BRANDON PAASCH JOINS TEAM HAMMER FOR REMAINDER OF 2023 MOTOAMERICA SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP
Team Hammer is pleased to announce that Brandon Paasch will compete for the team aboard a Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R1000R for the remainder of the 2023 MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship, beginning with the event July 7-9 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
Despite his youth, at 22, Paasch has a long record of success on a diverse collection of machinery in professional road racing. In 2016, Paasch won the MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup and finished third in the KTM RC Cup World Final. He then spent the majority of the next three seasons racing a Moto3 machine in England and Europe, winning the 2019 British MotoStar Championship.
In 2020, Paasch finished third in the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship with 13 podium finishes. After winning the 2021 Daytona 200, he spent the rest of the year racing for a factory team in British Supersport.
Paasch started 2022 by winning the Daytona 200 for a second straight year, before riding an Altus Motorsports Suzuki GSX-R1000R to six victories and a second in the MotoAmerica Superbike Cup Championship, and to four podium finishes on his way to fourth in the Stock 1000 Championship.
A back injury has kept Paasch from riding in MotoAmerica so far in 2023, but now fully recovered and fresh from a competitive run at the 100th Loudon Classic, Paasch is ready to take on his new challenge.
“Obviously, I’m super excited and grateful for this opportunity,” said Paasch. “This was a great surprise for me. My goal has always been to get into Superbike, but coming off an injury some may have been skeptical of me. Doing the Loudon Classic allowed me to prove that I’m still the same guy before I got hurt.
“I’ve been working hard every day to return to fitness, probably more than before Daytona, but I also know that I’m playing catch up. I also know I have a bit of a transition ahead of me as far as learning to ride the Superbike, but I’m ready for it. My only goal is to get a little faster and a little more competitive each time I go on track.”
ABOUT TEAM HAMMER
The 2023 season marks Team Hammer’s 43rd consecutive year of operating as a professional road racing team. Racebikes built and fielded by Team Hammer have won 129 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National races, have finished on AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National podiums 350 times and have won 11 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National Championships, as well as two FIM South American Championships (in Superbike and Supersport). The team has also won 137 endurance races overall (including seven 24-hour races) and 13 Overall WERA National Endurance Championships with Suzuki motorcycles, and holds the U.S. record for mileage covered in a 24-hour race. The team also competed in the televised 1990s Formula USA National Championship, famously running “Methanol Monster” GSX-R1100 Superbikes fueled by methanol, and won four F-USA Championships.
ABOUT VISION WHEEL
Founded in 1976, Vision Wheel is one of the nation’s leading providers of custom wheels for cars and trucks, and one of the first manufacturers of custom wheels and tires for ATVs, UTVs, and golf carts. Vision Wheel looks beyond the current trends and to the future in developing, manufacturing, and distributing its wheels. Vision’s lines of street, race, off-road, American Muscle, and Milanni wheels are distributed nationally and internationally through a trusted network of distributors. Vision Wheel also produces the Vision It AR app to allow users to see how their wheel of choice will look on their vehicle before purchase and installation. For more information on Vision Wheel, visit www.visionwheel.com.
ABOUT SUZUKI
Suzuki Motor USA, LLC. (SMO) distributes Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automotive Parts, Accessories, and ECSTAR Oils & Chemicals via an extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automobiles, Outboard Motors, and related products. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has business relations with 201 countries/regions. For more information, visit www.suzuki.com.
MotoAmerica Superbike SpeedFest Confirmed for July 7-9 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
MONTEREY, Calif., July 3, 2023—Coming this weekend, July 7 – 9, MotoAmerica Superbike SpeedFest will race on the 2.238-mile WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca road course. All participants are excited to have this competitive event running on the newly resurfaced track.
Laguna Seca closed during last weekend’s SCCA club race when an incident occurred on track. No injuries were reported, but given it was the opening day of the resurfaced track and weather was excessively warm, track management canceled the final two days. Granite Construction performed the repairs. All other areas of the track were unharmed.
“After the standard and approved curing time, the track was ready,” said John Narigi, president, and general manager of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. “It’s unfortunate that a track incident occurred on opening day. We are pleased, however, that the subsequent repair meets all safety guidelines.”
The weekend kicks off Friday, July 7 at 8:45 a.m. for the REV’IT! Twins Cup practice. To stay abreast of all the racing action or to purchase tickets, visit MotoAmerica.com or follow WeatherTech Raceway on social media.
AHRMA Announces 2023 AHRMA Classic MotoFest™ Triple Crown Award
MONTEREY, Calif., July 3, 2023 – Racers who go fast on pavement and off-road will be honored during the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) Classic MotoFest™ of Monterey..
The multi-discipline event will be held at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca (WRLS), July 14-16, 2023.
Our MotoFest of Monterey is a celebration of on and off-road motorcycle competition which includes road racing, cross country, trials and motocross offered all at one venue. In addition to the diverse forms of competition, swap meet, bike show and family fun activities, AHRMA is proud to announce the AHRMA Classic MotoFest™ Triple Crown of Monterey.
Devised in the spirit of awarding a title like the illustrious Grand National Champion, The AHRMA Classic MotoFest™ Triple Crown Championship will be presented to the racer that competes and acquires the most points across three of the racing classes offered by AHRMA at WRLS.
To be eligible to contend for the Triple Crown at WRLS, a racer must compete in three different vintage racing classes at the Classic MotoFest. It is mandatory for a participant to race in one or two Road Racing vintage classes on Saturday and round out their total entries to three by choosing from one or two off-road events offered on Saturday and Sunday including Trials, Cross Country and Motocross.
As many of our members like to road race and go bar to bar off-road and vice versa, the AHRMA Classic MotoFest™ of Monterey is a rare chance to compete on and off-road at a national event over the same weekend with bragging rights and a one-of-a-kind Triple Crown Champion Trophy offered up by Toad Town Racing. For questions, please contact Gary Swan at 818-675-5625.
Be sure to make room in your van or trailer for more bikes and register at www.ahrma.org/schedules-results!
About Toad Town Racing
Toad Town Racing, located in San Fernando Valley, CA, specializes in vintage Honda and British motorcycle repair and parts. Owned and run by Gary Swan, the shop offers complete motorcycle servicing including tune-ups, valve jobs, engine rebuilds, and brake jobs. Race engine work includes increasing the cc’s of your engine to your application.
About WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is a world-renowned 2.238-mile traditional road course that was built in 1957 and was known at the time as Laguna Seca Raceway. WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is owned by the County of Monterey and operated by A&D Narigi Consulting, LLC.
The 2023 premier event schedule includes the MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest July 7-9, the AHRMA Classic MotoFest™ of Monterey July 14-16, the Monterey Pre-Reunion August 12-13, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion August 16-19, Corkscrew Hillclimb & Community Day August 20, the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey September 8-10 and the Porsche Rennsport Reunion 7 September 28 – October 1.
ABOUT AHRMA
American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving, restoring, and competing on historic motorcycles. With more than 3,000 members, AHRMA is the leading historic motorcycle racing group in North America and one of the largest in the world. The association’s enthusiastic membership reflects this country’s strong interest in classic bikes.
GASGAS FACTORY RACING TECH3 TO HIT THE HILL AT GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED
MotoGP™ will rip around one of the largest and most prestigious annual motorsport ‘meets’ from July 13th to 16th with a hefty presence at the ‘Festival of Speed’ near the southern coast of England, and GASGAS have never turned down the chance to get lively with a throttle. For star rider Pol Espargaro the event will mean a ‘reunion’ with the #44 GASGAS RC16.
GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 will join some of their paddock peers to parade up the famous Goodwood hill and meet fans of what is expected to be an attendance well over 200,000 from Thursday to Sunday. Tickets have flown as quickly as the wide 2023 display of cars, bikes and other legendary motorsport icons once did around racetracks across the world.
Augusto Fernandez (37). Photo courtesy GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3.
The 30th running of the Festival of Speed comes only a couple of weeks before MotoGP™ emerges from a summer break with the British Grand Prix at Silverstone – another track as historic as they come – during the first weekend of August. To mark the occasion and for the special celebration of Grand Prix, GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 will run the GASGAS RC16s along the Goodwood climb with Pol Espargaro making his long-awaited return to the saddle on Thursday and Friday and then star rookie, Augusto Fernandez, donning the leathers on Saturday and Sunday.
