British Talent Cup Continuing Through At Least 2025

David Swarts

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August 10, 2022

British Talent Cup Continuing Through At Least 2025

Dorna and MSVR sign new Honda British Talent Cup agreement

A new deal between the two parties confirms the BTC will continue in its current format from 2023 to 2025

Wednesday, 10 August 2022

Dorna Sports and MotorSport Vision Racing (MSVR) are delighted to announce a new agreement confirming the future of the Honda British Talent Cup from 2023 to 2025.

The BTC began in 2018 as a new path on the Road to MotoGP™, racing in identical liveries, before the first agreement between Dorna and MSVR saw the Cup expand to a ten-round Championship for riders and teams from 2020 to 2022. The BTC has since been the sole British Moto3™ Championship class, racing alongside nine rounds of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship (BSB) and enjoying a season highlight alongside MotoGP™ at the British Grand Prix.

This new agreement between Dorna and MSVR confirms the BTC will continue in its current format until at least 2025, securing the future of one of the most vital programmes on the Road to MotoGP™.

The series remains restricted to riders between 12 and 17 years of age, with teams and riders open to enter in a traditional manner. The technical regulations mirror the highly successful Dorna-promoted European Talent Cup, which specifies the exclusive use of Honda NSF 250 R motorcycles.

As the sole British Moto3™ Championship class, the BTC has gone from strength to strength since the collaboration between Dorna and MSVR began. The visibility and coverage offered by racing alongside BSB, together with the international profile and opportunities provided by Dorna, gives young riders an unbeatable opportunity on the Road to MotoGP™.

Each year there is the prospect of promotion for the rider deemed to have shown the most progress, pace and promise across the BTC season. Initially that was a place on the JuniorGP™ grid, but that changed in 2021 and the championship into which the selected rider is promoted now depends on the level and potential of the chosen rider.

Dorna and MSVR study the BTC riders throughout each season in order to provide the opportunity that is the best fit for the chosen rider to keep progressing and learning on the Road to MotoGP™. The promotion options for the selected BTC rider are therefore now a place in the Hawkers European Talent Cup, Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup or the Finetwork FIM JuniorGP™ World Championship.

In 2021, the selected BTC rider was Champion Casey O’Gorman, who was promoted into the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup.

Stuart Higgs, MSVR BSB Series Director: “We are delighted to extend our cooperation with Dorna on this most important category. We have absolutely shared objectives to provide the best possible conditions for riders as they race on the Road to MotoGP. The BTC is a highlight of our BSB race weekends, as well the season highlight racing at the British Grand Prix.”

Ana Ezpeleta, Director of Talent Promotion at Dorna Sports: “We’re very happy to sign and announce this new agreement with MSVR, confirming the future of the Honda British Talent Cup. Having Scott Ogden, one of our first Champions, now racing and impressing in Moto3 shows the strength and success of the BTC – both of which have only grown since our collaboration with MSVR began. As the sole British Moto3 class, the competition offers an even better proving ground for young riders racing in the UK and after three successful seasons of collaboration between Dorna and MSVR, we’re very much looking forward to seeing what the next three can bring.”

Royal Enfield’s 120th Anniversary Edition 650 Twins Will Be Available Soon

David Swarts

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August 10, 2022

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Royal Enfield’s 120th Anniversary Edition 650 Twins Will Be Available Soon

120th Anniversary Limited Edition Twins Available Soon!

Stay updated on the chance to own a limited edition Royal Enfield 120th Anniversary Edition Continental GT and INT 650 in the U.S.

Milwaukee, WI (Wednesday, August 10, 2022) – In celebration of the 120th anniversary of Royal Enfield, the oldest motorcycle brand in continuous production, the breathtaking 120th Year Anniversary Editions of its popular 650 Twin motorcycles—the INT 650 and Continental GT 650—were revealed at EICMA 2021. The time has nearly come for these remarkable black and chrome beauties featuring artisan-crafted die-cast brass tank badges to become available. Head to the Royal Enfield website now and sign up to stay updated on the upcoming availability of these limited-edition models.

Availability of the 120th Year Anniversary Edition INT 650 and Continental GT 650 motorcycles is limited to 60 units in the United States—30 of each. With only 480 units available worldwide, this is a unique opportunity for enthusiasts to own a piece of motorcycling history.

More information on the Royal Enfield 120th Anniversary Limited Edition Twins and upcoming availability in the U.S.

