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AHRMA: Adams, Miller Split Vintage Cup Wins At Laguna Seca

David Swarts
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AHRMA: Adams, Miller Split Vintage Cup Wins At Laguna Seca

Miller and Adams Split AHRMA Vintage Cup Wins* at AHRMA Classic MotoFest™ of Monterey

(July 20, 2022, Elora, Tennessee) – Mark Miller and Curtis Adams split wins during the latest rounds of the 2022 American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) Vintage Cup at Laguna Seca.

Rounds 15 and 16 of the 2022 Bridgestone Tires AHRMA National Historic Cup Roadracing Series during the AHRMA Classic MotoFest™ of Monterey were held at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, CA July 16 and 17.

The 2022 Vintage Cup, sponsored by RoadracingWorld.com, features the Vintage Superbike Heavyweight class.  With most of the series regulars not participating in these West Coast rounds, the podium was filled with fast racers from California.

On Saturday, Mark Miller, who was aboard a 1979 Kawasaki KZ1000, led the opening laps as Curtis Adams of Riverside, CA worked to reel him in.  On lap five, Adams took the lead, but Miller pounced coming out of turn eleven to take the victory.  Darrin Gauvin rounded out the top three aboard his 1981 Honda CB900F.

Following the race, Saturday’s results were made provisional pending an official appeal filed by Miller’s team after another competitor protested the eligibility of the machine.  AHRMA officials are currently reviewing the protest under the appeal process.

On Sunday, Kevin Rammer, aboard a 1982 Honda CB650SC, took the hole shot but Adams was able to take the lead by the end of the first lap and ride to victory. California rider, David Crussell was second and Rammer third.  Rammer, of Newnan, Georgia, earned valuable points as he is currently second in the points lead for the overall Vintage Cup title.

“The race today on Sunday was an opportunity to go out and test some tires,” Adams said. “AHRMA changed the rules this year allowing slicks in this class so we were working with Bridgestone to provide feedback that will help the series and other riders.  We had to run a good pace just to do some testing.”

While Adams is relatively new to AHRMA, he has decades of racing experience. “A couple years ago I wanted to ride something.  AHRMA put on a good show at Willow Springs, so I built a little single to go ride at an AHRMA event and hang out with everybody and give me a reason to be there,” Adams said. During 2020, and almost by chance, he was able to purchase his CB750F.  “Once we owned it, we said ‘let’s see how far this goes.’”

The Vintage Superbike Heavyweight class is sponsored by International CBX Owners Association (ICOA).

Race dates and event registration links are available at: https://www.ahrma.org/schedules-results/

AHRMA National Historic Cup Roadracing Series Vintage Superbike Heavyweight – Vintage Cup Results

Saturday, July 16, 2022*

1.     Mark Miller, 1979 Kawasaki KZ1000, Calabasas, CA (Provisional)

2.     Curtis Adams, 1981 Honda CB750F, Riverside, CA

3.     Darrin Gauvin, 1981 Honda CB900F, Camarillo, CA

4.     David Crussell, 1978 Kawasaki Z1R, Sunol, CA

5.     Kevin Rammer, 1982 Honda CB650SC, Newnan, GA

 

Sunday, July 17, 2022

1.     Curtis Adams, 1981 Honda CB750F, Riverside, CA

2.     David Crussell, 1978 Kawasaki Z1R, Sunol, CA

3.     Kevin Rammer, 1982 Honda CB650SC, Newnan, GA

 

*Provisional pending appeal

 

About AHRMA:

The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated competing on fantastic classic and true vintage along with a wide range of modern motorcycles.  With about 3,300 members, AHRMA is the largest vintage racing group in North America and one of the biggest in the world. The association has grown steadily over the years, reflecting the increasing interest in classic bikes.

 

AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class Of 2022 Announced

David Swarts
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AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class Of 2022 Announced

Six to be inducted on Oct. 28 at the Violet Township Event Center in Pickerington, Ohio

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The votes have been tallied, and the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame is proud to announce the six inductees to be honored during the 2022 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Oct. 28 in Pickerington, Ohio.

The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2022 is Kenny Coolbeth, Greg Hancock, Effie Hotchkiss, Sandy Kosman, Ben Spies and James Stewart.

“The Class of 2022 includes men and women who have excelled in competition, engineering, design, motorcycle adventure and more,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “Some are champions in many of our premier racing disciplines — motocross, road racing, dirt track and speedway — while others excelled in limit-expanding adventures, or helping riders and teams reach their on-track potential. We are honored to recognize these motorcycling greats this Oct. 28 at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.”

The induction ceremony will include a cocktail reception at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame followed by dinner and the induction ceremony at the nearby Violet Township Event Center on Friday evening, with the following day to include an Open House and Class of 2022 installation exhibit in the AMA Hall of Fame Museum on the AMA campus.

Tickets for the 2022 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony are now available to the public at https://services.americanmotorcyclist.com/hofreg/.

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact AMA Business Development Manager Michael Kula at (949) 466-7833 or [email protected]

Hall of Fame inductees are selected from eight areas of influence: Ambassadors/Industry, Design/Engineering, Dirt Track, Leadership/Motorcycle Rights, Motocross/Supercross, Off-Road, Road Racing and Specialty Competition.

KENNY COOLBETH

Kenny Coolbeth began his national flat track racing career in 1994, winning the AMA Rookie of the Year award, and went on to win three AMA Grand National Championships in 2006, 2007 and 2008 while part of the factory Harley-Davidson team. Throughout his quarter-century career he compiled 27 AMA Grand National wins — sixth on the all-time list — and 108 AMA Grand National podiums.

GREG HANCOCK

Racer Greg Hancock has earned four Speedway World championships and eight AMA U.S. National Speedway championships in a career spanning four decades, with 2019 marking his 27th and last season competing in the Speedway World Championship series. While logging a record 218 Speedway Grand Prix appearances, he has finished in the top five in World Speedway competition 17 times, and finished in the top three eight times.

EFFIE HOTCHKISS

The first woman to complete a transcontinental motorcycle ride, Effie Hotchkiss began riding aboard small used motorcycles such as a single-cylinder Harley-Davidson. She purchased a brand-new 1915 Harley-Davidson 3-speed twin and left her job to travel by motorcycle to California. Effie’s mother, who worried about her daughter’s safety, joined her in a sidecar. Their journey began on May 2, 1915, and once they reached California, the two turned around and headed home in late August, finally completing the dream adventure in October.

SANDY KOSMAN

The late Sandy Kosman was a true pioneer in aftermarket chassis design and fabrication, an early producer of motorcycle-specific drag racing, flat track and road racing parts and products from the mid 1960s to the 2000s. Kosman found solutions to the increased demands upon competition motorcycles as horsepower increased over the years by creating chassis, brake and wheel systems that excelled in the most demanding racing applications. His chassis and parts designs in the drag racing world are perhaps his best-known contributions to motorcycle competition.

BEN SPIES

Ben Spies is considered one of the greatest American road racers in the history of the sport. Nicknamed “Elbowz” due to his signature riding style that showcased his always-protruding elbows, Spies’ five AMA National Championships include the 2008, 2007 and 2006 AMA Superbike titles, the 2007 AMA Superstock title, and the 2003 AMA Formula Xtreme title. He also competed successfully in World Superbike and MotoGP competition, scoring the 2009 World Superbike championship [and winning one MotoGP World Championship race].

JAMES STEWART

James “Bubba” Stewart was a dominant force in AMA Pro Motocross and AMA Supercross, winning two AMA Supercross national championships, three AMA Pro Motocross titles, two Motocross des Nations championships and seven AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships at Loretta Lynn’s. In 2008, Stewart won every race and every moto in the AMA Pro Motocross season, only the second motocross racer to ever notch a perfect season.

About the American Motorcyclist Association

Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. Besides offering members money-saving discounts on products and services, the AMA also publishes American Motorcyclist, a recently revitalized and monthly full-color magazine (and digital version of same) that covers current events and motorcycle history with brilliant photography and compelling writing. American Motorcyclist is also North America’s largest-circulation magazine. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

Not a member? Join the AMA today: AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

Jones Wins Royal Enfield BTR Race At Port Royal Half-Mile

David Swarts
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Jones Wins Royal Enfield BTR Race At Port Royal Half-Mile

BUILD. TRAIN. RACE. Flat Track Rolls On At Port Royal

Royal Enfield BTR and Moto Anatomy X bring Flat Track action to Port Royal Half-Mile in Pennsylvania

Milwaukee, WI (Wednesday, July 20, 2022) – The 2022 season of Royal Enfield’s groundbreaking Build. Train. Race. Flat Track program reached its halfway point at the Port Royal Half-Mile, where the full grid of 15 women returned to the track. Jaycee Jones took another victory with newcomer Zaria Martens hot on her tail and Jillian Deschenes rounding out the BTR Flat Track podium. Port Royal Speedway in Pennsylvania was also the site of Cameron Smith’s second and final fill-in ride with the Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield team. Smith was looking to repeat his Production Twins podium performance from the Weedsport round, but would ultimately settle for a top-ten finish.

BUILD. TRAIN. RACE.

The previous BTR Flat Track round (Laconia Short Track, June 12) was short a few riders, namely round-one winner Jillian Deschenes and Nean Kiskela. Both racers unfortunately tested positive for Covid and were forced to stay home. For the Port Royal Half-Mile, however, all racers were healthy and ready to race. Deschenes, in particular, was ready to fight for another win against title rival Jaycee Jones and rookie star Zaria Martens.

The battle royal was somewhat spoiled after an incident in the Semi in which Deschenes and Jones both got sideways at the start. The contact resulted in Deschenes going down. Stephanie Pietz was able to slide through the wreckage, but Kiskela wasn’t as fortunate, getting tangled with Deschenes and sheering off a footpeg in the process.

All the ladies were able to grid up for the Main, with Deschenes relegated to the third row after a DNF in the Semi. It was an uphill battle for the BTR veteran, especially against Jones, who won at Port Royal in 2021, and was scorching fast all day. Jones’ quickest lap time in the Main was a 27.9, putting her just outside qualifying times for the Production Twins class.

