Follow The WagBar MP13 Racing, Team Owner Melissa Paris, and young riders Aiden Sneed and Kayla Yaakov as they take on the 2023 MotoAmerica motorcycle racing season.
In Episode Six, The WagBar MP13 Racing’s Aiden Sneed and his Yamaha YZF-R3 take on the Kawasaki Ninja 400s and KTM RC 390s of the MotoAmerica Junior Cup class at Brainerd International Raceway, while Kayla Yaakov patiently waits her turn as the Twins Cup class was not on MotoAmerica’s racing program in Minnesota.
Jason O’Halloran led Bennetts British Superbike Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at Thruxton Circuit in England. Riding his McAMS Yamaha YZF-R1 on Pirelli spec tires, the Australian lapped the 2.356-mile track in 1:16.071 for an average speed of 111.49 mph.
Americans Julian Correa and Eli Banish were sixth and 12th, respectively, in R&G British Talent Cup FP1 at Thruxton.
BSB FP1
Crutchlow Shows Off YAMALUBE RS4GP Racing Team YZR-M1 at Private Motegi Test
Cal Crutchlow successfully completed a private test at the Mobility Resort Motegi, riding the YAMALUBE RS4GP Racing Team YZR-M1.
Iwata (Japan), 11th August 2023
Ahead of his wild card entry at Round 14 of the 2023 MotoGP World Championship, Cal Crutchlow completed a successful private test at the Mobility Resort Motegi (formerly known as Twin Ring Motegi) on 8th August 2023.
At the test, the YAMALUBE RS4GP Racing Team made their first steps towards their mission to accelerate bike development. It also was Crutchlow‘s first opportunity to show off his YAMALUBE RS4GP Racing Team special bike livery and his new racing gear – all matching with the YAMALUBE RS4GP (a high-performance motor oil) branding – in a natural setting. The occasion adds to the building excitement for the Grand Prix of Japan, held from 29th Sept-1st Oct 2023.
Marcos Ramirez steps in as Sean Dylan Kelly continues recovery.
Despite the progress in his recovery from forearm surgery so far, Sean Dylan Kelly will be side-lined to give him the best chance possible to return to full fitness.
With the long-term implications that can occur from rushing the return to competition, it’s better to play it safe, given the physical nature of the upcoming rounds.
Marcos Ramirez will be returning to the American Racing Team where he rode for two seasons having mutually agreed with the Forward Team to substitute SDK.
Dominique Aegerter and Yamaha Racing Extend Agreement for 2024
Yamaha Motor Europe is pleased to announce that Dominique Aegerter will remain with Yamaha in the FIM Superbike World Championship until the end of the 2024 season, after agreeing terms with the 32-year-old Swiss rider to extend the existing contract for an additional year.
The 2024 season will be Aegerter’s fourth as a Yamaha rider, having joined the Japanese manufacturer in 2021 to contest the FIM Supersport World Championship with the Ten Kate Yamaha WorldSSP Supported Team. The former Moto2 race winner made an immediate impact, winning ten races on his way to securing the world championship title on his first attempt. The following season saw Aegerter on the top step of the podium an incredible 17 times as he successfully defended his title, to become only the third rider in the history of the intermediate class to be crowned World Champion in consecutive years.
This achievement was recognised with promotion to the GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team, with whom Aegerter has enjoyed a strong start this year in his debut season. The likeable Swiss rider currently lies ninth in the championship standings and has been a frequent visitor to Parc Fermé, having so far finished three races as the top independent rider, a tally he is keen to increase before the end of the year.
For 2024, Aegerter’s aim is clear; to build on his solid performance this season and emerge as one of the frontrunners in the series, able to fight regularly for top-three finishes aboard his Yamaha R1.
Andrea Dosoli: Road Racing Manager, Yamaha Motor Europe
“It’s been a pleasure for us to see our double Supersport World Champion, Dominique, adapting so quickly to WorldSBK. He has impressed us all, starting from the first race, where he put in a phenomenal qualifying performance to secure a front-row start at Phillip Island. I don’t think there is a better way to introduce yourself to your teammates and rivals! His progression since then has been solid, improving every weekend and finishing as the top independent rider in three races so far. I am confident that he will add to this number before the end of the year, which is why I am pleased to announce the extension of the current agreement for a further season. I wish Dominique and his team all the best as they continue their progression, and we hope they reap the rewards they deserve.”
