Shops: Antigravity Batteries, From The January 2021 Issue

David Swarts

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May 18, 2023

Shops: Antigravity Batteries, From The January 2021 Issue

Editorial Note: This article originally appeared in the January 2021 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine.

By David Swarts

Inspiration, innovation, and perspiration are just three of the many ingredients necessary to start and grow a manufacturing business. Scott Schafer didn’t invent lightweight lithium-ion batteries, and wasn’t in the battery business. But when he bought (and liked) a lightweight lithium-ion battery and it quickly died, he decided to do something about it. As a result he started and grew his new company, Antigravity Batteries, into a literal powerhouse in the powersports industry.

Antigravity Batteries designs, engineers, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells lightweight lithium-ion batteries and related products from this 12,000-square-foot building in Gardena, California. Photo by David Swarts.

A native of California, Schafer rode motorcycles from the age of 10 and even did a little bit of motocross racing. In 2008, Schafer, originally a general contractor, got into riding at track days on his Ducati Hypermotard 1100.

“Back in 2009, I bought one of the first [lightweight] lithium batteries on the market,” said Schafer. “It was like this hand-built one by some guy on the internet, and I was like, ‘Wow! This is an incredible idea.’ I really liked it. It lasted about two or three months before it failed and didn’t work.

Antigravity Batteries founder/CEO Scott Schafer (seen here in his home office in Ojai, California) was inspired to create his own product after purchasing a short-lived lithium-ion battery for his track bike. Photo courtesy Antigravity Batteries.

“In the meantime, I had a friend who was a battery engineer for SBC Global. He took a look at it, and said, ‘If we did this, this, and this, we could make this product really work well.’ So, we did what he suggested, and we produced those in 2010. We started selling them to our track day friends. And what happened was, he was completely on point and the products really worked.”

Schafer spent the next year building his lithium-ion Antigravity Batteries (named for their weight savings, up to 80% compared to some lead-acid batteries) in his garage at home and things went well. The four small-case battery models Schafer and his friend (who left the company early on) developed for motorsports applications were popular then and continue to be some of the company’s best sellers.

Antigravity Batteries expanded its offerings from the small-case motorsports batteries to lightweight lithium-ion batteries in cases sized to serve as direct OEM replacements on streetbikes and the new crop of off-road bikes with electric start, but it was the original batteries that inspired Schafer to come up with Antigravity’s next big product line.

“Small-Case” batteries typically used in racebikes and cars (like the 801 units seen being glued together here) are manufactured by Antigravity Batteries in California. Some of the company’s other products are designed and engineered in America, and then assembled in China. Photo by David Swarts.

“I had accidentally left my truck on at the track and needed to jump start it,” said Schafer. “All we had was the small-case batteries out of the bikes. I took one of those, and it easily turned over the truck. I was like, ‘Oh my gosh! If our smallest battery will turn over a truck, why don’t we make a small product that can have that [capability] encapsulated with the ability to charge lap tops, phones and USB devices?’”

And so, the Antigravity Batteries Micro-Start line of portable power supplies was born. “We were arguably the first brand to market in 2013,” said Schafer. “We were almost a year ahead of anyone else, so we had tremendous success with that product. We sold 500,000 the first year. It was so crazy.”

Antigravity Batteries manufactured in California are all tested, labeled, and packaged before being shipped, while products made in China arrive ready-to-ship to customers and dealers. Photo by David Swarts.

Since then, Schafer has learned a lot about batteries and especially lithium-ion batteries. He’s now his own battery engineer, designing and developing specifications for more innovative products, resulting in the new Re-Start line of batteries for cars and motorcycles.

“Over the last five years, we’ve progressed from motorcycles to car batteries, and from car batteries we’ve developed the internal Battery Management System (BMS),” said Schafer. “We’re the first company to bring a comprehensive battery management system to market.

“What the BMS does is protect the battery from being overcharged or over-discharged. Say you over-discharge it by leaving your lights on; it will shut off and still retain enough energy to start your bike or car about four more times. So, you’ll never be stranded by a dead battery again.”

The computerized internal Battery Management System (left) in Antigravity Batteries’ Re-Start models prevents complete discharge and holds enough battery power in reserve to start a vehicle several times. Photo courtesy Antigravity Batteries.

Anyone who has turned their motorcycle’s ignition key past Off and accidentally turned on the parking lights knows how easy it is to accidently drain a bike’s battery. But Schafer said alarm systems and aftermarket engine electronics are sometimes installed in a way that is constantly draining batteries. And whenever you drain a battery — any battery – too low, is suffers irreversible damage, according to Schafer.

“If you allow a lead-acid battery to discharge below 10.5 volts it gets damaged and won’t have the capacity or the power it once had,” said Schafer. “Once it drops into the 4-volt range then it’s really damaged severely.”

To make Re-Start batteries even more convenient, the reserve power in automotive units can be activated without even opening the hood. All the owner needs to do is press a button on the supplied key fob, which is nice because some newer cars like the 2020 Chevy Corvette have batteries that are not easily accessible. Re-Start batteries for motorcycles require a button on the battery to be pushed to activate its power reserve.

