Team Up with Marc Marquez for an Exclusive MotoGP™ Stay
Grand Prix motorcycle racer Marc Márquez is revved up and ready to host an overnight stay in his team’s motorhome in the heart of the action at the MotoGP™ race in Catalonia, Spain, just in time for the second half of the season.
For the first time ever, racing fans will be able to sleep in the paddock, in an area normally reserved for professional riders, alongside Marc Márquez’s private trailer and meters away from other elite racers.
Highlights from the stay include a ride on the MotoGP™ simulator, VIP seating to watch the race, and a personal guided tour of the never-before-experienced pit boxes.
Some of Marc Marquez’s riding gear decorates the entry. Photo by David Vilanova, courtesy Airbnb.
Trading two wheels for four, legendary motorcycle racer, Marc Márquez, has listed his team’s motorhome on Airbnb for a stay during the Catalan Grand Prix. The 8-time world champion is the Host of his team motorhome in the heart of the GP action, offering motor racing fans ‘pole position’ in the paddock area of the legendary event.
Marc Marquez relaxes on the couch in the living area of the specially decorated trailer. Photo by David Vilanova, courtesy Airbnb.
Márquez #93 is one of the most talented motorcycle racers, with a spectacular style loved by millions around the world. Now he’s revved up and ready to add Airbnb Host to his repertoire, offering fans the unprecedented opportunity to live like a MotoGP™ racer for a day: trackside access to the paddock – MotoGP™’s backstage area, where guests will see racing champions and witness the most adrenaline-fueled moments before the race with their own eyes.
The living area includes a kitchen and a dining/workshop space. Photo by David Vilanova, courtesy Airbnb.
“The motorhomes space during a Grand Prix is exclusively reserved for riders and their teams. Guests will live a once-in-a-lifetime experience, not available to anyone else. This is the most exciting motorsport championship in the world and hosting in my home city really raises the stakes for me”, says Márquez. “Guests are in for the ride of their lives – this is a rare peek behind the scenes at the world of professional racing.”
The specially decorated trailer will accommodate two guests for one night. Photo by David Vilanova, courtesy Airbnb.
About the Stay
Márquez will host a one-night stay for up to two people in his team’s motorhome occurring September 2, 2023 for only 93 euros per night*, a nod to Márquez’s racing number. Highlights include:
A night in the Márquez team’s motorhome, located next to Márquez’s private trailer in a trackside area that is only accessible to the riders.
A closer look at some of the rider’s memorabilia, including his most iconic (and beloved) helmets and race suits – and even a selection of his most treasured championship trophies!
The perfect VIP village seats to view the race in addition to pit lane access to witness the start of the Grand Prix.
Entry to the circuit and VIP passes for exclusive amenities and services on Sunday and Saturday.
The opportunity to feel like a pro with a ride on the MotoGP™ simulator.
A personal guided tour of the paddock area including the pit boxes: the ‘backstage’ of the MotoGP™ reserved for racers and their team.
Another view of the sleeping area showing some of the memorabilia on display. Photo by David Vilanova, courtesy Airbnb.
How to Book
Motorheads can request to book this stay beginning July 19, 2023 at 19:00 PM CEST at airbnb.com/motogp. Guests are responsible for their own travel to and from Montmeló, just outside of Barcelona (Spain).
Goodwood Festival of Speed: full MotoGP™ line-up confirmed!
Heroes past and present get ready to take on the Hill
Wednesday, 05 July 2023
The Goodwood Festival of Speed is now just over a week away and the legendary event is preparing to welcome its biggest ever celebration of MotoGP™. From the 13th to the 16th of July, heroes from the current grid will join a whole host of MotoGP™ Legends to take on the fabled hillclimb – and the full line-up can now be revealed!
FRESH FROM THE TRACK
Ducati
In the red corner, there are three well-known faces from the MotoGP™ paddock as the Bologna bullets bring some serious star power. Reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia will be joined by Ducati Lenovo teammate Enea Bastianini on both Saturday and Sunday, and test rider and popular wildcard Michele Pirro will kick off the festivities on Thursday and Friday for the Borgo Panigale marque, too.
KTM
In the orange corner, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing also get their weekend underway with long-time test rider Mika Kallio as the Finnish rider represents on Thursday and Friday. Then, 2023 Championship contender Brad Binder takes the reins over the weekend as the South African hits the Hill on both Saturday and Sunday for the Austrian factory.
GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 have a very special Thursday and Friday at the Festival as Pol Espargaro makes his long-awaited return to the saddle – taking the next step and getting back on the bike after a flying visit to Assen to surprise his team. On Saturday and Sunday, rookie teammate Augusto Fernandez will then take over, making his debut at the event as his MotoGP™ debut likewise continues to impress.
Aprilia
Aprilia Racing also touch down at Goodwood this year, with their RS-GP in the hands of faithful test rider Lorenzo Savadori fresh from his wildcard at Assen. He’ll be on the Hill on Thursday and Friday. CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team also saddle up as part of the Noale contingent at the show, with multiple MotoGP™ winner Miguel Oliveira heading out on Saturday and teammate Raul Fernandez taking the reins on Sunday.
Honda
LCR Honda round out the heroes of the now, with the Americas GP winners set to attend the 2023 festival. Sadly, they’ll be without Alex Rins as the Spaniard continues his recovery from that crash at Mugello, but their iconic livery will be there to join in the festivities and take to the Hill.
THE LEGENDS
If that wasn’t enough firepower, the legends line-up brings together some defining figures from history. Paired with the current grid, the full contingent at the Festival of Speed will provide a truly unique cross section of the heroes who made the sport what it is – and those who continue to make it the world’s most exciting motorsport.
Giacomo Agostini
Mick Doohan
Freddie Spencer
Casey Stoner
Kevin Schwantz
Wayne Gardner
Kenny Roberts Jr
Alex Crivillé
Randy Mamola
WHERE TO FIND US & HOW TO WATCH
On site, the MotoGP™ delegation will be based in the Ballroom Paddock near the Drivers’ Club – the perfect showcase to allow fans an awesome overview of the teams prepping the machines. And if you can’t make it? We’ll have incredible coverage of the event.
First, MotoGP™’s hillclimb action will be live streamed on motogp.com and across our social media channels, making sure fans around the world can get involved in this unique celebration of the sport. There will also be a selection of photos and round-ups of the action made available each day of the festival, including exclusive quotes and reactions from the riders and legends taking to the Hill.
Watch this space and join us at Goodwood on the 13th to the 16th of July – or from wherever you are in the world!
About the Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard
First staged in 1993, the Goodwood Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard is the world’s largest automotive garden party; set against the spectacular backdrop of Goodwood House in West Sussex, UK. Over 600 cars and motorcycles spanning the phenomenal history of motoring and motorsport take part along with legendary figures from the automotive world. Highlights include Future Lab presented by Randox, Electric Avenue presented by bp pulse, Forest Rally Stage, Michelin Supercar Paddock, Michelin Supercar Run, F1 Pit Lane presented by Sky, Drivers’ Club, GAS Arena, Cartier Style et Luxe Concours d’Elegance and Bonhams Auction.
About MotoGP™ & Dorna Sports
The FIM Grand Prix World Championship, MotoGP™, is the world’s most exciting motorsport. 22 of the fastest riders compete on purpose-built prototype motorcycles on some of the world’s greatest racetracks, creating one of the most thrilling shows on Earth. Since it was inaugurated in 1949, the sport has grown to comprise 20 Grands Prix across five continents, with the television broadcast reaching hundreds of millions around the world.
Dorna Sports became the sole commercial and television rights holder of the FIM MotoGP™ World Championship in 1991. Based in Madrid, Spain, with premises in Barcelona and a subsidiary in Rome, the Dorna Group is a leader in sports management, marketing and media, and has seen continued growth over the years; expanding from solely MotoGP™ to include other leading motorcycle racing championships across the globe.
Former racers Draik Beauchamp and Melanie Huffstetler were married July 4 in Deals Gap, Tennessee. MotoAmerica/WERA Chaplain Mark Merical of RaceLine Ministry officiated the wedding.
Draik Beauchamp and Melanie Huffstetler. Photo by Patrick Strzelecki/129Photos.com.
Tripleheader Round At WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Awaits Superbike Men
Jake Gagne And Cameron Beaubier Take Their Title Fight To California For The MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest at Monterey Tripleheader
IRVINE, CA (July 5, 2023) – With its three races and 75 points up for grabs, the fifth round of the MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, July 7-9, has the potential to be the most important round of the series thus far and in September when all is said and done, the tripleheader may go down as the most important of the season.
After four rounds and eight races, the nine-round, 20-race 2023 MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship has turned into a two-man battle between Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Jake Gagne and Tytlers Cycle Racing’s Cameron Beaubier, though it’s probably a tad early to discard Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati’s Josh Herrin from the conversation.