Dominique Aegerter
“I’m happy and proud to have extended my agreement with Yamaha to stay in WorldSBK with my R1 in 2024. I have two WorldSSP titles with Yamaha, but now my aim is to improve my results and be more competitive in the WorldSBK class, and I’ll give my best to achieve that goal. My season started quite well as a rookie, and although I haven’t been on the podium yet, there are still a few races to go, and I’ve had some great battles on track that have taught me a lot. I want to be at the front regularly, and that will be my focus for next season. I’d like to thank Yamaha for their continued faith in me and everyone who has helped put me in this position, and among them I would especially like to remember Mirko Giansanti who recently passed away and who played an invaluable role in the GRT Yamaha Team.”
Dunlop Motorcycle Tires introduces the new Sportmax Slicks, the latest in high-performance race tires! Available in 17″, 12″, and 10″ sizes, the Sportmax Slicks have been updated with new profiles, compounds, and construction to make the most advanced road race tires Dunlop has ever produced!Dunlop’s Sportmax Slicks are the Official tires of the MotoAmerica series and will remain the official tire supplier of MotoAmerica through 2025, continuing the partnership since 2015.
Available at www.dunlopracing.com
Dunlop is the largest supplier of original equipment and replacement motorcycle tires in the U.S.A. For more information, visit www.DunlopMotorcycleTires.com. Follow @ridedunlop on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for the latest Dunlop news. Use #RideDunlop and/or #RaceDunlop to share your Dunlop moments
Kawasaki Celebrates 70 Years of Motorcycles
Milestones through the Decades
Foothill Ranch, Calif. – In September of 2023, Kawasaki Motors celebrates its 70th anniversary of making motorcycles, first making its forays into the motorcycle business in 1953. After the end of World War II, Kawasaki produced motorcycle engines under the name of “Kawasaki Machine Works.” Since then, Kawasaki has continued to Let the Good Times Roll® and has strived to share “Fun to Ride” motorcycles with our customers around the world. Today, Kawasaki motorcycles are sold in more than 90 countries and regions.
To commemorate Kawasaki Motorcycles’ 70-year anniversary, a special exhibition will be held at Kawasaki USA Heritage Hall in Foothill Ranch, California as well as Kawasaki Good Times World in Kobe, Japan starting in September 2023. The display will focus on the history of the motorcycle business in the U.S. market, which marked a major turning point in Kawasaki’s overseas strategy. It will be the first in a series of events to commemorate this special anniversary.
Working toward upholding our mission statement of “Working for the happiness and joy of all those whose lives Kawasaki touches,” Kawasaki aims to keep moving forward and growing into the future.
Kawasaki’s Motorcycle Business in the U.S. Market
Kawasaki’s path to success in the motorcycle industry, which began with the launch of the KE-1 motorcycle engine in 1953, was not a smooth one. Several efforts were made to try to expand sales, including working with trading companies to expand to overseas markets, in addition to a business alliance and subsequent merger with the Meguro Manufacturing Company. However, each of these efforts failed to produce the sales results that Kawasaki had hoped for.
It was decided that selling directly to dealers would be the better business model, so in 1966 American Kawasaki Motors was established. Kawasaki’s US operations began with only 10 employees and adopted an innovative policy of “localism” before going on to develop motorcycles like the Kawasaki A1 Samurai 250, Kawasaki H1 500 Mach III and iconic Kawasaki Z1 900 for the U.S. market. Early on, Kawasaki USA launched a new kind of sales policy aimed at expansion that included the industry’s first model year system and worked to strengthen relationships with dealers by setting up branches in every region of the U.S., thereby consolidating its base in the U.S. market.
In 1974, Kawasaki made a $20 million investment to build a manufacturing plant in Lincoln, Nebraska to be in-line with a coming shift to a floating exchange rate in the U.S. Kawasaki’s Lincoln plant became the first plant built by any Japanese auto or motorcycle manufacturer in the U.S., and it remains Kawasaki’s main plant to this day. It is where all Kawasaki Jet Ski® personal watercrafts and side x sides including the Teryx® and MULE™ are still manufactured today.
Along with this year marking the 70th anniversary of Kawasaki Motorcycles, two other well-known brands in the U.S. market the KX™ and Jet Ski® brand will mark their 50-year anniversaries, while next year the American-born Ninja® brand will mark its 40th anniversary.
