Long-time racer John Ashmead, best known for winning the 1989 Daytona 200, died from brain cancer Sunday, October 16 at 10:34 p.m. Eastern Time in Port St. Lucie, Florida. He was 59.
Ashmead, who was originally from West Palm Beach, Florida, but was living in Palm City, Florida, when he passed, started club racing at age 15 in 1978, according to friend and fellow racer Paul Schwemmer.
In addition to winning the 1989 Daytona 200, Ashmead won another AMA Superbike race at Laguna Seca in 1985 and AMA Supersport races at Daytona in 1988 and at Heartland Park in 1989.
He finished third in the 1986 AMA Superbike Championship and was the runner-up in the AMA Supersport Championship in 1988 and 1989.
In addition to being a Daytona 200 race winner, Ashmead also holds the all-time Daytona 200 mileage record at 4,573 miles and the record for most Daytona 200 race starts at 34, ranging five decades from 1983 to 2021.
John Ashmead is survived by his mother Shirley Ashmead, brother Vaughn Ashmead, and sisters Leslie Felton and Ruth Ann Blake.
WorldSBK heads to Argentina for the first overseas round of 2022
What to look out for in San Juan
Championship P1 – 448 points
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Ducati – Racing)
Bautista’s best result at the Argentinean venue is a race win back in 2019 when he was riding for Ducati.
In 2021, a tenth place in Race 2 was his best result.
After the Pirelli Portuguese Round, he leads the Championship standings with a 56-point advantage over Razgatlioglu.
“The next race is in Argentina; sincerely, three years ago with Ducati I won on my first time there. But then I had some problems in the other races so… let’s see. It’s a tricky track because the conditions are very different from one day to another. We have to be ready for all kind of conditions and adapt as best as we can and just try to enjoy as we are doing and do our best!”
Championship P2 – 392 points
Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK)
Razgatlioglu is a race winner at the Circuito San Juan Villicum. In 2021, he won Race 1 and the Tissot Superpole Race.
He has been on the podium in seven races out of eight that have been staged in San Juan.
He extended his gap to Rea to 26 points for second place in the standings.
“Now, I’m looking to Argentina. I know it’s not an easy track for anyone because the Ducati again is very strong. I also remember that Alvaro was very strong in Argentina in 2019, but this year is different. We’ll keep fighting for the win. Now I’m focused on Argentina, and we’ll try our best.”
Championship P3 – 366 points
Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK)
Rea has four races in San Juan, his last win was in Race 2, 2019. He is the most successful rider here as he claimed victory in four of the first five races run.
In 2021, he claimed three podium places, but was without a win for the first time.
The six-time WorldSBK Champion is on a winning drought of 18 races, his longest since 2012-2013.
“Argentina is a cool round to go to, all the flyaways are to be honest. The different cultures, different tracks… Argentina especially because it doesn’t have a lot of track activity, so the track is always quite green. So, we have to understand what conditions we’ll face when we go there. Step by step throughout the weekend, I’ll work with the team trying to get a good package and be able to fight. I expect a tough weekend, there is a very long straight there. I will try to make myself as small as possible down there but there is plenty of other places at the track where I’m sure we can exploit our strengths of the ZX-10RR.”
Championship P4 – 232 points
Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Ducati Racing)
A third place in Race 1 in 2021 is Rinaldi’s best result in San Juan.
Having missed the podium at Portimao, he will be chasing his first win of the season in Argentina.
“I really like the track. I want to go there. It’s a pretty fun track. Also, it feels good to go outside of Europe, because it will be our first overseas this season. For sure, I need to score a podium and score points, but I think race by race, and not about fourth place in the standings.”
Championship P5 – 196 points
Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK)
Locatelli’s best result in San Juan is a sixth place in the 2021 Tissot Superpole Race.
In 2021, it was his first visit to the circuit.
“It feels like quite a new track for me because I just rode there last year for the first time. In the end, it wasn’t an easy weekend for us in Argentina, but now we arrive with more confidence after Barcelona and Portimao because, maybe the result in the race is not so good but we were faster and stronger. So, this is a good point to arrive in Argentina. I’m motivated and I’ll try to push and to understand the track as fast as possible again. I’ll push to have a good rhythm and to fight to finish in a good position. This is my objective; it won’t be easy. We’ll try it and we’ll focus to work and prepare for next week.”
Championship P6 – 189 points
Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK)
Lowes has a top five finish at the Argentinean track. In 2021, his best result was a fourth place in Race 1.
“Obviously it’s a relatively new to the calendar the last few years, a great addition to me. I think the track is great, I love the layout. Obviously, it doesn’t get used too much so on Friday, it’s always a bit slippery and you have to be careful. Last year, I was a bit injured, but I have a good first race finishing fourth, even with the injury, so I’m quite optimistic this that I can carry on my good form and challenge for a podium. But like I said, it’s an event, a race and a track that I really enjoy, and honestly, I cannot wait to get out there!”
To keep an eye on:
Team HRC’s riders, Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge will race for the first time at the Circuito San Juan Villicum.
In 2021, BMW’s best result at San Juan was Michael van der Mark (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)’s fifth place in the Tissot Superpole Race, whilst he finished sixth in Race 1 and Race 2. It will be Scott Redding’s first Argentinean round with the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team.
Argentinean rider Marco Solorza (TPR Team Pedercini Racing) will race for the Italian team for the Motul Argentinean Round. In 2021, he already took part in the WorldSBK Argentinean Round with an 18th place as his best result; he’ll target the points-scoring positions for his home round.
Stefano Mesa bested himself Sunday during the CCS/ASRA 39th Annual Race of Champions Unlimited Superbike race, setting another lap record at the 3.51-mile Daytona International Speedway road course. The new record pace of 1:45.538 was set mid-afternoon during lap three of the CCS Unlimited Superbike race and was 0.3 second faster than the lap record Mesa set Saturday, 1:45.879.
Mesa ran undefeated during the three-day event, winning all nine of his races across the middleweight and unlimited classes. Friday, he kicked off the weekend with wins in the Middleweight Superbike and Unlimited Grand Prix classes. Saturday, he started the day with victories in the both the GTU and GTO classes and wrapped up the afternoon with wins in both Middleweight and Unlimited Supersport. And on Sunday, Mesa finished the weekend with victories in both of the ASRA Sportbike and ASRA Superstock races and ended with the grand finale of yet another lap record at Daytona International Speedway halfway through his run to take the checkered flag in Unlimited Superbike.
The last round of the ESBK – Spanish Superbike Championship has lived up to expectations. The Jerez Ángel Nieto circuit has put the finishing touch to a fabulous season where there has been a lot of emotion in all categories. In addition, it has been possible to follow rigorously live on the RFME Youtube channel.
SuperSport NG: title for Yeray Ruiz
With the fight for the title still to be decided, it would be Yeray Ruiz and Julián Grial who would fight for it. We live in a very tight race. Dani Muñoz has put in a perfect performance leading from start to finish and leaving the dispute for the championship behind him. Ruiz has remained firm in second place, withstanding constant attacks from Giral. Finally, Yeray, with his second place, guaranteed the title of Spanish SuperSport NG Champion.
In the SuperStock 600 category, Eric Fernández, despite signing a weekend full of hardships, with a fall in training, sick leave on Saturday and a fall in today’s race, has been proclaimed champion of his class. Brett Roberts, Carlos Valle and Maxwell Toth have made up the race podium. The Challenge ELF Moto has been won in this test by the Croatian from the MDR Martin Vugrinec.
Superbike: double for Borja Gómez
Borja Gómez has started pulling very strongly in the Superbike category, closely marked by Óscar Gutiérrez and Tito Rabat himself. Halfway through the race, Óscar was in the lead, printing a new stronger pace, but he went down on lap 11, leaving Gómez free to go. With the distance well taken with respect to Rabat, the Cardoso Racing player managed that difference, guaranteeing the double and the runner-up position in Spain. On his part, Ivo Lopes made a comeback race and with a few laps to go he was able to pass Odendaal and guarantee himself third place.
In Stock1000 Daniel Sáez, Eduardo Montero and Mathias Poulsen have made up the last podium of the year. The Challenge ELF Moto trophy has gone to Oscar Gutiérrez, who is also the overall winner of the season.
Moto4: Miroslavov, Champion of Spain
There couldn’t be a more unexpected end to the small category. Yesterday’s race was practically by elimination, since the first three classified in the points table crashed. The fourth in the running, Miroslavov, took the victory and was placed as a firm candidate for the title. Today the race has been crazy, fighting a group of ten drivers at the head of the race until the checkered flag. Anything could happen, but finally it was Michael Sánchez who crossed the finish line first, followed by Iaroslav Karpushin and Ignacio Galán. For his part, Miroslavov managed to finish seventh, a position that earned him the title of Spanish Moto4 Champion.
American Mikey Lou Sanchez (55) won the RFME ESBK Moto4 race Sunday at Jerez. Photo courtesy RFME.
Pepe Osuna also wins the Iberoamerican SSP300
With the title already in Pepe Osuna’s pocket, the SBK Junior career has defined the runner-up. In addition, the Ibero-American champion of SSP300 2022 would come out of the calculation of the two races.
A very crazy race from the beginning with a very large group where they have not stopped dancing the positions. Uriostegui, Julio García and Pepe Osuna have commanded the three leading positions and a little later Antonio Torres has signed up… Fight without quarter between Deza Box 77 and ESP Solutions. Finally, Osuna has won with García and Torres very close to his wheel and with the first 8 in the same second!
The Ibero-American Championship has been won by Pepe Osuna, with Torres as runner-up and García as third classified. In the Kawasaki Ninja Spirit Trophy the podium was made up of Pepe Osuna, Julio García and Antonio Torres, while that of the Yamaha Blu cRU Challenge by Unai Calatayud, Eduardo Agostón and Gonzalo Sánchez.
The prize for the best team in the REDD Challenge Silkolene category went to Deza Box 77, which ultimately also won the season champion plaque.
PreMoto3 and Promo3: David González closes in style
The last race of the year had David González and Álex Longarela as protagonists. Both riders broke away and set a higher pace than the chasing group made up of Carlos Cano, Pedro Alomar and Eduardo Gutiérrez. After a very fast race, González took the victory, with Longarela close behind him. Twenty seconds later the fight for third place has been extremely tight. A photo finish arrival in which Eduardo Gutiérrez put his motorcycle by thousandths to those of Cano and Alomar. Finally, Gutiérrez was penalized, leaving third place to Cano.
In Promo3, Valentín Perrone won, with Jesús Torres and Elliot Kassigian closing the podium. In Cuna de Campeones the podium has been the same.
Handy European Bridgestone Cup: Bertolasio, without rival
In the category for drivers with physical disabilities, once again it was Samuele Bertolasio who set the standard. Incontestable double and title of European champion for him. After the Italian, Troisi and Horky have qualified.
Bad luck for the only Spanish representative on the grid. Antonio Montoya crashed on the penultimate lap when he was leading the 600 category, but his great advantage in the provisional standings allowed him to become European Handy Cup champion.
This puts an end to a fascinating season and preparations begin for next year, which will arrive full of surprises, coinciding with the centenary of the Royal Spanish Motorcycle Federation. An extensive gallery will be published tomorrow with the 2022 Champions Gala, which takes place this afternoon, and action photos from this weekend of racing.
