LIVEWIRE CONFIRMS U.S. S2 DEL MAR PRICING AND EUROPEAN LAUNCH EDITION DETAILS
S2 Del Mar is priced at $15,499 USD for the U.S. and Europe receives a Launch Edition of 100 limited edition bikes on sale April 27.
LiveWire, the leading electric motorcycle manufacturer, is excited to confirm its MSRP for S2 Del Mar in the U.S along with projected delivery dates. The Company is also pleased to announce an exclusive colorway for the S2 Del Mar Launch Edition in Europe limited to 100 bikes across the four markets.
US: In the U.S., LiveWire has been hard at work finalizing production, pricing, and projected delivery schedules. The S2 Del Mar is confirmed to launch with an MSRP of $15,499. Reservations are open for the production version in 3 colorways, targeting delivery this July. Performance highlights and complete product specifications will be published in June, along with a full calendar of demo opportunities and events.
Europe: For European LiveWire consumers, reservations for the S2 Del Mar Launch Edition will open at 4 p.m. CET on April 27, and will require a €100 fee. Only 100 examples of the S2 Del Mar European Launch Edition models will be made, featuring an exclusive finish and wheel design. The graphics and paint—in a unique Himalaya White finish—are applied by hand using a process that takes five days to complete. The Launch Edition of S2 Del Mar is planned for delivery in Europe this September.
S2 Del Mar European Launch Edition incl. VAT
• France €20,190
• Germany €19,990
• Netherlands €20,390
• U.K. £18,990
LiveWire will be hosting a series of viewing events of the S2 Del Mar European Launch Edition at the following locations. For further information and to RSVP, please visit livewire.com.
• London April 26 @ The Bike Shed Motorcycle Club
• Paris April 27 @ Roadstar 92
• Amsterdam April 28 @ H-D Amsterdam
• Berlin April 29 @ Deus Ex Machina
About LiveWire
LiveWire has a dedicated focus on the electric motorcycle sector. LiveWire’s majority shareholder is Harley-Davidson, Inc. LiveWire comes from the lineage of Harley-Davidson and is capitalizing on a decade of its learnings in the EV sector. LiveWire plans to develop the technology of the future and invest in the capabilities needed to lead the transformation of motorcycling.
OCEANSIDE, CA (April 20, 2023) – Melissa Paris and MP13 Racing are pleased to announce a new title sponsor for the 2023 season: The WagBar. As a result, the team will be known as The WagBar MP13 Racing Team for the 2023 MotoAmerica racing season.
What is The WagBar, you ask? The WagBar is the only high-protein snack made with 100% American Wagyu beef from cows treated the way we treat the world: with kindness. Every WagBar you buy helps us deliver shelf-stable protein to people experiencing homelessness in our city and around the globe.
Team Principal Paris has this to say about securing a key non-industry related brand for her team, “I am really proud about our new partnership with The Wag Bar. It’s always exciting when a nonendemic brand sees value in our team and motorcycle racing in general. Beyond that… all of us at The WagBar MP13 Racing Team appreciate having a handy, healthy, and, most importantly, delicious snack at the ready.”
The great news about The WagBar at the races, samples will be available in limited quantities at select MotoAmerica races. Additionally, beginning at the Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta round, The WagBar will be in the MotoAmerica vendor area selling their delicious and nutritious products.
The WagBar MP13 Team is fielding Kayla Yaakov and Aiden Sneed this season. When asked about the decision to support a MotoAmerica REV’IT! Twins Cup and Junior Cup team for 2023, CEO Ron Woosley had this to say, “Being involved in MotoAmerica and with Melissa Paris is exciting. The WagBar is a relatively new product that’s now available at 560 Love’s Travel Stops around the country. With adding exposure the MotoAmerica series can provide, we are looking forward to seeing the impact of what the team, Kayla, and Aiden can have on the growth of The WagBar. Myself and business partner John will be at some of the races meeting with race fans and selling The WagBar. We like to say that it’s Beef with purpose. The product is delicious and full of protein, and the message is one of giving back. I am looking forward to seeing the team and everyone at Road Atlanta in a couple of weeks.”
If you want to get your hands on some WagBar now, the team has a discount code all setup. Head on over to www.thewagbar.com, and on checkout, enter the code MP13 for 13% off your purchase. We look forward to seeing you at the race track.
BS Battery continuing partnership with Bridgestone CSBK for 2023
Toronto, ON – French motorsport battery giant BS Battery and its Canadian distributor Importations Thibault are proud to announce their continued support of the Bridgestone Canadian Superbike championship for 2023, returning as the title sponsor of the BS Battery Pole Position Award in the feature Pro Superbike class.
The BS Battery Pole Position Award is a highly coveted prize amongst the racing community, and is awarded to the rider with the fastest qualifying lap time during each round of the championship. This year promises to be more exciting than ever before, with some of the best racers in the country competing for top honours.
“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Importations Thibault and support the Bridgestone CSBK series” said Benjamin Sebban, General Manager of BS Battery. “This collaboration allows us to showcase our products to a wider audience and connect with the racing community. We are confident that this season will be a great success, and we look forward to seeing who will come out on top.”
Dave Oakley, Director of Business Development for Importations Thibault, also expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership. “We are excited to be working with BS Battery for another year and are proud to be a part of this fantastic racing series. Our commitment to supporting the powersports community and providing top-quality products is at the core of everything we do. We believe that this partnership will continue to enhance the racing experience for fans and participants alike,” he said.
Last year’s battle for the BS Battery Pole Position Awards frequently came down to the wire, with rookie Trevor Dion capturing the mantle for round one in Grand Bend before rivals Ben Young and Alex Dumas traded honours there afterwards – even sharing the award in round three after an exact tie in qualifying.
Young would go on to win the overall BS Battery Pole Position Championship by four points over Dumas, qualifying inside the top-two at every race, as well as conquering the overall feature Pro Superbike championship.
The BS Battery Pole Position Award is just one example of the ways in which both Importations Thibault and BS Battery are committed to supporting the sport of motorcycle racing in Canada. With the Bridgestone CSBK series set to kick off in just over a month, fans and racers alike can look forward to another thrilling season of high-speed competition.
2023 AMA Land Speed Grand Championship at the Bonneville Salt Flats Set for Aug. 27-31
Event hopes to make strong return after 2022 cancelation
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — After inclement weather robbed the motorcycling community of racing on one of the most unique settings in all of sports in 2022, the AMA Land Speed Grand Championship at the famous Bonneville Salt Flats in Wendover, Utah, is back Aug. 27-31, and the year off has done nothing to extinguish the blazing speeds that dominate the annual event.
AMA Track Racing Manager Ken Saillant expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming event, stating, “We are thrilled to announce the return to the salt for one of the most highly anticipated weeks in the world of motorcycling. After a year-long hiatus, we anticipate an exhilarating showcase of speed and skill, with the potential for new land speed records to be set.”
The AMA Land Speed Grand Championship — also referred to as the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials — is the premier motorcycle land-speed racing event in the world. Competitors of all backgrounds and investment converge on the other-worldly and pristine Bonneville Salt Flats with one goal in mind: go fast.
With Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme recognition, the AMA-sanctioned event allows racers to set AMA national records and FIM Land Speed World Records on machines that range from 50cc mini-bikes to 3,000cc streamliners.
“We are looking forward to welcoming our land-speed racers back to the Bonneville Salt Flats, especially after the rain-out event last year,” said event director/owner Delvene Reber of Deliciate Promotions LLC. “The racers are excited to get back out there and continue to make history as they achieve their land speed records.”