ABOUT KAWASAKI
Kawasaki started full-scale production of motorcycles over a half century ago. The first Kawasaki motorcycle engine was designed based on technical know-how garnered from the development and production of aircraft engines, and Kawasaki’s entry into the motorcycle industry was driven by the company’s constant effort to develop new technologies. Numerous new Kawasaki models introduced over the years have helped shape the market, and in the process have created enduring legends based on their unique engineering, power, design and riding pleasure. In the future, Kawasaki Motors, Ltd. is committed to maintaining and furthering these strengths which will surely give birth to new legends.
Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) markets and distributes Kawasaki motorcycles, ATVs, side x sides, and JET SKI® watercraft through a network of approximately 1,100 independent retailers, with close to an additional 7,700 retailers specializing in general purpose engines. KMC and its affiliates employ nearly 3,100 people in the United States, with approximately 260 of them located at KMC’s Foothill Ranch, California headquarters.
Kawasaki’s tagline, “Let the Good Times Roll.®”, is recognized worldwide. The Kawasaki brand is synonymous with powerful, stylish and category-leading vehicles. Information about Kawasaki’s complete line of powersports products and Kawasaki affiliates can be found on the Internet at www.kawasaki.com
Editorial Note: Under MotoAmerica rules, only some competitors are allowed to test at a MotoAmerica race venue within 30 days prior to a race event. Refer to the 2023 MotoAmerica rulebook or call MotoAmerica to see if you are allowed to ride in this event.
Ridesmart Motorcycle School has an exciting announcement for the upcoming Labor Day COTA event!
With MotoAmerica racing the weekend of Sept 8th, many MotoAmerica racers will be attending the RideSmart Labor Day Event. Due to this we have added a “MotoAmerica Only” level. This level addition will have minimal impact on everyone else’s day, everyone still gets 6 full sessions. To accomplish this, we worked with COTA to add 2 more hours of riding. The track will go hot at 8am, we will ride through lunch, and will end at 6pm. This MotoAmerica Only level was added to ensure everyone enjoys their day in the safest possible environment. You must be a licensed MotoAmerica rider to register in this special group. We have moved those MotoAmerica riders that responded to our prior emails concerning this adjustment.
Spaces for both days in most levels are open now on our website.
Alvaro Bautista to contest the MotoGP Grand Prix of Malaysia at Sepang aboard the Ducati Desmosedici GP of the Aruba.it Racing team
Alvaro Bautista and the Aruba.it Racing team will fly to Malaysia from 10th-12th November 2023 to take part in the Grand Prix of Malaysia, which will be held at Sepang International Circuit two weeks after the conclusion of the Superbike World Championship, from 27th-29th October, at Jerez de la Frontera (Spain).
For Ducati, it will be the third Wild Card of the 2023 season after participating in the two Italian Grands Prix with Michele Pirro at Mugello in May and the upcoming San Marino GP in Misano on the next 8th-10th September. Since last year, Ducati has further strengthened its partnership with Aruba.it by contesting three MotoGP events with the same liveries as the factory Panigale V4 R machine of the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team in the WorldSBK Championship.
Following two recent tests at Misano aboard the Ducati Desmosedici GP – which provided convincing feedback – reigning World Champion and current WorldSBK Championship leader Alvaro Bautista will return to contest a MotoGP race after his last appearance in Valencia (Spain) in 2018.
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #1)
“I’m really happy to be able to race in MotoGP as a Wild Card at Sepang, a track that I really like and that I’m happy to be back at since it’s not on the WorldSBK calendar. The tests with the Ducati Desmosedici GP gave positive feedback: the feeling was good, and I had fun. I want to sincerely thank Ducati and Aruba.it because, without them, it would have been impossible to have this opportunity. At the same time, I would like to say that this MotoGP race will be a bonus for me and not a priority. That’s why we must stay focused on the WorldSBK Championship, which is the only thing that matters now. I want to stay focused for this last part of the season, which will be very demanding, with many races in a short time. The feeling with the Panigale V4 R machine is good, and I hope to continue on this path. Then, when the season ends, we’ll think about going to Malaysia and having fun. Now I’ll have a little holiday, and then we’ll be back at Magny-Cours.”