The 120th Year Anniversary Edition INT 650 and Continental GT 650 have been designed and handcrafted by the company’s teams across the UK and India. The exquisite brass badges are crafted in collaboration with the Sirpi Senthil family, multi-generational artisans from the temple town of Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India. Particularly specialized in making the elegant brass effigies for the most revered temples in India for centuries, this is the first time that these artisans have collaborated with any automotive brand.

The unique, rich black-chrome tank color scheme has been developed in-house, with Royal Enfield’s industry-leading chroming technology at the company’s original 1950’s manufacturing factory in Thiruvottiyur, Chennai, India. The motorcycles are chromed with an alternate, sustainable trivalent eco-friendly process. To complement the black chrome tanks, both the Continental GT 650 and Interceptor 650 will feature, for the first time, completely blacked out components, with the engine, silencer and other elements in an array of black color schemes. The motorcycles will also come equipped with a range of Genuine Motorcycle Accessories such as fly screens, engine guards, heel guards, touring and bar-end mirrors among others in a defining black to accent the overall design.

The 120th Year Anniversary Edition INT 650 and Continental GT 650s will also boast the legendary Royal Enfield hand-painted pinstripes. To make each motorcycle even more exclusive, the tank top badge will feature the unique serial number of each motorcycle indicating that it is 1 of 60 unique motorcycles in any of the four regions around the world. Additionally, the motorcycles will also adorn a side panel decal that is a special ode to Royal Enfield’s 120 years.

The 120th Year Anniversary Edition INT 650 and Continental GT 650 models will also boast the legendary Royal Enfield hand-painted pinstripes. Photo courtesy Royal Enfield North America.

Tanks are chromed at the company's original 1950's manufacturing factory in Chennai, India, using an alternate sustainable trivalent eco-friendly process. Photo courtesy Royal Enfield North America. — Tanks are chromed at the company’s original 1950’s manufacturing factory in Chennai, India, using an alternate sustainable trivalent eco-friendly process. Photo courtesy Royal Enfield North America.

Unique, rich black-chrome coloring are accented by completely blacked-out components including the engine and silencer, a first for Royal Enfield. Photo courtesy Royal Enfield North America.

About Royal Enfield

The oldest motorcycle company in continuous production in the world, Royal Enfield made its first motorcycle in 1901. A division of Eicher Motors Limited, Royal Enfield has created the midsize motorcycle segment in India with its unique and distinctive modern classic motorcycles. With its manufacturing base in Chennai, India, Royal Enfield has been able to grow its production rapidly against a surge in demand for its motorcycles. Royal Enfield is a leading player in the global middleweight motorcycle market.

Royal Enfield North America (RENA) is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is developing a growing network of more than 150 dealers in North America, including the contiguous U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. RENA currently offers the all-new Classic 350, Meteor 350, Himalayan and the 650 Twins (INT650 and Continental GT 650) motorcycles, along with a range of Genuine Motorcycle Accessories and apparel.

For more information on Royal Enfield North America, visit www.RoyalEnfield.com/us/en/, www.Instagram.com/RoyalEnfield_NA, www.Facebook.com/RoyalEnfieldNorthAmerica.

American Flat Track: Series Heading To Washington For Castle Rock TT

David Swarts

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August 10, 2022

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American Flat Track: Series Heading To Washington For Castle Rock TT

Progressive AFT Set to Storm the Castle Rock TT

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (August 10, 2022) – Progressive American Flat Track will finally make its long-awaited return to Castle Rock Race Park for this weekend’s 28th Castle Rock TT in Castle Rock, Washington, on Saturday, August 13.

Prior to the eruption of nearby Mt. St. Helens weeks ahead to the scheduled race date in 1980, the event was widely recognized as one of the nation’s most important motorcycle races, regardless of discipline.

Since its glory days, the Castle Rock TT has returned to the Progressive AFT calendar for stints in the ‘90s, ‘00s, and ‘10s, connecting its original heroes – riders such as Dick Mann, Mert Lawwill, and Jay Springsteen – with a new generation of stars, including the likes of Chris Carr and Sammy Halbert (No. 69 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750).

Halbert, who hails from Graham, Washington, is a three-time Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle Main Event winner of the Castle Rock TT, boasting victories in 2007, 2011, and 2012. He’ll be back in action this weekend looking to add a fourth win to his impressive tally.

However, he’s not the only local ace with race-winning expectations. He’s not even the one most heavily favored. With five wins in the series’ most recent six TTs, JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) would be considered the odds-on favorite at just about any TT, let alone one that’s basically set in his boyhood backyard, where he grew up racing.