American Brandon Paasch, riding a VisionTrack Suzuki GSX-R1000R, finished 10th in the British Superstock race at Brands Hatch. Billy McConnell won the race on a Honda, and Davey Todd, who also rode a Honda, clinched the title before the finale.
Anthony Mazziotto, riding a Luxestar VIP/Affinity Kawasaki ZX-6R, finished 22nd in British Junior Superstock Race Two. Franco Bourne won Race Two on a Kawasaki, and Yamaha rider Max Cook clinched the title before coming to Brands Hatch.
Canadian and former MotoAmerica Junior Cup competitor Jack Roach, riding his Completely Motorbikes/Affinity Kawasaki Ninja 400, turned the fastest race lap and finished second in British Junior Supersport Race Two. Roach’s teammate Mikey Hardie won Race Two. Roach’s other teammate James McManus claimed the British Junior Supersport Championship.
MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up Gus Rodio finished seventh in British Junior Supersport Race Two on his Luxestar VIP/Symcirrus Kawasaki Ninja 400.
More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision Racing:
Ray crowned Bennetts BSB champion as Hickman becomes tenth different winner in 2022
Bradley Ray, the 2022 Bennetts British Superbike Champion. Photo courtesy MSVR.
Bradley Ray celebrated his Bennetts British Superbike Championship title on home soil at Brands Hatch this afternoon (Sunday). The 25-year-old was officially crowned today after sealing top honours in yesterday’s opening race, ending the season with nine race wins plus a further 14 podiums for the Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha team.
Ray finished fifth in Saturday’s eBay Sprint Race which was enough to secure a first title for both rider and team. Today, the new champion crashed out unhurt in the second race of the weekend before ending the season with a sixth place finish.
In the first of two races on the final day of the season, around the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit, Peter Hickman became the tenth different race winner of the season. The FHO Racing BMW rider held off Danny Buchan and Saturday winner Glenn Irwin to secure a visit to the top step of the podium.
In the final race of 2022, Glenn Irwin was able to grab the lead when Buchan made a small mistake at Surtees. This meant that the Honda Racing UK rider started and ended the season with victories on his way to claiming the runner-up spot in the standings, his best championship finish.
Andrew Irwin was back on the podium with a strong second place in the final race, just ahead of Buchan. Fifth place for Hickman was enough for him end the season as the Bennetts BSB Riders Cup champion, finishing just ahead of his BMW rivals.
Tommy Bridewell’s season finished with a fourth place, which secured the Oxford Products Racing Ducati team third in the final standings. This means that three different teams and manufacturers completed the final championship top three.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, Race 2 result:
Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW)
Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) +0.622s
Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK) +2.702s
Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) +13.381s
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +13.494s
Danny Kent (Buildbase Suzuki) +13.902s
Christian Iddon (Buildbase Suzuki) +15.181s
Charlie Nesbitt (Buildbase Suzuki) +16.426s
Josh Brookes (MCE Ducati) +18.912s
Tom Sykes (MCE Ducati) +20.511s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, Race 3 result:
Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK)
Andrew Irwin (SYNETIQ BMW) +0.672s
Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) +1.956s
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +5.474s
Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) +5.679s
Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) +11.000s
Josh Brookes (MCE Ducati) 11.334s
Danny Kent (Buildbase Suzuki) +11.485s
Christian Iddon (Buildbase Suzuki) +17.652s
Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) +17.744s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:
Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) 1192
Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK) 1171
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 1141
Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Kawasaki) 1095
“It’s been unbelievable. If you’d said the results we would’ve got this season at the start of the year. And said, ‘you’re going to be British champion’, I would have bitten your hand off and took it. The whole team have grafted all year. It hasn’t been easy from the start, but we put a lot of work in.
“Pre-season was good and I knew that this would be my best chance to fight for the championship with Yamaha, with Rich Energy OMG. We just got our head down the whole season, took everything in our stride, maximised everything race by race and that allowed us to come to Brands Hatch and have a difficult round like we have.
“Obviously it would have been nicer to be fighting for victory and fighting for podiums [this weekend] but we’ve done enough work throughout the season to prove that we’re worthy champions. Just a big shout out to the team, family, friends and everyone who came out to Brands to support me this weekend.”
This is MotoGP™: Phillip Island delivers an instant classic as the title fight takes another twist
Rins wins one of the closest races of all time, Marquez takes his 100th premier class podium and Bagnaia secures third – taking the Championship lead as Quartararo crashes out
Alex Rins (42) leads Marc Marquez (93), Francesco Bagnaia (63), Marco Bezzecchi (72), and the rest of the MotoGP field to the checkered flag at Phillip Island. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Sunday, 16 October 2022
The Animoca Brands Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix made a lot of headlines and a bit of history. The history was the top seven riders finishing, incredibly, within a single second – 0.884, to be exact. It’s also the second closest top ten ever. The headlines? Where do we begin…
It’s Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) who took an emotional win, the number 42 fighting at the front throughout and then fending off Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) on the final lap. Marquez, who was forced to settle for second but got back on the box, secured his 100th premier class podium. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), meanwhile, took third, and with it a fair margin of Championship lead as some serious dramas unfolded behind.
The first saw former points leader Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) run on and face a fight back from outside the top twenty, and his drama wouldn’t end there but the next was for home hero Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team). Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol) overcooked it and made contact with the Australian, sending both down and after both had made stellar starts. With that Miller is out of the Championship hunt, and the title fight got another shake up not long after.
Trying to come back through and at least into the points at the time, Quartararo then suddenly slid out of contention at the Southern Loop, lowsiding off into the gravel in another huge twist. That left an open goal for the contenders still battling it out, with Bagnaia on course to claim the lead… but by how much?
The first leaders were polesitter Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) and Marquez, before Rins and Bagnaia reeled them in. As the laps ticked down the overtakes kept coming, and the troops were forming for the podium fight: Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) and teammate Luca Marini were arriving on the scene as Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) started to fade, watching the chance to capitalise on Quartararo’s error get a little smaller.
The opposite was true of Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) as the ‘Beast’ homed in on the fight at the front. As the final showdown started to commence, there were seven riders locked together: Bagnaia, Rins, Marquez, Bezzecchi, Marini, Martin and Bastianini. Who was going to take it?
Bagnaia led them onto the final lap but with ’20 out’ loud and clear on the pit board, the risk vs reward balance was something to consider. But not for Rins and Marquez. Marquez had passed Rins for second at the Southern Loop on the penultimate lap, but the Suzuki rider hit back straight away at Stoner Corner, and that was how they commenced Lap 27 of 27. Rins went a corner earlier this time with a move on Bagnaia for the lead, and Marquez followed to push Pecco down to third. Could the number 93 cook up one final attack?
In the end, Rins was unstoppable. The Suzuki rider kept the door closed to the line as Marquez hung in there looking for a way through, and right behind the focus shifted to Bezzecchi. Would the Italian, Ducati rider and VR46 Academy member launch a late attack on Bagnaia? He wouldn’t. Bagnaia held them off to secure another podium and homed in on Marquez in a big way on the drag to the line, just 0.224 off Rins’ by the flag.
Bezzechi’s fourth place secures him top Independent Team rider in the race and Rookie of the Year for 2022, as he was left to hold off Bastianini and did so – just. The ‘Beast’ was incredibly close by the flag, taking fifth ahead of Marini. Martin took seventh after leading early on from pole, and he creates the stat of the top seven within a second.
Next up came Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing), who had a comeback on his hands after a tough start but made his way through to an impressive eighth. Aleix Espargaro, on a day that could have paid a few more dividends, faded to ninth place, with Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) rounding out the top ten after earlier having charged as far forward as seventh.
Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) took P11 ahead of a solid comeback for Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). Cal Crutchlow (WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP™), after losing a few positions off the start, finished 13th and contributes a few more Constructors’ points, with rookie teammate Darryn Binder impressing just behind to take a couple of his own points. Speaking of rookies, home hero Remy Gardner (Tech3 KTM Factory Racing) scored on home turf too, taking P15.
After drama Down Under, it’s just a few days until the paddock heads to Sepang and the Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia. Bagnaia now leads by a sizeable 14 points ahead of Quartararo, having pulled off that amazing, record-breaking comeback in the standings. Aleix Espargaro is now 27 back and Bastianini is the last contender after Miller’s 0, with the Italian facing a 42-point deficit with two to go. The first of those is contested next weekend, so tune in for more at Sepang for Bagnaia’s first match point!
MotoGP™ PODIUM
1 Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) – Suzuki – 40’50.654
2 Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) – Honda – +0.186
3 Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) – Ducati – +0.224
Alex Rins: “First of all, thanks to everyone who’s come to the Island to support us! Last time here with the Suzuki is special, I have the feeling and it’s amazing to go out with the victory. Thank you so much and see you next year, Phillip Island!”
Marc Marquez: “We chose the correct tyre with the soft rear tyre, I felt good and I was managing the race a lot in the beginning, then later on I was struggling a bit with grip but I enjoyed it a lot, that race. It doesn’t matter what position, I finished second and I tried to win. I gave everything, but Alex did a really good last lap. I gave everything I had, I enjoyed it a lot, so many overtakes. In some areas we still need to improve but Honda is working, and step by step we’re getting better and better.
“For me, the second place was so important, when I came back after the injury, the test in Misano, then the race in Japan, the race in Thailand. Why? Because it was important to understand that, inside me, the speed is there, and when I feel okay, the speed is there. But it’s true that now we need to work hard and the body needs to follow that speed, so step-by-step, it’s getting better and better. Here is a left circuit, so it helps a lot, and it’s true that it’s only two right corners where you push really hard – that is 4 and 10 – and in Malaysia, we will struggle more, I know. But, we will have time in winter so, step-by-step, we are getting better and it was the best way to keep the motivation for me, for the team, for Honda, because Honda is also in a difficult situation. They are working hard, as we see this weekend, and it’s getting better and better.”
On 100 premier class podiums:
“First of all, I’m really happy with this podium. It means a lot to me, it means a lot to the people who have helped me in this tough season, and to all the doctors, to all the physios that I work with. We are getting better and better, and Honda is working hard. Nothing has been gained now, but they are working really hard for 2023. This podium means a lot, to keep the motivation, to show to them that this rider that can win six titles with Honda is there.”
Francesco Bagnaia: “I had some difficulties to engage the front device, but in any case, the start wasn’t so good. Then I tried in the first laps to overtake many riders, and then when I saw on the pit board that Fabio was out, a win is ok but if they overtake me on the final lap, it’s ok. I’m very happy and we’re now leading the Championship… so keep going like this!
How do you feel about 91-point deficit to now, how are you different?
“For sure, it’s a Pecco that has learnt more lessons possible, and I said, there are 250 points remaining after the Sachsenring. I think we took a lot of that. Our bike is the same from Jerez and from that moment, we demonstrated that we were so competitive. So, keep going, keep going. I don’t want to think about the Championship now. Just focus on the main goal, which is doing good races, and then we’ll see. But, I don’t want to think about it.”
Fabio Quartararo: “I was struggling a lot at Turn 4 and I already made a mistake at the beginning of the race. Then I tried to push, I was quite far and I could overtake three riders but then I pushed too much in Turn 2 and I made a mistake. Let’s see how we can handle the next ones. I think Malaysia is a good track, I like it, so let’s see how we can do it.”
Is today the day where the championship really changed?
