In this edition of Stuman Rides, Stuart Smith heads to Adams Motorsport Park in Riverside, California, to ride Supermoto and he talks about how it can help you ride sportbikes better.
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MotoAmerica: Davis Doing Daytona 200, Selected Supersport Rounds
In 2023, MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion Blake Davis will be making his Supersport debut at one of the biggest American motorcycle races of the year, the Daytona 200.
Davis will not only be defending his Twins Cup Championship title aboard his Yamaha R7, but he will also be racing four MotoAmerica Supersport rounds on a Yamaha R6, including the 200 at Daytona. The other three rounds include Road America, Brainerd International Raceway, and Circuit of The Americas. The Twins Cup class will not be competing at those rounds.
Davis’ priority for this season is defending the Championship title for his N2 Racing/BobbleHeadMoto Team and for Yamaha Motor USA. However, as a young racer, he must always be looking ahead in his career, and it is for that reason that he will be making an appearance in the Supersport class this year.
Blake’s Supersport effort is only possible because of support from Biothermal, Robem Engineering, and Kevin Boda. His amazing N2 Racing/BobbleHeadMoto team will still be supporting his Twins Cup endeavors on his Yamaha R7.
MRA Announces Changes To Its 2023 Race Schedule
When the Motorcycle Roadracing Association (MRA) published its 2023 season schedule in November of last year, they believed the dates were locked in, but due to circumstances beyond their control, a couple of conflicts arose. As a result, some changes had to be made. The season will still include two New Racer Schools, and the full season championship series will still consist of seven Race Rounds, five of which at High Plains Raceway (HPR), using three different track configurations, one round at Pikes Peak International Raceway (PPIR), and one round at Pueblo Motorsports Park. Below is the updated and final 2023 MRA Season Schedule:
2023 Motorcycle Roadracing Association Race Schedule
April 7-8 – New Racer School #1 at HPR (Full Course)
May 6-7 – Round 1 at HPR (Full Course)
June 3-4 – Round 2 at PPIR
June 17 – New Racer School #2 and MRA Trackday at Pueblo Motorsports Park
June 24-25 – Round 3 at HPR (West Course)
July 15-16 – Round 4 at HPR (Full Course) + 4-hour endurance
July 29-30 – Round 5 at Pueblo Motorsports Park
August 26-27 – Round 6 at HPR (North Course)
September 23-24 – Round 7 at HPR (Full Course)
The Motorcycle Roadracing Association is dedicated to promoting safe and competitive motorcycle road racing events for enthusiasts in Colorado and the surrounding area. For more information go to http://www.mra-racing.org/.
Australian Superbike: Waters Tops Two-Day Test At Sydney Motorsport Park
Josh Waters sets the tone for season 2023: He’s the man to beat.
The final day of the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul (ASBK) Official Test was set to be an all-daylight affair after last night’s all-important under-lights session.
A 36-degree forecast greeted all assembled but the early running was overcast and mercifully under those frankly hideous numbers.
The promised 36 degrees never arrived, but we did get over 60-degree track temperatures as a consolation prize.
None of these were as hot as the on-track action. The top six in superbike topped Alex Criville’s 1996 500GP lap time on the mighty Honda NSR 2-stroke aboard their 2023 spec ASBK machines.
The test uncovered some new gems, reaffirmed the talent of others and set the stage perfectly for the 2023 season of racing.
Alpinestars Superbike
The early part of the first session for SBK was overcast and the sun poked through shortly after the start to really heat up the track and see who had carry over form from the cooler night before.
Broc Pearson on the DesmoSport Ducati had the top spot for perhaps a minute before Yamaha Racing’s Cru Halliday asserted himself as he is want to do. McMartin Racing’s Josh Waters was having none of that and was first to dip into the 1:29s and before Halliday had a chance to respond the red flag came out after Pearson went off at Turn Four.
The restart of the session saw Halliday trading fastest times with Josh Waters who – on his last flying lap – dropped an incredible 1:29.570 to dip well below both the pole and race lap records by 2/10ths and send the clearest possible message to the field that the Mildura born and bred Waters is back in ASBK in 2023 and is not here to mess about. Waters not only nailed the fastest ever two wheeled lap of the Sydney Motorsport Park Grand Prix layout, but he also hit 295km/h down the main straight. With several sessions to come, it’s over to Cru Halliday and Mike Jones (second and third for the session) to respond.
Practice six- the second for the day, saw the early running a Waters/Halliday show with Lachlan Epis up into fourth at times and Senna Agius fifth.
Herfoss was eighth for a lot of the session, seemingly “just testing new things”, but was able to make it work and jumped up into third late in the session.
Of the ASBK regulars (Agius and Epis are not set for a full season in SBK), Mike Jones was next in sixth, Broc Pearson was back in the hunt after an earlier crash in seventh, Max Stauffer was eighth, Ted Collins in ninth and Mark Chiodo on an ex-Penrite Honda in tenth.
Arthur Sissis had an engine/electronic issue in an earlier session and was back in eleventh, with Paris Hardwick twelfth.
Practice seven and the second-to-last session for SBK opened with Senna Agius briefly on top before that bloke Josh Waters spoiled the party once again, popping up with a 1:30.708.
A quieter session for the day, many riders opting to do short runs. The 30c+ air and 61c track temperature played a big role.
With 10 minutes to go, less than 5 bikes were on track and we finished with Waters, Herfoss, Agius and Halliday in fourth.
A reduced field hit the still hot track for the final session, but all the major championship contenders in on track.
And we can’t say this enough, but AGAIN it was Josh Waters king o’ the hill, master of the house, man to beat. Back into the 1:29s this time a 1:29.622 after a 1:29.8 the lap before.
If there was a statement being made, then we get it. Josh Waters is going to be a major contender in 2023, and not just here at SMSP. He’s a multi-time champion with the fastest bike in the paddock and backed by a team that has multiple championship wins.
And if Josh Waters at the top made it feel a bit olde school brigade then the sight of Max Stauffer second and Broc Pearson third in the final session ought give hope to the new crew coming through.
Mike Jones was in fourth and finally Arthur Sissis with it all together in fifth.
A huge season is fast approaching, and the test has only served to whet our appetites.
Alpinestars Superbike- Combined times, ASBK Official Test, SMSP
1 21 Josh WATERS (VIC) 1:29.570
2 65 Cru HALLIDAY (NSW) 1:29.658
3 1 Mike JONES (QLD) 1:29.997
4 17 Troy HERFOSS (QLD) 1:30.024
5 4 Broc PEARSON (QLD) 1:30.235
6 83 Lachlan EPIS (NSW) 1:30.275
7 27 Max STAUFFER (NSW) 1:30.453
8 81 Senna AGIUS (NSW) 1:30.810
9 29 Ted COLLINS (VIC) 1:31.098
10 61 Arthur SISSIS (SA) 1:31.306
Michelin Supersport
The first session for the Supersport squads saw Harrison Voight at the top and left his fellow test attendees happy that Harrison will seek his racing fix in Europe in 2023.
