Team Obsolete is excited to announce our participation in the Vintage Road Racing Association’s upcoming Vintage Festival taking place at Mosport, Canadian Tire Motorsports Park. This event will feature not only sprint and endurance motorcycle races but also a swap meet and Concours d’Elegance. More info on these at: https://cvmg.ca/VFest
We have committed to bringing five pedigree historic racing machines with us to be raced and paraded by our team.
The machines:
1. 1968 Benelli 350/4 ex-Renzo Pasolini, to be paraded by Dave Lloyd, a former Grand Prix rider who actually raced against Pasolini and the Benelli at the Isle of Man TT in 1968!
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1972 MV Agusta 500/3 ex-Giacomo Agostini
2. 1972 MV Agusta 500/3 ex-Giacomo Agostini, to be paraded by VRRA stalwart Ian McQueen
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Walt Fulton on a Team Obsolete 1973 Harley Davidson XR750TT
3. 1973 Harley Davidson XR750TT to be raced and paraded by ex-Harley Davidson Factory Team rider Walt Fulton III
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1959 Matchless G50
4. 1959 Matchless G50, to be raced by Ian McQueen
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Seth Rosko and Michelle Le Clear-Fisher on a Team Obsolete 1963 Seeley TT racing sidecar outfit “MJC Special”
5. 1963 Seeley “MJC Special” sidecar outfit, to be raced by team riders, Seth Rosko and Michelle Le Clear-Fisher, in honor of our team mate the late Randy Hoffman. The return of this outfit to the circuits by Team Obsolete was instrumental in Randy’s revival in History Racing.
We are pleased to announce the expansion of the Team Obsolete VRRA Vintage Festival program at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park. Dave Roper will be racing his 1950 Moto Guzzi 500 Falcone Special and the 1960 Surtees AJS Special 350. This was the late Michelle Duff’s favorite ride. In the late Michelle Duff’s honor, Dave will also be parading the Surtees 7R.
We are very excited about this event. See you in the paddock!
Many thanks to the VRRA Organizers, and to our sponsors:
Vanson Leathers, Red Line Synthetic Oil, Heidenau Tires and Buchanan’s Spoke & Rim
Services are scheduled for racer, Yamaha test rider, race promoter, and businessman Rudy Galindo this coming Saturday in Huntsville, Alabama. He died on July 17th at age 76.
His daughter Yvette Galindo Westwick announced his passing with this post on Facebook:
“It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of our father, Rudy Galindo. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on July 17, 2025. We are heartbroken but find solace in knowing he is in a better place. Please keep my mother in your prayers as she mourns the loss of her best friend. Our dad’s love for his family was evident to all who knew him..
“Funeral Arrangements will be Saturday August 9, 2025 at noon, at Berry Hill funeral Home, 2305 N. Memorial Pkwy Huntsville Al.
“Condolences from 12pm to 2pm, Service from 2pm-2:30pm
“Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery, 202 Maple Hill St. SE, Huntsville Al”
Rudy and Josie Galindo. Photo courtesy Galindo family.
The following official obituary was posted on the Berry Hill Funeral Home website:
“Rudy Galindo, age 76, of Huntsville, AL, went to be with Jesus on Thursday, July 17, 2025. Rudy was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He will be remembered for his kind and forgiving spirit, his deep love for people and his work, and his joyful passion for dancing.
“He is survived by his beloved wife, Josie Galindo, and his children: Yvette Westwick, Jennifer Rose, Christian Galindo, and Heather McGill. He was a proud grandfather to Lerina Brewer, Casey Catron, Carissa McManus, Manuel Caballero, Elise Barnes, Colton Rose, Paislee McGill and Arlo McGill and was blessed with nine great-grandchildren. Rudy is also survived by his brothers, Benny Galindo and Jimmy Galindo; his sister, Loraine Cortez; nine nieces and nephews; nine great-nieces and nephews; and many more cherished family members and friends who will miss him dearly.
“He was preceded in death by his parents, Violeta and Benny Galindo, and his brother, Peter Galindo.
“Rudy’s legacy of love, laughter, and compassion live on in the many lives he touched.
“Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at Berryhill Funeral Home from 12:00 to 2:00 pm, followed by the service in the chapel at 2:00 pm with Pastor Ken Clark officiating. Interment will take place at Maple Hill Cemetery.”
AFM 1974 Overall Champion Rudy Galindo, in 1975. Photo by John Ulrich.1974 AFM Overall Champion Rudy Galindo waiting for a 250cc GP race to be called to pre-grid at Sears Point Raceway, in July, 1975. Photo by John Ulrich.
Remembering Rudy Galindo, by Editor John Ulrich:
Rudy Galindo raced flat track and road racing, but had his greatest success in AMA Pro road races and in road racing events put on by AFM, CMC, WERA and other organizations. In the early 1980s Galindo and a partner promoted professional events sanctioned by AFM Pro and the AMA, notably including a Budweiser-sponsored event at Riverside Raceway in 1981, which featured a 6-hour endurance race won by Eddie Lawson and Ron Pierce on a Muzzy Kawasaki Superbike ahead of Bruce Hammer and I on a Team Hammer Moriwaki-framed F1 Suzuki.
Galindo was always willing to help other riders and to promote the sport of road racing. In the 1970s, Rudy and I would make the drive from Southern California to AFM events at Sears Point (now known as Sonoma Raceway), leaving after Rudy got off work on Saturday. We would drive all night, arrive in time for the gates to open, go through tech, practice, race, pack up, drive all night, get home, and get ready to go to work. In my case I would write up a story about the races, type up the results, develop film, deliver the story, results and film, and then go to college journalism classes. Rudy was my co-conspirator in those early days of great adventures, long trips and crazy schedules fueled by our mutually shared enthusiasm for motorcycle road racing. In retrospect, we did more together than we could have done on our own, and it was a blast.
Rudy was originally from California but relocated to Alabama in 1991, with his wife Josie and his younger kids, Jennifer, Heather, and Christian. His oldest daughter Yvette made the move from California to Alabama in 1999.
Godspeed, Rudy Galindo.
Rudy Galindo on a 1975 AFM poster, carrying the 1974 #1 plate at Sears Point (now known as Sonoma Raceway). Photo by Mush Emmons.
Team Canada attended the first International invitational Ohvale event at the new Guangzhou venue in China at the end of July.
Rookie racer Stfan Tanasic (age 14) ran in the 190 (big wheel) class, with Alberta’s Ethan Reardon (age 10) and B.C.’s Martina Cardenas (at ten year old, just recently eligible to compete in the Nationals) in the main 160 division and middle east-based Canuk Fadhili Kraemer entered on a 110 manual – the Auto 110 category ran earlier in the week.
Missing from action was Tommy Molnar, who fell in Q2 at Brechin the week before and injured his wrist and ankle.
This event marked a whirlwind period when most of the competitors rushed from the rained out National at Brechin, Ontario, to the Toronto Airport, then on to Hong Kong (11 hours) and then a transfer into China (4 Hours) for the Supercup event at the just-completed 1.15 km long roadrace venue in Guangzhou. Competitors arrived on Tuesday and departed the following Monday, with the races Thursday-Saturday, and a Chinese National event on the Sunday.
The event was staged to attract attention to the new facility and highlight plans by owner and tech investor David Su to build a MotoGP quality track at the same location in the next couple of years.
Super Sonic Road Race School owner, race instructor and Team Canada Captain Toni Sharpless explained that “the event came together at the last minute with the help of the CMA, and there were a lot of unknowns. The organizers treated us really well, and the track was great. WE gained a lot of useful experience.”
As well, eventual top Canadian Reardon had an emergency dental issue just after his 160 events were completed, but the organizers arranged emergency weekend surgery. Reardon earned a pair of seventh place finishes in his two heats, and wound up ninth overall – a very good start for a racer who is aiming to represent Canada in Europe in the
World finals this fall, depending on his results in the Canadian Nationals later this month when he is expected to face ob against Jager Stockill (age 12).
The only major challenge for Reardon was his lack of experience in the wet, but after his time in China that should no longer be a major issue. Italina Francesco Marzo earned the overall win.
Martina Cardenas was the only Canadian entry not to fall during the event, and worked steadily, gaining rain experience that oddly she doesn’t have, given she is based in British Columbia!
In 190 class action, Canada’s least experienced racer, Tanasic, looked set to make it to the main races via the Last Chance Qualifier, but got passed and pushed down the order on the last lap.
Fadhili Kraemer also missed making the main event by just one spot, after fading back from a strong start. Most of Kraemer’s riding is on the dirt, but he does road race in Qatar.
Team Canada at the brand new Guangzhou Circuit in China: (Left to Right) team Captain Toni Sharpless, Diana Carrea Cardenas, racer Martin Cardenas, Luis Cardenas, racer Nduta Kraemer, Fadhili Kraemer, Percilla Kraemer, Tihana Tanasic, racer Stfan Tanasic, Aleks Tanasic. Not shown: Clive Ng-A-Kien, racer Ethan Reardon, Colin Reardon, Lisa Reardon. Photo courtesy Super Sonic Road Racing School.
“I am absolutely glad we did it, and we will plan to return if a similar event happens again, and with more time to prepare and manage the Canadian National Scheule (Sharpless had stab running races with RACEMoto at Shannonville at the same time she was leading the advancing forces into China).”
“The big bonus is that once racers have travelled to big events,” continued Sharpless, a member of the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame. “They want more, they understand the formats, and we have seen that with other top young Canadian competitors in the past few years with the fall trip for the Worlds in Spain.”
“I think, if anything, these events are a great eye opener for our competitors. You now know what you must do, what the level of competition is like. They know they can be competitive. They made some big steps.”
“When we go to these international events, the racers and their families get hooked on the level of competition. Now you know what you are striving for, and the overall experience is so tremendous you want to repeat it. Maybe you didn’t have a plan, and now you know what you are aiming for.”
It was a win years in the making. Following multiple seasons in the attempt, Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Harley-Davidson XG750R) at last got his first victory aboard the Harley-Davidson XG750R in Tuesday’s Jackpine Gypsies Short Track II, Round 11 of the 2025 Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing.
And it couldn’t have come at a more fitting location, with legions of H-D faithful descending on Sturgis, South Dakota, for the 85th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, and the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club for the night’s race action.
Robinson’s triumph was the first win for any rider this season other than Mission AFT SuperTwins title contenders Briar Bauman (No. 3 RWR/Parts Plus/Latus Motors Harley-Davidson XG750R) and Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT).
Not surprisingly, there was more to that story. Much more.
In what is almost certainly destined to rank as among the most dramatic and consequential moments of the ‘25 Grand National Championship fight, the championship rivals collided during the Main Event with Daniels taking the brunt of it.
With both pilots actively seeking a way past race leader Robinson, Bauman attempted to square up Daniels to steal away second. However, Daniels did not drift up the track the way Bauman appeared to expect. As a result, rather than run under, he ran into his adversary, dumping him in the dirt.
A red flag immediately flew, after which both riders were placed at the back of the field for the restart.
The two then battled one another as they sliced and diced their way forward. Bauman again came away better, finishing in third behind Robinson and second-place finisher Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing KTM 790 Duke).
Daniels, meanwhile, saw his historic podium streak snapped at 23 when he finished in fifth position, 0.134 seconds behind fourth-place finisher Dan Bromley (No. 62 Memphis Shades/Vinson Construction Suzuki GSX-8S).
A heated Daniels promptly engaged in an animated discussion with Bauman during the cool down lap, while the RWR pilot later repeatedly expressed his apologies for the incident from the podium.
By contrast, Robinson was all smiles. The Mission Roof Systems ace – who campaigned the XG750R full time in 2017 and 2018, and for parts of 2019 – was absolutely thrilled to finally celebrate a victory with the machine.
“Hell yeah!” he said. “There were a couple heartbreaking years in ‘17 and ‘18; we got our butts whipped on these things. I always said when the rules went production(-based), the XGs were going to be really good motorcycles. It’s just awesome it’s come full circle – from the Vance & Hines Factory Harley days with Terry Vance helping me, to now with Jerry Stinchfield and the Roof Systems/Mission Foods team. I absolutely love this crew. This is awesome.”
Jarod VanDerKooi (No. 20 Fastrack Racing/Wally Brown Racing KTM 790 Duke) was the last rider to get overhauled by both Bauman and Daniels and was relegated to sixth in the process. He was followed home by Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Progressive Insurance Honda Transalp), Henry Wiles (No. 911 DL Racing/HYMMC Yamaha MT-07), Justin Jones (No. 91 1st Impressions Race Team KTM 790 Duke), and James Ott (No. 19 G&G Racing Yamaha MT-07) to complete the top ten.
Bauman’s championship lead was expanded to 11 points in the clash, as he now leads Daniels 224-213. Robinson sits third at 158, followed by Fisher with 141.
AFT AdventureTrackers™
After suffering a pair of near misses in the first two races in class history, Dan Bromley (No. 62 Big Momma and Daddy Deep Pockets Suzuki V-Strom 1050) finally raced his way to the top of the AFT AdventureTrackers podium.
Dan Bromley (62) leads the pack during the AFT AdventureTracker Main Event during Round 11 in Sturgis Tuesday night. Photo by Tim Lester/ courtesy American Flat Track
Bromley grabbed the holeshot and subsequently used every bit of leverage his lanky frame provided to throw the 500-pound Suzuki Dual Adventure bike underneath him around the 1/5-mile Short Track en route to a convincing victory.