More, from a press release issued by KTM Factory Racing:
RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING AIM TO ADD MOTOGP™ PACE TO ’23 GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED
The historic and popular Goodwood Festival of Speed, one of the UK’s busiest gatherings of iconic motorsport machinery and heroes, will count on an enlarged MotoGP presence for the 30th edition of the show in mid-July and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing will be adding some ‘orange’ to proceedings.
Established in 1993 by the Duke of Richmond at the Goodwood Estate in southern England, the Festival of Speed has developed into an immensely revered annual event where legends of motorsport past and present have lined up to meet fans and also make the famous hill climb run. The 2023 incarnation has almost sold-out across the four days from Thursday 13th July to Sunday 16th.
KTM test rider Mika Kallio (82). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing will join the festivities with Mika Kallio throwing his leg over the KTM RC16 on Thursday and Friday and then Brad Binder, currently 4th in the 2023 MotoGP world championship standings, appearing on the bike through Saturday and Sunday.
Brad Binder (33). Photo courtesy Dorna.
The appeal of the Festival of Speed means over 200,000 visitors are expected to walk through the doors of the site for the duration. The expanded focus on MotoGP serves as a tantalising appetiser for the British public only three weeks before the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on August 4-6th that will constitute round nine of the season.
MRA’s 14th Annual Endurance Race Running At High Plains Raceway July 15th
Byers, CO – The Motorcycle Roadracing Association (MRA) is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated round four of their championship series at High Plains Raceway on July 15th and 16th. This event promises to be a must-attend for motorcycle racing enthusiasts with the 14th Annual 4-hour endurance race taking place on Saturday.
The full weekend schedule includes MRA sprint races on Saturday and Sunday utilizing the full course configuration of HPR. The 4-hour endurance race will start at approximately 3pm on Saturday afternoon. This year, three classes will run simultaneously – True Endurance (one bike, multiple riders), Pony Express (multiple bikes, multiple riders), and Titanium Butt (one bike, one rider). Not only will racers finishing on the podium receive trophies and well-deserved bragging rights, there will also be a cash payout for each class!
The MRA is committed to organizing exciting, competitive, and safe motorcycle racing events for enthusiasts in Colorado and the surrounding areas. For more information about the MRA and its activities, please visit our website at https://www.mra-racing.org/.
Defending Champion Alvaro Bautista won World Superbike Race Two Sunday afternoon at Donington Park, in England. Bautista rode his Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R to a 2.650-second margin of victory in the 22-lap race. It was the Spaniard’s 12th full-length race victory of the season.
Pata Yamaha Prometeon’s Toprak Razgatlioglu was the runner-up, and Danilo Petrucci got his career-best finish, third, on his Barni Spark Racing Team Ducati.
American Garrett Gerloff got ninth on his Bonovo Action BMW M 1000 RR.
Bautista holds off Razgatlioglu for victory, Petrucci celebrates maiden podium in Race 2
Alvaro Bautista (1) leads the field into the first corner at Donington Park. Photo courtesy Dorna.
An action-packed event, WorldSBK Race 2 at Donington Park started with a red flag due to a crash involving Tom Sykes, Michael Ruben Rinaldi, and Loris Baz*.
After the restart, Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team) battled fiercely with Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) for the lead. Bautista eventually emerged victorious, securing a second feature race win at Donington Park. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) claimed his maiden WorldSBK podium with a strong third-place finish. Scott Redding (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) achieved his best result of the season, finishing in fourth place after a late fight with Rea and Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), who finished fifth and sixth respectively.
*Sykes was diagnosed with a thoracic injury, rib fractures on his right-hand side and a left ankle injury; he was transported to Queen’s Medical Centre for further assessment. Rinaldi was diagnosed with a mild concussion and a right ankle injury.
Alvaro Bautista (1) celebrates at Donington Park. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Bautista’s dominant performance secured him victory in WorldSBK Race 2, extending his championship lead with 357 points and a comfortable advantage in the standings.
P1 | Alvaro Bautista | Aruba.it Racing – Ducati
“If you had told me before coming here that we were going to finish first – second – first, I wouldn’t have believed it because we usually struggle at this track. Fortunately, my feeling with the bike was amazing, it was just like at the other tracks. In Race 2, the pace was amazing, really fast. Toprak was very strong. I thought that I could be a couple of tenths faster than him and I tried to escape in front, but he knew it, and he tried to not let me leave. But in the end, I was able to get some more tenths and get some advantage. I’m really happy with the feeling with the bike, with the weekend – let’s try to keep this feeling.”
Toprak Razgatlioglu (54) beat everyone except Alvaro Bautista in Race Two. Photo courtesy Dorna.
After battling with Bautista, Toprak Razgatlioglu secured second place in Race 2, bringing his total points in the Championship standings to 264.
Danilo Petrucci got his career-first World Superbike podium. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Danilo Petrucci shined with a strong weekend performance, claiming his maiden WorldSBK podium at Donington Park after an impressive ride.
P3 | Danilo Petrucci | Barni Spark Racing Team
“I’m so happy especially for my team and for myself. Just two rounds ago, in Barcelona, I said ‘this is tougher than I thought’. We did a good job. After the Superpole Race, I wasn’t feeling so good. I was quite far away in the middle part of Race 2 but then I found a really good rhythm. I was really fast in the flowing part but then, in the chicane and hairpin, I was not really good, and this is where you can pass other riders. It was difficult for me. I did not expect to reach my first podium today.”
Scott Redding (45). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Scott Redding showcased his determination by overtaking both Kawasaki riders on his way to securing a fourth-place finish in Race 2, marking his best result of the season so far.
Editorial Notes: Canadian Torin Collins, riding his AGR Team KTM, DNS JuniorGP Race One and finished 23rd in Race Two. American Max Toth, riding his MMR Kalex, finished 16th in Moto2 Race One and 13th in Moto2 Race Two. American Kristian Daniel Jr., riding his MRE Talent Honda, finished 26th in the sole European Talent Cup (ETC) race.
The Finetwork FIM JuniorGP™ Championship was back in action in Algarve
The Finetwork FIM JuniorGP™ Championship was back in action on Sunday, with the Algarve International Circuit playing host to Round 4 of the campaign. In the JuniorGP™ class, Xabier Zurutuza (MTA Junior Team) and Joel Esteban (Aspar Junior Team) put in outstanding rides to take the wins on offer, while it was Portimao perfection for Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP Junior Team) who did the double in the Moto2™ European Championship..
Dodo Boggio (Aspar Junior Team) and Daniel Muñoz (SP57 Racing Team) clocked memorable victories in the south of Portugal, as they stood on the top step in the European Talent Cup and Stock European Championship races respectively.
The opening race of the day saw JuniorGP™ notch up a century of winners in fine fashion, with Xabier Zurutuza pulling off a miracle ride to take a last gasp victory. The MTA Junior Rider overcame a back of the grid penalty, which saw him launch 24th, and a Long Lap penalty, to edge out Tatchakorn Buasri (Honda Racing Thailand) at the final corner. Luca Lunetta (AC Racing Team) also overcame pre-race problems to get himself among the podium places having had to start further down the grid despite qualifying on pole.
In the second race of the day, Joel Esteban put in a showstopping performance to take victory. The Aspar Junior Team rider recovered from a Turn 1 error to reel in Angel Piqueras (Estrella Galicia 0,0) and David Almansa (Finetwork Mir Racing Team) who had a 1.5s advantage out front. Having caught up with the two front runners, Esteban produced a sensational final lap to bat off the advance of Piqueras, who claimed second, while Almansa claimed his second podium of the campaign.
In the opening Moto2™ European Championship race, Senna Agius bounced back from his Jerez blip in style, taking a comfortable win in Portimao with an 11.788s advantage, extending the Australian’s lead atop the standing. Alberto Surra (Team Ciatti – Boscoscuro) conquered the Long Lap penalty loop to claim a maiden podium of the campaign in P2, holding off a hard charging Xavi Cardelus (Promoracing) on the line with the Andorran securing his second podium of the year.