“We will once again be offering AMA national records alongside FIM inscribed World Records,” Delvene added. “Of course, there is also a chance to just test your bike and collect a timing slip with the Run Watcha Brung class.”
Event classes are determined by engine displacement, modification levels and various degrees of streamlining. Competitors range from weekend enthusiasts to professional race teams fielding million-dollar engineering masterworks.
Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. Besides offering members money-saving discounts on products and services, the AMA also publishes American Motorcyclist, a recently revitalized and monthly full-color magazine (and digital version of same) that covers current events and motorcycle history with brilliant photography and compelling writing. American Motorcyclist is also North America’s largest-circulation magazine. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
Mathew Scholtz And Westby Racing Are Ready For Their 2023 Season Debut This Weekend At Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta
Tulsa, OK – The opening round of the 2023 MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship starts this Friday at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia, and rider Mathew Scholtz, along with the entire Westby Racing team, are poised to reap the rewards of their productive preseason testing program.
Several new upgrades were made to the team’s #11 Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbike over the past few months—including electronics, engine, suspension, and chassis—and Mathew and the team are excited the see how they stack up against the stiff competition in MotoAmerica, which is one of the world’s premier national motorcycle road racing organizations.
“I can’t wait to get this season started,” Mathew said. “We had a very productive off-season with the new software package, as well as all the other upgrades to the bike. Road Atlanta is one of my favorite tracks. I’ve got neighbors and friends coming out to watch me race, so it’s always special there. The weather looks like it’s going to be pretty good, so I’m excited to get out there and mix it up with the boys and see how everyone fares up. And we’ll take the season from there. I’m very confident that we’ll be battling up at the sharp end of the field.”
Superbike final qualifying is on Saturday morning at 10:25 a.m. ET, Superbike race one will go green on Saturday afternoon at 3:10 p.m. ET, and Superbike race two is on Sunday afternoon also at 3:10 p.m. ET. Both races will be broadcast live on MotoAmerica’s YouTube Channel.
For all the action from Road Atlanta, 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 to 11:40 a.m. Sunday on pit lane at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. 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
Superbike Unlimited and Suter Racing Products 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.
More, from a press release issued by Ducati:
A new era dawns with Josh Herrin and Xavi Fores lining up for Ducati as MotoAmerica 2023 kicks off at Road Atlanta this weekend
Sunnyvale, Calif. — The preseason talking stops this weekend as a new era dawns for the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC team with riders Josh Herrin and Xavi Fores.
2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion Herrin will debut in red in the premier MotoAmerica Superbike Championship as he begins an attempt at taking a second American Superbike Championship crown to go with his first triumph in 2013.
The Georgian will be on home ground this weekend at Road Atlanta, a track he knows like the back of his hand and one that should suit the ultra-fast nature of the factory-prepared Ducati Panigale V4 R, and he’ll be looking to continue the trend he started one month ago when he took a famous victory in the 2023 Daytona 200.
For international racing veteran Xavi Fores, he will make his long-awaited debut in the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship this weekend when he takes to the grid on the championship-winning Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC Ducati Panigale V2.
Spaniard Fores, who can count on his experience in almost every major international road racing championship on his resume including MotoGP, WorldSBK, MotoE and EWC, has only victory on his mind and despite being a rookie in the series, will surely go in as one of the hot favorites for the 2023 MotoAmerica Supersport title.
Josh Herrin (1) riding a Ducati Panigale V2 Supersport bike at Daytona. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Ducati.
Josh Herrin (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC Ducati Panigale V4 R – Ducati #2)
“Everybody on the team is really excited to get going at Road Atlanta this weekend,” Herrin said. “I think we’re going into it with a lot of confidence after taking the Supersport championship last year on the Panigale V2, we got the Daytona 200 win recently, and we just completed a really productive test at Jersey Motorsports Park last week, so things are looking really positive. I’m not going to put a ton of pressure on myself—I know I’ve been putting in all the work possible in the off-season and I’m ready for it.”
Xavi Fores (12). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Ducati.
“Yes, I’m really excited to start the season properly,” Fores said from the hospital while clutching his newborn. “The excitement of seeing my new baby will help a lot with the adrenaline! I’ve been to Road Atlanta, but it was a really long time ago in 2004, so at least I know the layout and it won’t be too strange to be back there. This is the start of a huge year for me, my new family and the team and we’re ready to fight for some big results.”
Round one of the 2023 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship will be held at Road Atlanta on April 21-23, 2023.
Editorial Note: This is an event sponsorship deal, not a spec or one-make tire deal. Riders will be able to compete on any brand of approved tires.
Metzeler Appointed as the Official Tire of the Isle of Man TT
Metzeler Will be the Sole Official Tire of the Most Iconic Motorcycle Road Race Until 2027
The Metzeler tire brand has been selected by the Department for Enterprise of the Isle of Man as Official Tire with a sponsorship contract for the TT Races for the five-year period 2023-2027.
Paul Phillips, Head of Motorsport – Isle of Man Department for Enterprise: “Metzeler are a welcome addition to the line-up of official sponsoring brands for this year’s Isle of Man TT Races. Our commercial objective is to work collaboratively with our Official partners to add value to the TT experience for everyone involved in the event. Metzeler is already integrally associated with the TT and is the tire of choice for many teams competing in the event, with a proven performance track record. We are sure that this will be a successful partnership that will grow in strength over the years to come.”
Francesco Pietrangeli, Motorcycle Marketing Director Metzeler brand: “The Isle of Man TT is one of the oldest and best known motorcycle races in the world and has a unique and timeless appeal. Metzeler tires have been involved in Road Racing for some time and over the years have contributed to the successes of many riders by supporting them and making our RACETEC RR tires available to them. We are very delighted with the agreement which represents the natural evolution of our commitment to Road Racing and it is also the best way to celebrate the 160th anniversary of the birth of our brand”.
The Tourist Trophy has been run since 1907 on the road circuit of the Snaefell Mountain Course, a 60.720 km track on the Isle of Man. Over the years it has become an iconic competition characterized by charm, tradition, glory, passion and adrenaline, values also shared by those choosing Metzeler tires, a brand that boasts a history of over a century and a half full of motorsport successes and technology.
The Metzeler RACETEC RR tires already used by the riders have been developed thanks to Metzeler’s experience in Road Racing competitions which, as is known, do not take place on circuits but on roads which are open to the public throughout the year and where all the situations that any motorcyclist may have to face on a daily basis can be found. And it is precisely for this reason that road racing has always been the testing and development ground for Metzeler tires. Thanks to its participation in Road Racing activities and to the acquired know-how, Metzeler tire range has enriched by giving life to successful tires, including the sporty SPORTEC M9 RR.
One more title will see reigning 8x American Flat Track Super Twins champion Jared Mees tie the all-time great, Scott Parker’s 1998 9x record. Watch Jared kick-off the 2023 chase in Daytona.
Indian Motorcycle is America’s First Motorcycle Company®. Founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycle has won the hearts of motorcyclists around the world and earned distinction as one of America’s most legendary and iconic brands through unrivaled racing dominance, engineering prowess and countless innovations and industry firsts. Today that heritage and passion are reignited under new brand stewardship.