ALEX AND GRESINI TOGETHER ALSO IN 2024
GRESINI RACING EXTENDS ITS PARTNERSHIP WITH DUCATI
Few days ago at Silverstone, Alex Marquez scored his maiden MotoGP race win adding to his tally of one podium and a pole position in just a few months with Team Gresini Racing MotoGP. There was no chance this series of results would not have led to the partnership extension between the Faenza-based team and the two-time world champion.
Not only results on the plate for the Italian-Spanish combination, but also an incredible potential that was shown on several occasion already – with the new goal of being among the protagonists on a consistent basis in 2024.
Team Gresini Racing also made official a new agreement with Ducati Corse for the two-year period 2024-2025. The tally consists of five wins already, three podiums, three pole positions and 355 points bagged in less than two seasons.
ALEX MARQUEZ
“I’m very happy to continue with the team. I’ve always expressed this desire of mine and when things go the right way it’s even easier to understand each other. To continue together for the next season is key in order to keep growing with this bike, and with this team everything is going to be easier. I would like to thank Nadia first and foremost, and then the whole team who made me feel at home from day one. We’ll keep growing and surprising.”
NADIA PADOVANI GRESINI – TEAM OWNER
“Alex is first of all a wonderful person and it was a pleasure to welcome him in our Gresini Family. The results speak for themselves and it was a logical step for us to continue together and raise the bar some more. He already scored a race win and a pole position in his debut year with Ducati, showing he could battle with the best from the get-go. We will now try to find some continuity together in the next season. I would like to thank the whole Ducati family as we’ll continue with them for the next two years; we already showed we are a good combination this year as well as in 2022… so the goal is to continue to excite and be excited.”
LUIGI DALL’IGNA – DUCATI CORSE GENERAL MANAGER
“We are delighted to continue to have the Gresini Racing MotoGP team in the Ducati family for two more seasons. They are an extremely professional outfit and, over the years, have shown that they have the potential to aspire to great results. Last year they scored four beautiful victories with our Desmosedici GP machine, and this season they clinched a podium, a pole position, and a win in the last GP Sprint with Alex Marquez. We are sure that together we will achieve more success in the future and continue to grow race by race”.
Follow The WagBar MP13 Racing, Team Owner Melissa Paris, and young riders Aiden Sneed and Kayla Yaakov as they take on the 2023 MotoAmerica motorcycle racing season.
In Episode Six, The WagBar MP13 Racing’s Aiden Sneed and his Yamaha YZF-R3 take on the Kawasaki Ninja 400s and KTM RC 390s of the MotoAmerica Junior Cup class at Brainerd International Raceway, while Kayla Yaakov patiently waits her turn as the Twins Cup class was not on MotoAmerica’s racing program in Minnesota.
Jason O’Halloran led Bennetts British Superbike Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at Thruxton Circuit in England. Riding his McAMS Yamaha YZF-R1 on Pirelli spec tires, the Australian lapped the 2.356-mile track in 1:16.071 for an average speed of 111.49 mph.
Americans Julian Correa and Eli Banish were sixth and 12th, respectively, in R&G British Talent Cup FP1 at Thruxton.
BSB FP1
Crutchlow Shows Off YAMALUBE RS4GP Racing Team YZR-M1 at Private Motegi Test
Cal Crutchlow successfully completed a private test at the Mobility Resort Motegi, riding the YAMALUBE RS4GP Racing Team YZR-M1.
Iwata (Japan), 11th August 2023
Ahead of his wild card entry at Round 14 of the 2023 MotoGP World Championship, Cal Crutchlow completed a successful private test at the Mobility Resort Motegi (formerly known as Twin Ring Motegi) on 8th August 2023.
At the test, the YAMALUBE RS4GP Racing Team made their first steps towards their mission to accelerate bike development. It also was Crutchlow‘s first opportunity to show off his YAMALUBE RS4GP Racing Team special bike livery and his new racing gear – all matching with the YAMALUBE RS4GP (a high-performance motor oil) branding – in a natural setting. The occasion adds to the building excitement for the Grand Prix of Japan, held from 29th Sept-1st Oct 2023.
Marcos Ramirez steps in as Sean Dylan Kelly continues recovery.
Despite the progress in his recovery from forearm surgery so far, Sean Dylan Kelly will be side-lined to give him the best chance possible to return to full fitness.