Despite spending the bulk of his professional career collecting race wins and championships on pavement, Beach already ranks inside the top ten in career Progressive AFT TT wins. If he picks up another this weekend, he’ll not only move into a four-way tie for sixth all-time, he’ll also be within one-race striking distance of the championship lead no matter what anyone else does.

That said, the three riders currently leading him in the standings – Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750), Briar Bauman (No. 3 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750), and Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) – all have serious TT skills of their own, along with a keen appreciation for history, which will similarly fuel them this weekend.

Meanwhile, any number of riders could emerge from the stacked field and prove to be spoilers at a track that was last on the schedule in 2014. That long list includes prior TT podium finishers Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) and Bronson Bauman (No. 37 Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davidson XG750R), along with Warren, Oregon native Davis Fisher (No. 67 Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750).

Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines

Jesse Janisch (No. 33 Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson XG750R) saw his recent run of perfection foiled at last weekend’s Progressive Black Hills Half-Mile and his Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines championship lead nearly halved in the process.

With that in mind, Janisch is likely pleased to see another TT arrive at this time. The Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson star is already the all-time winningest TT rider in Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER history. If he wins again this weekend, he’ll hold that distinction in Mission Production Twins as well.

And he’ll likely want to increase his advantage with some tracks more suited to the style and strengths of defending champion Cory Texter (No. 1 G&G Racing/Yamaha Racing Yamaha MT-07) looming on the schedule in what promises to be a thrilling title fight right down to the season’s final checkered flag.

And don’t count out the hyper versatile Johnny Lewis (No. 10 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650), who finished as the runner-up to Janisch at the Peoria TT a couple weeks back.

Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER

The return to Castle Rock has served as an outstanding reminder that the Pacific Northwest is a serious dirt track talent hotbed. Along with the aforementioned Halbert and Beach, one of the most high-profile home-state heroes competing this weekend is Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER title leader Kody Kopp (No. 12 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE).

Kopp’s form has been such this year that back-to-back fourth- and fifth-place finishes feel like something of a slump. The Mica, Washington native will be hungry to return to his winning ways this weekend with the support of the home crowd behind him.

Second-ranked Morgen Mischler (No. 13 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R) was never really regarded as a TT ace, but he changed some minds two weeks back when he finished as the runner-up to Max Whale (No. 18 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE) at the Peoria TT.

While still 44 points behind Kopp, Mischler has made up ground with consecutive runner-ups and looks to have rediscovered the form that saw him score two wins and four podiums in the season’s opening five races.

Mischler’s teammates, Chase Saathoff (No. 106 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R) and Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R), could also pose a threat, along with last weekend’s winner and Peoria TT podium finisher Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F).

If you’re looking for a dark horse pick, you might want to consider Snohomish, Washington’s Jacob Lehmann (No. 14 Roof Systems of Dallas/Bullet Strong Racing). Ten years ago, Lehmann entered the Castle Rock TT to compete in his first-career Progressive AFT event… and won.

The Castle Rock TT is destined to be among the most unique and memorable on the entire tour as it will run as the featured attraction of an epic motorcycle event branded “The Return of Castle Rock” and co-promoted by The One Motorcycle Show, the world’s largest and best-known custom motorcycle show.

Stunt performer, actor, snowboarder, and Jackass-alum Danger Ehren will serve as the event’s Grand Marshal, while Truncheon Things will be playing Clash covers in the Beer Garden ahead of Opening Ceremonies and Portland’s DJ LéMix will be providing music between races.

Along with all the associated activities, there will be plenty to keep fans entertained at the venue, including numerous vendors, a variety of food and beverage options, there will also be a special Castle Rock TT Legends Ceremony including the likes of champions Steve Baker, Joe Kopp, Brad Baker and many others, who will have their bikes on display and be signing autographs.

Visit https://store.americanflattrack.com/ebooking/ticket/view/id/3855 to reserve your tickets today. General Admission Grandstand tickets are available for just $40 with kids 12 and under free when accompanied by an adult.

Paddock Access Upgrades are also available for purchase, which provide all-day access to the pits where fans can scope out the world’s fastest dirt track motorcycles and get up close and personal with the stars of the sport.