Some .7 of a second behind was Sean Condon from 2022 Supersport Champions John Lytras. Jake Farnsworth was fourth with Scott Nicholson fifth.
The second session late in the morning was once again the Harrison Voight show with a 1.1 second gap to second placed Farnsworth with Tom Bramich third. Bramich had admitted that he had taken his bike back to base settings and was working from there. Third showed the evolution of that plan.
A crash from Scott Nicholson at turn six brought out the red flag for the session, and as the clock was run down, the session was called and ended.
The session after lunch saw soaring track temperatures of over 60c and Harrison Voight content to sit out the rest of the day after pretty much dominating the entire test to that point.
It fell to John Lytras to assert himself as in this session and he did so, but only by .0007 to Giuseppe Scarcella who had been thereabouts for much of the test, but now evidently had a fully sorted YZF-R6 under him. Cameron Dunker was third to show he’s very much ready for this big step from the 300 to the 600.
The final session of the entire test ended on a sour note. While it was Lytras on top from Condon and Farnsworth, the session ended with a red flag and multiple riders down.
Farnsworth crashed late in a lap and Dallas Skeer shortly after at nearly the same spot. Farnsworth was able to return to the pits, Skeer required medical attention.
While this was going on, Jonathan Nahlous crashed at turn 3 as the red flag was being deployed. With just a few minutes remining, the session was declared done and the medical team was busy for the next while, delaying the following sessions and ending the Supersport test days in an unfortunate fashion.
Michelin Supersport- Combined times, ASBK Official Test, SMSP
1 29 Harrison VOIGHT (QLD) 1:32.138
2 26 Sean CONDON (NSW) 1:33.184
3 1 John LYTRAS (QLD) 1:33.335
4 49 Jake FARNSWORTH (NSW) 1:33.401
5 44 Tom BRAMICH (VIC) 1:33.620
6 3 Cameron DUNKER (NSW) 1:33.931
7 39 Scott NICHOLSON (VIC) 1:34.011
8 86 Dallas SKEER (SA) 1:34.145
9 47 Giuseppe SCARCELLA (NSW) 1:34.150
10 42 Jack PASSFIELD (NSW) 1:34.150
Supersport 300
A 9:30 am start for the first practice of the day for the three hundjees saw Cameron Swain sway the times his way with ‘veteran’ 300 racer Brandon Demmery up into second for the session. Brodie Gawith had improved on his consistency from the first day and was up to third.
A red flag interrupted the session when Cameron Dunker crashed his Moto3 bike, but the session resumed without issue and the top two improved their times.
The second session of the day saw Marcus Hamod electing to run a Moto3 bike, leaving Brandom Demmery the opportunity to show he’s not lost too much after sitting out much of 2022.
The 25-year-old Demmery took the fastest time of the session with Sam Pezzetta back into the top three and Brodie Gawith rounding out the top three.
The seventh session of the Official Test was Cameron Swain’s. After an OJC series win in 2021 and a mixed 2022, this year beckons Swain to greater things and after a number of podiums in 2022 in the Supersport 300 class, his opportunity awaits him.
Pezzetta was second with Brandom Demmery again thereabouts in third.
The final session of the test saw Cameron Swain end up on top again from Brodie Gawith and the ever-reliable Brandon Demmery.
In contrast to the Superport 600 machines, the smaller Supersport 300s kept it clean and crash-free to the checkered flag to round out a successful test at Sydney Motorsport Park.
Supersport 300- Combined times, ASBK Official Test, SMSP
1 13 Marcus HAMOD (NSW)1:44.633 189
2 11 Brandon DEMMERY (NSW) 1:44.811
3 26 Cameron SWAIN (QLD) 1:45.148 192
4 51 Sam PEZZETTA (SA) 1:45.251 189
5 25 Brodie GAWITH (VIC) 1:45.513 191
6 55 Steve SFORZIN (VIC) 1:45.713 195
7 57 Cooper ROWNTREE (SA) 1:46.131 189
8 17 Joshua NEWMAN (NSW) 1:46.349 191
9 12 Henry SNELL (QLD) 1:46.371
10 2 Luke JHONSTON (VIC) 1:46.470
bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup
First out in the morning, the top riders shuffled their order a touch, with first-year rider Riley Nauta who had been a top three contender last night dropping down to 12th and seemingly out of sorts. Topping the table was Bodie Page from his lookalike (and nemesis) Sam Drane in second. Valentino Knezovic continued his improvement and delivered on the promise he showed in 2022 and was third. OJC first-year riders Rikki Henry and Jed Fyffe were fourth and fifth.
While Bodie Page was the fastest for the session, he also had a get-off at turn five to apparently keep the OJC mechanic crew busy and the assembled media confused.
The later sessions saw Bodie Paige once again up top with Rikki Henry for company and brother Jake Paige a fast learner up into the top three.
For the majority of the OJC, working closely with the support team (including mum and dad!), it was a matter of getting into a rhythm and finding time here and there. Rider coach Garry McCoy was clear in his addresses with the riders; learn, progress and stay upright.
Mercifully, they largely listened and a terrific season of OJC awaits us.
bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup- Combined times, ASBK Official Test, SMSP
1 36 Rikki HENRY (SA) 1:59.364
2 74 Bodie PAIGE (QLD) 1:59.753
3 40 Hunter CORNEY (QLD) 1:59.974
4 42 Riley NAUTA (QLD) 2:00.160
5 7 Sam DRANE (NSW) 2:00.890
6 55 Jake PAIGE (QLD) 2:01.069
7 48 Valentino KNEZOVIC (NSW) 2:01.074
8 23 Jed FYFFE (NSW) 2:01.321
9 61 Ella McCAUSLAND (VIC) 2:01.332
10 37 Alexander CODEY (NSW) 2:01.492
For more information on the event, stay tuned to the ASBK website and social pages.
MotoE: Both Races Will Run On Saturday At 2023 Events
MotoE™: the new era begins!
2023 welcomes Ducati as MotoE™ gets ready for more races, more rounds and more incredible competition powered by Enel X Way
Thursday, 02 February 2023
It’s 2023 and that means it’s time to get excited for the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Championship! No longer a Cup, the electric competition gains World Championship status this season, there’s a new manufacturer… and the calendar expands to eight rounds!