With the long-term implications that can occur from rushing the return to competition, it’s better to play it safe, given the physical nature of the upcoming rounds.
Marcos Ramirez will be returning to the American Racing Team where he rode for two seasons having mutually agreed with the Forward Team to substitute SDK.
Dominique Aegerter and Yamaha Racing Extend Agreement for 2024
Yamaha Motor Europe is pleased to announce that Dominique Aegerter will remain with Yamaha in the FIM Superbike World Championship until the end of the 2024 season, after agreeing terms with the 32-year-old Swiss rider to extend the existing contract for an additional year.
The 2024 season will be Aegerter’s fourth as a Yamaha rider, having joined the Japanese manufacturer in 2021 to contest the FIM Supersport World Championship with the Ten Kate Yamaha WorldSSP Supported Team. The former Moto2 race winner made an immediate impact, winning ten races on his way to securing the world championship title on his first attempt. The following season saw Aegerter on the top step of the podium an incredible 17 times as he successfully defended his title, to become only the third rider in the history of the intermediate class to be crowned World Champion in consecutive years.
This achievement was recognised with promotion to the GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team, with whom Aegerter has enjoyed a strong start this year in his debut season. The likeable Swiss rider currently lies ninth in the championship standings and has been a frequent visitor to Parc Fermé, having so far finished three races as the top independent rider, a tally he is keen to increase before the end of the year.
For 2024, Aegerter’s aim is clear; to build on his solid performance this season and emerge as one of the frontrunners in the series, able to fight regularly for top-three finishes aboard his Yamaha R1.
Andrea Dosoli: Road Racing Manager, Yamaha Motor Europe
“It’s been a pleasure for us to see our double Supersport World Champion, Dominique, adapting so quickly to WorldSBK. He has impressed us all, starting from the first race, where he put in a phenomenal qualifying performance to secure a front-row start at Phillip Island. I don’t think there is a better way to introduce yourself to your teammates and rivals! His progression since then has been solid, improving every weekend and finishing as the top independent rider in three races so far. I am confident that he will add to this number before the end of the year, which is why I am pleased to announce the extension of the current agreement for a further season. I wish Dominique and his team all the best as they continue their progression, and we hope they reap the rewards they deserve.”
Dominique Aegerter
“I’m happy and proud to have extended my agreement with Yamaha to stay in WorldSBK with my R1 in 2024. I have two WorldSSP titles with Yamaha, but now my aim is to improve my results and be more competitive in the WorldSBK class, and I’ll give my best to achieve that goal. My season started quite well as a rookie, and although I haven’t been on the podium yet, there are still a few races to go, and I’ve had some great battles on track that have taught me a lot. I want to be at the front regularly, and that will be my focus for next season. I’d like to thank Yamaha for their continued faith in me and everyone who has helped put me in this position, and among them I would especially like to remember Mirko Giansanti who recently passed away and who played an invaluable role in the GRT Yamaha Team.”
Dunlop Motorcycle Tires introduces the new Sportmax Slicks, the latest in high-performance race tires! Available in 17″, 12″, and 10″ sizes, the Sportmax Slicks have been updated with new profiles, compounds, and construction to make the most advanced road race tires Dunlop has ever produced!Dunlop’s Sportmax Slicks are the Official tires of the MotoAmerica series and will remain the official tire supplier of MotoAmerica through 2025, continuing the partnership since 2015.
Available at www.dunlopracing.com
Dunlop is the largest supplier of original equipment and replacement motorcycle tires in the U.S.A. For more information, visit www.DunlopMotorcycleTires.com. Follow @ridedunlop on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for the latest Dunlop news. Use #RideDunlop and/or #RaceDunlop to share your Dunlop moments
Kawasaki Celebrates 70 Years of Motorcycles
Milestones through the Decades
Foothill Ranch, Calif. – In September of 2023, Kawasaki Motors celebrates its 70th anniversary of making motorcycles, first making its forays into the motorcycle business in 1953. After the end of World War II, Kawasaki produced motorcycle engines under the name of “Kawasaki Machine Works.” Since then, Kawasaki has continued to Let the Good Times Roll® and has strived to share “Fun to Ride” motorcycles with our customers around the world. Today, Kawasaki motorcycles are sold in more than 90 countries and regions.