“Yeah, it has changed for him since the Sachsenring, so it can change also for us in the last two. I feel that we can have a great last two races. We need to be focused, to work well, and see, but it can be worse for both of us.”
What went wrong at Turn 4? Is it a move that you felt you should have made?
“No, it was not even a move, and I think there was a tailwind, so it pushed me quite fast, and I’ve made a mistake. But, in the end, I think it will be important to analyse it well – I think we already know what happened – and then go to Malaysia with full motivation.”
Will we see a change in strategy?
“A change of strategy is difficult but I think that, in the end, we need to do our best and, more than that, enjoy it. Because, in the recent races, I couldn’t really enjoy it, and I feel like we need to enjoy the last two races. That, for me, will be the most important thing, because I know that when I enjoy it, I feel like we can go fast!”
Aleix Espargaro: “I made a good start, I felt good, I felt I had the speed to fight for the podium but, suddenly in the middle of the race, the traction control started to cut so much power. I couldn’t accelerate, I couldn’t go forward, and it was very frustrating, because I lost a lot of ground in acceleration and tried to recover under brakes but it was impossible to stay with the leading group.”
Was it an issue with bike or electronics?
“I mean, we have the same tyre as most of the riders in the front group, so I guess it’s our problem. We have to understand what happened. Maverick had exactly the same problem, so it was very frustrating because it’s difficult to have the speed to fight for the victory but we had it today and we couldn’t really profit from it.”
Is the disappointment worse because of opportunity from Quartararo crash?
“Yes, for sure. I mean, he made a mistake and crashed, so we didn’t really profit from it and Pecco jumped onto the podium also, so now we are a bit far. It’s still possible but more difficult.”
27-point deficit; how do you look at last two races?
“The first thing is that I’m very proud to arrive at the last two races still with a chance of winning the title and this is fantastic, unbelievable. But, now it’s a little bit more difficult than before because with Pecco and Ducati’s form, and a one-race advantage, it’s not going to be easy, but anyway, everything can happen, so let’s keep fighting.”
Alonso Lopez (21). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Alonso plays his ace for a stunning second win as drama hits for Fernandez
The SpeedUp rider proves unstoppable despite a Long Lap penalty, with Fernandez crashing out and Ogura salvaging 11th for the points lead
Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp) played a figurative and literal ace at the Animoca Brands Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, escaping from the front row to pull out enough gap to serve his Long Lap penalty given in practice and still emerge in the lead – putting the hammer down from there on out to enjoy a track day experience at Phillip Island, winning with over 3.5 seconds in hand. Second went to Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo), another two-time rookie race winner this year, with Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) completing the podium after a comeback from P14 on the grid.
The huge headline beyond the podium saw former Championship leader Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) crash out from behind teammate Acosta. Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) is the therefore the new points leader, although the Japanese rider could only manage 11th and his advantage is therefore only 3.5 points with two races to go. There are also now only those two contenders remaining, as Aron Canet (Flexbox HP 40) is now 50 points back and without a win.
From lights out, Lopez was in charge as he bolted immediately, maintaining the plan to push at the limit from the off. That gave him enough advantage to dive in to take his Long Lap penalty and still emerge in the lead, and then he was gone.
After a crash out of podium contention for Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) and Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) fading back from the podium fight, the battle between Acosta and Fernandez was heating up. The rookie was ahead when his teammate suddenly slid out, losing the front and with it chance to create quite a gap. But rider ok and ultimately only losing four points.
Dixon gained the podium with that, but after having put in quite a comeback to slice through the pack from well outside the top ten. Behind him, Aldeguer held off an impressive charge from Manuel Gonzalez (Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team), with Jeremy Alcoba (Liqui Moly Intact GP) and Cameron Beaubier (American Racing) for close company. Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia), Canet and Bo Bendsneyder (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team) completed the top ten ahead of Ogura.
After that drama on race day for Fernandez, Ogura now has chance to take the crown in Malaysia… but it’s only 3.5 points the Japanese rider in hand, and it looks like the battle may well go all the way to the wire. Tune in for the Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia next weekend for another twist in the tale!
Moto2™ PODIUM
1 Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp) – Boscoscuro – 39’14.947
Alonso Lopez: “To be honest I don’t know what I did, but yesterday I was working really hard on the data, I had bad luck because I missed out on pole because of a Red Flag and I knew I had the pace but today the track was completely different. I did my best with the Long Lap, I felt really comfortable. I want to thank my team and also Casey! It’s his birthday and I learned a lot from watching him. Thank you to all the sponsors, and thanks everyone!”
Izan Guevara, the 2022 Moto3 World Champion. Photo courtesy Dorna.
#1ZAN! Guevara seals the crown with a stylish, signature win on The Island
The Champion elect becomes the Champion confirmed after a four-way fight for the podium Down Under
Izan Guevara (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) attacked and pulled away in style on the last lap of the Animoca Brands Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, taking another impressive victory and with it, this time, the 2022 Moto3™ World Championship. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Tech3) got back on the podium in second, ahead of Sergio Garcia (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) as the number 11 ceded the crown but got back on the rostrum.
Garcia took the early lead as polesitter Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) lost a couple of positions from pole, but all eyes were on Guevara as the Championship leader had some distance to make up from Row 3. He got that done quickly though, slotting into a top six joined by Garcia, Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI), Sasaki, Öncü and home hero Joel Kelso (CIP Green Power). Bit by bit two riders on the chase were able to close in, too: John McPhee (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) and Stefano Nepa (Angeluss MTA Team).
By 10 to go, four remained in the front group as Guevara, Sasaki, Öncü and Garcia pulled away, and there they stayed. On the start of the last lap, it was Öncü ahead over the line, but that didn’t last long as Guevara hit back to take the lead. From there, the number 28 got the hammer down and kept a few precious metres in hand to take what’s fast becoming a signature win, sealing the Championship in the process.
Sasaki was forced to settle for fourth, ahead of a tight group of Nepa, McPhee, Moreira and Kelso. Moreira and Kelso were separated by just 0.001, with video verification deployed.
Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) headed up the next group after a tougher race for the Italian, who has fallen back to third overall, with Riccardo Rossi (SIC58 Squadra Corse) completing the top ten. Close behind them in the group came David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports), Carlos Tatay (CFMoto Racing PrüstelGP) and front row starter Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team).
That’s a wrap Down Under, with a new World Champion crowned and the pressure now off in Malaysia. What will Sepang bring? We’ll find out next weekend, so come back for more at the Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia!
Izan Guevara: “In the start of the race today it was really complicated with the slightly wet conditions, but the track dried quickly and I felt really comfortable. It was possible to push in the lead group with my pace, I’m so happy with this moment, this Championship… I’d like to thank my team, my family for the support, and all my friends.”
American Brandon Paasch, riding a VisionTrack Suzuki GSX-R1000R, was 12th in British Superstock qualifying Saturday at Brands Hatch.
Anthony Mazziotto, riding a Luxestar VIP/Affinity Kawasaki ZX-6R, finished 21st in British Junior Superstock Race One.
Canadian and former MotoAmerica Junior Cup competitor Jack Roach, riding his Completely Motorbikes/Affinity Kawasaki Ninja 400, finished third in British Junior Supersport Race One.
MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up Gus Rodio finished fourth in British Junior Supersport Race One on his Luxestar VIP/Symcirrus Kawasaki Ninja 400.
More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision Racing:
Ray claims first Bennetts British Superbike title victory in front of home crowd
Bradley Ray, the 2022 British Superbike Champion. Photo courtesy MSVR.
Bradley Ray sealed his first Bennetts British Superbike title with a fifth place in the eBay Sprint Race at Brands Hatch this afternoon, celebrating the championship victory for the Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha team at his home round.
Ray headed into his home round on the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit with a 66-point lead, knowing that a seventh place would be enough to claim the crown for the first time. Ray’s fifth place in the eBay Sprint Race means he has an unassailable 52-point lead ahead of tomorrow’s final two races of the season.
The 25-year-old contender from Lydd made his Bennetts BSB debut in 2017, but it has been this season where he has delivered an imperious performance with a total of nine race wins and a further 14 podium finishes to consistently stay ahead of his title rivals.
It was Glenn Irwin who claimed a commanding race victory in the first race of the weekend, pushing hard from the start to bridge a gap over the chasing pack as he bids to end his campaign on a high for the Honda Racing UK team.
Glenn Irwin had a 1.374s advantage at the chequered flag, but behind there was a battle between Peter Hickman and Andrew Irwin as the pair diced for second place.
Hickman had the edge at the finish as he moves ahead in the Bennetts BSB Riders Cup battle with a second place as Andrew Irwin took his third podium finish of the season for SYNETIQ BMW.
Ray had only had to finish in the top seven to claim the title and he was forced to relinquish fourth place to Tommy Bridewell when the Oxford Products Racing Ducati made his move with three laps remaining.
Ray’s eventual fifth place was enough to be victorious in the title chase, just ahead of Jason O’Halloran and Danny Buchan. Danny Kent scored his best result of the season in eighth place for Buildbase Suzuki ahead of Kyle Ryde and Tom Sykes who competed the top ten.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, eBay Sprint Race result:
Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK)
Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) +1.374s
Andrew Irwin (SYNETIQ BMW) +1.808s
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +5.105s
Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) +5.524s
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +7.743s
Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) +9.895s
Danny Kent (Buildbase Suzuki) +13.358s
Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) +13.547s
Tom Sykes (MCE Ducati) +14.465s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:
Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) 1182
Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK) 1130
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 1117
Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Kawasaki) 1095
For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Bradley Ray
Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha
“It wasn’t easy let me tell you! I approached the start of the race as I would any other – I dug in at the start and tried to get as far up the field as possible. I started having a few small moments and a few slides, and to be honest I settled in and then into fourth and tried to catch Andy and Pete, but I couldn’t do it, so I was happy to sit where I needed to. I had to just carry on doing what I was doing.
“When Tommy passed me, I was fifth, so I knew that I’d be safe for the last few laps because seventh was what I needed. I wanted to get more, but I had to bring it home for the championship. I’m a little bit speechless but I’m sure it’ll sink in tonight over a nice glass of vino. I’m super proud.
“It’s super special, it’s something I used to dream of as a kid, becoming British champion. This is the closest I’ve ever been to doing it, so we had to dig in into the Showdown and do everything we could to be close enough coming into Brands Hatch.
“It was nice to come here with such a lead and it took a bit of pressure of my shoulders to perform, but it means the world to me to my close family, my close friends it’s a dream come true.
“I’m excited about tomorrow now; I will be going for the wins. The pressure is off so we’ll just go out, have fun and enjoy it.”
