June 2023

Magazine Issue

Trudy Ulrich

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June 1, 2023

On the Front Cover: Jack Miller and his KTM RC16 MotoGP racebike blur the scenery
during the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez. Miller is happy with his factory team move from Ducati to KTM. Photo by Gigi Soldano/DPPI Media.

Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology is THE definitive source for motorcycle racing, riding, and tech information.

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JUNE 2023 ISSUE

FEATURES

Inside Info: Kawasaki Reboots ZX-10RR and ZX-6R Models, Toprak
Razgatlioğlu Leaving Yamaha And Signing With BMW For 2024
WorldSBK…

Tried & Tested: Shoei X-Fifteen Track Review

Historic Racebike Illustrations: 1973 John Player Norton

MotoGP Analysis: Jack And Ruby Miller’s Life In Racing

Headquarters: KTM North America Bets On California

RACING

MotoGP World Championship At Le Mans: Bez Is Back!

MotoAmerica at Barber: Gagne Takes Charge

Superbike World Championship At Catalunya: All Bautista. Again!

COLUMNS

Letters To The Editor: On-The-Fly Adjustments

10 Years Ago, June 2013: Marc Marquez dragged elbow on the cover of the June
2013 issue of Roadracing World. Jeremy Toye tested a new Honda
CBR600RR; Cribs looked at Superbike pioneer Reg Pridmore’s
airport hanger home. Jorge Lorenzo won the MotoGP race in
Qatar, and Marquez won his first at COTA…

Numbers & Trivia: Marco Bezzecchi’s Racing Career

The Kids’ Page: : Cole Varnes

Editor’s Book Review: Tony Murphy’s Life Story

New Products: The WagBar High-Protein Snack

The Crash Page: Hector Barbera In 250cc GP, 2009

Racing, School, & Track Day Calendar: Where & When To Ride

Classified Ads/Advertiser Index

High Performance Parts & Services Directory

Chris Ulrich: Adventures Of An Ex-Racer: Testing At STT Nashville

Isle Of Man TT: Hickman Quickest With 133.797 MPH Lap On Thursday

David Swarts

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June 1, 2023

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Isle Of Man TT: Hickman Quickest With 133.797 MPH Lap On Thursday

HEAT CONTINUES TO RISE IN SCORCHING FOURTH QUALIFYING

The speeds continued to soar in fourth qualifying for the 2023 Isle of Man TT Races, with the quickest laps ever seen during a qualifying week being set on both two and three wheels.

It was Peter Hickman who was quickest in the Superbike class with a standing start lap of 133.797mph on the Monster Energy by FHO Racing BMW, which was just 0.162s quicker than Michael Dunlop, the Hawk Racing Honda rider posting a lap of 133.775mph.

On three wheels, Ben and Tom Birchall not only set the best qualifying lap ever in the Sidecar class but they also dipped inside their own lap record with a speed of 119.414mph, which was again done from a standing start.

Conditions were again perfect for the fourth day in a row with James Hillier leading the field away this time on the Superstock OMG Racing Yamaha, followed by Hickman, Davey Todd (Milenco by Padgetts Honda), Jamie Coward (KTS Racing Honda) and Dunlop. Coward got less than ten miles though as he stopped at Sarah’s Cottage with Rob Hodson (SMT Racing Honda) another early retirement at the exit of Kirk Michael.

Michael Dunlop (6). Photo courtesy Isle of Man TT Press Office.

Hickman was quickest on the opening lap with his near 134mph lap and, indeed, several riders set their quickest laps of the evening on the first lap including Todd (131.561), Hickman’s team-mate Josh Brookes (129.883), and David Johnson (128.392). Dunlop’s opening gambit was 133.191mph.

Second time around and Hickman did another 133mph+ lap, this time at 133.553mph, with Dunlop and Dean Harrison (DAO Racing Kawasaki) lapping at a similar pace on their Superstock mounts with respective laps of 132.728mph and 132.700mph. The gap between the two was just two tenths of a second with Hickman putting in a late lap of 131.952mph during a solo session which lasted 1hr45min.

Back to the Superbike class and after two laps on his Superstock machine, Dunlop switched to his Superbike and only narrowly missed out on the quickest lap of the night with his lap of 133.775mph. Harrison went third quickest after lapping at 132.921mph ahead of Todd, Brookes and Hillier.

Meanwhile, local newcomer Ryan Cringle broke the 120mph barrier for the first time with a lap of 121.48mph.

In the Superstock class, the top three was Harrison, Dunlop and Hickman with Hillier in fourth after posting his first 130mph+ lap of the week at 130.195mph. Mike Browne was a fine fifth, after a personal best lap of 129.104mph, with John McGuinness rounding out the top six at 128.821mph.

As well as the Superstock class, Dunlop was also quickest in the Supersport category with a lap of 127.557mph – the quickest of the week so far – with Coward (124.675) in second after just getting back in time for a lap on his Yamaha. The top six was completed by James Hind (124.553), Hillier (122.276), Harrison (122.518) and Craig Neve (122.036). Newcomers Jorge Halliday and Jack Petrie went quicker again at 112.932mph and 112.568mph respectively.

That just left the Sidecars to complete the evening’s action and the Birchalls ensured their two-wheel counterparts weren’t going to get the headlines as they lapped inside their 2018 lap record on their very first lap with a stunning 119.414mph effort.

Ryan and Callum Crowe slotted into an early second, increasing their pace to 116.142mph ahead of Pete Founds/Jevan Walmsley (113.536), Tim Reeves/Mark Wilkes (111.841), John Holden/Maxime Vasseur (111.706) and Gary Bryan/Phil Hyde (110.878).