Second-place went to Monday winner Jesse Janisch (No. 33 WFOracingonline.com/Öhlins Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250), who was forced to fight his way out of a huge pack tussling for second. But by the time he did, Bromley was long gone.
As a result, the two are now tied after trading 2-1 and 1-2 finishes at the Jackpine Gypsies Short Track as the four-race series hits its halfway point.
Race winner Bromley said, “I put that bad boy in low gear and just put it on the bottom. Yesterday, I led the Main Event and Jesse got by me. When he passed me, I was like, ‘How did he do that? He passed me so fast on the inside…’ And I was like, ‘Oh wait, we’ve got front brakes!’ So today I remembered to use it, and it worked out good.”
Outside of Janisch, Austin Luczak (No. 188 Memphis Shades/Black Hills Powersports Honda Africa Twin) succeeded in keeping that big group of heavy hitters corralled behind him to earn his maiden Progressive AFT podium finish.
Daytona 200 legend Danny Eslick (No. 164 Saddlemen Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250) finished fourth with the heavily decorated Henry Wiles (No. 911 Walter Bros. Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250) taking the last spot in the top five.
AFT Singles presented by KICKER
Feeling under the weather and confronted with a tight and physical racetrack, Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) was forced to dig deep on Tuesday night. And in doing so, he left his AFT Singles presented by KICKER title rivals in an even deeper hole with just five rounds remaining to determine the season’s championship.
Rookie hero Kage Tadman (No. 288 Roof Systems/Old Oak Ranch KTM 450 SX-F) jumped out to the early advantage and held down first for the opening couple of minutes. Monday winner Chase Saathoff (No. 88 RWR/Parts Plus Honda CRF450R) then stole the momentum, first slinging around the outside of Drane to grab second and then using the same line to storm past Tadman for the lead.
Saathoff threatened to shake free at that point. Drane, however, wasn’t willing to give up, diving under Tadman and then reeling in his rival at the front. The Estenson Racing star snuck under the RWR pilot with just 30 seconds left on the clock, timing the strike just as they came upon lapped traffic.
The Australian successfully maneuvered through the slower riders to score his fourth victory in the most recent six races.
Despite having very little voice with which to speak, Drane said, “That race was pretty tough at the start. I can’t thank my whole team enough for all the effort they’ve been putting in. And we’ve been training hard back home to make sure we had the pace we needed at the end of the race to come back through.”
Runner-up Saathoff finished just 0.230 seconds back, while Tadman settled into a lonely third to claim the fourth podium of his spectacular rookie season.
Chad Cose (No. 49 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450) finished fourth, while Trevor Brunner (No. 21 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) rounded out the top five after breaking free of a huge 10-plus-rider pack late.
Following 11 of 16 races, Drane leads Saathoff 214-191. Brunner is third at 164, while Tarren Santero (No. 75 Mission Roof Systems Honda CRF450R) is the only other rider within even 100 points of Drane at 118.
Next Up:
The third Progressive AFT round in five days featured at this year’s 85th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally will take place on Friday, August 8, with the Jackpine Gypsies Super TT.
For those that can’t catch the live action from the circuit, FloRacing is the live streaming home of Progressive AFT. Sign up now and catch every second of on-track action starting with Practice & Qualifying and ending with the Victory Podium at the end of the night at https://flosports.link/aft.
FOX Sports coverage of the Jackpine Gypsies Short Track I, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Saturday, August 16, at 10:00 a.m. ET (7:00 a.m. PT). The Jackpine Gypsies Short Track II is set to air the following day, Sunday, August 17, at 1:00 p.m. ET (10:00 a.m. PT).
More from a press release issued by Flo4Law SBU Racing:
Bobby Davies produces top ten result at VIR, Benjamin Smith motivated for Mid-Ohio.
MotoAmerica’s return to Virginia International Raceway for the first time since 2022 was a challenging affair but as the team leave VIR, they are optimistic of a return to better times at the next round of the series in Mid-Ohio in a fortnight.
In Superbike, Ben Smith started the weekend strongly although a limited number of laps in Free Practice but both him and the Flo4Law SBU squad on the back foot leading into qualifying. A rain affected first qualifying did not help either. Ben eventually qualified tenth, on row four of the grid, ahead of the two twenty-lap races.
Making the most of a fast start in Saturday afternoon’s opening race, Ben gained places on the opening lap before an untimely crash put him out of contention. A technical issue curtailed the #78’s chances of redemption on Sunday.
Bobby Davies had an excellent weekend. Riding at VIR for the first time, he quickly learned the circuit before producing an encouraging result in the only dry qualifying session on Saturday morning. Lining up fifteenth, he rode well to finish thirteenth, to secure his first points of the season, in the Stock1000 opener. Bobby was able to continue to build through Sunday and after a positive warm up he raced to a career best ninth in Sunday’s second race.
The next round of the 2025 MotoAmerica championship takes place at Mid-Ohio in a fortnight.
Benjamin Smith: “I was optimistic going into the weekend as I’ve had decent results at VIR in the past. I got my first podium in Supersport there so going into Friday I was feeling good. Friday was one of those days where we just working through some things and then the weather rolled in, but it was what it was. Saturday morning, we came up with a plan, but I was struggling with a few things on the bike and me just wrapping my head around riding a superbike. The session ended with a small issue which was frustrating as we know we need to qualify better, and we have a good plan to resolve that moving forward. In race one I made a few places and felt good but then there was contact with another rider. Looking back at the footage it really was just a racing incident. There’s a couple of lines through where we went down. Annoying and not how I wanted race one to go but sometimes you just have to move on. Warm up on Sunday we continued to work through some things and then it was time to race. Unfortunately, I had to retire the bike due to a mechanical issue. We could see on the data what was wrong, and it wasn’t something we could fix. In summary it was a tough weekend, but we need to keep our heads up. I will continue to give my best and I know when it all comes together, I know we will be able to run at the front. I know what me and this team are capable of. We have three rounds left to make it happen so let’s keep moving forward.”
Bobby Davies in the pitlane at VIR. Photo courtesy Flo4Law SBU Team.
Bobby Davies: “It was an interesting weekend. I was able to do the track walk with Ben (Smith) and was able to get his perspective on the track which was good as it was my first time at VIR. The plan in Free Practice was to do as many laps as possible to learn. It rained for first qualifying and the plan was the same – to get a banker lap, not crash and then focus and work towards final qualifying. Saturday came and it was still raining. I stayed out the whole time and we were able to qualify P15. Race one on Saturday afternoon went pretty well. I was fighting for the top ten, but we learned a lot about what we could change for Sunday. The changes we made overnight made the bike easier to ride. I made another decent start in Race 2 but then there was a red flag. The restart was only nine laps. I am excited for the result we were able to achieve. It’s our first single digit finish in Stock1000 and I am so thankful to the whole Flo4Law SBU crew and all our sponsors and supporters.”
Flo Moreno – Team Principal:“Bobby crushed it, earning his first top ten with a stellar ninth in Stock1000. That’s all him, backed by the sweat and smarts of Shon, Mike, Jonathan, and Matthew, who kept that bike humming. The Superbike side’s been a tougher fight. Ben’s got a rare kind of talent—anyone around the track can see it, and it’s why we teamed up with SBU to put him on a bike that should be a rocket. But with a crash in race one and mechanical issues killing race two, we’re not there yet. It’s on the whole team to lock in, listen to Ben’s feedback, and sort out these bike issues so he can show what he’s got. Huge thanks to our crew, partners, and fans for sticking with us. We are working on it, and I’m confident we’ll get Ben’s ride as consistent as his skill. Trust the process.”
Freddy Carswell – Team Principal:“VIR was a really challenging weekend for us. We went into the round with high expectations because we know how good our package is and what Ben’s level is, but we had a very strange electronics sensor issue that was causing an intermittent problem that made the bike feel very inconsistent. We did make some forward progress with setup and electronics overall, but this problem really put a wrench in the gears in terms of our consistency. I would like to thank Ben for putting his best effort forward and for the team for working so hard, but unfortunately, we just didn’t get to show what we are capable of this weekend. We are working diligently to resolve the issue and to make sure that our remaining rounds are at the level we should be. Congratulations to Bobby for his P9 finish in the Stock1000 class. Hats off to him and his crew for a great result.”
From a press release issued by OrangeCat Racing:
OrangeCat Racing’s Uribe, Lee net podium finishes Sunday in MotoAmerica Stock 1000 race at Virginia International Raceway.
Lee maintains championship lead with four races remaining this season.
The OrangeCat Racing duo of Andrew Lee and Jayson Uribe had another round of positive results Aug. 1-3 at Virginia International Raceway. The pair each earned one podium finish in Sunday’s MotoAmerica Stock 1000 race and an additional top-five finish in Saturday’s contest. And Lee continues to be the Stock 1000 championship points leader as the season begins to wind to a close.
Both riders finished in the top five in Saturday’s Stock 1000 race before claiming the final two steps on the podium in Sunday’s contest – with Uribe narrowly missing out on clinching his second win of the 2025 season.
Both Lee and Uribe were at or near the top of the time sheets on Friday. Lee was the fastest rider in Friday morning practice by a margin of 0.550 seconds, and Uribe finished that session third-fastest. The first of two qualifying sessions took place Friday afternoon, but inclement track conditions didn’t allow riders to show their true pace. When qualifying wrapped up on Saturday morning, Lee and Uribe had secured third and seventh on the starting grid, respectively, for the weekend’s two Stock 1000 races.
Saturday afternoon’s Race 1 saw both OrangeCat Racing riders a little off the race-leading pace. Lee finished Lap 1 in third place, but a mistake on Lap 2 dropped him to fifth in the running order. Uribe had moved up to fourth place by the end of the first lap, and Uribe and Lee finished the race in fourth and fifth place, respectively.
Sunday’s Race 2 brought better fortunes for Uribe, as he led every lap except for the last one. Uribe ended up finishing in second place as he was beaten to the finish line by another rider by a mere 0.055 seconds. Lee wasn’t far behind his teammate, as he ran most of the race in fourth place before joining his teammate on the podium with a late-race push to secure a third-place finish.
With their positive results from VIR in the books, Lee continues to lead the MotoAmerica Stock 1000 points standings by 10 points with four races remaining. Uribe isn’t far off his teammate’s position in the standings, as he’s in third place and just 18 points behind second place.
The next MotoAmerica Stock 1000 round takes place Aug. 15-17 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.
OrangeCat Racing riders Jayson Uribe (36) and Andrew Lee (14). Photo by: Brian J. Nelson
Jayson Uribe / No. 36 :
“It was a weekend full of ups and downs for the OrangeCat crew, but we ended it on a high note with a good performance on Sunday. The Friday and Saturday qualifying session were difficult due to the wet track conditions, as well as just trying to put in some clean laps with all the traffic out there. In Race 1, I lost touch with the front pack in the early laps of the race. We were able to bring home a fourth-place finish, and we learned from that experience and made improvements for Race 2. The team worked hard all night to give me a motorcycle I could fight for the win with. We got a good start in the race and led for most of the race. Overall, I was happy to be back out at the front. The OrangeCat crew worked hard all weekend and overcame adversity in a very commendable manner. I’m looking forward to being back racing at the next round at Mid-Ohio.”
Andrew Lee / No. 14 :
“Itwas definitely not an easy weekend at VIR. I felt great Friday morning, but the weather interrupted our game plan. We faltered a little bit Saturday and got caught out finishing in fifth. That was not due to a lack of effort from the team, who worked hard to come up with a new game plan for Sunday. We tried a modified setup in Sunday warm-up, but a red flag cut that session short. So, we just had to go with what we had for Sunday’s race. We were running near the front the whole race, but just wasn’t quite strong enough in spots to move further forward. The team and I are fired up to get back to racing at Mid-Ohio.”
Jeff Connors / Team Manager:
“Our team went through some adversity in Race 1. We made a mistake on Jayson’s bike by mounting the incorrect tire compound on the rear. Jayson ran a great race to bring it home fourth. We made some changes to our processes avoid these mistakes in the future. We win and lose as a team, but that one is on me. The same can be said for Andrew. The tire was not what we should have raced on, and he did an incredible job bringing it home in fifth. I am proud of the team for coming back strong on Sunday to bring home a double podium. And congratulations to J.D. Beach! As a race fan, his performance at VIR was very entertaining.”
OrangeCat Racing’s promotional and technical partners for the 2025 MotoAmerica season include Motoworks Chicago, Ohlins USA, and alpha Racing.
Jayson Uribe’s personal sponsors for the 2025 MotoAmerica season include Dainese, Arai Helmets, CT Racing, Code 3 Consultations, San Jose BMW, and BSP Racing.
Andrew Lee’s personal sponsors for the 2025 MotoAmerica season include CT Racing, KYT, Luxvoni, Aliv World Wide, KD.51CD, Coolbreeze Heating and Air, JP43 Training and Barrett Racing.
To learn more about OrangeCat Racing, visit the team’s website at http://orangecatracing.com and follow the team on Instagram at @orangecatracing.
More from a press release issued by Karns / TST Industries Racing Team :
Grit, Growth, and Guts: Karns Performance TST Industries Racing Team Shows Determination at VIR.
The Karns Performance TST Industries Racing Team rolled into Virginia International Raceway (VIR) for Round 5 of the MotoAmerica Twins Cup series with determination and momentum. From unpredictable weather to mechanical heartbreak, the weekend delivered a full spectrum of challenges, and glimpses of brilliance.