In 2023, MotoE™ welcomes Ducati as the single manufacturer, with plenty to look forward to as the grid switch machinery and get ready for the most comprehensive season ever. Eight rounds in seven countries sees MotoE™ join the MotoGP™ paddock from Le Mans, kicking off competition alongside the 1000th Grand Prix, and the season runs all the way through to Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli. That’s every MotoGP™ stop in Europe between May and early September, creating a 16-race, eight-round, action-packed MotoE™ season.
The timetable also changes in 2023. MotoE™ kicks off the action at 8:25am on Fridays with Practice 1, before a second Practice session at 12:25pm. The P1+P2 times are combined to decide the direct entrants to Q1 and Q2, with qualifying beginning at 17:00. Q1 and Q2 qualifying remain live and free to watch on YouTube, giving everyone a taste of the electric action!
Saturday is now the showstopper for the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Championship. It’s race day – and nothing else! The two showdowns now both take place on Saturday afternoon, making it a true spectacle for fans at the track and viewers at home.
Race 1 kicks off the competition at 12:10 – right after qualifying for the MotoGP™ class – and it’s the first racing action of the weekend. Then there’s qualifying for Moto3™ and Moto2™ before the high-octane addition of the MotoGP™ Sprint every Saturday.
The action continues with MotoE™ as the electric competition, powered by Enel X Way, serves up more racing on super Saturday: Race 2 follows the MotoGP™ Sprint, with the lights out for the second showdown of the weekend at 16:10. That’s an action-packed event for MotoE™, giving the electric World Championship some incredible visibility and ensuring fans around the world get the best of this parallel path of sustainable innovation.
Make sure to tune in for the biggest MotoE™ season yet and download the full schedule below!
2023_GP_with_MotoE
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Hires Communications Manager
Alicia Busa Joins WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca as Communications Manager
MONTEREY, Calif., February 2, 2023—WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is pleased to announce Alicia Busa has joined the management team as Communications Manager. She enters the organization with a strong background in marketing and hospitality and proven insight into event management. Not entirely new to WeatherTech Raceway, she previously was responsible for managing the media center and working closely with journalists last August during the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion.
“Alicia immediately jumped into the largest event of the year on only several days’ notice and executed a first-class environment for attending journalists,” said Barry Toepke, director of heritage events and public relations. “She took total responsibility while also lending design support to the marketing team. Her enthusiasm, intuition and do-whatever-it-takes mindset is a welcomed addition to the professional team as we embark on an exciting 2023 season.”
Alicia is passionate about community involvement and event planning. For the past three years, she has taken an active role on the planning committee for the Big Sur Food & Wine Foundation, a non-profit organization that benefits the local economy and supports the health, safety, education and arts of Big Sur. She also loves to volunteer her time on weekends to various community organizations.
Among Alicia’s responsibilities are working with journalists and media center management, creating a cohesive plan that encompasses marketing, communications, and digital media, and developing storylines to heighten brand awareness of the entire Laguna Seca Recreation Area, which includes the campgrounds. She will be the primary point of contact for journalists and series public relations teams and will work closely with Toepke.
Alicia may be contacted at: [email protected] or by calling 831-242-8275.
Tickets for the 2023 race season, which kicks off May 5-7 with the Trans Am SpeedFest and followed days later by the Motul Course de Monterey and the return of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship May 12-14, are available online at www.WeatherTechRaceway.com or by calling 831-242-8200.
American Flat Track: Janisch To Race WBR KTM In Mission SuperTwins
Wally Brown Racing Recruits Janisch for ’23 Progressive AFT Season
DAVIDSON, N.C. (February 2, 2023) – Wally Brown Racing has recruited 2022 Mission Production Twins Champion Jesse Janisch to compete in the 2023 Progressive American Flat Track series.
Wally Brown Racing will step up to the premier Mission SuperTwins category after developing the WBR KTM 890 Duke into a two-time Mission Production Twins race winner with James Rispoli at the controls a year ago.
This season, WBR and Janisch will run a limited schedule with continued support from KTM North America. The effort will utilize both the established WBR KTM 890 Duke and the all-new WBR KTM 790 Duke as KTM shifts its focus to the 790 platform to prepare for the 2024 rules package.
The versatile Janisch has an extensive motorsports history, including dirt track, roadracing, supermoto, motocross, hillclimb, grass drag racing, and off-road racing. The Wisconsin native started racing professionally in 2003 and first made his name in Progressive AFT as a TT extraordinaire. In 2022, Janisch demonstrated his complete mastery of the sport, scoring seven victories and 13 podiums en route to the Mission Production Twins title.
“I’ve been able to witness the triumphs of the WBR program at the expense of my own successes in 2022,” Janisch said, “As they say – if you can’t beat them, join them! I cannot wait to jump on the new 790 platform that they’ve been hard at work on this winter and see where we shake out at our first round. I was fortunate to compete in several Mission SuperTwins Main Events in 2022. I’m ready to improve upon my results and turn some heads in the class in 2023.”
“Wally and the WBR team really did an amazing job in 2022 showcasing the Ready to Race potential of our KTM 890 Duke platform in the Mission Production Twins class,” said Chris Fillmore, Flat Track Manager for KTM. “It was good to hear they are excited and willing to also get an early start with the all-new KTM 790 Duke platform in anticipation of the displacement reduction the series will introduce in 2024. The bar has been raised with the series going to a single Twins class in 2023, but based on the team’s quick successes in the past, I know they are motivated and ready for the challenge. Jesse proved last season he has what it takes on a twin by winning the Mission Production Twins Championship. We are for sure looking forward to seeing how things develop.”
Team owner Wally Brown said, “Our team is looking forward to taking what we learned in 2022 and applying it to a new program this year. It will be challenging, but I feel certain we can make progress on developing a competitive package. The KTM Duke is a well-built machine and gives us a lot to work with.”
WBR plans to compete at the Senoia Short Track in Senoia, Georgia, the Red Mile in Lexington, Kentucky, the Bridgeport Half Mile in Bridgeport, New Jersey, and the Springfield Mile in Springfield, Illinois.
KTM Introduces New Color Schemes For Some Street Models
2023 KTM STREET RANGE FLASHES WITH A FRESH SELECTION OF NEW COLORWAYS
MURRIETA, Calif. – KTM introduces new graphics and color updates across selected KTM 200 DUKE, KTM 390 DUKE and KTM RC 390 models to fill out the 2023 KTM STREET range, giving riders a chance to find a machine that matches their true READY TO RACE colors and spirit.
KTM roars into the new year with a fast-as-ever range of DUKE motorcycles, covering the full spectrum of road-going machines catering to all riders and riding types. At the starting point, KTM brings the small but mighty KTM 200 DUKE and KTM 390 DUKE Naked machines out to play. These lightweight, yet heavy-hitting, models include some new livery to set off their aggressive styling as they slide their way into the 2023 lineup, with the reintroduced KTM 790 DUKE, the bold KTM 890 DUKE R, and the range of BEASTS, namely the KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R EVO and the street-eating KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT—all introduced in November of 2022.
