MotoAmerica: Herrin Tops Testing In Texas

David Swarts

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August 9, 2023

MotoAmerica: Herrin Tops Testing In Texas

Former AMA Superbike Champion Josh Herrin was the quickest rider Tuesday, August 8 and quickest overall during a private two-day test at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), near Austin, Texas. Riding his Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R with an R5-compound rear Dunlop Sportmax Slick, Herrin did a one-lap time attack on the 3.4-mile, 20-turn road course during the cooler conditions of the morning that resulted in a 2:09.966.

“I’m super happy with what we were able to accomplish at the test,” Herrin wrote in a text message to Roadracingworld.com. “We started with settings that were very difficult to be fast on and we worked very well together as a team to find a good setup. It was important for us to come and get some testing in since we haven’t ridden the bike much this year on a non-race weekend. To be fastest is a huge bonus because I’m not normally fast in testing. That means we should be very strong on the race weekend!”

Two-time and defending MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne was quickest on Day One with a 2:10.358 on his Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha YZF-R1 and improved that to a 2:10.065 on Tuesday, but that was unofficially second-best. Gagne’s Team Owner Richard Stanboli said they focused on doing long runs on old tires and that Gagne “lived in the low-2:10s” on both R5- and R7-compound Dunlop tires with double-race-distance on them.

Substituting for Gagne’s injured teammate Cameron Petersen at the test were four-time AMA Superbike Champion Josh Hayes, who raced for the team at Brainerd International Raceway, and former-full-time-road-racer-turned-full-time-dirt-tracker JD Beach, who will race for the team at Pittsburgh International Race Complex (PittRace).

Hayes did only a few laps on Tuesday with a best lap at 2:12.259, which was slightly slower than he went on Monday, 2:11.830, while Beach improved a huge amount from the 2:14.239 he did on Day One to a 2:10.922 on Day Two.

Beach told Roadracingworld.com that he started off riding on Hayes’ setup on Monday and then migrated toward Gagne’s setup on Tuesday. The two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion said he cannot wait to go racing in PittRace and he’s very grateful for Yamaha giving him the opportunity.

For comparison, Gagne qualified on pole position for the last MotoAmerica Superbike race at COTA in 2022 with a 2:08.450, and Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati’s Danilo Petrucci turned the fastest race lap at 2:08.648 on his way to a pair of victories.

Herrin’s teammate Xavi Fores, the sole Supersport rider at the test, did a 2:14.954 on Monday and a 2:14.470 on Tuesday on his Ducati Panigale V2. Fores currently leads the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship.

Progressive Insurance/Mission Foods Indian’s Tyler O’Hara and Jeremy McWilliams left their Indian FTR 1200 Super Hooligan machines parked for most of Tuesday and focused on testing their Indian Challenger King Of The Baggers (KOTB) machines. O’Hara was fastest with a 2:17.248, which was significantly better than the 2:18.637 he did on Day One. McWilliams’ best lap Tuesday was a 2:19.511, also an improvement on the 2:20.473 he recorded Monday on his Indian Challenger.

McWilliams also did a 2:18.881 on his Super Hooligan machine Tuesday, surpassing the 2:20.263 he did on Monday.

Ambient temperatures Tuesday at COTA reached a peak of 104 degrees F (40 C) at the end of the day with track temperatures approaching 140 degrees F (60 C), according to Stanboli.

MotoAmerica will hold a standalone event at COTA September 8-10 with the Medallia Superbike, Supersport, Steel Commander Stock 1000, Mission King Of The Baggers, and Mission Super Hooligan classes slated to have two races each. It will be the season finale for Stock 1000 and Super Hooligan.

The most of the other MotoAmerica classes wrap up their Championships September 22-24 at New Jersey Motorsports Park.

Tuesday’s Unofficial Test Times (as provided by Speedhive/MyLaps):

Superbike:

Josh Herrin (Duc), 2:09.966

Jake Gagne (Yam), 2:10.065

JD Beach (Yam), 2:10.922

Josh Hayes (Yam), 2:12.259

Supersport:

Xavi Fores (Duc), 2:14.470

King Of The Baggers:

Tyler O’Hara (Ind), 2:17.248

Jeremy McWilliams (Ind), 2:19.511

Super Hooligan:

Jeremy McWilliams (Ind), 2:18.881

Tyler O’Hara (Ind), no lap time recorded

Canadian Superbike: Two-Time Champion Martin Returning To Race At CTMP

David Swarts

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August 9, 2023

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Canadian Superbike: Two-Time Champion Martin Returning To Race At CTMP

Francis Martin returning to CSBK for round four at CTMP

Toronto, ON – Francis Martin, the three-time Canadian national champion and one of the most renowned riders of the 1990s and 2000s, will make a comeback to the Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship in round four at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park after a twelve-year absence.