Provisional Mission Production Twins Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Cory Texter (Yam), 25 laps
2. Dan Bromley (Yam), -02.619 seconds
3. Cole Zabala (Yam), -04.024
4. James Rispoli (KTM), -09.347
5. Kolby Carlile (Har), -10.760
6. Michael Rush (Har), -10.858
7. Cameron Smith (Yam), -13.328
8. Jesse Janisch (Har), -15.036
9. Billy Ross (Har), -15.243
10. Cody Johncox (Yam), -16.048
11. Ryan Wells (Kaw), -16.901
12. Jeffery Lowery (Yam), -1 lap, -06.010
13. Mitch Harvat (KTM), -1 lap, -06.212
14. Jordan Harris (KTM), -1 lap, -07.639
15. Kasey Sciscoe (Har), -4 laps, DNF
16. Johnny Lewis (Roy), -17 laps, DNF
Provisional Parts Unlimited AFT Singles Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Dalton Gauthier (Hon), 25 laps
2. Kody Kopp (KTM), -00.196 seconds
3. Morgen Mischler (Hon), -00.285
4. Chase Saathoff (Hon), -01.379
5. Max Whale (KTM), -01.514
6. James Ott (KTM), -01.571
7. Trevor Brunner (Yam), -01.699
8. Trent Lowe (Hon), -01.936
9. Aidan RoosEvans (Hon), -02.940
10. Chad Cose (Hon), -02.973
11. Brandon Kitchen (Hus), -03.308
12. Jordan Jean (Hon), -04.485
13. Tarren Santero (Hon), -04.805
14. Tyler Raggio (Hon), -04.825
15. Jared Lowe (Hon), -04.969
16. Hunter Bauer (KTM), -05.154
17. Logan McGrane (KTM), -07.043
Provisional Mission SuperTwins Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Brandon Robinson (Ind), 31 laps
2. Briar Bauman (Ind), -00.286 seconds
3. Jared Mees (Ind), -01.664
4. Dallas Daniels (Yam), -01.807
5. Jarod Vanderkooi (Ind), -05.239
6. Davis Fisher (Ind), -05.804
7. Brandon Price (Yam), -06.924
8. Jeffrey Carver (Har), -07.540
9. Dan Bromley (PT) (Yam), -13.709
10. James Rispoli (PT) (KTM), -14.225
11. JD Beach (Yam), -14.993
12. Robert Pearson (Ind), -15.079
13. Ben Lowe (Ind), -15.424
14. Cole Zabala (PT) (Yam), -16.110
15. Bronson Bauman (Har), -18.451
16. Shayna Texter-Bauman (Ind), -20.310
17. Cory Texter (PT) (Yam), -25 laps
More, from a press release issued by American Flat Track (AFT):
Mees Successfully Defends His Crown at Volusia Half-Mile Finale II
Jared Mees (1) captured his second consecutive AFT SuperTwins Championship. Photo by Tim Lester, courtesy AFT.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (October 15, 2022) – Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) put the finishing touches on his successful title defense as a thrilling 2022 Progressive American Flat Track season came to its conclusion with this evening’s Mission Volusia Half-Mile Finale II presented by Daytona Dodge and Zo CBD at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Florida.
The defending Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle king was well positioned to retain the #1 plate after outdueling his title rivals on Friday. As a result, he only needed to avoid catastrophe in order to add yet another premier-class crown to his already incredible résumé.
That near catastrophe came in the Semi when Mees made the save of the season – perhaps the save of his career – after hitting a bump and going airborne and sideways with his front wheel loft high in the air. Somehow he not only stayed up on two wheels but made a pass to take the checkered flag first.
With that drama out of the way, Mees basically just had to show up for the Main to win the title. Instead, he chose to fight, executing passes on the likes of Friday winner Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) and rookie hero Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) to finish on the podium in third.
Already firmly established as one of the greatest riders in the history of the sport, Mees now boasts a remarkable assortment of accomplishments, including the ’12, ‘14, ‘15, ’17, ’18, ‘21, and ‘22 Grand National Championships, the 2009 and 2011 GNC1 Twins Championships, and the 2012 GNC1 Singles Championship.
“They are all sweet, they are all awesome, and they are all a lot of hard work,” Mees said. “This one is a little different because of what we were up against at the beginning of the year. The Indian Motorcycle backed by Progressive was strong all year long. My team did a phenomenal job. We had no mechanical failures all year, and we were able to come into this last race with a nice cushion. I was able to go out there and race hard. I’ll be honest, I really wanted to cap off the year with a win.”
That win instead went to Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750), who inherited the lead from JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) after Beach’s machine expired just prior to mid-distance with a potential Progressive Triple Crown victory within his reach.
Beach’s misfortune brought out the red flag, after which Robinson had to fight off Briar Bauman (No. 3 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) to claim his third win of ‘22.
Robinson said, “This is the perfect way to end the season, just knowing you are the baddest man in the last race of the year. And you get to sit on that all offseason. That’s a great feeling.”
Daniels finished close behind Mees in fourth, while fifth went to Vanderkooi. That was good enough for the VDK to add the $25,000 prize awarded for the Progressive Triple Crown to what was already destined to be an unforgettable weekend for the Ohioan.
Vanderkooi said, “I was nervous as can be – way more nervous than yesterday. This is just awesome.”
Sixth through tenth went to Davis Fisher (No. 67 Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750),Brandon Price (No. 92 G&G Racing/Yamaha Racing Yamaha MT-07), Jeffrey Carver Jr. (No. 23 Dodge Brothers Racing/Happy Trails Racing Harley-Davidson XR750), Dan Bromley (No. 62 Memphis Shades/Corbin Seats/Vinson Construction Yamaha MT-07) and James Rispoli (No. 43 Wally Brown Racing/Haversack KTM 890 Duke).
Beach, meanwhile, made the restart but could only advance to 11th after being forced to start from the back of the field. Despite falling from second to fourth in the final standings (266), ranking behind Mees (298), Bauman (276), and Daniels (267), the Estenson Yamaha pilot did end the year with the bragging rights for taking the most wins of any rider this season with four.
Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines
Similar to the situation of Mees in the premiere class, Jesse Janisch (No. 33 Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson XG750R) got the hard work out of the way prior to the Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines finale and only required a relatively modest result on Saturday to lock down his first-career Progressive AFT title.
Unlike Mees, Janisch was perfectly happy to put in that modest performance.
While running as high as fourth early, he didn’t offer any resistance when challenged in quick succession by James Rispoli (No. 43 Wally Brown Racing/Haversack KTM 890 Duke), Kolby Carlile (No. 36 KC36 Las Vegas Harley-Davidson XG750R), Mikey Rush (No. 15 Helipower Racing/Las Vegas Harley-Davidson XG750R), and finally Cameron Smith (No. 34 Thee Cathy Gray/Al Barker Yamaha MT-07), whom he gladly waved past before settling into a safe eighth.
And that’s where he’d finish to lock down that long elusive #1 plate.
“It’s amazing,” Janisch said. “Honestly, that race was kind of boring. I just had to maintain. It was pretty wild – I was up front early – I was around fifth and then it was just about moving over when everyone was coming through. I was just taking my happiness to the back.
“Shout out to the Vance & Hines team. Everything about this is from them. They gave me the opportunity last year to fill in, and they gave me a heck of an opportunity this year. We had a great season – seven wins and 14 podiums. This is good – I don’t know what else to say.”
Janisch was joined on the podium by Memphis Shades/Corbin Seats/Vinson Construction teammates Dan Bromley (No. 62 Memphis Shades/Corbin Seats/Vinson Construction Yamaha MT-07) and Cole Zabala (No. 51 Memphis Shades/Corbin Seats/Vinson Construction Yamaha MT-07).
For Bromley, the runner-up saw him successfully complete his perfect podium streak on the season, as he registered six seconds and two thirds in just eight starts. Meanwhile, it was Zabala’s second visit to the box after previously finishing third at Springfield.
And while he ultimately came up short in his quest for a third class crown, Cory Texter (No. 1 G&G Racing/Yamaha Racing Yamaha MT-07) went out like the champion he is. The two-time Mission Production Twins conqueror grabbed the holeshot and proceeded to dominate the final Main Event of his long and varied professional racing career.
Texter said, “First off, hats off to Jesse. I’m so proud of him. If I couldn’t win it, he’s a heck of a competitor, and it’s cool to see somebody else enjoy that moment. It was well deserved.
“Man, I’m going to miss it. It’s been a great ride. A long career – I’m burnt out and it’s been a lot of hard work – but to finish off with a win is great. I was really enjoying it, trying to soak it in while still trying to lead the race. Hats off to my team, G&G Racing. Without their help, none of my dreams would have come true. They gave me a shot four years ago when nobody else would, and we’ve had a really good run.”
Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER
Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R) earned runner-up honors in the 2022 Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER standings in just about the most satisfying way possible, twice overhauling newly crowned champion Kody Kopp (No. 12 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE) en route to the season’s final victory.
Less than a minute into the Main, Kopp threw a committed pass in on Chase Saathoff (No. 106 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R) to take control of the race. Kopp then found himself in the sights of not only the rookie standout, but his experienced Turner Racing Honda teammates Morgen Mischler (No. 13 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R) and Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R).
But when an intra-team scrap for second broke out, Kopp appeared to have the perfect opportunity to make his escape at the front. That only proved effective until Gauthier fought his way up from fourth into second, as the ‘19 class champ clearly had the measure of Kopp once into the position
Following a temporary stoppage due to a red flag, Gauthier made his move up the inside of Kopp. A second red flag reverted the order, and Gauthier promptly pulled off the same pass yet again.
Kopp remained on Gauthier’s rear wheel but was unable to retaliate, crossing the stripe in second, 0.196 seconds short of obtaining a single-season record-equaling eighth victory. Mischler came home third, another 0.089 seconds back.
The win saw Gauthier (255) leapfrog both Mischler (250) and Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) (249) – who finished seventh on the night – to steal away second in the final rankings.
“That was the best win of the year for me,” Gauthier said. “I came into this last race of the year and just wanted to enjoy it. We definitely did that. I just played my cards right tonight. I was fourth at the beginning, got past my teammates and then worked on Kody. He was riding a flawless race, but I was just getting stupid good drives out of four, and it just ended up working out in my favor. I’m super stoked on this one.”
Saathoff finished fourth to add to the team’s joy, while two-time class runner-up Max Whale (No. 18 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE) rounded out the top five.
The Mission Volusia Half-Mile Finale I will premiere on FS1 on Sunday, October 23, at 11:00 a.m. ET/8:00 a.m. PT, while the Mission Volusia Half-Mile Finale II will air one week later, on Sunday, October 30, at 10:30 a.m. ET/7:30 a.m. PT. Both broadcasts will include exclusive features, cutting-edge aerial drone and onboard footage, and expert commentary.
You can catch the livestream of every weekend’s racing activities on FansChoice.tv. FansChoice.tv provides free-to-view livestreaming of Practice and Qualifying. FansChoice.tv subscribers will then be able to watch the drama unfold from Opening Ceremonies through the Semis, Main Events, and podium celebrations. FansChoice.tv offers two subscription options, granting unlimited access to premium AFT content. Monthly subscriptions start at just $7.99, while a six-month subscription is available for $44.99.
To score the latest gear for the Progressive American Flat Track fan, visit our official merchandise store at https://store.americanflattrack.com.
How to Watch:
FOX Sports and FansChoice.tv are the official homes for coverage of Progressive American Flat Track. For the 2022 season, all races will premiere in one-hour telecasts on FS1 during highly desirable weekend time slots. The complete schedule can be viewed at https://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports. FansChoice.tv provides livestreaming coverage of every Progressive AFT round at http://www.FansChoice.tv.
John Ashmead (37) in action during the 2021 Daytona 200. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Long-time racer John Ashmead, best known for winning the 1989 Daytona 200, died from brain cancer Sunday, October 16 at 10:34 p.m. Eastern Time in Port St. Lucie, Florida. He was 59.
Ashmead, who was originally from West Palm Beach, Florida, but was living in Palm City, Florida, when he passed, started club racing at age 15 in 1978, according to friend and fellow racer Paul Schwemmer.