Levi Badie came into VIR hungry after a strong showing at Laguna Seca, and despite a disrupted qualifying session, he proved once again why he’s one of the most exciting riders on the grid. After Q1 was canceled due to weather and Q2 ran in wet conditions, Badie qualified 9th. In Race 1, Levi charged to the front, even leading the race before a heartbreaking low-side crash in the final corner took him out of podium contention while running second. Levi showed championship-level pace and composure. It’s racing, and sometimes you push the limits to the edge.
In Race 2, a chaotic start dropped Badie back in the pack, but he stayed focused and rode a smart, consistent race to bring home 8th place and valuable points.
Isaac Woodworth delivered one of his most promising performances to date, qualifying a stellar 5th in the wet conditions and running strong in Race 1, finishing 7th. Isaac looked poised for a breakout in Race 2 before a mechanical issue forced him to retire mid-race. Isaac continues to show growth, confidence, and pace. We’re proud of the steps he’s taking, and there’s no doubt big results are just around the corner.
Making her return from an international appearance at the Women’s World Championship round in Hungary, Elisa Gendron Belén brought her fighting spirit to VIR for her debut at the technical Virginia circuit. Despite it being her first time at the track, she steadily improved throughout the weekend, qualifying 28th out of 33 riders. Elisa finished 24th in Race 1 and 26th in Race 2, cutting her lap times and gaining crucial experience in a competitive field. Elisa showed drive and adaptability coming off a world championship race and jumping straight into a new track. Her energy is infectious and we’re excited for what’s ahead.
Isaac Woodworth (on the left), Levi Badie (center) and Elisa Gendron Belén (on the right). Photo courtesy Karns Performance Racing.
With one round remaining, the team now regroups and refocuses for the season finale at New Jersey Motorsports Park this September. Every rider has shown strength, speed, and the hunger to push forward, and the Karns Performance TST Industries Racing Team is ready to close out the season with purpose.
Thank you to our sponsors:
TST Industries, Meck’s Autobody, Adrenaline Engineering, Andreani USA, Ng Brake, Spiegler USA, Blumenstock Machine, M4 Exhaust, Blud Lubricants, Woodcraft Technologies.
More from a press release issued by Robem Engineering:
Robem Engineering’s Di Mario repeats as MotoAmerica Twins Cup champion, clinches title Saturday at VIR round.
Vossberg scores two podiums, Di Mario nets team’s third Twins Cup title at Aug. 1-3 event.
Robem Engineering’s Alessandro Di Mario had a chance to clinch his second consecutive MotoAmerica Twins Cup title this past weekend when the series visited Virginia International Raceway, and he ended up doing more than enough to get that job done.
The Twins Cup sophmore and 2024 Twins Cup champ successfully defended his No. 1 plate at the Aug. 1-3 event, winning both races and capturing Robem Engineering’s third Twins Cup title in the last five years. Di Mario has now won seven races in a row.
Di Mario’s teammate, Hank Vossberg, continued his impressive rookie campaign in Twins Cup, as he narrowly claimed another runner-up finish on Saturday and a hard-fought third place on Sunday.
Less than ideal track conditions greeted the Robem Engineering riders at the start of the weekend. Di Mario finished Friday morning practice in third place and Vossberg in eighth. Friday afternoon’s Qualifying 1 session was cancelled due to inclement weather, so the lone Twins Cup qualifying session of the weekend took place Saturday morning. Di Mario secured third place on the grid – his first time not being on pole this season. Vossberg qualified right behind his teammate in fourth place.
The start to Saturday’s Race 1 saw Di Mario battling with several other riders for the lead. By Lap 6 of the 13-lap race, Di Mario had assumed the lead and began building a gap to the rest of the field. He took the win by a margin of 3.422 seconds, and an early race crash for one of Di Mario’s championship rivals allowed him to clinch the title with three races to go this season. Vossberg battled with another rider late in the race for the last two steps on the podium, completing a 1-2 finish with his teammate by a mere 0.002 seconds.
Sunday afternoon’s Race 2 was more typical of Di Mario, as he lead every lap and took his second win of the weekend by more than 4.5 seconds. Vossberg ended up securing his second podium finish of the weekend when he finished third. He missed out on another second-place finish by 0.059 seconds.
The final MotoAmerica Twins Cup round of 2025 takes place Sept. 26-28 at New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville, N.J.
Robem Engineering rider Alessandro Di Mario (No. 1). Photo by Sara Chappell Photos
Alessandro Di Mario / No. 1:
“The race weekend was really good. I had two good starts, and the plan all along was to break away at the front. That’s what happened, and I’m really happy with how that went. I want to thank the team for how much they helped me out this weekend.”
Robem Engineering rider Hank Vossberg (No. 131). Photo by Sara Chappell Photos
Hank Vossberg / No. 131:
“What a great weekend here at VIR. It went really well – better than I expected. I podiumed in both Twins Cup races, and the bike felt amazing. I didn’t get the start I wanted in Race 1, but was just able to get second place at the finish line. I got a better start today, and am still happy with another podium finish.”
Robem Engineering’s technical partners for the 2025 season include Accossato, Aprilia Racing, Blud Lubricants, Bitubo Suspension, Bonamici, Essex Parts, Millennium Technologies, Motovation, NGK, NTK, Piaggio North America, Sara Chappell Photos, SC Project and Sprint Filter.
More from a press release issued by Altus Motorsports :
Round 6 of the 2025 MotoAmerica Championship at Virginia International Raceway was a weekend of grit and determination for the Altus Motorsports team. With two riders still nursing injuries from earlier rounds, a first-time track for others, and a competitive Twins Cup field, the team fought through pain and adversity to bring home valuable championship points.
Supersport:
Jake Lewis (85) at VIR.
Still recovering from a crash at Laguna Seca, Jake Lewis lined up 9th for Race 1 and toughed out the 17-lap contest to bring his Yamaha YZF-R9 home in 9th place despite significant rib pain. Unfortunately, the discomfort proved too great to safely compete in Race 2, and Lewis withdrew to focus on recovery.
Jaret Nassaney (59) at VIR.
Also riding injured, Jaret Nassaney has been dealing with lingering neck and back issues from his crash at The Ridge. Starting 17th in Race 1, he finished 16th, then suffered an issue on the grid before Race 2. Forced to start from pit lane, Nassaney charged from the back to finish 15th, salvaging points.
Jaret Nassaney: “Yeah, unfortunately, my neck and back are still a bit injured from the crash at The Ridge. I’m not finishing where I want because of it. I’m trying to get it healthy before Mid-Ohio.”
Torin Collins (71) at VIR.
On his first visit to VIR, Torin Collins picked up the track quickly on his Suzuki GSX-R750, starting both races from 12th. In Race 1, he finished where he started in 12th, but in Race 2, he fought forward to claim an impressive 8th place.
Torin Collins: “First time at Virginia wasn’t as straightforward as I’d planned, but I picked up the track quickly and managed to put myself inside the top 10 on day one. We learned so much—about myself and as a team—this round, and I was able to push hard in Race 2 to earn a well-deserved 8th place. I’m now up to 9th in the championship, and I’m determined to keep climbing the ladder in the last couple of rounds. The team has been amazing, and I’m so proud of what we’re achieving together.”
Owen Williams (13) at VIR.
Owen Williams started both races from 18th on the grid aboard his Suzuki GSX-R750. In Race 1, he improved one spot to 17th, then made a bigger leap in Race 2 to finish 12th, showing solid pace and progress throughout the weekend.
Owen Williams: “This was only my second time at VIR, and my first on the 750. It’s a great track, but definitely challenging. Friday and Saturday were spent learning, but Sunday’s race was a blast. I was in a fun three-bike battle and decided to play it smart by not leading the group. I waited until the last two laps and worked my way past them one by one to take 12th at the line.”
Twins Cup:
Seth Dahmer (111) at VIR.
Seth Dahmer lined up 8th for his Twins Cup races aboard the Suzuki GSX-8R — his best qualifying yet — despite having only 12 laps of track time at VIR before the weekend. In Race 1, he brought home a 9th-place finish, adding more points to his rookie season tally. In Race 2, Dahmer fought hard but crossed the line in 12th, continuing to gain valuable race craft in a competitive field.
Seth Dahmer: “VIR went well. Friday qualifying was canceled, so I only got one qualifying. It was a drying session, and on a red flag, I decided to try a slick rear — one of only two to make that call. It was the tire to be on, and I went 8th fastest, my best qualifying yet. Both races were good, solid races that definitely improved me as a rider.”
Team owner George Nassaney: “We went into VIR with high hopes. Unfortunately Jake and Jaret are still dealing with previous injuries. Torin and Owen did amazing in Sundays race and for Jaret to start from pit lane in last place and work his way back up to 15th was great to watch his fight. Seth rode well in the Twins class. Mid Ohio is in two weeks and we will be ready to battle again. Just want to say Thank You to all of our sponsors who help us compete at this level.”
The team now heads to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for Round 7, where they aim to keep building momentum and get all riders back to full strength.
The 2025 Vintage Cup Series continued August 2 and 3 at Blackhawk Farms Raceway in South Beloit, IL, as part of the 2025 AHRMA National Roadracing Series presented by Motobilia.
Sponsored by Roadracingworld.com, and NYC Norton (nycnorton.com), AHRMA’s 2025 Vintage Cup features the 500 Premier class which includes 500cc four-stroke machines built up to and including 1968. Featured bikes from this era would include the 500cc Manx Norton, Matchless or Seeley G50, BSA Goldstar or 500cc BSA Twin “works” replica, Benelli “works” four, Harley KR, Honda Drixton Twin, and more.
On Saturday, four classic motorcycles lined up for the 2025 AHRMA 500 Premier Vintage Cup race: Kevin Dinsmoor, riding John Turner’s 1962 BMW R50 was seated on pole position, joined by Brian Larrabure on a 1962 NYC Norton Manx, Wes Orloff on Dale Coffman’s 1967 Honda CR450 twin, and Brady Ingelse on a beautifully turned out 1962 BSA Goldstar. At the green flag Orloff shot off with a fantastic start, taking the lead into turn one. Dinsmoor stayed close and didn’t let go, ultimately passing Orloff midway through the first lap, and impressively held onto the lead to the checkered flag, with Orloff nipping at his heels the entire race finishing in a close second. Larrabure finished third, and Ingelse came in fourth.
Sunday saw Inglese sitting out this race, while Larrabure switched his ride to a 1968 NYC Norton Seeley G50. Orloff again got a great start and led into Turn 1 holding first place solidly through the 7 turns of this track. As the riders crossed the Start/Finish on their first lap, Orloff remained in front, with Larrabure right on his tail, and Dinsmoor holding steady a few bike lengths back. However, in lap three, Dinsmoor overtook Orloff to take the lead. Larrabure retired midway, and the race quickly became a slugfest of two heavy hitters, with Dinsmoor and Orloff going at each other hard for the win – never more than a bike length between them for the entire rest of the race. At the final lap’s last turn, an ignition sensor issue caused Dinsmoor’s bike to misfire. Orloff seized on the hesitation and put in a clean pass to take the victory. Dinsmoor rolled across the line in second.
“Heading into Chicago from NYC the van’s dash read 105 degrees ambient. Thankfully, after setting up, the storms came and passed in the night, bringing lower temps and humidity for the rest of the weekend, leaving us with the best summertime August weather imaginable at this beautiful South Beloit facility. The grass was green, the trees were shady, and the racing was hard! The atmosphere at our AHRMA Midwest rounds is always very special, and Blackhawk is the perfect venue to host this tight-knit community coming together” said Kenny Cummings of NYC Norton.
Kenny continued, “I had the pleasure of spectating various times in the weekend from the fence at the carousel turn 4 / 5, with the different classes’ riders impressively getting around this complex section secured by some very welcomed air fence in the runoff. As I moved to the tower I had a great vantage point to watch our 500 Premier racers really give it their all. The riding and competition was top notch, and the sounds and smells of these classics didn’t disappoint. Hat’s off to all the folks who put these unique vintage bikes out there to be ridden hard”
“The AHRMA event at Blackhawk Farms was well attended. Racers competing there benefitted from the use of nearly 70 impact barriers in strategic areas supplied by the Roadracingworld Action Fund 501(c)(3) through the years by fundraisers and private donations as part of the Air Fence program. AHRMA has stepped up within our member base to help the continuing efforts to protect racers when and where it is needed. To donate please go to roadracingworld.com/actionfund/donate/”, shared Bob Robbins, AHRMA Safety Committee Chair.
Rounds fifteen and sixteen of the AHRMA National Road Race Series Presented by Motobilia will be August 16-17 at Pittsburgh International Race Complex in Wampum, PA.
The annual Vintage Cup spotlights one of AHRMA’s road racing classes with extra attention on competitors in the selected class during each race event. Enhanced awards for the Vintage Cup competitors are presented separately from other class trophies during the Saturday awards ceremony at each AHRMA National Road Race event. Highlights from each Vintage Cup race will be reported in RoadRacingWorld.com’s online edition. At the conclusion of each season, the perpetual Vintage Cup trophy will be engraved with the national champion winner’s name and presented to the winner at the National Awards Banquet to keep for one year.