The Birchalls pulled in but Founds/Walmsley continued for another lap, recording a speed of 117.587mph to move into second on the leaderboard, with Steve and Matty Ramsden (110.878), the only other crew to break the 110mph barrier. Newcomer Daryl Gibson, with Tom Christie in the chair, came close though with a first lap speed of 109.795mph.

Tomorrow’s qualifying session is set to get under at 13:00. Click here to view tomorrow’s schedule.

WorldSBK: Pirelli Celebrating 20th Anniversary As Official Tire

David Swarts

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June 1, 2023

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WorldSBK: Pirelli Celebrating 20th Anniversary As Official Tire

Pirelli Celebrates 20 Years Alongside WorldSBK at Misano

A Collaboration with a Record Duration, Based on Technological Innovation with a Direct Impact on Road Tire Development

2.9 Million Race Kilometers Covered by Pirelli Tires, Equal to Almost Eight Times the Distance from Earth to the Moon

MILAN (June 1, 2023) – On the occasion of the Pirelli Emilia-Romagna round at Misano, Round 5 of the 2023 season, Pirelli will celebrate 20 years as Sole Tire Supplier for all the classes of the FIM Superbike World Championship.

This successful partnership, between Pirelli and the top two-wheel production-based championship, which began in 2004 and to date has no equal in terms of duration, within international motorsport. It also represents the first example of control tire in the history of top motorsport competitions, later adopted by many other championships.

The WorldSBK Pirelli tire fitting area, as seen in 2006. Photo courtesy Pirelli.

In approaching this championship, Pirelli has decided to respect its basic philosophy, i.e. the very strong and direct link with production-based motorcycles and products. This is why the tire range is not made up of prototypes but of standard production products that can be purchased by all motorcyclists on the market. And from this choice the Italian tire company has made a strong point and a corporate strategy that it wanted to summarize in the now historic motto, “We sell what we race, we race what we sell” to indicate precisely how the same tires used by professional riders are also on sale on the market. In other words, a direct transfer of technology from the track to the road.

James Toseland, the 2004 Superbike World Champion. Photo courtesy Pirelli. — James Toseland, the 2004 and 2007 Superbike World Champion, as seen in 2004. Photo courtesy Pirelli.

It has been 20 years of technological innovation. Pirelli was the first to introduce colors to distinguish the compounds by applying colored labels on the shoulder of the tires. In 2013, once more the first company in history to do so, Pirelli abandoned 16.5-inch tires in motorcycle competitions in favor of the new 17-inch tires, a size more widespread on the road among motorcyclists. Five years later, in 2018, there was the transition to larger sizes, 125/70 front and 200/65 rear. More recently, Pirelli has introduced new solutions in very soft compounds such as the rear SCX and SCQ capable of offering riders even higher performance and, most recently, also a new soft SC0 solution at the front. All innovations that over the years have set new standards not only in the racing field but also on the wider market.

Ben Spies, the 2009 Superbike World Champion. Photo courtesy Pirelli. — Ben Spies (19), the 2009 Superbike World Champion. Photo courtesy Pirelli.

The DIABLO Superbike and DIABLO Supercorsa tires, developed by Pirelli for the classes of the production-based championship, boast unique achievements after 20 years of racing: in the World Championship they have been used successfully by 1,438 riders, they have competed in 1,105 races for a total of 18,891 laps and 2.9 million race kilometers, equal to almost eight times the distance that separates the Earth from the Moon. Tires that have been developed with the collaboration of some of the greatest motorcycling champions who have made the history of WorldSBK, among these 11 have won at least one world title in the premier class with Pirelli: James Toseland, Troy Corser, Troy Bayliss, Ben Spies, Max Biaggi, Carlos Checa, Tom Sykes, Sylvain Guintoli, Jonathan Rea, Toprak Razgatlioglu and reigning world champion Álvaro Bautista.

Six-time Superbike World Champion Jonathan Rea. Photo courtesy Pirelli.

Giorgio Barbier, Motorcycle Racing Director Pirelli

“Motorsport is part of our DNA and with the Superbike World Championship we have managed to combine the world of the track with that of the road: those who choose a Pirelli motorcycle tire must know that they are not simply buying a round black tire but the result of 20 years of experience and constant technological development that Pirelli has carried forward in this championship thanks also to the collaboration of Dorna, the FIM, the riders and the teams. We are therefore proud to be able to celebrate this important milestone but while we retrace with our memories what we have done in the past, our gaze is already projected towards the future, towards new challenges, to write new chapters of this beautiful story”.

Giorgio Barbier (right), Motorcycle Racing Director Pirelli, celebrating with 2022 Superbike World Champion Alvaro Bautista (left). Photo courtesy Pirelli.

ABOUT PIRELLI

Pirelli was founded in Milan in 1872 and today stands as a global brand known for its cutting edge technology, high-end production excellence and passion for innovation that draws heavily on its Italian roots. With around 30,000 employees, Pirelli is a major player in the tire industry and the only global player focused solely on the consumer tire market, which includes tires for cars, motorcycles and bicycles. In particular, Pirelli is a global leader in the production of racing and high performance motorcycle tires both for on and off road applications. Pirelli has a long link with motorsport and the multitude of successes include a record of seventy-two world titles gained in the FIM Motocross World Championship thanks to the performance of its mx product range. In road-racing, since 2004 Pirelli has made the FIM Superbike World Championship for production-based motorcycles the ideal proving ground to develop not only the products used in competition, but also tires used daily by motorcyclists all over the world. Inspired by the philosophy now become a motto “We sell what we race, we race what we sell”, Pirelli has managed to bring to fruition all the experience acquired in this championship, applying some of the patents and materials developed for racing activity to the product portfolio dedicated to road use.