SATURDAY 27 MAY APRILIA ALL STARS IS BACK: MISANO WORLD CIRCUIT TO HOST APRILIA’S BIG PARTY OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
THE ENTIRE APRILIA RACING WORLD WILL ATTEND: THE MOTOGP AND OFF ROAD RIDERS, THE GREAT CHAMPIONS OF THE PAST AND FUTURE, PERFORMING ON THEIR BIKES AND MEETING WITH THE PUBLIC
A CELEBRATION OF MOTORCYCLING AND MORE. PURE FUN FOR A UNIQUE SHOW WITH FREE ENTRY: TRACK SHOWS, RIDING COURSES, TEST RIDES, NEW AND HISTORIC BIKES, AND GAMES WITH THE MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT OF RADIO DEEJAY AND M2O
FOR APRILIA OWNERS THERE WILL BE A FINAL PROCESSION WHICH HOLDS A GREAT SURPRISE THIS YEAR
Milan – Saturday 27 May is the date to mark on your calendar so you don’t make any other plans. The event is set to take place at the Misano circuit which will host the 2023 edition of Aprilia’s huge party with their bikes and greatest champions. It will be a day of festivities and love for bikes and for Italian motorcycling with entry free of charge at the Misano World Circuit, as per tradition. The offer of fun suitable for all this year will be richer than ever before. In fact, the schedule is jam packed with events, not only on the track, but also off track, thanks to the area dedicated entirely to off road and the Tuareg 660. Expert Enduro Republic instructors will be on hand to share the secrets of off-road riding on the Tuareg 660, just as they do during the Tuareg Experience days, held by Enduro Republic in some of the most beautiful locations for enduro bikes, including North Africa.
It will be a day of unforgettable fun where the public will be the true protagonist in celebrating one of the most victorious brands of motorcycling, its heritage, and its champions. All the Aprilia Racing riders who race in MotoGP and off road will be attending: Aleix Espargaró, Maverick Viñales, Lorenzo Savadori, and this year Miguel Oliveira and Raúl Fernandez as well, Aprilia Racing team RNF riders. Riders Jacopo Cerutti and Francesco Montanari will also be on hand, from the fledgling Aprilia Racing team which won at its début astride a Tuareg 660 tuned by GCorse and Aprilia Racing in the Italian Motorally Championship. In addition, of course, to the champions who have made Aprilia the Italian and European brand with the most wins in World Championship Grand Prix racing with their victories, such as Max Biaggi, Loris Capirossi, and many others, all happy and willing to meet the fans. The jewels of Aprilia will be on display – the racing bikes that have earned 54 championship titles for the manufacturer from Veneto, as well as the current range, of course, available for test rides on the local roads.
The schedule promises to be extremely full, conceived to involve the public in the paddock in an exceptional series of activities, all to the soundtrack of Radio Deejay and M2O, present in Misano. All the riders who arrive astride their Aprilia bikes will be the absolute stars of the most thrilling moment, the great procession with the champions which will also continue off track this year, to make the grand finale even more spectacular.
The complete Aprilia All Stars schedule of events will soon be available online at Aprilia.com.
Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed North America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 27th consecutive year of showcasing what is actually an abundance of new talent.
Roadracing World Young Guns have won:
FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;
MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 12 MotoAmerica/AMA Pro Superbike Championships;
A KTM RC Cup World Final race;
The Daytona 200 (12 times);
WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;
ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;
USGPRU National Championships;
Many regional and local titles.
The competition has continually become more intense as more — and younger — racers with higher levels of accomplishments are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.
We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2023 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.
The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.
We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.
Current home: McDade, Texas (currently living in Alicante, Spain).
Current height/weight: 4′ 9″/79 pounds.
Current school grade level: 6th grade.
Began riding at age: 3 years.
First road race: 2018, Katy Texas, Texas Mini Grand Prix, Jr. Motard, 1st place.
Current racebike: BeOn PreMoto3.
Current tuner/mechanic: MRE Talent.
Primary race series: RFME ESBK PreMoto3 Spanish National Championship.
Top sponsors: Roadway Traffic Control, Texas Motorcycle Academy at Harris Hill, San Marcos Iron Doors, Williams Custom Painting, 212 Decals, Corsa Werks, Harris Hill Flattrackers, Moto Liberty, Paul Stamper, Mark Niemi, Ben Fondu, Stacy Pawelek, Theo Bick.
Recent racing accomplishments: 2022 season, placed 6th in RFME ESBK Moto4 Spanish National Championship (1 win, 2 total podiums, 5 top-five finishes), placed 2nd in CIV Moto4 Spanish Championship (6 podium finishes); 2021 season, finished 9th in Cuna de Campeones Moto5 Championship (1 podium, 4 top-5 finishes in 13 races), won CAV Moto5 National Championship race at Jerez, won multiple CMRA races; 2020 season, won MotoAmerica Mini Cup 110 and 160 National Championships, won 3 Texas Mini Grand Prix Championships, won 2 Mad Dog Flat Track Championships at Colin Edwards’ Texas Tornado Boot Camp; won a CMRA Formula 2 Novice race; 2019 season, won 45 Texas Mini Grand Prix races, won 11 American Super Mini GP races, won 7 CMRA races, won 8 Mad Dog Flat Track races.
2023 racing goals: Win RFME ESBK PreMoto3 races, finish in the top 3 in the Championship.
Racing career goal: Win the MotoGP World Championship.
Racing heroes: Kevin Schwantz, Colin Edwards, Ben Spies.
Favorite track: Circuit of The Americas.
Favorite hobby: Classic cars.
If I wasn’t racing I would be…: A cowboy.
Some of the riders who have graduated from Roadracing World Young Guns and gone on to racing success in National or International series include:
2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion Jason Aguilar (R.I.P.);
2013 AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and 2022 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Corey Alexander;
AMA Pro Daytona SportBike race winner Tommy Aquino (R.I.P.);
2008 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and AFT SuperTwins race winner J.D. Beach;
MotoAmerica Twins Cup race winner Jackson Blackmon;
former Canadian Sport Bike Champion Tomas Casas;
three-time Canadian Sport Bike Champion and 2014 Canadian Superbike Champion Jodi Christie;
former AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 race winner Josh Day;
2011 Daytona 200 winner Jason DiSalvo;
2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Championship runner-up and current MotoAmerica team owner Dustin Dominguez;
2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2019 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, and 2021 Canadian Superbike Champion Alex Dumas;
four-time Pikes Peak International Hill Climb race winner and former motorcycle track record holder Carlin Dunne (R.I.P.);
Canadian Superbike race winner Bodhi Edie;
two-time AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, two-time AMA Pro XR1200/Harley-Davidson Champion and four-time Daytona 200 winner Danny Eslick;
2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Bobby Fong;
2010 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, 2015 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North America Superstock 1000 Champion, and two-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne;
two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and World Superbike podium finisher Garrett Gerloff;
2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Championship runner-up Michael Gilbert;
2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Champion, 2018 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up, and 2022 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Championship runner-up Hayden Gillim;
2002 AMA Superbike Champion and 2006 FIM MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden (R.I.P.);
2007 AMA Pro 600cc Supersport Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up, and 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship runner-up Roger Hayden;
eight-time AMA Pro Superbike race winner and two-time AMA Supersport Champion Tommy Hayden;
2013 AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and two-time Daytona 200 winner Josh Herrin;
MotoAmerica Supersport front-runner Teagg Hobbs;
AMA Pro Superstock race winner Jake Holden;
2011 British Superbike Championship runner-up and former MotoGP and World Superbike regular John Hopkins;
2015 Supersport World Championship runner-up, 2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Superbike podium finisher Patrick “P.J.” Jacobsen;
2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and current Moto2 World Championship competitor Sean Dylan Kelly;
Canadian Superbike race winner Kevin Lacombe;
two-time MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Andrew Lee;
2021 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 and Superbike Cup Champion Jake Lewis;
MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Sam Lochoff;
MotoAmerica Superstock 600 race winner Nick McFadden;
AMA Pro SuperSport race winner and MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Stefano Mesa;
Elena Myers, the first and only woman to win AMA Pro Supersport races;
AMA Pro XR1200 race winner, multi-time Loudon Classic winner, and two-time BRL Champion Shane Narbonne;
2012 Canadian Superbike Championship runner-up Andrew Nelson;
2016 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Champion, 2019 British Motostar (Moto3) Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and two-time Daytona 200 winner Brandon Paasch;
2012 Daytona 200 winner and 2010 AMA Pro Supersport West Champion Joey Pascarella;
2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and current powersports dealership owner Bryce Prince;
AMA Pro and Canadian National race winner and multi-time N2/WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Peris;
two-time AMA Pro SuperSport National Champion, British Supersport podium finisher, 2020 AFT Production Twins Champion, and MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers race winner James Rispoli;
2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport race winner, and Moto2 World Championship race winner Joe Roberts;
former Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Champion and former FIM Moto2 European Championship competitor Benny Solis, Jr.;
three-time AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2009 Superbike World Champion, MotoGP race winner, and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Ben Spies;
multi-time AMA Pro race winner and four-time overall WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Ulrich;
MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher and former World Superbike competitor Jayson Uribe;
2017 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Championship runner-up, 2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher Cory Ventura;
Canadian Superbike race winner Alex Welsh;
former AMA Pro Superbike Rookie of the Year, Chinese Superbike Championship race winner and MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher Cory West;
MotoAmerica Junior Cup and Superbike Cup race winner Ashton Yates;
and two-time AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up Blake Young.