A push button in the center on top of an Antigravity Batteries Re-Start motorcycle battery activates its power reserve, while Re-Start models for cars come with a key fob to activate the reserve power. The four-terminal design is for flexibility in mounting. Plastic caps for unused terminals are included. Photo courtesy Antigravity Batteries.

Antigravity Batteries is carrying this technology over into its new line of deep-cycle batteries. That’s right, 100 Ah (amp-hour) deep-cycle, lithium-ion batteries that weigh about 60 pounds less than a comparable lead-acid battery and come with wireless monitoring via Bluetooth. “So even if the batteries are in the hull of your RV [or boat],” said Schafer, “you’ll be able to check the voltage.”

Keeping up with technology is one of the challenges faced by Antigravity Batteries, but another is educating the market to cultivate demand for advanced battery products, says Schafer. In response, Schafer has started a YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS-Lh_lKT9g5mkMTh-HW4xw) where he creates and posts videos highlighting his products, their technology, and lithium-ion batteries, in general.

Schafer shoots his videos and does product development and testing at his home in Ojai, California, where he has an office/studio and a motocross track. Then twice each week he commutes 90 miles south to Antigravity Batteries’ primary location in Gardena (south of Los Angeles).

Carrying a large inventory of batteries allowed Antigravity to grow despite the pandemic. Soon after this photo was taken, three more containers of product arrived from the company’s manufacturing partner. Photo by David Swarts.

There, the company’s 12 employees assemble, label, and package the four small-case battery models; receive the Re-Start batteries, Micro-Starts, and other products from manufacturing partners in China; do quality control testing and warranty service; and market, sell, and distribute the products to consumers and dealers.

And aside from a few employees working remotely and the remainder working socially distant in their 12,000-square-foot facility, Antigravity Batteries’operations (an essential business due to its position in the transportation sector) have continued without a hiccup during the pandemic.

“We stayed busy during COVID because we can make some of our stuff here in the USA and we have a large stock of all of our products,” said Schafer. “I think that’s one of the important things. We stock a lot more of our product than a lot of our competitors. That’s how we work. So, that’s actually boosted our name during this period. Sales have really gone up, and that’s because a lot of people were out of batteries and we had product ready to ship.”

Antigravity Batteries started small with its founder Scott Schafer building lightweight lithium-ion batteries for motorcycles by hand in his garage, but he had a vision of where the technology could go. Now, 10 years, a lot of hard work, creative thinking, and smart business decisions later, Antigravity Batteries has become one of the strongest brands in its segment. The motorcyclist-led company isn’t letting off the gas anytime soon.

Canadian Pro Sport Bike: MacKay Picked As Pre-Season Favorite

David Swarts

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May 18, 2023

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Canadian Pro Sport Bike: MacKay Picked As Pre-Season Favorite

MacKay the favourite once again despite plenty of challengers at SMP

Toronto, ON – The 2022 Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship season will seem difficult to top in many classes, but perhaps none more so than the Liqui Moly Pro Sport Bike category. However, it appears the fun may just be starting in the middleweight class when they begin their 2023 charge at Shannonville Motorsport Park this weekend, May 18-21.

After a stretch of dominant one-man-effort seasons in the Sport Bike ranks, 2022 saw five different first-time winners and a stunning rookie champion in Trevor Dion, becoming the most nail-biting class in the paddock – and 2023 will likely be its encore.

Entering unfamiliar territory for most of the young field, a return to Shannonville and the start of the Bridgestone tire era will bring back fond memories for some and a strange new challenge for others.

No active rider in this group has ever won a Liqui Moly Pro Sport Bike race at SMP, with the last battle there having featured a hectic fight for the win that saw then-champion Tomas Casas take out future champion Sebastian Tremblay, opening the door for first time race winner and eventual title victor Will Hornblower.

Now with a vacant crown – Dion having graduated full-time to the Superbike class – the grid will want to separate themselves quickly and waste no time in establishing a favourite, though there may appear to be one already.

David MacKay will enter 2023 with another betting line in his favour, having been a title favourite in the previous handful of seasons and again falling painfully short by just eight points in 2022. However, his track record of success is not just limited to other tracks, bringing easily the most convincing resumé in his class to SMP.

Having finished third in 2018 and second the last time the series was there in 2019, the former serving as his first ever pro national podium, it’s safe to say MacKay will enjoy the return aboard his Snow City Cycle Kawasaki. His adjustment to the new Bridgestone tires hasn’t been as smooth as his rivals, but that is thus far the only thing preventing MacKay from being the slam-dunk favourite in at least the first two rounds.

Should he falter, however, there will be no shortage of competitors there to make him pay for it, and tops amongst them is a familiar face in Elliot Vieira. Fresh off an excellent Daytona 200 debut and having won the last race of 2022 to finish third overall, it would be easy to put all the momentum in the Guyanese stars favour.