In addition to winning the 1989 Daytona 200, Ashmead won another AMA Superbike race at Laguna Seca in 1985 and AMA Supersport races at Daytona in 1988 and at Heartland Park in 1989.
He finished third in the 1986 AMA Superbike Championship and was the runner-up in the AMA Supersport Championship in 1988 and 1989.
In addition to being a Daytona 200 race winner, Ashmead also holds the all-time Daytona 200 mileage record at 4,573 miles and the record for most Daytona 200 race starts at 34, ranging five decades from 1983 to 2021.
John Ashmead is survived by his mother Shirley Ashmead, brother Vaughn Ashmead, and sisters Leslie Felton and Ruth Ann Blake.
San Juan Villicum Circuit, in Argentina. Photo courtesy of Dorna.
WorldSBK heads to Argentina for the first overseas round of 2022
What to look out for in San Juan
Championship P1 – 448 points
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Ducati – Racing)
Bautista’s best result at the Argentinean venue is a race win back in 2019 when he was riding for Ducati.
In 2021, a tenth place in Race 2 was his best result.
After the Pirelli Portuguese Round, he leads the Championship standings with a 56-point advantage over Razgatlioglu.
“The next race is in Argentina; sincerely, three years ago with Ducati I won on my first time there. But then I had some problems in the other races so… let’s see. It’s a tricky track because the conditions are very different from one day to another. We have to be ready for all kind of conditions and adapt as best as we can and just try to enjoy as we are doing and do our best!”
Championship P2 – 392 points
Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK)
Razgatlioglu is a race winner at the Circuito San Juan Villicum. In 2021, he won Race 1 and the Tissot Superpole Race.
He has been on the podium in seven races out of eight that have been staged in San Juan.
He extended his gap to Rea to 26 points for second place in the standings.
“Now, I’m looking to Argentina. I know it’s not an easy track for anyone because the Ducati again is very strong. I also remember that Alvaro was very strong in Argentina in 2019, but this year is different. We’ll keep fighting for the win. Now I’m focused on Argentina, and we’ll try our best.”
Championship P3 – 366 points
Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK)
Rea has four races in San Juan, his last win was in Race 2, 2019. He is the most successful rider here as he claimed victory in four of the first five races run.
In 2021, he claimed three podium places, but was without a win for the first time.
The six-time WorldSBK Champion is on a winning drought of 18 races, his longest since 2012-2013.
“Argentina is a cool round to go to, all the flyaways are to be honest. The different cultures, different tracks… Argentina especially because it doesn’t have a lot of track activity, so the track is always quite green. So, we have to understand what conditions we’ll face when we go there. Step by step throughout the weekend, I’ll work with the team trying to get a good package and be able to fight. I expect a tough weekend, there is a very long straight there. I will try to make myself as small as possible down there but there is plenty of other places at the track where I’m sure we can exploit our strengths of the ZX-10RR.”
Championship P4 – 232 points
Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Ducati Racing)
A third place in Race 1 in 2021 is Rinaldi’s best result in San Juan.
Having missed the podium at Portimao, he will be chasing his first win of the season in Argentina.
“I really like the track. I want to go there. It’s a pretty fun track. Also, it feels good to go outside of Europe, because it will be our first overseas this season. For sure, I need to score a podium and score points, but I think race by race, and not about fourth place in the standings.”
Championship P5 – 196 points
Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK)
Locatelli’s best result in San Juan is a sixth place in the 2021 Tissot Superpole Race.
In 2021, it was his first visit to the circuit.
“It feels like quite a new track for me because I just rode there last year for the first time. In the end, it wasn’t an easy weekend for us in Argentina, but now we arrive with more confidence after Barcelona and Portimao because, maybe the result in the race is not so good but we were faster and stronger. So, this is a good point to arrive in Argentina. I’m motivated and I’ll try to push and to understand the track as fast as possible again. I’ll push to have a good rhythm and to fight to finish in a good position. This is my objective; it won’t be easy. We’ll try it and we’ll focus to work and prepare for next week.”
Championship P6 – 189 points
Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK)
Lowes has a top five finish at the Argentinean track. In 2021, his best result was a fourth place in Race 1.
“Obviously it’s a relatively new to the calendar the last few years, a great addition to me. I think the track is great, I love the layout. Obviously, it doesn’t get used too much so on Friday, it’s always a bit slippery and you have to be careful. Last year, I was a bit injured, but I have a good first race finishing fourth, even with the injury, so I’m quite optimistic this that I can carry on my good form and challenge for a podium. But like I said, it’s an event, a race and a track that I really enjoy, and honestly, I cannot wait to get out there!”
To keep an eye on:
Team HRC’s riders, Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge will race for the first time at the Circuito San Juan Villicum.
In 2021, BMW’s best result at San Juan was Michael van der Mark (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)’s fifth place in the Tissot Superpole Race, whilst he finished sixth in Race 1 and Race 2. It will be Scott Redding’s first Argentinean round with the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team.
Argentinean rider Marco Solorza (TPR Team Pedercini Racing) will race for the Italian team for the Motul Argentinean Round. In 2021, he already took part in the WorldSBK Argentinean Round with an 18th place as his best result; he’ll target the points-scoring positions for his home round.
Stefano Mesa (37). Photo by Lisa Theobald, courtesy ASRA/CCS.
Mesa Beats Own Record
CCS/ASRA 39th Annual Race of Champions
Daytona International Speedway
October 16, 2022
by Lisa Theobald
Stefano Mesa bested himself Sunday during the CCS/ASRA 39th Annual Race of Champions Unlimited Superbike race, setting another lap record at the 3.51-mile Daytona International Speedway road course. The new record pace of 1:45.538 was set mid-afternoon during lap three of the CCS Unlimited Superbike race and was 0.3 second faster than the lap record Mesa set Saturday, 1:45.879.
Mesa ran undefeated during the three-day event, winning all nine of his races across the middleweight and unlimited classes. Friday, he kicked off the weekend with wins in the Middleweight Superbike and Unlimited Grand Prix classes. Saturday, he started the day with victories in the both the GTU and GTO classes and wrapped up the afternoon with wins in both Middleweight and Unlimited Supersport. And on Sunday, Mesa finished the weekend with victories in both of the ASRA Sportbike and ASRA Superstock races and ended with the grand finale of yet another lap record at Daytona International Speedway halfway through his run to take the checkered flag in Unlimited Superbike.
American Mikey Lou Sanchez (55) celebrating atop RFME ESBK Moto4 podium Sunday at Jerez. Photo courtesy RFME.
ESBK JEREZ 2: FINAL STRIKE
Spanish Superbike Championship. Last chance
The last round of the ESBK – Spanish Superbike Championship has lived up to expectations. The Jerez Ángel Nieto circuit has put the finishing touch to a fabulous season where there has been a lot of emotion in all categories. In addition, it has been possible to follow rigorously live on the RFME Youtube channel.
SuperSport NG: title for Yeray Ruiz
With the fight for the title still to be decided, it would be Yeray Ruiz and Julián Grial who would fight for it. We live in a very tight race. Dani Muñoz has put in a perfect performance leading from start to finish and leaving the dispute for the championship behind him. Ruiz has remained firm in second place, withstanding constant attacks from Giral. Finally, Yeray, with his second place, guaranteed the title of Spanish SuperSport NG Champion.
In the SuperStock 600 category, Eric Fernández, despite signing a weekend full of hardships, with a fall in training, sick leave on Saturday and a fall in today’s race, has been proclaimed champion of his class. Brett Roberts, Carlos Valle and Maxwell Toth have made up the race podium. The Challenge ELF Moto has been won in this test by the Croatian from the MDR Martin Vugrinec.
Superbike: double for Borja Gómez
Borja Gómez has started pulling very strongly in the Superbike category, closely marked by Óscar Gutiérrez and Tito Rabat himself. Halfway through the race, Óscar was in the lead, printing a new stronger pace, but he went down on lap 11, leaving Gómez free to go. With the distance well taken with respect to Rabat, the Cardoso Racing player managed that difference, guaranteeing the double and the runner-up position in Spain. On his part, Ivo Lopes made a comeback race and with a few laps to go he was able to pass Odendaal and guarantee himself third place.
In Stock1000 Daniel Sáez, Eduardo Montero and Mathias Poulsen have made up the last podium of the year. The Challenge ELF Moto trophy has gone to Oscar Gutiérrez, who is also the overall winner of the season.
Moto4: Miroslavov, Champion of Spain
There couldn’t be a more unexpected end to the small category. Yesterday’s race was practically by elimination, since the first three classified in the points table crashed. The fourth in the running, Miroslavov, took the victory and was placed as a firm candidate for the title. Today the race has been crazy, fighting a group of ten drivers at the head of the race until the checkered flag. Anything could happen, but finally it was Michael Sánchez who crossed the finish line first, followed by Iaroslav Karpushin and Ignacio Galán. For his part, Miroslavov managed to finish seventh, a position that earned him the title of Spanish Moto4 Champion.
American Mikey Lou Sanchez (55) won the RFME ESBK Moto4 race Sunday at Jerez. Photo courtesy RFME.
Pepe Osuna also wins the Iberoamerican SSP300
With the title already in Pepe Osuna’s pocket, the SBK Junior career has defined the runner-up. In addition, the Ibero-American champion of SSP300 2022 would come out of the calculation of the two races.
A very crazy race from the beginning with a very large group where they have not stopped dancing the positions. Uriostegui, Julio García and Pepe Osuna have commanded the three leading positions and a little later Antonio Torres has signed up… Fight without quarter between Deza Box 77 and ESP Solutions. Finally, Osuna has won with García and Torres very close to his wheel and with the first 8 in the same second!
The Ibero-American Championship has been won by Pepe Osuna, with Torres as runner-up and García as third classified. In the Kawasaki Ninja Spirit Trophy the podium was made up of Pepe Osuna, Julio García and Antonio Torres, while that of the Yamaha Blu cRU Challenge by Unai Calatayud, Eduardo Agostón and Gonzalo Sánchez.
The prize for the best team in the REDD Challenge Silkolene category went to Deza Box 77, which ultimately also won the season champion plaque.
PreMoto3 and Promo3: David González closes in style
The last race of the year had David González and Álex Longarela as protagonists. Both riders broke away and set a higher pace than the chasing group made up of Carlos Cano, Pedro Alomar and Eduardo Gutiérrez. After a very fast race, González took the victory, with Longarela close behind him. Twenty seconds later the fight for third place has been extremely tight. A photo finish arrival in which Eduardo Gutiérrez put his motorcycle by thousandths to those of Cano and Alomar. Finally, Gutiérrez was penalized, leaving third place to Cano.
In Promo3, Valentín Perrone won, with Jesús Torres and Elliot Kassigian closing the podium. In Cuna de Campeones the podium has been the same.
Handy European Bridgestone Cup: Bertolasio, without rival
In the category for drivers with physical disabilities, once again it was Samuele Bertolasio who set the standard. Incontestable double and title of European champion for him. After the Italian, Troisi and Horky have qualified.
Bad luck for the only Spanish representative on the grid. Antonio Montoya crashed on the penultimate lap when he was leading the 600 category, but his great advantage in the provisional standings allowed him to become European Handy Cup champion.