Stefano Mesa will once again ride in place of injured Kayla Yaakov in MotoAmerica REV’IT! Twins Cup this coming weekend at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.
Yaakov, the first female to ever win a MotoAmerica race, was testing her Yamaha at Roebling Road Raceway on March 7, ahead of the Twins Cup season-opener at Daytona International Speedway, when she crashed and was struck by her motorcycle.
In addition to soft tissue damage to her right leg and knee, Yaakov suffered a fracture in her right fibula that is keeping her sidelined.
“It was a more aggressive fracture, and that’s the thing holding me back right now,” Yaakov told RoadracingWorld.com. “We just have some issues with my knee and my fibula, and right now the biggest thing is making sure my fibula is healed. My knee is doing really good. I have more and more strength each week…each day, even. We’ll be ready to go for Barber [May 19-21].”
Kayla Yaakov announced on social media that she will miss Road Atlanta. Photo courtesy Kayla Yaakov.
Journeyman racer Mesa, who filled in for Yaakov at Daytona and won Twins Cup Race Two there, will replace the injured 15-year-old again in Georgia, according to MP13 Racing Yamaha owner Melissa Paris.
This means that Mesa will pull double duty again, competing on the MP13 Racing Yamaha in Twins Cup and his Tytlers Cycle Racing Kawasaki in Supersport.
Mesa raced in Twins Cup and Super Hooligan at Daytona.
Yaakov said she will still attend the MotoAmerica event at Road Atlanta and will spend her time supporting her team as well as working on the MotoAmerica broadcasts during some of the races.
A LiveWire S2 Del Mar electric motorcycle. Photo courtesy LiveWire.
LIVEWIRE CONFIRMS U.S. S2 DEL MAR PRICING AND EUROPEAN LAUNCH EDITION DETAILS
S2 Del Mar is priced at $15,499 USD for the U.S. and Europe receives a Launch Edition of 100 limited edition bikes on sale April 27.
LiveWire, the leading electric motorcycle manufacturer, is excited to confirm its MSRP for S2 Del Mar in the U.S along with projected delivery dates. The Company is also pleased to announce an exclusive colorway for the S2 Del Mar Launch Edition in Europe limited to 100 bikes across the four markets.
US: In the U.S., LiveWire has been hard at work finalizing production, pricing, and projected delivery schedules. The S2 Del Mar is confirmed to launch with an MSRP of $15,499. Reservations are open for the production version in 3 colorways, targeting delivery this July. Performance highlights and complete product specifications will be published in June, along with a full calendar of demo opportunities and events.
Europe: For European LiveWire consumers, reservations for the S2 Del Mar Launch Edition will open at 4 p.m. CET on April 27, and will require a €100 fee. Only 100 examples of the S2 Del Mar European Launch Edition models will be made, featuring an exclusive finish and wheel design. The graphics and paint—in a unique Himalaya White finish—are applied by hand using a process that takes five days to complete. The Launch Edition of S2 Del Mar is planned for delivery in Europe this September.
S2 Del Mar European Launch Edition incl. VAT
• France €20,190
• Germany €19,990
• Netherlands €20,390
• U.K. £18,990
LiveWire will be hosting a series of viewing events of the S2 Del Mar European Launch Edition at the following locations. For further information and to RSVP, please visit livewire.com.
• London April 26 @ The Bike Shed Motorcycle Club
• Paris April 27 @ Roadstar 92
• Amsterdam April 28 @ H-D Amsterdam
• Berlin April 29 @ Deus Ex Machina
About LiveWire
LiveWire has a dedicated focus on the electric motorcycle sector. LiveWire’s majority shareholder is Harley-Davidson, Inc. LiveWire comes from the lineage of Harley-Davidson and is capitalizing on a decade of its learnings in the EV sector. LiveWire plans to develop the technology of the future and invest in the capabilities needed to lead the transformation of motorcycling.
Twins Cup racer Kayla Yaakov sporting her new The WagBar MP13 Racing Team uniform. Photo courtesy The WagBar MP13 Racing Team.
OCEANSIDE, CA (April 20, 2023) – Melissa Paris and MP13 Racing are pleased to announce a new title sponsor for the 2023 season: The WagBar. As a result, the team will be known as The WagBar MP13 Racing Team for the 2023 MotoAmerica racing season.
What is The WagBar, you ask? The WagBar is the only high-protein snack made with 100% American Wagyu beef from cows treated the way we treat the world: with kindness. Every WagBar you buy helps us deliver shelf-stable protein to people experiencing homelessness in our city and around the globe.
Team Principal Paris has this to say about securing a key non-industry related brand for her team, “I am really proud about our new partnership with The Wag Bar. It’s always exciting when a nonendemic brand sees value in our team and motorcycle racing in general. Beyond that… all of us at The WagBar MP13 Racing Team appreciate having a handy, healthy, and, most importantly, delicious snack at the ready.”
The great news about The WagBar at the races, samples will be available in limited quantities at select MotoAmerica races. Additionally, beginning at the Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta round, The WagBar will be in the MotoAmerica vendor area selling their delicious and nutritious products.
The WagBar MP13 Team is fielding Kayla Yaakov and Aiden Sneed this season. When asked about the decision to support a MotoAmerica REV’IT! Twins Cup and Junior Cup team for 2023, CEO Ron Woosley had this to say, “Being involved in MotoAmerica and with Melissa Paris is exciting. The WagBar is a relatively new product that’s now available at 560 Love’s Travel Stops around the country. With adding exposure the MotoAmerica series can provide, we are looking forward to seeing the impact of what the team, Kayla, and Aiden can have on the growth of The WagBar. Myself and business partner John will be at some of the races meeting with race fans and selling The WagBar. We like to say that it’s Beef with purpose. The product is delicious and full of protein, and the message is one of giving back. I am looking forward to seeing the team and everyone at Road Atlanta in a couple of weeks.”
