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Roadracing World Young Guns 2023: Alexander Enriquez

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.

The entire Roadracing World Young Guns, Class of 2023 is featured in the April 2023 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine.

 

Alexander Enriquez on the North America Talent Cup podium at COTA in 2022. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Alexander Enriquez on the North America Talent Cup podium at COTA in 2022. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

 

Alexander Enriquez

Age: 15.

Current home:  Daly City, California.

Current height/weight: 5’4”/105 pounds.

Current school grade level: 9th grade.

Began riding at age: 4 years.

First road race: 2012, Atwater, California, Mini Moto USA, MiniMoto Beginner, 3rd place.

Current racebikes:  Honda, NSF250R, Kawasaki, Ninja 400, Aprilia RS250 SP2, Ohvale GP-0 160cc and 190cc.

Current tuners/mechanics: NorCal Cycles, Edmund Enriquez (father), Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup.

Primary race series: Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup.

Top sponsors: Red Bull, KTM, Alpinestars, Ipone, HJC, Dunlop, KYT Helmets, California Mini Grand Prix, Dainese, Cycle Gear, Catalyst Reaction Suspension Tuning, Galfer USA, NorCal Cycles, Woodcraft Technologies, Motion Pro, Global Racing Oils.

Recent racing accomplishments: 2022 season, selected to join 2023 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, placed 3rd in North America Talent Cup Championship (2 wins, 5 total podiums), placed 23rd in MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship (2 top-10 finishes in 4 starts), placed 3rd in AFM Formula III Championship; 2021 Season, won MotoAmerica Mini Cup 190 Race Two at Pittsburgh International Race Complex, won AFM Formula III Championship, placed 2nd in AFM Formula Singles, finished 2nd in WERA West Clubman Expert Championship, took 3rd in WERA West D Superbike Expert Championship, won GP1 and GP2 Supermoto USA Asphalt Mini Championships.

2023 racing goals: Learn tracks, improve, keep my spot in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup for 2024.

Racing career goal: Become a professional motorcycle racer.

Racing hero: Valentino Rossi

Favorite track: Laguna Seca.

Favorite hobby: Skateboarding.

If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Skating or playing basketball with friends.

 

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;

five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier;

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.

Razgatlioglu To Test Yamaha MotoGP Bike At Jerez

Toprak Razgatlıoğlu to Test Yamaha YZR-M1 at Jerez MotoGP Test

2021 Superbike World Champion, Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, will have a new opportunity to test the Yamaha YZR-M1 MotoGP machine during a planned development test at the Jerez circuit in Andalucía, Spain.

Razgatlıoğlu will join Yamaha’s MotoGP Test Rider, Cal Crutchlow, for two days of testing on Monday 10th and Tuesday 11th April in Jerez.

It will be the Turkish star’s second test aboard the YZR-M1, after his first outing at Motorland Aragon in June last year was cut short by inclement weather.

The characteristics of the 4.428 km Jerez circuit are well suited to Razgatlıoğlu’s riding style and the test should provide an ideal opportunity for him to accrue plenty of track time and adapt himself to the YZR-M1.

 

Lin Jarvis – Managing Director Yamaha Motor Racing Srl

“Firstly, let me say it is our pleasure to be able to give Toprak another opportunity to ride the YZR-M1. I was unable to be present at his previous test but this time I will be in Jerez to follow the testing and I will depart straight from there to attend the Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin next weekend. Toprak is an extraordinarily talented motorcycle racer, and I am very curious to see his speed on our Factory MotoGP machine. He will have the chance to ride alongside Cal who will be there for the ongoing development testing of our 2023 YZR-M1.”

Andrea Dosoli – Road Racing Manager Yamaha Motor Europe N.V.

“I would like to thank both Yamaha Motor Company and Yamaha Motor Racing for giving Toprak the opportunity to test the YZR-M1 once again. As the reigning Superbike World Champion, Toprak’s test aboard the Yamaha YZR-M1 last year was highly anticipated by many in both the MotoGP and WorldSBK paddocks. Unfortunately, it was difficult for him to fully familiarise with the YZR-M1 at the Aragon test due to the disruption caused by the weather. This time around at Jerez, a track at which Toprak has traditionally been very strong, it looks like we’re going to enjoy almost perfect testing conditions. Toprak’s focus at this test will, once again, be on getting a feel for the characteristics of the YZR-M1 and the Michelin tyres, whereas we are very interested to see how quickly a WorldSBK rider of his calibre can adapt to the unique demands of riding a MotoGP bike.”

Toprak Razgatlıoğlu

“I am looking forward to testing the YZR-M1 MotoGP bike at Jerez, a track I like a lot. The last test in Aragon was limited by the weather, but in Jerez it looks like we’ll have better conditions and more track time. It will give me the chance to understand better the demands of racing a Factory MotoGP bike. Thanks to Yamaha for giving me this opportunity.”

AMA Supercross: Race Report And Results From Glendale, Arizona

Eli Tomac Takes Glendale Supercross Win and Championship Points Lead

Jett Lawrence Wins His First 250SX Class Triple Crown Overall

Glendale, Ariz., (April 9, 2023) Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac took the win at Round 12 of the 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season and with it broke clear of the championship points tie. Tomac is now the sole holder of the red plate. Tomac earned the victory with 1, 2, 1 race scores in the third Triple Crown-format event of the season.

 

Eli Tomac (1) took the win in Glendale and pulled seven points clear in the points lead with five races remaining in the Supercross season. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Eli Tomac (1) took the win in Glendale and pulled seven points clear in the points lead with five races remaining in the Supercross season. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

 

Team Honda HRC’s Chase Sexton earned second place points inside State Farm Stadium in Glendale Arizona with 4, 1, 3 race scores and with it earned the 2023 Triple Crown Championship – a secondary championship held within the Supercross season. Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Justin Barcia finished third at the event that pays points not only into the Triple Crown and the 17-round Supercross season, but also toward the inaugural 31-round SuperMotocross World Championship. In Round 6 of the Western Regional 250SX Class, Team Honda HRC’s Jett Lawrence earned his first Triple Crown win and extended his points lead in that regional series.

In race one of the 450SX Class Eli Tomac grabbed the Holeshot with Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jason Anderson, Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki’s Ken Roczen, Team Honda HRC’s Colt Nichols, and Red Bull KTM’s Cooper Webb right behind. Webb moved up into second place before the first lap was completed. Roczen quickly took over third place but Justin Barcia was the rider on the move early in the race. Two and a half minutes into the 12-minute plus one lap race, Barcia took over third while Webb worked to close the 1.3 second gap to Tomac. After a bad start, Chase Sexton passed Anderson to take over fifth spot with just under seven minutes left on the race clock. The tension grew as Webb inched closer to Tomac on the high-speed Arizona track. Sexton pulled up to Roczen’s rear fender at the white flag then made the pass for fourth in final corner. The race ended with Tomac, Webb, and Barcia on the podium.

Chase Sexton jumped into the lead off the start of Race 2. He was followed by Tomac, Roczen, Anderson, Red Bull KTM’s Aaron Plessinger, Webb, and Barcia. Sexton looked to have the field covered but stalled the engine in the early laps. Tomac grabbed the lead position but only held it down one rhythm lane; Sexton blitzed back past in the whoops and began steadily inching away. With just under four minutes left Webb bumped past Anderson for fourth. Anderson charged back, took Webb high in the next bowl turn, and got back the spot. The move clipped Webb’s momentum and Barcia also got around Webb. Sexton was clear of the group but spots two through five tightened again on the final lap. Webb took fifth from Barcia. Then, late in the lap, Anderson made a big move in the whoops in an attempt to take third from Roczen, but Roczen battled back into the final corner and held the spot. Sexton got the race win ahead of Tomac, and Roczen. Going into the final race Tomac held three points, Sexton had five, Webb carried seven, Roczen sat with eight, Barcia had nine, and Anderson had ten.

Colt Nichols was the first racer across the Holeshot stripe in Race 3. Tomac blitzed into the lead on the first pass through the whoops with Barcia following along to secure second place. Sexton was ninth at the Holeshot stripe but moved up to fourth in the first minute of racing. In another lap Sexton reached third. As the race neared the halfway point Jason Anderson, running fourth, had a big crash in the whoops. Webb took over the spot with Roczen right behind. Barcia made a push for the lead but never got within true striking distance of Tomac. Sexton held steady in third. In the final laps Roczen applied heavy pressure on Webb for fourth and what would mean fourth place between the two riders in the overall. Tomac grabbed the race win and his 51st career 450SX Class win. Barcia took second in the race for a third place overall on the night. Sexton’s third in the race gave him the runner-up spot overall in Glendale. The finish also earned Sexton the 2023 three-race Triple Crown Championship. Webb held strong in fourth to earn that same position in the night’s overall.