Gates will open for fans at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT ahead of the day’s Main Event program. You can catch the livestream of all the weekend’s racing activities on FansChoice.tv. FansChoice.tv provides free-to-view livestreaming of Practice and Qualifying. FansChoice.tv subscribers will then be able to watch the drama unfold from Opening Ceremonies through the Semis, Main Events, and podium celebrations. FansChoice.tv offers two subscription options, granting unlimited access to premium AFT content. Monthly subscriptions start at just $7.99, while a six-month subscription is available for $44.99.

The Castle Rock TT will premiere on FS1 on Sunday, August 21, at 11:30 a.m. ET/8:30 a.m. PT, including exclusive features, cutting-edge aerial drone and onboard footage, and expert commentary.

For more information on Progressive AFT visit https://www.americanflattrack.com.To score the latest gear for the Progressive American Flat Track fan, visit our official merchandise store at https://store.americanflattrack.com.

How to Watch:

FOX Sports and FansChoice.tv are the official homes for coverage of Progressive American Flat Track. For the 2022 season, all races will premiere in one-hour telecasts on FS1 during highly desirable weekend time slots. The complete schedule can be viewed at https://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports. FansChoice.tv provides livestreaming coverage of every Progressive AFT round at http://www.FansChoice.tv.

MRA: Thornton Wins Feature Race At Pueblo Motorsports Park

David Swarts

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August 10, 2022

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MRA: Thornton Wins Feature Race At Pueblo Motorsports Park

The Motorcycle Roadracing Association (MRA) was pleased to hold its fifth race round of the season this last weekend, August 6-7 at Pueblo Motorsports Park (PMP) in Pueblo, Colorado. The Full Course configuration was on offer for the competitors of this event and the usual fare of sprint races, endurance races, and the premier event of Race of the Rockies was to be the focus of the weekend’s activities.

The weather was largely favorable for the weekend, with ample sun and a light breeze for most of it. However, one could not escape the summer heat yet again and some serious dusty wind storms turned up in the afternoon hours as the cloud fronts rolled through the region.

On Saturday, the competition was intense. The Novice classes ran quickly and with a lot of real racing happening throughout. The day was ultra clean and sharp in all the sprint classes with few flags and no medical transports all day. The MRA Board of Directors held a fundraiser for Safety Team equipment and vehicle maintenance that evening. In the form of a ‘dunk tank’ the paddock activity was something of a hit. Every single Board member took a dunk for the cause with a great deal of support and laughter from family and the club. Special mention to Chris Nami, MRA President for wearing a special set of patriotic overalls, that really helped to sell the ‘fun’ of the event. (Note – a few hundred bucks were raised for the much-needed safety maintenance fund!)

On Sunday, Race of the Rockies GTO & GTU (RORO & RORU) were teed up and the club was ready to watch the races. A super clean start and race saw some fantastic battles and some cat and mouse type strategies unfold at the front of RORO. The action included James Wilkerson battling with Mike Applegate and Ray Thornton, the current #1 plate holder for the club! Thornton went on to see the checkered in first, his vast experience with the PMP circuit coming to the fore.

In the RORU class, Jared Dear continued to stretch his championship points lead out over his closest rivals. Ken Yee and Cameron Lee would finish out the podium places, respectively!

Special thanks and nods to the city operators in Pueblo, the PMP facility/staff and the MRA safety team/trackside operations staff. Thanks to all of those that lent a hand in one fashion or another during the event. Thanks to all that participated in the Dunk Tank!

Dedicated to family friendly and close, competitive racing, the MRA thanks everyone involved for their support and patronage this last weekend, and hopes to see everyone again for round six coming August 27-28 at High Plains Raceway.

Round 5 Results

Northern Talent Cup: Title Within American-Born Moor’s Reach At Assen

David Swarts

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August 10, 2022

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Northern Talent Cup: Title Within American-Born Moor’s Reach At Assen

Back to Assen: can Moor wrap up the Cup?

The Hungarian has a chance at the crown as the NTC heads back to the Netherlands, but Farkas is on form

Wednesday, 10 August 2022

Rossi Moor (FAIRIUM Next Generation Riders) had his first real blip of the season the last time the Northern Talent Cup raced at Assen, but with 31 points in hand as the Cup returns to the Netherlands for take two, he has a chance to right that – and take the crown. If he’s 50 points clear by the end of Race 2, he is the 2022 Champion… so can he do it?

His record so far is mighty, but Kevin Farkas (Agria Racing Team) has also been a serious threat all season. He’s the rider 31 points down – not yet mathematically the only challenger but the likely one – and he is no stranger to the podium at Assen, nor to the top step with three wins already in 2022. He will be absolutely elbows out to make sure that gap comes down at Assen, keeping the fight for the crown heading into the final round and right off the back of a dominant win in Race 2 at Most.