There was also major disappointment for title contender Carlos Tatay (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team) who crashed out of the contest in the opening stages, and after a visit to the medical centre, he was ruled out of Race 2.
That left the door open for Agius to extend his title advantage, something which he did emphatically with the young Australian having the perfect day in Portimao and doing the double. Xavi Cardelus went one better in the afternoon for his second rostrum of the day, coming home in second while Roberto Garcia (Cardoso – Fantic Racing) debuted on the box in the south of Portugal.
Portimao held just one European Talent Cup race on Sunday, but there was more than enough drama to keep fans happy. Dodo Boggio took the win in sensational fashion, profiting from Aspar teammate Maximo Quiles’ last lap crash to steal the win on the final corner. Having experienced a barren podium run in 2023 to date, including for P4 finishes in a row, the Italian was back on the top step, while Casey O’Gorman (SuperHugo44 Team), who came from 30th on the grid, and reigning Champion Guido Pini (AC Racing Team) joined him on the box. The late drama also ensured the absent Brian Uriarte didn’t lose any ground in the title race, with the Spaniard still trailing Quiles by a solitary point, with a Catalunya double awaiting in just a couple weeks time.
Rounding out the day’s action was the Stock ECh race, and it proved a Muñoz masterclass. The Championship leader romped home without any other rider managing to lay a glove on him. Eric Fernandez (FAU55 TEY Racing), Muñoz’ main opposition in the title fight, started at the back of the grid but wasted little to no time in scything his way through the pack, and he came home second in what proved a successful exercise in damage control. The fight for the final podium place went down to the wire, but Marco Garcia (EasyRace Team) held off the threat of Archie McDonald (MRE Talent) and Alex Millan (Fifty Motorsport) on the line to take his second top three of the year.
That’s a wrap then from the Algarve, and the next installment of the Finetwork FIM JuniorGP™ Championship isn’t far away, with Catalunya calling on July 16th!
You can also find all the results, videos, photos and information regarding the championship on the official website: www.fimjuniorgp.com
Nicolo Bulega won World Supersport Race Two Sunday at Donington Park, in England. Riding his Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V2, the Italian rider won the 19-lap race by 2.119 seconds. It was his eighth win of the season, extending his Championship point lead.
Former MotoAmerica Supersport regular Valentin Debise finished seventh on his GMT94 Racing Yamaha.
Provisional Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Morgan Monroe (Roy), 8 laps
2. Zaria Martens (Roy), -00.428 second
3. Kenzie Luker (Roy), -02.778 seconds
4. Makenna Hiatt (Roy), -07.783
5. Shasta L’Heureux (Roy), -10.750
6. Morgan Piller (Roy), -16.447
7. Justine Marsh (Roy), -24.079
8. Anna Serena (Roy), -31.872
9. Mia Reese (Roy), -1 lap
10. Moriah Hummer (Roy), -1 lap, 10.894
Provisional Parts Unlimited AFT Singles Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Kody Kopp (KTM), 21 laps
2. Trevor Brunner (Yam), -00.612 second
3. James Ott (Hus), -02.024 seconds
4. Trent Lowe (Hon), -03.088
5. Chase Saathoff (Hon), -05.760
6. Max Whale (KTM), -05.959
7. Tom Drane (Yam), -07.312
8. Chad Cose (Hus), -10.977
9. Dalton Gauthier (KTM), -11.180
10. Jared Lowe (Hon), -12.994
11. Morgen Mischler (Hon), -13.346
12. Logan Eisenhard (KTM), -14.921
13. Cole Zabala (Hon), -17.133
14. Travis Petton (KTM), -17.295
15. Tarren Santero (Hon), -18.030
16. Tyler Raggio (Yam), -19.009
17. Aidan RoosEvans (Hon), -19.037
18. Shayna Texter-Bauman (KTM), -21.157
19. Hunter Bauer (Hon), -9 laps, DNF
Provisional Mission SuperTwins Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Jared Mees (Ind), 25 laps
2. Briar Bauman (KTM), -00.609 second
3. Dallas Daniels (Yam), -03.481 seconds
4. JD Beach (Yam), -03.748
5. Davis Fisher (Ind), -04.316
6. Dan Bromley (Yam), -04.660
7. Jarod Vanderkooi (Ind), -05.843
8. Johnny Lewis (Roy), -10.058
9. Henry Wiles (Ind), -12.909
10. Jeffery Lowery (Yam), -13.268
11. Brandon Robinson (Ind), -13.779
12. Ben Lowe (Ind), -15.632
13. Bronson Bauman (KTM), -15.970
14. Kolby Carlile (Yam), -16.084
15. Cameron Smith (Yam), -17.591
16. Ryan Wells (Roy), -22.314
17. Cody Johncox (Yam), -23.862
18. Brandon Price (KTM), -24.037
19. Billy Ross (Kaw), -9 laps, DNF
More, from a press release issued by American Flat Track:
Mees Outlasts Bauman, Equals Parker at West Virginia Half-Mile
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 1, 2023) – Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Rogers Racing/SDI Racing FTR750) delivered a performance for the ages in Saturday night’s All Seasons Powersports West Virginia Half-Mile, in what proved to be a memorable return for Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, to Mineral Wells, West Virginia, after nearly two decades away.
Mees came to West Virginia Motor Speedway for the first time since 2006 with an opportunity to match fellow legend Scott Parker’s mark for most Half-Mile wins in the long history of the Grand National Championship.
But to do so, he understood that he was going to have to overcome the combined challenge of Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle title leader Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT), Lima Half-Mile conqueror Briar Bauman (No. 3 Parts Plus/Jacob Companies KTM 790 Duke), and Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge winner Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750) after the four went bar-to-bar minutes earlier in the four-lap dash for cash.
The potential adversaries whittled down almost immediately, however, as Fisher wheelied away his prime starting slot from pole and dropped to sixth. Meanwhile, Daniels was only one position further up the order and slotted in behind fellow Yamaha runners JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) and Dan Bromley (No. 62 HRP Racing/Memphis Shades/Mike Vinson/Corbin Yamaha MT-07).
That left just Bauman alone to prevent Mees from escaping at the front. The Rick Ware Racing hero did well to demonstrate his recent success was down to more than simply capitalizing on a series of racetracks well suited to his bike’s strengths, tracking the factory Indian ace down to show him a wheel at half-distance.
However, Mees’ relentless excellence ultimately won the day, allowing him to stretch open some breathing space late. In the end, he secured his record-tying 35th-career HM win with a 0.609-second margin of victory.
Afterward, Mees said, “It feels really good – this is like my favorite one so far this year. I didn’t feel like we were the fastest guy lining up for that Main Event. We made some game-changing decisions after the dash with the Öhlins rear shock. With not trying something like that all day, you don’t know exactly what to expect, but I have a lot of faith in my team. It was a super finesse-y track – it was really easy to make a mistake and lose your momentum. I thought Briar and Davis were the guys to beat. But I hit my marks every lap, moved around to figure out where Briar was catching me, got my spot and felt the motorcycle hook up and move forward.”
Behind, Daniels’ season-long podium streak came under serious threat. He was pressed hard to work his way around Beach and Bromley before being forced to fight his way back up to third after Bromley contacted his rear wheel with four minutes remaining. Both riders came close to hitting the dirt following the incident, which allowed Beach to steal third and Fisher to close in to make for a four-way sprint for the final spot on the box.
Daniels ultimately rebounded to keep his perfect top-three run intact. In doing so, he also held on to his points lead, albeit by a slim five-point margin over reigning champion Mees (237-232). Beach followed his teammate home fourth. Fisher picked up fifth, while part-timer Bromley only had a sixth-place finish to show for his impressive outing.
Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 JMC Motorsports/Fairway Ford Indian FTR750) charged the entire distance in an attempt to make it a five-way scrap for the podium before earning a relatively close seventh. Likewise, Johnny Lewis (No. 10 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650) slashed up to eighth, despite starting from the back of the pack after suffering a mechanical issue during his heat race.
Henry Wiles (No. 17 BriggsAuto.com/Martin Trucking Indian FTR750) and Jeffery Lowery (No. 223 Lowery Racing/Gray Hogs Yamaha MT-07) rounded out the top ten.
Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER
Defending Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER champ Kody Kopp (No. 1 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-F) once again showcased his Half-Mile mastery by scoring the seventh victory of his young career at the distance on Saturday night.
And like last week’s win, this one came with considerable effort. From the start, Kopp was embroiled in an evolving melee with Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) and James Ott (No. 19 1st Impressions Race Team/Husqvarna Racing FC450).
With multiple lines working, the three moved up and down the track as they exploited their preferred angles of attack while looking for any possible edge over one another.
Brunner pushed into the lead at mid-distance and held a half-second advantage at one point. However, the KTM star put his head down, reeled the Estenson Racing pilot back in, and kept up the momentum once he stormed past on the high line.
With a minute remaining on the clock, Kopp held a similar gap of his own, which he then managed to the checkered flag.
Kopp said, “The goal all day was to get a good start and try to split… we didn’t do that. Trevor got a great start, and he had a pace that was hard to keep up with. He had this line through 3 and 4 that had us skimming the Airfence every lap. I couldn’t figure that corner out, but I felt like we had him covered in 1 and 2. By the end of it, we kept digging and figured some things out and charged hard. This was a fun track and a fun race.”
Brunner finished as the race’s runner-up to earn his first podium since the season opener. He followed by Ott, who faded slightly late en route to his third top three of the season.
Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), who joined the battle for the lead momentarily, took a lonely fourth. Meanwhile, his Turner Racing Honda teammate, Chase Saathoff (No. 88 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), won out in a scrap for fifth over Max Whale (No. 18 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-F) and Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F).
With five wins to his name in ‘23, Kopp has rebuilt a commanding lead in his title defense, now leading by 40 points (216-176) over Whale. Brunner’s big night sees him move into a tie with Saathoff for third at 173 points.
Next Up:
The 2023 Progressive American Flat Track’s run of four consecutive Half-Miles continues with next weekend’s inaugural Orange County Half-Mile at Orange County Speedway in Middletown, New York, on Saturday, July 8. Visit https://www.americanflattrack.com/events/2023/view/orange-county-half-mile-2023 to reserve your seats today.
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 All Seasons Powersports West Virginia Half-Mile, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Saturday, July 8, at 11:30 a.m. ET (8:30 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.
More, from a press release issued by KTM Factory Racing:
KODY KOPP SPRINTS TO SECOND-STRAIGHT AFT SINGLES VICTORY AT WEST VIRGINIA HALF-MILE
Round 11 – American Flat Track Championship
Kody Kopp (1). Photo courtesy KTM Factory Racing.
MINERAL WELLS, W. Va. – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Kody Kopp has taken his second AFT Singles victory in a row at Round 11 of the 2023 American Flat Track Championship, with Max Whale racing to a sixth-place finish in the West Virginia Half-Mile Main Event.
This latest win marks 18-year-old Kopp’s fifth of the season, as he extends his AFT Singles Championship advantage to 40 points over teammate Whale, who is currently sitting in second position.
In what was a dominant day for the defending champion, Kopp opened the round by posting the fastest time in the combined qualifying sessions, before powering his KTM 450 SX-F to P1 in the opening Heat race. Further success was then found in the Dash-For-Cash, where he finished P2, before charging to another instrumental win in the 21-lap Main Event.
Kody Kopp: “It was a great weekend of racing for us here in West Virginia! I went P1 in qualifying for the first time since Daytona, so that was a good feeling, and just kept the ball rolling from Lima. Won the heat race, ended second in the Dash by a tiny margin, and then in the Main Event, I got the holeshot, led the first couple laps and… pretty much the same story as Lima. Stayed back until about lap eight, got close enough and made the move, clicked off my laps and controlled things from there. So, a huge night for points, huge night for confidence, and we’ll keep it rolling into New York.”
Red Bull Factory Racing KTM teammate Whale posted the fourth-fastest time in qualifying, before second place in his Heat race also saw him earn his way into the Dash-For-Cash. The Australian would finish fourth in that, before going on to score a hard-fought sixth-place result in the Main Event.
Max Whale: “I consider this race one of my strong ones, so I was looking forward to coming here. Started off the day strong with P4 in qualifying, and I was just up there in every session, had good pace. I finished second in my heat, got into the Dash, then when it came down to crunch time I just didn’t really have the speed… struggled a bit, ended the night in sixth, and actually for the first time this year, I’ve gone backwards. We’ll keep pushing hard, it’s racing, so we’ll knuckle down for the remaining rounds.”
Next Race: Orange County Half-Mile – Middletown, NY – July 8, 2023
Round 11 Results
AFT Singles Main Event
1. Kody Kopp, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
2. Trevor Brunner, Yamaha
3. James Ott, Husqvarna
OTHER KTM
6. Max Whale, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
9. Dalton Gauthier, KTM
12. Logan Eisenhard, KTM
14. Travis Petton IV, KTM
18. Shayna Texter-Bauman, KTM
2023 AFT Singles Point Standings
1. Kody Kopp, 216 points
2. Max Whale, 176
3. Chase Saathoff, 173
OTHER KTM
5. Dalton Gauthier, 166
11. Travis Petton IV, 59
12. Justin Jones, 52
13. Shayna Texter-Bauman, 51
18. Hunter Bauer, 38
20. Logan Eisenhard, 36
23. Declan Bender, 18
24. Hayden Gillim, 14
25. Landen Smith, 13
26. Clarke Morian V, 12
28. Tanner Dean, 9
34. Olin Kissler, 4
More, from a press release issued by Indian Motorcycle:
WIRE-TO-WIRE WIN FOR INDIAN MOTORCYCLE RACING AND JARED MEES AT WEST VIRGINIA HALF-MILE
Reigning SuperTwins Champion Continues the Push for His Ninth-Career Grand National Championship
MINNEAPOLIS (July 5, 2023) – In what proved to be a memorable return for Progressive American Flat Track (AFT) at the West Virginia Half-Mile, Indian Motorcycle Racing and reigning SuperTwins Champion Jared Mees secured their sixth win of the 2023 American Flat Track (AFT) season.
In the night’s Main event, it was Mees who took the whole shot and battled with Briar Bauman for the first half of the race before extending his lead to over half a second. The battle for third was bar-to-bar and tire touching throughout the race. Mees relied on his racing prowess leading from start to finish, crossing the finish line.609 seconds ahead of Bauman.
“It feels really good – this is like my favorite one so far this year. I didn’t feel like we were the fastest guy lining up for that Main Event, said Mees. “We made some game-changing decisions after the dash with the Öhlins rear shock. With not trying something like that all day, you don’t know exactly what to expect, but I have a lot of faith in my team. It was a super finesse-y track – it was really easy to make a mistake and lose your momentum. I thought Briar and Davis were the guys to beat. But I hit my marks every lap, moved around to figure out where Briar was catching me, got my spot and felt the motorcycle hook up and move forward.”
The win marked a record-tying 35-career half-mile victories, and just five points behind the season’s point leader. With seven races remaining, Mees is poised to make a strong push to reach Scott Parker’s record-holding nine career Grand National Championships.
The 2023 American Flat Track season continues July 8 for the Orange County Half-Mile at the Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, NY.
For more information on Indian Motorcycle Racing, visit IndianMotorcycle.com and follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
ABOUT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE®
Indian Motorcycle Company is America’s First Motorcycle Company®. Founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycle has won the hearts of motorcyclists around the world and earned distinction as one of America’s most legendary and iconic brands through unrivaled racing dominance, engineering prowess and countless innovations and industry firsts. Today that heritage and passion is reignited under new brand stewardship. To learn more, please visit www.indianmotorcycle.com.
INDIAN and INDIAN MOTORCYCLE are registered trademarks of Indian Motorcycle International, LLC. Always wear a helmet, protective clothing and eyewear and insist your passenger does the same. Ride within the limits of the law and your own abilities. Read, understand and follow your owner’s manual. Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
BRANDON PAASCH JOINS TEAM HAMMER FOR REMAINDER OF 2023 MOTOAMERICA SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP
Team Hammer is pleased to announce that Brandon Paasch will compete for the team aboard a Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R1000R for the remainder of the 2023 MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship, beginning with the event July 7-9 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
Despite his youth, at 22, Paasch has a long record of success on a diverse collection of machinery in professional road racing. In 2016, Paasch won the MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup and finished third in the KTM RC Cup World Final. He then spent the majority of the next three seasons racing a Moto3 machine in England and Europe, winning the 2019 British MotoStar Championship.