Those are the three men who have won Medallia Superbike races this season and those are the three men who sit atop the championship point standings.
Gagne is where he has found himself for the past two years – atop the championship standings. The two-time and defending Medallia Superbike Champion has won four of the eight races held so far, including three in a row until Beaubier put a stop to that in race one at Road America. What’s different about the 2023 season is that Gagne has been beaten in a straight fight twice by Beaubier – in the first race of the season at Road Atlanta and in race two at Ridge Motorsports Park two weeks ago. Beaubier’s third race win was the aforementioned Road America race, but Gagne suffered a mechanical failure in what was a fairly horrible weekend for the Yamaha team.
Both Gagne and Beaubier have suffered a mechanical DNF with Beaubier also having a race crash to blemish his record. But fortunately, when he crashed at Ridge in race one while hounding Gagne, the race was red flagged, and the five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion was credited with seventh place and the nine important championship points that came with it.
As surprised as many are that Beaubier and his Tytlers Cycle Racing BMW M 1000 RR have had the speed to run at the very front since the first race of the season, Gagne isn’t one of them. Mention Beaubier to Gagne at any time during any weekend and he will give you much the same response. “I never count that guy out.”
Herrin’s lone win came in Road America’s second race with the Ducati man holding off Beaubier’s teammate PJ Jacobsen for the win. By that point, Beaubier’s BMW had expired, and Gagne was third in what was a forgettable weekend for both him and the Attack team. Although Herrin was thrilled at Road America with his first win since 2019, he also knew he hadn’t beaten the other two when they were at their best.
The Ridge Motorsports Park round looked like it would be the place where Herrin would do just that as he qualified on pole position and looked to have the pace to run with Gagne and Beaubier in the two races. Shortly after nabbing pole, however, Herrin had a huge crash that left him battered and bruised and with a right foot that was later diagnosed with a fracture. Although the injuries put a damper on his chance to run at the very front, Herrin bravely rode to two third-place finishes that may pay dividends later in the season.
Herrin sits third in the championship standings, 11 behind Beaubier and 34 behind Gagne.
Westby Racing’s Mathew Scholtz had scored points in every race until he suffered a crash in Sunday’s race two at Ridge Motorsports Park – a day after he’d finished second to Gagne in race one. That was the fourth podium of the year for the South African who finds himself fourth in the title chase, but 55 points behind Gagne.
Jacobsen had a dismal (by his standards) round in Washington with sixth- and seventh-place finishes on his Tytlers Cycle Racing BMW M 1000 RR. The New Yorker sits fifth in the championship heading to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, 10 points behind Scholtz and just three points ahead of Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Richie Escalante.
Escalante is off to a great start in the championship with double-digit points scored in six of the eight races so far. With three fourth-place finishes, it seems to be only a matter of time before the youngster from Tizayuca Hidalgo, Mexico, finds himself on the podium of a MotoAmerica Superbike race.
The number-three man on the Tytlers Cycle Racing team was the number-two man on the team at Ridge Motorsports Park with Corey Alexander having a career-best Superbike weekend with fifth-and fourth-place finishes on the weekend as he continues to improve with each and every race. Alexander is 13 points behind Escalante and eight ahead of Gagne’s Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing teammate Cameron Petersen.
Petersen would like to completely forget the first half of the season. A second-place finish in race one at Barber Motorsports Park is the only bright spot in his season so far as his scorecard is marred by three non-finishes. Still, the South African has the speed and the team behind him to make big gains in the second half of the season.
Disrupt Racing’s Hayden Gillim and Toni Elias, who announced his retirement immediately after finishing fifth in race two at Road America, round out the top 10 in the championship heading into WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
The first of the three Medallia Superbike races on the Monterey Peninsula will take place at 3:10 on Saturday afternoon with race two and race three slated for Sunday at 12:10 and 3:10 p.m., respectively.
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Pre-Race Notes…
Last year the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca race was round six of the 2022 MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship, and the two races were won by Jake Gagne, who would go on to earn his second straight Medallia Superbike title. Gagne’s fastest race lap came in race two with his 1:23.443.
The MotoAmerica Superbike lap record at WeatherTech Laguna Seca is still held by Josh Herrin, who set the mark at 1:22.908 during Superpole in 2018. The Superbike race lap record is held by Cameron Beaubier who clicked off a 1:23.185 in race three in 2020, the only other time MotoAmerica has held a Superbike tripleheader at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna.
Last year, Gagne beat his teammate Cameron Petersen and Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati’s Danilo Petrucci in race one and then came back to beat Petrucci and Petersen in race two a day later. The two wins at Laguna were the sixth and seventh wins for Gagne on the season and he left California with the points lead for the first time, albeit by just three over Petrucci.
With his fourth win of the season and 33rd of his career coming in race one at Ridge Motorsports Park two weeks ago, Jake Gagne moved out of a tie with Toni Elias and Miguel Duhamel for fourth on the all-time AMA Superbike win list. Gagne trails all-time leader Mat Mladin and his 82 victories, Josh Hayes and his 61 wins and Cameron Beaubier, who has 57 AMA Superbike wins on his resume.
Josh Hayes, meanwhile, continues to chase history as his next win in any class will put him alone at the top of the all-time AMA road race win record as he is currently tied with Miguel Duhamel with 86 wins across all classes. Hayes will be aboard his Squid Hunter Racing Yamaha YZF-R6 in the extended Supersport race scheduled for Saturday afternoon at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. With his race-two Superbike win at Ridge two weeks ago, Cameron Beaubier, meanwhile, lurks in fourth on the all-time list with 78 wins – eight behind Duhamel and Hayes.
Brandon Paasch will make his MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike debut at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with the New Jerseyan set to race the ex-Toni Elias Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R1000R in the three Superbike races at Laguna and for the rest of the season.
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca has a long history of hosting AMA Superbike races with the first-ever Superbike race at the track on the Monterey Peninsula taking place in 1976 and won by Reg Pridmore.
Dunlop hosted several of the top-tier Superbike racers to turn laps on the recently repaved WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca track on July 4. Though the track was extremely “green” on the morning of the test, racers reported that it was getting better as more laps were completed and rubber was put onto the racing surface. There was also a chance that a second test day would be held on the Thursday prior to Friday’s official practice and qualifying sessions.
About MotoAmerica
MotoAmerica is North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series. Established in 2014, MotoAmerica is home to the AMA Superbike Championship as well as additional classes including Supersport, Stock 1000, Twins Cup, Junior Cup, and King Of The Baggers. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership including three-time 500cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey; ex-racer and former manager of Team Roberts Chuck Aksland; motorsports marketing executive Terry Karges; and businessman Richard Varner. For more information, please visit www.MotoAmerica.com and follow MotoAmerica on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube.
More, from a press release issued by Westby Racing:
Three Through The Corkscrew For Mathew Scholtz And Westby Racing This Weekend
Mathew Scholtz (11). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Westby Racing.
Tulsa, OK – July 5, 2023 – Round five of the 2023 MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship is this weekend, and it’s a special one not only because Mathew Scholtz and the Westby Racing team will be competing at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, one of the world’s most distinctive and iconic tracks, but also because there are three Superbike races on the weekend schedule, with one on Saturday and the other two on Sunday.
In addition, the 11-turn, 2.238-mile road course and “home of the Corkscrew” has been completely repaved. Like Road America’s complete repaving earlier this season, the track surface improvements should yield fast lap times as the weekend progresses.
Mathew and the team participated in a test session on Tuesday of this week, in order to help Dunlop assess which tires are best on the brand-new asphalt, while also putting some grip-improving rubber down on the surface.
“Laguna Seca is one of my favorite tracks on the schedule,” Mathew said. “It’s a place that has so much history. This year, there was some doubt about the brand-new pavement, but after the test, everything is positive, and we all have a really good feeling about the tires. I struggled with the new Dunlops at Road America, but we made a few changes for Laguna, and it has made a difference for us. We’re going to continue working in the same direction with the bike, and I’m sure we’ll be battling up front. I can’t wait to get out there and push the Westby Racing Yamaha R1 as far as we possibly can.”
Superbike final qualifying is on Saturday morning at 10:35 PT, Superbike race one will go green on Saturday afternoon at 3 PT, Superbike race two is on Sunday morning at Noon PT, and the weekend-concluding Superbike race two will start at 3 PT. All three races will be shown live on MotoAmerica’s YouTube Channel.
For all the action from WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, as it happens, subscribe to MotoAmerica Live+, which is MotoAmerica’s live streaming and on-demand service.
Meet Mathew, Get An Autographed Poster, And More
Mathew will be available for autographs during the Dunlop Hot Pit Walk & Autograph Session, scheduled for 10:15 to 11:10 a.m. Sunday on pit lane at Laguna Seca. He and the team will be handing out free posters and T-shirts, so don’t miss it.