If you want to get your hands on some WagBar now, the team has a discount code all setup. Head on over to www.thewagbar.com, and on checkout, enter the code MP13 for 13% off your purchase. We look forward to seeing you at the race track.
At the final CSBK round of 2022 at CTMP, BS Battery Pole winner and overall Pole Champion Ben Young (center) celebrates on Friday’s Qualifying Podium with Suzuki’s Alex Dumas (left) and Kawasaki’s Sebastien Tremblay (right). Photo by Colin Fraser, courtesy CSBK.
BS Battery continuing partnership with Bridgestone CSBK for 2023
Toronto, ON – French motorsport battery giant BS Battery and its Canadian distributor Importations Thibault are proud to announce their continued support of the Bridgestone Canadian Superbike championship for 2023, returning as the title sponsor of the BS Battery Pole Position Award in the feature Pro Superbike class.
The BS Battery Pole Position Award is a highly coveted prize amongst the racing community, and is awarded to the rider with the fastest qualifying lap time during each round of the championship. This year promises to be more exciting than ever before, with some of the best racers in the country competing for top honours.
“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Importations Thibault and support the Bridgestone CSBK series” said Benjamin Sebban, General Manager of BS Battery. “This collaboration allows us to showcase our products to a wider audience and connect with the racing community. We are confident that this season will be a great success, and we look forward to seeing who will come out on top.”
Dave Oakley, Director of Business Development for Importations Thibault, also expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership. “We are excited to be working with BS Battery for another year and are proud to be a part of this fantastic racing series. Our commitment to supporting the powersports community and providing top-quality products is at the core of everything we do. We believe that this partnership will continue to enhance the racing experience for fans and participants alike,” he said.
Last year’s battle for the BS Battery Pole Position Awards frequently came down to the wire, with rookie Trevor Dion capturing the mantle for round one in Grand Bend before rivals Ben Young and Alex Dumas traded honours there afterwards – even sharing the award in round three after an exact tie in qualifying.
Young would go on to win the overall BS Battery Pole Position Championship by four points over Dumas, qualifying inside the top-two at every race, as well as conquering the overall feature Pro Superbike championship.
The BS Battery Pole Position Award is just one example of the ways in which both Importations Thibault and BS Battery are committed to supporting the sport of motorcycle racing in Canada. With the Bridgestone CSBK series set to kick off in just over a month, fans and racers alike can look forward to another thrilling season of high-speed competition.
A photo from a previous AMA Land Speed Grand Championship at the Bonneville Sale Flats, in Utah. Photo by Scooter Grubb, courtesy AMA.
2023 AMA Land Speed Grand Championship at the Bonneville Salt Flats Set for Aug. 27-31
Event hopes to make strong return after 2022 cancelation
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — After inclement weather robbed the motorcycling community of racing on one of the most unique settings in all of sports in 2022, the AMA Land Speed Grand Championship at the famous Bonneville Salt Flats in Wendover, Utah, is back Aug. 27-31, and the year off has done nothing to extinguish the blazing speeds that dominate the annual event.
AMA Track Racing Manager Ken Saillant expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming event, stating, “We are thrilled to announce the return to the salt for one of the most highly anticipated weeks in the world of motorcycling. After a year-long hiatus, we anticipate an exhilarating showcase of speed and skill, with the potential for new land speed records to be set.”
The AMA Land Speed Grand Championship — also referred to as the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials — is the premier motorcycle land-speed racing event in the world. Competitors of all backgrounds and investment converge on the other-worldly and pristine Bonneville Salt Flats with one goal in mind: go fast.
With Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme recognition, the AMA-sanctioned event allows racers to set AMA national records and FIM Land Speed World Records on machines that range from 50cc mini-bikes to 3,000cc streamliners.
“We are looking forward to welcoming our land-speed racers back to the Bonneville Salt Flats, especially after the rain-out event last year,” said event director/owner Delvene Reber of Deliciate Promotions LLC. “The racers are excited to get back out there and continue to make history as they achieve their land speed records.”
“We will once again be offering AMA national records alongside FIM inscribed World Records,” Delvene added. “Of course, there is also a chance to just test your bike and collect a timing slip with the Run Watcha Brung class.”
Event classes are determined by engine displacement, modification levels and various degrees of streamlining. Competitors range from weekend enthusiasts to professional race teams fielding million-dollar engineering masterworks.
Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. Besides offering members money-saving discounts on products and services, the AMA also publishes American Motorcyclist, a recently revitalized and monthly full-color magazine (and digital version of same) that covers current events and motorcycle history with brilliant photography and compelling writing. American Motorcyclist is also North America’s largest-circulation magazine. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
Mathew Scholtz (11). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Westby Racing.
Mathew Scholtz And Westby Racing Are Ready For Their 2023 Season Debut This Weekend At Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta
Tulsa, OK – The opening round of the 2023 MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship starts this Friday at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia, and rider Mathew Scholtz, along with the entire Westby Racing team, are poised to reap the rewards of their productive preseason testing program.
Several new upgrades were made to the team’s #11 Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbike over the past few months—including electronics, engine, suspension, and chassis—and Mathew and the team are excited the see how they stack up against the stiff competition in MotoAmerica, which is one of the world’s premier national motorcycle road racing organizations.
“I can’t wait to get this season started,” Mathew said. “We had a very productive off-season with the new software package, as well as all the other upgrades to the bike. Road Atlanta is one of my favorite tracks. I’ve got neighbors and friends coming out to watch me race, so it’s always special there. The weather looks like it’s going to be pretty good, so I’m excited to get out there and mix it up with the boys and see how everyone fares up. And we’ll take the season from there. I’m very confident that we’ll be battling up at the sharp end of the field.”
Superbike final qualifying is on Saturday morning at 10:25 a.m. ET, Superbike race one will go green on Saturday afternoon at 3:10 p.m. ET, and Superbike race two is on Sunday afternoon also at 3:10 p.m. ET. Both races will be broadcast live on MotoAmerica’s YouTube Channel.
For all the action from Road Atlanta, 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 to 11:40 a.m. Sunday on pit lane at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. 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
Superbike Unlimited and Suter Racing Products 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.
More, from a press release issued by Ducati:
A new era dawns with Josh Herrin and Xavi Fores lining up for Ducati as MotoAmerica 2023 kicks off at Road Atlanta this weekend
Sunnyvale, Calif. — The preseason talking stops this weekend as a new era dawns for the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC team with riders Josh Herrin and Xavi Fores.
2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion Herrin will debut in red in the premier MotoAmerica Superbike Championship as he begins an attempt at taking a second American Superbike Championship crown to go with his first triumph in 2013.
The Georgian will be on home ground this weekend at Road Atlanta, a track he knows like the back of his hand and one that should suit the ultra-fast nature of the factory-prepared Ducati Panigale V4 R, and he’ll be looking to continue the trend he started one month ago when he took a famous victory in the 2023 Daytona 200.
For international racing veteran Xavi Fores, he will make his long-awaited debut in the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship this weekend when he takes to the grid on the championship-winning Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC Ducati Panigale V2.
Spaniard Fores, who can count on his experience in almost every major international road racing championship on his resume including MotoGP, WorldSBK, MotoE and EWC, has only victory on his mind and despite being a rookie in the series, will surely go in as one of the hot favorites for the 2023 MotoAmerica Supersport title.