In 2020, Paasch finished third in the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship with 13 podium finishes. After winning the 2021 Daytona 200, he spent the rest of the year racing for a factory team in British Supersport.
Paasch started 2022 by winning the Daytona 200 for a second straight year, before riding an Altus Motorsports Suzuki GSX-R1000R to six victories and a second in the MotoAmerica Superbike Cup Championship, and to four podium finishes on his way to fourth in the Stock 1000 Championship.
A back injury has kept Paasch from riding in MotoAmerica so far in 2023, but now fully recovered and fresh from a competitive run at the 100th Loudon Classic, Paasch is ready to take on his new challenge.
“Obviously, I’m super excited and grateful for this opportunity,” said Paasch. “This was a great surprise for me. My goal has always been to get into Superbike, but coming off an injury some may have been skeptical of me. Doing the Loudon Classic allowed me to prove that I’m still the same guy before I got hurt.
“I’ve been working hard every day to return to fitness, probably more than before Daytona, but I also know that I’m playing catch up. I also know I have a bit of a transition ahead of me as far as learning to ride the Superbike, but I’m ready for it. My only goal is to get a little faster and a little more competitive each time I go on track.”
ABOUT TEAM HAMMER
The 2023 season marks Team Hammer’s 43rd consecutive year of operating as a professional road racing team. Racebikes built and fielded by Team Hammer have won 129 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National races, have finished on AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National podiums 350 times and have won 11 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National Championships, as well as two FIM South American Championships (in Superbike and Supersport). The team has also won 137 endurance races overall (including seven 24-hour races) and 13 Overall WERA National Endurance Championships with Suzuki motorcycles, and holds the U.S. record for mileage covered in a 24-hour race. The team also competed in the televised 1990s Formula USA National Championship, famously running “Methanol Monster” GSX-R1100 Superbikes fueled by methanol, and won four F-USA Championships.
ABOUT VISION WHEEL
Founded in 1976, Vision Wheel is one of the nation’s leading providers of custom wheels for cars and trucks, and one of the first manufacturers of custom wheels and tires for ATVs, UTVs, and golf carts. Vision Wheel looks beyond the current trends and to the future in developing, manufacturing, and distributing its wheels. Vision’s lines of street, race, off-road, American Muscle, and Milanni wheels are distributed nationally and internationally through a trusted network of distributors. Vision Wheel also produces the Vision It AR app to allow users to see how their wheel of choice will look on their vehicle before purchase and installation. For more information on Vision Wheel, visit www.visionwheel.com.
ABOUT SUZUKI
Suzuki Motor USA, LLC. (SMO) distributes Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automotive Parts, Accessories, and ECSTAR Oils & Chemicals via an extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automobiles, Outboard Motors, and related products. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has business relations with 201 countries/regions. For more information, visit www.suzuki.com.
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca as seen during the MotoAmerica event in 2022. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
MotoAmerica Superbike SpeedFest Confirmed for July 7-9 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
MONTEREY, Calif., July 3, 2023—Coming this weekend, July 7 – 9, MotoAmerica Superbike SpeedFest will race on the 2.238-mile WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca road course. All participants are excited to have this competitive event running on the newly resurfaced track.
Laguna Seca closed during last weekend’s SCCA club race when an incident occurred on track. No injuries were reported, but given it was the opening day of the resurfaced track and weather was excessively warm, track management canceled the final two days. Granite Construction performed the repairs. All other areas of the track were unharmed.
“After the standard and approved curing time, the track was ready,” said John Narigi, president, and general manager of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. “It’s unfortunate that a track incident occurred on opening day. We are pleased, however, that the subsequent repair meets all safety guidelines.”
The weekend kicks off Friday, July 7 at 8:45 a.m. for the REV’IT! Twins Cup practice. To stay abreast of all the racing action or to purchase tickets, visit MotoAmerica.com or follow WeatherTech Raceway on social media.
Greg Tomlinson, winner of the 2022 AHRMA Classic MotoFest™ in the Heartland Triple Crown, with his (from left) road race, motocross, and flat track bikes. Photo by Stephanie Vetterly, courtesy AHRMA.
AHRMA Announces 2023 AHRMA Classic MotoFest™ Triple Crown Award
MONTEREY, Calif., July 3, 2023 – Racers who go fast on pavement and off-road will be honored during the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) Classic MotoFest™ of Monterey..
The multi-discipline event will be held at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca (WRLS), July 14-16, 2023.
Our MotoFest of Monterey is a celebration of on and off-road motorcycle competition which includes road racing, cross country, trials and motocross offered all at one venue. In addition to the diverse forms of competition, swap meet, bike show and family fun activities, AHRMA is proud to announce the AHRMA Classic MotoFest™ Triple Crown of Monterey.
Devised in the spirit of awarding a title like the illustrious Grand National Champion, The AHRMA Classic MotoFest™ Triple Crown Championship will be presented to the racer that competes and acquires the most points across three of the racing classes offered by AHRMA at WRLS.
To be eligible to contend for the Triple Crown at WRLS, a racer must compete in three different vintage racing classes at the Classic MotoFest. It is mandatory for a participant to race in one or two Road Racing vintage classes on Saturday and round out their total entries to three by choosing from one or two off-road events offered on Saturday and Sunday including Trials, Cross Country and Motocross.
As many of our members like to road race and go bar to bar off-road and vice versa, the AHRMA Classic MotoFest™ of Monterey is a rare chance to compete on and off-road at a national event over the same weekend with bragging rights and a one-of-a-kind Triple Crown Champion Trophy offered up by Toad Town Racing. For questions, please contact Gary Swan at 818-675-5625.
Be sure to make room in your van or trailer for more bikes and register at www.ahrma.org/schedules-results!
About Toad Town Racing
Toad Town Racing, located in San Fernando Valley, CA, specializes in vintage Honda and British motorcycle repair and parts. Owned and run by Gary Swan, the shop offers complete motorcycle servicing including tune-ups, valve jobs, engine rebuilds, and brake jobs. Race engine work includes increasing the cc’s of your engine to your application.
About WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is a world-renowned 2.238-mile traditional road course that was built in 1957 and was known at the time as Laguna Seca Raceway. WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is owned by the County of Monterey and operated by A&D Narigi Consulting, LLC.
The 2023 premier event schedule includes the MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest July 7-9, the AHRMA Classic MotoFest™ of Monterey July 14-16, the Monterey Pre-Reunion August 12-13, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion August 16-19, Corkscrew Hillclimb & Community Day August 20, the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey September 8-10 and the Porsche Rennsport Reunion 7 September 28 – October 1.
ABOUT AHRMA
American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving, restoring, and competing on historic motorcycles. With more than 3,000 members, AHRMA is the leading historic motorcycle racing group in North America and one of the largest in the world. The association’s enthusiastic membership reflects this country’s strong interest in classic bikes.
Pol Espargaro (44). Photo courtesy GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3.
GASGAS FACTORY RACING TECH3 TO HIT THE HILL AT GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED
MotoGP™ will rip around one of the largest and most prestigious annual motorsport ‘meets’ from July 13th to 16th with a hefty presence at the ‘Festival of Speed’ near the southern coast of England, and GASGAS have never turned down the chance to get lively with a throttle. For star rider Pol Espargaro the event will mean a ‘reunion’ with the #44 GASGAS RC16.
GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 will join some of their paddock peers to parade up the famous Goodwood hill and meet fans of what is expected to be an attendance well over 200,000 from Thursday to Sunday. Tickets have flown as quickly as the wide 2023 display of cars, bikes and other legendary motorsport icons once did around racetracks across the world.
Augusto Fernandez (37). Photo courtesy GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3.
The 30th running of the Festival of Speed comes only a couple of weeks before MotoGP™ emerges from a summer break with the British Grand Prix at Silverstone – another track as historic as they come – during the first weekend of August. To mark the occasion and for the special celebration of Grand Prix, GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 will run the GASGAS RC16s along the Goodwood climb with Pol Espargaro making his long-awaited return to the saddle on Thursday and Friday and then star rookie, Augusto Fernandez, donning the leathers on Saturday and Sunday.
