so good. I didn’t put a foot wrong, really, was able to check out by 1.4 seconds, which doesn’t seem like a lot, but it is in the slick conditions like this. I’m so pumped to get the win, it’s been a long time for me and a lot of hard work in between – I’m so happy and can’t thank my Red Bull KTM team enough!”
As for current AFT Singles number one Kopp, after sweeping Daytona’s opening double-header rounds, he finished fourth in Heat 2 and then was in podium contention during the Main Event. It was a determined ride for the 18-year-old, however, he took the checkered flag in fifth place and continues to hold the series lead with a five-point advantage.
Kody Kopp (1). Photo courtesy Red Bull KTM Factory Racing.
Kody Kopp: “I felt like I faced a little more adversity than I probably have in six or seven rounds, including last year. It’s hard to push through that when everybody’s so competitive. We ended up P5 in the Main Event, so there are positives and negatives to take from Senoia – a lot of positives in the end. In practice, I was 17th, so it was pretty gnarly to end up where we did with a top-five result. We’ve gotta be stronger to start on tracks like this that are new to everybody, so we will learn from that. Thanks to the Red Bull KTM team, we still have the points lead going into Arizona next weekend.”
Next Race: Arizona Super TT – Chandler, Arizona – April 1, 2023
Round 3 Results – Senoia Short Track
AFT Singles Main Event
1. Max Whale, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
2. James Ott, Husqvarna
3. Dalton Gauthier, KTM
OTHER KTM
5. Kody Kopp, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
9. Shayna Texter-Bauman, KTM
14. Tanner Dean, KTM
17. Travis Petton IV, KTM
19. Justin Jones, KTM
2023 AFT Singles Point Standings
1. Kody Kopp, 65 points
2. Dalton Gauthier, 60
3. Max Whale, 53
OTHER KTM
11. Justin Jones, 24
12. Logan Eisenhard, 22
16. Travis Petton IV, 12
17. Shayna Texter-Bauman, 11
18. Hunter Bauer, 11
19. Tanner Dean, 9
23. Clarke Morian V, 5
More, from a press release issued by Indian Motorcycle:
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE RACING AND JARED MEES SECURE FIRST WIN OF 2023 SEASON AT SENOIA SHORT TRACK
Mees Edges Out Competition for Win Aboard Indian FTR750, Jumps to Second in Season Standings
Jared Mees (1). Photo courtesy Indian Motorcycle.
Minneapolis, MN – Indian Motorcycle Racing, presented by Progressive Motorcycle Insurance, secured its first win of the 2023 American Flat Tracksm season following a nail-biting performance by reigning SuperTwins Champion and Indian Motorcycle Wrecking Crew rider Jared Mees. Piloting the championship winning Indian FTR750, Mees and Dallas Daniels went head-to-head at the Senoia Short Track, as the exciting Main event ended with Mees passing the finish line mere .174 seconds before Daniels.
Having missed the podium at the season-opening doubleheader in Daytona, Mees arrived at Senoia Raceway seeking redemption. After securing the top qualifying position, Mees took advantage of his prime starting position and demonstrated his racing prowess during the Main event. Though he relinquished the lead to Daniels around the halfway point, the bar-to-bar battled continued into the final lap, where Mees ultimately took control and edged out Daniels and captured his first win of the 2023 season.
“This was the bounce-back performance Jared needed, and we all expected,” said Gary Gray, Vice President Racing, Service & Technology for Indian Motorcycle. “Though it’s early in the season, Jared came into the race with a must-win mentality, as he fully understands the importance of keeping the points close as he competes for his ninth career championship.”
Through three races, Mees’ win and two fourth place finishes rank him 14 points behind Daniels, who sits atop the season leaderboard. As a highly decorated veteran flat track racer, having won four of the last six SuperTwins championships aboard the Indian FTR750, Mees is now just one shy from his personal career goal to reach Scottie Parker’s record of nine championships. Mees has more than 60 career wins and multiple records.