The victory broke Tomac from his tie with James Stewart for most career Supercross overall wins. Tomac now solely holds the spot for second-most career wins with 51; he sits 21 behind Jeremy McGrath with 72. The overall results earned Tomac seven points over Webb in the 2023 title chase. And Tomac’s win delivered two more designations. Tomac extended his Triple Crown career-most win record with seven overall wins. He is also now the winningest rider in Phoenix-area Supercross races with a total of five, breaking the previous tie with both James Stewart and Ricky Carmichael.

Jett Lawrence captured a win that had eluded him: a 250SX Class Triple Crown overall victory. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Jett Lawrence captured a win that had eluded him: a 250SX Class Triple Crown overall victory. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

 

Race 1 for the Western Regional 250SX Class started with two passes in the opening laps as Jett Lawrence and Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Levi Kitchen traded the lead with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s RJ Hampshire right behind. A red flag stopped the race for a full-reset. The racers lined up again and the race clock went back to its full 10-minutes. Kitchen grabbed the holeshot with Lawrence right behind and Hampshire in third. Lawrence waited nearly until the race’s midpoint before he made his move for the lead exiting the whoops. The lead change spurred Hampshire, who immediately attacked Kitchen. Hampshire took over the second place spot as the race clock ticked to five minutes remaining. Lawrence never let Hampshire shave off much of his 2.4 second lead and the top three held their positions to the checkered flag.

Levi Kitchen holeshot Race 2 of the 250SX Class with RJ Hampshire, Jett Lawrence, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Carson Mumford, and Red Bull KTM’s Max Vohland on his tail. Hampshire took over the lead and Vohland moved into second. Kitchen reclaimed second place and Lawrence was settled into fourth before one minute had expired off the race clock. Lawrence was soon around Vohland for third while Hampshire put down fast laps out front. The white flag came out and Lawrence put in a sprint to catch Kitchen; he made it close but didn’t better his spot. Hampshire took the win ahead of Kitchen and Lawrence, setting the three riders up with 3 points for Hampshire, 4 points for Lawrence, and 5 points for Kitchen.

Levi Kitchen was three-for-three on starts with the Holeshot in Race 3. Lawrence, Partzilla PRMX Racing’s Hunter Yoder, AJE Motorsport GASGAS’s Mitchell Harrison and Hampshire were right behind. In less than a lap Hampshire was up to third. Early in the race Hampshire pushed too hard in the whoops; what normally would have been a crash turned into a miraculous save. Just a few seconds later, further up the track, Lawrence took over the lead from Kitchen. From there Lawrence rode smoothly and maintained a comfortable gap. With Lawrence moving up to the 450SX Class next season it was his final opportunity to win a 250SX Class Triple Crown overall. The win also extended his points lead to 26 with only three races remaining in the Western Regional 250SX Class.

The racers line up again at Atlanta Motor Speedway on April 15th for a daytime race, then battle each Saturday after that for the following four consecutive weekends. The five remaining Monster Energy Supercross rounds will take place inside open-air stadiums and raceways, adding weather as an additional variable in one of the tightest Supercross title battle in the sport’s history.

Each round also pays points toward the brand-new SuperMotocross World Championship, which combines 17 Monster Energy AMA Supercross rounds, 11 AMA Pro Motocross rounds, two SMX Playoff events and one SMX World Championship Final scheduled for September 23rd at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The 450cc Class SuperMotocross World Champion will earn a cool $1,000,0000 championship win bonus, and the 250cc champion will claim a $500,000 title win bonus.

All 31-rounds are streamed live on PeacockTV with select rounds also broadcast on NBC, USA Network, and CNBC. International coverage is available at SuperMotocrossTV. For results, highlight videos, power rankings, and ticket sales please go to SupercrossLIVE.com.

450SX Class podium (racers from left) Justin Barcia, Eli Tomac, and Chase Sexton. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
450SX Class podium (racers from left) Justin Barcia, Eli Tomac, and Chase Sexton. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

 

450SX Class Results

1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha (1-2-1)

2. Chase Sexton, La Moille, Ill. Honda (4-1-3)

3. Justin Barcia, Monroe, NY, GASGAS (3-6-2)

4. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM (2-5-4)

5. Ken Roczen, Mattstedt, Ger., Suzuki (5-3-5)

6. Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Kawasaki (7-7-7)

7. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM (9-9-6)

8. Colt Nichols, Muskogee, Oak., Honda (8-8-8)

9. Dean Wilson, Glasgow, Scotland, Honda (10-10-9)

10. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki (6-4-21)

 

450SX Class Championship Standings

1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha (274)

2. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM (267)

3. Chase Sexton, La Moille, Ill., Honda (249)

4. Ken Roczen, Mattstedt, Ger., Suzuki (217)

5. Justin Barcia, Monroe, NY, GASGAS (216)

6. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki (212)

7. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM (196)

8. Christian Craig, Clermont, Fla., Husqvarna (150)

9. Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Kawasaki (139)

10. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., KTM (127)

250SX Class podium (racers from left) RJ Hampshire, Jett Lawrence, and Levi Kitchen. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
250SX Class podium (racers from left) RJ Hampshire, Jett Lawrence, and Levi Kitchen. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

 

Western Regional 250SX Class Results

1. Jett Lawrence, Landsborough, Australia., Honda (1-3-1)

2. RJ Hampshire, Minneola, Fla., Husqvarna (2-1-3)

3. Levi Kitchen, Washougal, Wash., Yamaha (3-2-2)

4. Pierce Brown, Sandy, Utah, GASGAS (4-4-5)

5. Enzo Lopes, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, Yamaha (7-5-4)

6. Derek Kelley, Riverside, Calif., KTM (5-8-7)

7. Mitchell Oldenburg, Godley, Tex., Honda (6-7-12)

8. Max Vohland, Granite Bay, Calif., KTM (18-6-6)

9. Robbie Wageman, Newhall, Calif., Suzuki (9-15-8)

10. Carson Mumford, Simi Valley, Calif., Kawasaki (13-9-10)

 

Western Regional 250SX Class Championship Standings

1. Jett Lawrence, Landsborough, Australia, Honda (153)

2. RJ Hampshire, Minneola, Fla., Husqvarna (127)

3. Levi Kitchen, Washougal, Wash., Yamaha (101)

4. Cameron McAdoo, Sioux City, Iowa, Kawasaki (101)

5. Enzo Lopes, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, Yamaha (100)

6. Mitchell Oldenburg, Godley, Tex., Honda (99)

7. Pierce Brown, Sandy, Utah, GASGAS (86)

8. Max Vohland, Granite Bay, Calif., KTM (85)

9. Cole Thompson, Brigden, Ont., Yamaha (71)

10. Derek Kelley, Riverside, Calif., KTM (70)

British Superbike: Race Two & Race Three Results From Silverstone (Updated)

Josh Brookes, riding his FHO Racing BMW M 1000 RR, won Bennetts British Superbike (BSB) Race Two Sunday morning at Silverstone Circuit, in England.

Then Glenn Irwin, riding his BeerMonster Ducati Panigale V4 R, took the victory in Race Two.

After round one and three races, Brookes holds the 2023 Bennetts British Superbike Championship point lead.

Americans Julian Correa and Eli Banish finished 8th and 23rd, respectively, in British Talent Cup Race Two Sunday at Silverstone.

 

BSB R2
BSB R3
BSB Points after R3

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision Racing:

2023 Bennetts British Superbike kicks off with three different race winners at Silverstone

The 2023 Bennetts British Superbike Championship kicked off at Silverstone this weekend with an exhilarating start to the season as three different race winners, representing three different teams and manufacturers celebrated a race victory.

Reigning Champions LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha had the edge in yesterday’s Bennetts BikeSocial Sprint race with Kyle Ryde, but today they narrowly missed out on the podium in race two with a fourth place and ended the weekend with seventh in race three.

The second race of the weekend marked the triumphant return of Josh Brookes to winning ways as the double Champion claimed his first victory in two seasons, delivering a determined ride on his first race weekend with the FHO Racing BMW Motorrad Team.

Brookes held off the BeerMonster Ducati teammates led by Tommy Bridewell by just 0.094s when the race was red flagged with three laps remaining when Danny Buchan crashed out, claiming his 55th win in the Championship as Glenn Irwin completed the podium after fighting his way through the pack.

O’Halloran held onto fifth after holding off Leon Haslam with reigning Quattro Group British Supersport Champion Jack Kennedy in seventh place. Danny Kent had another solid performance in eighth place ahead of Andrew Irwin and Lee Jackson, who fought his way through to tenth after starting 16th on the grid.