More, from a press release issued by KTM Factory Racing:
RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING AIM TO ADD MOTOGP™ PACE TO ’23 GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED
The historic and popular Goodwood Festival of Speed, one of the UK’s busiest gatherings of iconic motorsport machinery and heroes, will count on an enlarged MotoGP presence for the 30th edition of the show in mid-July and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing will be adding some ‘orange’ to proceedings.
Established in 1993 by the Duke of Richmond at the Goodwood Estate in southern England, the Festival of Speed has developed into an immensely revered annual event where legends of motorsport past and present have lined up to meet fans and also make the famous hill climb run. The 2023 incarnation has almost sold-out across the four days from Thursday 13th July to Sunday 16th.
KTM test rider Mika Kallio (82). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing will join the festivities with Mika Kallio throwing his leg over the KTM RC16 on Thursday and Friday and then Brad Binder, currently 4th in the 2023 MotoGP world championship standings, appearing on the bike through Saturday and Sunday.
Brad Binder (33). Photo courtesy Dorna.
The appeal of the Festival of Speed means over 200,000 visitors are expected to walk through the doors of the site for the duration. The expanded focus on MotoGP serves as a tantalising appetiser for the British public only three weeks before the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on August 4-6th that will constitute round nine of the season.
MRA racers Ken Yee (433) and Jason Martinez (245) at High Plains Raceway. Photo by Kelly Vernell, courtesy MRA.
MRA’s 14th Annual Endurance Race Running At High Plains Raceway July 15th
Byers, CO – The Motorcycle Roadracing Association (MRA) is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated round four of their championship series at High Plains Raceway on July 15th and 16th. This event promises to be a must-attend for motorcycle racing enthusiasts with the 14th Annual 4-hour endurance race taking place on Saturday.
The full weekend schedule includes MRA sprint races on Saturday and Sunday utilizing the full course configuration of HPR. The 4-hour endurance race will start at approximately 3pm on Saturday afternoon. This year, three classes will run simultaneously – True Endurance (one bike, multiple riders), Pony Express (multiple bikes, multiple riders), and Titanium Butt (one bike, one rider). Not only will racers finishing on the podium receive trophies and well-deserved bragging rights, there will also be a cash payout for each class!
The MRA is committed to organizing exciting, competitive, and safe motorcycle racing events for enthusiasts in Colorado and the surrounding areas. For more information about the MRA and its activities, please visit our website at https://www.mra-racing.org/.
Defending Champion Alvaro Bautista won World Superbike Race Two Sunday afternoon at Donington Park, in England. Bautista rode his Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R to a 2.650-second margin of victory in the 22-lap race. It was the Spaniard’s 12th full-length race victory of the season.
Pata Yamaha Prometeon’s Toprak Razgatlioglu was the runner-up, and Danilo Petrucci got his career-best finish, third, on his Barni Spark Racing Team Ducati.
American Garrett Gerloff got ninth on his Bonovo Action BMW M 1000 RR.
Bautista holds off Razgatlioglu for victory, Petrucci celebrates maiden podium in Race 2
Alvaro Bautista (1) leads the field into the first corner at Donington Park. Photo courtesy Dorna.
An action-packed event, WorldSBK Race 2 at Donington Park started with a red flag due to a crash involving Tom Sykes, Michael Ruben Rinaldi, and Loris Baz*.
After the restart, Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team) battled fiercely with Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) for the lead. Bautista eventually emerged victorious, securing a second feature race win at Donington Park. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) claimed his maiden WorldSBK podium with a strong third-place finish. Scott Redding (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) achieved his best result of the season, finishing in fourth place after a late fight with Rea and Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), who finished fifth and sixth respectively.
*Sykes was diagnosed with a thoracic injury, rib fractures on his right-hand side and a left ankle injury; he was transported to Queen’s Medical Centre for further assessment. Rinaldi was diagnosed with a mild concussion and a right ankle injury.
Alvaro Bautista (1) celebrates at Donington Park. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Bautista’s dominant performance secured him victory in WorldSBK Race 2, extending his championship lead with 357 points and a comfortable advantage in the standings.
P1 | Alvaro Bautista | Aruba.it Racing – Ducati
“If you had told me before coming here that we were going to finish first – second – first, I wouldn’t have believed it because we usually struggle at this track. Fortunately, my feeling with the bike was amazing, it was just like at the other tracks. In Race 2, the pace was amazing, really fast. Toprak was very strong. I thought that I could be a couple of tenths faster than him and I tried to escape in front, but he knew it, and he tried to not let me leave. But in the end, I was able to get some more tenths and get some advantage. I’m really happy with the feeling with the bike, with the weekend – let’s try to keep this feeling.”
Toprak Razgatlioglu (54) beat everyone except Alvaro Bautista in Race Two. Photo courtesy Dorna.
After battling with Bautista, Toprak Razgatlioglu secured second place in Race 2, bringing his total points in the Championship standings to 264.
Danilo Petrucci got his career-first World Superbike podium. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Danilo Petrucci shined with a strong weekend performance, claiming his maiden WorldSBK podium at Donington Park after an impressive ride.
P3 | Danilo Petrucci | Barni Spark Racing Team
“I’m so happy especially for my team and for myself. Just two rounds ago, in Barcelona, I said ‘this is tougher than I thought’. We did a good job. After the Superpole Race, I wasn’t feeling so good. I was quite far away in the middle part of Race 2 but then I found a really good rhythm. I was really fast in the flowing part but then, in the chicane and hairpin, I was not really good, and this is where you can pass other riders. It was difficult for me. I did not expect to reach my first podium today.”
Scott Redding (45). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Scott Redding showcased his determination by overtaking both Kawasaki riders on his way to securing a fourth-place finish in Race 2, marking his best result of the season so far.
Angel Piqueras (18) leads a JuniorGP race at Algarve International Circuit, in Portimao, Portugal. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Editorial Notes: Canadian Torin Collins, riding his AGR Team KTM, DNS JuniorGP Race One and finished 23rd in Race Two. American Max Toth, riding his MMR Kalex, finished 16th in Moto2 Race One and 13th in Moto2 Race Two. American Kristian Daniel Jr., riding his MRE Talent Honda, finished 26th in the sole European Talent Cup (ETC) race.
The Finetwork FIM JuniorGP™ Championship was back in action in Algarve
The Finetwork FIM JuniorGP™ Championship was back in action on Sunday, with the Algarve International Circuit playing host to Round 4 of the campaign. In the JuniorGP™ class, Xabier Zurutuza (MTA Junior Team) and Joel Esteban (Aspar Junior Team) put in outstanding rides to take the wins on offer, while it was Portimao perfection for Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP Junior Team) who did the double in the Moto2™ European Championship..
Dodo Boggio (Aspar Junior Team) and Daniel Muñoz (SP57 Racing Team) clocked memorable victories in the south of Portugal, as they stood on the top step in the European Talent Cup and Stock European Championship races respectively.
The opening race of the day saw JuniorGP™ notch up a century of winners in fine fashion, with Xabier Zurutuza pulling off a miracle ride to take a last gasp victory. The MTA Junior Rider overcame a back of the grid penalty, which saw him launch 24th, and a Long Lap penalty, to edge out Tatchakorn Buasri (Honda Racing Thailand) at the final corner. Luca Lunetta (AC Racing Team) also overcame pre-race problems to get himself among the podium places having had to start further down the grid despite qualifying on pole.
In the second race of the day, Joel Esteban put in a showstopping performance to take victory. The Aspar Junior Team rider recovered from a Turn 1 error to reel in Angel Piqueras (Estrella Galicia 0,0) and David Almansa (Finetwork Mir Racing Team) who had a 1.5s advantage out front. Having caught up with the two front runners, Esteban produced a sensational final lap to bat off the advance of Piqueras, who claimed second, while Almansa claimed his second podium of the campaign.