The 2023 American Flat Track season continues April 1 for the Arizona Super TT at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, AZ. For more information on Indian Motorcycle Racing, visit IndianMotorcycle.com and follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
ABOUT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE®
Indian Motorcycle Company is America’s First Motorcycle Company®. Founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycle has won the hearts of motorcyclists around the world and earned distinction as one of America’s most legendary and iconic brands through unrivaled racing dominance, engineering prowess and countless innovations and industry firsts. Today that heritage and passion is reignited under new brand stewardship. To learn more, please visit www.indianmotorcycle.com.
INDIAN and INDIAN MOTORCYCLE are registered trademarks of Indian Motorcycle International, LLC. Always wear a helmet, protective clothing and eyewear and insist your passenger does the same. Ride within the limits of the law and your own abilities. Read, understand and follow your owner’s manual. Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Razlan Razali, the Founder and Team Principal of the CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team. Photo courtesy RNF MotoGP Team.
CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team pushes for harsher penalties on reckless racing
CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team, following a recent incident of reckless and irresponsible racing displayed by Marc Marquez against Miguel Olivera, is pushing for harsher and severe penalties from the FIM Stewards.
MotoGP races whether it be a sprint or main races, are high-speed and high-intensity, where every rider wants to win at all costs. However, such aggressive behavior can often lead to dire consequences, not only for the riders themselves but also for their fellow competitors.
The incident at the recent race between Marc Marquez and Miguel Olivera should serve as a wake-up call for riders in MotoGP, Moto2, and Moto3. Thus, it is imperative that they are reminded of the severity of the punishment for any kind of reckless and irresponsible racing.
CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team condemns such behavior and strongly advocates for stricter penalties to deter future offenders including the team own riders. We urge the FIM Stewards to take quick and decisive action against such reckless riding, setting examples for the younger and upcoming riders in Moto3 and Moto2.
We believe that safety is the top priority in any sport, and MotoGP must take necessary actions to ensure the safety of all its riders. We look forward to supporting the FIM Stewards in their ongoing efforts to develop a safer and more responsible racing environment.
Miguel Oliveira (88). Photo courtesy RNF MotoGP Team.
Injury forces Miguel Oliveira to sit out Argentina Grand Prix
Lisbon, Portugal – Local hero and MotoGP rider Miguel Oliveira will not be participating in the upcoming Argentina Grand Prix due to a recent injury. Following his crash at the Portuguese Grand Prix, Oliveira underwent further testing in his hometown where further damage have been revealed, which doesn’t allow him to start the second GP of the season.
Despite the setback, Oliveira remains committed to his goal of being competitive in the World Championship and will focus on his recovery in order to return to the saddle of his Aprilia RS-GP at round three of the season in Austin, Texas just two weeks later.
The entire CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP team wishes Oliveira a speedy recovery and looks forward to his return to racing. He will not be replaced in Argentina.
Updates regarding his condition will be released by the CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team in the near future.
American Sean Dylan Kelly (4) fights with Marcos Ramirez (24) and Dennis Foggia (71) for top-20 positions in the Moto2 race in Portugal. Photo courtesy American Racing Team.
The American Racing Team leaves Portimão with some valuable learnings and experience as Sean Dylan Kelly crossed the line in 20th position after a rollercoaster weekend whilst Rory Skinner takes 22nd on his first visit to the Algarve in six years.
Sean’s weekend started off as mixed as Friday’s weather. Rain in FP1 curtailed the session but as the track cleared up for FP2, Sean made stellar progress but narrowly missed out on a direct spot into Q2 by a mere 0.13s. Unfortunately, a mistake on his final flying lap during Qualifying prevented SDK from advancing any further than 24th on the grid.
Sean made a steady start to the race as he battled with Lorenzo Dalla Porta and Dennis Foggia for a spot in the top 20. After making his way into 18th position, he was pushed back down into 20th where he ended the race.
Rookie Rory’s first weekend as a full-time Moto2 rider got underway with a steady start as the Scot ended the weather-shortened Friday running in 25th position, only two seconds off the top. Rory continued to make good progress throughout Saturday as he adjusted to the Moto2 machinery, ending Qualifying in 25th position.
Rory’s learning curve continued on Sunday but the Scot handled it well. Making up two positions by the halfway mark, Rory avoided any drama to bring the bike back in 22nd place with some valuable grand prix experience under his belt.