To commemorate Kawasaki Motorcycles’ 70-year anniversary, a special exhibition will be held at Kawasaki USA Heritage Hall in Foothill Ranch, California as well as Kawasaki Good Times World in Kobe, Japan starting in September 2023. The display will focus on the history of the motorcycle business in the U.S. market, which marked a major turning point in Kawasaki’s overseas strategy. It will be the first in a series of events to commemorate this special anniversary.
Working toward upholding our mission statement of “Working for the happiness and joy of all those whose lives Kawasaki touches,” Kawasaki aims to keep moving forward and growing into the future.
Kawasaki’s Motorcycle Business in the U.S. Market
Kawasaki’s path to success in the motorcycle industry, which began with the launch of the KE-1 motorcycle engine in 1953, was not a smooth one. Several efforts were made to try to expand sales, including working with trading companies to expand to overseas markets, in addition to a business alliance and subsequent merger with the Meguro Manufacturing Company. However, each of these efforts failed to produce the sales results that Kawasaki had hoped for.
It was decided that selling directly to dealers would be the better business model, so in 1966 American Kawasaki Motors was established. Kawasaki’s US operations began with only 10 employees and adopted an innovative policy of “localism” before going on to develop motorcycles like the Kawasaki A1 Samurai 250, Kawasaki H1 500 Mach III and iconic Kawasaki Z1 900 for the U.S. market. Early on, Kawasaki USA launched a new kind of sales policy aimed at expansion that included the industry’s first model year system and worked to strengthen relationships with dealers by setting up branches in every region of the U.S., thereby consolidating its base in the U.S. market.
In 1974, Kawasaki made a $20 million investment to build a manufacturing plant in Lincoln, Nebraska to be in-line with a coming shift to a floating exchange rate in the U.S. Kawasaki’s Lincoln plant became the first plant built by any Japanese auto or motorcycle manufacturer in the U.S., and it remains Kawasaki’s main plant to this day. It is where all Kawasaki Jet Ski® personal watercrafts and side x sides including the Teryx® and MULE™ are still manufactured today.
Along with this year marking the 70th anniversary of Kawasaki Motorcycles, two other well-known brands in the U.S. market the KX™ and Jet Ski® brand will mark their 50-year anniversaries, while next year the American-born Ninja® brand will mark its 40th anniversary.
ABOUT KAWASAKI
Kawasaki started full-scale production of motorcycles over a half century ago. The first Kawasaki motorcycle engine was designed based on technical know-how garnered from the development and production of aircraft engines, and Kawasaki’s entry into the motorcycle industry was driven by the company’s constant effort to develop new technologies. Numerous new Kawasaki models introduced over the years have helped shape the market, and in the process have created enduring legends based on their unique engineering, power, design and riding pleasure. In the future, Kawasaki Motors, Ltd. is committed to maintaining and furthering these strengths which will surely give birth to new legends.
Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) markets and distributes Kawasaki motorcycles, ATVs, side x sides, and JET SKI® watercraft through a network of approximately 1,100 independent retailers, with close to an additional 7,700 retailers specializing in general purpose engines. KMC and its affiliates employ nearly 3,100 people in the United States, with approximately 260 of them located at KMC’s Foothill Ranch, California headquarters.
Kawasaki’s tagline, “Let the Good Times Roll.®”, is recognized worldwide. The Kawasaki brand is synonymous with powerful, stylish and category-leading vehicles. Information about Kawasaki’s complete line of powersports products and Kawasaki affiliates can be found on the Internet at www.kawasaki.com
Editorial Note: Under MotoAmerica rules, only some competitors are allowed to test at a MotoAmerica race venue within 30 days prior to a race event. Refer to the 2023 MotoAmerica rulebook or call MotoAmerica to see if you are allowed to ride in this event.
Ridesmart Motorcycle School has an exciting announcement for the upcoming Labor Day COTA event!
With MotoAmerica racing the weekend of Sept 8th, many MotoAmerica racers will be attending the RideSmart Labor Day Event. Due to this we have added a “MotoAmerica Only” level. This level addition will have minimal impact on everyone else’s day, everyone still gets 6 full sessions. To accomplish this, we worked with COTA to add 2 more hours of riding. The track will go hot at 8am, we will ride through lunch, and will end at 6pm. This MotoAmerica Only level was added to ensure everyone enjoys their day in the safest possible environment. You must be a licensed MotoAmerica rider to register in this special group. We have moved those MotoAmerica riders that responded to our prior emails concerning this adjustment.