In the opening Moto2™ European Championship race, Senna Agius bounced back from his Jerez blip in style, taking a comfortable win in Portimao with an 11.788s advantage, extending the Australian’s lead atop the standing. Alberto Surra (Team Ciatti – Boscoscuro) conquered the Long Lap penalty loop to claim a maiden podium of the campaign in P2, holding off a hard charging Xavi Cardelus (Promoracing) on the line with the Andorran securing his second podium of the year.
There was also major disappointment for title contender Carlos Tatay (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team) who crashed out of the contest in the opening stages, and after a visit to the medical centre, he was ruled out of Race 2.
That left the door open for Agius to extend his title advantage, something which he did emphatically with the young Australian having the perfect day in Portimao and doing the double. Xavi Cardelus went one better in the afternoon for his second rostrum of the day, coming home in second while Roberto Garcia (Cardoso – Fantic Racing) debuted on the box in the south of Portugal.
Portimao held just one European Talent Cup race on Sunday, but there was more than enough drama to keep fans happy. Dodo Boggio took the win in sensational fashion, profiting from Aspar teammate Maximo Quiles’ last lap crash to steal the win on the final corner. Having experienced a barren podium run in 2023 to date, including for P4 finishes in a row, the Italian was back on the top step, while Casey O’Gorman (SuperHugo44 Team), who came from 30th on the grid, and reigning Champion Guido Pini (AC Racing Team) joined him on the box. The late drama also ensured the absent Brian Uriarte didn’t lose any ground in the title race, with the Spaniard still trailing Quiles by a solitary point, with a Catalunya double awaiting in just a couple weeks time.
Rounding out the day’s action was the Stock ECh race, and it proved a Muñoz masterclass. The Championship leader romped home without any other rider managing to lay a glove on him. Eric Fernandez (FAU55 TEY Racing), Muñoz’ main opposition in the title fight, started at the back of the grid but wasted little to no time in scything his way through the pack, and he came home second in what proved a successful exercise in damage control. The fight for the final podium place went down to the wire, but Marco Garcia (EasyRace Team) held off the threat of Archie McDonald (MRE Talent) and Alex Millan (Fifty Motorsport) on the line to take his second top three of the year.
That’s a wrap then from the Algarve, and the next installment of the Finetwork FIM JuniorGP™ Championship isn’t far away, with Catalunya calling on July 16th!
You can also find all the results, videos, photos and information regarding the championship on the official website: www.fimjuniorgp.com
Nicolo Bulega won World Supersport Race Two Sunday at Donington Park, in England. Riding his Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V2, the Italian rider won the 19-lap race by 2.119 seconds. It was his eighth win of the season, extending his Championship point lead.
Former MotoAmerica Supersport regular Valentin Debise finished seventh on his GMT94 Racing Yamaha.
Provisional Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Morgan Monroe (Roy), 8 laps
2. Zaria Martens (Roy), -00.428 second
3. Kenzie Luker (Roy), -02.778 seconds
4. Makenna Hiatt (Roy), -07.783
5. Shasta L’Heureux (Roy), -10.750
6. Morgan Piller (Roy), -16.447
7. Justine Marsh (Roy), -24.079
8. Anna Serena (Roy), -31.872
9. Mia Reese (Roy), -1 lap
10. Moriah Hummer (Roy), -1 lap, 10.894
Provisional Parts Unlimited AFT Singles Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Kody Kopp (KTM), 21 laps
2. Trevor Brunner (Yam), -00.612 second
3. James Ott (Hus), -02.024 seconds
4. Trent Lowe (Hon), -03.088
5. Chase Saathoff (Hon), -05.760
6. Max Whale (KTM), -05.959
7. Tom Drane (Yam), -07.312
8. Chad Cose (Hus), -10.977
9. Dalton Gauthier (KTM), -11.180
10. Jared Lowe (Hon), -12.994
11. Morgen Mischler (Hon), -13.346
12. Logan Eisenhard (KTM), -14.921
13. Cole Zabala (Hon), -17.133
14. Travis Petton (KTM), -17.295
15. Tarren Santero (Hon), -18.030
16. Tyler Raggio (Yam), -19.009
17. Aidan RoosEvans (Hon), -19.037
18. Shayna Texter-Bauman (KTM), -21.157
19. Hunter Bauer (Hon), -9 laps, DNF
Provisional Mission SuperTwins Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Jared Mees (Ind), 25 laps
2. Briar Bauman (KTM), -00.609 second
3. Dallas Daniels (Yam), -03.481 seconds
4. JD Beach (Yam), -03.748
5. Davis Fisher (Ind), -04.316
6. Dan Bromley (Yam), -04.660
7. Jarod Vanderkooi (Ind), -05.843
8. Johnny Lewis (Roy), -10.058
9. Henry Wiles (Ind), -12.909
10. Jeffery Lowery (Yam), -13.268
11. Brandon Robinson (Ind), -13.779
12. Ben Lowe (Ind), -15.632
13. Bronson Bauman (KTM), -15.970
14. Kolby Carlile (Yam), -16.084
15. Cameron Smith (Yam), -17.591
16. Ryan Wells (Roy), -22.314
17. Cody Johncox (Yam), -23.862
18. Brandon Price (KTM), -24.037
19. Billy Ross (Kaw), -9 laps, DNF
More, from a press release issued by American Flat Track:
Mees Outlasts Bauman, Equals Parker at West Virginia Half-Mile
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 1, 2023) – Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Rogers Racing/SDI Racing FTR750) delivered a performance for the ages in Saturday night’s All Seasons Powersports West Virginia Half-Mile, in what proved to be a memorable return for Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, to Mineral Wells, West Virginia, after nearly two decades away.
Mees came to West Virginia Motor Speedway for the first time since 2006 with an opportunity to match fellow legend Scott Parker’s mark for most Half-Mile wins in the long history of the Grand National Championship.
But to do so, he understood that he was going to have to overcome the combined challenge of Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle title leader Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT), Lima Half-Mile conqueror Briar Bauman (No. 3 Parts Plus/Jacob Companies KTM 790 Duke), and Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge winner Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750) after the four went bar-to-bar minutes earlier in the four-lap dash for cash.
The potential adversaries whittled down almost immediately, however, as Fisher wheelied away his prime starting slot from pole and dropped to sixth. Meanwhile, Daniels was only one position further up the order and slotted in behind fellow Yamaha runners JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) and Dan Bromley (No. 62 HRP Racing/Memphis Shades/Mike Vinson/Corbin Yamaha MT-07).
That left just Bauman alone to prevent Mees from escaping at the front. The Rick Ware Racing hero did well to demonstrate his recent success was down to more than simply capitalizing on a series of racetracks well suited to his bike’s strengths, tracking the factory Indian ace down to show him a wheel at half-distance.
However, Mees’ relentless excellence ultimately won the day, allowing him to stretch open some breathing space late. In the end, he secured his record-tying 35th-career HM win with a 0.609-second margin of victory.
Afterward, Mees said, “It feels really good – this is like my favorite one so far this year. I didn’t feel like we were the fastest guy lining up for that Main Event. We made some game-changing decisions after the dash with the Öhlins rear shock. With not trying something like that all day, you don’t know exactly what to expect, but I have a lot of faith in my team. It was a super finesse-y track – it was really easy to make a mistake and lose your momentum. I thought Briar and Davis were the guys to beat. But I hit my marks every lap, moved around to figure out where Briar was catching me, got my spot and felt the motorcycle hook up and move forward.”
Behind, Daniels’ season-long podium streak came under serious threat. He was pressed hard to work his way around Beach and Bromley before being forced to fight his way back up to third after Bromley contacted his rear wheel with four minutes remaining. Both riders came close to hitting the dirt following the incident, which allowed Beach to steal third and Fisher to close in to make for a four-way sprint for the final spot on the box.
Daniels ultimately rebounded to keep his perfect top-three run intact. In doing so, he also held on to his points lead, albeit by a slim five-point margin over reigning champion Mees (237-232). Beach followed his teammate home fourth. Fisher picked up fifth, while part-timer Bromley only had a sixth-place finish to show for his impressive outing.
Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 JMC Motorsports/Fairway Ford Indian FTR750) charged the entire distance in an attempt to make it a five-way scrap for the podium before earning a relatively close seventh. Likewise, Johnny Lewis (No. 10 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650) slashed up to eighth, despite starting from the back of the pack after suffering a mechanical issue during his heat race.