Josh Herrin (1) riding a Ducati Panigale V2 Supersport bike at Daytona. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Ducati.
Josh Herrin (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC Ducati Panigale V4 R – Ducati #2)
“Everybody on the team is really excited to get going at Road Atlanta this weekend,” Herrin said. “I think we’re going into it with a lot of confidence after taking the Supersport championship last year on the Panigale V2, we got the Daytona 200 win recently, and we just completed a really productive test at Jersey Motorsports Park last week, so things are looking really positive. I’m not going to put a ton of pressure on myself—I know I’ve been putting in all the work possible in the off-season and I’m ready for it.”
Xavi Fores (12). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Ducati.
“Yes, I’m really excited to start the season properly,” Fores said from the hospital while clutching his newborn. “The excitement of seeing my new baby will help a lot with the adrenaline! I’ve been to Road Atlanta, but it was a really long time ago in 2004, so at least I know the layout and it won’t be too strange to be back there. This is the start of a huge year for me, my new family and the team and we’re ready to fight for some big results.”
Round one of the 2023 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship will be held at Road Atlanta on April 21-23, 2023.
Editorial Note: This is an event sponsorship deal, not a spec or one-make tire deal. Riders will be able to compete on any brand of approved tires.
Metzeler Appointed as the Official Tire of the Isle of Man TT
Metzeler Will be the Sole Official Tire of the Most Iconic Motorcycle Road Race Until 2027
The Metzeler tire brand has been selected by the Department for Enterprise of the Isle of Man as Official Tire with a sponsorship contract for the TT Races for the five-year period 2023-2027.
Paul Phillips, Head of Motorsport – Isle of Man Department for Enterprise: “Metzeler are a welcome addition to the line-up of official sponsoring brands for this year’s Isle of Man TT Races. Our commercial objective is to work collaboratively with our Official partners to add value to the TT experience for everyone involved in the event. Metzeler is already integrally associated with the TT and is the tire of choice for many teams competing in the event, with a proven performance track record. We are sure that this will be a successful partnership that will grow in strength over the years to come.”
Francesco Pietrangeli, Motorcycle Marketing Director Metzeler brand: “The Isle of Man TT is one of the oldest and best known motorcycle races in the world and has a unique and timeless appeal. Metzeler tires have been involved in Road Racing for some time and over the years have contributed to the successes of many riders by supporting them and making our RACETEC RR tires available to them. We are very delighted with the agreement which represents the natural evolution of our commitment to Road Racing and it is also the best way to celebrate the 160th anniversary of the birth of our brand”.
The Tourist Trophy has been run since 1907 on the road circuit of the Snaefell Mountain Course, a 60.720 km track on the Isle of Man. Over the years it has become an iconic competition characterized by charm, tradition, glory, passion and adrenaline, values also shared by those choosing Metzeler tires, a brand that boasts a history of over a century and a half full of motorsport successes and technology.
The Metzeler RACETEC RR tires already used by the riders have been developed thanks to Metzeler’s experience in Road Racing competitions which, as is known, do not take place on circuits but on roads which are open to the public throughout the year and where all the situations that any motorcyclist may have to face on a daily basis can be found. And it is precisely for this reason that road racing has always been the testing and development ground for Metzeler tires. Thanks to its participation in Road Racing activities and to the acquired know-how, Metzeler tire range has enriched by giving life to successful tires, including the sporty SPORTEC M9 RR.
Jared Mees (1) at the Senoia Short Track. Photo courtesy AFT.
One more title will see reigning 8x American Flat Track Super Twins champion Jared Mees tie the all-time great, Scott Parker’s 1998 9x record. Watch Jared kick-off the 2023 chase in Daytona.
Indian Motorcycle is America’s First Motorcycle Company®. Founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycle has won the hearts of motorcyclists around the world and earned distinction as one of America’s most legendary and iconic brands through unrivaled racing dominance, engineering prowess and countless innovations and industry firsts. Today that heritage and passion are reignited under new brand stewardship.
The free Aprilia All Stars event will be held May 27, 2023, at Misano. Photo courtesy Aprilia.
APRILIA ALL STARS 2023
SATURDAY 27 MAY APRILIA ALL STARS IS BACK: MISANO WORLD CIRCUIT TO HOST APRILIA’S BIG PARTY OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
THE ENTIRE APRILIA RACING WORLD WILL ATTEND: THE MOTOGP AND OFF ROAD RIDERS, THE GREAT CHAMPIONS OF THE PAST AND FUTURE, PERFORMING ON THEIR BIKES AND MEETING WITH THE PUBLIC
A CELEBRATION OF MOTORCYCLING AND MORE. PURE FUN FOR A UNIQUE SHOW WITH FREE ENTRY: TRACK SHOWS, RIDING COURSES, TEST RIDES, NEW AND HISTORIC BIKES, AND GAMES WITH THE MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT OF RADIO DEEJAY AND M2O
FOR APRILIA OWNERS THERE WILL BE A FINAL PROCESSION WHICH HOLDS A GREAT SURPRISE THIS YEAR
Milan – Saturday 27 May is the date to mark on your calendar so you don’t make any other plans. The event is set to take place at the Misano circuit which will host the 2023 edition of Aprilia’s huge party with their bikes and greatest champions. It will be a day of festivities and love for bikes and for Italian motorcycling with entry free of charge at the Misano World Circuit, as per tradition. The offer of fun suitable for all this year will be richer than ever before. In fact, the schedule is jam packed with events, not only on the track, but also off track, thanks to the area dedicated entirely to off road and the Tuareg 660. Expert Enduro Republic instructors will be on hand to share the secrets of off-road riding on the Tuareg 660, just as they do during the Tuareg Experience days, held by Enduro Republic in some of the most beautiful locations for enduro bikes, including North Africa.
It will be a day of unforgettable fun where the public will be the true protagonist in celebrating one of the most victorious brands of motorcycling, its heritage, and its champions. All the Aprilia Racing riders who race in MotoGP and off road will be attending: Aleix Espargaró, Maverick Viñales, Lorenzo Savadori, and this year Miguel Oliveira and Raúl Fernandez as well, Aprilia Racing team RNF riders. Riders Jacopo Cerutti and Francesco Montanari will also be on hand, from the fledgling Aprilia Racing team which won at its début astride a Tuareg 660 tuned by GCorse and Aprilia Racing in the Italian Motorally Championship. In addition, of course, to the champions who have made Aprilia the Italian and European brand with the most wins in World Championship Grand Prix racing with their victories, such as Max Biaggi, Loris Capirossi, and many others, all happy and willing to meet the fans. The jewels of Aprilia will be on display – the racing bikes that have earned 54 championship titles for the manufacturer from Veneto, as well as the current range, of course, available for test rides on the local roads.
The schedule promises to be extremely full, conceived to involve the public in the paddock in an exceptional series of activities, all to the soundtrack of Radio Deejay and M2O, present in Misano. All the riders who arrive astride their Aprilia bikes will be the absolute stars of the most thrilling moment, the great procession with the champions which will also continue off track this year, to make the grand finale even more spectacular.
The complete Aprilia All Stars schedule of events will soon be available online at Aprilia.com.
Mikey Lou Sanchez (55) in action in Spain. Photo courtesy Sanchez Racing.
Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed North America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 27th consecutive year of showcasing what is actually an abundance of new talent.