Check Out The Westby Racing Sponsor Showcase
GB Racing; Motorex USA; Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA; and Yoshimura R&D of America, Inc. are the featured team sponsors on display in the Westby Racing paddock area this race weekend, so be sure to stop by to say hello and learn about some of the companies that support the team.
For more updates about Westby Racing, including news, photos, and videos, visit www.WestbyRacing.com
Also, follow “Westby Racing” on your favorite social media sites.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 5, 2023) – AMA Pro Racing offers its condolences to the family and friends of Peter Starr, who died Monday, July 3, following a long battle with cancer at the age of 80. Starr was a pioneer across film, television, and motorcycling who played a central role in bringing motorcycle racing to the masses.
Originally, hailing from the United Kingdom, Starr moved to the United States in the ‘60s where he pursued a career as a DJ, record producer, and eventually filmmaker. It was through the last of these in which he started down the path that saw him become one of motorcycling’s most influential and beloved ambassadors.
Starr first spread the gospel of two wheels on a large scale via his documentary filmmaking, most notably the award-winning documentary, “Take it to the Limit,” which provided viewers a glimpse into the lives of some of the world’s greatest motorcycle racers, including Grand National Champions Kenny Roberts, Jay Springsteen, Ricky Graham, and Bubba Shobert.
Starr was also an innovating force in motorcycle racing television production, introducing and developing some of the techniques still used today to effectively communicate the speed, grace, and excitement of the sport. He was the first to mount a film camera on a racebike during the 1980 AMA National from Laguna Seca, and later the first to produce live video from a motorcycle during a race at the 1985 DuQuoin Mile.
He also spearheaded the creation of the Stroh’s Mile National Dirt Track Championship, which aired on TNN and USA Network in 1985 and 1986. This served as a “series inside a series” as part of the larger Progressive American Flat Track championship. It utilized the Grand National Championship’s Miles as the basis for a televised series that paid its own points and bonus money with support from the national advertising partner that Starr attracted in Stroh’s Brewery.
Starr created, produced, and/or hosted dozens of other motorcycle related programs over the decades, including the first national motorcycle TV show, “The Peter Starr Motorcycle Show,” which aired on TNN in the early ‘80s. He was also a racer and stunt performer himself, whose work was featured in a number of Hollywood hit movies.
Starr never stopped breaking new ground, creating the MotoStarr podcast and YouTube Channel, in which he interviewed a number of motorcycle racing titans, in recent years.
He was inducted into the Trailblazers Hall of Fame in 2011 and the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2017.
Starr is survived by his sister, Lynn Greer, and his nephews, Stuart and Richard Greer.
About AMA Pro Racing:
AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.
More, from a press release issued by American Motorcyclist Association (AMA):
AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Peter Starr Passes
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame offers its condolences to the family and friends of Peter Starr — motorcycle racer, author, TV producer and filmmaker, whose work includes dozens of productions about motorcycles and motorcycling. Starr passed away on July 3 at the age of 80.
Born on Nov. 2, 1942, in Coventry, England, Starr began riding motorcycles at a young age, later raced Nortons, Ariels and Triumphs, and then turned that passion into a four-year job with Triumph in the early 1960s.
Starr moved to the United States in the mid-1960s working as a DJ and later in record production before returning to his love of motorcycles as a filmmaker. His first film, titled Bad Rock, was funded by Hodaka and Penzoil and was distributed across the United States. Later, his film Take it to the Limit would become his most famous creation, starring riders at the top of their sport and a string of hit songs on its soundtrack.
Along with his films, Starr also directed over 50 television specials on motorcycling and motorsports. It was Starr who had the first film camera mounted on a motorcycle and later did the first live broadcast from a motorcycle in competition for ABC’s Wide World of Sports in 1985 at the AMA National on the Du Quoin Magic Mile.
In recent years, Starr became a global ambassador for motorcycling, and after being inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2017 became an ardent supporter of the Hall of Fame and its annual induction ceremony.
“Peter Starr was a fixture in the motorcycling community for decades,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “Peter was a man who always strove to highlight our sport to both enthusiasts and non-riders, and was also incredibly supportive of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame and its mission. Seeing him inducted in 2017 was inspiring. His energy and positive outlook on the sport we all love will be missed.”
Starr battled cancer for many years. Despite his diagnosis, he lived a full and vibrant life and remained tirelessly active in motorcycling.
“When I was diagnosed with cancer in 2004,” Starr previously told the AMA, “I spent a lot of time thinking about dealing with aging, and I concluded that it required living a purposeful life.”
“For me, motorcycles were always a theme of my life,” he continued. “The concept for me became looking forward, and creating something with motorcycling that was very important to me … and being a rider gives you something to always look forward to.”
About the American Motorcyclist Association
Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. Besides offering members money-saving discounts on products and services, the AMA also publishes American Motorcyclist, a recently revitalized and monthly full-color magazine (and digital version of same) that covers current events and motorcycle history with brilliant photography and compelling writing. American Motorcyclist is also North America’s largest-circulation magazine. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit americanmotorcyclist.com.
Not a member? Join the AMA today: americanmotorcyclist.com.
Progressive AFT Returns to Orange County Fair Speedway for First Time in 35 Years This Weekend
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 5, 2023) – There’s some remarkable symmetry at play as Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, comes into this weekend’s Orange County Half-Mile at Orange County Fair Speedway, in Middletown, New York, on Saturday, July 8.
The Grand National Championship last visited the venue in July of 1988. And on that day, the iconic Scott Parker took the victory, one of the record-setting 35 Half-Mile wins of his Hall of Fame career. And now 35 years later, Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Rogers Racing/SDI Racing FTR750) storms in having just earned his 35th career Half-Mile win to match Parker’s mark and poised to claim sole possession of the all-time lead.
The reigning Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle king is on an absolute tear, boasting four wins in his last five races and six on the season. Despite that form, he’s still trying to claw his way back to the top of the championship order. While he’s now just five points shy of doing so, it’s been a difficult task that doesn’t figure to get any easier due to the unwavering performance of second-year Mission SuperTwins ace Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT).
Daniels hasn’t finished off the podium all season long with three wins, six runner-ups, and two thirds representing his 2023 tally to date. That said, the Estenson Racing pilot is looking for answers of his own, as he’s now six races removed from his most recent win and with his once healthy title advantage under threat of disappearing altogether.
What had been a two-man, two-manufacturer duel at the front has since taken on a new look. Two-time Grand National Champion Briar Bauman (No. 3 Parts Plus/Jacob Companies KTM 790 Duke) has battled for race wins aboard the increasingly potent Rick Ware Racing KTM three weekends in succession and seems likely to make a strong run down the stretch.
JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT), Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750), and Dan Bromley (No. 62 Memphis Shades/Corbin/Vinson Construction Yamaha MT-07) were all in the podium hunt this past weekend in West Virginia and will look to pick up right where they left off in New York. It was somewhat surprising that Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) was not, although he’s proven time and again he can stand atop the podium on any given weekend.
And Robinson is not the only potential frontrunner looking to return to the top five at Orange County Fair Speedway with prior premier-class winners Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 JMC Motorsports/Fairway Ford Indian FTR750), Henry Wiles (No. 17 BriggsAuto.com/Martin Trucking Indian FTR750), Johnny Lewis (No. 10 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650), and Bronson Bauman (No. 37 Fastrack Racing/2 Wheelz KTM 790 Duke) all lining this weekend’s stacked Mission SuperTwins entry list.
Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER
Just a few weeks ago, the pack was closing in around Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER points leader Kody Kopp (No. 1 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-F). That’s no longer the case. The defending champ comes into this weekend working a two-race win streak while having opened his title lead up from just nine points to 40 with those back-to-back triumphs.
Rather than look behind, Kopp can now look ahead as he eyes a goal he narrowly missed achieving during last season’s successful title run. In 2022, the factory KTM ace racked up seven wins, one short of Dallas Daniels’ single-season class record.
Kopp already owns five on the 2023 season with several venues well suited to his strengths fast approaching on the schedule, including this weekend’s trip to Orange County Fair Speedway.
While Kopp has won nearly half of the year’s 11 Main Events, the other six wins have gone to a collective consisting of second-ranked Max Whale (No. 18 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-F), fifth-ranked Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 D&D Racing/Certified KTM 450 SX-F), sixth-ranked Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) and seventh-ranked Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F).
That said, three of the hottest riders in the class are still seeking their first… of the season in the case of Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) and of their careers for Chase Saathoff (No. 88 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) and James Ott (No. 19 1st Impressions Race Team/Husqvarna Racing FC450).
Meanwhile, some of the category’s biggest names – namely Chad Cose (No. 49 1st Impressions Race Team/Husqvarna Racing FC450), Morgen Mischler (No. 13 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), and Shayna Texter-Bauman (No. 52 Parts Plus/Jacob Companies KTM 450 SX-F) – are just looking to get back on track following some uncharacteristically quiet outings.