Glenn Irwin then became the third different race winner of the opening round in a hard fought final race of the weekend as he held off tough opposition to end the weekend on top for PBM on the BeerMonster Ducati.

Jason O’Halloran, Brookes and Kent had all been at the front of the pack before Irwin captured the advantage on lap 18. He was defending hard from Brookes who had regained second place with three laps to go, whilst Bridewell had also moved up the order and fought his way into third.

O’Halloran meanwhile regained fourth place on the final lap, as he got ahead of Kent with Haslam again in the leading battle to finish race three in sixth place.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Silverstone, Race 2 result:

  1. Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad)
  2. Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati) +0.094s
  3. Glenn Irwin (BeerMonster Ducati) +0.603s
  4. Kyle Ryde (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) +0.669s
  5. Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +1.004s
  6. Leon Haslam (ROKiT BMW Motorrad) +1.709s
  7. Jack Kennedy (Mar-Train Yamaha) +2.436s
  8. Danny Kent (Lovell Kent Racing Honda) +5.587s
  9. Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing UK) +5.731s
  10. Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki) +6.714s

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Silverstone, Race 3 result:

  1. Glenn Irwin (BeerMonster Ducati)
  2. Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) +0.120s
  3. Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati) +0.412s
  4. Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +1.179s
  5. Danny Kent (Lovell Kent Racing Honda) +1.297s
  6. Leon Haslam (ROKiT BMW Motorrad) +2.037s
  7. Kyle Ryde (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) +3.443s
  8. Jack Kennedy (Mar-Train Yamaha) +3.713s
  9. Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki) +4.046s
  10. Ryan Vickers (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) 4.137s

Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings after Silverstone:

  1. Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) 48
  2. Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati) 46
  3. Glenn Irwin (BeerMonster Ducati) 43
  4. Kyle Ryde (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) 39
  5. Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 35
  6. Leon Haslam (ROKiT BMW Motorrad) 30
  7. Danny Kent (Lovell Kent Racing Honda) 26
  8. Jack Kennedy (Mar-Train Yamaha) 26
  9. Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing UK) 15
  10. Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki) 15

For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com

Josh Brookes – Race 2 winner

FHO Racing BMW Motorrad

“It’s perfect, to lead the championship after the first round is ideal. You know, we are always optimistic we are going to have a good bike, good package, but to get into the opening round and have three podiums is ideal. We are in a perfect place to build for the rounds to come.

“I think as a racer and as a competitor you always have this idea that everything will go smoothly and you’ll win everything. I think it’s natural for competitors to have that mindset, so I always believed that if things were good we could do this and better, but you also have this realistic mind that it’s a difficult series, lots of good riders and it’s always hard fought racing and you can never be sure you are gonna get good results like this, so definitely pleased to take these positions.

“I have spent a lot of time thinking about the moment when I would win again; when I was winning regularly you would think it would just come. The last two years have been hard, people start to doubt you and I don’t blame them for that.  It feels good to win for myself, the team, and it is a feeling of success.”

Glenn Irwin – Race 3 winner

BeerMonster Ducati

“It didn’t go to plan at the beginning! The first race start today was terrible, again I did something not so good with the clutch. My plan was if you’re in the front two or three, take it easy through the last corner as it’s very hard on tyres and if one or two get by you are still in the top four. That wasn’t the case, and I ended up back again and I tried to conserve my tyre and had to try and pass Leon Haslam.

“Danny Kent was doing a really good job; I could see where he was weak as I had spent three years on the Honda and that was probably an advantage. I just did a bit of a dive, then he came back through, once he did I repassed him and it was then I decided to try and drop the hammer a bit more.

“It it was just really good set up by the boys in the team and they worked very hard last night. I didn’t sleep thinking how we could improve last night! The bike was fantastic, we could still be strong in some areas but I struggled a lot in the last corner and turn one but I never gave up.

“I said this morning I wanted to play like an Oscar winning role today and not a support role and I knew after warm up that we could do that. Today’s first race I think was really good because we came 13th to third and it was tough, but I really enjoyed it and to go on then and go on and grab the Bafta at the end of the day was just fantastic!”

Roadracing World Young Guns 2023: Avery Dreher

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.

The entire Roadracing World Young Guns, Class of 2023 is featured in the April 2023 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine.

 

Avery Dreher. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Avery Dreher. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

 

Avery Dreher

Age: 16.

Current home: Rockledge, Florida.

Current height/weight: 5’11”/138 pounds.

Current school grade level: 11th grade.

Began riding at age: 10.

First road race: 2018, Jupiter, Florida, SFLminiGP, Spec 50, 3rd place.

Current racebikes: Kawasaki Ninja 400, KTM 450 SMR, Yamaha YZF-R6.

Current tuners/mechanics: Aaron Dreher (father), John Ludwig, Dale Quarterley.

Primary race series: MotoAmerica Junior Cup.

Top sponsors: Bad Boys Racing, Envy Racing Apparel, Brevard Superbike, South Florida Thermosman, Monkey Works Cycle.

Recent racing accomplishments: 2022 season, placed 7th in MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship (1 podium finish, 11 top-10 finishes); 2021 season, placed 17th (best finish race was 7th, 4 top-10 finishes), multiple FMRRA race wins; 2020 season, won CCS Moto3 National Championship, won 3 FMRRA Championships.

2023 racing goals: Finish in top five of MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship, fight for the win in every race.

Racing career goal: Progress to bigger machines and go as far as I can in racing.

Racing hero: Aaron Dreher (father).

Favorite track: Pittsburgh International Race Complex.

Favorite hobby: Fishing.

If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Riding my supermotard at my local track.

 

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;

five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier;

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.

British Superbike: Race One Results From Silverstone (Updated)

Editorial Note: Americans Julian Correa and Eli Banish finished eighth and 27th, respectively, in British Talent Cup Race One Saturday at Silverstone.

 

BSB Race One

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision Racing:

Ryde overcomes the opposition in frantic Bennetts BSB season opener at Silverstone

 

Tommy Bridewell (46) leads Kyle Ryde (77), Jason O'Halloran (22), Glenn Irwin (2) and the rest during Race One at Silverstone. Photo courtesy MSVR.
Tommy Bridewell (46) leads Kyle Ryde (77), Jason O’Halloran (22), Glenn Irwin (2), and the rest during Race One at Silverstone. Photo courtesy MSVR.

 

Kyle Ryde triumphed in the opening Bennetts British Superbike Championship race of the season at Silverstone, claiming a hard-fought victory in the Bennetts BikeSocial Sprint Race for the LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha team.

Ryde had initially launched to the front of the pack on the opening lap from his front row grid position, but Tommy Bridewell stormed into the lead as the pack reached Brooklands for the first time, with Josh Brookes, Jason O’Halloran and Glenn Irwin the leading contenders.

Bridewell was then pushing to hold onto the lead, but Ryde reclaimed the position two laps later with a move at Copse, but his BeerMonster Ducati rival fired back ahead on the same lap.

O’Halloran was on the move too and he had pushed up the order into second by the fourth lap behind Bridewell as Ryde was relegated to third in the early stages.

By lap six, O’Halloran had gained control of the lead as the McAMS Yamaha rider moved ahead of Bridewell, Ryde, Brookes and Glenn Irwin with reigning Quattro Group British Supersport Champion Jack Kennedy also joining the battle for the leading positions.

O’Halloran was leading the pack, but Brookes and Bridewell were dicing with Ryde for second place, before the LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha rider moved back to the front of the group with a move on the Australian.

Ryde maintained the lead in the final dash to the chequered flag despite pressure from Bridewell in the closing stages to take the first victory of the season, but the battle for the podium wasn’t complete and Brookes snatched third place with a last lap move on O’Halloran.

Glenn Irwin completed the top five as he held off Leon Haslam on the ROKiT BMW Motorrad and Kennedy, who equalled his best result on his move back into Bennetts BSB with Mar-Train Yamaha.

Andrew Irwin was able to progress into eighth over the final laps for Honda Racing UK ahead of Danny Kent on the Lovell Kent Racing Honda and Danny Buchan completed the top ten for SYNETIQ BMW.