Roadracing World Young Guns have won:
FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;
MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 12 MotoAmerica/AMA Pro Superbike Championships;
A KTM RC Cup World Final race;
The Daytona 200 (12 times);
WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;
ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;
USGPRU National Championships;
Many regional and local titles.
The competition has continually become more intense as more — and younger — racers with higher levels of accomplishments are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.
We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2023 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.
The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.
We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.
Current home: McDade, Texas (currently living in Alicante, Spain).
Current height/weight: 4′ 9″/79 pounds.
Current school grade level: 6th grade.
Began riding at age: 3 years.
First road race: 2018, Katy Texas, Texas Mini Grand Prix, Jr. Motard, 1st place.
Current racebike: BeOn PreMoto3.
Current tuner/mechanic: MRE Talent.
Primary race series: RFME ESBK PreMoto3 Spanish National Championship.
Top sponsors: Roadway Traffic Control, Texas Motorcycle Academy at Harris Hill, San Marcos Iron Doors, Williams Custom Painting, 212 Decals, Corsa Werks, Harris Hill Flattrackers, Moto Liberty, Paul Stamper, Mark Niemi, Ben Fondu, Stacy Pawelek, Theo Bick.
Recent racing accomplishments: 2022 season, placed 6th in RFME ESBK Moto4 Spanish National Championship (1 win, 2 total podiums, 5 top-five finishes), placed 2nd in CIV Moto4 Spanish Championship (6 podium finishes); 2021 season, finished 9th in Cuna de Campeones Moto5 Championship (1 podium, 4 top-5 finishes in 13 races), won CAV Moto5 National Championship race at Jerez, won multiple CMRA races; 2020 season, won MotoAmerica Mini Cup 110 and 160 National Championships, won 3 Texas Mini Grand Prix Championships, won 2 Mad Dog Flat Track Championships at Colin Edwards’ Texas Tornado Boot Camp; won a CMRA Formula 2 Novice race; 2019 season, won 45 Texas Mini Grand Prix races, won 11 American Super Mini GP races, won 7 CMRA races, won 8 Mad Dog Flat Track races.
2023 racing goals: Win RFME ESBK PreMoto3 races, finish in the top 3 in the Championship.
Racing career goal: Win the MotoGP World Championship.
Racing heroes: Kevin Schwantz, Colin Edwards, Ben Spies.
Favorite track: Circuit of The Americas.
Favorite hobby: Classic cars.
If I wasn’t racing I would be…: A cowboy.
Some of the riders who have graduated from Roadracing World Young Guns and gone on to racing success in National or International series include:
2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion Jason Aguilar (R.I.P.);
2013 AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and 2022 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Corey Alexander;
AMA Pro Daytona SportBike race winner Tommy Aquino (R.I.P.);
2008 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and AFT SuperTwins race winner J.D. Beach;
MotoAmerica Twins Cup race winner Jackson Blackmon;
former Canadian Sport Bike Champion Tomas Casas;
three-time Canadian Sport Bike Champion and 2014 Canadian Superbike Champion Jodi Christie;
former AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 race winner Josh Day;
2011 Daytona 200 winner Jason DiSalvo;
2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Championship runner-up and current MotoAmerica team owner Dustin Dominguez;
2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2019 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, and 2021 Canadian Superbike Champion Alex Dumas;
four-time Pikes Peak International Hill Climb race winner and former motorcycle track record holder Carlin Dunne (R.I.P.);
Canadian Superbike race winner Bodhi Edie;
two-time AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, two-time AMA Pro XR1200/Harley-Davidson Champion and four-time Daytona 200 winner Danny Eslick;
2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Bobby Fong;
2010 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, 2015 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North America Superstock 1000 Champion, and two-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne;
two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and World Superbike podium finisher Garrett Gerloff;
2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Championship runner-up Michael Gilbert;
2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Champion, 2018 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up, and 2022 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Championship runner-up Hayden Gillim;
2002 AMA Superbike Champion and 2006 FIM MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden (R.I.P.);
2007 AMA Pro 600cc Supersport Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up, and 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship runner-up Roger Hayden;
eight-time AMA Pro Superbike race winner and two-time AMA Supersport Champion Tommy Hayden;
2013 AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and two-time Daytona 200 winner Josh Herrin;
MotoAmerica Supersport front-runner Teagg Hobbs;
AMA Pro Superstock race winner Jake Holden;
2011 British Superbike Championship runner-up and former MotoGP and World Superbike regular John Hopkins;
2015 Supersport World Championship runner-up, 2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Superbike podium finisher Patrick “P.J.” Jacobsen;
2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and current Moto2 World Championship competitor Sean Dylan Kelly;
Canadian Superbike race winner Kevin Lacombe;
two-time MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Andrew Lee;
2021 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 and Superbike Cup Champion Jake Lewis;
MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Sam Lochoff;
MotoAmerica Superstock 600 race winner Nick McFadden;
AMA Pro SuperSport race winner and MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Stefano Mesa;
Elena Myers, the first and only woman to win AMA Pro Supersport races;
AMA Pro XR1200 race winner, multi-time Loudon Classic winner, and two-time BRL Champion Shane Narbonne;
2012 Canadian Superbike Championship runner-up Andrew Nelson;
2016 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Champion, 2019 British Motostar (Moto3) Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and two-time Daytona 200 winner Brandon Paasch;
2012 Daytona 200 winner and 2010 AMA Pro Supersport West Champion Joey Pascarella;
2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and current powersports dealership owner Bryce Prince;
AMA Pro and Canadian National race winner and multi-time N2/WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Peris;
two-time AMA Pro SuperSport National Champion, British Supersport podium finisher, 2020 AFT Production Twins Champion, and MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers race winner James Rispoli;
2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport race winner, and Moto2 World Championship race winner Joe Roberts;
former Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Champion and former FIM Moto2 European Championship competitor Benny Solis, Jr.;
three-time AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2009 Superbike World Champion, MotoGP race winner, and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Ben Spies;
multi-time AMA Pro race winner and four-time overall WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Ulrich;
MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher and former World Superbike competitor Jayson Uribe;
2017 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Championship runner-up, 2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher Cory Ventura;
Canadian Superbike race winner Alex Welsh;
former AMA Pro Superbike Rookie of the Year, Chinese Superbike Championship race winner and MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher Cory West;
MotoAmerica Junior Cup and Superbike Cup race winner Ashton Yates;
and two-time AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up Blake Young.
Stefano Mesa (137) at speed on the MP13 Racing Yamaha YZF-R7 Twins Cup racebike at Daytona International Speedway. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy MP13 Racing.
Stefano Mesa will once again ride in place of injured Kayla Yaakov in MotoAmerica REV’IT! Twins Cup this coming weekend at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.
Yaakov, the first female to ever win a MotoAmerica race, was testing her Yamaha at Roebling Road Raceway on March 7, ahead of the Twins Cup season-opener at Daytona International Speedway, when she crashed and was struck by her motorcycle.
In addition to soft tissue damage to her right leg and knee, Yaakov suffered a fracture in her right fibula that is keeping her sidelined.
“It was a more aggressive fracture, and that’s the thing holding me back right now,” Yaakov told RoadracingWorld.com. “We just have some issues with my knee and my fibula, and right now the biggest thing is making sure my fibula is healed. My knee is doing really good. I have more and more strength each week…each day, even. We’ll be ready to go for Barber [May 19-21].”
Kayla Yaakov announced on social media that she will miss Road Atlanta. Photo courtesy Kayla Yaakov.