In the main, Jones led from flag to flag, with 18-year-old Martens relentless in her pursuit. Martens would collect another podium finish ahead of Deschenes, who worked her way up from the third row to third place overall.

“I came into this weekend with a lot of nerves after having missed the last round due to Covid,” explained Jillian Deschenes. “After the incident off the start in the Semi I felt hungrier than ever for the podium. Starting from the third row in the Main, I didn’t feel the same pressure I usually do when starting on the front row, but I was motivated to work as close to the front as possible and was thrilled to come away with a third-place finish. That was one of the most fun BTR races I’ve had to date.”

The BTR women will reconvene at the Black Hills Speedway in Rapid City, South Dakota on August 6thfor the fourth full-grid round of the season.

Royal Enfield BUILD. TRAIN. RACE. Flat Track

Laconia Short Track Results

1. Jaycee Jones (#33)

2. Zaria Martens (#08)

3. Jillian Deschenes (#31)

4. Makenna Hiatt (#81)

5. Stephanie Pietz (#57)

6. Alex Bumpus McDonald (#2)

7. Erin Ferris (#909)

8. Malary Lee (#6)

9. Lanakila MacNaughton (#88)

10. Anna Serena (#800)

11. Kaiela Hobart (#46)

12. Nean Kiskela (#27)

13. Gabrielle Hughes (#327)

14. Nia Reese (#15)

15. Moriah Hummer (#7)

PRODUCTION TWINS

Cameron Smith had a breakthrough ride, and a near win at Weedsport Speedway in New York two weeks prior, and was looking to back up his performance at the New York Short Track with a win at the Port Royal Half-Mile. Although he ran into hard luck at his home race in Pennsylvania, Smith, who was filling in for the injured Johnny Lewis, kept plugging away and ultimately carded a ninth-place finish on the Royal Enfield Twins FT motorcycle.

 

Cameron Smith (34) at speed at the Port Royal Half-Mile. Photo courtesy Royal Enfield North America.
Cameron Smith (34) at speed at the Port Royal Half-Mile. Photo courtesy Royal Enfield North America.

 

Smith suffered a broken chain earlier in the day and qualified 12th on the grid for the Production Twins Main. The Moto Anatomy X team, which was under the direction of Lewis, who made the transition from rider to Team Manager for the Port Royal round, made some geometry changes to the Twins FT for the Main, and while it took Smith a few laps to acclimate, he quickly began working his way through the pack. He was mid-pack and building momentum when a mechanical issue struck. Fortunately he was still able to take the checkered flag in ninth for the night.

After sitting out two rounds due to suffering a knee injury at the Laconia Short Track, Johnny Lewis is on the mend, and plans to make his return to racing the American Flat Track series at the Peoria TT, July 30.

Visit https://www.americanflattrack.com/results/default for detailed results.

American Cody Kitchens Wins Again, At Catalunya

David Swarts
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American Cody Kitchens Wins Again, At Catalunya

CODY KITCHENS WINS AGAIN IN SPANISH YAMAHA R6 CUP AT CATALUNYA

Andifer Racing Team rider Cody Kitchens raced his Yamaha R6 to a well-earned victory at
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on July 17th at round three of the Yamaha R6 Cup in the
Rookies division.

At another track that Cody had never been to before, he used the three practice sessions on Friday and two qualifying sessions on Saturday to learn the nuances of the Grand Prix circuit, getting faster with each session. He qualified on the inside of the fifth row in the 34-rider field.

A very good start put him into Turn One with the leaders, but he was hemmed in on the inside and had to wait until the end of the first lap to start passing other riders. Cody gained six positions over the next nine laps, but the race was cut short by a red flag with two laps remaining. Cody finished ninth overall and first in the Rookies category.

“I got a really good start, which helped me get up with the faster guys who have been racing at Catalunya for years,” said Cody. “I passed a rider or two each lap, and my times kept coming down. The bike worked well the faster I went.”

Cody continues to lead the points in the Rookies division of the 2022 Yamaha R6 Cup
(www.challengeyamaha.com).

Cody will be heading back to Texas for the summer break in the next week. Cody’s next event of the 2022 Yamaha R6 Cup series is at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo (Valencia) on September 9-11, 2022.

For the 2022 season, Cody Kitchens is proud to be sponsored by MT Helmets, Three
Chihuahua Racing (www.threechihuahuaracing.com) and Pakosta37 Riders Factory.

For more information, visit Cody on Facebook at www.facebook.com/codykitchensracing and on Instagram at codykitchens25.

MRA: Applegate, Grant Win Again At High Plains Raceway

David Swarts
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MRA: Applegate, Grant Win Again At High Plains Raceway

The Motorcycle Roadracing Association (MRA) was excited to hold its fourth race round of the season this last weekend [July 16-17] at club-affiliated High Plains Raceway (HPR) located in Deer Trail, CO. The Full Course configuration was on offer for the competitors of this event and the annual 4-hour Endurance event was held. It is the one round of the year when the MRA makes the Endurance races the premier event of the day.

The weather could be described in a single word. That word is hot, with temperatures in the high 90’s at HPR for the entire weekend and the riders facing blistering heat and sun as well as the typical Colorado style storm fronts blowing through in the late afternoon. With the history of this event, the conditions were anticipated, and the MRA declares the 4-hour Endurance a “flag to flag” race from the start. The competitors not only had to contend with each other and the clock, but had to persevere through several track drenching cloud bursts as well!

Run on Saturday afternoon, the basic rules of this Endurance race were simple in their way: Complete the most laps in four hours to win. All small specific rules and fiddly protocols aside, this race can be accomplished in three ways. First by a solo rider in the ‘Titanium Butt’ class. Completed as a team of up to four riders switching out on one bike in the ‘True Endurance’ class. As well completed as a team of up to four riders and four bikes, where the transponder must be handed off like a relay baton in what is known as the ‘Pony Express’ class. All three classes share the track and battle it out for four hours straight.

Stephen Townsend, MRA Alumni and ‘Veteran Club White Plate’, who came home to Colorado to visit specifically for the event, took the honorable mention as he completed 104 laps, and won this year’s “Titanium Butt” class competition. Just as it sounds, 104 laps in four hours, all by himself. With a total of 106 laps, team ‘MotherTruckers’ won the ‘True Endurance’ class, and with a total of 109 laps team ‘Wounded Knees’ won the ‘Pony Express’ class. (Participants and times/laps listed out in detail below.)

The real draw of this event was the sportsmanship that came out of the woodwork late in the race day. There were several instances of rivals and class competitors cheering each other on, helping to do minor fixes and maintenance on each other’s bikes, and giving each other water and fuel. Even going so far as to check in on each other to make sure that ‘sway’ or ‘wobble’ wasn’t heat exhaustion. Of particular note, one full motor swap was completed on a vintage R6, right there in the paddock under a pop-up tent. The clubmen were even able to get the bike started for a short while, before the starter failed again. Fortunately for some and unfortunately for others, a little luck does tend to play its part in this event.

Lastly about the Endurance, many examples of on-track of thumbs ups and waves were noted, and the giving of a little extra space was common.  The MRA endurance round is,and fully becomes toward the end of the clock what club racing is all about. People passionate about motorcycles racing and riding their hearts out for their friends, teams, clubs and hometowns! This reporter personally witnessed one of the fastest racers on track give space too and ride around the outside of one of slowest riders around Turn 8 very late in the race. Turn 8 is an extremely tight left hairpin at HPR. The faster rider slowed, made sure the other could see, and then gave a huge thumbs up for the nice clean predictable line as they rolled toward Turn 9. Nods were returned and if a helmet could smile, it did. Competitive sportsmanship at its finest.

Sunday dawned just as bright and hot as the day before. What rain came down overnight simply added humidity, with no relief for the racers. Race of the Rockies GTO & GTU (RORO & RORU) were again in the forefront of the participants mind. Despite an early red flag that saw one bike down into Turn One (as well as one ride up and OK) the race got off to its usual fast and fierce start. In the RORO class Mike Applegate continued his winning ways and pulled off another extremely strong and consistent race to see the checkered flag first.  James Wilkerson saw the fastest lap of the race with a 1:48.6 but was unable to use that speed consistently enough to reel in Applegate. Joseph Resta secured the final step of the podium.

In the RORU class, Liam Grant, who started near the very back of the grid, was able to battle his way through most of the grid and was showing wheel to many of the 1000cc machines. Mr. Grant not only took first in the class, but third overall in the race. A truly impressive ride, on an ‘under powered’ machine. He was rumored to have been on one of his MotoAmerica-spec middleweight bikes, but when asked, he simply offered a friendly, if sly, smile and said, “Super happy to be here and support the MRA for this. I’m here to put in the work for my team, and I ride what they give me.” He would be coaxed no further on the topic, at least by this reporter. Congratulations Liam! Ken Yee and Jared Dear also battled through a handful of bigger bikes to take 5th and 6th overall, as well as 2nd and 3rd in their class respectively. Congratulations to all the ROR competitors!
Special thanks and nods to CAMA, the HPR 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 Pot Luck and awards ceremony for the Endurance that ran late into the evening.

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 Five coming August 6-7 at Pueblo Motorsports Park.

 

Rnd 4 results

Canadian Superbike: Close Championship Heading To “Shubie” (Includes Video)

David Swarts
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Canadian Superbike: Close Championship Heading To “Shubie” (Includes Video)

CSBK returns to east coast as Young, Dumas look for title edge

Toronto, ON –  The penultimate round of the Canadian Superbike Championship will return to the east coast for the first time in three years this weekend, as Pro Superbike rivals Ben Young and Alex Dumas look to break their championship stalemate at Atlantic Motorsport Park, presented by Pro Cycle, Kawasaki, and Arai.

Young will carry a one-point advantage into the fifth and sixth races of the feature class season in AMP, before embarking on a season-ending tripleheader in August, but that lead will mean little to him after dropping the last two races to Dumas in Calabogie.

However, Young will get a bit of a morale boost when he returns to Shubenacadie, NS, as the tight eleven-turn, 2.5 km circuit holds a special place in his career – and remains the site of one of the greatest comebacks in CSBK history.