2025 AHRMA Roadracing Series Presented by Motobilia, 500 Premier – Vintage Cup Results
Saturday, August 2, 2025
Kevin Dinsmoor, 1962 BMW Turner R-50, Colchester, CT
Wes Orloff, 1967 Honda CR450, Mukwonago, WI
Brian Larrabure, 1962 Norton Manx, Calabasas, CA
Brady Ingelse, 1962 BSA Goldstar, Belgium, WI
Sunday, August 3, 2025
Wes Orloff, 1967 Honda CR450, Mukwonago, WI
Kevin Dinsmoor, 1962 BMW Turner R-50, Colchester, CT
Brian Larrabure, 1968 Seeley G50, Calabasas, CA
About AHRMA:
The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to competing on fantastic classic and true vintage along with a wide range of modern motorcycles. With over 3,000 members, AHRMA is the largest vintage racing group in North America and one of the biggest in the world. The association has grown steadily over the years, reflecting the increasing interest in classic bikes.
Part 2 of a series, reprinted from the April 2011 edition of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology Magazine. Copyright 2011, 2015, 2020, 2024. 2025. All rights reserved. www.roadracingworld.com
KEVIN SCHWANTZ On Working With Young Racers
Kevin Schwantz poses with the Red Bull AMA Rookies Cup kids at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, 2008. Photo by DPPI Media.
Roadracing World: How do you coach kids and keep them safe?
Kevin Schwantz: “It’s never easy because once the kids get to the Red Bull Rookies level they’ve got pretty high goals and because they’ve got exactly the same equipment as the other guys they know that if they’re the best they should be the fastest guy out there. I find most of the kids try to latch on to someone going faster and try to figure it out. My approach to those kids is you’ve got to go out and work at it, it’s not something that’s going just click and you find a second. You’ve got to go out, find your rhythm, find your pace, then start trimming bits off in every section. Even at the top, riders struggle to find where the limit is; Casey Stoner is a classic example, he’s won a bunch of races this year but he’s crashed out of a few in the first six laps. It’s never easy to get that through to kids because they go ‘the other kid’s doing it and he’s making it look easy.’”
Roadracing World: What kind of tone do you use?
Kevin Schwantz: “To work with these kids you’ve got to learn each kid and what makes that kid tick. What I really liked about the U.S. Red Bull Rookies program in 2008 was that I got to ride with the kids: That’s such an easier way to coach a kid. I’d follow them, I’d pass them, I’d lead them ’round, then let them pass me back, so I could see what they’re doing wrong. Then we’d come in, we’d talk about it and maybe if the next session was qualifying, so I wasn’t riding with them, they’d come back in with a beaming smile: ‘What you told me helped me so much!’ You got to learn each kid. It’s different with the Red Bull Rookies Cup in MotoGP because there’s so many people trying to coach the kid, whether it’s parents, managers or some of the 125cc GP guys. In America we had the kids more secluded, we kept the parents away, we had our own mechanics working on the bikes, so it was a great opportunity to work with them. It’s so difficult from the edge of the track to pick up on what they need to do better.”
Kevin Schwantz poses with his 1993 500cc GP World Championship-winning Suzuki RGV500 at Indy in 2009. Photo by DPPI.
Roadracing World: How do you keep an eye on dads who may put too much pressure on their kids?
Kevin Schwantz: “You can see that absolutely in every kid that’s out there, whether they’re doing it because they absolutely love it, it’s the best thing they’ve ever done in their lives and there’s no pressure, they’re just having great time; or there’s the kids going ‘Oh man,’ and you can tell they’re getting heat from mom and dad who are going ‘Do you know how much money we’ve spent to get you here?’ And there’s every scenario in between those two extremes—no pressure and more pressure than a factory rider trying to win a World Championship at the last race.
“We’ve got a big enough group of people here to deal with any problems like that. If we see dads getting angry or pointing fingers, we can’t tell the dad how to raise the kid, but we can walk in and say ‘I know where his struggles are coming from’ and try to help them.”
Check back for the next installment of Taking Kids Racing.
Building on the global success of the original VARG MX, version 1.2 introduces advanced updates in powertrain, chassis design, and software features, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the Premium electric motorcycle industry.
At the heart of the VARG MX 1.2 is the Stark 80hp electric powertrain, outperforming any traditional 450cc motocross bike. What truly sets it apart is the fully adjustable power delivery, allowing riders to fine-tune output from 10hp to 80hp in real-time. Fine control over the power curve and motor braking ensures a ride that’s perfectly adapted to every rider, track, or terrain all at the tip of your fingers.
The new Arkenstone isn’t just a display; it’s a fully functioning track tested smartphone.
Fully integrated and field-tested toughness, this Android-powered unit sits in the handlebar and wirelessly connects deeper to the entire bike ecosystem, providing improved connectivity.
With a few taps, riders can fine-tune power delivery, switch maps on the fly, and now with the new LAPS feature, track GPS lap times and navigate new terrain.
Developed with one of the world’s top map providers, LAPS gives riders real-time track data and splits, right on the bike.
Whether it’s race day or a full day of motos, the VARG MX 1.2 delivers unmatched performance and range.
Powered by a proprietary 7.2 kWh battery, housed in a patented magnesium honeycomb case, the 1.2 now offers up to 20% more range than its predecessor. With a peak of 80 horsepower, 973 Nm at the wheel, and weighing just 118 kg. The VARG MX 1.2 delivers unmatched performance for longer.
The battery itself plays a structural role, improving frame stiffness and thermal performance, while the updated motor increases efficiency and keeps heat low, letting you ride harder, longer.
The VARG MX 1.2 isn’t just designed in the lab, it’s developed at race speed.
Under the direction of Sébastien Tortelli, two-time World Champion and Stark’s Racing Director, the bike has been relentlessly tested, raced, and refined to push performance further with every lap. Tortelli, who led testing for the original VARG, now oversees Stark’s racing program, a vital channel for high-speed R&D that directly shapes every update in the 1.2.
Sébastien Tortelli, Stark Future – Racing Director: “Racing is where weaknesses show and strengths are proven. With the VARG MX 1.2, we’ve turned competition into development; every race, every rider, every condition feeds into what we build. This bike is the direct result of that process. It’s taken a lot of sweat, hard work, and constant learning to raise the bar for what’s possible in motocross. We’re not just keeping up-we’re delivering more traction, more stability, more features, and a longer range. We’re pushing the boundaries.”
Motocross legend Kevin Windham, renowned for his flawless technique and deep understanding of bike feel, added after testing the bike:
“I’ve ridden everything there is to ride, and this is the future.” Windham praised the bike’s instant power, natural balance, and how quickly it felt familiar, even after decades on gas machines. “instead of managing a machine. I could see this being the new normal sooner than people think.”
This isn’t a lab experiment; it’s a machine refined through real feedback in over 50 countries. Through a dealer-supported testing and race program in 18 countries, paired with live input from Stark’s connected riding ecosystem, every detail of the 1.2 has been shaped by riders, from firmware logic and suspension feel to mechanical function & durability.
What’s New in the VARG MX 1.2
· Updated powertrain with improved efficiency
· New battery pack with 7.2 kWh
· New frame, lighter by using an even stronger steel alloy with twice the strength of the chromoly steel used by other European manufacturers and increased flex.
· Overmolded wiring harness for extreme conditions
· Internally routed map switch cable, cleaner and protected
· Redesigned chain guide with 266% more lateral stiffness and minimal 7 % weight gain
· Lap mode, which will also be made available in all existing bikes in the next few months
· New inner tubes, improved significant durability
· New Stark Arkenstone Phone and docking station, with better connectivity, speed, brightness and clamping system
· New gearbox, lighter and higher efficiency
The new high-strength steel alloy frame is 0.9 kg lighter with refined flex around the shock mount area. This enhances feedback, rider comfort, and control.
The KYB suspension system has also been retuned with updated mid-valve shim stacks, 310mm of travel, and selectable spring rates based on rider weight, something no other OEM offers today.
Less maintenance, more laps, more freedom
With no pistons, clutches, or filters to worry about, the VARG MX 1.2 slashes maintenance time and cost. Over 100 hours of riding, it can save owners up to $5,000 USD compared to a traditional 450cc.
And unlike anyone else in the segment,
Stark offers a two-year full warranty on the entire bike.
A Tailored Experience, Built Around You:
· Choice of Dunlop MX34 or Pirelli MX32 tires with tubes or mousse
Stark Future is on a mission to revolutionize the motorcycle industry by leading the shift toward sustainability and drastically reducing CO₂ and plastic pollution. Through cuttingedge design and unmatched performance, the company delivers emotionally powerful, timelessly beautiful premium electric motorcycles that surpass traditional technology. Guided by a philosophy of innovation, quality, and user-focused simplicity, Stark Future combines bold ambition with a relentless pursuit of excellence. The brand’s iconic gold logo symbolizes its full-circle approach to sustainability and its uncompromising drive to be number one.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA: Dunlop Motorcycle Tires is excited to announce that new lap records have been established at Virginia International Raceway in Alton, VA. This thrilling showcase of speed and skill wasn’t possible without the Sportmax Slick tires, and the following records were achieved:
Twins Cup:
-Race Lap Record: 1:30.544 – Alessandro Di Mario, Race 2 (8/3/2025)
Supersport:
-Lap Record & Race Lap Record: 1:25.964 – Mathew Scholtz, Race 2 (8/3/2025)
-Lap Record & Race Lap Record: 1:26.094 – PJ Jacobsen, Race 1 (8/2/2025)
Build.Train.Race:
-Lap Record & Race Lap Record: 1:46.428 – Miranda Cain, Race 2 (8/3/2025)
-Lap Record & Race Lap Record: 1:47.957 – Miranda Cain, Race 1 (8/2/2025)
Talent Cup:
-Race Lap Record: 1:34.858- Hank Vossberg, Race 2 (8/3/2025)
-Race Lap Record: 1:35.876 – Alessandro Di Mario, Race 1 (8/2/2025)
These outstanding performances demonstrate the exceptional grip and reliability of Dunlop’s Sportmax Slick tires, further cementing their position as the tire of choice for all competitive road racing.
Dunlop is the number one selling and largest supplier of original equipment and replacement motorcycle tires in North America. For more information, visit www.DunlopMotorcycleTires.com. Follow @ridedunlop on Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) for the latest Dunlop news. Use #RideDunlop and/or #RaceDunlop to share your Dunlop moments.
Alessandro di Mario wins the Twins Cup in MotoAmerica with the RS 660, third place for the Aprilia RSV4 in the legendary Suzuka 8 Hours in the EWC.
Aprilia Racing confirms its status as a global motorsport powerhouse by achieving two prestigious results simultaneously in different parts of the world. These successes further strengthen Aprilia’s position as a standout force in international racing, showcasing the versatility and competitiveness of two of its machines, the Aprilia RS 660 and the RSV4, across different challenges and racing environments.
In the United States, Alessandro Di Mario of Team Robem Engineering successfully defended his MotoAmerica Twins Cup title, claiming his second consecutive championship and securing Aprilia’s third title in this category in the last five years. Di Mario won both races at the Virginia International Raceway, securing the title already in Saturday’s first race and dominating a weekend in which of the 37 riders entered at VIR, 16 competed aboard Aprilia RS 660, a testament to the bike’s continued dominance in the category. After kicking off the 2025 season with three consecutive second-place finishes, Di Mario embarked on an unstoppable winning streak, taking victory in the last seven races, including both races at VIR this weekend.
At the same time, in the legendary Suzuka 8 Hours, the third round of the 2025 FIM EWC Endurance World Championship, the Aprilia RSV4 secured an exceptional third place in the Superstock class. This marks Aprilia’s second podium in three years, and the first ever achieved in Japan by an all-Italian team, with the Revo/M2 Racing Team. The result in this historic race confirms the competitiveness and reliability of the RSV4 1100.
Kevin Calia, Simone Saltarelli, and Flavio Ferroni on the Superstock podium. Photo courtesy Aprilia Racing.
The team made up of Kevin Calia, Simone Saltarelli, and Flavio Ferroni, all making their debut on this track, delivered a flawless race, bringing the Aprilia RSV4 1100 onto the Superstock podium. The Aprilia RSV4 1100 completed all 206 laps without any technical issues, confirming its reliability and competitiveness in one of the most demanding challenges on the global racing calendar. This is the team’s first international podium, achieved in their debut at the prestigious Japanese race, on a circuit never before tackled by either the riders or the team.
MASSIMO RIVOLA, CEO APRILIA RACING:
“Winning the MotoAmerica Twins Cup title for the second consecutive year confirms Di Mario’s talent and the quality of the RS 660 in this tough and competitive championship. Alessandro and his Team Robem Engineering deserve huge applause for the work they’ve done throughout the season. What the Revo/M2 Racing Team achieved in Japan was equally impressive. An Italian team taking on such a challenging event for the first time, on a circuit like Suzuka, full of traps and home-track specialists, is something we will remember. Kevin, Simone, and Flavio were flawless, as was the Team. The Aprilia RSV4 was impeccable too, and in this World Endurance Championship it can definitely play a leading role in the Superstock class, a category that will only become more important in the future.”
Dave Roper on a Team Obsolete 1968 Benelli 350/4, ex-Renzo Pasolini.
Team Obsolete is excited to announce our participation in the Vintage Road Racing Association’s upcoming Vintage Festival taking place at Mosport, Canadian Tire Motorsports Park. This event will feature not only sprint and endurance motorcycle races but also a swap meet and Concours d’Elegance. More info on these at: https://cvmg.ca/VFest
We have committed to bringing five pedigree historic racing machines with us to be raced and paraded by our team.
The machines:
1. 1968 Benelli 350/4 ex-Renzo Pasolini, to be paraded by Dave Lloyd, a former Grand Prix rider who actually raced against Pasolini and the Benelli at the Isle of Man TT in 1968!