The battle for the rookies was led by Charlie Nesbitt in twelfth, with Tim Neave in 16th and Bradley Perie in 19th. Reigning Pirelli National Junior Superstock Champion Max Cook was 20th ahead of Davey Todd with Jack Scott in 23rd.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Silverstone, Bennetts BikeSocial Sprint Race:

  1. Kyle Ryde (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha)
  2. Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati) +0.436s
  3. Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) +1.664s
  4. Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +1.867s
  5. Glenn Irwin (BeerMonster Ducati) +2.541s
  6. Leon Haslam (ROKiT BMW Motorrad Team) +2.764s
  7. Jack Kennedy (Mar-Train Yamaha) +3.224s
  8. Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing UK) +8.919s
  9. Danny Kent (Lovell Kent Racing Honda) +9.187s
  10. Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) +9.307s

Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings after Silverstone, Bennetts BikeSocial Sprint Race:

  1. Kyle Ryde (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) 18
  2. Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati) 16
  3. Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) 14
  4. Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 12
  5. Glenn Irwin (BeerMonster Ducati) 11
  6. Leon Haslam (ROKiT BMW Motorrad Team) 10
  7. Jack Kennedy (Mar-Train Yamaha) 9
  8. Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing UK) 8
  9. Danny Kent (Lovell Kent Racing Honda Racing UK) 7
  10. Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) 6

For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com

Kyle Ryde

LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha

“That was a great race! It was definitely the hardest, but most enjoyable races I’ve had since I started in BSB.

“I was pushing because I just wanted to get to the front because I knew I had a little bit more pace than what the lap time was saying.

“It was very clean and good fun to ride – there was a lot of moves in turn one from me, I must’ve made about 15 moves but none of them stuck! I had to work, so for me it’s been a great weekend so far.

“We’ve had a great pace all weekend and been strong, the only thing that went wrong was to have a silly little crash in qualifying and that did hinder me a bit for the race. It took me ages to get going again to know where the braking marker was and Josh and Tommy kept passing me.

“I’m really happy to get the win; I think over the winter and everything we’ve done so far, I feel like we deserve it, so I’m very proud of myself.”

British Superbike: Bridewell Takes Pole Position At Silverstone

Editorial Note: Americans Julian Correa and Eli Banish qualified 11th and 27th, respectively, in British Talent Cup Saturday at Silverstone.

 

BSB Qual

Roadracing World Young Guns 2023: Alessandro Di Mario

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.

The entire Roadracing World Young Guns, Class of 2023 is featured in the April 2023 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine.

 

Alessandro Di Mario. Photo by Sara Chappell Photos, courtesy AMA.
2022 AMA Nicky Hayden Road Race Horizon Award winner Alessandro Di Mario is up for AMA Athlete of the Year: Grand Championship. Photo by Sara Chappell Photos, courtesy AMA.

 

Alessandro Di Mario

Age: 14.

Current home: Lexington, Kentucky.

Current height/weight: 5’8”/130 pounds.

Current school grade level: 9th grade.

Began riding at age: 5 years.

First road race:  2019, Garrettsville, Ohio, WERA, Clubman Novice, 3rd.

Current racebikes: Aprilia RS250 SP2, Aprilia RS 660, Yamaha YZF-R3.

Current tuners/mechanics: Chad Wells, Luigi Di Mario (father).

Primary race series: MotoAmerica Junior Cup, N2 WERA National Endurance.

Top sponsors: Altus Motorsports, Robem Engineering, KYT Helmets, Chad Wells Tuning.

Recent racing accomplishments: 2022 season, won AMA Nicky Hayden Road Race Horizon Award, won North America Talent Cup Championship (4 wins, 11 total podiums in 14 races), won 3 AMA Grand Championships (Lightweight Twins Superstock, Lightweight Twins Superbike, E Superstock), won 2 WERA Sportsman National Championships (Lightweight Twins Superstock, E Superstock); 2021 season, won WERA Sportsman F Superstock Expert National Championship (3 race wins, 14 total podiums with WERA); 2020 season, won E Superstock Novice AMA Grand Championship, won 2 WERA Sportsman Novice National Championships (won 28 WERA races).

2023 racing goals: Win the MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship, win N2/WERA Endurance race, be selected for 2024 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup.

Racing career goal: Win MotoGP World Championship.

Racing hero: Danilo Petrucci.

Favorite tracs: Barber Motorsports Park.

Favorite hobby: Skiing

If I wasn’t racing I would be…: A motorcycle mechanic.

 

 

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;

five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier;

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.

Video: Garrett Gerloff “We Barely Made It Out Of Here Alive – Indonesia”

Indonesia was a struggle bus of a weekend for us as you’ll see! With Loris breaking his leg and me struggling with horrific food poisoning, it was far from ideal but actually we made big progress from Saturday to Sunday with the bike and I ended the weekend finishing the closest that I’ve been this year to the winner, so there were some positives! Hope you guys enjoy the video! And we still love you Indonesia, thanks for the memories.

Like, comment, and subscribe – more videos coming soon

Shot & edited by Brad Schwartzrock (@bradschwartzrock)

#worldsbk #indonesia #texasoutlaw

 

New Bridge Lifted Into Place At WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca

Massive New Bridge Positioned Over Iconic WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca

MONTEREY, Calif., April 7, 2023 – The new Start/Finish bridge that connects parking and hospitality areas with the race paddock was placed into position today signaling a visual progression of improvements underway at the 66-year-old WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

Granite Construction’s enormous 350-ton All Terrain Crane hoisted the 160-foot, 71-ton main span section and accompanying 20-ton approach span to the cheers of onlooking Monterey County elected officials and staff, Granite Construction management, local media and the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca team.

“The new bridge at Laguna Seca is a long overdue investment,” said Luis Alejo, Chair of the Monterey County Board of Supervisors. “This shows a true commitment by the Board of Supervisors to properly maintain our world-renowned race track so that we continue to attract premier racing events and tourism to Monterey County and our entire region.”

Five months since the project was approved by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, the final section of the new pedestrian / cart bridge was delicately placed after extensive preparation work. The multi-million-dollar project, which began November 2022, fell behind schedule due to the near-record rainfall, erosion and flooding. But through the continuing support of the Board of Supervisors, County staff, and Granite Construction, the project accelerated with double shifts to be ready in time to host the first two events of the season: Trans Am SpeedFest May 5-7, and the Motul Course de Monterey, powered by Hyundai N that will be broadcast live on the NBC Network May 12-14.

The track will close again May 16 to begin the full track resurfacing. The entire project will be fully completed, cured and ready for America’s premier motorcycle series, MotoAmerica Superbike SpeedFest July 7-9.

“Only shadowed by the renowned Corkscrew and famous Andretti Hairpin, the Laguna Seca Start/Finish Bridge is a preeminent feature of the Laguna Seca Raceway,” said Bryan Flores, chief of parks with Public Works, Facilities & Parks for the County of Monterey. “The replacement of the aged wooden bridge will serve to provide a safe and efficient path of travel for our visitors and spectators from around the globe. Without the support by the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors, this project would never have come to fruition and for that, the world racing community is sincerely grateful.”

This project is the largest improvement development at the iconic race track since the Hospitality Pavilion was built in 2006, and the last repaving in 2007.

“It has been a privilege to be a part of the significant improvements being made to the Laguna Seca track and facilities,” commented Jim Hovde, project manager for Granite Construction. “It was clear from the start that this was a schedule driven project and we would need to perform flawlessly in order to complete the project on time. Enter the winter of 2022/2023, and the increased challenges caused by working between seemingly endless rain events, yet we have continued to set milestones and celebrate our accomplishments one day at a time. The tireless efforts of the entire project team add to the rich history of this historic track and its legacy.”

According to John Narigi, president and general manager of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, “It is difficult to adequately express how thankful we are of the support from the Supervisors and County staff to persevere with this project after facing unprecedented Monterey County weather-related emergencies over the last three months. Their confidence in the Laguna Seca Recreation Area and its positive economic impact on the region’s businesses strengthens the importance this facility makes within our incredible destination.”

For daily or weekend VIP Hospitality ticket packages and campground information, call the Tickets and Accommodation Specialists on 831-242-8200 or visit WeatherTechRaceway.com.

Roadracing World Young Guns 2023: Alexander Enriquez

Alexander Enriquez (25) in action at COTA in 2022. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Alexander Enriquez (25) in action at COTA in 2022. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

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.

The entire Roadracing World Young Guns, Class of 2023 is featured in the April 2023 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine.

 

Alexander Enriquez on the North America Talent Cup podium at COTA in 2022. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Alexander Enriquez on the North America Talent Cup podium at COTA in 2022. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

 

Alexander Enriquez

Age: 15.

Current home:  Daly City, California.

Current height/weight: 5’4”/105 pounds.

Current school grade level: 9th grade.

Began riding at age: 4 years.

First road race: 2012, Atwater, California, Mini Moto USA, MiniMoto Beginner, 3rd place.