Locked in a fierce title battle with Jordan Szoke in 2019, it was at AMP where Young and Szoke collided early, with the Van Dolder’s Home Team BMW rider recovering from 10th to score a decisive victory after a last lap, last corner pass.

Compare that to the inexperience of Dumas, who made his east coast debut at the SARL regional just this weekend, and it would be easy to anoint Young the championship leader entering CTMP next month. However, if his 19-year-old counterpart has shown us anything in his brief CSBK career, it’s that he shouldn’t be doubted.

Dumas has finished on the podium in every single race since returning north of the border, and the defending champion shocked many when he turned up to Grand Bend in round one – another track he had yet to race at – and scored a pair of second-place finishes aboard his Liqui Moly/Fast School Suzuki.

He will surely be in for a tougher challenge at ‘Shubie,’ a track known for being one of the most physically demanding in North America, but the punishing layout could also work to Dumas’ advantage as he hunts down the more experienced Young.

Their qualifying results will be crucial to their weekend performances as they aim for track position on the run down to turn two, but it will also play a mighty role in their battle for the BS Battery Pole Position Award. Young holds a two-point advantage after a pair of second-place grid slots, but pole in Calabogie helped Dumas close the gap with just two more chances remaining.

Not to be discounted atop the feature class is the other frontrunning Suzuki of Trevor Daley, who led majority of that famed race in 2019 before losing out to Young, the closest Daley has ever come to his first Pro Superbike victory.

The OneSpeed/Pro Cycle rider has been erratic at times in 2022, but the pace has remained as strong as ever with a pair of podiums on the season, and another fast start coupled with the high-stakes battle between Young and Dumas could be a perfect recipe for Daley to finally capture his elusive debut victory.

Inexperience may be the theme further down the midfield, as a number of names either head to AMP for the first time or under much different circumstances. Sebastian Tremblay will be one of the latter, having competed on the east coast on numerous occasions but primarily in the Liqui Moly Pro Sport Bike class.

Now fully focused on his Superbike program, Tremblay will hope to keep his momentum going after scoring a brilliant podium in round two, a result that propelled the Turcotte Performance Kawasaki rider to fourth in the championship overall.

One of the more experienced riders at AMP will also be looking to build on some recent form, as Michael Leon returns to one of his more successful tracks after a strong bounce-back weekend in Calabogie.

The Royal Distributing BMW rider finished fourth there in 2018 after qualifying on the front row, and has a few more top-five finishes to his name in the Superbike class, as he looks to play a key role for BMW as they lead the Constructors Championship.

Fellow BMW-mounted rider Samuel Guerin will also be looking to keep his strong form intact, though he will be making his first ever appearance at AMP and will be sorely lacking in experience compared to his championship rivals.

The EFC Group rider and former championship runner-up has been solid in all four races thus far but has yet to return to the podium, and he may have to wait at least one more round to do so as he hopes to cling on to fifth in the overall standings.

One opportunity for movement in the standings may come in the Brooklin Cycle Racing Pro Rookie of the Year fight, as an unfortunate turn of events has opened up a massive prospect for Ryan Taylor.

The Taylor Racing Ducati rider initially looked to be in tough against Trevor Dion after Dion became the breakout star of round one, but the LDS Consultants BMW rider has since decided to focus on his title lead in the Liqui Moly Pro Sport Bike class.

As such, Taylor has now dropped the gap down to just ten points in the fight for top Rookie honours, and another pair of points finishes could be enough to give him an edge in the award battle heading to CTMP.

The long-awaited return to AMP will officially kick off with a CSBK Event Party on Thursday night, hosted at Pro Cycle in Dartmouth, NS. The major powersports dealer has been Atlantic Canada’s premier source of fun since 1983, and continues to be a devoted partner of the CSBK series, providing logistical and technical support to the nation’s premier racing championship.

The full schedule for the four-day weekend event can be found on the series’ official website at csbk.ca.

North America Talent Cup: Clark, Enriquez Split Wins At Roebling Road

David Swarts
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North America Talent Cup: Clark, Enriquez Split Wins At Roebling Road

ROEBLING RODEO TIGHTENS UP THE CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

It could have been anyone’s win at the closest race yet of the NATC.

SAVANNAH, GA, July 18, 2022 – Round four of the North America Talent Cup (NATC) produced the closest racing of the season so far, with the top eight riders finishing within .5 second of each other in race one. Race two was even closer, with the top four within a tenth of a second.

His first win of the season, Alex Enriquez was able to work through the pack and finish first—just over a tenth of a second ahead of Aiden Sneed. Chris Clark rounded out the top three, with four other riders in the lead pack. It came down to race craft and patience to earn a podium among many worthy contenders.

In race two, it was a photo finish with Chris Clark beating Logan Monk to the finish line by .008. It was an incredibly close race. On the last lap, a pack of seven riders had a chance at the win all the way to the finish line.

After four rounds, the championship has tightened up. Alessandor DiMario leads with 145 points to Jesse James Shedden’s 141 points. Aiden Sneed sits in third with 100 points after a podium in race one.

The new North America Talent Cup aims to provide riders across the continent with a vital link to professional road racing. The NATC is considered a stepping-stone between the FIM MiniGP North America Series and professional series such as MotoAmerica’s™ Junior Cup or international feeder series like the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup or FIM Moto3™ Junior World Championship.

The North America Talent Cup is proud to partner have partnered with WERA for round four at Roebling Road Raceway.

To learn more about the North America Talent Cup, visit: www.northamericatalentcup.com

To learn more about the WERA, visit: www.wera.com

About NATC

The NATC is a one-make spec-series of teams and riders, using the successful Northern Talent Cup as a blueprint. The limit on entries is 20 riders between 13 and 16 years of age in 2022. The spec-motorcycle will be the Aprilia RS250 SP2; a machine developed by Aprilia in partnership with Ohvale and proven to offer a competitive platform for developing talent. The NATC is designed to create close competition in a cost-effective manner. In its first year, the NATC will race throughout the continental U.S., with seven designated rounds taking place alongside MotoGP™, MotoAmerica™, WERA, and MRA.

About WERA

WERA, based in Canton, Ga., is one of the oldest and largest national sanctioning bodies conducting motorcycle races at road courses across the United States. Since 1974 WERA has enabled thousands of racers at all levels the opportunity to compete across the country. WERA offers a Rider’s School with entry-level racing, pro-am racing and vintage racing for anyone with a motorcycle.

About the FIM North America 

FIM North America is one of six Continental Unions (CONUs) recognized as geographical subdivisions and accountable to the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). It was founded in 1998. The national federations who are members of FIM North America are, by virtue of their geographical area and their membership in the FIM, the American Motorcyclist Association and the Canadian Motorcycle Association. FIM North America establishes an annual calendar of Continental Championship events and other activities and declares champions in designated disciplines and classes. Its member federations issue CONU licenses to riders participating in FIM NA events as well as those who are participating in Continental Championship events organized in other CONUs. For more information, visit fim-northamerica.com.

 

NATC Championship Standings _ RD4 Race 1
 NATC Championship Standings _ RD4 Race 2

Central Roadracing Association: Miest Breaks Lap Record Again

David Swarts
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Central Roadracing Association: Miest Breaks Lap Record Again

Justin Miest breaks his own track record at Brainerd International Raceway’s Competition Course

Brainerd, MN – The Central Roadracing Association (CRA) held its third event of the 2022 season on Brainerd International Raceway’s Competition Course July 15-17. The event+ included the annual Jed Copham 3-hour Team Challenge as well as 8-lap Supersport, Superbike and GP sprint races. The whole weekend was hot and humid but the track showed plenty of grip, some of which can be attributed to the improvements BIR has recently made to repave turn 9, or also known as ‘The Joker’.

25 teams entered the Jed Copham 3-hour Team Challenge, which was created by the CRA to honor former owner of Brainerd International Raceway who tragically lost his life in 2018. In this 3-hour team challenge, each team can consist of three riders and each rider can race their own machine. As riders take their pit stop they must transfer the team’s transponder to the next bike before heading out on track. At the beginning of the race Jake Schmotter of team SMR / Cheap Thrills set the pace out front putting down lap times in the 1:37 to 1:38 range on his Yamaha R1. Justin Miest of Nielsen Racing matched Schmotter’s pace and was content stalking Jake for the entire first stint. Shane Keaveny of Team Hawaii trailed close in third putting down 1:39 lap times.

As the race progressed there was a natural rate of small tip overs and mechanicals but at one point, we saw a racer who crashed, quickly grab the transponder off their crashed bike, and give it the ol’ Tom Brady over the track/pit wall where his teammates caught it and continued the race on of their other machines. In the end, Schmotter and teammate Nelson took the overall win finishing ahead of Nielsen Racing by 1 minute 33 seconds. Coming in third place was team Joe’s Hoes aboard their three Krämer motorcycles.

Featherweight proved to be amongst the closest racing all weekend. In the expert ranks, we saw a four-way battle between Andrew Vandal, Justin Miest, William Miller and Ike Messmore as they put down lap times in the high 1:51’s and low 1:52’s. Each racer was using the draft and swapping positions with every lap. Justin came out with two wins and Ike came out with the other win; Ike’s first win as a club expert. The other small-bike class, Ultralight expert, it was Jake Vandal who swept aboard his Kawasaki Ninja 400 ahead of Justin Miest and brother Andrew Vandal. In novice it was complete domination by Sam Fisk in both Featherweight and Ultralight often finishing a half a second ahead of his competitors.

Giving credit where credit is due, 2021 #1 expert Christian Schmidt continued his superhuman form in the Welterweight expert class, sliding the front tire of his Krämer HKR EVO2 R through virtually every corner. The credit is warranted as he put down a blistering lap of 1:39.585 in Welterweight race two on a single-cylinder 690.

Kyle Franz was also a guy on the move this weekend aboard his team Futurestar Ducati 899 Panigale as he won both Lightweight Superbike and GP expert races, holding off the likes of Brian Rogers, Josh Pangier and Andrew Kruse. First-year expert Graham Williams was able to pull out his first win and hold off the likes of seasoned but new-to-lightweight Tony Mahto in Lightweight Supersport. Welterweight, Lightweight GP, and Supertwins novice was completely controlled by first-year CRA racer Thor Routh. Thor ended up winning every race entered and ended the weekend with a total of six wins.