Having concluded his last season in 2011 with the private BMW team Couturier, Martin is thrilled to announce his return to the prestigious Liqui Moly Pro Sport Bike middleweight category, renewing his partnership with Suzuki Canada – Martin’s brand over eight successful seasons.

A two-time Pro Superbike champion, Martin won feature titles with Kawasaki in 1999 and Suzuki in 2005, adding an Open Sport Bike category championship for Suzuki in 2002. He totaled seven Superbike victories and 38 podiums in his career, the latter ranking inside the top-five of all-time.

Thanks to the invaluable support from Patrice Goyette in preparing his bike, Martin will team up with Pro Superbike championship leader Alex Dumas in the Purple Skull Brewing/Liqui Moly Suzuki effort.

Martin will proudly ride a GSX-R600 machine, offering a perfect combination of power and maneuverability for this thrilling racing category.

During his twelve-year hiatus, Francis ventured into entrepreneurship with great success. He founded two flourishing companies, one specializing in the construction industry and the other focused on motorcycle performance enhancement.

The latter company, known as MPG Moto, was created in partnership with his associates David Anctil and Goyette, with the help of their loyal employee from the very beginning, Bobby Dorman.

Martin expresses his gratitude to his many valuable partners and sponsors who supported him throughout his career and into this new adventure, including MPG Moto, Suzuki Canada, Importation Thibault, Scorpion Helmets, Liqui Moly, Bridgestone, Hindle Exhaust, GBRacing, Vortex, Hot Bodies, Braketech, G2 Domino, Fast Riding School, and Purple Skull Brewing for their trust and support.

Don’t miss the opportunity to support Martin and the team during his spectacular comeback in the Pro Sport Bike category, scheduled for August 18-20 at CTMP just north of Bowmanville, ON. Stay connected for more information and follow the latest news about Francis Martin on social media.

More From FIM MiniGP Canada: A Kid And His Mom Go Racing

David Swarts

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August 9, 2023

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More From FIM MiniGP Canada: A Kid And His Mom Go Racing

FIRST PERSON/OPINION:

By Misti Hurst

Ashton’s FIM MiniGP Canada win

On Sunday, I watched my 14-year-old son, Ashton Parker, win the final race of the FIM MiniGP Canada Series, and it was more exciting and emotion-filled than anything I ever felt when competing in road racing.

Ashton Parker (45) taking a victory lap at Lombardy Karting Club, in Lombardy, Ontario, Canada. Photo by Misti Hurst.

I couldn’t even process the emotions colliding in my head as I watched the race. Unless you have kids yourself, it’s nearly impossible to convey the depth of love you have for a child. You’d do anything to protect your children, except you can’t.

I taught him to ride his first dirt bike at four years old and took him mini road racing at six. I’ve picked him up and dusted him off more times than I can count. I’ve wiped tears, spent nights at the hospital, and put in hundreds of travel miles just so the kid can race.

Riding instructor and former Pro racer Misti Hurst holding an umbrella over her 14-year-old son Ashton Parker prior to a race. Photo courtesy Misti Hurst.

Sometimes I question why I do it. The long, hot, exhausting days, the early mornings, the packing and unpacking and loading and unloading, making food, buying water, registering for races, organizing, logistics, and hours and hours of driving.

But then I experienced a day like Sunday. It was absolutely priceless, and I mean it. I watched him come into his own over the weekend when he listened to me as “Coach Misti” instead of just “Mom” and spent time improving his riding. I watched him discover a new ability within himself. I watched him realize that coaching helps.

Ashton Parker (45) leading Michael Galvis (83) on track. Photo by Colin Fraser.

He got the fastest time in one of the practice sessions, and that caused a spark to form, a belief in himself that maybe he could win, that maybe he did deserve to be there as much as the other kids.

Then I watched him ride like a bat outta hell. He was several bikelengths from the two leaders, Ben Hardwick and Michael Galvis, when Lincoln Scott, in fourth place, passed him to take over third. Ashton didn’t like that and grabbed the position back with a sly pass.