The question mark surrounding Vieira will instead be his new machine, having switched from his long-time Yamaha partnership to the GP Bikes Ducati program for 2023, with the class now opening up the restrictions to include the V2 Panigale. His transition hasn’t been seamless, but the fourth-place finisher from SMP in 2019 should be a safe bet for at least a podium as he works out the kinks, if not a challenge for the win.

Championship frontrunner Elliot Vieira (officially 33, but pictured here with #1) will pilot a new GP Bikes Ducati in 2023, seen here at the Winter Test in March. Photo by Rob O’Brien, courtesy CSBK. — Championship frontrunner Elliot Vieira (officially 33, but pictured here with 21) will pilot a new GP Bikes Ducati in 2023, seen here at the Winter Test in March. Photo by Rob O’Brien, courtesy CSBK.

The biggest wildcard may be the sudden emergence of Matt Simpson, having stolen the spotlight in his home round at CTMP with a shocking race one victory that helped him finish fourth in the overall standings. The Blackstock Motorsports Yamaha rider has loved the switch to Bridgestone rubber, consistently running in the top-three both at the Winter Test and the recent Super Series regional opener.

Another storyline to follow will be the anticipated return of Connor Campbell, a dark horse championship threat in 2022 that saw his season cut short by a terrifying crash on the east coast. Now fully healthy, the B&T MacFarlane/Kubota Kawasaki rider will look to recapture the momentum he had early last season, though he will still be making his pro debut at SMP (finishing fifth in Amateur Sport Bike in 2019).

As for the new dark horse taking his place, the mantle appeared to be going to Vincent Levillain after his breakthrough weekend in the Winter Test, topping the timesheets out of nowhere aboard his SpeedFactory67 Kawasaki.

However, a heroic recent performance from Brad Macrae at the Super Series regional has put his name into the ring of dark horse threats, the local rider qualifying second to MacKay aboard his Colron Excavating Yamaha before winning race one on Saturday.

Despite the faster pace of the names above, the return after four years away from SMP will likely play largely on experience, and no one will have more than veteran Louie Raffa around this circuit. His switch to a Mohawk Gas Bar Ducati has thus far proved to be a tough adjustment, but the long-time Honda rider has consistently proved himself at Shannonville before, finishing fifth in both 2017 and 2018 as well as fourth in 2016.

Contrasting that experience will be the large crop of competitive rookies debuting in 2023, led by graduating Scorpion EXO Amateur Sport Bike champion Paul Etienne Courtois. The Ironhold Kawasaki rider – like all his fellow graduates – has never raced nationally at SMP, but proved his consistency is unmatched after scoring a podium in every race last season.

His closest rival from a year ago will also be making the step up, however, with Alex Michel piloting his own SpeedFactory67 Kawasaki after winning the last race of the season at CTMP, finishing 12 points shy of the title to Courtois.

Other rookies to watch include Lean Angle Motorsports Ducati rider Nathan Playford, who went fourth-fastest in the class at the Winter Test, or the pair of Grand Bend specialists in Sebastian Hothaza (KSR Yamaha) and Zoltan Frast (Eurorace Kawasaki).

Notably joining the Liqui Moly Pro Sport Bike class on-track will also be the debut of the all-new Pro Twins class, which will line up behind the main grid and score separately as the category develops.

The full Twins breakdown can be found in the support class preview, where former top pro Jeff Williams will look to threaten the bigger-displacement machines ahead of him at his home track.

The full schedule for this weekend’s Liqui Moly Pro Sport Bike action – as well as the feature GP Bikes Pro Superbike class and the support classes – can be found on the series official website.

British Superbike: BeerMonster Ducati Seeking More Wins At Donington Park

David Swarts

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May 18, 2023

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British Superbike: BeerMonster Ducati Seeking More Wins At Donington Park

Destination Donington for BSB Series Leaders BeerMonster Ducati

Round three of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship takes place at Donington Park this forthcoming weekend with the BeerMonster Ducati team looking to consolidate their place at the head of the title race.

Leading the series for Paul Bird’s Lake District based eight-times BSB champions is Glenn Irwin following a victory at both Silverstone and Oulton Park. As a result, he enjoys a slender four-point advantage over teammate Tommy Bridewell, who is tied in second place with Josh Brookes, ahead of the three races on the GP circuit configuration.

Irwin, from Ballyclare in County Antrim, is fresh from a pair of wins in the Superbike races at the International North West 200 last week aboard the factory supported BeerMonster Ducati F23 so will be looking to continue that form at the track he’s scored three podiums at in recent years, including last season.

Meanwhile, Bridewell, from Devizes in Wiltshire, was in awesome form at the previous round at Oulton Park where he got his first victory of the season and added that to his four other podiums in 2023, so he will be aiming to close the gap to Irwin as he has four podiums at Donington GP to his name.