Middleweight was the largest class we saw this weekend with 27 racers finishing Middleweight Supersport on Saturday. Naturally the larger grids made for excellent racing and needless to say, close racing. Zack Abraham won both Middleweight Supersport and Superbike expert races aboard his Kawasaki ZX-6R putting down a best lap of 1:38.806 and consistently lapping in the low 1:39’s. Zack held off one of the club’s favorite (or is it favourite) Canadian Jordan Imrie, who also took a win in Middleweight GP with a best lap of 1:39.498. Chase Sellers of Cheap Thrills entered Middleweight Supersport on a borrowed bike, only to upset the competition and finish in the final podium position. There were also outstanding battles between Dillon Baumeister, Justin Ebnet and Brian Hebeisen who all found themselves on the podium throughout the weekend.

The position swaps didn’t end with the experts, as there were a number of good battles in Middleweight novice. Second-year racer Ryan Largent on his Nielsen Racing Yamaha R6 swept the field taking home three wins and putting down a personal best and fastest lap of 1:39.307. Ryan held off Judah Wimbley in Middleweight Supersport who also found himself in the 1:39’s, but due to mechanical he didn’t start Middleweight Superbike and GP. Battling for the final podium positions were Nick Bjornstad, Austin Yantes and Reed Anderson.

The fight in Unlimited picked up right where it left off last month between Jake Schmotter and Justin Miest, but Justin’s pace was too hot to handle. In Unlimited Supersport on Saturday, Justin put down a lap time of 1:34.163 on his Nielsen Racing Kawasaki ZX-10R using Michelin Power Performance tires, breaking the previous track record (set by Justin) on the Competition Course of 1:34.678. throughout the weekend Justin was able to do three additional laps all under the previous lap record, proving that there are still tenths of a second to be found at BIR. The pace for all three Unlimited races at the front settled in the 1:36’s. Justin crashed out of the lead in Unlimited GP and Jake was able to capitalize and walked away with the win. Veteran Shane Keaveny found himself rounding out the final step of the podium in both Unlimited Supersport and Superbike. The club’s other favorite Canadian JR Hiebert, as well as Justin Robson, found themselves on the podium in Unlimited GP.

The CRA is operated entirely by volunteers that are dedicated to the sport of racing motorcycles. A very special thank you to all our volunteers.

Round Four of the CRA championship will be held at Brainerd International Raceway on August 12-14.

Volunteers can pre-register for CRA Round Four starting July 23rd through MotorsportsReg.

 

Race Results

Middleweight SS Expert

1             Zack Abraham

2             Jordan Imrie

3             Chase Sellers

4             Justin Ebnet

5             Dillon Baumeister

6             Justin Robson

 

Middleweight SS Novice

1             Ryan Largent

2             Judah Wimbley

3             Nicholas Bjornstad

4             Spencer Morabito

5             Austin Yantes

6             Reed Anderson

 

UL Cup Race 1 Expert

1             Jake Vandal

2             Justin Miest

3             Andrew Vandal

4             William Miller

5             Max Bullard

6             Harlan Bullard

 

UL Cup Race 1 Novice

1             Sam Fisk

2             Tom Marchant

3             Katerina Litvinova

4             Alec Irwin

 

WelterW Race 1 Expert

1             Christian Schmidt

2             Kyle Franz

3             Ike Messmore

4             Graham Williams

5             Brian Rogers

6             Dane Fickel

 

WelterW Race 1 Novice

1             Thor Routh

2             Jason Denman

 

90s SB Cup Race 1 Expert

1             Jes  Schwartz

2             James Michaelson

3             Jason Weidholz

 

90s SB Cup Race 1 Novice

1             Michael McMerty

 

HWSS Expert

1             Zack Abraham

2             Brian Hebeisen

3             Jordan Imrie

4             Justin Ebnet

5             Dillon Baumeister

6             Chase Sellers

 

HWSS Novice

1             Nicholas Bjornstad

2             Spencer Morabito

3             Austn Yantes

4             Logan Willet

5             Reed Anderson

6             Chris Chamberland

 

FWSS Expert

1             Justin Miest

2             William Miller

3             Andrew Vandal

4             Ike Messmore

5             Dane Fickel

6             Catherine Hurley

 

FWSS Novice

1             Sam Fisk

2             Nicholas Bjornstad

3             Ross Olson

4             Braden Routh

5             Jacques Smith

6             Katerina Litvinova

 

Unlimited SS Expert

1             Justin Miest

2             Jake Schmotter

3             Shane Keaveny

4             Zachery Hughes

5             PR Stafki

6             Jesse Nelson

 

Unlimited SS Novice

1             Mike Olson

2             Aaron Inouye

 

LWSS Expert

1             Graham Williams

2             Tony Mahto

3             Jake Vandal

4             Jason Weidholz

5             Jeffrey Quam

 

LWSS Novice

1             Jason Denman

2             Denyse Brooks

3             Miranda Cain

 

Formula 40 – F1

1             Josh Pangier

2             Tate Guckin

3             Kristie Strandmark

 

Formula 40 – F2

1             JR Hiebert

2             Justin Robson

3             Mark Dargis

4             Kris Skellenger

5             Denyse Brooks

6             Christopher Staub

 

Sportsman LW Expert

1             Ike Messmore

2             Dane Fickel

3             Billy Lachmiller

 

Sportsman MW Expert

1             Jason Weidholz

 

Supertwins Expert

1             JR Hiebert

2             PR Stafki

3             Josh Pangier

4             Kyle Franz

5             Tate Guckin

6             Graham Williams

 

Supertwins Novice

1             Thor Routh

2             Jason Denman

3             Don Blaess

4             Denyse Brooks

5             Miranda Cain

 

MWSB Expert

1             Zack Abraham

2             Jordan Imrie

3             Dillon Baumeister

4             Brian Hebeisen

5             Justin Ebnet

6             Colin McMerty

 

MWSB Novice

1             Ryan Largent

2             Austin Yantes

3             Reed Anderson

4             Chris Castle

5             Nicholas Tindal

6             Logan Willet

 

UL Cup Race 2 Expert

1             Jake Vandal

2             Andrew Vandal

3             William Miller

4             Max Bullard

5             Harlan Bullard

6             Billy Lachmiller

 

UL Cup Race 2 Novice

1             Sam Fisk

2             Tom Marchant

3             Hunter Hebeisen

4             Matthew Gauer

5             Katerina Litvinova

 

WelterW Race 2 Expert

1             Christian Schmidt

2             Brian Rogers

3             Kyle Franz

4             Josh Pangier

5             Graham Williams

6             Tony Mahto

 

WelterW Race 1 Novice

1             Thor Routh

 

90s SB Cup Race 2 Expert

1             Jes Schwartz

2             James Michaelson

3             Jason Weidholz

 

90s SB Cup Race 2 Novice

1             Michael McMerty

 

HWSB Expert

1             Zack Abraham

2             Brian Hebeisen

3             Dillon Baumeister

4             Colin McMerty

5             Aaron Anderson

6             Justin Robson

 

HWSB Novice

1             Nicholas Bjornstad

2             Austin Yantes

3             Logan  Willet

4             Nicholas Tindal

5             Spencer Morabito

6             Chris Chamberland

 

FWSB Expert

1             Ike Messmore

2             Andrew Vandal

3             William Miller

4             Justin Miest

5             Harlan Bullard

6             Max Bullard

 

FWSB Novice

1             Sam Fisk

2             Ross Olson

3             Hunter Hebeisen

4             Matthew Gauer

5             Braden Routh

6             Katerina Litvinova

 

Unlimited SB Expert

1             Justin Miest

2             Shane Keaveny

3             Jake Schmotter

4             Jesse Nelson

5             PR Stafki

6             Austin Tschida

 

Unlimited SB Novice

1             Aaron Inouye

 

LWSB Expert

1             Kyle Franz

2             Brian Rogers

3             Josh Pangier

4             Andrew Kruse

5             Jake Vandal

6             Graham Williams

 

LWSB Novice

1             Thor Routh

2             Sam Fisk

3             Jason Denman

4             Don Blaess

5             Miranda Cain

 

MWGP Expert

1             Jordan Imrie

2             Brian Hebeisen

3             Justin Ebnet

4             Justin Robson

5             Tony Boshart

6             Nick Paidosh

 

MWGP Novice

1             Ryan Largent

2             Nicholas Bjornstad

3             Austin Yantes

4             Spencer Morabito

5             Nicholas Tindal

6             Logan Willet

 

UL Cup Race 3 Expert

1             Jake Vandal

2             Justin Miest

3             Andrew Vandal

4             Harlan Bullard

5             Max Bullard

6             Catherine Hurley

 

UL Cup Race 3 Novice

1             Sam Fisk

2             Tom Marchant

3             Hunter Hebeisen

4             Matthew Gauer

5             Katerina Litvinova

 

WelterW Race 3 Expert

1             Christian Schmidt

2             Kyle Franz

3             Brian Rogers

4             Jeff Bean

5             Ike Messmore

6             Dane Fickel

 

WelterW Race 3 Novice

1             Thor Routh

2             Jason Denman

 

90s SB Cup Race 3 Expert

1             Jes Schwartz

2             James Michaelson

3             Jason Weidholz

 

HWGP Expert

1             Brian Hebeisen

2             Justin Robson

3             Mark Dargis

 

HWGP Novice

1             Nicholas Bjornstad

2             Spencer Morabito

3             Logan Willet

4             Nicholas Tindal

5             Christian Swanson

6             Chris Chamberland

 

FWGP Expert

1             Justin Miest

2             Andrew Vandal

3             Ike Messmore

4             Harlan Bullard

5             Max Bullard

6             Dane Fickel

 

FWGP Novice

1             Sam Fisk

2             Ross Olson

3             Hunter Hebeisen

4             Nicholas Bjornstad

5             Braden Routh

6             Katerina Litvinova

 

Unlimited GP Expert

1             Jake Schmotter

2             JR Hiebert

3             Justin Robson

4             Russell Chamberlin

5             Pat Gill

 

LWGP Expert

1             Kyle Franz

2             Graham Williams

3             Jake Vandal

4             Jeff  Bean

5             Ike Messmore

6             Jeff Franz

 

LWGP Novice

1             Thor Routh

2             Sam Fisk

3             Jason Denman

4             Denyse Brooks

American Matsudaira Wins Moto5 Race In Spain

David Swarts
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American Matsudaira Wins Moto5 Race In Spain

American Kensei Matsudaira Wins in Moto5 Spanish Championship

July 16-17, 2022

11-year-old Japanese-American Kensei Matsudaira became a Moto5 category race winner on July 17, 2022 in the third round of the Cuna de Campeones Spanish Championship at Kotarr Circuit in Burgos, Spain.