There will be plenty to keep fans entertained at the track on Saturday as well, including numerous vendors, live music, free motorcycle parking, and fireworks following the conclusion of the Mission SuperTwins Main Event.
General Admission Grandstand tickets are just $40 (kids 12 and under free with a paid adult GA ticket), with Reserved Grandstand tickets are just $10 more. Upgraded options include Indoor Suite Reservations, Party Deck tables, and Multi-Day Camping Passes.
Pit Pass Upgrades are also available for purchase, which provide all-day access to the pits where fans can scope out the world’s fastest dirt track motorcycles and get up close and personal with the stars of the sport.
Gates will open for fans at 3:30 p.m. ET (12:30 p.m. PT) with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT).
For those that can’t catch the live action from the circuit, FansChoice.tv is the live streaming home of Progressive AFT. Sign up now and catch every second of on-track action starting with Practice & Qualifying and ending with the Victory Podium at the end of the night at https://www.fanschoice.tv.
FOX Sports coverage of the Orange County Half-Mile, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Sunday, July 16, at 2:30 p.m. ET (11:30 a.m. PT).
Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, is the world’s premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest-running championships in the history of motorsports. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., the series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing on the globe. For more information on Progressive American Flat Track, please visit us on the web, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, check us out on Instagram and catch all the Progressive American Flat Track racing action on FOX Sports.
Two-time and defending MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne was the fastest rider during an invitation-only Dunlop test Tuesday morning at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, but more importantly Gagne was close to his 2022 race pace on the freshly repaved circuit.
Riding his Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha YZF-R1, Gagne lapped the 2.2-mile course in 1:24.920 during the short test, which ended at 1:15 p.m. local time.
Gagne’s fastest lap on his way to winning both Superbike races at Laguna Seca in 2022 was a 1:23.443.
That 1.5-second difference is promising considering the new surface is only 22 days old and has only had 1.5 days of activity on it prior to Tuesday.
Other riders at the test were 1.5-2.0 seconds off their fastest race lap times from 2022.
According to Dunlop Tire Technician Tony Romo, all compounds of Sportmax Slicks that were tried were working well once the track temperature reached 40°C and Dunlop is continuing with its plan to supply only R7 and R8 tire compounds for the race weekend.
Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati’s Josh Herrin rode only a few untimed laps on a Ducati Panigale V4 streetbike because he is nursing injuries, including a broken right ankle, he suffered in a crash at Ridge Motorsports Park.
Joe Roberts also did not record a lap time on the temporary timing and scoring system as he was riding what appeared to be a Yamaha YZF-R1 with only basic track preparation.
MotoAmerica is considering scheduling extra unofficial practice sessions for the Superbike and Supersport classes on the afternoon of Thursday, July 6, to help further improve track conditions. Tire stickers will not be required for these sessions, 50 minutes for each class, but plans are still being finalized and will be announced by MotoAmerica via a competitor bulletin.
We will update this post with more details and comments from riders as they become available.
Gabriel Da Silva (Yam YZF-R1), Stock 1000, 1:29.352
Josh Herrin (Duc Panigale V4), streetbike, no time recorded
Joe Roberts (Yam YZF-R1), Stock 1000, no time recorded
Update:
“When it started out, the track was pretty green and we were ripping up tires left and right,” said Beaubier. “At the beginning of the day the R5s were shredding. I tried an R3 on my second session, but it shredded up in two laps. Then the track started coming in. It got quite a bit better. The rear tires were hanging in there pretty decent, then I started shredding the fronts a little bit. We were on softer tires than we’ll be on during the weekend, so it should be good. I’m curious to try the harder options, because I think they will be good for the weekend.”
Social media posts from people who attended the SCCA event at Laguna Seca this past weekend reported that sections of the track’s new surface were “failing,” so we asked Beaubier about the condition of the track.
“They had some paint down here and there just on some of the problem areas that they’re going to patch, I think, before the [MotoAmerica] weekend starts,” the five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion said. “I think they’re going to take care some of those problem areas, but they were all offline for us. There are a couple of bumps and stuff from the cars that were out last weekend, but other than that I’d say it’s in pretty good shape.”
For Paasch, helping assess and put rubber on the track was secondary to his career-first ride on a Superbike.
“I’m pretty happy with how everything went [for my] first day on the Superbike and my first time riding a 1000 in seven or eight months. I’m just excited to be here,” said Paasch, who finished fourth in the 2022 Stock 1000 Championship on an Altus Motorsports Suzuki GSX-R1000R. “Honestly, the Superbike just kind of does everything that I wanted the Stock bike to do [but] just a little easier, so it’s a little bit less physical for me. But, dude, the thing is such a beast! It’s definitely hard to control, but it’s also a little easier to ride at the same time, if that makes any sense. The thing is it’s pretty awesome. I’m loving it and I’m excited to keep riding the thing and keep chipping away at it.”
Several top riders are participating in a last-minute test for Dunlop and MotoAmerica today at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, in Monterey, California, ahead of the MotoAmerica event July 7-9 at the newly repaved track.
Riders invited to the test include BPR Tuning Yamaha’s Bryce Prince, Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha’s Jake Gagne and Cameron Petersen, Steel Commander Racing Yamaha’s Gabriel Da Silva, Tytlers Cycle Racing BMW’s Cameron Beaubier, Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Richie Escalante and Brandon Paasch, Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati’s Josh Herrin, and Westby Racing Yamaha’s Mathew Scholtz. Joe Roberts, who rides for the Italtrans Racing team in the Moto2 World Championship, is also expected to ride at the invitation of Dunlop.
Originally, only Prince, a former MotoAmerica Stock 600 Champion and Stock 1000 podium finisher who lives in nearby Bakersfield, was going to ride to gather information for Dunlop because he is a qualified rider and is not a regular on the MotoAmerica series.
When problems arose with the track’s 22-day-old new surface during an SCCA racing event over the weekend, however, more riders were called in on short notice to help gather tire data, put rubber down on the track, and assess the racing surface ahead of the MotoAmerica event.
A maximum of eight riders can be on the track at one time, according to Dunlop and MotoAmerica, which is a stipulation presumed to be due to the track’s insurance coverage.
Filmmaker, author, racer, motorcycle enthusiast Peter Starr died from cancer at the home of a friend in Colorado on July 3. He was 80.
He is survived by sister Lynn Greer, and nephews Stuart Greer and Richard Greer.
Starr fell in love with motorcycles while still a schoolboy in Coventry, England, where he was born November 2, 1942. He moved to the United States in the 1960s and worked as a radio DJ and record producer, before creating his first film. “Bad Rock” was a documentary about an International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) qualifier in Oregon that was funded by Hodaka and Penzoil, that originally aired on network TV in Los Angeles, and was later distributed all across America.
Starr is most famous for his award-winning motorcycle movie “Take it to the Limit,” which broke ground as the first documentary produced in Dolby Stereo and the first documentary to include current hit songs on its soundtrack. The film also featured several top riders of the day, including Roger De Coster, Mike Hailwood, and Barry Sheene.
Starr produced and directed over 40 TV programs and commercials, many about motorcycling and motorsports, that have been seen on ABC Sports, BBC, ESPN, History Channel, PBS, TNN, and USA Network. During these productions, Starr broke more ground by being the first to mount a film camera to a motorcycle during an AMA National road race at Laguna Seca in 1980 and the first to produce live video from a motorcycle in a race at the AMA Du Quoin Mile in 1985. He also rode motorcycles as a stunt performer in TV commercials and major motion pictures, including “Apollo 13,” “Batman and Robin,” and “Lethal Weapon 3.”
He authored two large-format autobiographical books, “Taking It To The Limit, 20 Years Of Making Motorcycle Movies” and “Motorcycle Traveler,” and has written articles for several motorcycle magazines.
In more recent times, Starr spent time traveling by motorcycle and promoting motorcycling. He also produced MotoStarr, a podcast/YouTube video series interviewing some of the greats of motorcycling.
He was inducted into the Trailblazers Hall of Fame in 2011 and into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2017.
Two lucky fans will get to be Marc Marquez's overnight guests in a specially built trailer in the paddock during the MotoGP event weekend at Catalunya. Photo by David Vilanova, courtesy Airbnb.
Team Up with Marc Marquez for an Exclusive MotoGP™ Stay
Grand Prix motorcycle racer Marc Márquez is revved up and ready to host an overnight stay in his team’s motorhome in the heart of the action at the MotoGP™ race in Catalonia, Spain, just in time for the second half of the season.
For the first time ever, racing fans will be able to sleep in the paddock, in an area normally reserved for professional riders, alongside Marc Márquez’s private trailer and meters away from other elite racers.
Highlights from the stay include a ride on the MotoGP™ simulator, VIP seating to watch the race, and a personal guided tour of the never-before-experienced pit boxes.