Current racebikes:  Honda, NSF250R, Kawasaki, Ninja 400, Aprilia RS250 SP2, Ohvale GP-0 160cc and 190cc.

Current tuners/mechanics: NorCal Cycles, Edmund Enriquez (father), Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup.

Primary race series: Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup.

Top sponsors: Red Bull, KTM, Alpinestars, Ipone, HJC, Dunlop, KYT Helmets, California Mini Grand Prix, Dainese, Cycle Gear, Catalyst Reaction Suspension Tuning, Galfer USA, NorCal Cycles, Woodcraft Technologies, Motion Pro, Global Racing Oils.

Recent racing accomplishments: 2022 season, selected to join 2023 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, placed 3rd in North America Talent Cup Championship (2 wins, 5 total podiums), placed 23rd in MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship (2 top-10 finishes in 4 starts), placed 3rd in AFM Formula III Championship; 2021 Season, won MotoAmerica Mini Cup 190 Race Two at Pittsburgh International Race Complex, won AFM Formula III Championship, placed 2nd in AFM Formula Singles, finished 2nd in WERA West Clubman Expert Championship, took 3rd in WERA West D Superbike Expert Championship, won GP1 and GP2 Supermoto USA Asphalt Mini Championships.

2023 racing goals: Learn tracks, improve, keep my spot in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup for 2024.

Racing career goal: Become a professional motorcycle racer.

Racing hero: Valentino Rossi

Favorite track: Laguna Seca.

Favorite hobby: Skateboarding.

If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Skating or playing basketball with friends.

 

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;

five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier;

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.

Razgatlioglu To Test Yamaha MotoGP Bike At Jerez

Toprak Razgatlioglu (54) in action on his Pata Yamaha YZF-R1 in Indonesia. Photo courtesy Yamaha.
Toprak Razgatlioglu (54) in action on his Pata Yamaha YZF-R1 in Indonesia. Photo courtesy Yamaha.

Toprak Razgatlıoğlu to Test Yamaha YZR-M1 at Jerez MotoGP Test

2021 Superbike World Champion, Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, will have a new opportunity to test the Yamaha YZR-M1 MotoGP machine during a planned development test at the Jerez circuit in Andalucía, Spain.

Razgatlıoğlu will join Yamaha’s MotoGP Test Rider, Cal Crutchlow, for two days of testing on Monday 10th and Tuesday 11th April in Jerez.

It will be the Turkish star’s second test aboard the YZR-M1, after his first outing at Motorland Aragon in June last year was cut short by inclement weather.

The characteristics of the 4.428 km Jerez circuit are well suited to Razgatlıoğlu’s riding style and the test should provide an ideal opportunity for him to accrue plenty of track time and adapt himself to the YZR-M1.

 

Lin Jarvis – Managing Director Yamaha Motor Racing Srl

“Firstly, let me say it is our pleasure to be able to give Toprak another opportunity to ride the YZR-M1. I was unable to be present at his previous test but this time I will be in Jerez to follow the testing and I will depart straight from there to attend the Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin next weekend. Toprak is an extraordinarily talented motorcycle racer, and I am very curious to see his speed on our Factory MotoGP machine. He will have the chance to ride alongside Cal who will be there for the ongoing development testing of our 2023 YZR-M1.”

Andrea Dosoli – Road Racing Manager Yamaha Motor Europe N.V.

“I would like to thank both Yamaha Motor Company and Yamaha Motor Racing for giving Toprak the opportunity to test the YZR-M1 once again. As the reigning Superbike World Champion, Toprak’s test aboard the Yamaha YZR-M1 last year was highly anticipated by many in both the MotoGP and WorldSBK paddocks. Unfortunately, it was difficult for him to fully familiarise with the YZR-M1 at the Aragon test due to the disruption caused by the weather. This time around at Jerez, a track at which Toprak has traditionally been very strong, it looks like we’re going to enjoy almost perfect testing conditions. Toprak’s focus at this test will, once again, be on getting a feel for the characteristics of the YZR-M1 and the Michelin tyres, whereas we are very interested to see how quickly a WorldSBK rider of his calibre can adapt to the unique demands of riding a MotoGP bike.”

Toprak Razgatlıoğlu

“I am looking forward to testing the YZR-M1 MotoGP bike at Jerez, a track I like a lot. The last test in Aragon was limited by the weather, but in Jerez it looks like we’ll have better conditions and more track time. It will give me the chance to understand better the demands of racing a Factory MotoGP bike. Thanks to Yamaha for giving me this opportunity.”

AMA Supercross: Race Report And Results From Glendale, Arizona

55,614 fans packed into State Farm Stadium for an exciting evening of great racing and sport history milestones. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
55,614 fans packed into State Farm Stadium for an exciting evening of great racing and sport history milestones. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Eli Tomac Takes Glendale Supercross Win and Championship Points Lead

Jett Lawrence Wins His First 250SX Class Triple Crown Overall

Glendale, Ariz., (April 9, 2023) Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac took the win at Round 12 of the 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season and with it broke clear of the championship points tie. Tomac is now the sole holder of the red plate. Tomac earned the victory with 1, 2, 1 race scores in the third Triple Crown-format event of the season.

 

Eli Tomac (1) took the win in Glendale and pulled seven points clear in the points lead with five races remaining in the Supercross season. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Eli Tomac (1) took the win in Glendale and pulled seven points clear in the points lead with five races remaining in the Supercross season. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

 

Team Honda HRC’s Chase Sexton earned second place points inside State Farm Stadium in Glendale Arizona with 4, 1, 3 race scores and with it earned the 2023 Triple Crown Championship – a secondary championship held within the Supercross season. Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Justin Barcia finished third at the event that pays points not only into the Triple Crown and the 17-round Supercross season, but also toward the inaugural 31-round SuperMotocross World Championship. In Round 6 of the Western Regional 250SX Class, Team Honda HRC’s Jett Lawrence earned his first Triple Crown win and extended his points lead in that regional series.

In race one of the 450SX Class Eli Tomac grabbed the Holeshot with Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jason Anderson, Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki’s Ken Roczen, Team Honda HRC’s Colt Nichols, and Red Bull KTM’s Cooper Webb right behind. Webb moved up into second place before the first lap was completed. Roczen quickly took over third place but Justin Barcia was the rider on the move early in the race. Two and a half minutes into the 12-minute plus one lap race, Barcia took over third while Webb worked to close the 1.3 second gap to Tomac. After a bad start, Chase Sexton passed Anderson to take over fifth spot with just under seven minutes left on the race clock. The tension grew as Webb inched closer to Tomac on the high-speed Arizona track. Sexton pulled up to Roczen’s rear fender at the white flag then made the pass for fourth in final corner. The race ended with Tomac, Webb, and Barcia on the podium.

Chase Sexton jumped into the lead off the start of Race 2. He was followed by Tomac, Roczen, Anderson, Red Bull KTM’s Aaron Plessinger, Webb, and Barcia. Sexton looked to have the field covered but stalled the engine in the early laps. Tomac grabbed the lead position but only held it down one rhythm lane; Sexton blitzed back past in the whoops and began steadily inching away. With just under four minutes left Webb bumped past Anderson for fourth. Anderson charged back, took Webb high in the next bowl turn, and got back the spot. The move clipped Webb’s momentum and Barcia also got around Webb. Sexton was clear of the group but spots two through five tightened again on the final lap. Webb took fifth from Barcia. Then, late in the lap, Anderson made a big move in the whoops in an attempt to take third from Roczen, but Roczen battled back into the final corner and held the spot. Sexton got the race win ahead of Tomac, and Roczen. Going into the final race Tomac held three points, Sexton had five, Webb carried seven, Roczen sat with eight, Barcia had nine, and Anderson had ten.

Colt Nichols was the first racer across the Holeshot stripe in Race 3. Tomac blitzed into the lead on the first pass through the whoops with Barcia following along to secure second place. Sexton was ninth at the Holeshot stripe but moved up to fourth in the first minute of racing. In another lap Sexton reached third. As the race neared the halfway point Jason Anderson, running fourth, had a big crash in the whoops. Webb took over the spot with Roczen right behind. Barcia made a push for the lead but never got within true striking distance of Tomac. Sexton held steady in third. In the final laps Roczen applied heavy pressure on Webb for fourth and what would mean fourth place between the two riders in the overall. Tomac grabbed the race win and his 51st career 450SX Class win. Barcia took second in the race for a third place overall on the night. Sexton’s third in the race gave him the runner-up spot overall in Glendale. The finish also earned Sexton the 2023 three-race Triple Crown Championship. Webb held strong in fourth to earn that same position in the night’s overall.