Despite some technical issues during free practice on Saturday, Kensei was able to secure his first front-row start in the Spanish championship with a result of third position in qualifying.

In Race One on Sunday, Kensei got a good start and became part of the top group of three riders fighting for the win. From third position, he bided his time in the first half of the race and made his moves in the latter half of the race, working his way into the lead on lap 10 of 12. He never looked back and took his first win in the Spanish national championship.

Race Two saw a similar start with the top three riders breaking away from the rest of the grid to fight for the win. This time Kensei worked his way into second position early on lap two, and fought to catch the race leader, but finally ended the race in P2, just 1.0 seconds off the race winner.

Kensei narrowly missed getting the fastest lap of the races by just 0.03 second in the first race and 0.004 second in the second race. In the end, it was a double podium weekend for Kensei who now sits second in the championship.

“It’s hard for me to find the right words, winning in Spain was always a goal of course but it seemed so far away from when I first came to Spain three years ago and raced here for the first time and saw the level of competition,” Kensei said after the race weekend. “I almost can’t believe I won, but I’m just so happy to be able to notch this first win, hopefully with more to come!”

Round Four of the Moto5 Cuna de Campeones Spanish Championship will be held at As Pontes Circuit in Galicia, Spain on August 13-14, 2022.

Kensei will return to the US the following weekend to race at Round Three of the MotoAmerica Mini Cup by Motul championship at Pittsburgh International Race Complex. He is currently third in the Ohvale GP-0 160 category and leads the championship in the Ohvale GP-2 190 category.

Kensei would like to thank all of his sponsors for their support to help him race both at home and abroad:

American Racing Team & Academy, Fresh N Lean, Evike.com, Shoei Helmets, Dave Designs, AGV Sport, VNM Sport, D.I.D Chain, Galfer USA, Yoshimura R&D, Suspension Matters, TechSpec, The Starting Grid, Moto Tecnica, Mad Labs Minimoto, 73 Moto Parts, Bickle Racing, Vortex Racing, Landers Racing, Boyko Racing, Apex Racing Center, Live 100 Moto, DRT Racing, Karen E. Ott Photography, Hans King, Moto Survival School, California Superbike School, and Toni Elias School USA.

 

Results - Kotarr (Moto5 Races)

MotoGP: Rins Signs Two-Year Deal With LCR Honda Castrol

David Swarts
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MotoGP: Rins Signs Two-Year Deal With LCR Honda Castrol

ALEX RINS, LCR HONDA CASTROL TEAM AND HRC  SIGN NEW CONTRACT

The LCR Honda CASTROL Team are pleased to announce the signing of Álex Rins on a two-year contract with Honda Racing Corporation.

The 26-year-old from Barcelona has established himself as a consistent front-runner in all Grand Prix classes and finished 3rd overall in the 2020 MotoGP World Championship. Making his debut in 2012 with Honda in the Moto3 World Championship, Rins battled for the lightweight and intermediate titles each year before stepping up to the premier class in 2017. Having claimed 15 wins, including three premier class victories, and a total of 55 podiums, 15 in MotoGP, Rins brings a wealth of experience to HRC and the LCR Honda CASTROL Team.

Álex Rins

“I am very happy to be joining the LCR Honda Team. Changing team and bike is a challenge but I am ready to give my 100% and to put into practice everything that I’ve learnt during my years in the MotoGP class.

Lucio and Honda’s trust have been crucial for me in deciding to take on this challenge with this factory. I would like to thank them for this opportunity.”

Lucio Cecchinello

“I am delighted to announce that Álex Rins will be the LCR Honda CASTROL rider in 2023. We’ve just finished signing the contract, all 3 parties, so we are finally able to announce it. Rins is an experienced rider, a fast rider and a podium finisher.

This wealth of experience, coupled with Rins’ ability to give the precise suggestions to his technicians, as I’ve heard, will surely help us to improve our our bike package, aiming to fight for more podiums.”

AHRMA: Adams, Miller Split Vintage Cup Wins At Laguna Seca

Mark Miller (10M) leading Curtis Adams (045) in a Vintage Cup race at Laguna Seca. Photo by etechphoto.com, courtesy AHRMA.
Mark Miller (10M) leading Curtis Adams (045) in a Vintage Cup race at Laguna Seca. Photo by etechphoto.com, courtesy AHRMA.

Miller and Adams Split AHRMA Vintage Cup Wins* at AHRMA Classic MotoFest™ of Monterey

(July 20, 2022, Elora, Tennessee) – Mark Miller and Curtis Adams split wins during the latest rounds of the 2022 American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) Vintage Cup at Laguna Seca.

Rounds 15 and 16 of the 2022 Bridgestone Tires AHRMA National Historic Cup Roadracing Series during the AHRMA Classic MotoFest™ of Monterey were held at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, CA July 16 and 17.

The 2022 Vintage Cup, sponsored by RoadracingWorld.com, features the Vintage Superbike Heavyweight class.  With most of the series regulars not participating in these West Coast rounds, the podium was filled with fast racers from California.

On Saturday, Mark Miller, who was aboard a 1979 Kawasaki KZ1000, led the opening laps as Curtis Adams of Riverside, CA worked to reel him in.  On lap five, Adams took the lead, but Miller pounced coming out of turn eleven to take the victory.  Darrin Gauvin rounded out the top three aboard his 1981 Honda CB900F.

Following the race, Saturday’s results were made provisional pending an official appeal filed by Miller’s team after another competitor protested the eligibility of the machine.  AHRMA officials are currently reviewing the protest under the appeal process.

On Sunday, Kevin Rammer, aboard a 1982 Honda CB650SC, took the hole shot but Adams was able to take the lead by the end of the first lap and ride to victory. California rider, David Crussell was second and Rammer third.  Rammer, of Newnan, Georgia, earned valuable points as he is currently second in the points lead for the overall Vintage Cup title.

“The race today on Sunday was an opportunity to go out and test some tires,” Adams said. “AHRMA changed the rules this year allowing slicks in this class so we were working with Bridgestone to provide feedback that will help the series and other riders.  We had to run a good pace just to do some testing.”

While Adams is relatively new to AHRMA, he has decades of racing experience. “A couple years ago I wanted to ride something.  AHRMA put on a good show at Willow Springs, so I built a little single to go ride at an AHRMA event and hang out with everybody and give me a reason to be there,” Adams said. During 2020, and almost by chance, he was able to purchase his CB750F.  “Once we owned it, we said ‘let’s see how far this goes.’”

The Vintage Superbike Heavyweight class is sponsored by International CBX Owners Association (ICOA).

Race dates and event registration links are available at: https://www.ahrma.org/schedules-results/

AHRMA National Historic Cup Roadracing Series Vintage Superbike Heavyweight – Vintage Cup Results

Saturday, July 16, 2022*

1.     Mark Miller, 1979 Kawasaki KZ1000, Calabasas, CA (Provisional)

2.     Curtis Adams, 1981 Honda CB750F, Riverside, CA

3.     Darrin Gauvin, 1981 Honda CB900F, Camarillo, CA

4.     David Crussell, 1978 Kawasaki Z1R, Sunol, CA

5.     Kevin Rammer, 1982 Honda CB650SC, Newnan, GA

 

Sunday, July 17, 2022

1.     Curtis Adams, 1981 Honda CB750F, Riverside, CA

2.     David Crussell, 1978 Kawasaki Z1R, Sunol, CA

3.     Kevin Rammer, 1982 Honda CB650SC, Newnan, GA

 

*Provisional pending appeal

 

About AHRMA:

The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated competing on fantastic classic and true vintage along with a wide range of modern motorcycles.  With about 3,300 members, AHRMA is the largest vintage racing group in North America and one of the biggest in the world. The association has grown steadily over the years, reflecting the increasing interest in classic bikes.

 

AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class Of 2022 Announced

Ben Spies (1), as seen on his Yoshimura Suzuki AMA Superbike in 2008. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Ben Spies (1), as seen on his Yoshimura Suzuki AMA Superbike in 2008. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Six to be inducted on Oct. 28 at the Violet Township Event Center in Pickerington, Ohio

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The votes have been tallied, and the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame is proud to announce the six inductees to be honored during the 2022 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Oct. 28 in Pickerington, Ohio.

The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2022 is Kenny Coolbeth, Greg Hancock, Effie Hotchkiss, Sandy Kosman, Ben Spies and James Stewart.

“The Class of 2022 includes men and women who have excelled in competition, engineering, design, motorcycle adventure and more,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “Some are champions in many of our premier racing disciplines — motocross, road racing, dirt track and speedway — while others excelled in limit-expanding adventures, or helping riders and teams reach their on-track potential. We are honored to recognize these motorcycling greats this Oct. 28 at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.”

The induction ceremony will include a cocktail reception at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame followed by dinner and the induction ceremony at the nearby Violet Township Event Center on Friday evening, with the following day to include an Open House and Class of 2022 installation exhibit in the AMA Hall of Fame Museum on the AMA campus.

Tickets for the 2022 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony are now available to the public at https://services.americanmotorcyclist.com/hofreg/.