Some of Marc Marquez’s riding gear decorates the entry. Photo by David Vilanova, courtesy Airbnb.
Trading two wheels for four, legendary motorcycle racer, Marc Márquez, has listed his team’s motorhome on Airbnb for a stay during the Catalan Grand Prix. The 8-time world champion is the Host of his team motorhome in the heart of the GP action, offering motor racing fans ‘pole position’ in the paddock area of the legendary event.
Marc Marquez relaxes on the couch in the living area of the specially decorated trailer. Photo by David Vilanova, courtesy Airbnb.
Márquez #93 is one of the most talented motorcycle racers, with a spectacular style loved by millions around the world. Now he’s revved up and ready to add Airbnb Host to his repertoire, offering fans the unprecedented opportunity to live like a MotoGP™ racer for a day: trackside access to the paddock – MotoGP™’s backstage area, where guests will see racing champions and witness the most adrenaline-fueled moments before the race with their own eyes.
The living area includes a kitchen and a dining/workshop space. Photo by David Vilanova, courtesy Airbnb.
“The motorhomes space during a Grand Prix is exclusively reserved for riders and their teams. Guests will live a once-in-a-lifetime experience, not available to anyone else. This is the most exciting motorsport championship in the world and hosting in my home city really raises the stakes for me”, says Márquez. “Guests are in for the ride of their lives – this is a rare peek behind the scenes at the world of professional racing.”
The specially decorated trailer will accommodate two guests for one night. Photo by David Vilanova, courtesy Airbnb.
About the Stay
Márquez will host a one-night stay for up to two people in his team’s motorhome occurring September 2, 2023 for only 93 euros per night*, a nod to Márquez’s racing number. Highlights include:
A night in the Márquez team’s motorhome, located next to Márquez’s private trailer in a trackside area that is only accessible to the riders.
A closer look at some of the rider’s memorabilia, including his most iconic (and beloved) helmets and race suits – and even a selection of his most treasured championship trophies!
The perfect VIP village seats to view the race in addition to pit lane access to witness the start of the Grand Prix.
Entry to the circuit and VIP passes for exclusive amenities and services on Sunday and Saturday.
The opportunity to feel like a pro with a ride on the MotoGP™ simulator.
A personal guided tour of the paddock area including the pit boxes: the ‘backstage’ of the MotoGP™ reserved for racers and their team.
Another view of the sleeping area showing some of the memorabilia on display. Photo by David Vilanova, courtesy Airbnb.
How to Book
Motorheads can request to book this stay beginning July 19, 2023 at 19:00 PM CEST at airbnb.com/motogp. Guests are responsible for their own travel to and from Montmeló, just outside of Barcelona (Spain).
Defending MotoGP World Champion Francesco Bagnaia (1) will ride in front of the fans at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Photo courtesy Ducati.
Goodwood Festival of Speed: full MotoGP™ line-up confirmed!
Heroes past and present get ready to take on the Hill
Wednesday, 05 July 2023
The Goodwood Festival of Speed is now just over a week away and the legendary event is preparing to welcome its biggest ever celebration of MotoGP™. From the 13th to the 16th of July, heroes from the current grid will join a whole host of MotoGP™ Legends to take on the fabled hillclimb – and the full line-up can now be revealed!
FRESH FROM THE TRACK
Ducati
In the red corner, there are three well-known faces from the MotoGP™ paddock as the Bologna bullets bring some serious star power. Reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia will be joined by Ducati Lenovo teammate Enea Bastianini on both Saturday and Sunday, and test rider and popular wildcard Michele Pirro will kick off the festivities on Thursday and Friday for the Borgo Panigale marque, too.
KTM
In the orange corner, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing also get their weekend underway with long-time test rider Mika Kallio as the Finnish rider represents on Thursday and Friday. Then, 2023 Championship contender Brad Binder takes the reins over the weekend as the South African hits the Hill on both Saturday and Sunday for the Austrian factory.
GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 have a very special Thursday and Friday at the Festival as Pol Espargaro makes his long-awaited return to the saddle – taking the next step and getting back on the bike after a flying visit to Assen to surprise his team. On Saturday and Sunday, rookie teammate Augusto Fernandez will then take over, making his debut at the event as his MotoGP™ debut likewise continues to impress.
Aprilia
Aprilia Racing also touch down at Goodwood this year, with their RS-GP in the hands of faithful test rider Lorenzo Savadori fresh from his wildcard at Assen. He’ll be on the Hill on Thursday and Friday. CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team also saddle up as part of the Noale contingent at the show, with multiple MotoGP™ winner Miguel Oliveira heading out on Saturday and teammate Raul Fernandez taking the reins on Sunday.
Honda
LCR Honda round out the heroes of the now, with the Americas GP winners set to attend the 2023 festival. Sadly, they’ll be without Alex Rins as the Spaniard continues his recovery from that crash at Mugello, but their iconic livery will be there to join in the festivities and take to the Hill.
THE LEGENDS
If that wasn’t enough firepower, the legends line-up brings together some defining figures from history. Paired with the current grid, the full contingent at the Festival of Speed will provide a truly unique cross section of the heroes who made the sport what it is – and those who continue to make it the world’s most exciting motorsport.
Giacomo Agostini
Mick Doohan
Freddie Spencer
Casey Stoner
Kevin Schwantz
Wayne Gardner
Kenny Roberts Jr
Alex Crivillé
Randy Mamola
WHERE TO FIND US & HOW TO WATCH
On site, the MotoGP™ delegation will be based in the Ballroom Paddock near the Drivers’ Club – the perfect showcase to allow fans an awesome overview of the teams prepping the machines. And if you can’t make it? We’ll have incredible coverage of the event.
First, MotoGP™’s hillclimb action will be live streamed on motogp.com and across our social media channels, making sure fans around the world can get involved in this unique celebration of the sport. There will also be a selection of photos and round-ups of the action made available each day of the festival, including exclusive quotes and reactions from the riders and legends taking to the Hill.
Watch this space and join us at Goodwood on the 13th to the 16th of July – or from wherever you are in the world!
About the Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard
First staged in 1993, the Goodwood Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard is the world’s largest automotive garden party; set against the spectacular backdrop of Goodwood House in West Sussex, UK. Over 600 cars and motorcycles spanning the phenomenal history of motoring and motorsport take part along with legendary figures from the automotive world. Highlights include Future Lab presented by Randox, Electric Avenue presented by bp pulse, Forest Rally Stage, Michelin Supercar Paddock, Michelin Supercar Run, F1 Pit Lane presented by Sky, Drivers’ Club, GAS Arena, Cartier Style et Luxe Concours d’Elegance and Bonhams Auction.
About MotoGP™ & Dorna Sports
The FIM Grand Prix World Championship, MotoGP™, is the world’s most exciting motorsport. 22 of the fastest riders compete on purpose-built prototype motorcycles on some of the world’s greatest racetracks, creating one of the most thrilling shows on Earth. Since it was inaugurated in 1949, the sport has grown to comprise 20 Grands Prix across five continents, with the television broadcast reaching hundreds of millions around the world.
Dorna Sports became the sole commercial and television rights holder of the FIM MotoGP™ World Championship in 1991. Based in Madrid, Spain, with premises in Barcelona and a subsidiary in Rome, the Dorna Group is a leader in sports management, marketing and media, and has seen continued growth over the years; expanding from solely MotoGP™ to include other leading motorcycle racing championships across the globe.
Draik Beauchamp and Melanie Huffstetler. Photo by Patrick Strzelecki/129Photos.com.
Former racers Draik Beauchamp and Melanie Huffstetler were married July 4 in Deals Gap, Tennessee. MotoAmerica/WERA Chaplain Mark Merical of RaceLine Ministry officiated the wedding.
Draik Beauchamp and Melanie Huffstetler. Photo by Patrick Strzelecki/129Photos.com.
Jake Gagne (1) comes to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with a 23-point lead over Cameron Beaubier (6) with 75 points up for grabs in the tripleheader weekend in Monterey. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Tripleheader Round At WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Awaits Superbike Men
Jake Gagne And Cameron Beaubier Take Their Title Fight To California For The MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest at Monterey Tripleheader
IRVINE, CA (July 5, 2023) – With its three races and 75 points up for grabs, the fifth round of the MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, July 7-9, has the potential to be the most important round of the series thus far and in September when all is said and done, the tripleheader may go down as the most important of the season.
After four rounds and eight races, the nine-round, 20-race 2023 MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship has turned into a two-man battle between Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Jake Gagne and Tytlers Cycle Racing’s Cameron Beaubier, though it’s probably a tad early to discard Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati’s Josh Herrin from the conversation.
Those are the three men who have won Medallia Superbike races this season and those are the three men who sit atop the championship point standings.