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1972 MV Agusta 500/3 ex-Giacomo Agostini
2. 1972 MV Agusta 500/3 ex-Giacomo Agostini, to be paraded by VRRA stalwart Ian McQueen
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Walt Fulton on a Team Obsolete 1973 Harley Davidson XR750TT
3. 1973 Harley Davidson XR750TT to be raced and paraded by ex-Harley Davidson Factory Team rider Walt Fulton III
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1959 Matchless G50
4. 1959 Matchless G50, to be raced by Ian McQueen
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Seth Rosko and Michelle Le Clear-Fisher on a Team Obsolete 1963 Seeley TT racing sidecar outfit “MJC Special”
5. 1963 Seeley “MJC Special” sidecar outfit, to be raced by team riders, Seth Rosko and Michelle Le Clear-Fisher, in honor of our team mate the late Randy Hoffman. The return of this outfit to the circuits by Team Obsolete was instrumental in Randy’s revival in History Racing.
We are pleased to announce the expansion of the Team Obsolete VRRA Vintage Festival program at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park. Dave Roper will be racing his 1950 Moto Guzzi 500 Falcone Special and the 1960 Surtees AJS Special 350. This was the late Michelle Duff’s favorite ride. In the late Michelle Duff’s honor, Dave will also be parading the Surtees 7R.
We are very excited about this event. See you in the paddock!
Many thanks to the VRRA Organizers, and to our sponsors:
Vanson Leathers, Red Line Synthetic Oil, Heidenau Tires and Buchanan’s Spoke & Rim
Rudy Galindo seen at Sears Point Raceway in 1975, carrying the 1974 AFM Overall Champion #1 plate on his TD2 250cc Yamaha. He repeated as AFM Champion in 1975. Photo by John Ulrich.
Services are scheduled for racer, Yamaha test rider, race promoter, and businessman Rudy Galindo this coming Saturday in Huntsville, Alabama. He died on July 17th at age 76.
His daughter Yvette Galindo Westwick announced his passing with this post on Facebook:
“It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of our father, Rudy Galindo. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on July 17, 2025. We are heartbroken but find solace in knowing he is in a better place. Please keep my mother in your prayers as she mourns the loss of her best friend. Our dad’s love for his family was evident to all who knew him..
“Funeral Arrangements will be Saturday August 9, 2025 at noon, at Berry Hill funeral Home, 2305 N. Memorial Pkwy Huntsville Al.
“Condolences from 12pm to 2pm, Service from 2pm-2:30pm
“Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery, 202 Maple Hill St. SE, Huntsville Al”
Rudy and Josie Galindo. Photo courtesy Galindo family.
The following official obituary was posted on the Berry Hill Funeral Home website:
“Rudy Galindo, age 76, of Huntsville, AL, went to be with Jesus on Thursday, July 17, 2025. Rudy was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He will be remembered for his kind and forgiving spirit, his deep love for people and his work, and his joyful passion for dancing.
“He is survived by his beloved wife, Josie Galindo, and his children: Yvette Westwick, Jennifer Rose, Christian Galindo, and Heather McGill. He was a proud grandfather to Lerina Brewer, Casey Catron, Carissa McManus, Manuel Caballero, Elise Barnes, Colton Rose, Paislee McGill and Arlo McGill and was blessed with nine great-grandchildren. Rudy is also survived by his brothers, Benny Galindo and Jimmy Galindo; his sister, Loraine Cortez; nine nieces and nephews; nine great-nieces and nephews; and many more cherished family members and friends who will miss him dearly.
“He was preceded in death by his parents, Violeta and Benny Galindo, and his brother, Peter Galindo.
“Rudy’s legacy of love, laughter, and compassion live on in the many lives he touched.
“Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at Berryhill Funeral Home from 12:00 to 2:00 pm, followed by the service in the chapel at 2:00 pm with Pastor Ken Clark officiating. Interment will take place at Maple Hill Cemetery.”
AFM 1974 Overall Champion Rudy Galindo, in 1975. Photo by John Ulrich.1974 AFM Overall Champion Rudy Galindo waiting for a 250cc GP race to be called to pre-grid at Sears Point Raceway, in July, 1975. Photo by John Ulrich.
Remembering Rudy Galindo, by Editor John Ulrich:
Rudy Galindo raced flat track and road racing, but had his greatest success in AMA Pro road races and in road racing events put on by AFM, CMC, WERA and other organizations. In the early 1980s Galindo and a partner promoted professional events sanctioned by AFM Pro and the AMA, notably including a Budweiser-sponsored event at Riverside Raceway in 1981, which featured a 6-hour endurance race won by Eddie Lawson and Ron Pierce on a Muzzy Kawasaki Superbike ahead of Bruce Hammer and I on a Team Hammer Moriwaki-framed F1 Suzuki.
Galindo was always willing to help other riders and to promote the sport of road racing. In the 1970s, Rudy and I would make the drive from Southern California to AFM events at Sears Point (now known as Sonoma Raceway), leaving after Rudy got off work on Saturday. We would drive all night, arrive in time for the gates to open, go through tech, practice, race, pack up, drive all night, get home, and get ready to go to work. In my case I would write up a story about the races, type up the results, develop film, deliver the story, results and film, and then go to college journalism classes. Rudy was my co-conspirator in those early days of great adventures, long trips and crazy schedules fueled by our mutually shared enthusiasm for motorcycle road racing. In retrospect, we did more together than we could have done on our own, and it was a blast.
Rudy was originally from California but relocated to Alabama in 1991, with his wife Josie and his younger kids, Jennifer, Heather, and Christian. His oldest daughter Yvette made the move from California to Alabama in 1999.
Godspeed, Rudy Galindo.
Rudy Galindo on a 1975 AFM poster, carrying the 1974 #1 plate at Sears Point (now known as Sonoma Raceway). Photo by Mush Emmons.
Top Canadian at Guangzhou was Alberta’s Ethan Reardon (14), who netted 9th overall in the featured Ohvale 160 class – the same division that takes centre stage at the world finals in conjunction with MotoGP in the fall. Photo courtesy Guangzhou Circuit.
Team Canada attended the first International invitational Ohvale event at the new Guangzhou venue in China at the end of July.
Rookie racer Stfan Tanasic (age 14) ran in the 190 (big wheel) class, with Alberta’s Ethan Reardon (age 10) and B.C.’s Martina Cardenas (at ten year old, just recently eligible to compete in the Nationals) in the main 160 division and middle east-based Canuk Fadhili Kraemer entered on a 110 manual – the Auto 110 category ran earlier in the week.
Missing from action was Tommy Molnar, who fell in Q2 at Brechin the week before and injured his wrist and ankle.
This event marked a whirlwind period when most of the competitors rushed from the rained out National at Brechin, Ontario, to the Toronto Airport, then on to Hong Kong (11 hours) and then a transfer into China (4 Hours) for the Supercup event at the just-completed 1.15 km long roadrace venue in Guangzhou. Competitors arrived on Tuesday and departed the following Monday, with the races Thursday-Saturday, and a Chinese National event on the Sunday.
The event was staged to attract attention to the new facility and highlight plans by owner and tech investor David Su to build a MotoGP quality track at the same location in the next couple of years.
Super Sonic Road Race School owner, race instructor and Team Canada Captain Toni Sharpless explained that “the event came together at the last minute with the help of the CMA, and there were a lot of unknowns. The organizers treated us really well, and the track was great. WE gained a lot of useful experience.”
As well, eventual top Canadian Reardon had an emergency dental issue just after his 160 events were completed, but the organizers arranged emergency weekend surgery. Reardon earned a pair of seventh place finishes in his two heats, and wound up ninth overall – a very good start for a racer who is aiming to represent Canada in Europe in the
World finals this fall, depending on his results in the Canadian Nationals later this month when he is expected to face ob against Jager Stockill (age 12).
The only major challenge for Reardon was his lack of experience in the wet, but after his time in China that should no longer be a major issue. Italina Francesco Marzo earned the overall win.
Martina Cardenas was the only Canadian entry not to fall during the event, and worked steadily, gaining rain experience that oddly she doesn’t have, given she is based in British Columbia!
In 190 class action, Canada’s least experienced racer, Tanasic, looked set to make it to the main races via the Last Chance Qualifier, but got passed and pushed down the order on the last lap.
Fadhili Kraemer also missed making the main event by just one spot, after fading back from a strong start. Most of Kraemer’s riding is on the dirt, but he does road race in Qatar.
Team Canada at the brand new Guangzhou Circuit in China: (Left to Right) team Captain Toni Sharpless, Diana Carrea Cardenas, racer Martin Cardenas, Luis Cardenas, racer Nduta Kraemer, Fadhili Kraemer, Percilla Kraemer, Tihana Tanasic, racer Stfan Tanasic, Aleks Tanasic. Not shown: Clive Ng-A-Kien, racer Ethan Reardon, Colin Reardon, Lisa Reardon. Photo courtesy Super Sonic Road Racing School.
“I am absolutely glad we did it, and we will plan to return if a similar event happens again, and with more time to prepare and manage the Canadian National Scheule (Sharpless had stab running races with RACEMoto at Shannonville at the same time she was leading the advancing forces into China).”
“The big bonus is that once racers have travelled to big events,” continued Sharpless, a member of the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame. “They want more, they understand the formats, and we have seen that with other top young Canadian competitors in the past few years with the fall trip for the Worlds in Spain.”
“I think, if anything, these events are a great eye opener for our competitors. You now know what you must do, what the level of competition is like. They know they can be competitive. They made some big steps.”
“When we go to these international events, the racers and their families get hooked on the level of competition. Now you know what you are striving for, and the overall experience is so tremendous you want to repeat it. Maybe you didn’t have a plan, and now you know what you are aiming for.”
Mission AFT SuperTwins rider Brandon Robinson (44) leads Dallas Daniels (32) and Briar Bauman (3) during the Main Event during Round 11 in Sturgis Tuesday night. Photo by Tim Lester / courtesy American Flat Track
It was a win years in the making. Following multiple seasons in the attempt, Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Harley-Davidson XG750R) at last got his first victory aboard the Harley-Davidson XG750R in Tuesday’s Jackpine Gypsies Short Track II, Round 11 of the 2025 Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing.
And it couldn’t have come at a more fitting location, with legions of H-D faithful descending on Sturgis, South Dakota, for the 85th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, and the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club for the night’s race action.
Robinson’s triumph was the first win for any rider this season other than Mission AFT SuperTwins title contenders Briar Bauman (No. 3 RWR/Parts Plus/Latus Motors Harley-Davidson XG750R) and Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT).
Not surprisingly, there was more to that story. Much more.
In what is almost certainly destined to rank as among the most dramatic and consequential moments of the ‘25 Grand National Championship fight, the championship rivals collided during the Main Event with Daniels taking the brunt of it.
With both pilots actively seeking a way past race leader Robinson, Bauman attempted to square up Daniels to steal away second. However, Daniels did not drift up the track the way Bauman appeared to expect. As a result, rather than run under, he ran into his adversary, dumping him in the dirt.
A red flag immediately flew, after which both riders were placed at the back of the field for the restart.
The two then battled one another as they sliced and diced their way forward. Bauman again came away better, finishing in third behind Robinson and second-place finisher Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing KTM 790 Duke).
Daniels, meanwhile, saw his historic podium streak snapped at 23 when he finished in fifth position, 0.134 seconds behind fourth-place finisher Dan Bromley (No. 62 Memphis Shades/Vinson Construction Suzuki GSX-8S).
A heated Daniels promptly engaged in an animated discussion with Bauman during the cool down lap, while the RWR pilot later repeatedly expressed his apologies for the incident from the podium.
By contrast, Robinson was all smiles. The Mission Roof Systems ace – who campaigned the XG750R full time in 2017 and 2018, and for parts of 2019 – was absolutely thrilled to finally celebrate a victory with the machine.
“Hell yeah!” he said. “There were a couple heartbreaking years in ‘17 and ‘18; we got our butts whipped on these things. I always said when the rules went production(-based), the XGs were going to be really good motorcycles. It’s just awesome it’s come full circle – from the Vance & Hines Factory Harley days with Terry Vance helping me, to now with Jerry Stinchfield and the Roof Systems/Mission Foods team. I absolutely love this crew. This is awesome.”
Jarod VanDerKooi (No. 20 Fastrack Racing/Wally Brown Racing KTM 790 Duke) was the last rider to get overhauled by both Bauman and Daniels and was relegated to sixth in the process. He was followed home by Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Progressive Insurance Honda Transalp), Henry Wiles (No. 911 DL Racing/HYMMC Yamaha MT-07), Justin Jones (No. 91 1st Impressions Race Team KTM 790 Duke), and James Ott (No. 19 G&G Racing Yamaha MT-07) to complete the top ten.
Bauman’s championship lead was expanded to 11 points in the clash, as he now leads Daniels 224-213. Robinson sits third at 158, followed by Fisher with 141.
AFT AdventureTrackers™
After suffering a pair of near misses in the first two races in class history, Dan Bromley (No. 62 Big Momma and Daddy Deep Pockets Suzuki V-Strom 1050) finally raced his way to the top of the AFT AdventureTrackers podium.
Dan Bromley (62) leads the pack during the AFT AdventureTracker Main Event during Round 11 in Sturgis Tuesday night. Photo by Tim Lester/ courtesy American Flat Track
Bromley grabbed the holeshot and subsequently used every bit of leverage his lanky frame provided to throw the 500-pound Suzuki Dual Adventure bike underneath him around the 1/5-mile Short Track en route to a convincing victory.