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact AMA Business Development Manager Michael Kula at (949) 466-7833 or [email protected]

Hall of Fame inductees are selected from eight areas of influence: Ambassadors/Industry, Design/Engineering, Dirt Track, Leadership/Motorcycle Rights, Motocross/Supercross, Off-Road, Road Racing and Specialty Competition.

KENNY COOLBETH

Kenny Coolbeth began his national flat track racing career in 1994, winning the AMA Rookie of the Year award, and went on to win three AMA Grand National Championships in 2006, 2007 and 2008 while part of the factory Harley-Davidson team. Throughout his quarter-century career he compiled 27 AMA Grand National wins — sixth on the all-time list — and 108 AMA Grand National podiums.

GREG HANCOCK

Racer Greg Hancock has earned four Speedway World championships and eight AMA U.S. National Speedway championships in a career spanning four decades, with 2019 marking his 27th and last season competing in the Speedway World Championship series. While logging a record 218 Speedway Grand Prix appearances, he has finished in the top five in World Speedway competition 17 times, and finished in the top three eight times.

EFFIE HOTCHKISS

The first woman to complete a transcontinental motorcycle ride, Effie Hotchkiss began riding aboard small used motorcycles such as a single-cylinder Harley-Davidson. She purchased a brand-new 1915 Harley-Davidson 3-speed twin and left her job to travel by motorcycle to California. Effie’s mother, who worried about her daughter’s safety, joined her in a sidecar. Their journey began on May 2, 1915, and once they reached California, the two turned around and headed home in late August, finally completing the dream adventure in October.

SANDY KOSMAN

The late Sandy Kosman was a true pioneer in aftermarket chassis design and fabrication, an early producer of motorcycle-specific drag racing, flat track and road racing parts and products from the mid 1960s to the 2000s. Kosman found solutions to the increased demands upon competition motorcycles as horsepower increased over the years by creating chassis, brake and wheel systems that excelled in the most demanding racing applications. His chassis and parts designs in the drag racing world are perhaps his best-known contributions to motorcycle competition.

BEN SPIES

Ben Spies is considered one of the greatest American road racers in the history of the sport. Nicknamed “Elbowz” due to his signature riding style that showcased his always-protruding elbows, Spies’ five AMA National Championships include the 2008, 2007 and 2006 AMA Superbike titles, the 2007 AMA Superstock title, and the 2003 AMA Formula Xtreme title. He also competed successfully in World Superbike and MotoGP competition, scoring the 2009 World Superbike championship [and winning one MotoGP World Championship race].

JAMES STEWART

James “Bubba” Stewart was a dominant force in AMA Pro Motocross and AMA Supercross, winning two AMA Supercross national championships, three AMA Pro Motocross titles, two Motocross des Nations championships and seven AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships at Loretta Lynn’s. In 2008, Stewart won every race and every moto in the AMA Pro Motocross season, only the second motocross racer to ever notch a perfect season.

About the American Motorcyclist Association

Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. Besides offering members money-saving discounts on products and services, the AMA also publishes American Motorcyclist, a recently revitalized and monthly full-color magazine (and digital version of same) that covers current events and motorcycle history with brilliant photography and compelling writing. American Motorcyclist is also North America’s largest-circulation magazine. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

Not a member? Join the AMA today: AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

Jones Wins Royal Enfield BTR Race At Port Royal Half-Mile

Royal Enfield BTR race winner Jaycee Jones (center), runner-up Zaria Martens (left), and third-place finisher Jillian Deschenes (right) at the Port Royal Half-Mile. Photo courtesy Royal Enfield North America.

BUILD. TRAIN. RACE. Flat Track Rolls On At Port Royal

Royal Enfield BTR and Moto Anatomy X bring Flat Track action to Port Royal Half-Mile in Pennsylvania

Milwaukee, WI (Wednesday, July 20, 2022) – The 2022 season of Royal Enfield’s groundbreaking Build. Train. Race. Flat Track program reached its halfway point at the Port Royal Half-Mile, where the full grid of 15 women returned to the track. Jaycee Jones took another victory with newcomer Zaria Martens hot on her tail and Jillian Deschenes rounding out the BTR Flat Track podium. Port Royal Speedway in Pennsylvania was also the site of Cameron Smith’s second and final fill-in ride with the Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield team. Smith was looking to repeat his Production Twins podium performance from the Weedsport round, but would ultimately settle for a top-ten finish.

BUILD. TRAIN. RACE.

The previous BTR Flat Track round (Laconia Short Track, June 12) was short a few riders, namely round-one winner Jillian Deschenes and Nean Kiskela. Both racers unfortunately tested positive for Covid and were forced to stay home. For the Port Royal Half-Mile, however, all racers were healthy and ready to race. Deschenes, in particular, was ready to fight for another win against title rival Jaycee Jones and rookie star Zaria Martens.

The battle royal was somewhat spoiled after an incident in the Semi in which Deschenes and Jones both got sideways at the start. The contact resulted in Deschenes going down. Stephanie Pietz was able to slide through the wreckage, but Kiskela wasn’t as fortunate, getting tangled with Deschenes and sheering off a footpeg in the process.

All the ladies were able to grid up for the Main, with Deschenes relegated to the third row after a DNF in the Semi. It was an uphill battle for the BTR veteran, especially against Jones, who won at Port Royal in 2021, and was scorching fast all day. Jones’ quickest lap time in the Main was a 27.9, putting her just outside qualifying times for the Production Twins class.

In the main, Jones led from flag to flag, with 18-year-old Martens relentless in her pursuit. Martens would collect another podium finish ahead of Deschenes, who worked her way up from the third row to third place overall.

“I came into this weekend with a lot of nerves after having missed the last round due to Covid,” explained Jillian Deschenes. “After the incident off the start in the Semi I felt hungrier than ever for the podium. Starting from the third row in the Main, I didn’t feel the same pressure I usually do when starting on the front row, but I was motivated to work as close to the front as possible and was thrilled to come away with a third-place finish. That was one of the most fun BTR races I’ve had to date.”

The BTR women will reconvene at the Black Hills Speedway in Rapid City, South Dakota on August 6thfor the fourth full-grid round of the season.

Royal Enfield BUILD. TRAIN. RACE. Flat Track

Laconia Short Track Results

1. Jaycee Jones (#33)

2. Zaria Martens (#08)

3. Jillian Deschenes (#31)

4. Makenna Hiatt (#81)

5. Stephanie Pietz (#57)

6. Alex Bumpus McDonald (#2)

7. Erin Ferris (#909)

8. Malary Lee (#6)

9. Lanakila MacNaughton (#88)

10. Anna Serena (#800)

11. Kaiela Hobart (#46)

12. Nean Kiskela (#27)

13. Gabrielle Hughes (#327)

14. Nia Reese (#15)

15. Moriah Hummer (#7)

PRODUCTION TWINS

Cameron Smith had a breakthrough ride, and a near win at Weedsport Speedway in New York two weeks prior, and was looking to back up his performance at the New York Short Track with a win at the Port Royal Half-Mile. Although he ran into hard luck at his home race in Pennsylvania, Smith, who was filling in for the injured Johnny Lewis, kept plugging away and ultimately carded a ninth-place finish on the Royal Enfield Twins FT motorcycle.

 

Cameron Smith (34) at speed at the Port Royal Half-Mile. Photo courtesy Royal Enfield North America.
Cameron Smith (34) at speed at the Port Royal Half-Mile. Photo courtesy Royal Enfield North America.

 

Smith suffered a broken chain earlier in the day and qualified 12th on the grid for the Production Twins Main. The Moto Anatomy X team, which was under the direction of Lewis, who made the transition from rider to Team Manager for the Port Royal round, made some geometry changes to the Twins FT for the Main, and while it took Smith a few laps to acclimate, he quickly began working his way through the pack. He was mid-pack and building momentum when a mechanical issue struck. Fortunately he was still able to take the checkered flag in ninth for the night.

After sitting out two rounds due to suffering a knee injury at the Laconia Short Track, Johnny Lewis is on the mend, and plans to make his return to racing the American Flat Track series at the Peoria TT, July 30.

Visit https://www.americanflattrack.com/results/default for detailed results.

American Cody Kitchens Wins Again, At Catalunya

American Cody Kitchens. Photo by Pix MotoRR, courtesy Proforma.
American Cody Kitchens. Photo by Pix MotoRR, courtesy Proforma.

CODY KITCHENS WINS AGAIN IN SPANISH YAMAHA R6 CUP AT CATALUNYA

Andifer Racing Team rider Cody Kitchens raced his Yamaha R6 to a well-earned victory at
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on July 17th at round three of the Yamaha R6 Cup in the
Rookies division.

At another track that Cody had never been to before, he used the three practice sessions on Friday and two qualifying sessions on Saturday to learn the nuances of the Grand Prix circuit, getting faster with each session. He qualified on the inside of the fifth row in the 34-rider field.

A very good start put him into Turn One with the leaders, but he was hemmed in on the inside and had to wait until the end of the first lap to start passing other riders. Cody gained six positions over the next nine laps, but the race was cut short by a red flag with two laps remaining. Cody finished ninth overall and first in the Rookies category.

“I got a really good start, which helped me get up with the faster guys who have been racing at Catalunya for years,” said Cody. “I passed a rider or two each lap, and my times kept coming down. The bike worked well the faster I went.”

Cody continues to lead the points in the Rookies division of the 2022 Yamaha R6 Cup
(www.challengeyamaha.com).

Cody will be heading back to Texas for the summer break in the next week. Cody’s next event of the 2022 Yamaha R6 Cup series is at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo (Valencia) on September 9-11, 2022.

For the 2022 season, Cody Kitchens is proud to be sponsored by MT Helmets, Three
Chihuahua Racing (www.threechihuahuaracing.com) and Pakosta37 Riders Factory.

For more information, visit Cody on Facebook at www.facebook.com/codykitchensracing and on Instagram at codykitchens25.

MRA: Applegate, Grant Win Again At High Plains Raceway

Mike Applegate (79). Photo by Kelly Vernell, courtesy MRA.
Mike Applegate (79). Photo by Kelly Vernell, courtesy MRA.