Gagne is where he has found himself for the past two years – atop the championship standings. The two-time and defending Medallia Superbike Champion has won four of the eight races held so far, including three in a row until Beaubier put a stop to that in race one at Road America. What’s different about the 2023 season is that Gagne has been beaten in a straight fight twice by Beaubier – in the first race of the season at Road Atlanta and in race two at Ridge Motorsports Park two weeks ago. Beaubier’s third race win was the aforementioned Road America race, but Gagne suffered a mechanical failure in what was a fairly horrible weekend for the Yamaha team.
Both Gagne and Beaubier have suffered a mechanical DNF with Beaubier also having a race crash to blemish his record. But fortunately, when he crashed at Ridge in race one while hounding Gagne, the race was red flagged, and the five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion was credited with seventh place and the nine important championship points that came with it.
As surprised as many are that Beaubier and his Tytlers Cycle Racing BMW M 1000 RR have had the speed to run at the very front since the first race of the season, Gagne isn’t one of them. Mention Beaubier to Gagne at any time during any weekend and he will give you much the same response. “I never count that guy out.”
Herrin’s lone win came in Road America’s second race with the Ducati man holding off Beaubier’s teammate PJ Jacobsen for the win. By that point, Beaubier’s BMW had expired, and Gagne was third in what was a forgettable weekend for both him and the Attack team. Although Herrin was thrilled at Road America with his first win since 2019, he also knew he hadn’t beaten the other two when they were at their best.
The Ridge Motorsports Park round looked like it would be the place where Herrin would do just that as he qualified on pole position and looked to have the pace to run with Gagne and Beaubier in the two races. Shortly after nabbing pole, however, Herrin had a huge crash that left him battered and bruised and with a right foot that was later diagnosed with a fracture. Although the injuries put a damper on his chance to run at the very front, Herrin bravely rode to two third-place finishes that may pay dividends later in the season.
Herrin sits third in the championship standings, 11 behind Beaubier and 34 behind Gagne.
Westby Racing’s Mathew Scholtz had scored points in every race until he suffered a crash in Sunday’s race two at Ridge Motorsports Park – a day after he’d finished second to Gagne in race one. That was the fourth podium of the year for the South African who finds himself fourth in the title chase, but 55 points behind Gagne.
Jacobsen had a dismal (by his standards) round in Washington with sixth- and seventh-place finishes on his Tytlers Cycle Racing BMW M 1000 RR. The New Yorker sits fifth in the championship heading to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, 10 points behind Scholtz and just three points ahead of Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Richie Escalante.
Escalante is off to a great start in the championship with double-digit points scored in six of the eight races so far. With three fourth-place finishes, it seems to be only a matter of time before the youngster from Tizayuca Hidalgo, Mexico, finds himself on the podium of a MotoAmerica Superbike race.
The number-three man on the Tytlers Cycle Racing team was the number-two man on the team at Ridge Motorsports Park with Corey Alexander having a career-best Superbike weekend with fifth-and fourth-place finishes on the weekend as he continues to improve with each and every race. Alexander is 13 points behind Escalante and eight ahead of Gagne’s Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing teammate Cameron Petersen.
Petersen would like to completely forget the first half of the season. A second-place finish in race one at Barber Motorsports Park is the only bright spot in his season so far as his scorecard is marred by three non-finishes. Still, the South African has the speed and the team behind him to make big gains in the second half of the season.
Disrupt Racing’s Hayden Gillim and Toni Elias, who announced his retirement immediately after finishing fifth in race two at Road America, round out the top 10 in the championship heading into WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
The first of the three Medallia Superbike races on the Monterey Peninsula will take place at 3:10 on Saturday afternoon with race two and race three slated for Sunday at 12:10 and 3:10 p.m., respectively.
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Pre-Race Notes…
Last year the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca race was round six of the 2022 MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship, and the two races were won by Jake Gagne, who would go on to earn his second straight Medallia Superbike title. Gagne’s fastest race lap came in race two with his 1:23.443.
The MotoAmerica Superbike lap record at WeatherTech Laguna Seca is still held by Josh Herrin, who set the mark at 1:22.908 during Superpole in 2018. The Superbike race lap record is held by Cameron Beaubier who clicked off a 1:23.185 in race three in 2020, the only other time MotoAmerica has held a Superbike tripleheader at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna.
Last year, Gagne beat his teammate Cameron Petersen and Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati’s Danilo Petrucci in race one and then came back to beat Petrucci and Petersen in race two a day later. The two wins at Laguna were the sixth and seventh wins for Gagne on the season and he left California with the points lead for the first time, albeit by just three over Petrucci.
With his fourth win of the season and 33rd of his career coming in race one at Ridge Motorsports Park two weeks ago, Jake Gagne moved out of a tie with Toni Elias and Miguel Duhamel for fourth on the all-time AMA Superbike win list. Gagne trails all-time leader Mat Mladin and his 82 victories, Josh Hayes and his 61 wins and Cameron Beaubier, who has 57 AMA Superbike wins on his resume.
Josh Hayes, meanwhile, continues to chase history as his next win in any class will put him alone at the top of the all-time AMA road race win record as he is currently tied with Miguel Duhamel with 86 wins across all classes. Hayes will be aboard his Squid Hunter Racing Yamaha YZF-R6 in the extended Supersport race scheduled for Saturday afternoon at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. With his race-two Superbike win at Ridge two weeks ago, Cameron Beaubier, meanwhile, lurks in fourth on the all-time list with 78 wins – eight behind Duhamel and Hayes.
Brandon Paasch will make his MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike debut at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with the New Jerseyan set to race the ex-Toni Elias Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R1000R in the three Superbike races at Laguna and for the rest of the season.
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca has a long history of hosting AMA Superbike races with the first-ever Superbike race at the track on the Monterey Peninsula taking place in 1976 and won by Reg Pridmore.
Dunlop hosted several of the top-tier Superbike racers to turn laps on the recently repaved WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca track on July 4. Though the track was extremely “green” on the morning of the test, racers reported that it was getting better as more laps were completed and rubber was put onto the racing surface. There was also a chance that a second test day would be held on the Thursday prior to Friday’s official practice and qualifying sessions.
About MotoAmerica
MotoAmerica is North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series. Established in 2014, MotoAmerica is home to the AMA Superbike Championship as well as additional classes including Supersport, Stock 1000, Twins Cup, Junior Cup, and King Of The Baggers. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership including three-time 500cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey; ex-racer and former manager of Team Roberts Chuck Aksland; motorsports marketing executive Terry Karges; and businessman Richard Varner. For more information, please visit www.MotoAmerica.com and follow MotoAmerica on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube.
More, from a press release issued by Westby Racing:
Three Through The Corkscrew For Mathew Scholtz And Westby Racing This Weekend
Mathew Scholtz (11). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Westby Racing.
Tulsa, OK – July 5, 2023 – Round five of the 2023 MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship is this weekend, and it’s a special one not only because Mathew Scholtz and the Westby Racing team will be competing at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, one of the world’s most distinctive and iconic tracks, but also because there are three Superbike races on the weekend schedule, with one on Saturday and the other two on Sunday.
In addition, the 11-turn, 2.238-mile road course and “home of the Corkscrew” has been completely repaved. Like Road America’s complete repaving earlier this season, the track surface improvements should yield fast lap times as the weekend progresses.
Mathew and the team participated in a test session on Tuesday of this week, in order to help Dunlop assess which tires are best on the brand-new asphalt, while also putting some grip-improving rubber down on the surface.
“Laguna Seca is one of my favorite tracks on the schedule,” Mathew said. “It’s a place that has so much history. This year, there was some doubt about the brand-new pavement, but after the test, everything is positive, and we all have a really good feeling about the tires. I struggled with the new Dunlops at Road America, but we made a few changes for Laguna, and it has made a difference for us. We’re going to continue working in the same direction with the bike, and I’m sure we’ll be battling up front. I can’t wait to get out there and push the Westby Racing Yamaha R1 as far as we possibly can.”
Superbike final qualifying is on Saturday morning at 10:35 PT, Superbike race one will go green on Saturday afternoon at 3 PT, Superbike race two is on Sunday morning at Noon PT, and the weekend-concluding Superbike race two will start at 3 PT. All three races will be shown live on MotoAmerica’s YouTube Channel.
For all the action from WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, as it happens, subscribe to MotoAmerica Live+, which is MotoAmerica’s live streaming and on-demand service.
Meet Mathew, Get An Autographed Poster, And More
Mathew will be available for autographs during the Dunlop Hot Pit Walk & Autograph Session, scheduled for 10:15 to 11:10 a.m. Sunday on pit lane at Laguna Seca. He and the team will be handing out free posters and T-shirts, so don’t miss it.
Check Out The Westby Racing Sponsor Showcase
GB Racing; Motorex USA; Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA; and Yoshimura R&D of America, Inc. are the featured team sponsors on display in the Westby Racing paddock area this race weekend, so be sure to stop by to say hello and learn about some of the companies that support the team.