Sean Dylan Kelly #4 –
Overall, it was a really solid weekend and I’m happy with the work we did. It was definitely not the final result I was looking to get in the race but I’m just sticking with the positives because I’m happy with the feeling that I had all race long and the battles that I had with all the guys from lap one through to the chequered flag. I was in a good fight, I was in a pretty good position and the feeling that I had on the bike was something that I haven’t had ever on this Moto2 bike so, we’re working in the right direction and it gives me a lot of confidence going into the next few rounds because Portimão isn’t my strongest track so, to be able to leave with this feeling definitely gives me confidence going into other weekends like Argentina which I think will be a good track for me.
I’m really excited for Argentina as it’s pretty much my second home race and I’m really excited to see my family again first and then ride at a track that I really enjoyed last year.
Rory Skinner #33 –
My debut full-time grand prix race was good! It was nice to finally get a race under my belt this year. Having done the wildcards last year, it was good, but I was in the middle of my British Superbike season so they just kind of faded into vivid memory because it was such a hectic time. But I had a good time and worked out a couple of things that I need to improve with my riding and with the bike as well and we worked really well as a team which is good since it’s our first grand prix weekend with everybody here. I really enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to going on to Argentina.
American Joe Roberts (16) in action in Portugal. Photo courtesy Italtrans Racing.
Race in recovery for Joe Roberts in Portimao.
First GP experience in Moto2 for Dennis Foggia.
Engines running, traffic lights off, off we go. The new 2023 season of the MotoGP World Championship started today, with the Portuguese Grand Prix in Portimao.
A race in recovery for Italtrans Racing Team, with Joe Roberts called to confirm himself in this third year with the team from Bergamo and rookie Dennis Foggia making his debut in Moto2.
Starting from 19th on the grid after qualifying penalized by the wind, Joe Roberts led a good comeback race finishing 14th at the end of 21 laps. A not brilliant result, due to a problem with his right arm during braking, but which gives him 2 world championship points in a championship that is only just beginning.
Positive debut in Moto2 for Dennis Foggia, who today faced his first GP in the intermediate class. 23rd on the grid, he ran a good race in recovery until finishing 18th, with the points zone within reach.
Now no break: from the Portuguese Grand Prix we fly to Argentina, to the Thermas de Rio Hondo circuit, for the second round of the season.
Dennis Foggia #71 | 18th
“As the first day of school, it didn’t go badly. The goal was to finish in the points and we narrowly missed it. We need to improve the feeling with the bike and get to know each other well with the team. From here we can only take steps forward. See you in Argentina!”.
Joe Roberts #16 | 14th
“I’m quite disappointed with today’s race. I had a problem with my right arm. We have to understand what happened, it’s not a normal thing for me. However it is a long season, we will regroup and come back stronger in the next one!”.
John Sandi | TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
“Going back we knew it wouldn’t be an easy race. However, I’m not satisfied because in his third season with us I expect more from Joe. Dennis made a good debut: we gathered important ideas to continue working. We move to Argentina confident of doing well”.
Pecco Bagnaia powers to another superb win at Portimao. Two Ducatis on the podium in Sunday’s Portuguese GP with Marco Bezzecchi (VR46 Racing Team) in third
After winning the first sprint race in MotoGP history yesterday, Francesco Bagnaia dominated once again the Portugal GP, the opening round of the 2023 season held this afternoon at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão.
Starting from second on the grid, the World Champion could impose himself from the opening stages, as he managed to gain the race lead already on the second lap. Thanks to an impressive pace and good tyre management, Bagnaia could fend off Maverick Viñales, who stayed close behind him throughout the race. Pecco secured his second win of the season, crossing the line with a 687-thousandths advantage over the Spaniard. The Ducati Lenovo Team rider scored his 12th MotoGP victory, bringing his lead in the standings to 12 points. The Ducati of Marco Bezzecchi, VR46 Racing Team rider, also finished on the podium today, with the Italian protagonist of a remarkable comeback after starting from eighth on the grid.
After the first round of the 2023 season, Ducati and the Ducati Lenovo Team also occupy the first position in the constructors’ and teams’ standings.