The Motorcycle Roadracing Association (MRA) was excited to hold its fourth race round of the season this last weekend [July 16-17] at club-affiliated High Plains Raceway (HPR) located in Deer Trail, CO. The Full Course configuration was on offer for the competitors of this event and the annual 4-hour Endurance event was held. It is the one round of the year when the MRA makes the Endurance races the premier event of the day.

The weather could be described in a single word. That word is hot, with temperatures in the high 90’s at HPR for the entire weekend and the riders facing blistering heat and sun as well as the typical Colorado style storm fronts blowing through in the late afternoon. With the history of this event, the conditions were anticipated, and the MRA declares the 4-hour Endurance a “flag to flag” race from the start. The competitors not only had to contend with each other and the clock, but had to persevere through several track drenching cloud bursts as well!

Run on Saturday afternoon, the basic rules of this Endurance race were simple in their way: Complete the most laps in four hours to win. All small specific rules and fiddly protocols aside, this race can be accomplished in three ways. First by a solo rider in the ‘Titanium Butt’ class. Completed as a team of up to four riders switching out on one bike in the ‘True Endurance’ class. As well completed as a team of up to four riders and four bikes, where the transponder must be handed off like a relay baton in what is known as the ‘Pony Express’ class. All three classes share the track and battle it out for four hours straight.

Stephen Townsend, MRA Alumni and ‘Veteran Club White Plate’, who came home to Colorado to visit specifically for the event, took the honorable mention as he completed 104 laps, and won this year’s “Titanium Butt” class competition. Just as it sounds, 104 laps in four hours, all by himself. With a total of 106 laps, team ‘MotherTruckers’ won the ‘True Endurance’ class, and with a total of 109 laps team ‘Wounded Knees’ won the ‘Pony Express’ class. (Participants and times/laps listed out in detail below.)

The real draw of this event was the sportsmanship that came out of the woodwork late in the race day. There were several instances of rivals and class competitors cheering each other on, helping to do minor fixes and maintenance on each other’s bikes, and giving each other water and fuel. Even going so far as to check in on each other to make sure that ‘sway’ or ‘wobble’ wasn’t heat exhaustion. Of particular note, one full motor swap was completed on a vintage R6, right there in the paddock under a pop-up tent. The clubmen were even able to get the bike started for a short while, before the starter failed again. Fortunately for some and unfortunately for others, a little luck does tend to play its part in this event.

Lastly about the Endurance, many examples of on-track of thumbs ups and waves were noted, and the giving of a little extra space was common.  The MRA endurance round is,and fully becomes toward the end of the clock what club racing is all about. People passionate about motorcycles racing and riding their hearts out for their friends, teams, clubs and hometowns! This reporter personally witnessed one of the fastest racers on track give space too and ride around the outside of one of slowest riders around Turn 8 very late in the race. Turn 8 is an extremely tight left hairpin at HPR. The faster rider slowed, made sure the other could see, and then gave a huge thumbs up for the nice clean predictable line as they rolled toward Turn 9. Nods were returned and if a helmet could smile, it did. Competitive sportsmanship at its finest.

Sunday dawned just as bright and hot as the day before. What rain came down overnight simply added humidity, with no relief for the racers. Race of the Rockies GTO & GTU (RORO & RORU) were again in the forefront of the participants mind. Despite an early red flag that saw one bike down into Turn One (as well as one ride up and OK) the race got off to its usual fast and fierce start. In the RORO class Mike Applegate continued his winning ways and pulled off another extremely strong and consistent race to see the checkered flag first.  James Wilkerson saw the fastest lap of the race with a 1:48.6 but was unable to use that speed consistently enough to reel in Applegate. Joseph Resta secured the final step of the podium.

In the RORU class, Liam Grant, who started near the very back of the grid, was able to battle his way through most of the grid and was showing wheel to many of the 1000cc machines. Mr. Grant not only took first in the class, but third overall in the race. A truly impressive ride, on an ‘under powered’ machine. He was rumored to have been on one of his MotoAmerica-spec middleweight bikes, but when asked, he simply offered a friendly, if sly, smile and said, “Super happy to be here and support the MRA for this. I’m here to put in the work for my team, and I ride what they give me.” He would be coaxed no further on the topic, at least by this reporter. Congratulations Liam! Ken Yee and Jared Dear also battled through a handful of bigger bikes to take 5th and 6th overall, as well as 2nd and 3rd in their class respectively. Congratulations to all the ROR competitors!
Special thanks and nods to CAMA, the HPR 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 Pot Luck and awards ceremony for the Endurance that ran late into the evening.

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 Five coming August 6-7 at Pueblo Motorsports Park.

 

Rnd 4 results

Canadian Superbike: Close Championship Heading To “Shubie” (Includes Video)

2019 CSBK Superbike champ Ben Young (86) leading reigning Canadian Superbike Champion Alex Dumas (1), Trevor Daley (9), Michael Leon (74), and Sebastien Tremblay (24). Photo by Rob O'Brien, courtesy CSBK/PMP.
2019 CSBK Superbike champ Ben Young (86) leading reigning Canadian Superbike Champion Alex Dumas (1), Trevor Daley (9), Michael Leon (74), and Sebastien Tremblay (24). Photo by Rob O'Brien, courtesy CSBK/PMP.

CSBK returns to east coast as Young, Dumas look for title edge

Toronto, ON –  The penultimate round of the Canadian Superbike Championship will return to the east coast for the first time in three years this weekend, as Pro Superbike rivals Ben Young and Alex Dumas look to break their championship stalemate at Atlantic Motorsport Park, presented by Pro Cycle, Kawasaki, and Arai.

Young will carry a one-point advantage into the fifth and sixth races of the feature class season in AMP, before embarking on a season-ending tripleheader in August, but that lead will mean little to him after dropping the last two races to Dumas in Calabogie.

However, Young will get a bit of a morale boost when he returns to Shubenacadie, NS, as the tight eleven-turn, 2.5 km circuit holds a special place in his career – and remains the site of one of the greatest comebacks in CSBK history.


Locked in a fierce title battle with Jordan Szoke in 2019, it was at AMP where Young and Szoke collided early, with the Van Dolder’s Home Team BMW rider recovering from 10th to score a decisive victory after a last lap, last corner pass.

Compare that to the inexperience of Dumas, who made his east coast debut at the SARL regional just this weekend, and it would be easy to anoint Young the championship leader entering CTMP next month. However, if his 19-year-old counterpart has shown us anything in his brief CSBK career, it’s that he shouldn’t be doubted.

Dumas has finished on the podium in every single race since returning north of the border, and the defending champion shocked many when he turned up to Grand Bend in round one – another track he had yet to race at – and scored a pair of second-place finishes aboard his Liqui Moly/Fast School Suzuki.

He will surely be in for a tougher challenge at ‘Shubie,’ a track known for being one of the most physically demanding in North America, but the punishing layout could also work to Dumas’ advantage as he hunts down the more experienced Young.

Their qualifying results will be crucial to their weekend performances as they aim for track position on the run down to turn two, but it will also play a mighty role in their battle for the BS Battery Pole Position Award. Young holds a two-point advantage after a pair of second-place grid slots, but pole in Calabogie helped Dumas close the gap with just two more chances remaining.

Not to be discounted atop the feature class is the other frontrunning Suzuki of Trevor Daley, who led majority of that famed race in 2019 before losing out to Young, the closest Daley has ever come to his first Pro Superbike victory.

The OneSpeed/Pro Cycle rider has been erratic at times in 2022, but the pace has remained as strong as ever with a pair of podiums on the season, and another fast start coupled with the high-stakes battle between Young and Dumas could be a perfect recipe for Daley to finally capture his elusive debut victory.

Inexperience may be the theme further down the midfield, as a number of names either head to AMP for the first time or under much different circumstances. Sebastian Tremblay will be one of the latter, having competed on the east coast on numerous occasions but primarily in the Liqui Moly Pro Sport Bike class.

Now fully focused on his Superbike program, Tremblay will hope to keep his momentum going after scoring a brilliant podium in round two, a result that propelled the Turcotte Performance Kawasaki rider to fourth in the championship overall.

One of the more experienced riders at AMP will also be looking to build on some recent form, as Michael Leon returns to one of his more successful tracks after a strong bounce-back weekend in Calabogie.

The Royal Distributing BMW rider finished fourth there in 2018 after qualifying on the front row, and has a few more top-five finishes to his name in the Superbike class, as he looks to play a key role for BMW as they lead the Constructors Championship.

Fellow BMW-mounted rider Samuel Guerin will also be looking to keep his strong form intact, though he will be making his first ever appearance at AMP and will be sorely lacking in experience compared to his championship rivals.

The EFC Group rider and former championship runner-up has been solid in all four races thus far but has yet to return to the podium, and he may have to wait at least one more round to do so as he hopes to cling on to fifth in the overall standings.

One opportunity for movement in the standings may come in the Brooklin Cycle Racing Pro Rookie of the Year fight, as an unfortunate turn of events has opened up a massive prospect for Ryan Taylor.

The Taylor Racing Ducati rider initially looked to be in tough against Trevor Dion after Dion became the breakout star of round one, but the LDS Consultants BMW rider has since decided to focus on his title lead in the Liqui Moly Pro Sport Bike class.

As such, Taylor has now dropped the gap down to just ten points in the fight for top Rookie honours, and another pair of points finishes could be enough to give him an edge in the award battle heading to CTMP.

The long-awaited return to AMP will officially kick off with a CSBK Event Party on Thursday night, hosted at Pro Cycle in Dartmouth, NS. The major powersports dealer has been Atlantic Canada’s premier source of fun since 1983, and continues to be a devoted partner of the CSBK series, providing logistical and technical support to the nation’s premier racing championship.

The full schedule for the four-day weekend event can be found on the series’ official website at csbk.ca.

North America Talent Cup: Clark, Enriquez Split Wins At Roebling Road

Alex Enriquez (25) leading a NATC race at Roebling Road Raceway. Photo by Fast Glass Media, courtesy NATC.
Alex Enriquez (25) leading a NATC race at Roebling Road Raceway. Photo by Fast Glass Media, courtesy NATC.

ROEBLING RODEO TIGHTENS UP THE CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

It could have been anyone’s win at the closest race yet of the NATC.