Dustin Schneider (Goblin Racing), meanwhile, was the rider who took the win with a late attack at Assen as Moor crashed out. It was his first in the NTC as the number 20 continues to impress in 2022, building on pre-season with some impressive finishes. He’ll want the good memories to give him that extra boost as the Cup returns to Assen, still in the hunt albeit 79 points down.

Home hero Loris Veneman (TeamNL OpenLine), meanwhile, will want a turnaround. The Dutchman had a tough first race weekend at the TT Circuit Assen – his worst of the 2022 campaign so far – but the Cup’s return to the classic track offers a second chance at some home turf glory. Can he take it? He and Martin Vincze (Chrobak Motorsport Egyesület) are the final two riders in the standings left in the running for the Cup, so there’s plenty on the line.

As ever, however, it will likely be a big group fight for at least some of the race, and another couple of classics heading down to the Geert Timmer chicane. So don’t miss Race 1 on Saturday at 16:50 (GMT +2), before Race 2 on Sunday at 15:20. Can Moor secure the crown or will Farkas fight back?

Canadian Sport Bike: Dion Leads Into Double-Header Finale At CTMP

David Swarts

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August 10, 2022

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Canadian Sport Bike: Dion Leads Into Double-Header Finale At CTMP

Dion, Fraser look to join exclusive lists in support class finales at CTMP

Toronto, ON – While much of the attention will be on the season-ending Pro Superbike tripleheader, the conclusion to the Canadian Superbike Championship campaign will feature just as much excitement in the five support classes this weekend, with every national crown still up for grabs entering Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, August 12-14.

Every class will get a doubleheader of their own to decide each title battle, with many of those fights likely to run deep into Sunday’s action, most notably in the Liqui Moly Pro Sport Bike class.

The secondary Pro class has lived up to the hype in what was expected to be a wide-open season, with four different winners in six races providing perhaps the most thrilling storylines of the campaign.

Rookie star Trevor Dion is the favourite for the title, entering the weekend with a firm 21-point lead aboard his LDS Consultants Kawasaki and fresh off his second victory of the year in AMP, as he looks to make history in the middleweight class.

Should Dion hang on to capture the Sport Bike crown, he would be the first rookie champion ever in the category’s history – dating back to 1986 – and only the third Pro rookie champion ever behind Jordan Szoke (1998) and Alex Dumas (2021).

Dion will have some experience at CTMP as well, having finished second there in his Pro national debut a year ago, and finishing second again there as a member of the Lightweight class in 2019.

It won’t come easy for him, however, as rival David MacKay looks to stage a late comeback for his first national crown. The Fast Company Kawasaki rider has paid the price heavily for his race one crash in Grand Bend, as he’s mostly matched or beaten Dion since then, capturing a pair of wins in races two and five of the campaign.

MacKay has scored a pair of podiums at CTMP in his career, finishing fifth and second in his two races there last season, but will likely need to add a victory or two to his tally if he hopes to hunt down the championship lead.

Still not mathematically ruled out is the Snow City Yamaha of Elliot Vieira, though Vieira would need some help from the racing gods as he trails by 39 points. The Guyanese star could still play a significant role in the title fight regardless, as he figures to be in the lead battle with Dion and MacKay throughout the weekend.

Also presumably in the lead fight could be the youngest and oldest riders in the class, respectively, as Jake LeClair and Louie Raffa battle for fourth overall. Raffa has been as consistent as any in 2022, finishing sixth or higher in all but two races for Honda, while the bLU cRU Yamaha of LeClair has been the opposite, scoring most of his points with a shocking debut win and another third-place finish at AMP.

As Dion chases one exclusive list in the Pro division, teenage sensation John Fraser will look to join another in the Amateur ranks, as he heads into CTMP with a legitimate chance at both Amateur championships.

A pair of dominant victories at his home track out east have given Fraser a 12-point lead in the AIM Insurance Amateur Superbike class, and the 16-year-old will return to the site of his national debut from a year ago where he impressed aboard his Yamaha machine.

He will still have to hold off the frontrunning Kawasaki of Julien Lafortune – a tough task as it is – before he can turn his focus to the Sport Bike division, but should he do so, Fraser could become only the third double-champion in Amateur class history after Luc Labranche (2019) and Mitch Card (2012).