These incredible Naked machines are flanked by the impressive new generation Supersport weapon, the KTM RC 390, returning for 2023 in two eye-catching guises, one in the new GP orange and the other in the beloved, carry-over orange and blue, with hues taking their inspiration from the vibrant Grand Prix teams.
KTM 200 DUKE
Thanks to its ultralight and playful single-cylinder 199.5 cc engine and 31.6-in (805-mm) low seat height, and the ever-present BEAST-inspired DNA, the KTM 200 DUKE delivers nothing less than an exhilarating ride in an approachable package. The aggressive styling of the 2023 KTM 200 DUKE is enhanced by a new gray and orange colorway featuring a black subframe and orange tailpiece. The beloved orange and black model, of course, will return for 2023 as well. Both models stand out with striking orange wheels.
KTM 390 DUKE
The KTM 390 DUKE dominates the middle-weight segment with a punchy, fun-loving 373.2 cc DOHC engine, sporty WP APEX front and rear suspension and a full READY TO RACE compliment of technology including a PASC slipper clutch, BYBRE brakes, BOSCH ABS with standard Supermoto ABS and TFT display. The corner rocket receives two new colorway updates, with a vibrant orange and blue/gray option, and a stealthy black and gray adding a darker, more sinister shadow to the streets.
KTM RC 390
There is no question that the latest generation of the KTM RC 390 takes READY TO RACE to heart with a full chromoly frame, bolt-on subframe, GP-derived ergonomics and electronic features not seen on many mid-sized Supersort models. Taking it to the top of the class and the podium, the compact yet powerful engine, adjustable WP APEX suspension and electronic wizardry including lean-angle sensitive (3D) Motorcycle Traction Control and BOSCH ABS with SUPERMOTO ABS deliver real-word racing credentials along with everyday ridability. This track-loving, commuting-ready model receives the KTM Orange treatment with the introduction of the GP Orange colorway, the eye-catching stablemate to the returning blue and orange machine.
2023 KTM 200 DUKE, KTM 390 DUKE and KTM RC 390 models will begin shipping March 2023. For more news about the 2023 KTM model range, visit KTM.COM or your nearest authorized KTM dealer.
Celebration Of Life For Kevin Elliott, Sr. Scheduled Feb. 5
A celebration of life event for Kevin Elliott, Sr. has been scheduled at 11:00 a.m. local time Sunday, February 5 at the Loyal Order of Moose Lodges at 325 Pandora Ave., Fort Pierce, Florida.
“Come celebrate the life of Kevin ‘Skippy’ Elliott with a karaoke party per his last request. We will have some food and drinks available. Cash only for the drinks. Let’s celebrate his life with all his friends and family together for one last hoorah,” read the event notification on Facebook.
Elliott, the former owner and longtime President of ASRA and CCS, died of liver failure on January 29 in Florida. He was 64.
North America Talent Cup: Provisional 2023 Schedule Released
PROVISIONAL 2023 NORTH AMERICA TALENT CUP SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED & FINAL CALL FOR ENTRIES
The 2023 provisional calendar has been announced—including rounds with MotoGP™ and MotoAmerica™–with the upcoming February 6th deadline for applications just over the horizon.
SEATTLE, WA – The anticipated 2023 NATC provisional calendar has been announced. The season will consist of seven rounds across the continental United States, with the opening round taking place alongside MotoGP™ for the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas, April 14-16.
Similar to the 2022 season, each round will be run by a hosting organization. MotoAmerica™ will again be integrally involved in the series, with rounds currently scheduled to run during national events at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama, and Ridge Motorsports Park in Washington. The seventh and final round of the series is yet to be determined.
Prospective competitors who meet eligibility requirements can now apply to participate in the 2023 North America Talent Cup. Applicants will have until February 6th, 2023 to submit their candidacy. The NATC is an official Road to MotoGP™ project.
Riders from all nationalities can apply, but the NATC aims to discover talent from across North America. After only one season, NATC alumni have already gone on to be selected for the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup™, as well as for national race teams.
In its second season, the NATC grid will be limited to 22 entrants. Riders must be born between January 1st, 2006, and April 6th, 2009, to be a minimum age of 14 years old before the first round and a maximum age of 17 years old. Riders from different racing backgrounds can apply, with no road racing experience necessary as other disciplines can also translate into road racing success.
Individual riders can apply, but they must choose a team name and have a team manager. Riders must also have at least one mechanic and a legal guardian.
Any team application should specify a team manager, who will be the main contact with the organization, and can be comprised a rider and two mechanics. Mechanics can be family members or acquaintances.
To apply, please visit: www.northamericatalentcup.com
2023 NATC Provisional Race Calendar
| ROUND 1 | ||
| April 14-16 | Circuit of the Americas | Austin, TX |
| MotoGP™ | ||
| ROUND 2 | ||
| May 19-21 | Barber Motorsports Park | Birmingham, AL |
| MotoAmerica™ | ||
| ROUND 3 | ||
| June 23-25 | Ridge Motorsports Park | Shelton, WA |
| MotoAmerica™ | ||
| ROUND 4 | ||
| July 20-23 | Mid Ohio | Lexington, OH |
| WERA | ||
| ROUND 5 | ||
| August 4-6 | Eagles Canyon Raceway | Decatur, TX |
| CMRA | ||
| ROUND 6 | ||
| September 8-10 | Summit Point Motorsports Park | Summit Point, WV |
| WERA | ||
| ROUND 7 | ||
| TBD | TBD | |
About NATC
The NATC is a one-make spec-series of teams and riders, using the successful Northern Talent Cup as a blueprint. The limit on entries is 22 riders between 14 and 16 years of age in 2023. The spec-motorcycle will be the Aprilia RS250 SP2; a machine developed by Aprilia in partnership with Ohvale and proven to offer a competitive platform for developing talent. The NATC is designed to create close competition in a cost-effective manner. The NATC will race throughout the continental U.S., with seven designated rounds taking place alongside MotoGP™, MotoAmerica™, and select clubs.
About the FIM North America
FIM North America is one of six Continental Unions (CONUs) recognized as geographical subdivisions and accountable to the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). It was founded in 1998. The national federations who are members of FIM North America are, by virtue of their geographical area and their membership in the FIM, the American Motorcyclist Association and the Canadian Motorcycle Association. FIM North America establishes an annual calendar of Continental Championship events and other activities and declares champions in designated disciplines and classes. Its member federations issue CONU licenses to riders participating in FIM NA events as well as those who are participating in Continental Championship events organized in other CONUs. For more information, visit fim-northamerica.com.