This puts an end to a fascinating season and preparations begin for next year, which will arrive full of surprises, coinciding with the centenary of the Royal Spanish Motorcycle Federation. An extensive gallery will be published tomorrow with the 2022 Champions Gala, which takes place this afternoon, and action photos from this weekend of racing.
A scene from a previous Bennetts British Superbike event at Brands Hatch. Photo courtesy MSVR.
Editorial Notes:
American Brandon Paasch, riding a VisionTrack Suzuki GSX-R1000R, finished 10th in the British Superstock race at Brands Hatch. Billy McConnell won the race on a Honda, and Davey Todd, who also rode a Honda, clinched the title before the finale.
Anthony Mazziotto, riding a Luxestar VIP/Affinity Kawasaki ZX-6R, finished 22nd in British Junior Superstock Race Two. Franco Bourne won Race Two on a Kawasaki, and Yamaha rider Max Cook clinched the title before coming to Brands Hatch.
Canadian and former MotoAmerica Junior Cup competitor Jack Roach, riding his Completely Motorbikes/Affinity Kawasaki Ninja 400, turned the fastest race lap and finished second in British Junior Supersport Race Two. Roach’s teammate Mikey Hardie won Race Two. Roach’s other teammate James McManus claimed the British Junior Supersport Championship.
MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up Gus Rodio finished seventh in British Junior Supersport Race Two on his Luxestar VIP/Symcirrus Kawasaki Ninja 400.
More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision Racing:
Ray crowned Bennetts BSB champion as Hickman becomes tenth different winner in 2022
Bradley Ray, the 2022 Bennetts British Superbike Champion. Photo courtesy MSVR.
Bradley Ray celebrated his Bennetts British Superbike Championship title on home soil at Brands Hatch this afternoon (Sunday). The 25-year-old was officially crowned today after sealing top honours in yesterday’s opening race, ending the season with nine race wins plus a further 14 podiums for the Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha team.
Ray finished fifth in Saturday’s eBay Sprint Race which was enough to secure a first title for both rider and team. Today, the new champion crashed out unhurt in the second race of the weekend before ending the season with a sixth place finish.
In the first of two races on the final day of the season, around the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit, Peter Hickman became the tenth different race winner of the season. The FHO Racing BMW rider held off Danny Buchan and Saturday winner Glenn Irwin to secure a visit to the top step of the podium.
In the final race of 2022, Glenn Irwin was able to grab the lead when Buchan made a small mistake at Surtees. This meant that the Honda Racing UK rider started and ended the season with victories on his way to claiming the runner-up spot in the standings, his best championship finish.
Andrew Irwin was back on the podium with a strong second place in the final race, just ahead of Buchan. Fifth place for Hickman was enough for him end the season as the Bennetts BSB Riders Cup champion, finishing just ahead of his BMW rivals.
Tommy Bridewell’s season finished with a fourth place, which secured the Oxford Products Racing Ducati team third in the final standings. This means that three different teams and manufacturers completed the final championship top three.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, Race 2 result:
Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW)
Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) +0.622s
Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK) +2.702s
Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) +13.381s
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +13.494s
Danny Kent (Buildbase Suzuki) +13.902s
Christian Iddon (Buildbase Suzuki) +15.181s
Charlie Nesbitt (Buildbase Suzuki) +16.426s
Josh Brookes (MCE Ducati) +18.912s
Tom Sykes (MCE Ducati) +20.511s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, Race 3 result:
Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK)
Andrew Irwin (SYNETIQ BMW) +0.672s
Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) +1.956s
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +5.474s
Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) +5.679s
Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) +11.000s
Josh Brookes (MCE Ducati) 11.334s
Danny Kent (Buildbase Suzuki) +11.485s
Christian Iddon (Buildbase Suzuki) +17.652s
Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) +17.744s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:
Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) 1192
Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK) 1171
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 1141
Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Kawasaki) 1095
“It’s been unbelievable. If you’d said the results we would’ve got this season at the start of the year. And said, ‘you’re going to be British champion’, I would have bitten your hand off and took it. The whole team have grafted all year. It hasn’t been easy from the start, but we put a lot of work in.
“Pre-season was good and I knew that this would be my best chance to fight for the championship with Yamaha, with Rich Energy OMG. We just got our head down the whole season, took everything in our stride, maximised everything race by race and that allowed us to come to Brands Hatch and have a difficult round like we have.
“Obviously it would have been nicer to be fighting for victory and fighting for podiums [this weekend] but we’ve done enough work throughout the season to prove that we’re worthy champions. Just a big shout out to the team, family, friends and everyone who came out to Brands to support me this weekend.”
This is MotoGP™: Phillip Island delivers an instant classic as the title fight takes another twist
Rins wins one of the closest races of all time, Marquez takes his 100th premier class podium and Bagnaia secures third – taking the Championship lead as Quartararo crashes out
Alex Rins (42) leads Marc Marquez (93), Francesco Bagnaia (63), Marco Bezzecchi (72), and the rest of the MotoGP field to the checkered flag at Phillip Island. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Sunday, 16 October 2022
The Animoca Brands Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix made a lot of headlines and a bit of history. The history was the top seven riders finishing, incredibly, within a single second – 0.884, to be exact. It’s also the second closest top ten ever. The headlines? Where do we begin…
It’s Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) who took an emotional win, the number 42 fighting at the front throughout and then fending off Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) on the final lap. Marquez, who was forced to settle for second but got back on the box, secured his 100th premier class podium. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), meanwhile, took third, and with it a fair margin of Championship lead as some serious dramas unfolded behind.
The first saw former points leader Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) run on and face a fight back from outside the top twenty, and his drama wouldn’t end there but the next was for home hero Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team). Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol) overcooked it and made contact with the Australian, sending both down and after both had made stellar starts. With that Miller is out of the Championship hunt, and the title fight got another shake up not long after.
Trying to come back through and at least into the points at the time, Quartararo then suddenly slid out of contention at the Southern Loop, lowsiding off into the gravel in another huge twist. That left an open goal for the contenders still battling it out, with Bagnaia on course to claim the lead… but by how much?
The first leaders were polesitter Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) and Marquez, before Rins and Bagnaia reeled them in. As the laps ticked down the overtakes kept coming, and the troops were forming for the podium fight: Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) and teammate Luca Marini were arriving on the scene as Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) started to fade, watching the chance to capitalise on Quartararo’s error get a little smaller.
The opposite was true of Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) as the ‘Beast’ homed in on the fight at the front. As the final showdown started to commence, there were seven riders locked together: Bagnaia, Rins, Marquez, Bezzecchi, Marini, Martin and Bastianini. Who was going to take it?
Bagnaia led them onto the final lap but with ’20 out’ loud and clear on the pit board, the risk vs reward balance was something to consider. But not for Rins and Marquez. Marquez had passed Rins for second at the Southern Loop on the penultimate lap, but the Suzuki rider hit back straight away at Stoner Corner, and that was how they commenced Lap 27 of 27. Rins went a corner earlier this time with a move on Bagnaia for the lead, and Marquez followed to push Pecco down to third. Could the number 93 cook up one final attack?
In the end, Rins was unstoppable. The Suzuki rider kept the door closed to the line as Marquez hung in there looking for a way through, and right behind the focus shifted to Bezzecchi. Would the Italian, Ducati rider and VR46 Academy member launch a late attack on Bagnaia? He wouldn’t. Bagnaia held them off to secure another podium and homed in on Marquez in a big way on the drag to the line, just 0.224 off Rins’ by the flag.
Bezzechi’s fourth place secures him top Independent Team rider in the race and Rookie of the Year for 2022, as he was left to hold off Bastianini and did so – just. The ‘Beast’ was incredibly close by the flag, taking fifth ahead of Marini. Martin took seventh after leading early on from pole, and he creates the stat of the top seven within a second.
Next up came Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing), who had a comeback on his hands after a tough start but made his way through to an impressive eighth. Aleix Espargaro, on a day that could have paid a few more dividends, faded to ninth place, with Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) rounding out the top ten after earlier having charged as far forward as seventh.
Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) took P11 ahead of a solid comeback for Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). Cal Crutchlow (WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP™), after losing a few positions off the start, finished 13th and contributes a few more Constructors’ points, with rookie teammate Darryn Binder impressing just behind to take a couple of his own points. Speaking of rookies, home hero Remy Gardner (Tech3 KTM Factory Racing) scored on home turf too, taking P15.
After drama Down Under, it’s just a few days until the paddock heads to Sepang and the Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia. Bagnaia now leads by a sizeable 14 points ahead of Quartararo, having pulled off that amazing, record-breaking comeback in the standings. Aleix Espargaro is now 27 back and Bastianini is the last contender after Miller’s 0, with the Italian facing a 42-point deficit with two to go. The first of those is contested next weekend, so tune in for more at Sepang for Bagnaia’s first match point!
MotoGP™ PODIUM
1 Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) – Suzuki – 40’50.654
2 Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) – Honda – +0.186
3 Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) – Ducati – +0.224
Alex Rins: “First of all, thanks to everyone who’s come to the Island to support us! Last time here with the Suzuki is special, I have the feeling and it’s amazing to go out with the victory. Thank you so much and see you next year, Phillip Island!”
Marc Marquez: “We chose the correct tyre with the soft rear tyre, I felt good and I was managing the race a lot in the beginning, then later on I was struggling a bit with grip but I enjoyed it a lot, that race. It doesn’t matter what position, I finished second and I tried to win. I gave everything, but Alex did a really good last lap. I gave everything I had, I enjoyed it a lot, so many overtakes. In some areas we still need to improve but Honda is working, and step by step we’re getting better and better.
“For me, the second place was so important, when I came back after the injury, the test in Misano, then the race in Japan, the race in Thailand. Why? Because it was important to understand that, inside me, the speed is there, and when I feel okay, the speed is there. But it’s true that now we need to work hard and the body needs to follow that speed, so step-by-step, it’s getting better and better. Here is a left circuit, so it helps a lot, and it’s true that it’s only two right corners where you push really hard – that is 4 and 10 – and in Malaysia, we will struggle more, I know. But, we will have time in winter so, step-by-step, we are getting better and it was the best way to keep the motivation for me, for the team, for Honda, because Honda is also in a difficult situation. They are working hard, as we see this weekend, and it’s getting better and better.”
On 100 premier class podiums:
“First of all, I’m really happy with this podium. It means a lot to me, it means a lot to the people who have helped me in this tough season, and to all the doctors, to all the physios that I work with. We are getting better and better, and Honda is working hard. Nothing has been gained now, but they are working really hard for 2023. This podium means a lot, to keep the motivation, to show to them that this rider that can win six titles with Honda is there.”
Francesco Bagnaia: “I had some difficulties to engage the front device, but in any case, the start wasn’t so good. Then I tried in the first laps to overtake many riders, and then when I saw on the pit board that Fabio was out, a win is ok but if they overtake me on the final lap, it’s ok. I’m very happy and we’re now leading the Championship… so keep going like this!
How do you feel about 91-point deficit to now, how are you different?
“For sure, it’s a Pecco that has learnt more lessons possible, and I said, there are 250 points remaining after the Sachsenring. I think we took a lot of that. Our bike is the same from Jerez and from that moment, we demonstrated that we were so competitive. So, keep going, keep going. I don’t want to think about the Championship now. Just focus on the main goal, which is doing good races, and then we’ll see. But, I don’t want to think about it.”