For more updates about Westby Racing, including news, photos, and videos, visit www.WestbyRacing.com
Also, follow “Westby Racing” on your favorite social media sites.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 5, 2023) – AMA Pro Racing offers its condolences to the family and friends of Peter Starr, who died Monday, July 3, following a long battle with cancer at the age of 80. Starr was a pioneer across film, television, and motorcycling who played a central role in bringing motorcycle racing to the masses.
Originally, hailing from the United Kingdom, Starr moved to the United States in the ‘60s where he pursued a career as a DJ, record producer, and eventually filmmaker. It was through the last of these in which he started down the path that saw him become one of motorcycling’s most influential and beloved ambassadors.
Starr first spread the gospel of two wheels on a large scale via his documentary filmmaking, most notably the award-winning documentary, “Take it to the Limit,” which provided viewers a glimpse into the lives of some of the world’s greatest motorcycle racers, including Grand National Champions Kenny Roberts, Jay Springsteen, Ricky Graham, and Bubba Shobert.
Starr was also an innovating force in motorcycle racing television production, introducing and developing some of the techniques still used today to effectively communicate the speed, grace, and excitement of the sport. He was the first to mount a film camera on a racebike during the 1980 AMA National from Laguna Seca, and later the first to produce live video from a motorcycle during a race at the 1985 DuQuoin Mile.
He also spearheaded the creation of the Stroh’s Mile National Dirt Track Championship, which aired on TNN and USA Network in 1985 and 1986. This served as a “series inside a series” as part of the larger Progressive American Flat Track championship. It utilized the Grand National Championship’s Miles as the basis for a televised series that paid its own points and bonus money with support from the national advertising partner that Starr attracted in Stroh’s Brewery.
Starr created, produced, and/or hosted dozens of other motorcycle related programs over the decades, including the first national motorcycle TV show, “The Peter Starr Motorcycle Show,” which aired on TNN in the early ‘80s. He was also a racer and stunt performer himself, whose work was featured in a number of Hollywood hit movies.
Starr never stopped breaking new ground, creating the MotoStarr podcast and YouTube Channel, in which he interviewed a number of motorcycle racing titans, in recent years.
He was inducted into the Trailblazers Hall of Fame in 2011 and the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2017.
Starr is survived by his sister, Lynn Greer, and his nephews, Stuart and Richard Greer.
About AMA Pro Racing:
AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.
More, from a press release issued by American Motorcyclist Association (AMA):
AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Peter Starr Passes
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame offers its condolences to the family and friends of Peter Starr — motorcycle racer, author, TV producer and filmmaker, whose work includes dozens of productions about motorcycles and motorcycling. Starr passed away on July 3 at the age of 80.
Born on Nov. 2, 1942, in Coventry, England, Starr began riding motorcycles at a young age, later raced Nortons, Ariels and Triumphs, and then turned that passion into a four-year job with Triumph in the early 1960s.
Starr moved to the United States in the mid-1960s working as a DJ and later in record production before returning to his love of motorcycles as a filmmaker. His first film, titled Bad Rock, was funded by Hodaka and Penzoil and was distributed across the United States. Later, his film Take it to the Limit would become his most famous creation, starring riders at the top of their sport and a string of hit songs on its soundtrack.
Along with his films, Starr also directed over 50 television specials on motorcycling and motorsports. It was Starr who had the first film camera mounted on a motorcycle and later did the first live broadcast from a motorcycle in competition for ABC’s Wide World of Sports in 1985 at the AMA National on the Du Quoin Magic Mile.
In recent years, Starr became a global ambassador for motorcycling, and after being inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2017 became an ardent supporter of the Hall of Fame and its annual induction ceremony.
“Peter Starr was a fixture in the motorcycling community for decades,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “Peter was a man who always strove to highlight our sport to both enthusiasts and non-riders, and was also incredibly supportive of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame and its mission. Seeing him inducted in 2017 was inspiring. His energy and positive outlook on the sport we all love will be missed.”
Starr battled cancer for many years. Despite his diagnosis, he lived a full and vibrant life and remained tirelessly active in motorcycling.
“When I was diagnosed with cancer in 2004,” Starr previously told the AMA, “I spent a lot of time thinking about dealing with aging, and I concluded that it required living a purposeful life.”
“For me, motorcycles were always a theme of my life,” he continued. “The concept for me became looking forward, and creating something with motorcycling that was very important to me … and being a rider gives you something to always look forward to.”
About the American Motorcyclist Association
Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. Besides offering members money-saving discounts on products and services, the AMA also publishes American Motorcyclist, a recently revitalized and monthly full-color magazine (and digital version of same) that covers current events and motorcycle history with brilliant photography and compelling writing. American Motorcyclist is also North America’s largest-circulation magazine. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit americanmotorcyclist.com.
Not a member? Join the AMA today: americanmotorcyclist.com.
Dallas Daniels (32) still holds the AFT Mission SuperTwins point lead heading into the Orange County Half-Mile. Photo by Tim Lester, courtesy AFT.
Progressive AFT Returns to Orange County Fair Speedway for First Time in 35 Years This Weekend
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 5, 2023) – There’s some remarkable symmetry at play as Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, comes into this weekend’s Orange County Half-Mile at Orange County Fair Speedway, in Middletown, New York, on Saturday, July 8.
The Grand National Championship last visited the venue in July of 1988. And on that day, the iconic Scott Parker took the victory, one of the record-setting 35 Half-Mile wins of his Hall of Fame career. And now 35 years later, Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Rogers Racing/SDI Racing FTR750) storms in having just earned his 35th career Half-Mile win to match Parker’s mark and poised to claim sole possession of the all-time lead.
The reigning Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle king is on an absolute tear, boasting four wins in his last five races and six on the season. Despite that form, he’s still trying to claw his way back to the top of the championship order. While he’s now just five points shy of doing so, it’s been a difficult task that doesn’t figure to get any easier due to the unwavering performance of second-year Mission SuperTwins ace Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT).
Daniels hasn’t finished off the podium all season long with three wins, six runner-ups, and two thirds representing his 2023 tally to date. That said, the Estenson Racing pilot is looking for answers of his own, as he’s now six races removed from his most recent win and with his once healthy title advantage under threat of disappearing altogether.
What had been a two-man, two-manufacturer duel at the front has since taken on a new look. Two-time Grand National Champion Briar Bauman (No. 3 Parts Plus/Jacob Companies KTM 790 Duke) has battled for race wins aboard the increasingly potent Rick Ware Racing KTM three weekends in succession and seems likely to make a strong run down the stretch.
JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT), Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750), and Dan Bromley (No. 62 Memphis Shades/Corbin/Vinson Construction Yamaha MT-07) were all in the podium hunt this past weekend in West Virginia and will look to pick up right where they left off in New York. It was somewhat surprising that Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) was not, although he’s proven time and again he can stand atop the podium on any given weekend.
And Robinson is not the only potential frontrunner looking to return to the top five at Orange County Fair Speedway with prior premier-class winners Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 JMC Motorsports/Fairway Ford Indian FTR750), Henry Wiles (No. 17 BriggsAuto.com/Martin Trucking Indian FTR750), Johnny Lewis (No. 10 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650), and Bronson Bauman (No. 37 Fastrack Racing/2 Wheelz KTM 790 Duke) all lining this weekend’s stacked Mission SuperTwins entry list.
Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER
Just a few weeks ago, the pack was closing in around Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER points leader Kody Kopp (No. 1 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-F). That’s no longer the case. The defending champ comes into this weekend working a two-race win streak while having opened his title lead up from just nine points to 40 with those back-to-back triumphs.
Rather than look behind, Kopp can now look ahead as he eyes a goal he narrowly missed achieving during last season’s successful title run. In 2022, the factory KTM ace racked up seven wins, one short of Dallas Daniels’ single-season class record.
Kopp already owns five on the 2023 season with several venues well suited to his strengths fast approaching on the schedule, including this weekend’s trip to Orange County Fair Speedway.
While Kopp has won nearly half of the year’s 11 Main Events, the other six wins have gone to a collective consisting of second-ranked Max Whale (No. 18 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-F), fifth-ranked Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 D&D Racing/Certified KTM 450 SX-F), sixth-ranked Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) and seventh-ranked Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F).
That said, three of the hottest riders in the class are still seeking their first… of the season in the case of Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) and of their careers for Chase Saathoff (No. 88 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) and James Ott (No. 19 1st Impressions Race Team/Husqvarna Racing FC450).
Meanwhile, some of the category’s biggest names – namely Chad Cose (No. 49 1st Impressions Race Team/Husqvarna Racing FC450), Morgen Mischler (No. 13 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), and Shayna Texter-Bauman (No. 52 Parts Plus/Jacob Companies KTM 450 SX-F) – are just looking to get back on track following some uncharacteristically quiet outings.