MotoAmerica: Royal Enfield BTR Making Its 2023 Debut At Road America

David Swarts

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June 1, 2023

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MotoAmerica: Royal Enfield BTR Making Its 2023 Debut At Road America

A Full Slate Of MotoAmerica Support Classes To Provide Plenty Of Action At Road America

Supersport, Mission King Of The Baggers, Steel Commander Stock 1000, Junior Cup, Royal Enfield BTR And Mission Mini Cup By Motul All Set For June 2-4

IRVINE, CA (June 1, 2023) – Motorcycle road-racing fans who descend on Road America this weekend will be busy with five support classes on tap in addition to the headline MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike races slated for the Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, racetrack, June 2-4.

With Friday’s program featuring practice and qualifying sessions for all six of the classes, the support classes will race twice over the course of the weekend. Those five classes are: Supersport, Steel Commander Stock 1000, Junior Cup, Mission King Of The Baggers and Royal Enfield’s Build. Train. Race. Additionally, the Mission Mini Cup By Motul program, featuring MotoAmerica’s youngest racers, will run on Friday and Saturday afternoon/evening at Road America’s karting track.

Supersport – So Far, All Fores

Two rounds into the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship and there is only one rider who has stood on the top step of the podium: Xavier Fores.

With victories in his MotoAmerica debut at Road Atlanta and a win in the first “extended” Supersport race at Barber Motorsports Park, the Spaniard has been nothing short of perfect on his Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati Panigale V2. Thus, with the “extended” race paying double points in Alabama, the ultra-experienced Fores leads the title chase by 27 points, 100-73, over Tytlers Cycle Racing’s Stefano Mesa.

With podiums in two of the three races, Squid Hunter Racing’s Josh Hayes is third in the championship and still chasing his 87th career AMA victory that would make him the all-time leader in the multi-class category. Hayes is 19 points behind Mesa and just a point ahead of Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Tyler Scott.

Michael Gilbert Racing’s Michael Gilbert sits fifth in the title chase as the series arrives in Wisconsin.

Steel Commander Stock 1000 – Beaubier, The Younger, Leads

Orange Cat Racing’s Ezra Beaubier is first and foremost the leader of the Steel Commander Stock 1000 Championship as the series takes to the four-mile Road America racetrack this coming weekend. Secondly, he is the younger brother of five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier.

Ezra Beaubier has been on the podium in all four Steel Commander Stock 1000 races this year, including the first two victories of his career in the opening round at Road Atlanta. Beaubier followed up those two wins with a second- and third-place finishes at Barber Motorsports Park, which has added up to a 26-point lead over Disrupt Racing’s Hayden Gillim and Beaubier’s teammate Kaleb De Keyrel.

Gillim’s championship run started with a big hiccup at Road Atlanta when he failed to finish race one and only mustered a sixth in race two. He righted that ship in Alabama, however, with two decisive victories.

Gillim finds himself 26 points behind Beaubier and tied with De Keyrel for second. De Keyrel earned two podium finishes at Barber. Those two, meanwhile, are 10 points clear of Taylor Knapp Racing’s Taylor Knapp who in turn is four points ahead of Travis Wyman Racing’s Travis Wyman.

Mission King Of The Baggers – Kyle Wyman On A Heater

H-D Screamin’ Eagle’s Kyle Wyman has won three of the four Mission King Of The Baggers races held thus far. Fortunately, for the rest of the chasing pack, he failed to finish the first of those four.

Thus, Kyle Wyman leads the title chase over Vance & Hines/Mission/Harley-Davidson’s James Rispoli by just eight points with Rispoli the only one other than Wyman to taste victory this season.

Rispoli, meanwhile, is only two points clear of his teammate Hayden Gillim with the Kentuckian on the podium in three of the four races.

The first non-Harley in the championship chase is defending Mission King Of The Baggers Champion Tyler O’Hara and his Indian Motorcycle/Progressive/Mission Foods Indian Challenger. O’Hara was second to Kyle Wyman in the past two races at Road Atlanta.

Fifth place in the title chase is currently held by Baggers rookie Jake Lewis with the Team Saddlemen Harley-Davidson rider 38 points behind Wyman.

Travis Wyman, the rider who pushed O’Hara all the way to the end of last year’s championship, is mired back in 12th in the title chase after an abysmal start to the series with two DNFs at Daytona to open his championship, followed by sixth- and seventh-place finishes at Road Atlanta.

Junior Cup – Perfect No More

Bad Boys Racing’s Avery Dreher started the season with three straight wins in the Junior Cup class, but that win streak was snapped at Barber Motorsports Park by first-time winner Levi Badie and his Badie Racing Kawasaki Ninja 400.

Despite his first loss of the season, Dreher continues to lead the title chase after two rounds and four races by 18 points over the ever-consistent Max Van with the Michigander finishing second to Dreher in the first three races before carding a fourth in race two at Barber.

Bicknese Racing’s Hayden Bicknese has also been consistent thus far in 2023 with podiums in three of the four rounds. He is 28 points behind Dreher and 15 ahead of Yandel Medina. Badie, who didn’t race in the opening round, is fifth and 56 points behind Dreher.

Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. – Ready, Set, Go

The 2023 version of Royal Enfield’s Build. Train. Race. program will make its first appearance of the season at Road America with 12 women racers ready to battle.