Fabio Quartararo: “I was struggling a lot at Turn 4 and I already made a mistake at the beginning of the race. Then I tried to push, I was quite far and I could overtake three riders but then I pushed too much in Turn 2 and I made a mistake. Let’s see how we can handle the next ones. I think Malaysia is a good track, I like it, so let’s see how we can do it.”
Is today the day where the championship really changed?
“Yeah, it has changed for him since the Sachsenring, so it can change also for us in the last two. I feel that we can have a great last two races. We need to be focused, to work well, and see, but it can be worse for both of us.”
What went wrong at Turn 4? Is it a move that you felt you should have made?
“No, it was not even a move, and I think there was a tailwind, so it pushed me quite fast, and I’ve made a mistake. But, in the end, I think it will be important to analyse it well – I think we already know what happened – and then go to Malaysia with full motivation.”
Will we see a change in strategy?
“A change of strategy is difficult but I think that, in the end, we need to do our best and, more than that, enjoy it. Because, in the recent races, I couldn’t really enjoy it, and I feel like we need to enjoy the last two races. That, for me, will be the most important thing, because I know that when I enjoy it, I feel like we can go fast!”
Aleix Espargaro: “I made a good start, I felt good, I felt I had the speed to fight for the podium but, suddenly in the middle of the race, the traction control started to cut so much power. I couldn’t accelerate, I couldn’t go forward, and it was very frustrating, because I lost a lot of ground in acceleration and tried to recover under brakes but it was impossible to stay with the leading group.”
Was it an issue with bike or electronics?
“I mean, we have the same tyre as most of the riders in the front group, so I guess it’s our problem. We have to understand what happened. Maverick had exactly the same problem, so it was very frustrating because it’s difficult to have the speed to fight for the victory but we had it today and we couldn’t really profit from it.”
Is the disappointment worse because of opportunity from Quartararo crash?
“Yes, for sure. I mean, he made a mistake and crashed, so we didn’t really profit from it and Pecco jumped onto the podium also, so now we are a bit far. It’s still possible but more difficult.”
27-point deficit; how do you look at last two races?
“The first thing is that I’m very proud to arrive at the last two races still with a chance of winning the title and this is fantastic, unbelievable. But, now it’s a little bit more difficult than before because with Pecco and Ducati’s form, and a one-race advantage, it’s not going to be easy, but anyway, everything can happen, so let’s keep fighting.”
Alonso Lopez (21). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Alonso plays his ace for a stunning second win as drama hits for Fernandez
The SpeedUp rider proves unstoppable despite a Long Lap penalty, with Fernandez crashing out and Ogura salvaging 11th for the points lead
Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp) played a figurative and literal ace at the Animoca Brands Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, escaping from the front row to pull out enough gap to serve his Long Lap penalty given in practice and still emerge in the lead – putting the hammer down from there on out to enjoy a track day experience at Phillip Island, winning with over 3.5 seconds in hand. Second went to Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo), another two-time rookie race winner this year, with Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) completing the podium after a comeback from P14 on the grid.
The huge headline beyond the podium saw former Championship leader Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) crash out from behind teammate Acosta. Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) is the therefore the new points leader, although the Japanese rider could only manage 11th and his advantage is therefore only 3.5 points with two races to go. There are also now only those two contenders remaining, as Aron Canet (Flexbox HP 40) is now 50 points back and without a win.
From lights out, Lopez was in charge as he bolted immediately, maintaining the plan to push at the limit from the off. That gave him enough advantage to dive in to take his Long Lap penalty and still emerge in the lead, and then he was gone.
After a crash out of podium contention for Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) and Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) fading back from the podium fight, the battle between Acosta and Fernandez was heating up. The rookie was ahead when his teammate suddenly slid out, losing the front and with it chance to create quite a gap. But rider ok and ultimately only losing four points.
Dixon gained the podium with that, but after having put in quite a comeback to slice through the pack from well outside the top ten. Behind him, Aldeguer held off an impressive charge from Manuel Gonzalez (Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team), with Jeremy Alcoba (Liqui Moly Intact GP) and Cameron Beaubier (American Racing) for close company. Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia), Canet and Bo Bendsneyder (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team) completed the top ten ahead of Ogura.
After that drama on race day for Fernandez, Ogura now has chance to take the crown in Malaysia… but it’s only 3.5 points the Japanese rider in hand, and it looks like the battle may well go all the way to the wire. Tune in for the Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia next weekend for another twist in the tale!
Moto2™ PODIUM
1 Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp) – Boscoscuro – 39’14.947
Alonso Lopez: “To be honest I don’t know what I did, but yesterday I was working really hard on the data, I had bad luck because I missed out on pole because of a Red Flag and I knew I had the pace but today the track was completely different. I did my best with the Long Lap, I felt really comfortable. I want to thank my team and also Casey! It’s his birthday and I learned a lot from watching him. Thank you to all the sponsors, and thanks everyone!”
Izan Guevara, the 2022 Moto3 World Champion. Photo courtesy Dorna.
#1ZAN! Guevara seals the crown with a stylish, signature win on The Island
The Champion elect becomes the Champion confirmed after a four-way fight for the podium Down Under
Izan Guevara (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) attacked and pulled away in style on the last lap of the Animoca Brands Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, taking another impressive victory and with it, this time, the 2022 Moto3™ World Championship. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Tech3) got back on the podium in second, ahead of Sergio Garcia (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) as the number 11 ceded the crown but got back on the rostrum.
Garcia took the early lead as polesitter Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) lost a couple of positions from pole, but all eyes were on Guevara as the Championship leader had some distance to make up from Row 3. He got that done quickly though, slotting into a top six joined by Garcia, Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI), Sasaki, Öncü and home hero Joel Kelso (CIP Green Power). Bit by bit two riders on the chase were able to close in, too: John McPhee (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) and Stefano Nepa (Angeluss MTA Team).
By 10 to go, four remained in the front group as Guevara, Sasaki, Öncü and Garcia pulled away, and there they stayed. On the start of the last lap, it was Öncü ahead over the line, but that didn’t last long as Guevara hit back to take the lead. From there, the number 28 got the hammer down and kept a few precious metres in hand to take what’s fast becoming a signature win, sealing the Championship in the process.
Sasaki was forced to settle for fourth, ahead of a tight group of Nepa, McPhee, Moreira and Kelso. Moreira and Kelso were separated by just 0.001, with video verification deployed.
Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) headed up the next group after a tougher race for the Italian, who has fallen back to third overall, with Riccardo Rossi (SIC58 Squadra Corse) completing the top ten. Close behind them in the group came David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports), Carlos Tatay (CFMoto Racing PrüstelGP) and front row starter Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team).
That’s a wrap Down Under, with a new World Champion crowned and the pressure now off in Malaysia. What will Sepang bring? We’ll find out next weekend, so come back for more at the Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia!
Izan Guevara: “In the start of the race today it was really complicated with the slightly wet conditions, but the track dried quickly and I felt really comfortable. It was possible to push in the lead group with my pace, I’m so happy with this moment, this Championship… I’d like to thank my team, my family for the support, and all my friends.”
The start of a British Superbike race at Brands Hatch earlier this season. Photo courtesy MSVR.
Editorial Notes:
American Brandon Paasch, riding a VisionTrack Suzuki GSX-R1000R, was 12th in British Superstock qualifying Saturday at Brands Hatch.
Anthony Mazziotto, riding a Luxestar VIP/Affinity Kawasaki ZX-6R, finished 21st in British Junior Superstock Race One.
Canadian and former MotoAmerica Junior Cup competitor Jack Roach, riding his Completely Motorbikes/Affinity Kawasaki Ninja 400, finished third in British Junior Supersport Race One.
MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up Gus Rodio finished fourth in British Junior Supersport Race One on his Luxestar VIP/Symcirrus Kawasaki Ninja 400.
More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision Racing:
Ray claims first Bennetts British Superbike title victory in front of home crowd
Bradley Ray, the 2022 British Superbike Champion. Photo courtesy MSVR.
Bradley Ray sealed his first Bennetts British Superbike title with a fifth place in the eBay Sprint Race at Brands Hatch this afternoon, celebrating the championship victory for the Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha team at his home round.
Ray headed into his home round on the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit with a 66-point lead, knowing that a seventh place would be enough to claim the crown for the first time. Ray’s fifth place in the eBay Sprint Race means he has an unassailable 52-point lead ahead of tomorrow’s final two races of the season.
The 25-year-old contender from Lydd made his Bennetts BSB debut in 2017, but it has been this season where he has delivered an imperious performance with a total of nine race wins and a further 14 podium finishes to consistently stay ahead of his title rivals.
It was Glenn Irwin who claimed a commanding race victory in the first race of the weekend, pushing hard from the start to bridge a gap over the chasing pack as he bids to end his campaign on a high for the Honda Racing UK team.
Glenn Irwin had a 1.374s advantage at the chequered flag, but behind there was a battle between Peter Hickman and Andrew Irwin as the pair diced for second place.
Hickman had the edge at the finish as he moves ahead in the Bennetts BSB Riders Cup battle with a second place as Andrew Irwin took his third podium finish of the season for SYNETIQ BMW.
Ray had only had to finish in the top seven to claim the title and he was forced to relinquish fourth place to Tommy Bridewell when the Oxford Products Racing Ducati made his move with three laps remaining.
Ray’s eventual fifth place was enough to be victorious in the title chase, just ahead of Jason O’Halloran and Danny Buchan. Danny Kent scored his best result of the season in eighth place for Buildbase Suzuki ahead of Kyle Ryde and Tom Sykes who competed the top ten.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, eBay Sprint Race result:
Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK)
Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) +1.374s
Andrew Irwin (SYNETIQ BMW) +1.808s
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +5.105s
Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) +5.524s
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +7.743s
Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) +9.895s
Danny Kent (Buildbase Suzuki) +13.358s
Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) +13.547s
Tom Sykes (MCE Ducati) +14.465s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:
Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) 1182
Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK) 1130
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 1117
Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Kawasaki) 1095
For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Bradley Ray
Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha
“It wasn’t easy let me tell you! I approached the start of the race as I would any other – I dug in at the start and tried to get as far up the field as possible. I started having a few small moments and a few slides, and to be honest I settled in and then into fourth and tried to catch Andy and Pete, but I couldn’t do it, so I was happy to sit where I needed to. I had to just carry on doing what I was doing.
“When Tommy passed me, I was fifth, so I knew that I’d be safe for the last few laps because seventh was what I needed. I wanted to get more, but I had to bring it home for the championship. I’m a little bit speechless but I’m sure it’ll sink in tonight over a nice glass of vino. I’m super proud.
“It’s super special, it’s something I used to dream of as a kid, becoming British champion. This is the closest I’ve ever been to doing it, so we had to dig in into the Showdown and do everything we could to be close enough coming into Brands Hatch.
“It was nice to come here with such a lead and it took a bit of pressure of my shoulders to perform, but it means the world to me to my close family, my close friends it’s a dream come true.
“I’m excited about tomorrow now; I will be going for the wins. The pressure is off so we’ll just go out, have fun and enjoy it.”