Second-place went to Monday winner Jesse Janisch (No. 33 WFOracingonline.com/Öhlins Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250), who was forced to fight his way out of a huge pack tussling for second. But by the time he did, Bromley was long gone.
As a result, the two are now tied after trading 2-1 and 1-2 finishes at the Jackpine Gypsies Short Track as the four-race series hits its halfway point.
Race winner Bromley said, “I put that bad boy in low gear and just put it on the bottom. Yesterday, I led the Main Event and Jesse got by me. When he passed me, I was like, ‘How did he do that? He passed me so fast on the inside…’ And I was like, ‘Oh wait, we’ve got front brakes!’ So today I remembered to use it, and it worked out good.”
Outside of Janisch, Austin Luczak (No. 188 Memphis Shades/Black Hills Powersports Honda Africa Twin) succeeded in keeping that big group of heavy hitters corralled behind him to earn his maiden Progressive AFT podium finish.
Daytona 200 legend Danny Eslick (No. 164 Saddlemen Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250) finished fourth with the heavily decorated Henry Wiles (No. 911 Walter Bros. Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250) taking the last spot in the top five.
AFT Singles presented by KICKER
Feeling under the weather and confronted with a tight and physical racetrack, Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) was forced to dig deep on Tuesday night. And in doing so, he left his AFT Singles presented by KICKER title rivals in an even deeper hole with just five rounds remaining to determine the season’s championship.
Rookie hero Kage Tadman (No. 288 Roof Systems/Old Oak Ranch KTM 450 SX-F) jumped out to the early advantage and held down first for the opening couple of minutes. Monday winner Chase Saathoff (No. 88 RWR/Parts Plus Honda CRF450R) then stole the momentum, first slinging around the outside of Drane to grab second and then using the same line to storm past Tadman for the lead.
Saathoff threatened to shake free at that point. Drane, however, wasn’t willing to give up, diving under Tadman and then reeling in his rival at the front. The Estenson Racing star snuck under the RWR pilot with just 30 seconds left on the clock, timing the strike just as they came upon lapped traffic.
The Australian successfully maneuvered through the slower riders to score his fourth victory in the most recent six races.
Despite having very little voice with which to speak, Drane said, “That race was pretty tough at the start. I can’t thank my whole team enough for all the effort they’ve been putting in. And we’ve been training hard back home to make sure we had the pace we needed at the end of the race to come back through.”
Runner-up Saathoff finished just 0.230 seconds back, while Tadman settled into a lonely third to claim the fourth podium of his spectacular rookie season.
Chad Cose (No. 49 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450) finished fourth, while Trevor Brunner (No. 21 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) rounded out the top five after breaking free of a huge 10-plus-rider pack late.
Following 11 of 16 races, Drane leads Saathoff 214-191. Brunner is third at 164, while Tarren Santero (No. 75 Mission Roof Systems Honda CRF450R) is the only other rider within even 100 points of Drane at 118.
Next Up:
The third Progressive AFT round in five days featured at this year’s 85th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally will take place on Friday, August 8, with the Jackpine Gypsies Super TT.
For those that can’t catch the live action from the circuit, FloRacing is the live streaming home of Progressive AFT. Sign up now and catch every second of on-track action starting with Practice & Qualifying and ending with the Victory Podium at the end of the night at https://flosports.link/aft.
FOX Sports coverage of the Jackpine Gypsies Short Track I, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Saturday, August 16, at 10:00 a.m. ET (7:00 a.m. PT). The Jackpine Gypsies Short Track II is set to air the following day, Sunday, August 17, at 1:00 p.m. ET (10:00 a.m. PT).
Ben Smith in action at VIR. Photo courtesy Flo4Law SBU Team.
More from a press release issued by Flo4Law SBU Racing:
Bobby Davies produces top ten result at VIR, Benjamin Smith motivated for Mid-Ohio.
MotoAmerica’s return to Virginia International Raceway for the first time since 2022 was a challenging affair but as the team leave VIR, they are optimistic of a return to better times at the next round of the series in Mid-Ohio in a fortnight.
In Superbike, Ben Smith started the weekend strongly although a limited number of laps in Free Practice but both him and the Flo4Law SBU squad on the back foot leading into qualifying. A rain affected first qualifying did not help either. Ben eventually qualified tenth, on row four of the grid, ahead of the two twenty-lap races.
Making the most of a fast start in Saturday afternoon’s opening race, Ben gained places on the opening lap before an untimely crash put him out of contention. A technical issue curtailed the #78’s chances of redemption on Sunday.
Bobby Davies had an excellent weekend. Riding at VIR for the first time, he quickly learned the circuit before producing an encouraging result in the only dry qualifying session on Saturday morning. Lining up fifteenth, he rode well to finish thirteenth, to secure his first points of the season, in the Stock1000 opener. Bobby was able to continue to build through Sunday and after a positive warm up he raced to a career best ninth in Sunday’s second race.
The next round of the 2025 MotoAmerica championship takes place at Mid-Ohio in a fortnight.
Benjamin Smith: “I was optimistic going into the weekend as I’ve had decent results at VIR in the past. I got my first podium in Supersport there so going into Friday I was feeling good. Friday was one of those days where we just working through some things and then the weather rolled in, but it was what it was. Saturday morning, we came up with a plan, but I was struggling with a few things on the bike and me just wrapping my head around riding a superbike. The session ended with a small issue which was frustrating as we know we need to qualify better, and we have a good plan to resolve that moving forward. In race one I made a few places and felt good but then there was contact with another rider. Looking back at the footage it really was just a racing incident. There’s a couple of lines through where we went down. Annoying and not how I wanted race one to go but sometimes you just have to move on. Warm up on Sunday we continued to work through some things and then it was time to race. Unfortunately, I had to retire the bike due to a mechanical issue. We could see on the data what was wrong, and it wasn’t something we could fix. In summary it was a tough weekend, but we need to keep our heads up. I will continue to give my best and I know when it all comes together, I know we will be able to run at the front. I know what me and this team are capable of. We have three rounds left to make it happen so let’s keep moving forward.”
Bobby Davies in the pitlane at VIR. Photo courtesy Flo4Law SBU Team.
Bobby Davies: “It was an interesting weekend. I was able to do the track walk with Ben (Smith) and was able to get his perspective on the track which was good as it was my first time at VIR. The plan in Free Practice was to do as many laps as possible to learn. It rained for first qualifying and the plan was the same – to get a banker lap, not crash and then focus and work towards final qualifying. Saturday came and it was still raining. I stayed out the whole time and we were able to qualify P15. Race one on Saturday afternoon went pretty well. I was fighting for the top ten, but we learned a lot about what we could change for Sunday. The changes we made overnight made the bike easier to ride. I made another decent start in Race 2 but then there was a red flag. The restart was only nine laps. I am excited for the result we were able to achieve. It’s our first single digit finish in Stock1000 and I am so thankful to the whole Flo4Law SBU crew and all our sponsors and supporters.”
Flo Moreno – Team Principal:“Bobby crushed it, earning his first top ten with a stellar ninth in Stock1000. That’s all him, backed by the sweat and smarts of Shon, Mike, Jonathan, and Matthew, who kept that bike humming. The Superbike side’s been a tougher fight. Ben’s got a rare kind of talent—anyone around the track can see it, and it’s why we teamed up with SBU to put him on a bike that should be a rocket. But with a crash in race one and mechanical issues killing race two, we’re not there yet. It’s on the whole team to lock in, listen to Ben’s feedback, and sort out these bike issues so he can show what he’s got. Huge thanks to our crew, partners, and fans for sticking with us. We are working on it, and I’m confident we’ll get Ben’s ride as consistent as his skill. Trust the process.”
Freddy Carswell – Team Principal:“VIR was a really challenging weekend for us. We went into the round with high expectations because we know how good our package is and what Ben’s level is, but we had a very strange electronics sensor issue that was causing an intermittent problem that made the bike feel very inconsistent. We did make some forward progress with setup and electronics overall, but this problem really put a wrench in the gears in terms of our consistency. I would like to thank Ben for putting his best effort forward and for the team for working so hard, but unfortunately, we just didn’t get to show what we are capable of this weekend. We are working diligently to resolve the issue and to make sure that our remaining rounds are at the level we should be. Congratulations to Bobby for his P9 finish in the Stock1000 class. Hats off to him and his crew for a great result.”
From a press release issued by OrangeCat Racing:
OrangeCat Racing’s Uribe, Lee net podium finishes Sunday in MotoAmerica Stock 1000 race at Virginia International Raceway.
Lee maintains championship lead with four races remaining this season.
The OrangeCat Racing duo of Andrew Lee and Jayson Uribe had another round of positive results Aug. 1-3 at Virginia International Raceway. The pair each earned one podium finish in Sunday’s MotoAmerica Stock 1000 race and an additional top-five finish in Saturday’s contest. And Lee continues to be the Stock 1000 championship points leader as the season begins to wind to a close.
Both riders finished in the top five in Saturday’s Stock 1000 race before claiming the final two steps on the podium in Sunday’s contest – with Uribe narrowly missing out on clinching his second win of the 2025 season.
Both Lee and Uribe were at or near the top of the time sheets on Friday. Lee was the fastest rider in Friday morning practice by a margin of 0.550 seconds, and Uribe finished that session third-fastest. The first of two qualifying sessions took place Friday afternoon, but inclement track conditions didn’t allow riders to show their true pace. When qualifying wrapped up on Saturday morning, Lee and Uribe had secured third and seventh on the starting grid, respectively, for the weekend’s two Stock 1000 races.
Saturday afternoon’s Race 1 saw both OrangeCat Racing riders a little off the race-leading pace. Lee finished Lap 1 in third place, but a mistake on Lap 2 dropped him to fifth in the running order. Uribe had moved up to fourth place by the end of the first lap, and Uribe and Lee finished the race in fourth and fifth place, respectively.
Sunday’s Race 2 brought better fortunes for Uribe, as he led every lap except for the last one. Uribe ended up finishing in second place as he was beaten to the finish line by another rider by a mere 0.055 seconds. Lee wasn’t far behind his teammate, as he ran most of the race in fourth place before joining his teammate on the podium with a late-race push to secure a third-place finish.
With their positive results from VIR in the books, Lee continues to lead the MotoAmerica Stock 1000 points standings by 10 points with four races remaining. Uribe isn’t far off his teammate’s position in the standings, as he’s in third place and just 18 points behind second place.
The next MotoAmerica Stock 1000 round takes place Aug. 15-17 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.
OrangeCat Racing riders Jayson Uribe (36) and Andrew Lee (14). Photo by: Brian J. Nelson
Jayson Uribe / No. 36 :
“It was a weekend full of ups and downs for the OrangeCat crew, but we ended it on a high note with a good performance on Sunday. The Friday and Saturday qualifying session were difficult due to the wet track conditions, as well as just trying to put in some clean laps with all the traffic out there. In Race 1, I lost touch with the front pack in the early laps of the race. We were able to bring home a fourth-place finish, and we learned from that experience and made improvements for Race 2. The team worked hard all night to give me a motorcycle I could fight for the win with. We got a good start in the race and led for most of the race. Overall, I was happy to be back out at the front. The OrangeCat crew worked hard all weekend and overcame adversity in a very commendable manner. I’m looking forward to being back racing at the next round at Mid-Ohio.”
Andrew Lee / No. 14 :
“Itwas definitely not an easy weekend at VIR. I felt great Friday morning, but the weather interrupted our game plan. We faltered a little bit Saturday and got caught out finishing in fifth. That was not due to a lack of effort from the team, who worked hard to come up with a new game plan for Sunday. We tried a modified setup in Sunday warm-up, but a red flag cut that session short. So, we just had to go with what we had for Sunday’s race. We were running near the front the whole race, but just wasn’t quite strong enough in spots to move further forward. The team and I are fired up to get back to racing at Mid-Ohio.”
Jeff Connors / Team Manager:
“Our team went through some adversity in Race 1. We made a mistake on Jayson’s bike by mounting the incorrect tire compound on the rear. Jayson ran a great race to bring it home fourth. We made some changes to our processes avoid these mistakes in the future. We win and lose as a team, but that one is on me. The same can be said for Andrew. The tire was not what we should have raced on, and he did an incredible job bringing it home in fifth. I am proud of the team for coming back strong on Sunday to bring home a double podium. And congratulations to J.D. Beach! As a race fan, his performance at VIR was very entertaining.”
OrangeCat Racing’s promotional and technical partners for the 2025 MotoAmerica season include Motoworks Chicago, Ohlins USA, and alpha Racing.
Jayson Uribe’s personal sponsors for the 2025 MotoAmerica season include Dainese, Arai Helmets, CT Racing, Code 3 Consultations, San Jose BMW, and BSP Racing.
Andrew Lee’s personal sponsors for the 2025 MotoAmerica season include CT Racing, KYT, Luxvoni, Aliv World Wide, KD.51CD, Coolbreeze Heating and Air, JP43 Training and Barrett Racing.
To learn more about OrangeCat Racing, visit the team’s website at http://orangecatracing.com and follow the team on Instagram at @orangecatracing.
More from a press release issued by Karns / TST Industries Racing Team :
Grit, Growth, and Guts: Karns Performance TST Industries Racing Team Shows Determination at VIR.
The Karns Performance TST Industries Racing Team rolled into Virginia International Raceway (VIR) for Round 5 of the MotoAmerica Twins Cup series with determination and momentum. From unpredictable weather to mechanical heartbreak, the weekend delivered a full spectrum of challenges, and glimpses of brilliance.