Francesco Bagnaia (#1, Ducati Lenovo Team) – 1st
“This is definitely the best start to the season I have ever had in my career, so I can only be happy. My team and I did a great job during testing, so the bike setup was already pretty much defined at the beginning of the weekend. In Argentina, the situation will definitely be different. Still, my feeling with the new bike is incredible, so I think we will be ready to face any condition.”
Luigi Dall’Igna (Ducati Corse General Manager)
“Being the World Champion and having the number 1 on your fairing gives you the awareness that you have the means to be able to win, and since Pecco got his first win two years ago, he has continued to do extraordinary things, and today was yet another demonstration of that. However, the Championship is only at the beginning and is really long, so we must keep our feet on the ground and keep working hard. Congratulations also to Marco Bezzecchi, who also did a beautiful race!”
With Bastianini also forced to sit out the GP of Argentina after suffering a fracture in his right shoulder in the Sprint Race yesterday, it will be only Bagnaia to take part in the next round, scheduled next week, from 31st March to 2nd April, at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit.
Yamaha's Advanced Motorcycle Stabilization Assist System (AMSAS) test mule - a YZF-R25 sportbike. Photo courtesy Yamaha.
Developing the Advanced Motorcycle Stabilization Assist System (AMSAS)
Controlling drive and steering forces for rider–machine unity and peace of mind for all motorcyclists
Last year, Yamaha Motor announced its Jin-Ki Kanno x Jin-Ki Anzen Safety Vision, which aims to create a world free of accidents together with our customers. The three pillars of the approach are: 1) Technology that assists with rider recognition, judgment, operation, and damage mitigation, 2) Skills, in which we encourage improvement of users’ riding skills, and Connectivity, where the Cloud is used to provide feedback for safety initiatives. To highlight the Technology pillar in this issue, we spoke with the developers of the Advanced Motorcycle Stabilization Assist System (AMSAS). As it is naturally linked to Jin-Ki Anzen, we asked about its aims and the value it offers.
A Rider Aid to Enhance Stability with Starts and at Low Speeds
Accidents involving motorcycles have been attributed primarily to recognition errors (10%), decision errors (17%), and operation errors (5%) on the part of the rider. Data also indicates that approximately 70% of motorcycle accidents occur within two seconds of the trigger leading to the accident. Based on these analyses of accident causes, Yamaha Motor’s development of rider aids is underway according to four vectors: assisted danger prediction, damage prevention and assisted defensive riding, assisted evasive riding maneuvers, and damage mitigation.
Yamaha’s Advanced Motorcycle Stabilization Assist System (AMSAS) YZF-R25 test mule has a drive actuator on the front wheel. Photo courtesy Yamaha.
Unveiled last year, AMSAS stabilizes a vehicle’s attitude at low speeds by controlling drive forces and steering forces. “[Its most distinctive feature is] its approach to use an arrangement highly applicable to existing vehicles since it does not require any modifications to the frame,” says Project Leader Akitoshi Suzuki. The prototype system under development uses a production YZF-R25 for its platform and is equipped with a 6-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) along with drive and steering actuators.
Yamaha’s Advanced Motorcycle Stabilization Assist System (AMSAS) YZF-R25 test mule has steering actuators for minute steering inputs to help maintain balance at low speeds. Photo courtesy Yamaha.
AMSAS is a rider aid that focuses on the instability a motorcycle experiences when starting off or when riding at low speeds, and works to enhance the stability of the vehicle during these moments. “When starting or stopping, the drive actuator fitted to the front wheel aids with stability, and from there up to about 5 km/h (3 mph), the steering actuator attached to the handlebars takes over,” explains Suzuki. Through the coordination of the two, the mid-development AMSAS prototype vehicle can move at walking speeds without falling over, regardless of the skill level of the rider aboard.
A Technology Platform Adaptable to Various Mobility Applications
Yamaha Motor once made headlines when it unveiled the MOTOBOT—an autonomous motorcycle-riding humanoid robot—and MOTOROiD, a proof-of-concept experimental motorcycle equipped with AI and self-balancing technology. “The R&D for AMSAS began with the idea of bringing the technologies and know-how acquired through developing these two models to customers around the world,” says Suzuki.
Jun Sakamoto, who handles safety strategy at Yamaha, explains the value AMSAS aims to offer: “It’s to create conditions where the rider can focus more on operating their bike, so that everyone can enjoy that sense of being one with your machine. By providing an assist when the bike is more unstable and requires skill to operate, we want to deliver fun rooted in peace of mind to a wide range of riders.”