That will be no easy task for the Nova Scotia native either, though, as he looks to close a seven-point deficit to Paul Etienne Courtois atop the Amateur Sport Bike standings.

Courtois has adapted seamlessly in his first season aboard the bigger Kawasaki machine, and capitalized on Fraser’s early-season struggles as the only rider to podium in every race thus far, but he has seen his lead shrink dramatically after a pair of wins for his younger counterpart on the east coast.

The closest championship battle to watch will be in the Super Sonic Race School Lightweight class, where just eight points separate the top three riders entering the final two races of the year.

The title appeared to be Evan Moriarity’s to lose entering AMP, but the winner of the first two races elected to return home, gifting a seven-point championship lead to youngster Bryce DeBoer and slipping another point back of Vincent Wilson in second.

DeBoer has yet to capture his first national victory this season, but has remained in the title battle thanks to podiums in four of his six races, as the Kawasaki teenager looks to hold off his Yamaha counterparts behind.

Neither of the three will carry any significant advantage into the weekend, however, as they will all be making their national debuts at CTMP – perhaps opening the door for others to help decide the title for them.

One title sure to be awarded on Saturday will be one part of the inaugural Lightweight Pro-Am, as Jared Walker takes an almost insurmountable 58-point lead in the Pro championship with just 58 points remaining this weekend.

Various tiebreaker scenarios prevented Walker from officially capturing the crown in AMP, but he’ll only need to avoid a worst-case scenario to wrap up the trophy on Saturday – or perhaps as early as Friday’s qualifying.

There’s far more left to be decided in the Amateur classification, as DeBoer aims for a second national crown at CTMP – albeit with just a nine-point lead over Grant Nesbitt.

The split-class category may not be DeBoer’s priority as he looks for the more renowned Lightweight Sport Bike championship, but it will be hard to turn away from his battle with Nesbitt, which was deadlocked entering the last round at AMP.

The full slate of support class action for the final doubleheader weekend can be found online at the series’ official website.

Recent Wedding: Toni Elias – Kristie Marie Kretschman

David Swarts

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August 9, 2022

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Recent Wedding: Toni Elias – Kristie Marie Kretschman

2010 Moto2 World Champion and 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Toni Elias and long-time partner Kristie Marie Kretschman were married August 3 in Manhattan Beach, California.

The couple were married on the beach at Tower 42, where they met while surfing in 2018.

World Endurance: Medical Update On Gino Rea

David Swarts

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August 9, 2022

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World Endurance: Medical Update On Gino Rea

F.C.C. TSR Honda France rider Gino Rea crashed August 6 during practice for the Suzuka 8-Hours FIM Endurance World Championship event in Japan.

He was airlifted to a local hospital but no information about his condition or injuries were released by official sources.

Today, Rea’s family posted the following statement to his Instagram page:

This post is made by Gino’s immediate family.

We couldn’t make a post earlier this is due to the Japanese culture as they do not release any news to media without the direct contact with the family first.

We arrived in Japan on the 8th of August at 8 pm with many thanks to the EWC, FIM, Suzuka Circuit, British Consulate and TSR racing team for all the help in arranging emergency Visas for us.

At 2.30pm We had the opportunity to see Gino so we now have confirmation from the doctor about his condition.

Gino was admitted to the intensive care unit on Saturday 6th August following an accident in Free Practice 2. He was concussed and sustained serious head injuries, he also has injuries to his left clavicle. He is still under sedation to reduce swelling on his brain and to control his temperature, he is due for another CT scan on Wednesday for a re-evaluation of his condition.

Thank you for the excellent work from the Suzuka Medics, Helicopter Crew and the Hospital staff.

Gino is very strong minded, lives life to the full and gives 100% to any situation. With him being so fit and healthy it will help him to a Speedy-G recovery.

Thanks for all the support and messages. We will keep you updated as soon as we have any new information.

The Reas and Berdinis

#keepfightingGino

MotoGP: Marquez Continuing Rehab, Will Attend Austrian GP (Includes Video)

David Swarts

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August 9, 2022

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MotoGP: Marquez Continuing Rehab, Will Attend Austrian GP (Includes Video)

Training with Marquez and staying connected

Recovery continues to progress well for Marc Marquez as he increases his training and starts to plan for the future, keeping in constant contact with the Repsol Honda Team.