Henry Wiles (No. 17 BriggsAuto.com/Martin Trucking Indian FTR750) and Jeffery Lowery (No. 223 Lowery Racing/Gray Hogs Yamaha MT-07) rounded out the top ten.
Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER
Defending Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER champ Kody Kopp (No. 1 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-F) once again showcased his Half-Mile mastery by scoring the seventh victory of his young career at the distance on Saturday night.
And like last week’s win, this one came with considerable effort. From the start, Kopp was embroiled in an evolving melee with Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) and James Ott (No. 19 1st Impressions Race Team/Husqvarna Racing FC450).
With multiple lines working, the three moved up and down the track as they exploited their preferred angles of attack while looking for any possible edge over one another.
Brunner pushed into the lead at mid-distance and held a half-second advantage at one point. However, the KTM star put his head down, reeled the Estenson Racing pilot back in, and kept up the momentum once he stormed past on the high line.
With a minute remaining on the clock, Kopp held a similar gap of his own, which he then managed to the checkered flag.
Kopp said, “The goal all day was to get a good start and try to split… we didn’t do that. Trevor got a great start, and he had a pace that was hard to keep up with. He had this line through 3 and 4 that had us skimming the Airfence every lap. I couldn’t figure that corner out, but I felt like we had him covered in 1 and 2. By the end of it, we kept digging and figured some things out and charged hard. This was a fun track and a fun race.”
Brunner finished as the race’s runner-up to earn his first podium since the season opener. He followed by Ott, who faded slightly late en route to his third top three of the season.
Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), who joined the battle for the lead momentarily, took a lonely fourth. Meanwhile, his Turner Racing Honda teammate, Chase Saathoff (No. 88 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), won out in a scrap for fifth over Max Whale (No. 18 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-F) and Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F).
With five wins to his name in ‘23, Kopp has rebuilt a commanding lead in his title defense, now leading by 40 points (216-176) over Whale. Brunner’s big night sees him move into a tie with Saathoff for third at 173 points.
Next Up:
The 2023 Progressive American Flat Track’s run of four consecutive Half-Miles continues with next weekend’s inaugural Orange County Half-Mile at Orange County Speedway in Middletown, New York, on Saturday, July 8. Visit https://www.americanflattrack.com/events/2023/view/orange-county-half-mile-2023 to reserve your seats today.
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 All Seasons Powersports West Virginia Half-Mile, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Saturday, July 8, at 11:30 a.m. ET (8:30 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.
More, from a press release issued by KTM Factory Racing:
KODY KOPP SPRINTS TO SECOND-STRAIGHT AFT SINGLES VICTORY AT WEST VIRGINIA HALF-MILE
Round 11 – American Flat Track Championship
Kody Kopp (1). Photo courtesy KTM Factory Racing.
MINERAL WELLS, W. Va. – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Kody Kopp has taken his second AFT Singles victory in a row at Round 11 of the 2023 American Flat Track Championship, with Max Whale racing to a sixth-place finish in the West Virginia Half-Mile Main Event.
This latest win marks 18-year-old Kopp’s fifth of the season, as he extends his AFT Singles Championship advantage to 40 points over teammate Whale, who is currently sitting in second position.
In what was a dominant day for the defending champion, Kopp opened the round by posting the fastest time in the combined qualifying sessions, before powering his KTM 450 SX-F to P1 in the opening Heat race. Further success was then found in the Dash-For-Cash, where he finished P2, before charging to another instrumental win in the 21-lap Main Event.
Kody Kopp: “It was a great weekend of racing for us here in West Virginia! I went P1 in qualifying for the first time since Daytona, so that was a good feeling, and just kept the ball rolling from Lima. Won the heat race, ended second in the Dash by a tiny margin, and then in the Main Event, I got the holeshot, led the first couple laps and… pretty much the same story as Lima. Stayed back until about lap eight, got close enough and made the move, clicked off my laps and controlled things from there. So, a huge night for points, huge night for confidence, and we’ll keep it rolling into New York.”
Red Bull Factory Racing KTM teammate Whale posted the fourth-fastest time in qualifying, before second place in his Heat race also saw him earn his way into the Dash-For-Cash. The Australian would finish fourth in that, before going on to score a hard-fought sixth-place result in the Main Event.
Max Whale: “I consider this race one of my strong ones, so I was looking forward to coming here. Started off the day strong with P4 in qualifying, and I was just up there in every session, had good pace. I finished second in my heat, got into the Dash, then when it came down to crunch time I just didn’t really have the speed… struggled a bit, ended the night in sixth, and actually for the first time this year, I’ve gone backwards. We’ll keep pushing hard, it’s racing, so we’ll knuckle down for the remaining rounds.”
Next Race: Orange County Half-Mile – Middletown, NY – July 8, 2023
Round 11 Results
AFT Singles Main Event
1. Kody Kopp, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
2. Trevor Brunner, Yamaha
3. James Ott, Husqvarna
OTHER KTM
6. Max Whale, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
9. Dalton Gauthier, KTM
12. Logan Eisenhard, KTM
14. Travis Petton IV, KTM
18. Shayna Texter-Bauman, KTM
2023 AFT Singles Point Standings
1. Kody Kopp, 216 points
2. Max Whale, 176
3. Chase Saathoff, 173
OTHER KTM
5. Dalton Gauthier, 166
11. Travis Petton IV, 59
12. Justin Jones, 52
13. Shayna Texter-Bauman, 51
18. Hunter Bauer, 38
20. Logan Eisenhard, 36
23. Declan Bender, 18
24. Hayden Gillim, 14
25. Landen Smith, 13
26. Clarke Morian V, 12
28. Tanner Dean, 9
34. Olin Kissler, 4
More, from a press release issued by Indian Motorcycle:
WIRE-TO-WIRE WIN FOR INDIAN MOTORCYCLE RACING AND JARED MEES AT WEST VIRGINIA HALF-MILE
Reigning SuperTwins Champion Continues the Push for His Ninth-Career Grand National Championship
MINNEAPOLIS (July 5, 2023) – In what proved to be a memorable return for Progressive American Flat Track (AFT) at the West Virginia Half-Mile, Indian Motorcycle Racing and reigning SuperTwins Champion Jared Mees secured their sixth win of the 2023 American Flat Track (AFT) season.
In the night’s Main event, it was Mees who took the whole shot and battled with Briar Bauman for the first half of the race before extending his lead to over half a second. The battle for third was bar-to-bar and tire touching throughout the race. Mees relied on his racing prowess leading from start to finish, crossing the finish line.609 seconds ahead of Bauman.
“It feels really good – this is like my favorite one so far this year. I didn’t feel like we were the fastest guy lining up for that Main Event, said Mees. “We made some game-changing decisions after the dash with the Öhlins rear shock. With not trying something like that all day, you don’t know exactly what to expect, but I have a lot of faith in my team. It was a super finesse-y track – it was really easy to make a mistake and lose your momentum. I thought Briar and Davis were the guys to beat. But I hit my marks every lap, moved around to figure out where Briar was catching me, got my spot and felt the motorcycle hook up and move forward.”
The win marked a record-tying 35-career half-mile victories, and just five points behind the season’s point leader. With seven races remaining, Mees is poised to make a strong push to reach Scott Parker’s record-holding nine career Grand National Championships.
The 2023 American Flat Track season continues July 8 for the Orange County Half-Mile at the Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, NY.
For more information on Indian Motorcycle Racing, visit IndianMotorcycle.com and follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
ABOUT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE®
Indian Motorcycle Company is America’s First Motorcycle Company®. Founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycle has won the hearts of motorcyclists around the world and earned distinction as one of America’s most legendary and iconic brands through unrivaled racing dominance, engineering prowess and countless innovations and industry firsts. Today that heritage and passion is reignited under new brand stewardship. To learn more, please visit www.indianmotorcycle.com.
INDIAN and INDIAN MOTORCYCLE are registered trademarks of Indian Motorcycle International, LLC. Always wear a helmet, protective clothing and eyewear and insist your passenger does the same. Ride within the limits of the law and your own abilities. Read, understand and follow your owner’s manual. Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
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