Yamaha has set a target of reducing the number of fatal motorcycle accidents to zero by 2050 and is ramping up efforts according to the three aforementioned pillars of Technology, Skills, and Connectivity. AMSAS is one technology with the potential to become a pivotal rider aid if used in conjunction with other technologies, like the radar-linked Unified Brake System—the first of its kind in the world—already deployed on the TRACER 9 GT+.
Yamaha’s MOTOROiD, a proof-of-concept experimental motorcycle equipped with AI and self-balancing technology. Photo courtesy Yamaha.
“With the base technologies in place now, we’re halfway to our goal of bringing AMSAS’ value to customers,” asserts Suzuki. He and the team have high aspirations for the technology: “From here on, we’ll be working to downscale the sizes of the various components and so on, as we want to develop it into a platform not just for motorcycles, but one also adaptable to a wide range of other personal mobility applications, like bicycles.”
Message from the Editor
As the developers explained, AMSAS uses drive and steering actuators to stabilize the vehicle’s attitude. The motor on the front wheel enables the bike to remain upright at a standstill by using the dynamics of an inverted pendulum, like balancing a broom upside down in your palm.
The actuator mounted on the handlebars, on the other hand, increases the vehicle’s stability with minute steering inputs, like when standing still on a bicycle without pedaling. If you imagine these two scenes working at the same time, you might get a clearer idea of how AMSAS and its principles work with a motorcycle.
– Ayuko Kobayashi
About Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA
Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the outdoor recreation industry. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings include Motorcycles and Scooters, ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles, Snowmobiles, WaveRunner Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outboard Motors, Outdoor Power Equipment, Power Assist Bicycles, Golf Cars, Power Assist Wheelchair Systems, Surface Mount Technology (SMT) and Robotic Machines, Unmanned Helicopters, Accessories, Apparel, Yamalube products, and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of distributors and dealers in the United States.
YMUS has a corporate office in California, two corporate offices in Georgia, facilities in Wisconsin and Alabama, and factory operations in Tennessee and Georgia. Additional U.S.-based subsidiaries include Yamaha Marine Systems Company (YMSC) with divisions Bennett Marine (Florida), Kracor Systems (Wisconsin) and Siren Marine, Inc. (Rhode Island), Skeeter Boats (Texas), with division G3 Boats (Missouri), and Yamaha Precision Propeller (Indiana).
Mathew Scholtz (11). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Westby Racing.
Westby Racing Continues March To Atlanta With Preseason Test At Buttonwillow
Tulsa, OK – March 27, 2023 – With round one of the MotoAmerica Superbike season coming up on April 21-23 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Westby Racing and its rider Mathew Scholtz completed its third of four planned preseason tests this past Wednesday and Thursday at Buttonwillow Raceway Park in Buttonwillow, California.
Weather has been a factor at each of the Buttonwillow tests thus far, but crew chief Ed Sullivan and his experienced crew were determined to continue dialing in the firmware update that they made to the Marelli ECU on the #11 Westby Racing Yamaha YZF-R1. With Mathew in the saddle, the team made judicious use of the track time and extracted maximum value from the laps available.
“I was very happy with the progress we made last week,” Mathew said. “Similar to our last test, the weather really didn’t play into our hands, and it kind of limited our track time, but I think we made some very good progress with the new firmware upgrade. I’m getting really good feeling with the bike again, and we managed to figure out a few things. We’ve gotten to the point where we have a really good base setup with the bike’s electronics. We’ll have one more two-day test at Buttonwillow, which will be our final test before our first race weekend at Road Atlanta. The plan at the next test is to fine-tune a few things and also try a couple of things with the chassis. My Westby Racing crew has been working hard, and we’ve made a lot of really good progress. We’re closing in on having a very good feeling with the bike for the first race weekend.”
Mathew and the Westby Racing team will be at Buttonwillow again on April 4 and 5 for their final preseason test. For more updates about Westby Racing, including news, photos, and videos, visit http://www.WestbyRacing.com
Also, follow “Westby Racing” on your favorite social media sites.
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