Glenn Irwin: “We arrive at Donington Park with the plan to continue the good early season form and my confidence is sky high after the two wins at the NW200. That’s that box ticked and now I aim to take this good feeling and maintain my challenge at the front for the rest of the season. The track has been resurfaced over winter so it’s difficult to make any predictions, but I’m confident that we have a great set up and the atmosphere in the team is brilliant so I can’t wait to get cracking.”

Tommy Bridewell (46). Photo courtesy BeerMonster Ducati.

Tommy Bridewell: “I’m looking forward to going racing again this weekend and to try to build on the early season momentum. I’ve enjoyed some really strong results at Donington Park over the years so it will be interesting to see how we get on but I’m confident as we have a great package all round and the team and me are working very well. The target is to get another set of solid results again this weekend and as long as I’m fighting for the race wins in all three races, I’ll be happy.”

John Mowatt, Team Co-Ordinator: “We’ve had a dream start to the season what with the three wins in the opening two BSB rounds and then the double at the NW200, so the plan is simple and that’s to keep the momentum flowing. Both Glenn and Tommy are in a good place and the general atmosphere in the garage is one of positivity, which perhaps has been missing in the recent past. As long as we are challenging for race wins and podiums, that’s all we can ask so hopefully we can keep this run of success going at Donington Park.”

For further information on BeerMonster please visit https://beermonster.com and the new PBM website, www.pbmuk.net. For all details on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship, please visit www.britishsuperbike.com.

Ducati Unveils New “Stripe Livery” For SuperSport 950 S

David Swarts

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May 17, 2023

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Ducati Unveils New “Stripe Livery” For SuperSport 950 S

Ducati SuperSport 950 S Unveils New “Stripe Livery” Color Scheme

The SuperSport 950 S is a perfect choice for riders seeking their first sports bike due to its modern design and manageable performance

Ducati’s road sports bike color options will expand with the Stripe Livery, which will be available at dealerships starting in Q3

The sporty elegance of the SuperSport is highlighted by the new livery, featuring a color scheme that alternates between white, grey, and red

Borgo Panigale, Bologna – The SuperSport 950 S is the ideal Ducati road sports bike for any enthusiast searching for a trusty adventure companion to create unforgettable memories on both the road and the track. Boasting a sporting soul, this motorcycle promises to deliver thrills at every turn, offering a modern interpretation of sport-touring while staying true to its distinct Ducati identity.

The SuperSport 950 S is a versatile road sports bike that allows for complete control, whether it’s downshifting on the track or a reliable companion on the road. This motorcycle provides fun for seasoned riders while ensuring a great sense of safety for beginners, as its ease of use makes it approachable for all riders.

For 2024, Ducati has introduced an updated color range for the SuperSport 950 S, featuring the new Stripe Livery, which complements the classic Ducati Red color scheme.

The SuperSport 950 S has been upgraded with new design elements, including two brand-new dark grey and Ducati Red colored lines located on the front mudguard and side air vents. These lines create a playful yet dynamic effect against the “Iceberg White” fairing, which is further accentuated by the revamped model graphic, in line with the new color scheme. The motorcycle’s design pays tribute to the Panigale V4 with a luminous full-LED headlight equipped with DRL and side air vents. The Centro Stile Ducati has succeeded in blending style and sportiness seamlessly, providing riders with an exciting and aesthetically pleasing experience that prioritizes safety.

The left side view of a 2024-model Ducati SuperSport 950 S. Photo courtesy Ducati.

The heart of the SuperSport is the Ducati Testastretta 11° twin-cylinder engine: appreciated for its power delivery qualities, it boasts maximum power and torque values, respectively of 110 hp at 9,000 rpm and 68.6 ft-lb (93 Nm) at 6,5000 rpm. The true sporting character of the SuperSport 950 S is also found in the equipment, with a low weight single-sided aluminum swingarm and a trellis frame fixed to the engine with high torsional rigidity.

The SuperSport 950 S boasts exclusive standard features, such as the fully adjustable Öhlins fork and shock absorber, a passenger seat cover, and Glossy Black wheel rims. In this updated version, the wheel rims have been enhanced with a unique “tag” in Ducati Red color. The Ducati family of road sports bikes also includes the standard version of the SuperSport 950 S, which is available in the classic Ducati Red livery.

The SuperSport 950 S offers a high level of comfort for both daily riders and touring enthusiasts. The bike comes standard with a height-adjustable windscreen to enhance the riding experience. The Ducati electronic package includes ABS Cornering, Ducati Traction Control, Ducati Wheelie Control, Ducati Quick Shift up/down, and three Riding Modes (Sport, Touring, and Urban). The full-TFT 4.3” display adds to the bike’s functionality and convenience.

The SuperSport 950 S offers customization options to cater to individual preferences and requirements, thanks to the Sport and Touring accessory packages developed by Ducati Performance, which can be combined. The Sport package highlights the bike’s sporty nature through features such as carbon fiber tank and front mudguard protections, adjustable and articulated brake and clutch levers, LED turn indicators, and an aluminum number plate holder. Meanwhile, the Touring package focuses on enhancing the SuperSport’s comfort during long rides, with a smoke-tinted windscreen, heated grips, and spacious expandable side panniers. Both packages, as well as other accessories that can be purchased separately, are available on Ducati.com’s “Configurator” section.