The victory broke Tomac from his tie with James Stewart for most career Supercross overall wins. Tomac now solely holds the spot for second-most career wins with 51; he sits 21 behind Jeremy McGrath with 72. The overall results earned Tomac seven points over Webb in the 2023 title chase. And Tomac’s win delivered two more designations. Tomac extended his Triple Crown career-most win record with seven overall wins. He is also now the winningest rider in Phoenix-area Supercross races with a total of five, breaking the previous tie with both James Stewart and Ricky Carmichael.

Jett Lawrence captured a win that had eluded him: a 250SX Class Triple Crown overall victory. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Jett Lawrence captured a win that had eluded him: a 250SX Class Triple Crown overall victory. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

 

Race 1 for the Western Regional 250SX Class started with two passes in the opening laps as Jett Lawrence and Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Levi Kitchen traded the lead with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s RJ Hampshire right behind. A red flag stopped the race for a full-reset. The racers lined up again and the race clock went back to its full 10-minutes. Kitchen grabbed the holeshot with Lawrence right behind and Hampshire in third. Lawrence waited nearly until the race’s midpoint before he made his move for the lead exiting the whoops. The lead change spurred Hampshire, who immediately attacked Kitchen. Hampshire took over the second place spot as the race clock ticked to five minutes remaining. Lawrence never let Hampshire shave off much of his 2.4 second lead and the top three held their positions to the checkered flag.

Levi Kitchen holeshot Race 2 of the 250SX Class with RJ Hampshire, Jett Lawrence, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Carson Mumford, and Red Bull KTM’s Max Vohland on his tail. Hampshire took over the lead and Vohland moved into second. Kitchen reclaimed second place and Lawrence was settled into fourth before one minute had expired off the race clock. Lawrence was soon around Vohland for third while Hampshire put down fast laps out front. The white flag came out and Lawrence put in a sprint to catch Kitchen; he made it close but didn’t better his spot. Hampshire took the win ahead of Kitchen and Lawrence, setting the three riders up with 3 points for Hampshire, 4 points for Lawrence, and 5 points for Kitchen.

Levi Kitchen was three-for-three on starts with the Holeshot in Race 3. Lawrence, Partzilla PRMX Racing’s Hunter Yoder, AJE Motorsport GASGAS’s Mitchell Harrison and Hampshire were right behind. In less than a lap Hampshire was up to third. Early in the race Hampshire pushed too hard in the whoops; what normally would have been a crash turned into a miraculous save. Just a few seconds later, further up the track, Lawrence took over the lead from Kitchen. From there Lawrence rode smoothly and maintained a comfortable gap. With Lawrence moving up to the 450SX Class next season it was his final opportunity to win a 250SX Class Triple Crown overall. The win also extended his points lead to 26 with only three races remaining in the Western Regional 250SX Class.

The racers line up again at Atlanta Motor Speedway on April 15th for a daytime race, then battle each Saturday after that for the following four consecutive weekends. The five remaining Monster Energy Supercross rounds will take place inside open-air stadiums and raceways, adding weather as an additional variable in one of the tightest Supercross title battle in the sport’s history.

Each round also pays points toward the brand-new SuperMotocross World Championship, which combines 17 Monster Energy AMA Supercross rounds, 11 AMA Pro Motocross rounds, two SMX Playoff events and one SMX World Championship Final scheduled for September 23rd at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The 450cc Class SuperMotocross World Champion will earn a cool $1,000,0000 championship win bonus, and the 250cc champion will claim a $500,000 title win bonus.

All 31-rounds are streamed live on PeacockTV with select rounds also broadcast on NBC, USA Network, and CNBC. International coverage is available at SuperMotocrossTV. For results, highlight videos, power rankings, and ticket sales please go to SupercrossLIVE.com.

450SX Class podium (racers from left) Justin Barcia, Eli Tomac, and Chase Sexton. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
450SX Class podium (racers from left) Justin Barcia, Eli Tomac, and Chase Sexton. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

 

450SX Class Results

1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha (1-2-1)

2. Chase Sexton, La Moille, Ill. Honda (4-1-3)

3. Justin Barcia, Monroe, NY, GASGAS (3-6-2)

4. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM (2-5-4)

5. Ken Roczen, Mattstedt, Ger., Suzuki (5-3-5)

6. Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Kawasaki (7-7-7)

7. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM (9-9-6)

8. Colt Nichols, Muskogee, Oak., Honda (8-8-8)

9. Dean Wilson, Glasgow, Scotland, Honda (10-10-9)

10. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki (6-4-21)

 

450SX Class Championship Standings

1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha (274)

2. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM (267)

3. Chase Sexton, La Moille, Ill., Honda (249)

4. Ken Roczen, Mattstedt, Ger., Suzuki (217)

5. Justin Barcia, Monroe, NY, GASGAS (216)

6. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki (212)

7. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM (196)

8. Christian Craig, Clermont, Fla., Husqvarna (150)

9. Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Kawasaki (139)

10. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., KTM (127)

250SX Class podium (racers from left) RJ Hampshire, Jett Lawrence, and Levi Kitchen. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
250SX Class podium (racers from left) RJ Hampshire, Jett Lawrence, and Levi Kitchen. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

 

Western Regional 250SX Class Results

1. Jett Lawrence, Landsborough, Australia., Honda (1-3-1)

2. RJ Hampshire, Minneola, Fla., Husqvarna (2-1-3)

3. Levi Kitchen, Washougal, Wash., Yamaha (3-2-2)

4. Pierce Brown, Sandy, Utah, GASGAS (4-4-5)

5. Enzo Lopes, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, Yamaha (7-5-4)

6. Derek Kelley, Riverside, Calif., KTM (5-8-7)

7. Mitchell Oldenburg, Godley, Tex., Honda (6-7-12)

8. Max Vohland, Granite Bay, Calif., KTM (18-6-6)

9. Robbie Wageman, Newhall, Calif., Suzuki (9-15-8)

10. Carson Mumford, Simi Valley, Calif., Kawasaki (13-9-10)

 

Western Regional 250SX Class Championship Standings

1. Jett Lawrence, Landsborough, Australia, Honda (153)

2. RJ Hampshire, Minneola, Fla., Husqvarna (127)

3. Levi Kitchen, Washougal, Wash., Yamaha (101)

4. Cameron McAdoo, Sioux City, Iowa, Kawasaki (101)

5. Enzo Lopes, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, Yamaha (100)

6. Mitchell Oldenburg, Godley, Tex., Honda (99)

7. Pierce Brown, Sandy, Utah, GASGAS (86)

8. Max Vohland, Granite Bay, Calif., KTM (85)

9. Cole Thompson, Brigden, Ont., Yamaha (71)

10. Derek Kelley, Riverside, Calif., KTM (70)

British Superbike: Race Two & Race Three Results From Silverstone (Updated)

Silverstone Circuit. Photo courtesy of Michelin.
Silverstone Circuit. Photo courtesy of Michelin.

Josh Brookes, riding his FHO Racing BMW M 1000 RR, won Bennetts British Superbike (BSB) Race Two Sunday morning at Silverstone Circuit, in England.

Then Glenn Irwin, riding his BeerMonster Ducati Panigale V4 R, took the victory in Race Two.

After round one and three races, Brookes holds the 2023 Bennetts British Superbike Championship point lead.

Americans Julian Correa and Eli Banish finished 8th and 23rd, respectively, in British Talent Cup Race Two Sunday at Silverstone.

 

BSB R2
BSB R3
BSB Points after R3

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision Racing:

2023 Bennetts British Superbike kicks off with three different race winners at Silverstone

The 2023 Bennetts British Superbike Championship kicked off at Silverstone this weekend with an exhilarating start to the season as three different race winners, representing three different teams and manufacturers celebrated a race victory.

Reigning Champions LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha had the edge in yesterday’s Bennetts BikeSocial Sprint race with Kyle Ryde, but today they narrowly missed out on the podium in race two with a fourth place and ended the weekend with seventh in race three.

The second race of the weekend marked the triumphant return of Josh Brookes to winning ways as the double Champion claimed his first victory in two seasons, delivering a determined ride on his first race weekend with the FHO Racing BMW Motorrad Team.

Brookes held off the BeerMonster Ducati teammates led by Tommy Bridewell by just 0.094s when the race was red flagged with three laps remaining when Danny Buchan crashed out, claiming his 55th win in the Championship as Glenn Irwin completed the podium after fighting his way through the pack.

O’Halloran held onto fifth after holding off Leon Haslam with reigning Quattro Group British Supersport Champion Jack Kennedy in seventh place. Danny Kent had another solid performance in eighth place ahead of Andrew Irwin and Lee Jackson, who fought his way through to tenth after starting 16th on the grid.