Then it was as if someone lit a fire under his arse. He put his head down and turned some of the fastest laps of the race to close the gap before pulling an insane pass on Hardwick and Galvis into the tight left hairpin off the front straight. I was terrified, proud, excited, and shocked that he was now winning the race!

Everything in my entire being wanted him to love that moment. I know what it feels like, I silently tried to tell him as I shook my fists and yelled, “Common kid, you’ve got this!” We were in the stands, and I wanted him so badly to feel all the emotions of what it’s like to lead and win a motorcycle road race. I felt so much pride that he was mine and that I
KNEW what he was experiencing, even though there was also so much fear. Fear he might get hurt, fear he might NOT win. No mom wants her son to feel disappointment and heartache. I wanted him to win so badly I could hardly contain my excitement.

Misti Hurst with her race-winning son Ashton Parker. Photo courtesy Misti Hurst.

He rode incredibly, from a coach’s, a racer’s and a mom’s perspective and took the win like a boss. As the stands erupted, we all screamed for him and jumped up and down before I ran to hug him and congratulate him. To see such growth, maturity, race-craft, determination, and some super-talented riding in my kid made me the proudest mom in the world. There really is nothing better than sharing your passion with your children and watching them experience success, especially in something as cool and exciting as motorcycle road racing!

Ashton Parker (center) standing on top of the FIM MiniGP Canada podium with runner-up Ben Hardwick (left) and third-place finisher Michael Galvis (right). Galvis won the inaugural 2023 FIM MiniGP Canada Championship. Photo by Collin Fraser.

AHRMA: Joyce And Turpin Split Vintage Cup Wins At Blackhawk

David Swarts

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August 9, 2023

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AHRMA: Joyce And Turpin Split Vintage Cup Wins At Blackhawk

Joyce and Turpin trade wins at Blackhawk Farms Raceway

(Knoxville, TN) Tim Joyce and Shane Turpin trading wins turned up the heat on the 2023 American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) Vintage Cup.

Sponsored by Hagerty Insurance, Roadracingworld.com, and NYC Norton (nycnorton.com), AHRMA’s 2023 Vintage Cup features the Formula 750 (F750) class which includes 750cc two and four-stroke powered machines built up to 1972.

Rounds 15 and 16 of the Vintage Cup were held on August 5 and 6 in conjunction with the Bridgestone Tires AHRMA National Roadracing series at Blackhawk Farms Raceway in South Beloit, IL, near Chicago.

Going into the Blackhawk Farms rounds, Joyce was the Vintage Cup points leader. Turpin, who joined the championship battle during the July 15 and 16 rounds at Laguna Seca, is now in the hunt for a top-three, or better finish in the series. Having missed the rounds on July 29 and 30, during the AHRMA event at Gingerman Raceway, Christopher Spargo returned for the Blackhawk event.

All three riders have won races in the chase for the Vintage Cup at various times throughout this season, which added pressure to the Blackhawk Farms rounds. Plus, during practice on August 4, all three riders put in fast laps, setting up the weekend Vintage Cup showdown.

“With the race for the championship tightening up, only a couple guys mathematically have a shot. But the rest would still love to grab a win and they could affect the outcome. It’s exciting!” said Carl Anderson, AHRMA’s 2023 Chairman of the Board.

On Saturday, Joyce, riding an NYC Norton 1968 Seeley NRE, got the hole shot with Spargo on a 1976 Yamaha RD400 hot on his tail. Turpin, sponsored by Larrabure Framing and Vee Two, and riding a 1972 Ducati Imola replica, started at the back of the grid. By Turn Five, Turpin had worked his way through the pack up to third.

During the next several laps, Joyce’s lead was under threat by both Turpin and Spargo.

On the last lap, Joyce extended his lead and took the victory. Turpin made a bold pass on Spargo holding second until the duo were on the front straight. Spargo went deep into the final corner, got a good drive on the exit, and drafted past Turpin to take second place with a third of a second lead. Results were Joyce first, Spargo second and Turpin third.

The balance of the field, in finishing order included: fourth – Brady Ingelse on a 1975 Honda CB750, in fifth position, Colton Roberts on his 1976 Yamaha RD400, sixth – Jeff Hargis riding a 1972 Yamaha XS650, and in seventh place, Michael Dixon racing a 1970 Yamaha XS.