Those 12 are led by the top two in last year’s championship – defending champion Kayleigh Buyck and runner-up Crystal Martinez – with that duo obviously being the ones to beat based on their 2022 success. However, you never know what the newcomers will bring to the track, as half of the field will be rookies in the class.

Mission Mini Cup By Motul – Chasing Gouker

With six wins in eight races, Nathan Gouker is the kid to beat in both the Mission Mini Cup By Motul Ohvale 160 class and the FIM Mini Cup Ohvale 160 class.

Gouker leads Mahdi Salem by six points in the FIM Mini Cup (where racers can qualify for the FIM World Final in Spain) and also leads Kruz Maddison by six points in the Mission Mini Cup By Motul Championship as the series heads to the karting facility at Road America.

This year’s Mission Mini Cup By Motul features three new classes: Stock 50, Stock 110 and Stock 125. Those championships are being led by Weston Fager, Cole Peterman, and Nathan Bettencourt, respectively.

Pre-Road America Support Class Notes

There was only one Mission King Of The Baggers race at Road America last year and that race was won by Screamin’ Eagle H-D’s Travis Wyman over his brother Kyle Wyman. Jeremy McWilliams was third on his Mission Foods/S&S Cycle/Indian Challenger.

The lone Steel Commander Stock 1000 class victory last year at Road America went to Corey Alexander. Travis Wyman added to his solid weekend with a runner-up finish ahead of Geoff May.

Supersport race one at Road America last year was won by Tyler Scott (for his first career Supersport win) over Josh Herrin and Rocco Landers. The second Supersport race was held in the rain and the outcome was surprising to most as Jason Farrell won the first MotoAmerica race of his career followed by Australian rookie Luke Power. Herrin, who would go on to win the 2022 Supersport crown, finished third.

The two Junior Cup race wins at Road America in 2022 were split between Joseph LiMandri Jr. and Cody Wyman. After carding his first career MotoAmerica win the day prior, LiMandri finished second in race two with Gus Rodio doing likewise in race one. Kayla Yaakov was third in both races.

Jennifer Chancellor didn’t win the Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. final last year at Road America, but she left with the most points as on-track winner Kayleigh Buyck and runner-up Crystal Martinez were docked their points for ignoring a red flag.

About MotoAmerica

MotoAmerica is North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series. Established in 2014, MotoAmerica is home to the AMA Superbike Championship as well as additional classes including Supersport, Stock 1000, Twins Cup, Junior Cup, and King Of The Baggers. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership including three-time 500cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey; ex-racer and former manager of Team Roberts Chuck Aksland; motorsports marketing executive Terry Karges; and businessman Richard Varner. For more information, please visit www.MotoAmerica.com and follow MotoAmerica on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube.

100th Loudon Classic: Eraldo Ferracci Named Grand Marshal

David Swarts

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June 1, 2023

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100th Loudon Classic: Eraldo Ferracci Named Grand Marshal

NEMRR names Eraldo Ferracci the Grand Marshal for the 100th running of the Loudon Classic

NEMRR is proud to announce that motorcycle industry icon Eraldo Ferracci has been named the Grand Marshal for the historic 100th running of the Loudon Classic. A lifetime of achievement and passion as a racer, engineer, business owner and race team owner has made Eraldo one of the most respected and well liked figures in our industry.

“My history in motorcycling in the USA had some of its beginnings at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, a place that is near to my heart. I’m excited to be a part of this historic event and to see all the top racers who are taking part in this historic race,” Eraldo noted.

In addition to his duties as Grand Marshal, Eraldo will be helping to oversee the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC effort at the event.

The Loudon Classic will be held June 16-18 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and tickets are available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nemrr-100th-loudon-classic-tickets-618580750677

ASRA/CCS: Kevin Elliott Memorial Held At Summit Point

David Swarts

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June 1, 2023

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ASRA/CCS: Kevin Elliott Memorial Held At Summit Point

A memorial for former racer and former ASRA/CCS President and owner Kevin Elliott, Sr. was held during the annual ASRA/CCS Memorial Day Weekend event May 27-29 at Summit Point Motorsports Park, in Summit Point, West Virginia.

The service included a memorial lap ridden by longtime ASRA/CCS racers and multi-time National Champions Eric Helmbach and David Loikits. Loikits carried a checkered flag, while Helmbach carried the special green flag used to ceremoniously start the 2023 Daytona 200 in Elliott’s honor.

Elliott died of liver failure at the age of 64 in January 2023. R.I.P.

Kevin Elliott's daughter Jennifer Sims (center) with memorial lap riders David Loikits (left) and Eric Helmbach (right) at Summit Point. Photo by Mark Lienhard, courtesy ASRA/CCS. — Kevin Elliott’s daughter Jennifer Sims (center) with memorial lap riders David Loikits (left) and Eric Helmbach (right) at Summit Point. Photo by Mark Lienhard, courtesy ASRA/CCS.

MV Agusta Renovating Headquarters, Adding Museum In Italy

David Swarts

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June 1, 2023

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MV Agusta Renovating Headquarters, Adding Museum In Italy

MV AGUSTA SET TO STAY IN SCHIRANNA WITH PIONEERING REVAMP PROJECT FOR ITS HISTORIC HEADQUARTERS

all about MV’s strategy, its present situation and future developments.

Varese – Shortly after the start of the collaboration with its new partner, PIERER Mobility AG, MV Agusta takes a fresh look at the present state of the business and, more importantly, its plans for the future. MV Agusta has always created products that go well beyond the concept of simple motorcycles, bringing in emotions, turning attention to details and craftsmanship into a true form of art, hence the brand claim “Motorcycle Art”.