Learn more at www.northamericatalentcup.com
Video: Stuman Rides: “Supermoto For Superbikers”
In this edition of Stuman Rides, Stuart Smith heads to Adams Motorsport Park in Riverside, California, to ride Supermoto and he talks about how it can help you ride sportbikes better.
MotoAmerica: Davis Doing Daytona 200, Selected Supersport Rounds
In 2023, MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion Blake Davis will be making his Supersport debut at one of the biggest American motorcycle races of the year, the Daytona 200.
Davis will not only be defending his Twins Cup Championship title aboard his Yamaha R7, but he will also be racing four MotoAmerica Supersport rounds on a Yamaha R6, including the 200 at Daytona. The other three rounds include Road America, Brainerd International Raceway, and Circuit of The Americas. The Twins Cup class will not be competing at those rounds.
Davis’ priority for this season is defending the Championship title for his N2 Racing/BobbleHeadMoto Team and for Yamaha Motor USA. However, as a young racer, he must always be looking ahead in his career, and it is for that reason that he will be making an appearance in the Supersport class this year.
Blake’s Supersport effort is only possible because of support from Biothermal, Robem Engineering, and Kevin Boda. His amazing N2 Racing/BobbleHeadMoto team will still be supporting his Twins Cup endeavors on his Yamaha R7.
MRA Announces Changes To Its 2023 Race Schedule
When the Motorcycle Roadracing Association (MRA) published its 2023 season schedule in November of last year, they believed the dates were locked in, but due to circumstances beyond their control, a couple of conflicts arose. As a result, some changes had to be made. The season will still include two New Racer Schools, and the full season championship series will still consist of seven Race Rounds, five of which at High Plains Raceway (HPR), using three different track configurations, one round at Pikes Peak International Raceway (PPIR), and one round at Pueblo Motorsports Park. Below is the updated and final 2023 MRA Season Schedule:
2023 Motorcycle Roadracing Association Race Schedule
April 7-8 – New Racer School #1 at HPR (Full Course)
May 6-7 – Round 1 at HPR (Full Course)
June 3-4 – Round 2 at PPIR
June 17 – New Racer School #2 and MRA Trackday at Pueblo Motorsports Park
June 24-25 – Round 3 at HPR (West Course)
July 15-16 – Round 4 at HPR (Full Course) + 4-hour endurance
July 29-30 – Round 5 at Pueblo Motorsports Park
August 26-27 – Round 6 at HPR (North Course)
September 23-24 – Round 7 at HPR (Full Course)
The Motorcycle Roadracing Association is dedicated to promoting safe and competitive motorcycle road racing events for enthusiasts in Colorado and the surrounding area. For more information go to http://www.mra-racing.org/.
Australian Superbike: Waters Tops Two-Day Test At Sydney Motorsport Park
Josh Waters sets the tone for season 2023: He’s the man to beat.
The final day of the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul (ASBK) Official Test was set to be an all-daylight affair after last night’s all-important under-lights session.
A 36-degree forecast greeted all assembled but the early running was overcast and mercifully under those frankly hideous numbers.
The promised 36 degrees never arrived, but we did get over 60-degree track temperatures as a consolation prize.
None of these were as hot as the on-track action. The top six in superbike topped Alex Criville’s 1996 500GP lap time on the mighty Honda NSR 2-stroke aboard their 2023 spec ASBK machines.
The test uncovered some new gems, reaffirmed the talent of others and set the stage perfectly for the 2023 season of racing.
Alpinestars Superbike
The early part of the first session for SBK was overcast and the sun poked through shortly after the start to really heat up the track and see who had carry over form from the cooler night before.
Broc Pearson on the DesmoSport Ducati had the top spot for perhaps a minute before Yamaha Racing’s Cru Halliday asserted himself as he is want to do. McMartin Racing’s Josh Waters was having none of that and was first to dip into the 1:29s and before Halliday had a chance to respond the red flag came out after Pearson went off at Turn Four.
The restart of the session saw Halliday trading fastest times with Josh Waters who – on his last flying lap – dropped an incredible 1:29.570 to dip well below both the pole and race lap records by 2/10ths and send the clearest possible message to the field that the Mildura born and bred Waters is back in ASBK in 2023 and is not here to mess about. Waters not only nailed the fastest ever two wheeled lap of the Sydney Motorsport Park Grand Prix layout, but he also hit 295km/h down the main straight. With several sessions to come, it’s over to Cru Halliday and Mike Jones (second and third for the session) to respond.
Practice six- the second for the day, saw the early running a Waters/Halliday show with Lachlan Epis up into fourth at times and Senna Agius fifth.
Herfoss was eighth for a lot of the session, seemingly “just testing new things”, but was able to make it work and jumped up into third late in the session.
Of the ASBK regulars (Agius and Epis are not set for a full season in SBK), Mike Jones was next in sixth, Broc Pearson was back in the hunt after an earlier crash in seventh, Max Stauffer was eighth, Ted Collins in ninth and Mark Chiodo on an ex-Penrite Honda in tenth.
Arthur Sissis had an engine/electronic issue in an earlier session and was back in eleventh, with Paris Hardwick twelfth.
Practice seven and the second-to-last session for SBK opened with Senna Agius briefly on top before that bloke Josh Waters spoiled the party once again, popping up with a 1:30.708.
A quieter session for the day, many riders opting to do short runs. The 30c+ air and 61c track temperature played a big role.
With 10 minutes to go, less than 5 bikes were on track and we finished with Waters, Herfoss, Agius and Halliday in fourth.
A reduced field hit the still hot track for the final session, but all the major championship contenders in on track.
And we can’t say this enough, but AGAIN it was Josh Waters king o’ the hill, master of the house, man to beat. Back into the 1:29s this time a 1:29.622 after a 1:29.8 the lap before.
If there was a statement being made, then we get it. Josh Waters is going to be a major contender in 2023, and not just here at SMSP. He’s a multi-time champion with the fastest bike in the paddock and backed by a team that has multiple championship wins.
And if Josh Waters at the top made it feel a bit olde school brigade then the sight of Max Stauffer second and Broc Pearson third in the final session ought give hope to the new crew coming through.
Mike Jones was in fourth and finally Arthur Sissis with it all together in fifth.
A huge season is fast approaching, and the test has only served to whet our appetites.
Alpinestars Superbike- Combined times, ASBK Official Test, SMSP
1 21 Josh WATERS (VIC) 1:29.570
2 65 Cru HALLIDAY (NSW) 1:29.658
3 1 Mike JONES (QLD) 1:29.997
4 17 Troy HERFOSS (QLD) 1:30.024
5 4 Broc PEARSON (QLD) 1:30.235
6 83 Lachlan EPIS (NSW) 1:30.275
7 27 Max STAUFFER (NSW) 1:30.453
8 81 Senna AGIUS (NSW) 1:30.810
9 29 Ted COLLINS (VIC) 1:31.098
10 61 Arthur SISSIS (SA) 1:31.306
Michelin Supersport
The first session for the Supersport squads saw Harrison Voight at the top and left his fellow test attendees happy that Harrison will seek his racing fix in Europe in 2023.