Sunday’s race start was a repeat of Saturday’s with Joyce getting the hole shot and Spargo again hot on his heels. The rest of the race was a different story with Spargo putting moves on Joyce within a few turns to take the lead. By the second lap, Turpin had worked his way through the field passing Joyce and then setting his sights on Spargo. The two leaned on each other a couple of times through several turns but Turpin ultimately pipped Spargo on the brakes and pulled out to clean air where he managed to increase his lead by several seconds at the end of eight laps.

The podium was a complete reversal of Saturday’s race with Turpin at the top of the podium, Spargo in second and Joyce in third.

Joyce’s lap times during Sunday’s race were similar to those from Saturday but it was clear that Spargo and Turpin had done their homework overnight because they both were clocking lap times by at least a second faster than Saturday.

Rounding out the field, had Roberts in fourth, Hargis in fifth and Dixon in sixth.

“This was the closest, most exciting Vintage Cup race of the year, showing all three riders with lap times within a tenth of a second of each other throughout the race,” said Kenny Cummings of NYC Norton. “As a sponsor, this is the best we could ever hope for, bringing people to the fences to watch the big show. Each day the trackside crowd audibly celebrated the victory of each of these different winners. And that is what the Vintage Cup is all about!”

The annual Vintage Cup spotlights one of AHRMA’s road racing classes with extra attention on competitors in the selected class during each race event. Enhanced awards for the Vintage Cup competitors are presented separately from other class trophies during the Saturday awards ceremony at each AHRMA National Road Race event.

Highlights from each Formula 750 race will be reported in RoadracingWorld.com’s online edition. At the conclusion of each season, the perpetual Vintage Cup trophy will be engraved with the national champion winner’s name and presented to the winner at the National Awards Banquet to keep for one year.

2023 Bridgestone Tires AHRMA Roadracing Series, Formula 750 – Vintage Cup Results

Saturday, July 15, 2023

1. Tim Joyce, 1968 Seeley NRE 750, Springfield, VT

2. Christopher Spargo, 1976 Yamaha RD400, Hopkins, MN

3. Shane Turpin, 1972 Ducati Imola, Scottsdale, AZ

4. Brady Ingelse, 1975 Honda CB750, Belgium, WI

5. Colton Roberts, 1976 Yamaha RD400, Pawnee, IL

6. Jeff Hargis, 1972 Yamaha XS650, Battle Creek, MI

7. Michael Dixon, 1970 Yamaha XS, Wataga, IL

Sunday, July 16, 2023

1. Shane Turpin, 1972 Ducati Imola, Scottsdale, AZ

2. Christopher Spargo, 1976 Yamaha RD400, Hopkins, MN

3. Tim Joyce, 1968 Seeley NRE 750, Springfield, VT

4. Colton Roberts, 1976 Yamaha RD400, Pawnee, IL

5. Jeff Hargis, 1972 Yamaha XS650, Battle Creek, MI

6. Michael Dixon, 1970 Yamaha XS, Wataga, IL

About AHRMA:

The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to competing on fantastic classic and true vintage machines along with a wide range of modern motorcycles. With over 3,000 members, AHRMA is the largest vintage racing group in North America and one of the biggest in the world. The association has grown steadily over the years, reflecting the increasing interest in classic bikes.

World Endurance: Second-Place Team Disqualified From Suzuka 8-Hours

David Swarts

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August 8, 2023

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World Endurance: Second-Place Team Disqualified From Suzuka 8-Hours

Update following FIM EWC Suzuka 8 Hours

During the Post-Race Technical Inspection on 7 August following the 44th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race on 6 August, motorcycle no.104 (TOHO Racing), which finished in second position, was subjected to a fuel tank capacity control by the FIM Technical Directors.

The control recorded a fuel tank overcapacity in contravention of article 2.6.6.10 of the 2023 FIM Endurance World Championship Regulations.

As is required, a secondary fuel tank capacity control was conducted by another FIM Technical Director with a fuel tank overcapacity also recorded.

The FIM EWC Stewards Panel convened to consider the evidence provided by the FIM Technical Director and declared motorcycle no.104 did not conform to the 2023 FIM Endurance World Championship Regulations and disqualified motorcycle no.104 from the results of the 44th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race.

TOHO Racing appealed the decision of the FIM EWC Stewards Panel, but this was subsequently rejected by the FIM EWC Appeal Stewards Panel.

As such, the decision to disqualify motorcycle no.104 has been upheld and the positions of all other finishers will be reclassified, while points will be reallocated to the eligible finishers.

The Final Ranking of the 44th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race and the provisional FIM Endurance World Championship points standings are available HERE.