Ten weeks on from surgery, Repsol Honda Team rider Marc Marquez continues to make progress as his condition improves. After several weeks of rest and light physiotherapy, the #93’s routine is beginning to intensify again. Frequently in the gym, Marquez has worked to maintain his overall fitness during his recovery and has now begun to work on strengthening his right arm. Constantly working closely with his team of doctors, physios and advisors, the entire process is being carefully monitored and managed.

His current training regime focuses on running, swimming, and resistance training in the gym with elastics. Each week weight and resistance are slowly added to increase strength without putting too much demand on the body.

“Step by step I am feeling better, and the bone is healing in a good way, which is the best news of all. We are still in rehabilitation mode; I am working very hard on the cardio side to try and be ready. At the end of August, I have another medical check, from there we can make another step with the rehabilitation and really start pushing and building muscles. Some days are better than others, but this is all part of the journey. I’m optimistic, but I don’t want to say too much about timings until we have this check – it’s not the time to push too much. I have waited a long time for these kinds of feelings,” reflected Marquez.

“It has been a struggle, it’s not two days or two months I have been struggling, it’s two years,” he continued. “I won some races last year like this, but I was struggling a lot. In Jerez I realised something had to change. It was hard and is hard now mentally – not because I am not racing, but because you always have this doubt about the arm. I can’t have another operation. I am convinced this one will be good, but these thoughts are always there in the back of your mind.”

Marquez is not just paying attention to the development of his body, he remains deeply invested and involved with the development of the Honda RC213V. As Stefan Bradl continues to combine his testing duties with replacing the #93, Marquez has been in constant contact with the German to fully understand the current bike and its development.

“Honda is in a critical moment. I am speaking a lot with my team and trying to understand the 2022 bike, the situation and what is happening. This is why I will go to Austria, to speak to everyone and to meet with the HRC staff from Japan to work for the future. We are all working together, we win together, we lose together, and we will come back together. I’m speaking a lot with Stefan Bradl as well, us and Santi are working together and testing things – both know how I ride. I said in Mugello that I will be at home, but I want to stay connected. With the previous operation I disconnected too much, and I want to be involved so that when I come back, I will have everything fresh.”

Marquez will attend the next Grand Prix in Austria to reconnect with the Repsol Honda Team and begin to make a plan for the future.

Video: Yamaha Racing Heritage Club Celebrates British History At Donington Park

David Swarts

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August 9, 2022

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Yamaha Racing Heritage Club Celebrates British History at Donington Park

A star-studded lineup of legendary British racers, including seven-time Grand Prix World Champion Phil Read, Chas Mortimer, Alan Carter, Niall and Tarran Mackenzie, plus more, took part in the Yamaha Racing Heritage Club festivities at the CRMC Classic Motorcycle Festival at Donington Park in the UK on the 30th-31st of July.

The Yamaha Racing Heritage Club (YRHC) was created to celebrate and protect the manufacturer’s rich racing legacy, and it did that in some style at Donington Park as it made its debut in the UK. After starring at the ASI Motoshow in Varano, Italy, the Sunday Ride Classic at Circuit Paul Ricard, France, and the Sachsenring Classic in Germany, the YRHC stand was one of the major attractions at Donington Park, with some of the biggest names in British racing making an appearance over the weekend.

It was not just the riders who took centre stage, though, as the impressive range of machines on display spanned the entire 65 years of Yamaha’s history, from their very first factory race bike, the 1957 250cc YD-A, and the first Yamaha to race in the UK, the Sonny Angel YDS-1R from 1960, all the way up to Tarran “Taz” Mackenzie’s 2021 British Superbike winning McAMS Yamaha R1. You can relive all of the best action from the event in the video below.

The undoubted star of the show was Yamaha’s first ever Grand Prix World Champion, eight-time Isle of Man TT winner, and most successful rider ever in terms of titles for the manufacturer, Phil Read. During his illustrious career, Read won 52 GPs and secured 121 podiums, plus he became the first person to win Grand Prix titles in the 125cc, 250cc, and 500cc classes. Read put Yamaha on the map in 1963 when he won the 1964 250cc World Championship on an RD56, but that was just the beginning of an epic story.

Former World Champion and multi-time Isle of Man TT winner Phil Read was one of the stars of the event. Photo courtesy Yamaha Racing Heritage Club. — Multi-time World Champion and multi-time Isle of Man TT winner Phil Read was one of the stars of the event. Photo courtesy Yamaha Racing Heritage Club.