Some .7 of a second behind was Sean Condon from 2022 Supersport Champions John Lytras. Jake Farnsworth was fourth with Scott Nicholson fifth.
The second session late in the morning was once again the Harrison Voight show with a 1.1 second gap to second placed Farnsworth with Tom Bramich third. Bramich had admitted that he had taken his bike back to base settings and was working from there. Third showed the evolution of that plan.
A crash from Scott Nicholson at turn six brought out the red flag for the session, and as the clock was run down, the session was called and ended.
The session after lunch saw soaring track temperatures of over 60c and Harrison Voight content to sit out the rest of the day after pretty much dominating the entire test to that point.
It fell to John Lytras to assert himself as in this session and he did so, but only by .0007 to Giuseppe Scarcella who had been thereabouts for much of the test, but now evidently had a fully sorted YZF-R6 under him. Cameron Dunker was third to show he’s very much ready for this big step from the 300 to the 600.
The final session of the entire test ended on a sour note. While it was Lytras on top from Condon and Farnsworth, the session ended with a red flag and multiple riders down.
Farnsworth crashed late in a lap and Dallas Skeer shortly after at nearly the same spot. Farnsworth was able to return to the pits, Skeer required medical attention.
While this was going on, Jonathan Nahlous crashed at turn 3 as the red flag was being deployed. With just a few minutes remining, the session was declared done and the medical team was busy for the next while, delaying the following sessions and ending the Supersport test days in an unfortunate fashion.
Michelin Supersport- Combined times, ASBK Official Test, SMSP
1 29 Harrison VOIGHT (QLD) 1:32.138
2 26 Sean CONDON (NSW) 1:33.184
3 1 John LYTRAS (QLD) 1:33.335
4 49 Jake FARNSWORTH (NSW) 1:33.401
5 44 Tom BRAMICH (VIC) 1:33.620
6 3 Cameron DUNKER (NSW) 1:33.931
7 39 Scott NICHOLSON (VIC) 1:34.011
8 86 Dallas SKEER (SA) 1:34.145
9 47 Giuseppe SCARCELLA (NSW) 1:34.150
10 42 Jack PASSFIELD (NSW) 1:34.150
Supersport 300
A 9:30 am start for the first practice of the day for the three hundjees saw Cameron Swain sway the times his way with ‘veteran’ 300 racer Brandon Demmery up into second for the session. Brodie Gawith had improved on his consistency from the first day and was up to third.
A red flag interrupted the session when Cameron Dunker crashed his Moto3 bike, but the session resumed without issue and the top two improved their times.
The second session of the day saw Marcus Hamod electing to run a Moto3 bike, leaving Brandom Demmery the opportunity to show he’s not lost too much after sitting out much of 2022.
The 25-year-old Demmery took the fastest time of the session with Sam Pezzetta back into the top three and Brodie Gawith rounding out the top three.
The seventh session of the Official Test was Cameron Swain’s. After an OJC series win in 2021 and a mixed 2022, this year beckons Swain to greater things and after a number of podiums in 2022 in the Supersport 300 class, his opportunity awaits him.
Pezzetta was second with Brandom Demmery again thereabouts in third.
The final session of the test saw Cameron Swain end up on top again from Brodie Gawith and the ever-reliable Brandon Demmery.
In contrast to the Superport 600 machines, the smaller Supersport 300s kept it clean and crash-free to the checkered flag to round out a successful test at Sydney Motorsport Park.
Supersport 300- Combined times, ASBK Official Test, SMSP
1 13 Marcus HAMOD (NSW)1:44.633 189
2 11 Brandon DEMMERY (NSW) 1:44.811
3 26 Cameron SWAIN (QLD) 1:45.148 192
4 51 Sam PEZZETTA (SA) 1:45.251 189
5 25 Brodie GAWITH (VIC) 1:45.513 191
6 55 Steve SFORZIN (VIC) 1:45.713 195
7 57 Cooper ROWNTREE (SA) 1:46.131 189
8 17 Joshua NEWMAN (NSW) 1:46.349 191
9 12 Henry SNELL (QLD) 1:46.371
10 2 Luke JHONSTON (VIC) 1:46.470
bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup
First out in the morning, the top riders shuffled their order a touch, with first-year rider Riley Nauta who had been a top three contender last night dropping down to 12th and seemingly out of sorts. Topping the table was Bodie Page from his lookalike (and nemesis) Sam Drane in second. Valentino Knezovic continued his improvement and delivered on the promise he showed in 2022 and was third. OJC first-year riders Rikki Henry and Jed Fyffe were fourth and fifth.
While Bodie Page was the fastest for the session, he also had a get-off at turn five to apparently keep the OJC mechanic crew busy and the assembled media confused.
The later sessions saw Bodie Paige once again up top with Rikki Henry for company and brother Jake Paige a fast learner up into the top three.
For the majority of the OJC, working closely with the support team (including mum and dad!), it was a matter of getting into a rhythm and finding time here and there. Rider coach Garry McCoy was clear in his addresses with the riders; learn, progress and stay upright.
Mercifully, they largely listened and a terrific season of OJC awaits us.
bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup- Combined times, ASBK Official Test, SMSP
1 36 Rikki HENRY (SA) 1:59.364
2 74 Bodie PAIGE (QLD) 1:59.753
3 40 Hunter CORNEY (QLD) 1:59.974
4 42 Riley NAUTA (QLD) 2:00.160
5 7 Sam DRANE (NSW) 2:00.890
6 55 Jake PAIGE (QLD) 2:01.069
7 48 Valentino KNEZOVIC (NSW) 2:01.074
8 23 Jed FYFFE (NSW) 2:01.321
9 61 Ella McCAUSLAND (VIC) 2:01.332
10 37 Alexander CODEY (NSW) 2:01.492
For more information on the event, stay tuned to the ASBK website and social pages.
MotoE: Both Races Will Run On Saturday At 2023 Events
MotoE™: the new era begins!
2023 welcomes Ducati as MotoE™ gets ready for more races, more rounds and more incredible competition powered by Enel X Way
Thursday, 02 February 2023
It’s 2023 and that means it’s time to get excited for the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Championship! No longer a Cup, the electric competition gains World Championship status this season, there’s a new manufacturer… and the calendar expands to eight rounds!