Aside from emotions and glam, concrete aspects of the present and future of MV Agusta, starting with its production footprint and its industrial strategic plan, are crucial points to consider. Today, MV Agusta has a potential production capacity of 15.000 units per year, with each and every bike handcrafted by the best engineers in the industry, who have a real obsession for details and perfection, and combine their love and passion for their trade with the use of the most advanced technology.

The recent acquisition of a stake in the company’s capital by PIERER Mobility AG brought a renewed determination in setting ambitious commercial goals, with the brand now aiming to distribute its products and services worldwide through a network of 180 selected dealerships by the end of 2023, with a strong presence in North America and Europe, but also in South America and Asia, with 100 dealers currently operating in those markets. Each MV Agusta dealership will represent the brand and serve their customers at the same premium and exclusive level worldwide, ensuring a customer-centric approach and a benchmark-setting level of service and professionalism.

MV Agusta’s exclusivity will not come only from the quality and sophistication of its product, but also from the whole experience that customers and fans will have when in touch with the brand. In fact, MV Agusta draws inspiration from the best companies in the world to adopt their approach in terms of customer care and brand representation.

With more than 78 years of history, and a racetrack star since the very beginning, MV Agusta is a true legend, also due to the fact that it has always kept true to its roots, and the production of its products has been maintained at the historic plant of Schiranna at Lake Varese. The site extends over 130.000 square metres, of which more than 20.000 indoors.

To further enhance the present location, as well as the local community, an ambitious refurbishment plan is currently underway. Once completed, this project will provide brand new headquarters boasting the latest and most innovative solutions in terms of technology and sustainability, with a great deal of attention being further paid to the working environment. All departments, from the production shopfloor to offices, to R&D labs, will be fully renovated creating state-of-the art working environments that, at the same time, maintain the allure of MV Agusta’s legendary history. A museum will, in fact, also be created, to celebrate the legend of MV Agusta and turn the new home of the company into a real shrine of motorcycling for all MV Agusta fans and motorcycle enthusiasts.

In addition to Schiranna, MV Agusta has another pearl hidden away right in the heart of Italy’s motor valley, in San Marino, a land exuding passion for motor racing: CRC, the beating heart of the design and engineering of MV Agusta’s dream. More than 40 among the industry’s best engineers and designers work together at CRC, using the most advanced technologies to develop stunning 2-wheeled works of art that will be produced on the shores of Lake Varese.

Timur Sardarov, CEO, MV Agusta Motor S.p.A., said: “The future of MV Agusta has never been so bright, and holds many thrilling moments for us. The company is working at developing new models that, according to the situation of the respective markets, will see the light in the coming months and years.”

Luca Martin, COO and Board Member, MV Agusta Motor S.p.A. said “In MV Agusta we craft emotions and we can say that we are the most desirable and exclusive motorcycle brand in the world. With the support of Pierer Mobility AG we will be able to implement commercial structures and processes that will enable us to reach more and more enthusiasts all over the world and create a unique relationship with all of them. We want to call each of our customers by name.”

WERA: Kruger Wins Five More Races, At Road Atlanta

David Swarts

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May 31, 2023

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WERA: Kruger Wins Five More Races, At Road Atlanta

AMA/WERA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AT ROAD ATLANTA: Another 5 Wins For Canadian Dan Kruger

Braselton, GA – Perfect weather and a massive turnout for the annual WERA Cycle Jam at Road Atlanta saw Canadian Dan Kruger convert a Pole Position into 5 wins throughout the weekend. He had to settle for a 2^nd in the second Superbike National race on Sunday as he gave up the lead on lap 2 to a hard charging Taylor Knapp. Dan also teamed up with Moto America regular Jason Waters to win the 4 Hour Relay Endurance race earlier on the weekend and the duo managed more laps than all other classes entered. Dan now has a commanding lead in both the AMA/WERA National Superbike Championship as well as the National Superstock Championship as he aims to take back-to-back titles.

The weekend was not without incidents with heavy winds, an air fence fire, and multiple red flags throughout the weekend. “Our team worked really well this past weekend. We had already tested at Road Atlanta last month, so the bikes were basically set up from the get-go. We had so much fun doing the Endurance race and want to thank N2 and WERA for putting on a great event. We also want to remind everyone to donate to the Roadracing World Action Fund. To pledge a contribution, call Roadracing World at (909) 654-4779 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, when operators will be standing by, and specify road racing or dirt track. Credit cards accepted. Pledges can also be made via Paypal at [email protected], by e-mailing [email protected], or via U.S. mail at P.O. Box 1428, Lake Elsinore, CA 92531. Money raised will be used for buying Air Module/Air Fence sections, as well as for deployment expenses and for shipping, tax, and import.

(Editorial Note: If you want to donate specifically to help replace soft barriers lost to fire at Road Atlanta, please include a note indicating “Road Atlanta fire replacement” with your donation.)

Next stop is CMP for Round 2 of the Endurance Championship and some more WERA racing. The team would like to thank all our sponsors that include Nature Power, Mototron, Pirelli, RK, EBC, HEL, Dainese, KYT, Motul, Ktech, SK Support, Hindle, and Kinetik Check us out at www.facebook.com/dankrugerracingteam to stay up to date on all our race results.

UtahSBA: Norton Nabs King Of The Mountains Victory At Round One

David Swarts

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May 31, 2023

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UtahSBA: Norton Nabs King Of The Mountains Victory At Round One

Round One of the Utah Motorcycle Law Masters of the Mountains races series was held on May 27 at Utah Motorsports Campus on the West track configuration.