Glenn Irwin then became the third different race winner of the opening round in a hard fought final race of the weekend as he held off tough opposition to end the weekend on top for PBM on the BeerMonster Ducati.

Jason O’Halloran, Brookes and Kent had all been at the front of the pack before Irwin captured the advantage on lap 18. He was defending hard from Brookes who had regained second place with three laps to go, whilst Bridewell had also moved up the order and fought his way into third.

O’Halloran meanwhile regained fourth place on the final lap, as he got ahead of Kent with Haslam again in the leading battle to finish race three in sixth place.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Silverstone, Race 2 result:

  1. Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad)
  2. Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati) +0.094s
  3. Glenn Irwin (BeerMonster Ducati) +0.603s
  4. Kyle Ryde (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) +0.669s
  5. Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +1.004s
  6. Leon Haslam (ROKiT BMW Motorrad) +1.709s
  7. Jack Kennedy (Mar-Train Yamaha) +2.436s
  8. Danny Kent (Lovell Kent Racing Honda) +5.587s
  9. Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing UK) +5.731s
  10. Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki) +6.714s

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Silverstone, Race 3 result:

  1. Glenn Irwin (BeerMonster Ducati)
  2. Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) +0.120s
  3. Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati) +0.412s
  4. Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +1.179s
  5. Danny Kent (Lovell Kent Racing Honda) +1.297s
  6. Leon Haslam (ROKiT BMW Motorrad) +2.037s
  7. Kyle Ryde (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) +3.443s
  8. Jack Kennedy (Mar-Train Yamaha) +3.713s
  9. Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki) +4.046s
  10. Ryan Vickers (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) 4.137s

Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings after Silverstone:

  1. Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) 48
  2. Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati) 46
  3. Glenn Irwin (BeerMonster Ducati) 43
  4. Kyle Ryde (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) 39
  5. Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 35
  6. Leon Haslam (ROKiT BMW Motorrad) 30
  7. Danny Kent (Lovell Kent Racing Honda) 26
  8. Jack Kennedy (Mar-Train Yamaha) 26
  9. Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing UK) 15
  10. Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki) 15

For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com

Josh Brookes – Race 2 winner

FHO Racing BMW Motorrad

“It’s perfect, to lead the championship after the first round is ideal. You know, we are always optimistic we are going to have a good bike, good package, but to get into the opening round and have three podiums is ideal. We are in a perfect place to build for the rounds to come.

“I think as a racer and as a competitor you always have this idea that everything will go smoothly and you’ll win everything. I think it’s natural for competitors to have that mindset, so I always believed that if things were good we could do this and better, but you also have this realistic mind that it’s a difficult series, lots of good riders and it’s always hard fought racing and you can never be sure you are gonna get good results like this, so definitely pleased to take these positions.

“I have spent a lot of time thinking about the moment when I would win again; when I was winning regularly you would think it would just come. The last two years have been hard, people start to doubt you and I don’t blame them for that.  It feels good to win for myself, the team, and it is a feeling of success.”

Glenn Irwin – Race 3 winner

BeerMonster Ducati

“It didn’t go to plan at the beginning! The first race start today was terrible, again I did something not so good with the clutch. My plan was if you’re in the front two or three, take it easy through the last corner as it’s very hard on tyres and if one or two get by you are still in the top four. That wasn’t the case, and I ended up back again and I tried to conserve my tyre and had to try and pass Leon Haslam.

“Danny Kent was doing a really good job; I could see where he was weak as I had spent three years on the Honda and that was probably an advantage. I just did a bit of a dive, then he came back through, once he did I repassed him and it was then I decided to try and drop the hammer a bit more.

“It it was just really good set up by the boys in the team and they worked very hard last night. I didn’t sleep thinking how we could improve last night! The bike was fantastic, we could still be strong in some areas but I struggled a lot in the last corner and turn one but I never gave up.

“I said this morning I wanted to play like an Oscar winning role today and not a support role and I knew after warm up that we could do that. Today’s first race I think was really good because we came 13th to third and it was tough, but I really enjoyed it and to go on then and go on and grab the Bafta at the end of the day was just fantastic!”

Roadracing World Young Guns 2023: Avery Dreher

Avery Dreher (99). Photo by Scott Odell.
Avery Dreher (99). Photo by Scott Odell.

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.

The entire Roadracing World Young Guns, Class of 2023 is featured in the April 2023 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine.

 

Avery Dreher. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Avery Dreher. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

 

Avery Dreher

Age: 16.

Current home: Rockledge, Florida.

Current height/weight: 5’11”/138 pounds.

Current school grade level: 11th grade.

Began riding at age: 10.

First road race: 2018, Jupiter, Florida, SFLminiGP, Spec 50, 3rd place.

Current racebikes: Kawasaki Ninja 400, KTM 450 SMR, Yamaha YZF-R6.

Current tuners/mechanics: Aaron Dreher (father), John Ludwig, Dale Quarterley.

Primary race series: MotoAmerica Junior Cup.

Top sponsors: Bad Boys Racing, Envy Racing Apparel, Brevard Superbike, South Florida Thermosman, Monkey Works Cycle.

Recent racing accomplishments: 2022 season, placed 7th in MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship (1 podium finish, 11 top-10 finishes); 2021 season, placed 17th (best finish race was 7th, 4 top-10 finishes), multiple FMRRA race wins; 2020 season, won CCS Moto3 National Championship, won 3 FMRRA Championships.

2023 racing goals: Finish in top five of MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship, fight for the win in every race.

Racing career goal: Progress to bigger machines and go as far as I can in racing.

Racing hero: Aaron Dreher (father).

Favorite track: Pittsburgh International Race Complex.

Favorite hobby: Fishing.

If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Riding my supermotard at my local track.

 

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;

five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier;

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.

British Superbike: Race One Results From Silverstone (Updated)

Silverstone Circuit. Photo courtesy of Michelin.
Silverstone Circuit. Photo courtesy of Michelin.

Editorial Note: Americans Julian Correa and Eli Banish finished eighth and 27th, respectively, in British Talent Cup Race One Saturday at Silverstone.

 

BSB Race One

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision Racing:

Ryde overcomes the opposition in frantic Bennetts BSB season opener at Silverstone

 

Tommy Bridewell (46) leads Kyle Ryde (77), Jason O'Halloran (22), Glenn Irwin (2) and the rest during Race One at Silverstone. Photo courtesy MSVR.
Tommy Bridewell (46) leads Kyle Ryde (77), Jason O’Halloran (22), Glenn Irwin (2), and the rest during Race One at Silverstone. Photo courtesy MSVR.

 

Kyle Ryde triumphed in the opening Bennetts British Superbike Championship race of the season at Silverstone, claiming a hard-fought victory in the Bennetts BikeSocial Sprint Race for the LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha team.

Ryde had initially launched to the front of the pack on the opening lap from his front row grid position, but Tommy Bridewell stormed into the lead as the pack reached Brooklands for the first time, with Josh Brookes, Jason O’Halloran and Glenn Irwin the leading contenders.

Bridewell was then pushing to hold onto the lead, but Ryde reclaimed the position two laps later with a move at Copse, but his BeerMonster Ducati rival fired back ahead on the same lap.

O’Halloran was on the move too and he had pushed up the order into second by the fourth lap behind Bridewell as Ryde was relegated to third in the early stages.

By lap six, O’Halloran had gained control of the lead as the McAMS Yamaha rider moved ahead of Bridewell, Ryde, Brookes and Glenn Irwin with reigning Quattro Group British Supersport Champion Jack Kennedy also joining the battle for the leading positions.

O’Halloran was leading the pack, but Brookes and Bridewell were dicing with Ryde for second place, before the LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha rider moved back to the front of the group with a move on the Australian.

Ryde maintained the lead in the final dash to the chequered flag despite pressure from Bridewell in the closing stages to take the first victory of the season, but the battle for the podium wasn’t complete and Brookes snatched third place with a last lap move on O’Halloran.

Glenn Irwin completed the top five as he held off Leon Haslam on the ROKiT BMW Motorrad and Kennedy, who equalled his best result on his move back into Bennetts BSB with Mar-Train Yamaha.

Andrew Irwin was able to progress into eighth over the final laps for Honda Racing UK ahead of Danny Kent on the Lovell Kent Racing Honda and Danny Buchan completed the top ten for SYNETIQ BMW.