Suzuka 8 Hours - 2023 FIM Endurance World Championship - Final results after 8 Hours - Final ranking

British Superbike: Bridewell Heading To Thruxton With “No Expectations”

David Swarts

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August 8, 2023

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British Superbike: Bridewell Heading To Thruxton With “No Expectations”

Bridewell And Irwin Set For Thruxton Thriller

Round seven of the 2023 Bennetts British Superbike Championship heads for the fastest circuit in the UK whereby BeerMonster Ducati will hope to continue their recent winning ways.

Thruxton in Hampshire always serves up a feast of exciting racing and this year’s round has a special significance about it as local hero Tommy Bridewell leads the charge for Paul Bird’s eight-times British Champions.

Bridewell, from Devizes just over the border in Wiltshire, has won five out of the last six Bennetts BSB races aboard the factory-supported BeerMonster Ducati and will have the backing of a partisan crowd as he defends his 34.5-point advantage over teammate Glenn Irwin.

Irwin hasn’t won since Knockhill back in June so will be keen to get the better of Bridewell, especially as Tommy hasn’t enjoyed the best of luck around Thruxton in his lengthy career. Glenn has won four times this season and when added to Bridewell’s six victories, it means the BeerMonster Ducati riders have won more than half the races run so far this season.

County Antrim rider Irwin has a 42.5 lead over third placed Kyle Ryde arriving at Thruxton so will be hoping to extend that at a track where he’s enjoyed podium success in the past.

Tommy Bridewell: “I’m looking forward to the weekend, but we are going there with absolutely no expectations. It’s the best way for me to approach this round as it’s no secret that Thruxton has never been my strongest track, but then again, I’ve never gone there with the results and momentum I’ve been enjoying recently. The team has intense knowledge and experience so between us all, we should be able to produce the results we have proved we are capable of. It’s just a case of us doing what we’ve been doing all season long as that’s been working well but I’ll take what’s on offer, enjoy my local round, and maximise what we can from the weekend.”

Glenn Irwin: “Thruxton is always a brilliant round and unique as we d on’t get to test there so it’s great to go somewhere you don’t get to ride at too often. We know the opposition will be strong, so I intend approaching the weekend with an open mind, but we arrive in good shape and with some good results recently. We are learning all the time and tyre management is always critical around Thruxton, so it will be interesting to see how that pans out with the optimum SCD Pirelli tyre, which will be a different challenge for us all. If the racing is as good as last year, it will be fantastic for the fans, and I hope to be in there challenging at the front.”

For further information on BeerMonster please visit https://beermonster.com and the new PBM website, www.pbmuk.net. For all details on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship, please visit www.britishsuperbike.com.

Dunlop Celebrating 50 Years Of Tire Production In Buffalo, New York

David Swarts

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August 8, 2023

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Dunlop Celebrating 50 Years Of Tire Production In Buffalo, New York

Dunlop’s Buffalo, NY Tire Factory Celebrates 50 Years of Motorcycle Tire Production

Buffalo, NY: It may be hard to believe that Dunlop has been a critical part of the Western New York Community for 100 years now, with its first tire rolling off the assembly line in 1923. For half of those 100 years, this factory produced over 20 million motorcycle tires for the North American market. Back in the early 1970s, motorcycle tire molds were moved from the Dunlop plant in Whitby, Ontario, across the Canadian border to the nearby Dunlop factory located in Tonawanda, New York, just outside the Buffalo city limits. By 1973, this plant was producing the K81, K70, and eventually the K88 motorcycle tires.

Fast track to March of 1978, a Dunlop K181 built in that same Tonawanda plant won a tire shoot-out conducted by Harley-Davidson in San Antonio, Texas which would solidify its future and change the course of history for the Dunlop brand and the people designing and building tires at the Tonawanda plant. That shootout win started a relationship with Harley-Davidson that eventually led to Dunlop being awarded the Original Equipment tire business for 1981 Harley-Davidson Sportster motorcycles. This partnership has lasted over four decades with the two companies collaborating on numerous tire innovations, including things we take for granted, like wide white walls and multi-tread touring motorcycle tires.

Today, Dunlop Motorcycle Tires remains the largest motorcycle tire manufacturer headquartered and fully operational within the United States. The company is the largest motorcycle tire producer based in the North American market. “It’s incredible to think this facility has been building motorcycle tires for fifty years. Even more remarkable is the brand’s partnership with Harley-Davidson and how that relationship has pushed our technology and innovation to deliver world-class market-driven products for North American riders,” said Mike Buckley, Dunlop Motorcycle’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Having the R&D and manufacturing located so close to the market has been invaluable to our success. It’s not just about touring tires though, additionally, our support of North American Road Racing and Flat Track with tires designed and built here, further demonstrates our commitment to this market.”