Provisional Mission Production Twins Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Cory Texter (Yam), 25 laps
2. Dan Bromley (Yam), -02.619 seconds
3. Cole Zabala (Yam), -04.024
4. James Rispoli (KTM), -09.347
5. Kolby Carlile (Har), -10.760
6. Michael Rush (Har), -10.858
7. Cameron Smith (Yam), -13.328
8. Jesse Janisch (Har), -15.036
9. Billy Ross (Har), -15.243
10. Cody Johncox (Yam), -16.048
11. Ryan Wells (Kaw), -16.901
12. Jeffery Lowery (Yam), -1 lap, -06.010
13. Mitch Harvat (KTM), -1 lap, -06.212
14. Jordan Harris (KTM), -1 lap, -07.639
15. Kasey Sciscoe (Har), -4 laps, DNF
16. Johnny Lewis (Roy), -17 laps, DNF
Provisional Parts Unlimited AFT Singles Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Dalton Gauthier (Hon), 25 laps
2. Kody Kopp (KTM), -00.196 seconds
3. Morgen Mischler (Hon), -00.285
4. Chase Saathoff (Hon), -01.379
5. Max Whale (KTM), -01.514
6. James Ott (KTM), -01.571
7. Trevor Brunner (Yam), -01.699
8. Trent Lowe (Hon), -01.936
9. Aidan RoosEvans (Hon), -02.940
10. Chad Cose (Hon), -02.973
11. Brandon Kitchen (Hus), -03.308
12. Jordan Jean (Hon), -04.485
13. Tarren Santero (Hon), -04.805
14. Tyler Raggio (Hon), -04.825
15. Jared Lowe (Hon), -04.969
16. Hunter Bauer (KTM), -05.154
17. Logan McGrane (KTM), -07.043
Provisional Mission SuperTwins Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Brandon Robinson (Ind), 31 laps
2. Briar Bauman (Ind), -00.286 seconds
3. Jared Mees (Ind), -01.664
4. Dallas Daniels (Yam), -01.807
5. Jarod Vanderkooi (Ind), -05.239
6. Davis Fisher (Ind), -05.804
7. Brandon Price (Yam), -06.924
8. Jeffrey Carver (Har), -07.540
9. Dan Bromley (PT) (Yam), -13.709
10. James Rispoli (PT) (KTM), -14.225
11. JD Beach (Yam), -14.993
12. Robert Pearson (Ind), -15.079
13. Ben Lowe (Ind), -15.424
14. Cole Zabala (PT) (Yam), -16.110
15. Bronson Bauman (Har), -18.451
16. Shayna Texter-Bauman (Ind), -20.310
17. Cory Texter (PT) (Yam), -25 laps
More, from a press release issued by American Flat Track (AFT):
Mees Successfully Defends His Crown at Volusia Half-Mile Finale II
Jared Mees (1) captured his second consecutive AFT SuperTwins Championship. Photo by Tim Lester, courtesy AFT.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (October 15, 2022) – Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) put the finishing touches on his successful title defense as a thrilling 2022 Progressive American Flat Track season came to its conclusion with this evening’s Mission Volusia Half-Mile Finale II presented by Daytona Dodge and Zo CBD at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Florida.
The defending Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle king was well positioned to retain the #1 plate after outdueling his title rivals on Friday. As a result, he only needed to avoid catastrophe in order to add yet another premier-class crown to his already incredible résumé.
That near catastrophe came in the Semi when Mees made the save of the season – perhaps the save of his career – after hitting a bump and going airborne and sideways with his front wheel loft high in the air. Somehow he not only stayed up on two wheels but made a pass to take the checkered flag first.
With that drama out of the way, Mees basically just had to show up for the Main to win the title. Instead, he chose to fight, executing passes on the likes of Friday winner Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) and rookie hero Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) to finish on the podium in third.
Already firmly established as one of the greatest riders in the history of the sport, Mees now boasts a remarkable assortment of accomplishments, including the ’12, ‘14, ‘15, ’17, ’18, ‘21, and ‘22 Grand National Championships, the 2009 and 2011 GNC1 Twins Championships, and the 2012 GNC1 Singles Championship.
“They are all sweet, they are all awesome, and they are all a lot of hard work,” Mees said. “This one is a little different because of what we were up against at the beginning of the year. The Indian Motorcycle backed by Progressive was strong all year long. My team did a phenomenal job. We had no mechanical failures all year, and we were able to come into this last race with a nice cushion. I was able to go out there and race hard. I’ll be honest, I really wanted to cap off the year with a win.”
That win instead went to Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750), who inherited the lead from JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) after Beach’s machine expired just prior to mid-distance with a potential Progressive Triple Crown victory within his reach.
Beach’s misfortune brought out the red flag, after which Robinson had to fight off Briar Bauman (No. 3 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) to claim his third win of ‘22.
Robinson said, “This is the perfect way to end the season, just knowing you are the baddest man in the last race of the year. And you get to sit on that all offseason. That’s a great feeling.”
Daniels finished close behind Mees in fourth, while fifth went to Vanderkooi. That was good enough for the VDK to add the $25,000 prize awarded for the Progressive Triple Crown to what was already destined to be an unforgettable weekend for the Ohioan.
Vanderkooi said, “I was nervous as can be – way more nervous than yesterday. This is just awesome.”
Sixth through tenth went to Davis Fisher (No. 67 Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750),Brandon Price (No. 92 G&G Racing/Yamaha Racing Yamaha MT-07), Jeffrey Carver Jr. (No. 23 Dodge Brothers Racing/Happy Trails Racing Harley-Davidson XR750), Dan Bromley (No. 62 Memphis Shades/Corbin Seats/Vinson Construction Yamaha MT-07) and James Rispoli (No. 43 Wally Brown Racing/Haversack KTM 890 Duke).
Beach, meanwhile, made the restart but could only advance to 11th after being forced to start from the back of the field. Despite falling from second to fourth in the final standings (266), ranking behind Mees (298), Bauman (276), and Daniels (267), the Estenson Yamaha pilot did end the year with the bragging rights for taking the most wins of any rider this season with four.
Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines
Similar to the situation of Mees in the premiere class, Jesse Janisch (No. 33 Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson XG750R) got the hard work out of the way prior to the Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines finale and only required a relatively modest result on Saturday to lock down his first-career Progressive AFT title.
Unlike Mees, Janisch was perfectly happy to put in that modest performance.
While running as high as fourth early, he didn’t offer any resistance when challenged in quick succession by James Rispoli (No. 43 Wally Brown Racing/Haversack KTM 890 Duke), Kolby Carlile (No. 36 KC36 Las Vegas Harley-Davidson XG750R), Mikey Rush (No. 15 Helipower Racing/Las Vegas Harley-Davidson XG750R), and finally Cameron Smith (No. 34 Thee Cathy Gray/Al Barker Yamaha MT-07), whom he gladly waved past before settling into a safe eighth.
And that’s where he’d finish to lock down that long elusive #1 plate.
“It’s amazing,” Janisch said. “Honestly, that race was kind of boring. I just had to maintain. It was pretty wild – I was up front early – I was around fifth and then it was just about moving over when everyone was coming through. I was just taking my happiness to the back.
“Shout out to the Vance & Hines team. Everything about this is from them. They gave me the opportunity last year to fill in, and they gave me a heck of an opportunity this year. We had a great season – seven wins and 14 podiums. This is good – I don’t know what else to say.”
Janisch was joined on the podium by Memphis Shades/Corbin Seats/Vinson Construction teammates Dan Bromley (No. 62 Memphis Shades/Corbin Seats/Vinson Construction Yamaha MT-07) and Cole Zabala (No. 51 Memphis Shades/Corbin Seats/Vinson Construction Yamaha MT-07).
For Bromley, the runner-up saw him successfully complete his perfect podium streak on the season, as he registered six seconds and two thirds in just eight starts. Meanwhile, it was Zabala’s second visit to the box after previously finishing third at Springfield.
And while he ultimately came up short in his quest for a third class crown, Cory Texter (No. 1 G&G Racing/Yamaha Racing Yamaha MT-07) went out like the champion he is. The two-time Mission Production Twins conqueror grabbed the holeshot and proceeded to dominate the final Main Event of his long and varied professional racing career.
Texter said, “First off, hats off to Jesse. I’m so proud of him. If I couldn’t win it, he’s a heck of a competitor, and it’s cool to see somebody else enjoy that moment. It was well deserved.
“Man, I’m going to miss it. It’s been a great ride. A long career – I’m burnt out and it’s been a lot of hard work – but to finish off with a win is great. I was really enjoying it, trying to soak it in while still trying to lead the race. Hats off to my team, G&G Racing. Without their help, none of my dreams would have come true. They gave me a shot four years ago when nobody else would, and we’ve had a really good run.”
Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER
Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R) earned runner-up honors in the 2022 Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER standings in just about the most satisfying way possible, twice overhauling newly crowned champion Kody Kopp (No. 12 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE) en route to the season’s final victory.
Less than a minute into the Main, Kopp threw a committed pass in on Chase Saathoff (No. 106 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R) to take control of the race. Kopp then found himself in the sights of not only the rookie standout, but his experienced Turner Racing Honda teammates Morgen Mischler (No. 13 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R) and Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R).
But when an intra-team scrap for second broke out, Kopp appeared to have the perfect opportunity to make his escape at the front. That only proved effective until Gauthier fought his way up from fourth into second, as the ‘19 class champ clearly had the measure of Kopp once into the position
Following a temporary stoppage due to a red flag, Gauthier made his move up the inside of Kopp. A second red flag reverted the order, and Gauthier promptly pulled off the same pass yet again.
Kopp remained on Gauthier’s rear wheel but was unable to retaliate, crossing the stripe in second, 0.196 seconds short of obtaining a single-season record-equaling eighth victory. Mischler came home third, another 0.089 seconds back.
The win saw Gauthier (255) leapfrog both Mischler (250) and Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) (249) – who finished seventh on the night – to steal away second in the final rankings.
“That was the best win of the year for me,” Gauthier said. “I came into this last race of the year and just wanted to enjoy it. We definitely did that. I just played my cards right tonight. I was fourth at the beginning, got past my teammates and then worked on Kody. He was riding a flawless race, but I was just getting stupid good drives out of four, and it just ended up working out in my favor. I’m super stoked on this one.”
Saathoff finished fourth to add to the team’s joy, while two-time class runner-up Max Whale (No. 18 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE) rounded out the top five.
The Mission Volusia Half-Mile Finale I will premiere on FS1 on Sunday, October 23, at 11:00 a.m. ET/8:00 a.m. PT, while the Mission Volusia Half-Mile Finale II will air one week later, on Sunday, October 30, at 10:30 a.m. ET/7:30 a.m. PT. Both broadcasts will include exclusive features, cutting-edge aerial drone and onboard footage, and expert commentary.
You can catch the livestream of every weekend’s racing activities on FansChoice.tv. FansChoice.tv provides free-to-view livestreaming of Practice and Qualifying. FansChoice.tv subscribers will then be able to watch the drama unfold from Opening Ceremonies through the Semis, Main Events, and podium celebrations. FansChoice.tv offers two subscription options, granting unlimited access to premium AFT content. Monthly subscriptions start at just $7.99, while a six-month subscription is available for $44.99.
To score the latest gear for the Progressive American Flat Track fan, visit our official merchandise store at https://store.americanflattrack.com.
How to Watch:
FOX Sports and FansChoice.tv are the official homes for coverage of Progressive American Flat Track. For the 2022 season, all races will premiere in one-hour telecasts on FS1 during highly desirable weekend time slots. The complete schedule can be viewed at https://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports. FansChoice.tv provides livestreaming coverage of every Progressive AFT round at http://www.FansChoice.tv.
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