To make the experience with your bike even more complete, the Ducati apparel collection 2023 is available on the website Shop.Ducati.com: from the sporty suits of the Racing line dedicated to racetrack riding to the casual clothes suitable for everyday life, a high-quality products line to live your passion in the Ducati-branded style.

The SuperSport 950 S featuring the Stripe Livery will be in Ducati dealerships in Q3 at a starting price of $18,095 in the U.S. and $20,395 CAD in Canada.

#SuperSport950S #YourWayToSport

MotoAmerica: Scholtz Looking For More Success At Barber

David Swarts

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May 17, 2023

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MotoAmerica: Scholtz Looking For More Success At Barber

Mathew Scholtz And Westby Racing Are Ready To Show Their Style With An Early-Season Barber Visit This Weekend

Tulsa, OK – May 17, 2023 – Round two of the 2023 MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship starts this Friday at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama, and rider Mathew Scholtz, along with the entire Westby Racing team, are looking forward to this early-season visit to a track where they’ve had a lot of success over the past several years.

In 13 Superbike races at Barber Motorsports Park over the past six years, aside from one DNF, Mathew has finished on the podium in all but two races. He has also notched two wins and four runner-up results, so the 17-turn, 2.38-mile Barber road course is obviously a good one for The Scholtz Kid and his team.

“We’ve had quite a bit of success at Barber Motorsports Park,” Mathew said. “It’s a circuit that I like, and it suits the bike well. Most years, we’ve wrapped up the season at Barber, but it’ll be nice to be there earlier this year, which should help us build on the momentum from Road Atlanta. Barber is always well-attended, too, so I’m looking forward to seeing all the fans turn out and cheer us on.”

Superbike final qualifying is on Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. CT, Superbike race one will go green on Saturday afternoon at 3:10 p.m. CT, and Superbike race two is on Sunday afternoon also at 3:10 p.m. CT. Both races will be broadcast live on MotoAmerica’s YouTube Channel.

For all the action from Barber Motorsports Park, as it happens, subscribe to MotoAmerica Live+, which is MotoAmerica’s live streaming and on-demand service.

Meet Mathew, Get An Autographed Poster, And More

Mathew will be available for autographs during the Dunlop Hot Pit Walk & Autograph Session, scheduled for 11:15 a.m. to Noon Sunday on pit lane at Barber Motorsports Park. He and the team will be handing out free posters and T-shirts, so don’t miss it.

Check Out The Westby Racing Sponsor Showcase

Attack Performance, Puig USA Inc, and Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., are the featured team sponsors on display in the Westby Racing paddock area this race weekend, so be sure to stop by to say hello and learn about some of the companies that support the team.

For more updates about Westby Racing, including news, photos, and videos, visit www.WestbyRacing.com

Also, follow “Westby Racing” on your favorite social media sites.

MotoAmerica: Barber Live+ Coverage Schedule Released

David Swarts

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May 17, 2023

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MotoAmerica: Barber Live+ Coverage Schedule Released

MotoAmerica Live+: MotoAmerica Superbikes at Barber

It’s All Here: How To Not Miss A Bit Of The Action

Everything you need to know to watch the MotoAmerica Superbikes at Barber Motorsports Park.

Dale Quarterley Racing Team Obsolete Matchless G50

David Swarts

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May 17, 2023

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Dale Quarterley Racing Team Obsolete Matchless G50

Team Obsolete is pleased to announce our sponsorship of AMA Superbike race winner Dale Quarterley on an original 1959 Matchless G50 for the 2023 season. Between his schedule contesting the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series, Dale will race the G50 #1708 at selected vintage events across the US.

This G50 is the sibling to #1709 (which carried Dave Roper to win the 1984 Historic TT at the Isle of Man) and has been raced by Team Obsolete since 1989, winning races in the UK, Europe and the US, most notably the very first Brands Hatch Super Prix.

Originally built by Team Obsolete as the ultimate incarnation of the standard G50, the machine has received a complete overhaul in preparation for this season.

Team Obsolete is sponsored by Vanson Leathers, Avon Tyres, and Red Line Synthetic Oil.

Japanese Manufacturers Collaborating On Hydrogen-Fueled Engines

David Swarts

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May 17, 2023

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Japanese Manufacturers Collaborating On Hydrogen-Fueled Engines

Ministerial Approval Granted to Form Research Body “HySE” for Development of Hydrogen Small Mobility Engines to Help Build Decarbonized Society

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (hereinafter “Yamaha Motor”), Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (hereinafter “Honda”), Kawasaki Motors, Ltd. (hereinafter “Kawasaki Motors”) and Suzuki Motor Corporation (hereinafter “Suzuki”) jointly announced today that they have received approval from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to form a technological research association called HySE (Hydrogen Small mobility & Engine technology) for developing hydrogen-powered engines for small mobility.*

To realize a decarbonized society, a multi-pathway strategy to address various issues in the mobility sector is necessary, rather than focusing on a single energy source. Against this backdrop, research and development targeted at commercialization of mobility with engines powered by hydrogen－deemed a next-generation energy source－is gaining momentum.