There will be plenty to keep fans entertained at the track on Saturday as well, including numerous vendors, live music, free motorcycle parking, and fireworks following the conclusion of the Mission SuperTwins Main Event.
General Admission Grandstand tickets are just $40 (kids 12 and under free with a paid adult GA ticket), with Reserved Grandstand tickets are just $10 more. Upgraded options include Indoor Suite Reservations, Party Deck tables, and Multi-Day Camping Passes.
Pit Pass Upgrades are also available for purchase, which provide all-day access to the pits where fans can scope out the world’s fastest dirt track motorcycles and get up close and personal with the stars of the sport.
Gates will open for fans at 3:30 p.m. ET (12:30 p.m. PT) with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT).
For those that can’t catch the live action from the circuit, FansChoice.tv is the live streaming home of Progressive AFT. Sign up now and catch every second of on-track action starting with Practice & Qualifying and ending with the Victory Podium at the end of the night at https://www.fanschoice.tv.
FOX Sports coverage of the Orange County Half-Mile, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Sunday, July 16, at 2:30 p.m. ET (11:30 a.m. PT).
Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, is the world’s premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest-running championships in the history of motorsports. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., the series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing on the globe. For more information on Progressive American Flat Track, please visit us on the web, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, check us out on Instagram and catch all the Progressive American Flat Track racing action on FOX Sports.
Jake Gagne (1), Danilo Petrucci (9), Mathew Schotz (11) and Cameron Petersen (45) lead MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Race One off the start on Saturday at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
MotoAmerica: How To Watch MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest at Monterey
It’s All Here: How To Not Miss A Bit Of The Action
Everything you need to know to watch the MotoAmerica Superbikes in California.
MotoAmerica Live+: MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest at Monterey
It’s All Here: How To Not Miss A Bit Of The Action
Everything you need to know to watch the MotoAmerica Superbikes in California.
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, as seen in 2021. Photo courtesy WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
Two-time and defending MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne was the fastest rider during an invitation-only Dunlop test Tuesday morning at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, but more importantly Gagne was close to his 2022 race pace on the freshly repaved circuit.
Riding his Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha YZF-R1, Gagne lapped the 2.2-mile course in 1:24.920 during the short test, which ended at 1:15 p.m. local time.
Gagne’s fastest lap on his way to winning both Superbike races at Laguna Seca in 2022 was a 1:23.443.
That 1.5-second difference is promising considering the new surface is only 22 days old and has only had 1.5 days of activity on it prior to Tuesday.
Other riders at the test were 1.5-2.0 seconds off their fastest race lap times from 2022.
According to Dunlop Tire Technician Tony Romo, all compounds of Sportmax Slicks that were tried were working well once the track temperature reached 40°C and Dunlop is continuing with its plan to supply only R7 and R8 tire compounds for the race weekend.
Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati’s Josh Herrin rode only a few untimed laps on a Ducati Panigale V4 streetbike because he is nursing injuries, including a broken right ankle, he suffered in a crash at Ridge Motorsports Park.
Joe Roberts also did not record a lap time on the temporary timing and scoring system as he was riding what appeared to be a Yamaha YZF-R1 with only basic track preparation.
MotoAmerica is considering scheduling extra unofficial practice sessions for the Superbike and Supersport classes on the afternoon of Thursday, July 6, to help further improve track conditions. Tire stickers will not be required for these sessions, 50 minutes for each class, but plans are still being finalized and will be announced by MotoAmerica via a competitor bulletin.
We will update this post with more details and comments from riders as they become available.
Gabriel Da Silva (Yam YZF-R1), Stock 1000, 1:29.352
Josh Herrin (Duc Panigale V4), streetbike, no time recorded
Joe Roberts (Yam YZF-R1), Stock 1000, no time recorded
Update:
“When it started out, the track was pretty green and we were ripping up tires left and right,” said Beaubier. “At the beginning of the day the R5s were shredding. I tried an R3 on my second session, but it shredded up in two laps. Then the track started coming in. It got quite a bit better. The rear tires were hanging in there pretty decent, then I started shredding the fronts a little bit. We were on softer tires than we’ll be on during the weekend, so it should be good. I’m curious to try the harder options, because I think they will be good for the weekend.”
Social media posts from people who attended the SCCA event at Laguna Seca this past weekend reported that sections of the track’s new surface were “failing,” so we asked Beaubier about the condition of the track.
“They had some paint down here and there just on some of the problem areas that they’re going to patch, I think, before the [MotoAmerica] weekend starts,” the five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion said. “I think they’re going to take care some of those problem areas, but they were all offline for us. There are a couple of bumps and stuff from the cars that were out last weekend, but other than that I’d say it’s in pretty good shape.”
For Paasch, helping assess and put rubber on the track was secondary to his career-first ride on a Superbike.
“I’m pretty happy with how everything went [for my] first day on the Superbike and my first time riding a 1000 in seven or eight months. I’m just excited to be here,” said Paasch, who finished fourth in the 2022 Stock 1000 Championship on an Altus Motorsports Suzuki GSX-R1000R. “Honestly, the Superbike just kind of does everything that I wanted the Stock bike to do [but] just a little easier, so it’s a little bit less physical for me. But, dude, the thing is such a beast! It’s definitely hard to control, but it’s also a little easier to ride at the same time, if that makes any sense. The thing is it’s pretty awesome. I’m loving it and I’m excited to keep riding the thing and keep chipping away at it.”
Brandon Paasch on his new Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R1000R Superbike on pit lane at Laguna Seca with his new Crew Chief/Team Manager Chris Ulrich. Jake Gagne can be seen in the background. Photo by Danny Rodriguez.
Several top riders are participating in a last-minute test for Dunlop and MotoAmerica today at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, in Monterey, California, ahead of the MotoAmerica event July 7-9 at the newly repaved track.
Riders invited to the test include BPR Tuning Yamaha’s Bryce Prince, Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha’s Jake Gagne and Cameron Petersen, Steel Commander Racing Yamaha’s Gabriel Da Silva, Tytlers Cycle Racing BMW’s Cameron Beaubier, Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Richie Escalante and Brandon Paasch, Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati’s Josh Herrin, and Westby Racing Yamaha’s Mathew Scholtz. Joe Roberts, who rides for the Italtrans Racing team in the Moto2 World Championship, is also expected to ride at the invitation of Dunlop.
Originally, only Prince, a former MotoAmerica Stock 600 Champion and Stock 1000 podium finisher who lives in nearby Bakersfield, was going to ride to gather information for Dunlop because he is a qualified rider and is not a regular on the MotoAmerica series.
When problems arose with the track’s 22-day-old new surface during an SCCA racing event over the weekend, however, more riders were called in on short notice to help gather tire data, put rubber down on the track, and assess the racing surface ahead of the MotoAmerica event.
A maximum of eight riders can be on the track at one time, according to Dunlop and MotoAmerica, which is a stipulation presumed to be due to the track’s insurance coverage.
Filmmaker, author, racer, motorcycle enthusiast Peter Starr died from cancer at the home of a friend in Colorado on July 3. He was 80.
He is survived by sister Lynn Greer, and nephews Stuart Greer and Richard Greer.
Starr fell in love with motorcycles while still a schoolboy in Coventry, England, where he was born November 2, 1942. He moved to the United States in the 1960s and worked as a radio DJ and record producer, before creating his first film. “Bad Rock” was a documentary about an International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) qualifier in Oregon that was funded by Hodaka and Penzoil, that originally aired on network TV in Los Angeles, and was later distributed all across America.
Starr is most famous for his award-winning motorcycle movie “Take it to the Limit,” which broke ground as the first documentary produced in Dolby Stereo and the first documentary to include current hit songs on its soundtrack. The film also featured several top riders of the day, including Roger De Coster, Mike Hailwood, and Barry Sheene.
Starr produced and directed over 40 TV programs and commercials, many about motorcycling and motorsports, that have been seen on ABC Sports, BBC, ESPN, History Channel, PBS, TNN, and USA Network. During these productions, Starr broke more ground by being the first to mount a film camera to a motorcycle during an AMA National road race at Laguna Seca in 1980 and the first to produce live video from a motorcycle in a race at the AMA Du Quoin Mile in 1985. He also rode motorcycles as a stunt performer in TV commercials and major motion pictures, including “Apollo 13,” “Batman and Robin,” and “Lethal Weapon 3.”
He authored two large-format autobiographical books, “Taking It To The Limit, 20 Years Of Making Motorcycle Movies” and “Motorcycle Traveler,” and has written articles for several motorcycle magazines.
In more recent times, Starr spent time traveling by motorcycle and promoting motorcycling. He also produced MotoStarr, a podcast/YouTube video series interviewing some of the greats of motorcycling.
He was inducted into the Trailblazers Hall of Fame in 2011 and into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2017.
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