Spaces for both days in most levels are open now on our website.
Alvaro Bautista to contest the MotoGP Grand Prix of Malaysia at Sepang aboard the Ducati Desmosedici GP of the Aruba.it Racing team
Alvaro Bautista and the Aruba.it Racing team will fly to Malaysia from 10th-12th November 2023 to take part in the Grand Prix of Malaysia, which will be held at Sepang International Circuit two weeks after the conclusion of the Superbike World Championship, from 27th-29th October, at Jerez de la Frontera (Spain).
For Ducati, it will be the third Wild Card of the 2023 season after participating in the two Italian Grands Prix with Michele Pirro at Mugello in May and the upcoming San Marino GP in Misano on the next 8th-10th September. Since last year, Ducati has further strengthened its partnership with Aruba.it by contesting three MotoGP events with the same liveries as the factory Panigale V4 R machine of the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team in the WorldSBK Championship.
Following two recent tests at Misano aboard the Ducati Desmosedici GP – which provided convincing feedback – reigning World Champion and current WorldSBK Championship leader Alvaro Bautista will return to contest a MotoGP race after his last appearance in Valencia (Spain) in 2018.
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #1)
“I’m really happy to be able to race in MotoGP as a Wild Card at Sepang, a track that I really like and that I’m happy to be back at since it’s not on the WorldSBK calendar. The tests with the Ducati Desmosedici GP gave positive feedback: the feeling was good, and I had fun. I want to sincerely thank Ducati and Aruba.it because, without them, it would have been impossible to have this opportunity. At the same time, I would like to say that this MotoGP race will be a bonus for me and not a priority. That’s why we must stay focused on the WorldSBK Championship, which is the only thing that matters now. I want to stay focused for this last part of the season, which will be very demanding, with many races in a short time. The feeling with the Panigale V4 R machine is good, and I hope to continue on this path. Then, when the season ends, we’ll think about going to Malaysia and having fun. Now I’ll have a little holiday, and then we’ll be back at Magny-Cours.”
ALEX AND GRESINI TOGETHER ALSO IN 2024
GRESINI RACING EXTENDS ITS PARTNERSHIP WITH DUCATI
Few days ago at Silverstone, Alex Marquez scored his maiden MotoGP race win adding to his tally of one podium and a pole position in just a few months with Team Gresini Racing MotoGP. There was no chance this series of results would not have led to the partnership extension between the Faenza-based team and the two-time world champion.
Not only results on the plate for the Italian-Spanish combination, but also an incredible potential that was shown on several occasion already – with the new goal of being among the protagonists on a consistent basis in 2024.
Team Gresini Racing also made official a new agreement with Ducati Corse for the two-year period 2024-2025. The tally consists of five wins already, three podiums, three pole positions and 355 points bagged in less than two seasons.
ALEX MARQUEZ
“I’m very happy to continue with the team. I’ve always expressed this desire of mine and when things go the right way it’s even easier to understand each other. To continue together for the next season is key in order to keep growing with this bike, and with this team everything is going to be easier. I would like to thank Nadia first and foremost, and then the whole team who made me feel at home from day one. We’ll keep growing and surprising.”
NADIA PADOVANI GRESINI – TEAM OWNER
“Alex is first of all a wonderful person and it was a pleasure to welcome him in our Gresini Family. The results speak for themselves and it was a logical step for us to continue together and raise the bar some more. He already scored a race win and a pole position in his debut year with Ducati, showing he could battle with the best from the get-go. We will now try to find some continuity together in the next season. I would like to thank the whole Ducati family as we’ll continue with them for the next two years; we already showed we are a good combination this year as well as in 2022… so the goal is to continue to excite and be excited.”
LUIGI DALL’IGNA – DUCATI CORSE GENERAL MANAGER
“We are delighted to continue to have the Gresini Racing MotoGP team in the Ducati family for two more seasons. They are an extremely professional outfit and, over the years, have shown that they have the potential to aspire to great results. Last year they scored four beautiful victories with our Desmosedici GP machine, and this season they clinched a podium, a pole position, and a win in the last GP Sprint with Alex Marquez. We are sure that together we will achieve more success in the future and continue to grow race by race”.