In 2023, MotoE™ welcomes Ducati as the single manufacturer, with plenty to look forward to as the grid switch machinery and get ready for the most comprehensive season ever. Eight rounds in seven countries sees MotoE™ join the MotoGP™ paddock from Le Mans, kicking off competition alongside the 1000th Grand Prix, and the season runs all the way through to Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli. That’s every MotoGP™ stop in Europe between May and early September, creating a 16-race, eight-round, action-packed MotoE™ season.
The timetable also changes in 2023. MotoE™ kicks off the action at 8:25am on Fridays with Practice 1, before a second Practice session at 12:25pm. The P1+P2 times are combined to decide the direct entrants to Q1 and Q2, with qualifying beginning at 17:00. Q1 and Q2 qualifying remain live and free to watch on YouTube, giving everyone a taste of the electric action!
Saturday is now the showstopper for the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Championship. It’s race day – and nothing else! The two showdowns now both take place on Saturday afternoon, making it a true spectacle for fans at the track and viewers at home.
Race 1 kicks off the competition at 12:10 – right after qualifying for the MotoGP™ class – and it’s the first racing action of the weekend. Then there’s qualifying for Moto3™ and Moto2™ before the high-octane addition of the MotoGP™ Sprint every Saturday.
The action continues with MotoE™ as the electric competition, powered by Enel X Way, serves up more racing on super Saturday: Race 2 follows the MotoGP™ Sprint, with the lights out for the second showdown of the weekend at 16:10. That’s an action-packed event for MotoE™, giving the electric World Championship some incredible visibility and ensuring fans around the world get the best of this parallel path of sustainable innovation.
Make sure to tune in for the biggest MotoE™ season yet and download the full schedule below!
2023_GP_with_MotoE
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Hires Communications Manager
Alicia Busa Joins WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca as Communications Manager
MONTEREY, Calif., February 2, 2023—WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is pleased to announce Alicia Busa has joined the management team as Communications Manager. She enters the organization with a strong background in marketing and hospitality and proven insight into event management. Not entirely new to WeatherTech Raceway, she previously was responsible for managing the media center and working closely with journalists last August during the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion.
“Alicia immediately jumped into the largest event of the year on only several days’ notice and executed a first-class environment for attending journalists,” said Barry Toepke, director of heritage events and public relations. “She took total responsibility while also lending design support to the marketing team. Her enthusiasm, intuition and do-whatever-it-takes mindset is a welcomed addition to the professional team as we embark on an exciting 2023 season.”
Alicia is passionate about community involvement and event planning. For the past three years, she has taken an active role on the planning committee for the Big Sur Food & Wine Foundation, a non-profit organization that benefits the local economy and supports the health, safety, education and arts of Big Sur. She also loves to volunteer her time on weekends to various community organizations.
Among Alicia’s responsibilities are working with journalists and media center management, creating a cohesive plan that encompasses marketing, communications, and digital media, and developing storylines to heighten brand awareness of the entire Laguna Seca Recreation Area, which includes the campgrounds. She will be the primary point of contact for journalists and series public relations teams and will work closely with Toepke.
Alicia may be contacted at: [email protected] or by calling 831-242-8275.
Tickets for the 2023 race season, which kicks off May 5-7 with the Trans Am SpeedFest and followed days later by the Motul Course de Monterey and the return of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship May 12-14, are available online at www.WeatherTechRaceway.com or by calling 831-242-8200.
American Flat Track: Janisch To Race WBR KTM In Mission SuperTwins
Wally Brown Racing Recruits Janisch for ’23 Progressive AFT Season
DAVIDSON, N.C. (February 2, 2023) – Wally Brown Racing has recruited 2022 Mission Production Twins Champion Jesse Janisch to compete in the 2023 Progressive American Flat Track series.
Wally Brown Racing will step up to the premier Mission SuperTwins category after developing the WBR KTM 890 Duke into a two-time Mission Production Twins race winner with James Rispoli at the controls a year ago.
This season, WBR and Janisch will run a limited schedule with continued support from KTM North America. The effort will utilize both the established WBR KTM 890 Duke and the all-new WBR KTM 790 Duke as KTM shifts its focus to the 790 platform to prepare for the 2024 rules package.
The versatile Janisch has an extensive motorsports history, including dirt track, roadracing, supermoto, motocross, hillclimb, grass drag racing, and off-road racing. The Wisconsin native started racing professionally in 2003 and first made his name in Progressive AFT as a TT extraordinaire. In 2022, Janisch demonstrated his complete mastery of the sport, scoring seven victories and 13 podiums en route to the Mission Production Twins title.
“I’ve been able to witness the triumphs of the WBR program at the expense of my own successes in 2022,” Janisch said, “As they say – if you can’t beat them, join them! I cannot wait to jump on the new 790 platform that they’ve been hard at work on this winter and see where we shake out at our first round. I was fortunate to compete in several Mission SuperTwins Main Events in 2022. I’m ready to improve upon my results and turn some heads in the class in 2023.”
“Wally and the WBR team really did an amazing job in 2022 showcasing the Ready to Race potential of our KTM 890 Duke platform in the Mission Production Twins class,” said Chris Fillmore, Flat Track Manager for KTM. “It was good to hear they are excited and willing to also get an early start with the all-new KTM 790 Duke platform in anticipation of the displacement reduction the series will introduce in 2024. The bar has been raised with the series going to a single Twins class in 2023, but based on the team’s quick successes in the past, I know they are motivated and ready for the challenge. Jesse proved last season he has what it takes on a twin by winning the Mission Production Twins Championship. We are for sure looking forward to seeing how things develop.”
Team owner Wally Brown said, “Our team is looking forward to taking what we learned in 2022 and applying it to a new program this year. It will be challenging, but I feel certain we can make progress on developing a competitive package. The KTM Duke is a well-built machine and gives us a lot to work with.”
WBR plans to compete at the Senoia Short Track in Senoia, Georgia, the Red Mile in Lexington, Kentucky, the Bridgeport Half Mile in Bridgeport, New Jersey, and the Springfield Mile in Springfield, Illinois.
KTM Introduces New Color Schemes For Some Street Models
2023 KTM STREET RANGE FLASHES WITH A FRESH SELECTION OF NEW COLORWAYS
MURRIETA, Calif. – KTM introduces new graphics and color updates across selected KTM 200 DUKE, KTM 390 DUKE and KTM RC 390 models to fill out the 2023 KTM STREET range, giving riders a chance to find a machine that matches their true READY TO RACE colors and spirit.
KTM roars into the new year with a fast-as-ever range of DUKE motorcycles, covering the full spectrum of road-going machines catering to all riders and riding types. At the starting point, KTM brings the small but mighty KTM 200 DUKE and KTM 390 DUKE Naked machines out to play. These lightweight, yet heavy-hitting, models include some new livery to set off their aggressive styling as they slide their way into the 2023 lineup, with the reintroduced KTM 790 DUKE, the bold KTM 890 DUKE R, and the range of BEASTS, namely the KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R EVO and the street-eating KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT—all introduced in November of 2022.