He would go on to win a further four World Championships for Yamaha, including the 1971 250cc World Championship when he competed as a privateer onboard a very special modified TD2-B of his own design. This bike was known as the Team Read Castrol Yamaha and differed from the standard bike due to a revised frame, dry clutch, disc brakes front and rear, and a radically tuned engine built by former Yamaha Race Technician Ferry Brouwer.

It was an emotional weekend for one Read, as he was reunited with a lovingly restored version of this machine, along with a replica of his 1971 Team Read Castrol Yamaha 350cc bike, based on the TR2-B: “What an amazing day! Being reunited with these two bikes and seeing some old friends from the past has been incredible. It was lovely to celebrate racing history like this, and I could not believe how popular I was. I don’t think I have ever signed so many autographs.”

Alongside Read, Yamaha’s first ever 500cc Grand Prix winner, Chas Mortimer, joined the rest of the YRHC legends for Sunday’s autograph session, 50 years after taking that historic victory at the 1972 Spanish GP held on the Montjuic street circuit in Barcelona. Mortimer is the only rider in the history of motorcycle racing to have won World Championship races in the 125, 250, 350, 500 and 750 classes. Like Read, he also took eight TT victories and was delighted to participate in the event. “What an amazing set-up! I had no idea there would be such a massive turnout; it was a great way to spend the day,” commented Mortimer.

Alan Carter, who caused a sensation by winning the 250cc French GP at Le Mans in 1983 at the age of 18 in only his second World Championship race to become the youngest ever Grand Prix winner at the time, also joined in the fun. The Scottish rider even got the chance to take to the historic Donington Park track on board the actual YZR250 he rode to victory 39 years before: “To walk to the garage and see my bike from 1983, smell the engine, and to ride out of pit lane in front of the fans here at Donington, was one of the greatest moments of my life,” said Carter.

On top of this, all-round road racing legend, five-time TT winner and two-time Formula 2 World Champion Brian Reid, South African former Grand Prix rider Alan North, double British 250cc Champion Donnie McLeod, and former GP 500cc rider Steve Parrish were on hand to sign autographs for the fans and regale them with stories from yesteryear. Father and son duo Niall and “Taz” Mackenzie completed the incredible rider lineup, with three-time British Champion and former 250cc & 500c GP rider Niall taking part in the YRHC parade lap on Gene Romero’s 1975 Daytona 200 winning TZ750. He was joined on track by “Taz”, the reigning British Superbike Champion, riding the 1991 YZR500 ridden by Niall’s teammate that year, Jean-Philipe Ruggia.

Gene Romero's Daytona 200-winning 1975 Yamaha TZ750. Photo courtesy Yamaha Racing Heritage Club. — Gene Romero’s Daytona 200-winning 1975 Yamaha TZ750. Photo courtesy Yamaha Racing Heritage Club.

Comparing notes together afterwards, Niall admitted riding one of his heroes’ bikes was a dream come true, “I had seen pictures of the bike before, and I was a huge fan of Gene Romero as a kid, but to get to ride his Daytona 200 bike was just unreal.” For “Taz”, it was the first time he had ever ridden a 500cc two-stroke, and it was emotional knowing it was the same bike his father rode 21 years before: “I grew up looking at this bike for a long time, but never got to ride it. I only did a few laps and took it steady, but I opened it up a couple of times on the straight, and it was a beautiful bike to ride. To get to ride the same bike my father did, on track with him, in front of the fans at Donington park, was an extraordinary moment.”

The inaugural year of the YRHC has been a great success, and 2023 will see a full schedule of activities planned, with several events and more to be announced soon. If you own a classic Yamaha race bike and are interested in joining the YRHC to receive exclusive benefits such as advanced technical support and the chance to have your machine registered on the official database, email [email protected] to find out more.

Ferry Brouwer

Yamaha Racing Heritage Club – Technical Supervisor

“To be here at Donington park, with such an amazing lineup of riders and bikes, has been incredible. It is very special to see the passion of the fans and celebrate Yamaha’s rich racing history with them. Not only did we have some of the biggest names from British racing on hand to meet the fans, but we also had one of the best collections of race bikes I have ever seen, from 1957 to the present day. I want to thank Yamaha UK and all of the YRHC members and collectors who contributed to this spectacular event. It has been a very successful inaugural year for the YRHC, and we look forward to many more.”

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American Julian Correa (40) battled for the lead during British Talent Cup Race One at Oulton Park but crashed on the last lap. Photo courtesy MSVR. — American Julian Correa (40) racing for the lead of British Talent Cup Race One at Oulton Park earlier this season. Photo courtesy MSVR.