However, the use of hydrogen poses technical challenges, including fast flame speed and a large region of ignition, which often result in unstable combustion, and the limited fuel tank capacity in case of use in small mobility vehicles. In addressing these issues, the members of HySE are committed to conducting fundamental research, capitalizing on their wealth of expertise and technologies in developing gasoline-powered engines, and aim to work together with the joint mission of establishing a design standard for small mobility’s hydrogen-powered engine, and of advancing the fundamental research endeavors in this area.

The members of HySE will continue to deepen their collaborative relations in order to provide a variety of small mobility options to users and meet their diverse needs, thereby contributing to the realization of a decarbonized society.

Kenji Komatsu, Chairman nominee of HySE and Executive Officer of Technical Research & Development Center, Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd., comments, “We are extremely pleased to announce the planned formation of the association. There are many challenges in the development of hydrogen-powered engines, but we hope to see the association’s activities advance the fundamental research in order to meet those challenges. We are committed to this endeavor with a sense of mission to preserve the use of internal combustion engines, which epitomize the long-time efforts that our predecessors have invested.”

Main research and development areas, and the role of each company:

Research on hydrogen-powered engines

Research on the model-based development of hydrogen-powered engines (Honda)
Element study on functionality, performance, and reliability of the hydrogen-powered engines (Suzuki)

Hands-on research using real hydrogen-powered engines on their functionality, performance, and reliability (Yamaha Motor, Kawasaki Motors)

Study on hydrogen refueling system

Studying the requirements for a hydrogen refueling system and hydrogen tanks for small mobility (Yamaha)

Study on fuel supply system

Studying the auxiliary equipment required for a fuel supply system and tanks, and the equipment installed between the fuel tank and the injector (Kawasaki Motors)

In addition to the full members (the four aforementioned motorcycle manufacturers), Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (hereinafter “Kawasaki Heavy Industries”) and Toyota Motor Corporation (hereinafter “Toyota”) support the association as special members. Kawasaki Heavy Industries, being one of the main organizers of the “CO2-free Hydrogen Energy Supply-chain Technology Research Association” (hereinafter “HySTRA”), will drive forward HySE’s activities, based on the knowledge gained from its activities for HySTRA. Toyota, on the other hand, will assume the role of leveraging HySE’s research results to the maximum benefit for the development of hydrogen-powered engines, utilizing its know-how on experiments, analyses, and the designing of large hydrogen-fueled power units for four-wheel vehicles.

*Small mobility: motorcycles, Japan-originated mini-vehicles, small marine vessels, construction equipment, drones, etc.

American Matsudaira On The Moto4 Podium At Valencia

David Swarts

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May 17, 2023

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American Matsudaira On The Moto4 Podium At Valencia

American Kensei Matsudaira Masters Mixed Conditions to Take Podium in Valencia, Spain for ESBK Moto4 Championship Round 3

On Saturday [May 13], 12-year-old American Kensei Matsudaira scored a second-place finish at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain, his first official podium in the RFME ESBK (Campeonato de España de Superbike) Moto4 Championship.

Starting from 10th on the grid, Kensei worked his way forward as rain started falling on the second lap. Even as the rain grew stronger and other riders crashed out, by lap five Kensei had moved into third position and began closing in on the lead rider. By lap eight, Kensei had moved into second position and closed the gap to the top from over six seconds to just two seconds, but the race was red-flagged after the eighth lap due to worsening weather conditions and the race was called, securing Kensei’s second place finish in the race.

Sunday saw clear skies and for Race Two, Kensei started from second on the grid. During the opening two laps he was pushed down the order to 10th position, losing touch with the top group but from there he mounted a strong comeback, breaking free from the second group in the final two laps and catching the top group, setting the fastest Moto4 lap time of the entire weekend and crossing the finish line in seventh, just 0.5 seconds behind the winner.

“I’m super happy to get my first official podium in the ESBK Moto4 championship, and to do it at me and my team’s home race was extra special,” Kensei said, after the first race. After the race on Sunday he added, “It was a bittersweet end to my race weekend in Valencia. I’m glad I was able to have a strong pace finally, but I can’t be happy with the result knowing I could have fought at the very front if I had managed the first laps better. Learning and improving every step of the way though, I will return stronger at the next round in Estoril!”

Round 4 of the RFME ESBK championship will be held at Circuito Estoril in Portugal on June 10-11, 2023.