Dunlop’s R&D team, located in Buffalo, NY, has been committed to American racing and is the official tire of MotoAmerica and American Flat Track series, where all the tires used in the series are developed and manufactured by Dunlop in its New York facility. In addition, many of Dunlop’s popular tires, like the American Elite, D401, D402, D407, D408, Sportmax Q5, Sportmax Q5S, Trailmax Mission, and many more are produced in the same footprint that started production in 1973.

About Dunlop Motorcycle Tires:

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, YouTube, and Twitter for the latest Dunlop news. Use #RideDunlop and/or #RaceDunlop to share your Dunlop moments.

Recent Wedding: Kaleb De Keyrel – Marissa Lehner

David Swarts

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August 8, 2023

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Recent Wedding: Kaleb De Keyrel – Marissa Lehner

MotoAmerica racer Kaleb De Keyrel and longtime girlfriend Marissa Lehner were married July 12 in Chicago, Illinois.

GRT Yamaha Founder Mirko Giansanti, R.I.P.

David Swarts

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August 8, 2023

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GRT Yamaha Founder Mirko Giansanti, R.I.P.

GRT Yamaha Mourn the loss of Mirko Giansanti

With great sadness and deep sorrow, the GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team said farewell to Mirko Giansanti, who passed away today after a serious illness.

Mirko faced this final challenge with courage and dignity, the same attributes that so marked his career, first as a rider and later as the founder and Sporting Director of the Giansanti Racing Team. Unfortunately, this proved to be his final race.

Mirko’s enormous love and passion for motorsport have characterized the team from the day it was founded in 2016 until today and will continue to do so forever.

Mirko’s humanity, strength of spirit and determination have always been a source of inspiration for the team and for all the people who had the privilege to make his acquaintance.

Mirko spent his life on two wheels, initially racing in the 125cc class, before progressing to 250cc and then Supersport, enjoying many successes on the way. The next step came when, with his friend Filippo Conti, he founded the GRT Racing Team. Success came quickly, with the team winning the FIM Supersport World Championship in 2017, before stepping up to the premier production class, WorldSBK, in 2019.

The GRT Racing Team extends its deepest condolences to Mirko’s family and loved ones and asks for people to respect their privacy as they grieve his loss.

“Mirko, we will miss you terribly, but we know you will always be with us. We promise you that we will work even harder to fulfill a common dream of taking your and our creature to the top of the world. Above all, we will always keep your memory alive”

More, from a press release issued by Yamaha:

Yamaha Mourn the loss of GRT Yamaha’s Mirko Giansanti

All at Yamaha Motor Europe and Yamaha Racing extend their sincere condolences to the family, friends, and teammates of Mirko Giansanti, who sadly passed away today after a long battle with a serious illness.

Mirko faced this final challenge with courage and dignity, the same attributes with which he moulded his career, first as a rider and later as the founder and Sporting Director of the Giansanti Racing Team.

Mirko’s humanity, strength of spirit and determination have been a source of inspiration for everyone at the GRT Yamaha Team and for all the Yamaha Racing staff who had the privilege to make his acquaintance.

Andrea Dosoli: Road Racing Manager, Yamaha Motor Europe

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Mirko after a long illness. He was a man who said little, preferring instead to lead by example and with this approach he and the GRT Yamaha Team achieved a lot. Mirko was an integral part of our Yamaha racing family and the WorldSBK paddock will be a lesser place with his passing. Rest in peace, Mirko.”

AHRMA: Race Results From Blackhawk Farms Raceway

David Swarts

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August 8, 2023

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AHRMA: Race Results From Blackhawk Farms Raceway

Complete race results from the Bridgestone Tires AHRMA Roadracing Series event held August 5-6 at Blackhawk Farms Raceway, in South Beloit, Illinois.

Use the scroll and zoom tools in the corner of the PDF viewer to better see all of the race results.

RRW 2023 Blackhawk Farms - Full Results

MotoAmerica: Herrin Tops Testing In Texas

August 9, 2023

Josh Herrin (2). Photo by Brian J. Nelson. — Josh Herrin (2), as seen earlier this season at Road America. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.