Journeyman racer Mesa, who filled in for Yaakov at Daytona and won Twins Cup Race Two there, will replace the injured 15-year-old again in Georgia, according to MP13 Racing Yamaha owner Melissa Paris.
This means that Mesa will pull double duty again, competing on the MP13 Racing Yamaha in Twins Cup and his Tytlers Cycle Racing Kawasaki in Supersport.
Mesa raced in Twins Cup and Super Hooligan at Daytona.
Yaakov said she will still attend the MotoAmerica event at Road Atlanta and will spend her time supporting her team as well as working on the MotoAmerica broadcasts during some of the races.
A “press release” is promotional text issued by a rider, team, company or organization to inform
the public about an event, product, or service from the issuer’s own point of view, and if deemed
to have news value, may be placed on roadracingworld.com as a service to our readers.
A press release is not an article written by Roadracingworld.com staffers. When a post is labeled with the words “press release”, it means that Roadracingworld.com is not responsible for its content and that Roadracingworld.com makes no guarantee that it is accurate. Not all press releases are posted and Roadracingworld.com may reject press releases if the content is too heavy on commercial promotion with little or no news value or if the press release contains obvious errors.
Accessibility
Accessibility modes
Epilepsy Safe Mode
Dampens color and removes blinks
This mode enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
Visually Impaired Mode
Improves website's visuals
This mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
Cognitive Disability Mode
Helps to focus on specific content
This mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
ADHD Friendly Mode
Reduces distractions and improve focus
This mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
Blindness Mode
Allows using the site with your screen-reader
This mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
Online Dictionary
Readable Experience
Content Scaling
Default
Text Magnifier
Readable Font
Dyslexia Friendly
Highlight Titles
Highlight Links
Font Sizing
Default
Line Height
Default
Letter Spacing
Default
Left Aligned
Center Aligned
Right Aligned
Visually Pleasing Experience
Dark Contrast
Light Contrast
Monochrome
High Contrast
High Saturation
Low Saturation
Adjust Text Colors
Adjust Title Colors
Adjust Background Colors
Easy Orientation
Mute Sounds
Hide Images
Hide Emoji
Reading Guide
Stop Animations
Reading Mask
Highlight Hover
Highlight Focus
Big Dark Cursor
Big Light Cursor
Cognitive Reading
Virtual Keyboard
Navigation Keys
Voice Navigation
Accessibility Statement
www.roadracingworld.com
November 11, 2026
Compliance status
We firmly believe that the internet should be available and accessible to anyone, and are committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience,
regardless of circumstance and ability.
To fulfill this, we aim to adhere as strictly as possible to the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG 2.1) at the AA level.
These guidelines explain how to make web content accessible to people with a wide array of disabilities. Complying with those guidelines helps us ensure that the website is accessible
to all people: blind people, people with motor impairments, visual impairment, cognitive disabilities, and more.
This website utilizes various technologies that are meant to make it as accessible as possible at all times. We utilize an accessibility interface that allows persons with specific
disabilities to adjust the website’s UI (user interface) and design it to their personal needs.
Additionally, the website utilizes an AI-based application that runs in the background and optimizes its accessibility level constantly. This application remediates the website’s HTML,
adapts Its functionality and behavior for screen-readers used by the blind users, and for keyboard functions used by individuals with motor impairments.
If you’ve found a malfunction or have ideas for improvement, we’ll be happy to hear from you. You can reach out to the website’s operators by using the following email
Screen-reader and keyboard navigation
Our website implements the ARIA attributes (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) technique, alongside various different behavioral changes, to ensure blind users visiting with
screen-readers are able to read, comprehend, and enjoy the website’s functions. As soon as a user with a screen-reader enters your site, they immediately receive
a prompt to enter the Screen-Reader Profile so they can browse and operate your site effectively. Here’s how our website covers some of the most important screen-reader requirements,
alongside console screenshots of code examples:
Screen-reader optimization: we run a background process that learns the website’s components from top to bottom, to ensure ongoing compliance even when updating the website.
In this process, we provide screen-readers with meaningful data using the ARIA set of attributes. For example, we provide accurate form labels;
descriptions for actionable icons (social media icons, search icons, cart icons, etc.); validation guidance for form inputs; element roles such as buttons, menus, modal dialogues (popups),
and others. Additionally, the background process scans all the website’s images and provides an accurate and meaningful image-object-recognition-based description as an ALT (alternate text) tag
for images that are not described. It will also extract texts that are embedded within the image, using an OCR (optical character recognition) technology.
To turn on screen-reader adjustments at any time, users need only to press the Alt+1 keyboard combination. Screen-reader users also get automatic announcements to turn the Screen-reader mode on
as soon as they enter the website.
These adjustments are compatible with all popular screen readers, including JAWS and NVDA.
Keyboard navigation optimization: The background process also adjusts the website’s HTML, and adds various behaviors using JavaScript code to make the website operable by the keyboard. This includes the ability to navigate the website using the Tab and Shift+Tab keys, operate dropdowns with the arrow keys, close them with Esc, trigger buttons and links using the Enter key, navigate between radio and checkbox elements using the arrow keys, and fill them in with the Spacebar or Enter key.Additionally, keyboard users will find quick-navigation and content-skip menus, available at any time by clicking Alt+1, or as the first elements of the site while navigating with the keyboard. The background process also handles triggered popups by moving the keyboard focus towards them as soon as they appear, and not allow the focus drift outside it.
Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Disability profiles supported in our website
Epilepsy Safe Mode: this profile enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
Visually Impaired Mode: this mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
Cognitive Disability Mode: this mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
ADHD Friendly Mode: this mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
Blindness Mode: this mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
Keyboard Navigation Profile (Motor-Impaired): this profile enables motor-impaired persons to operate the website using the keyboard Tab, Shift+Tab, and the Enter keys. Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Additional UI, design, and readability adjustments
Font adjustments – users, can increase and decrease its size, change its family (type), adjust the spacing, alignment, line height, and more.
Color adjustments – users can select various color contrast profiles such as light, dark, inverted, and monochrome. Additionally, users can swap color schemes of titles, texts, and backgrounds, with over seven different coloring options.
Animations – person with epilepsy can stop all running animations with the click of a button. Animations controlled by the interface include videos, GIFs, and CSS flashing transitions.
Content highlighting – users can choose to emphasize important elements such as links and titles. They can also choose to highlight focused or hovered elements only.
Audio muting – users with hearing devices may experience headaches or other issues due to automatic audio playing. This option lets users mute the entire website instantly.
Cognitive disorders – we utilize a search engine that is linked to Wikipedia and Wiktionary, allowing people with cognitive disorders to decipher meanings of phrases, initials, slang, and others.
Additional functions – we provide users the option to change cursor color and size, use a printing mode, enable a virtual keyboard, and many other functions.
Browser and assistive technology compatibility
We aim to support the widest array of browsers and assistive technologies as possible, so our users can choose the best fitting tools for them, with as few limitations as possible. Therefore, we have worked very hard to be able to support all major systems that comprise over 95% of the user market share including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera and Microsoft Edge, JAWS and NVDA (screen readers).
Notes, comments, and feedback
Despite our very best efforts to allow anybody to adjust the website to their needs. There may still be pages or sections that are not fully accessible, are in the process of becoming accessible, or are lacking an adequate technological solution to make them accessible. Still, we are continually improving our accessibility, adding, updating and improving its options and features, and developing and adopting new technologies. All this is meant to reach the optimal level of accessibility, following technological advancements. For any assistance, please reach out to