The battle for the rookies was led by Charlie Nesbitt in twelfth, with Tim Neave in 16th and Bradley Perie in 19th. Reigning Pirelli National Junior Superstock Champion Max Cook was 20th ahead of Davey Todd with Jack Scott in 23rd.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Silverstone, Bennetts BikeSocial Sprint Race:

  1. Kyle Ryde (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha)
  2. Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati) +0.436s
  3. Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) +1.664s
  4. Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +1.867s
  5. Glenn Irwin (BeerMonster Ducati) +2.541s
  6. Leon Haslam (ROKiT BMW Motorrad Team) +2.764s
  7. Jack Kennedy (Mar-Train Yamaha) +3.224s
  8. Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing UK) +8.919s
  9. Danny Kent (Lovell Kent Racing Honda) +9.187s
  10. Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) +9.307s

Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings after Silverstone, Bennetts BikeSocial Sprint Race:

  1. Kyle Ryde (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) 18
  2. Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati) 16
  3. Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) 14
  4. Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 12
  5. Glenn Irwin (BeerMonster Ducati) 11
  6. Leon Haslam (ROKiT BMW Motorrad Team) 10
  7. Jack Kennedy (Mar-Train Yamaha) 9
  8. Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing UK) 8
  9. Danny Kent (Lovell Kent Racing Honda Racing UK) 7
  10. Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) 6

For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com

Kyle Ryde

LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha

“That was a great race! It was definitely the hardest, but most enjoyable races I’ve had since I started in BSB.

“I was pushing because I just wanted to get to the front because I knew I had a little bit more pace than what the lap time was saying.

“It was very clean and good fun to ride – there was a lot of moves in turn one from me, I must’ve made about 15 moves but none of them stuck! I had to work, so for me it’s been a great weekend so far.

“We’ve had a great pace all weekend and been strong, the only thing that went wrong was to have a silly little crash in qualifying and that did hinder me a bit for the race. It took me ages to get going again to know where the braking marker was and Josh and Tommy kept passing me.

“I’m really happy to get the win; I think over the winter and everything we’ve done so far, I feel like we deserve it, so I’m very proud of myself.”

British Superbike: Bridewell Takes Pole Position At Silverstone

Tommy Bridewell at Silverstone. Photo courtesy BeerMonster Ducati Team.

Editorial Note: Americans Julian Correa and Eli Banish qualified 11th and 27th, respectively, in British Talent Cup Saturday at Silverstone.

 

BSB Qual

Roadracing World Young Guns 2023: Alessandro Di Mario

Alessandro Di Mario (7). Photo by Sara Chappell Photos.
Alessandro Di Mario (7). Photo by Sara Chappell Photos.

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.

The entire Roadracing World Young Guns, Class of 2023 is featured in the April 2023 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine.

 

Alessandro Di Mario. Photo by Sara Chappell Photos, courtesy AMA.
2022 AMA Nicky Hayden Road Race Horizon Award winner Alessandro Di Mario is up for AMA Athlete of the Year: Grand Championship. Photo by Sara Chappell Photos, courtesy AMA.

 

Alessandro Di Mario

Age: 14.

Current home: Lexington, Kentucky.

Current height/weight: 5’8”/130 pounds.

Current school grade level: 9th grade.

Began riding at age: 5 years.

First road race:  2019, Garrettsville, Ohio, WERA, Clubman Novice, 3rd.

Current racebikes: Aprilia RS250 SP2, Aprilia RS 660, Yamaha YZF-R3.

Current tuners/mechanics: Chad Wells, Luigi Di Mario (father).

Primary race series: MotoAmerica Junior Cup, N2 WERA National Endurance.

Top sponsors: Altus Motorsports, Robem Engineering, KYT Helmets, Chad Wells Tuning.

Recent racing accomplishments: 2022 season, won AMA Nicky Hayden Road Race Horizon Award, won North America Talent Cup Championship (4 wins, 11 total podiums in 14 races), won 3 AMA Grand Championships (Lightweight Twins Superstock, Lightweight Twins Superbike, E Superstock), won 2 WERA Sportsman National Championships (Lightweight Twins Superstock, E Superstock); 2021 season, won WERA Sportsman F Superstock Expert National Championship (3 race wins, 14 total podiums with WERA); 2020 season, won E Superstock Novice AMA Grand Championship, won 2 WERA Sportsman Novice National Championships (won 28 WERA races).

2023 racing goals: Win the MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship, win N2/WERA Endurance race, be selected for 2024 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup.

Racing career goal: Win MotoGP World Championship.

Racing hero: Danilo Petrucci.

Favorite tracs: Barber Motorsports Park.

Favorite hobby: Skiing

If I wasn’t racing I would be…: A motorcycle mechanic.

 

 

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;

five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier;

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.

Video: Garrett Gerloff “We Barely Made It Out Of Here Alive – Indonesia”

Garrett Gerloff (31) in action in Indonesia. Photo courtesy BMW Motorrad Motorsport.
Garrett Gerloff (31) in action in Indonesia. Photo courtesy BMW Motorrad Motorsport.

Indonesia was a struggle bus of a weekend for us as you’ll see! With Loris breaking his leg and me struggling with horrific food poisoning, it was far from ideal but actually we made big progress from Saturday to Sunday with the bike and I ended the weekend finishing the closest that I’ve been this year to the winner, so there were some positives! Hope you guys enjoy the video! And we still love you Indonesia, thanks for the memories.

Like, comment, and subscribe – more videos coming soon

Shot & edited by Brad Schwartzrock (@bradschwartzrock)

#worldsbk #indonesia #texasoutlaw

 

New Bridge Lifted Into Place At WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca

The 160-foot, 71-ton main section of the new Start/Finish bridge is lifted into place at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Photo by TM Hill Photographer.
The 160-foot, 71-ton main section of the new Start/Finish bridge is lifted into place at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Photo by TM Hill Photographer.

Massive New Bridge Positioned Over Iconic WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca

MONTEREY, Calif., April 7, 2023 – The new Start/Finish bridge that connects parking and hospitality areas with the race paddock was placed into position today signaling a visual progression of improvements underway at the 66-year-old WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

Granite Construction’s enormous 350-ton All Terrain Crane hoisted the 160-foot, 71-ton main span section and accompanying 20-ton approach span to the cheers of onlooking Monterey County elected officials and staff, Granite Construction management, local media and the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca team.

“The new bridge at Laguna Seca is a long overdue investment,” said Luis Alejo, Chair of the Monterey County Board of Supervisors. “This shows a true commitment by the Board of Supervisors to properly maintain our world-renowned race track so that we continue to attract premier racing events and tourism to Monterey County and our entire region.”

Five months since the project was approved by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, the final section of the new pedestrian / cart bridge was delicately placed after extensive preparation work. The multi-million-dollar project, which began November 2022, fell behind schedule due to the near-record rainfall, erosion and flooding. But through the continuing support of the Board of Supervisors, County staff, and Granite Construction, the project accelerated with double shifts to be ready in time to host the first two events of the season: Trans Am SpeedFest May 5-7, and the Motul Course de Monterey, powered by Hyundai N that will be broadcast live on the NBC Network May 12-14.

The track will close again May 16 to begin the full track resurfacing. The entire project will be fully completed, cured and ready for America’s premier motorcycle series, MotoAmerica Superbike SpeedFest July 7-9.

“Only shadowed by the renowned Corkscrew and famous Andretti Hairpin, the Laguna Seca Start/Finish Bridge is a preeminent feature of the Laguna Seca Raceway,” said Bryan Flores, chief of parks with Public Works, Facilities & Parks for the County of Monterey. “The replacement of the aged wooden bridge will serve to provide a safe and efficient path of travel for our visitors and spectators from around the globe. Without the support by the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors, this project would never have come to fruition and for that, the world racing community is sincerely grateful.”

This project is the largest improvement development at the iconic race track since the Hospitality Pavilion was built in 2006, and the last repaving in 2007.

“It has been a privilege to be a part of the significant improvements being made to the Laguna Seca track and facilities,” commented Jim Hovde, project manager for Granite Construction. “It was clear from the start that this was a schedule driven project and we would need to perform flawlessly in order to complete the project on time. Enter the winter of 2022/2023, and the increased challenges caused by working between seemingly endless rain events, yet we have continued to set milestones and celebrate our accomplishments one day at a time. The tireless efforts of the entire project team add to the rich history of this historic track and its legacy.”

According to John Narigi, president and general manager of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, “It is difficult to adequately express how thankful we are of the support from the Supervisors and County staff to persevere with this project after facing unprecedented Monterey County weather-related emergencies over the last three months. Their confidence in the Laguna Seca Recreation Area and its positive economic impact on the region’s businesses strengthens the importance this facility makes within our incredible destination.”

For daily or weekend VIP Hospitality ticket packages and campground information, call the Tickets and Accommodation Specialists on 831-242-8200 or visit WeatherTechRaceway.com.