Per tradition, the day kicked off with qualifying for the premier King of the Mountains race. Fans and spectators wouldn’t have to wait long for the action to heat up as visiting racer and prior season race winner Anthony Norton would turn in a lap time of 1:32 on his Privateer Industries Kawasaki ZX-10R in the first qualifying session. The action would heat up even more in the second qualifying session when Norton lowered his own qualifying time to 1:31.65 before dropping even more time on the third lap of the session by running a 1:31.06 lap. The closest qualifier being local Genaro Lopez on a lap time of 1:34.19 with defending number one plate holder Dave Meyer nipping at Lopez Heels, turning in a lap time of 1:34.29.

The morning qualifying sessions turned out to be prescient of Norton’s King of the Mountain race. When the red lights went out Norton led the pack into turn one and continued to run a pace that the field couldn’t match, opening a considerable gap to the chasers behind and leading the race start to finish for an unchallenged win.

Behind the leading Norton the real race action was a four-way race for second place. Kory Cowan got a great start and was in second place on lap one with Dave Meyer, visiting racer Ty Bengford, and Genaro Lopez right behind. The four-way battle was intense with passes occurring at seemingly every corner before Kowan retired at the end of lap two, handing second place over to Lopez starting on lap three. The action continued from there with Meyer, Benford, and Lopez changing positions turn after turn for the duration of the race. By the last turn of the white flag lap Lopez was in second with Bengford in third, and Meyer in fourth. Bengford got an impressive drive out of the last corner setting up a thrilling drag race for the line where Bengford was able to edge Lopez for second place by just one tenth of a second.

When queried about his pace afterward, race winner Norton stated, “I was going as hard as I could all race. Maybe I could have pushed a bit and dropped my lap times into the 1:30 range but I was on a borrowed bike and didn’t want to risk a crash.” I love this track and it was so much fun to get out and put some laps in. I want to thank Crossbeam Builders, Pirelli Tires, and Apex Assassins,” Norton added. Second place finisher Tyler Bengford shared a similar sentiment, “What an awesome battle for second. I had such a great time and it felt so good to get out and battle with the boys, racing all the way to the line and beating Genaro (Lopez) by .1. I’d like to thank Faye Meyers Motorcycle World, Pirelli Tires, KYT Helmets, Apex Assassins, and Ethan Chapluk with Southern Pride Performance.”

In other racing, the morning’s Open Twins race saw tight racing throughout. On the first lap Jared Baird, Jason Parkinson, and Ray Vernon entered Turn Nine three wide. At the exit positions one and two would make contact. Fortunately, no one crashed. The shuffle of positions at the end of lap one meant that the running order at turn one of lap two was Baird, Parkinson, and Vernon. Parkinson retook the lead that same lap before being shuffled back to second place by Baird in Turn Ten. From that point on the top three remained steady, the final order being Jared Baird, Jason Parkinson, and Ray Vernon in third.

The front of the Open Super Stock Race proved similar to the King of the Mountains Race. Although Steven Marco got a great jump on the start, Anthony Norton led the field into Turn One, the running order on lap one Norton, Tyler Bengford, and Marco. Norton again opened a big gap on the first lap and cruised to victory by a large margin. Bengford held steady in second place for the duration of the race so the real battle this time would be for the third and final podium spot. Kory Cowan put in a furious charge from a back row start and began picking riders off one by one eventually moving past Marco for third on lap five. At this point Marco began sliding back after battling with Dave Meyer and Bill Davis. Cowan pulled off on lap six leaving third position for Davis. The final running order at the line was Norton, Bengford, Davis, Meyer, and Marco.

As always the Utah Sport Bike Association would like to thank all the people who make racing possible: the racers and their families, the volunteers, and last but not least our generous sponsors. Doing what we love wouldn’t be possible without you. We look forward to seeing you all at round two on July 8, 2023, held at Utah Motorsports Campus on the West track configuration.

Results:

USBA Round 1 – UMC West – May 27th, 2023

Motostation/Moto United KOM Overall:

1. Anthony Norton (KAW ZX-10R)

2. Tyler Bengford (YAM YZF-R1)

3. Genaro Lopez (BMW S 1000 RR)

4. David Meyer (YAM YZF-R1)

5. Bill Davis (BMW S 1000 RR)

6. Jeff Taylor (YAM YZF-R1)

Motostation KOM GTO:

1. Anthony Norton (KAW ZX-10R)

2. Tyler Bengford (YAM YZF-R1)

3. Genaro Lopez (BMW S1000RR)

4. David Meyer (YAM YZF-R1)

5. Bill Davis (BMW S 1000 RR)

6. Jeff Taylor (YAM YZF-R1)

Moto United KOM GTU:

1. Justin Delong (YAM YZF-R6)

2. Josh Fisher (KAW ZX-6R)

3. Peter Hofpointner (YAM YZF-R6)

4. Braxton Young (HON CBR600RR)

5. Scott Christensen (YAM YZF-R6)

6. Rainey Pogue (YAM YZF-R6)

AZ Riding Academy Combined GTO:

1. Sam Arquit (HON CBR1000RR)

2. Steven Marco (YAM YZF-R1)

3. Alex Zinaich (YAM YZF-R1)

4. Dax Davis (YAM YZF-R1)

5. John McKown (YAM YZF-R1)

6. Charlie Coffen (KAW ZX-10R)

Off Highway Van Combined GTU:

1. Brian Gerwe (HON CBR600RR)

2. Kirk Doyle (KAW ZX-6R)

3. Belisario Arango (KAW ZX-6R)

4. Phil O’Bryan (KAW ZX-6R)

5. Zach Jenson (YAM YZF-R6)

6. Mario Fernandez (YAM YZF-R6)

The Edge Powersports Deseret Dash – Expert

1. Steven Marco (YAM YZF-R1)

2. David Meyer (YAM YZF-R1)

3. Sam Arquit (HON CBR1000RR)

4. Alex Zinaich (YAM YZF-R1)

5. Alban Bonilla (BMW S 1000 RR)

6. Joshua Fisher (KAW ZX-6R)

The Edge Powersports Deseret Dash – Novice

1. Dax Davis (YAM YZF-R1)

2. Jordan DeJarnett (YAM YZF-R6)

3. Mario Fernandez (YAM YZF-R6)

4. Landon Mattson (SUZ GSX-R600)

5. Jared Baird (DUC 1299)

6. Cameron Holladay (YAM YZF-R1)

Eurosports Utah Formula 40 – GTO

1. Bill Davis (BMW S 1000 RR)

2. Jeff Taylor (YAM YZF-R1)

3. David Meyer (YAM YZF-R1)

4. Christopher Mousley (YAM YZF-R1)

5. Daniel Spurlock (YAM YZF-R1)

6. Dustin Lance (APR RSV4)

Eurosports Utah Formula 40 – GTU

1. Kirk Doyle (KAW ZX-6R)

2. Phil O’Bryan (KAW ZX-6R)

3. Belisario Arango (KAW ZX-6R)

4. Owen Austad (KAW ZX-6R)

5. John Carver (YAM YZF-R7)

6. Jasn Parkinson (YAM YZF-R7)

The Weekend Garage Middleweight Superbike

1. Kinzer Naylor (KAW ZX-6R)

2. Justin Delong (YAM YZF-R6)

3. Brian Naylor (KAW ZX-6R)

4. Joshua Fisher (KAW ZX-6R)

5. Peter Hofpointer (YAM YZF-R6)

6. Christopher Mousley (KAW ZX-6R)

Toxic Moto Racing Middleweight Superstock

1. Kinzer Naylor (KAW ZX-6R)

2. Brian Naylor (KAW ZX-6R)

3. Justin Delong (YAM YZF-R6)

4. Joshua Fisher (KAW ZX-6R)

5. Christopher Mousley (KAW ZX-6R)

6. Scott Christensen (YAM YZF-R6)

MC & Associates Modern Vintage – GTO

1. Dave Loynd (HON CBR1000RR)

2. Cameron Holladay (YAM YZF-R1)

3. Landon Mattson (SUZ GSX-R600)

MC & Associates Modern Vintage – GTU

1. Justin Delong (YAM YZF-R6)

2. Peter Hofpointner (YAM YZF-R6)

3. Kirk Doyle (KAW ZX-6R)

4. Belisario Arango (KAW ZX-6R)

5. Brian Gerwe (HON CBR600RR)

6. Braxton Young (HON CBR600RR)

Karl Malone Powersports Moto 2

1. Kinzer Naylor (KAW ZX-6R)

2. Brian Naylor (KAW ZX-6R)

3. Joshua Fisher (KAW ZX-6R)

4. Scott Christensen (YAM YZF-R6)

5. Peter Hofpointner (YAM YZF-R6)

6. Nolan Kiiskila (KAW ZX-6R)

Redline Realty Moto 3

1. Timothy Nielsen (KTM RC 390)

2. Raab Gisseman (HON RS125)

3. Ian Nielsen (KTM RC 390)

Legion of Speed Novice GTO

1. Nolan Kiiskila (KAW ZX-6R)

2. Dax Davis (YAM YZF-R1)

3. Jordan DeJarnett (YAM YZF-R6)

4. Charlie Coffen (KAW ZX-10R)

5. Eliu Heredia (YAM YZF-R6)

6. Jared Baird (DUC 1299)

MC & Associates Novice GTU

1. Nolan Kiiskila (KAW ZX-6R)

2. Jordan DeJarnett (YAM YZF-R6)

3. Mario Fernandez (YAM YZF-R6)

4. Landon Mattson (SUZ GSX-R600)

5. Owen Austad (KAW ZX-6R)

6. Ray Vernon (DUC 899)

Vortex Racing Open Superbike

1. Genaro Lopez (BMW S 1000 RR)

2. Tyler Bengford (YAM YZF-R1)

3. David Meyer (YAM YZF-R1)

4. Gilbert Gonzalez (KAW ZX-10R)

5. Steven Marco (YAM YZF-R1)

6. Sam Arquit (HON CBR1000RR)

MotoUnited Open Superstock

1. Anthony Norton (KAW ZX-10R)

2. Tyler Bengford (YAM YZF-R1)

3. Bill Davis (BMW S 1000 RR)

4. David Meyer (YAM YZF-R1)

5. Steven Marco (YAM YZF-R1)

6. Jeff Taylor (YAM YZF-R1)

Crossbeam Builders Open Twins

1. Jared Baird (DUC 1299)

2. Jasn Parkinson (YAM YZF-R7)

3. Ray Vernon (DUC 899)

4. John Carver (YAM YZF-R7)

5. Daniel Christiani (YAM YZF-R7)

6. Chris Cramer (KTM RC 8 C)

Karl Malone Powersports Production 500

1. Raab Gisseman (HON RS125)

Monarch Powersports Sportsman

1. Owen Austad (KAW ZX-6R)

2. Miguel Alamillo (SUZ GSX-R1000)

3. Brayden Rocco (SUZ GSX-R600)

4. Michael Hicks (YAM YZF-R1)

5. Aubrey Credaroli (YAM YZF-R6)

6. David Schulz (YAM YZF-R6)

Trackstar Stock 1000

1. Anthony Norton (KAW ZX-10R)

2. Tyler Bengford (YAM YZF-R1)

3. Bill Davis (BMW S 1000 RR)

4. Steven Marco (YAM YZF-R1)

5. David Meyer (YAM YZF-R1)

6. Jeff Taylor (YAM YZF-R1)

Carbonsmith Super Street Bike

1. Alex Zinaich (YAM FZ-10)

2. Eliu Heredia (YAM YZF-R6)

3. Peter Hofpointner (KAW ZX-10R)

4. Robert Jojola (DUC 1199)

Isle Of Man TT: Harrison On Top With 133 MPH Lap On Wednesday

David Swarts

-

May 31, 2023

0

Isle Of Man TT: Harrison On Top With 133 MPH Lap On Wednesday

PACE PICKS UP AS HARRISON, HICKMAN AND DUNLOP ALL HIT 133

Qualifying for this year’s Isle of Man TT Races hotted up on tonight with the first 133mph laps of the week and it was Dean Harrison who was quickest, the DAO Racing Kawasaki rider topping the Superbike class at 133.514mph.