These incredible Naked machines are flanked by the impressive new generation Supersport weapon, the KTM RC 390, returning for 2023 in two eye-catching guises, one in the new GP orange and the other in the beloved, carry-over orange and blue, with hues taking their inspiration from the vibrant Grand Prix teams.
KTM 200 DUKE
Thanks to its ultralight and playful single-cylinder 199.5 cc engine and 31.6-in (805-mm) low seat height, and the ever-present BEAST-inspired DNA, the KTM 200 DUKE delivers nothing less than an exhilarating ride in an approachable package. The aggressive styling of the 2023 KTM 200 DUKE is enhanced by a new gray and orange colorway featuring a black subframe and orange tailpiece. The beloved orange and black model, of course, will return for 2023 as well. Both models stand out with striking orange wheels.
KTM 390 DUKE
The KTM 390 DUKE dominates the middle-weight segment with a punchy, fun-loving 373.2 cc DOHC engine, sporty WP APEX front and rear suspension and a full READY TO RACE compliment of technology including a PASC slipper clutch, BYBRE brakes, BOSCH ABS with standard Supermoto ABS and TFT display. The corner rocket receives two new colorway updates, with a vibrant orange and blue/gray option, and a stealthy black and gray adding a darker, more sinister shadow to the streets.
KTM RC 390
There is no question that the latest generation of the KTM RC 390 takes READY TO RACE to heart with a full chromoly frame, bolt-on subframe, GP-derived ergonomics and electronic features not seen on many mid-sized Supersort models. Taking it to the top of the class and the podium, the compact yet powerful engine, adjustable WP APEX suspension and electronic wizardry including lean-angle sensitive (3D) Motorcycle Traction Control and BOSCH ABS with SUPERMOTO ABS deliver real-word racing credentials along with everyday ridability. This track-loving, commuting-ready model receives the KTM Orange treatment with the introduction of the GP Orange colorway, the eye-catching stablemate to the returning blue and orange machine.
2023 KTM 200 DUKE, KTM 390 DUKE and KTM RC 390 models will begin shipping March 2023. For more news about the 2023 KTM model range, visit KTM.COM or your nearest authorized KTM dealer.
Celebration Of Life For Kevin Elliott, Sr. Scheduled Feb. 5
A celebration of life event for Kevin Elliott, Sr. has been scheduled at 11:00 a.m. local time Sunday, February 5 at the Loyal Order of Moose Lodges at 325 Pandora Ave., Fort Pierce, Florida.
“Come celebrate the life of Kevin ‘Skippy’ Elliott with a karaoke party per his last request. We will have some food and drinks available. Cash only for the drinks. Let’s celebrate his life with all his friends and family together for one last hoorah,” read the event notification on Facebook.
Elliott, the former owner and longtime President of ASRA and CCS, died of liver failure on January 29 in Florida. He was 64.
North America Talent Cup: Provisional 2023 Schedule Released
PROVISIONAL 2023 NORTH AMERICA TALENT CUP SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED & FINAL CALL FOR ENTRIES
The 2023 provisional calendar has been announced—including rounds with MotoGP™ and MotoAmerica™–with the upcoming February 6th deadline for applications just over the horizon.
SEATTLE, WA – The anticipated 2023 NATC provisional calendar has been announced. The season will consist of seven rounds across the continental United States, with the opening round taking place alongside MotoGP™ for the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas, April 14-16.
Similar to the 2022 season, each round will be run by a hosting organization. MotoAmerica™ will again be integrally involved in the series, with rounds currently scheduled to run during national events at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama, and Ridge Motorsports Park in Washington. The seventh and final round of the series is yet to be determined.
Prospective competitors who meet eligibility requirements can now apply to participate in the 2023 North America Talent Cup. Applicants will have until February 6th, 2023 to submit their candidacy. The NATC is an official Road to MotoGP™ project.
Riders from all nationalities can apply, but the NATC aims to discover talent from across North America. After only one season, NATC alumni have already gone on to be selected for the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup™, as well as for national race teams.
In its second season, the NATC grid will be limited to 22 entrants. Riders must be born between January 1st, 2006, and April 6th, 2009, to be a minimum age of 14 years old before the first round and a maximum age of 17 years old. Riders from different racing backgrounds can apply, with no road racing experience necessary as other disciplines can also translate into road racing success.
Individual riders can apply, but they must choose a team name and have a team manager. Riders must also have at least one mechanic and a legal guardian.
Any team application should specify a team manager, who will be the main contact with the organization, and can be comprised a rider and two mechanics. Mechanics can be family members or acquaintances.
To apply, please visit: www.northamericatalentcup.com
2023 NATC Provisional Race Calendar
| ROUND 1 | ||
| April 14-16 | Circuit of the Americas | Austin, TX |
| MotoGP™ | ||
| ROUND 2 | ||
| May 19-21 | Barber Motorsports Park | Birmingham, AL |
| MotoAmerica™ | ||
| ROUND 3 | ||
| June 23-25 | Ridge Motorsports Park | Shelton, WA |
| MotoAmerica™ | ||
| ROUND 4 | ||
| July 20-23 | Mid Ohio | Lexington, OH |
| WERA | ||
| ROUND 5 | ||
| August 4-6 | Eagles Canyon Raceway | Decatur, TX |
| CMRA | ||
| ROUND 6 | ||
| September 8-10 | Summit Point Motorsports Park | Summit Point, WV |
| WERA | ||
| ROUND 7 | ||
| TBD | TBD | |
About NATC
The NATC is a one-make spec-series of teams and riders, using the successful Northern Talent Cup as a blueprint. The limit on entries is 22 riders between 14 and 16 years of age in 2023. The spec-motorcycle will be the Aprilia RS250 SP2; a machine developed by Aprilia in partnership with Ohvale and proven to offer a competitive platform for developing talent. The NATC is designed to create close competition in a cost-effective manner. The NATC will race throughout the continental U.S., with seven designated rounds taking place alongside MotoGP™, MotoAmerica™, and select clubs.
About the FIM North America
FIM North America is one of six Continental Unions (CONUs) recognized as geographical subdivisions and accountable to the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). It was founded in 1998. The national federations who are members of FIM North America are, by virtue of their geographical area and their membership in the FIM, the American Motorcyclist Association and the Canadian Motorcycle Association. FIM North America establishes an annual calendar of Continental Championship events and other activities and declares champions in designated disciplines and classes. Its member federations issue CONU licenses to riders participating in FIM NA events as well as those who are participating in Continental Championship events organized in other CONUs. For more information, visit fim-northamerica.com.
Learn more at www.northamericatalentcup.com