Levi Badie came into VIR hungry after a strong showing at Laguna Seca, and despite a disrupted qualifying session, he proved once again why he’s one of the most exciting riders on the grid. After Q1 was canceled due to weather and Q2 ran in wet conditions, Badie qualified 9th. In Race 1, Levi charged to the front, even leading the race before a heartbreaking low-side crash in the final corner took him out of podium contention while running second. Levi showed championship-level pace and composure. It’s racing, and sometimes you push the limits to the edge.
In Race 2, a chaotic start dropped Badie back in the pack, but he stayed focused and rode a smart, consistent race to bring home 8th place and valuable points.
Isaac Woodworth delivered one of his most promising performances to date, qualifying a stellar 5th in the wet conditions and running strong in Race 1, finishing 7th. Isaac looked poised for a breakout in Race 2 before a mechanical issue forced him to retire mid-race. Isaac continues to show growth, confidence, and pace. We’re proud of the steps he’s taking, and there’s no doubt big results are just around the corner.
Making her return from an international appearance at the Women’s World Championship round in Hungary, Elisa Gendron Belén brought her fighting spirit to VIR for her debut at the technical Virginia circuit. Despite it being her first time at the track, she steadily improved throughout the weekend, qualifying 28th out of 33 riders. Elisa finished 24th in Race 1 and 26th in Race 2, cutting her lap times and gaining crucial experience in a competitive field. Elisa showed drive and adaptability coming off a world championship race and jumping straight into a new track. Her energy is infectious and we’re excited for what’s ahead.
Isaac Woodworth (on the left), Levi Badie (center) and Elisa Gendron Belén (on the right). Photo courtesy Karns Performance Racing.
With one round remaining, the team now regroups and refocuses for the season finale at New Jersey Motorsports Park this September. Every rider has shown strength, speed, and the hunger to push forward, and the Karns Performance TST Industries Racing Team is ready to close out the season with purpose.
Thank you to our sponsors:
TST Industries, Meck’s Autobody, Adrenaline Engineering, Andreani USA, Ng Brake, Spiegler USA, Blumenstock Machine, M4 Exhaust, Blud Lubricants, Woodcraft Technologies.
More from a press release issued by Robem Engineering:
Robem Engineering’s Di Mario repeats as MotoAmerica Twins Cup champion, clinches title Saturday at VIR round.
Vossberg scores two podiums, Di Mario nets team’s third Twins Cup title at Aug. 1-3 event.
Robem Engineering’s Alessandro Di Mario had a chance to clinch his second consecutive MotoAmerica Twins Cup title this past weekend when the series visited Virginia International Raceway, and he ended up doing more than enough to get that job done.
The Twins Cup sophmore and 2024 Twins Cup champ successfully defended his No. 1 plate at the Aug. 1-3 event, winning both races and capturing Robem Engineering’s third Twins Cup title in the last five years. Di Mario has now won seven races in a row.
Di Mario’s teammate, Hank Vossberg, continued his impressive rookie campaign in Twins Cup, as he narrowly claimed another runner-up finish on Saturday and a hard-fought third place on Sunday.
Less than ideal track conditions greeted the Robem Engineering riders at the start of the weekend. Di Mario finished Friday morning practice in third place and Vossberg in eighth. Friday afternoon’s Qualifying 1 session was cancelled due to inclement weather, so the lone Twins Cup qualifying session of the weekend took place Saturday morning. Di Mario secured third place on the grid – his first time not being on pole this season. Vossberg qualified right behind his teammate in fourth place.
The start to Saturday’s Race 1 saw Di Mario battling with several other riders for the lead. By Lap 6 of the 13-lap race, Di Mario had assumed the lead and began building a gap to the rest of the field. He took the win by a margin of 3.422 seconds, and an early race crash for one of Di Mario’s championship rivals allowed him to clinch the title with three races to go this season. Vossberg battled with another rider late in the race for the last two steps on the podium, completing a 1-2 finish with his teammate by a mere 0.002 seconds.
Sunday afternoon’s Race 2 was more typical of Di Mario, as he lead every lap and took his second win of the weekend by more than 4.5 seconds. Vossberg ended up securing his second podium finish of the weekend when he finished third. He missed out on another second-place finish by 0.059 seconds.
The final MotoAmerica Twins Cup round of 2025 takes place Sept. 26-28 at New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville, N.J.
Robem Engineering rider Alessandro Di Mario (No. 1). Photo by Sara Chappell Photos
Alessandro Di Mario / No. 1:
“The race weekend was really good. I had two good starts, and the plan all along was to break away at the front. That’s what happened, and I’m really happy with how that went. I want to thank the team for how much they helped me out this weekend.”
Robem Engineering rider Hank Vossberg (No. 131). Photo by Sara Chappell Photos
Hank Vossberg / No. 131:
“What a great weekend here at VIR. It went really well – better than I expected. I podiumed in both Twins Cup races, and the bike felt amazing. I didn’t get the start I wanted in Race 1, but was just able to get second place at the finish line. I got a better start today, and am still happy with another podium finish.”
Robem Engineering’s technical partners for the 2025 season include Accossato, Aprilia Racing, Blud Lubricants, Bitubo Suspension, Bonamici, Essex Parts, Millennium Technologies, Motovation, NGK, NTK, Piaggio North America, Sara Chappell Photos, SC Project and Sprint Filter.
More from a press release issued by Altus Motorsports :
Round 6 of the 2025 MotoAmerica Championship at Virginia International Raceway was a weekend of grit and determination for the Altus Motorsports team. With two riders still nursing injuries from earlier rounds, a first-time track for others, and a competitive Twins Cup field, the team fought through pain and adversity to bring home valuable championship points.
Supersport:
Jake Lewis (85) at VIR.
Still recovering from a crash at Laguna Seca, Jake Lewis lined up 9th for Race 1 and toughed out the 17-lap contest to bring his Yamaha YZF-R9 home in 9th place despite significant rib pain. Unfortunately, the discomfort proved too great to safely compete in Race 2, and Lewis withdrew to focus on recovery.
Jaret Nassaney (59) at VIR.
Also riding injured, Jaret Nassaney has been dealing with lingering neck and back issues from his crash at The Ridge. Starting 17th in Race 1, he finished 16th, then suffered an issue on the grid before Race 2. Forced to start from pit lane, Nassaney charged from the back to finish 15th, salvaging points.
Jaret Nassaney: “Yeah, unfortunately, my neck and back are still a bit injured from the crash at The Ridge. I’m not finishing where I want because of it. I’m trying to get it healthy before Mid-Ohio.”
Torin Collins (71) at VIR.
On his first visit to VIR, Torin Collins picked up the track quickly on his Suzuki GSX-R750, starting both races from 12th. In Race 1, he finished where he started in 12th, but in Race 2, he fought forward to claim an impressive 8th place.
Torin Collins: “First time at Virginia wasn’t as straightforward as I’d planned, but I picked up the track quickly and managed to put myself inside the top 10 on day one. We learned so much—about myself and as a team—this round, and I was able to push hard in Race 2 to earn a well-deserved 8th place. I’m now up to 9th in the championship, and I’m determined to keep climbing the ladder in the last couple of rounds. The team has been amazing, and I’m so proud of what we’re achieving together.”
Owen Williams (13) at VIR.
Owen Williams started both races from 18th on the grid aboard his Suzuki GSX-R750. In Race 1, he improved one spot to 17th, then made a bigger leap in Race 2 to finish 12th, showing solid pace and progress throughout the weekend.
Owen Williams: “This was only my second time at VIR, and my first on the 750. It’s a great track, but definitely challenging. Friday and Saturday were spent learning, but Sunday’s race was a blast. I was in a fun three-bike battle and decided to play it smart by not leading the group. I waited until the last two laps and worked my way past them one by one to take 12th at the line.”
Twins Cup:
Seth Dahmer (111) at VIR.
Seth Dahmer lined up 8th for his Twins Cup races aboard the Suzuki GSX-8R — his best qualifying yet — despite having only 12 laps of track time at VIR before the weekend. In Race 1, he brought home a 9th-place finish, adding more points to his rookie season tally. In Race 2, Dahmer fought hard but crossed the line in 12th, continuing to gain valuable race craft in a competitive field.
Seth Dahmer: “VIR went well. Friday qualifying was canceled, so I only got one qualifying. It was a drying session, and on a red flag, I decided to try a slick rear — one of only two to make that call. It was the tire to be on, and I went 8th fastest, my best qualifying yet. Both races were good, solid races that definitely improved me as a rider.”
Team owner George Nassaney: “We went into VIR with high hopes. Unfortunately Jake and Jaret are still dealing with previous injuries. Torin and Owen did amazing in Sundays race and for Jaret to start from pit lane in last place and work his way back up to 15th was great to watch his fight. Seth rode well in the Twins class. Mid Ohio is in two weeks and we will be ready to battle again. Just want to say Thank You to all of our sponsors who help us compete at this level.”
The team now heads to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for Round 7, where they aim to keep building momentum and get all riders back to full strength.
Wes Orloff (74) battled Kevin Dinsmoor (304) at Blackhawk Farms Raceway. Photo by Craig Chawla.
The 2025 Vintage Cup Series continued August 2 and 3 at Blackhawk Farms Raceway in South Beloit, IL, as part of the 2025 AHRMA National Roadracing Series presented by Motobilia.
Sponsored by Roadracingworld.com, and NYC Norton (nycnorton.com), AHRMA’s 2025 Vintage Cup features the 500 Premier class which includes 500cc four-stroke machines built up to and including 1968. Featured bikes from this era would include the 500cc Manx Norton, Matchless or Seeley G50, BSA Goldstar or 500cc BSA Twin “works” replica, Benelli “works” four, Harley KR, Honda Drixton Twin, and more.
On Saturday, four classic motorcycles lined up for the 2025 AHRMA 500 Premier Vintage Cup race: Kevin Dinsmoor, riding John Turner’s 1962 BMW R50 was seated on pole position, joined by Brian Larrabure on a 1962 NYC Norton Manx, Wes Orloff on Dale Coffman’s 1967 Honda CR450 twin, and Brady Ingelse on a beautifully turned out 1962 BSA Goldstar. At the green flag Orloff shot off with a fantastic start, taking the lead into turn one. Dinsmoor stayed close and didn’t let go, ultimately passing Orloff midway through the first lap, and impressively held onto the lead to the checkered flag, with Orloff nipping at his heels the entire race finishing in a close second. Larrabure finished third, and Ingelse came in fourth.
Sunday saw Inglese sitting out this race, while Larrabure switched his ride to a 1968 NYC Norton Seeley G50. Orloff again got a great start and led into Turn 1 holding first place solidly through the 7 turns of this track. As the riders crossed the Start/Finish on their first lap, Orloff remained in front, with Larrabure right on his tail, and Dinsmoor holding steady a few bike lengths back. However, in lap three, Dinsmoor overtook Orloff to take the lead. Larrabure retired midway, and the race quickly became a slugfest of two heavy hitters, with Dinsmoor and Orloff going at each other hard for the win – never more than a bike length between them for the entire rest of the race. At the final lap’s last turn, an ignition sensor issue caused Dinsmoor’s bike to misfire. Orloff seized on the hesitation and put in a clean pass to take the victory. Dinsmoor rolled across the line in second.
“Heading into Chicago from NYC the van’s dash read 105 degrees ambient. Thankfully, after setting up, the storms came and passed in the night, bringing lower temps and humidity for the rest of the weekend, leaving us with the best summertime August weather imaginable at this beautiful South Beloit facility. The grass was green, the trees were shady, and the racing was hard! The atmosphere at our AHRMA Midwest rounds is always very special, and Blackhawk is the perfect venue to host this tight-knit community coming together” said Kenny Cummings of NYC Norton.
Kenny continued, “I had the pleasure of spectating various times in the weekend from the fence at the carousel turn 4 / 5, with the different classes’ riders impressively getting around this complex section secured by some very welcomed air fence in the runoff. As I moved to the tower I had a great vantage point to watch our 500 Premier racers really give it their all. The riding and competition was top notch, and the sounds and smells of these classics didn’t disappoint. Hat’s off to all the folks who put these unique vintage bikes out there to be ridden hard”
“The AHRMA event at Blackhawk Farms was well attended. Racers competing there benefitted from the use of nearly 70 impact barriers in strategic areas supplied by the Roadracingworld Action Fund 501(c)(3) through the years by fundraisers and private donations as part of the Air Fence program. AHRMA has stepped up within our member base to help the continuing efforts to protect racers when and where it is needed. To donate please go to roadracingworld.com/actionfund/donate/”, shared Bob Robbins, AHRMA Safety Committee Chair.
Rounds fifteen and sixteen of the AHRMA National Road Race Series Presented by Motobilia will be August 16-17 at Pittsburgh International Race Complex in Wampum, PA.
The annual Vintage Cup spotlights one of AHRMA’s road racing classes with extra attention on competitors in the selected class during each race event. Enhanced awards for the Vintage Cup competitors are presented separately from other class trophies during the Saturday awards ceremony at each AHRMA National Road Race event. Highlights from each Vintage Cup race will be reported in RoadRacingWorld.com’s online edition. At the conclusion of each season, the perpetual Vintage Cup trophy will be engraved with the national champion winner’s name and presented to the winner at the National Awards Banquet to keep for one year.