Kensei and the Evike.com Nox#27 Racing Team would like to thank all of Kensei’s sponsors for their support this year: Evike.com, Evike Europe, HJC Helmets, Dave Designs, Almassera El Teular, OrangeCat Racing, Iconic Motorbikes, Bison Track, Moto Tecnica, Karen E. Ott Photography, BSP Racing, American Racing Team & Academy, The Starting Grid, TJ Corse, VNM Sport, NLAB Studio, California Superbike School, MadLabs Minimoto, Hans King, 73 Moto Parts, D.I.D Chain, Galfer USA, Bickle Racing, Yoshimura R&D, Vortex Racing, Suspension Matters, Moto Survival School, Live 100 Moto, TechSpec, Landers Racing, Boyko Racing, Mini Moto Alliance.

Results - ESBK Moto4 Round 3 Valencia

MotoAmerica: First “Extended” Supersport Race Scheduled At Barber

David Swarts

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May 17, 2023

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MotoAmerica: First “Extended” Supersport Race Scheduled At Barber

Bring On Barber And The First Extended Supersport Race

Supersport Goes Long, And Fores, Beaubier And Dreher Try To Stay Perfect As MotoAmerica Invades Barber Motorsports Park For Round Two

IRVINE, CA (May 17, 2023) – MotoAmerica’s Supersport class will feature an “extended” race (and pit stops) for the first time this coming weekend at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama, May 19-21, while the riders atop the championship point standings in all the classes after the Road Atlanta round are hoping for status quo. For three of them, that means sweeping to victories for a second time on the season. For the other, it means keeping a four-race podium streak and large points lead intact.

Supersport – It’s “Extended” Race Time

Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati’s Xavi Fores showed that he will be a force to be reckoned with in the Supersport class as he won both races in his series debut at Road Atlanta on the ex-Josh Herrin championship-winning Panigale V2.

With the first taste of MotoAmerica racing under his belt, Fores and the rest of the Supersport gang get to try something completely new at Barber Motorsports Park as the first “extended” Supersport race (and mandatory pit stop) is scheduled for 37 laps around the 2.266-mile track.

That new twist will test not just the rider and his/her team, but will make things interesting in a class that already garnered lots of interest based on the opening round at Road Atlanta.

Fores, and his 17-point lead after a perfect weekend in Georgia, will make his debut at Barber and it’s a track his competition knows well. The Spaniard also has an impressive World Endurance racing resume, so the length of the races and the pit stops won’t unnerve him. At the top of the list of those out to gain ground on Fores in the title chase are the two men who are tied for second after their fourth/second place and second/fourth place finishes in the two races at Road Atlanta – Tytlers Cycle Racing’s Stefano Mesa and Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Tyler Scott.

Fourth in the title chase, and just a point behind Mesa and Scott, is four-time AMA Superbike Champion Josh Hayes and his Squid Hunter Racing Yamaha YZF-R6. Hayes had two third-place finishes in the opening round as he continues to hunt down that elusive 87th victory that will move him out of a tie with Miguel Duhamel to the top of AMA’s all-time win list across all classes.

Michael Gilbert Racing’s Michael Gilbert sits fifth in the title chase heading to Alabama after carding a pair of fifth-place finishes.

REV’IT! Twins Cup – Rodio Rages On

Although there have been four different winners in the four REV’IT! Twins Cup races thus far in 2023, only one rider has been on the podium in all four races. That rider is Gus Rodio and the result of those four successive podiums is a 26-point lead in the championship as the series heads to Barber Motorsports Park for round three.

Rodio and his Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering Aprilia RS 660 have proven to be the best of the field thus far with a tightly knit group giving chase. The best of the rest so far has been Cycle Tech’s Hayden Schultz, who ironically isn’t one of the four winners. Still, he’s the closest to Rodio in the title chase, but 26 points behind.

Just three points behind Schultz is defending REV’IT! Twins Cup Champion Blake Davis with the N2 Racing/BobbleHeadMoto rider winning race one at Road Atlanta but only mustering up an 11th place finish in race two to mar his points tally. Davis was fourth in both races at Daytona.

Next up is Daytona race two winner Stefano Mesa with the Floridian filling in admirably for the injured Kayla Yaakov on The WagBar MP13 Racing Team. Mesa is seven points behind Davis and is tied for fourth with Trackday Winner/Blackmon Racing’s Jackson Blackmon. Blackmon’s Road Atlanta outing was marred by a non-start in race two due to an electrical problem.

Steel Commander Stock 1000 – More Than One Beaubier

If you would have asked 10 people to pick the Steel Commander Stock 1000 Championship points leader after the opening round at Road Atlanta, there probably wouldn’t have been many choosing Ezra Beaubier. And who could blame them as the youngest of the Beaubier brothers had never finished better than fifth in any MotoAmerica class.

Orange Cat Racing’s Beaubier was red hot at Road Atlanta on his BMW M 1000 RR with two convincing victories over Travis Wyman Racing’s Travis Wyman in race one and the retiring Geoff May in race two. And the Californian, who will reside in Chicago during the season, arrives in Alabama with a nice little 14-point lead over May and a 17-point margin over Wyman.