Harrison was only a second quicker than Michael Dunlop’s lap of 133.367mph on the Hawk Racing Honda with Peter Hickman (FHO Racing Monster Energy BMW) also breaking the 133mph barrier but in the Superstock class, topping it with a speed of 133.284mph.

Hickman was also fastest in the Supersport class, his lap of 127.206mph on the K2 Trooper Beer by PHR Triumph the quickest of the week, whilst Jamie Coward topped the Supertwins with a speed of 120.970mph on his KTS Racing Kawasaki. Ben and Tom Birchall were again quickest in the Sidecar class at 118.523mph on their Steadplan/Hager LCR Honda.

With the Island once again enjoying sun-kissed conditions, the Superbike/Superstock session was first out and in a change to previous sessions it was Hickman was the first to leave the line followed by Harrison and Davey Todd (Milenco by Padgetts Honda).

They were quickly followed by Josh Brookes, Michael Dunlop and David Johnson with Hickman, Brookes, Todd and Dunlop all Superstock-mounted but it was Harrison who was quickest on the opening lap with a speed of 133.284mph.

Hickman lapped at 131.92mph on his Superstock BMW but Dunlop was quicker at 132.694mph whilst Todd posted a lap of 131.711mph with team-mate Conor Cummins slightly slower at 129.825mph. Jamie Coward lapped at a similar pace on his KTS Racing Honda, albeit in the Superbike class, at 129.818mph with James Hillier, John McGuinness and Michael Rutter the other riders over 128mph on the opening lap.

Harrison upped his pace to 133.514mph on his second lap but Hickman wasn’t too far behind on his Superstock BMW with a speed of 133.284mph. Dunlop switched to his Superbike and recorded a lap of 132.896mph with Coward setting a new personal best, albeit unofficial, at 130.940mph. John McGuinness also broke the 130mph barrier for the first time this week at 130.035mph.

Rutter was another to increase his pace with a lap of 129.147mph whilst Rob Hodson impressed, the SMT Racing rider lapping at 127.38mph which, like Coward, was an unofficial best for the Wigan rider. Newcomers Matthieu Lagrive and Ryan Cringle were also improving with respective laps of 117.088mph and 116.319mph.

Third time around, Dunlop looked to be on course for setting a new best of the week but a short lap, due to the Supersport/Supertwin session getting underway, meant he fell a second short of Harrison’s lap with a speed of 133.367mph. Hickman lapped just shy of 132mph whilst Cummins went fifth quickest with a lap of 130.615mph just behind Coward but ahead of McGuinness.

In the Supersport session, Dunlop opened with a lap of 124.973mph but Harrison went slightly quicker at 124.99mph only for Hickman to knock them down to second and third after a lap of 125.070mph. Harrison responded with a 125.145mph only for Hickman to have the final say with an impressive lap of 127.206mph. Fourth to sixth was occupied by Todd (124.579mph), Coward (124.484mph) and Hodson (123.195mph) and, elsewhere, newcomer Jorge Halliday posted his first 110mph lap of the Mountain Course.

In the Supertwin session, Coward’s strong evening continued as he set the second fastest lap of the week at 120.912mph. That was the quickest of the night although Mike Browne was continually getting to grips with his Paton and, after a first lap of 118.415mph, he increased that to 119.787mph on his second lap. They were followed by Brookes (116.937), Hodson (115.932), Rutter (115.163) and Francesco Curinga (114.552).

At 8.25pm it was the turn of the Sidecars with the Birchalls leading the way on the opening lap at 118.523mph, seven seconds quicker than Pete Founds/Jevan Walmsley (117.786mph) whilst Ryan and Callum Crowe were back on track after their spill at Laurel Bank on Monday and recorded a solid lap of 114.128mph.

Founds/Walmsley improved to 118.159mph on their second lap and although the Birchalls went back out after changing a front tyre, they stopped at Ballacraine.

Tomorrow’s qualifying session is set to get under at 18:30. Click here to view tomorrow’s schedule.

June 2023

June 1, 2023

On the Front Cover: Jack Miller and his KTM RC16 MotoGP racebike blur the scenery
during the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez. Miller is happy with his factory team move from Ducati to KTM. Photo by Gigi Soldano/DPPI Media.

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Isle Of Man TT: Hickman Quickest With 133.797 MPH Lap On Thursday

June 1, 2023

Peter Hickman (10). Photo courtesy Isle of Man TT Press Office.