2025 AHRMA Roadracing Series Presented by Motobilia, 500 Premier – Vintage Cup Results
Saturday, August 2, 2025
Kevin Dinsmoor, 1962 BMW Turner R-50, Colchester, CT
Wes Orloff, 1967 Honda CR450, Mukwonago, WI
Brian Larrabure, 1962 Norton Manx, Calabasas, CA
Brady Ingelse, 1962 BSA Goldstar, Belgium, WI
Sunday, August 3, 2025
Wes Orloff, 1967 Honda CR450, Mukwonago, WI
Kevin Dinsmoor, 1962 BMW Turner R-50, Colchester, CT
Brian Larrabure, 1968 Seeley G50, Calabasas, CA
About AHRMA:
The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to competing on fantastic classic and true vintage along with a wide range of modern motorcycles. With over 3,000 members, AHRMA is the largest vintage racing group in North America and one of the biggest in the world. The association has grown steadily over the years, reflecting the increasing interest in classic bikes.
Kevin Schwantz (right) working with Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup riders Taylor Mackenzie (center) and Mathew Scholtz (left) at Brno in 2010. Photo by Gold & Goose/GEPA Pictures, courtesy Red Bull.
Part 2 of a series, reprinted from the April 2011 edition of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology Magazine. Copyright 2011, 2015, 2020, 2024. 2025. All rights reserved. www.roadracingworld.com
KEVIN SCHWANTZ On Working With Young Racers
Kevin Schwantz poses with the Red Bull AMA Rookies Cup kids at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, 2008. Photo by DPPI Media.
Roadracing World: How do you coach kids and keep them safe?
Kevin Schwantz: “It’s never easy because once the kids get to the Red Bull Rookies level they’ve got pretty high goals and because they’ve got exactly the same equipment as the other guys they know that if they’re the best they should be the fastest guy out there. I find most of the kids try to latch on to someone going faster and try to figure it out. My approach to those kids is you’ve got to go out and work at it, it’s not something that’s going just click and you find a second. You’ve got to go out, find your rhythm, find your pace, then start trimming bits off in every section. Even at the top, riders struggle to find where the limit is; Casey Stoner is a classic example, he’s won a bunch of races this year but he’s crashed out of a few in the first six laps. It’s never easy to get that through to kids because they go ‘the other kid’s doing it and he’s making it look easy.’”
Roadracing World: What kind of tone do you use?
Kevin Schwantz: “To work with these kids you’ve got to learn each kid and what makes that kid tick. What I really liked about the U.S. Red Bull Rookies program in 2008 was that I got to ride with the kids: That’s such an easier way to coach a kid. I’d follow them, I’d pass them, I’d lead them ’round, then let them pass me back, so I could see what they’re doing wrong. Then we’d come in, we’d talk about it and maybe if the next session was qualifying, so I wasn’t riding with them, they’d come back in with a beaming smile: ‘What you told me helped me so much!’ You got to learn each kid. It’s different with the Red Bull Rookies Cup in MotoGP because there’s so many people trying to coach the kid, whether it’s parents, managers or some of the 125cc GP guys. In America we had the kids more secluded, we kept the parents away, we had our own mechanics working on the bikes, so it was a great opportunity to work with them. It’s so difficult from the edge of the track to pick up on what they need to do better.”
Kevin Schwantz poses with his 1993 500cc GP World Championship-winning Suzuki RGV500 at Indy in 2009. Photo by DPPI.
Roadracing World: How do you keep an eye on dads who may put too much pressure on their kids?
Kevin Schwantz: “You can see that absolutely in every kid that’s out there, whether they’re doing it because they absolutely love it, it’s the best thing they’ve ever done in their lives and there’s no pressure, they’re just having great time; or there’s the kids going ‘Oh man,’ and you can tell they’re getting heat from mom and dad who are going ‘Do you know how much money we’ve spent to get you here?’ And there’s every scenario in between those two extremes—no pressure and more pressure than a factory rider trying to win a World Championship at the last race.
“We’ve got a big enough group of people here to deal with any problems like that. If we see dads getting angry or pointing fingers, we can’t tell the dad how to raise the kid, but we can walk in and say ‘I know where his struggles are coming from’ and try to help them.”
Check back for the next installment of Taking Kids Racing.
Building on the global success of the original VARG MX, version 1.2 introduces advanced updates in powertrain, chassis design, and software features, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the Premium electric motorcycle industry.
At the heart of the VARG MX 1.2 is the Stark 80hp electric powertrain, outperforming any traditional 450cc motocross bike. What truly sets it apart is the fully adjustable power delivery, allowing riders to fine-tune output from 10hp to 80hp in real-time. Fine control over the power curve and motor braking ensures a ride that’s perfectly adapted to every rider, track, or terrain all at the tip of your fingers.
The new Arkenstone isn’t just a display; it’s a fully functioning track tested smartphone.
Fully integrated and field-tested toughness, this Android-powered unit sits in the handlebar and wirelessly connects deeper to the entire bike ecosystem, providing improved connectivity.
With a few taps, riders can fine-tune power delivery, switch maps on the fly, and now with the new LAPS feature, track GPS lap times and navigate new terrain.
Developed with one of the world’s top map providers, LAPS gives riders real-time track data and splits, right on the bike.
Whether it’s race day or a full day of motos, the VARG MX 1.2 delivers unmatched performance and range.
Powered by a proprietary 7.2 kWh battery, housed in a patented magnesium honeycomb case, the 1.2 now offers up to 20% more range than its predecessor. With a peak of 80 horsepower, 973 Nm at the wheel, and weighing just 118 kg. The VARG MX 1.2 delivers unmatched performance for longer.
The battery itself plays a structural role, improving frame stiffness and thermal performance, while the updated motor increases efficiency and keeps heat low, letting you ride harder, longer.
The VARG MX 1.2 isn’t just designed in the lab, it’s developed at race speed.
Under the direction of Sébastien Tortelli, two-time World Champion and Stark’s Racing Director, the bike has been relentlessly tested, raced, and refined to push performance further with every lap. Tortelli, who led testing for the original VARG, now oversees Stark’s racing program, a vital channel for high-speed R&D that directly shapes every update in the 1.2.
Sébastien Tortelli, Stark Future – Racing Director: “Racing is where weaknesses show and strengths are proven. With the VARG MX 1.2, we’ve turned competition into development; every race, every rider, every condition feeds into what we build. This bike is the direct result of that process. It’s taken a lot of sweat, hard work, and constant learning to raise the bar for what’s possible in motocross. We’re not just keeping up-we’re delivering more traction, more stability, more features, and a longer range. We’re pushing the boundaries.”
Motocross legend Kevin Windham, renowned for his flawless technique and deep understanding of bike feel, added after testing the bike:
“I’ve ridden everything there is to ride, and this is the future.” Windham praised the bike’s instant power, natural balance, and how quickly it felt familiar, even after decades on gas machines. “instead of managing a machine. I could see this being the new normal sooner than people think.”
This isn’t a lab experiment; it’s a machine refined through real feedback in over 50 countries. Through a dealer-supported testing and race program in 18 countries, paired with live input from Stark’s connected riding ecosystem, every detail of the 1.2 has been shaped by riders, from firmware logic and suspension feel to mechanical function & durability.
What’s New in the VARG MX 1.2
· Updated powertrain with improved efficiency
· New battery pack with 7.2 kWh
· New frame, lighter by using an even stronger steel alloy with twice the strength of the chromoly steel used by other European manufacturers and increased flex.
· Overmolded wiring harness for extreme conditions
· Internally routed map switch cable, cleaner and protected
· Redesigned chain guide with 266% more lateral stiffness and minimal 7 % weight gain
· Lap mode, which will also be made available in all existing bikes in the next few months
· New inner tubes, improved significant durability
· New Stark Arkenstone Phone and docking station, with better connectivity, speed, brightness and clamping system
· New gearbox, lighter and higher efficiency
The new high-strength steel alloy frame is 0.9 kg lighter with refined flex around the shock mount area. This enhances feedback, rider comfort, and control.
The KYB suspension system has also been retuned with updated mid-valve shim stacks, 310mm of travel, and selectable spring rates based on rider weight, something no other OEM offers today.
Less maintenance, more laps, more freedom
With no pistons, clutches, or filters to worry about, the VARG MX 1.2 slashes maintenance time and cost. Over 100 hours of riding, it can save owners up to $5,000 USD compared to a traditional 450cc.
And unlike anyone else in the segment,
Stark offers a two-year full warranty on the entire bike.
A Tailored Experience, Built Around You:
· Choice of Dunlop MX34 or Pirelli MX32 tires with tubes or mousse
Stark Future is on a mission to revolutionize the motorcycle industry by leading the shift toward sustainability and drastically reducing CO₂ and plastic pollution. Through cuttingedge design and unmatched performance, the company delivers emotionally powerful, timelessly beautiful premium electric motorcycles that surpass traditional technology. Guided by a philosophy of innovation, quality, and user-focused simplicity, Stark Future combines bold ambition with a relentless pursuit of excellence. The brand’s iconic gold logo symbolizes its full-circle approach to sustainability and its uncompromising drive to be number one.
Alessandro Di Mario broke lap record during Race 2 at VIR. Photo courtesy Dunlop.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA: Dunlop Motorcycle Tires is excited to announce that new lap records have been established at Virginia International Raceway in Alton, VA. This thrilling showcase of speed and skill wasn’t possible without the Sportmax Slick tires, and the following records were achieved:
Twins Cup:
-Race Lap Record: 1:30.544 – Alessandro Di Mario, Race 2 (8/3/2025)
Supersport:
-Lap Record & Race Lap Record: 1:25.964 – Mathew Scholtz, Race 2 (8/3/2025)
-Lap Record & Race Lap Record: 1:26.094 – PJ Jacobsen, Race 1 (8/2/2025)
Build.Train.Race:
-Lap Record & Race Lap Record: 1:46.428 – Miranda Cain, Race 2 (8/3/2025)
-Lap Record & Race Lap Record: 1:47.957 – Miranda Cain, Race 1 (8/2/2025)
Talent Cup:
-Race Lap Record: 1:34.858- Hank Vossberg, Race 2 (8/3/2025)
-Race Lap Record: 1:35.876 – Alessandro Di Mario, Race 1 (8/2/2025)
These outstanding performances demonstrate the exceptional grip and reliability of Dunlop’s Sportmax Slick tires, further cementing their position as the tire of choice for all competitive road racing.
Dunlop is the number one selling and largest supplier of original equipment and replacement motorcycle tires in North America. For more information, visit www.DunlopMotorcycleTires.com. Follow @ridedunlop on Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) for the latest Dunlop news. Use #RideDunlop and/or #RaceDunlop to share your Dunlop moments.
Alessandro Di Mario on his Aprilia RS 660 at VIR. Photo courtesy Aprilia Racing.
Alessandro di Mario wins the Twins Cup in MotoAmerica with the RS 660, third place for the Aprilia RSV4 in the legendary Suzuka 8 Hours in the EWC.
Aprilia Racing confirms its status as a global motorsport powerhouse by achieving two prestigious results simultaneously in different parts of the world. These successes further strengthen Aprilia’s position as a standout force in international racing, showcasing the versatility and competitiveness of two of its machines, the Aprilia RS 660 and the RSV4, across different challenges and racing environments.
In the United States, Alessandro Di Mario of Team Robem Engineering successfully defended his MotoAmerica Twins Cup title, claiming his second consecutive championship and securing Aprilia’s third title in this category in the last five years. Di Mario won both races at the Virginia International Raceway, securing the title already in Saturday’s first race and dominating a weekend in which of the 37 riders entered at VIR, 16 competed aboard Aprilia RS 660, a testament to the bike’s continued dominance in the category. After kicking off the 2025 season with three consecutive second-place finishes, Di Mario embarked on an unstoppable winning streak, taking victory in the last seven races, including both races at VIR this weekend.
At the same time, in the legendary Suzuka 8 Hours, the third round of the 2025 FIM EWC Endurance World Championship, the Aprilia RSV4 secured an exceptional third place in the Superstock class. This marks Aprilia’s second podium in three years, and the first ever achieved in Japan by an all-Italian team, with the Revo/M2 Racing Team. The result in this historic race confirms the competitiveness and reliability of the RSV4 1100.
Kevin Calia, Simone Saltarelli, and Flavio Ferroni on the Superstock podium. Photo courtesy Aprilia Racing.
The team made up of Kevin Calia, Simone Saltarelli, and Flavio Ferroni, all making their debut on this track, delivered a flawless race, bringing the Aprilia RSV4 1100 onto the Superstock podium. The Aprilia RSV4 1100 completed all 206 laps without any technical issues, confirming its reliability and competitiveness in one of the most demanding challenges on the global racing calendar. This is the team’s first international podium, achieved in their debut at the prestigious Japanese race, on a circuit never before tackled by either the riders or the team.
MASSIMO RIVOLA, CEO APRILIA RACING:
“Winning the MotoAmerica Twins Cup title for the second consecutive year confirms Di Mario’s talent and the quality of the RS 660 in this tough and competitive championship. Alessandro and his Team Robem Engineering deserve huge applause for the work they’ve done throughout the season. What the Revo/M2 Racing Team achieved in Japan was equally impressive. An Italian team taking on such a challenging event for the first time, on a circuit like Suzuka, full of traps and home-track specialists, is something we will remember. Kevin, Simone, and Flavio were flawless, as was the Team. The Aprilia RSV4 was impeccable too, and in this World Endurance Championship it can definitely play a leading role in the Superstock class, a category that will only become more important in the future.”
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