Taylor Knapp Racing’s Taylor Knapp notched fifth- and third-place finishes that will likely ensure the Dunlop test rider’s full season in the championship as he sits fourth in the title chase, six behind Wyman and three clear of Beaubier’s teammate Kaleb DeKeyrel. DeKeyrel’s move from the REV’IT! Twins Cup class to Stock 1000 looks to be seamless as only a final-corner mistake cost him second place in race two at Road Atlanta. Still, fourth and fifth in the two races was a solid debut for the Minnesotan.

One of the preseason favorites in the Steel Commander Stock 1000 series, Hayden Gillim, had a wretched beginning to his 2023 campaign on the Disrupt Racing Suzuki GSX-R1000 as a non-finish in race one and a sixth in race two left him with just 10 points to show for his efforts. He is 40 points behind Beaubier heading to Barber, but there’s plenty of racing left and Gillim likely has his worst race behind him.

Round two will also mark the debut in the class of the Steel Commander Racing Team’s Gabriel Da Silva, the Floridian who won the Supersport series finale at Barber back in 2021 but didn’t compete in 2022.

Junior Cup – Dreher Leads ‘Em In

Avery Dreher’s name might appear at the bottom of the entry list with his #99 Bad Boys Racing Kawasaki Ninja 400, but his name is at the very top of the point standings after the opening round (and two races) at Road Atlanta.

Dreher won both races, but neither win came easily. Case in point: Dreher topped SportbikeTrackGear.com’s Max Van in both races by just .612 of a second and .949 of a second, respectively. And the battles at the front on both days featured at least four riders.

With Van finishing second in both races, the final spot in both went to Bicknese Racing’s Hayden Bicknese with the Missourian close to the top in both races.

With those three holding down the top three spots – Dreher (50 points), Van (40 points) and Bicknese (32 points) – fourth is held by 3D Motorsports’ Chase Black by virtue of his fifth- and fourth-place finishes. Black, meanwhile, is just three points ahead of Yandel Racing’s Yandel Medina.

Mission Mini Cup By Motul – The Kids Are Alright

The second round of the Mission Mini Cup By Motul series will take place at Barber Motorsports Park on a separate track than the one used by the rest of the MotoAmerica paddock and they will do so on Friday and Saturday afternoon.

The Mini Cuppers opened their season two weeks ago at Carolina Motorsports Park with the introduction of three new Stock classes – Stock 50, Stock 110 and Stock 125 – joining the two-Ohvale classes for the first time.

When the smoke had cleared after two days of racing in South Carolina, it was Cole Peterman, Nathan Bettencourt, Nathan Gouker, Ryder Davis, and Joshua Raymond leaving with the lion’s share of trophies.

Pre-Barber Support Class Notes

For the past two years, the Barber Motorsports Park round of the MotoAmerica Championship was the final round of the season. This year, the popular venue on the outskirts of Birmingham moves from September to May and is round two of the championship.

While the Steel Commander Stock 1000 class, Junior Cup and Supersport will race in their second round of the 2023 season at Barber Motorsports Park, the Alabama event is the third round of the season for the REV’IT! Twins Cup class as they held their opening round in conjunction with the Daytona 200 at Daytona International Speedway in March. Although the 200 featured Supersport-spec motorcycles, the race did not count toward the 2023 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship.

After a difficult opening round at Road Atlanta, Hayden Gillim will be hoping to turn things around and will welcome a return to the site of his doubleheader sweep of the two Steel Commander Stock 1000 races at Barber last year. Gillim won the pair of Stock 1000 races a year ago in the finale to tie Corey Alexander at the top of the championship. Alexander, however, earned the title by virtue of his seven wins to Gillim’s five in the tiebreaker.

Rocco Landers and Josh Herrin split wins in the Supersport class last September with those two finishing first and second in the championship. Herrin is not defending his crown as he moves to the Medallia Superbike class with the same Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati team. Landers, meanwhile, has returned to the REV’IT! Twins Cup Championship, which he won in 2021.

Blake Davis and Kaleb De Keyrel split wins in the REV’IT! Twins Cup class in the 2022 Barber round. It was Davis’s third victory of his championship-winning season and the lone win of the year for the defending class champion De Keyrel.

The two victors in last year’s pair of Junior Cup races were Kayla Yaakov and Gus Rodio. Both of those riders have made the move to the REV’IT! Twins Cup class for 2023 with Rodio leading the championship. Yaakov missed both the series opener at Daytona and round two at Road Atlanta with a leg injury.

Entries are high for all the classes competing this weekend at Barber Motorsports Park with 172 attempting to qualify. The biggest class of the weekend is the Steel Commander Stock 1000 class with 42 entries – one more than the REV’IT! Twins Cup class. The Junior Cup class will field 31 riders with 30 set to qualify for the extended Supersport race.

About MotoAmerica

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

Shops: Antigravity Batteries, From The January 2021 Issue

May 18, 2023

A display of some Antigravity Batteries products. Photo courtesy Antigravity Batteries.