SAVANNAH, GA, July 18, 2022 – Round four of the North America Talent Cup (NATC) produced the closest racing of the season so far, with the top eight riders finishing within .5 second of each other in race one. Race two was even closer, with the top four within a tenth of a second.

His first win of the season, Alex Enriquez was able to work through the pack and finish first—just over a tenth of a second ahead of Aiden Sneed. Chris Clark rounded out the top three, with four other riders in the lead pack. It came down to race craft and patience to earn a podium among many worthy contenders.

In race two, it was a photo finish with Chris Clark beating Logan Monk to the finish line by .008. It was an incredibly close race. On the last lap, a pack of seven riders had a chance at the win all the way to the finish line.

After four rounds, the championship has tightened up. Alessandor DiMario leads with 145 points to Jesse James Shedden’s 141 points. Aiden Sneed sits in third with 100 points after a podium in race one.

The new North America Talent Cup aims to provide riders across the continent with a vital link to professional road racing. The NATC is considered a stepping-stone between the FIM MiniGP North America Series and professional series such as MotoAmerica’s™ Junior Cup or international feeder series like the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup or FIM Moto3™ Junior World Championship.

The North America Talent Cup is proud to partner have partnered with WERA for round four at Roebling Road Raceway.

To learn more about the North America Talent Cup, visit: www.northamericatalentcup.com

To learn more about the WERA, visit: www.wera.com

About NATC

The NATC is a one-make spec-series of teams and riders, using the successful Northern Talent Cup as a blueprint. The limit on entries is 20 riders between 13 and 16 years of age in 2022. The spec-motorcycle will be the Aprilia RS250 SP2; a machine developed by Aprilia in partnership with Ohvale and proven to offer a competitive platform for developing talent. The NATC is designed to create close competition in a cost-effective manner. In its first year, the NATC will race throughout the continental U.S., with seven designated rounds taking place alongside MotoGP™, MotoAmerica™, WERA, and MRA.

About WERA

WERA, based in Canton, Ga., is one of the oldest and largest national sanctioning bodies conducting motorcycle races at road courses across the United States. Since 1974 WERA has enabled thousands of racers at all levels the opportunity to compete across the country. WERA offers a Rider’s School with entry-level racing, pro-am racing and vintage racing for anyone with a motorcycle.

About the FIM North America 

FIM North America is one of six Continental Unions (CONUs) recognized as geographical subdivisions and accountable to the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). It was founded in 1998. The national federations who are members of FIM North America are, by virtue of their geographical area and their membership in the FIM, the American Motorcyclist Association and the Canadian Motorcycle Association. FIM North America establishes an annual calendar of Continental Championship events and other activities and declares champions in designated disciplines and classes. Its member federations issue CONU licenses to riders participating in FIM NA events as well as those who are participating in Continental Championship events organized in other CONUs. For more information, visit fim-northamerica.com.

 

NATC Championship Standings _ RD4 Race 1
 NATC Championship Standings _ RD4 Race 2

Central Roadracing Association: Miest Breaks Lap Record Again

Justin Miest (44x). Photo courtesy CRA.
Justin Miest (44x). Photo courtesy CRA.

Justin Miest breaks his own track record at Brainerd International Raceway’s Competition Course

Brainerd, MN – The Central Roadracing Association (CRA) held its third event of the 2022 season on Brainerd International Raceway’s Competition Course July 15-17. The event+ included the annual Jed Copham 3-hour Team Challenge as well as 8-lap Supersport, Superbike and GP sprint races. The whole weekend was hot and humid but the track showed plenty of grip, some of which can be attributed to the improvements BIR has recently made to repave turn 9, or also known as ‘The Joker’.

25 teams entered the Jed Copham 3-hour Team Challenge, which was created by the CRA to honor former owner of Brainerd International Raceway who tragically lost his life in 2018. In this 3-hour team challenge, each team can consist of three riders and each rider can race their own machine. As riders take their pit stop they must transfer the team’s transponder to the next bike before heading out on track. At the beginning of the race Jake Schmotter of team SMR / Cheap Thrills set the pace out front putting down lap times in the 1:37 to 1:38 range on his Yamaha R1. Justin Miest of Nielsen Racing matched Schmotter’s pace and was content stalking Jake for the entire first stint. Shane Keaveny of Team Hawaii trailed close in third putting down 1:39 lap times.

As the race progressed there was a natural rate of small tip overs and mechanicals but at one point, we saw a racer who crashed, quickly grab the transponder off their crashed bike, and give it the ol’ Tom Brady over the track/pit wall where his teammates caught it and continued the race on of their other machines. In the end, Schmotter and teammate Nelson took the overall win finishing ahead of Nielsen Racing by 1 minute 33 seconds. Coming in third place was team Joe’s Hoes aboard their three Krämer motorcycles.

Featherweight proved to be amongst the closest racing all weekend. In the expert ranks, we saw a four-way battle between Andrew Vandal, Justin Miest, William Miller and Ike Messmore as they put down lap times in the high 1:51’s and low 1:52’s. Each racer was using the draft and swapping positions with every lap. Justin came out with two wins and Ike came out with the other win; Ike’s first win as a club expert. The other small-bike class, Ultralight expert, it was Jake Vandal who swept aboard his Kawasaki Ninja 400 ahead of Justin Miest and brother Andrew Vandal. In novice it was complete domination by Sam Fisk in both Featherweight and Ultralight often finishing a half a second ahead of his competitors.

Giving credit where credit is due, 2021 #1 expert Christian Schmidt continued his superhuman form in the Welterweight expert class, sliding the front tire of his Krämer HKR EVO2 R through virtually every corner. The credit is warranted as he put down a blistering lap of 1:39.585 in Welterweight race two on a single-cylinder 690.

Kyle Franz was also a guy on the move this weekend aboard his team Futurestar Ducati 899 Panigale as he won both Lightweight Superbike and GP expert races, holding off the likes of Brian Rogers, Josh Pangier and Andrew Kruse. First-year expert Graham Williams was able to pull out his first win and hold off the likes of seasoned but new-to-lightweight Tony Mahto in Lightweight Supersport. Welterweight, Lightweight GP, and Supertwins novice was completely controlled by first-year CRA racer Thor Routh. Thor ended up winning every race entered and ended the weekend with a total of six wins.

Middleweight was the largest class we saw this weekend with 27 racers finishing Middleweight Supersport on Saturday. Naturally the larger grids made for excellent racing and needless to say, close racing. Zack Abraham won both Middleweight Supersport and Superbike expert races aboard his Kawasaki ZX-6R putting down a best lap of 1:38.806 and consistently lapping in the low 1:39’s. Zack held off one of the club’s favorite (or is it favourite) Canadian Jordan Imrie, who also took a win in Middleweight GP with a best lap of 1:39.498. Chase Sellers of Cheap Thrills entered Middleweight Supersport on a borrowed bike, only to upset the competition and finish in the final podium position. There were also outstanding battles between Dillon Baumeister, Justin Ebnet and Brian Hebeisen who all found themselves on the podium throughout the weekend.

The position swaps didn’t end with the experts, as there were a number of good battles in Middleweight novice. Second-year racer Ryan Largent on his Nielsen Racing Yamaha R6 swept the field taking home three wins and putting down a personal best and fastest lap of 1:39.307. Ryan held off Judah Wimbley in Middleweight Supersport who also found himself in the 1:39’s, but due to mechanical he didn’t start Middleweight Superbike and GP. Battling for the final podium positions were Nick Bjornstad, Austin Yantes and Reed Anderson.

The fight in Unlimited picked up right where it left off last month between Jake Schmotter and Justin Miest, but Justin’s pace was too hot to handle. In Unlimited Supersport on Saturday, Justin put down a lap time of 1:34.163 on his Nielsen Racing Kawasaki ZX-10R using Michelin Power Performance tires, breaking the previous track record (set by Justin) on the Competition Course of 1:34.678. throughout the weekend Justin was able to do three additional laps all under the previous lap record, proving that there are still tenths of a second to be found at BIR. The pace for all three Unlimited races at the front settled in the 1:36’s. Justin crashed out of the lead in Unlimited GP and Jake was able to capitalize and walked away with the win. Veteran Shane Keaveny found himself rounding out the final step of the podium in both Unlimited Supersport and Superbike. The club’s other favorite Canadian JR Hiebert, as well as Justin Robson, found themselves on the podium in Unlimited GP.

The CRA is operated entirely by volunteers that are dedicated to the sport of racing motorcycles. A very special thank you to all our volunteers.

Round Four of the CRA championship will be held at Brainerd International Raceway on August 12-14.

Volunteers can pre-register for CRA Round Four starting July 23rd through MotorsportsReg.

 

Race Results

Middleweight SS Expert

1             Zack Abraham

2             Jordan Imrie

3             Chase Sellers

4             Justin Ebnet

5             Dillon Baumeister

6             Justin Robson

 

Middleweight SS Novice

1             Ryan Largent

2             Judah Wimbley

3             Nicholas Bjornstad

4             Spencer Morabito

5             Austin Yantes

6             Reed Anderson

 

UL Cup Race 1 Expert

1             Jake Vandal

2             Justin Miest

3             Andrew Vandal

4             William Miller

5             Max Bullard

6             Harlan Bullard

 

UL Cup Race 1 Novice

1             Sam Fisk

2             Tom Marchant

3             Katerina Litvinova

4             Alec Irwin

 

WelterW Race 1 Expert

1             Christian Schmidt

2             Kyle Franz

3             Ike Messmore

4             Graham Williams

5             Brian Rogers

6             Dane Fickel

 

WelterW Race 1 Novice

1             Thor Routh

2             Jason Denman

 

90s SB Cup Race 1 Expert

1             Jes  Schwartz

2             James Michaelson

3             Jason Weidholz

 

90s SB Cup Race 1 Novice

1             Michael McMerty

 

HWSS Expert

1             Zack Abraham

2             Brian Hebeisen

3             Jordan Imrie

4             Justin Ebnet

5             Dillon Baumeister

6             Chase Sellers

 

HWSS Novice

1             Nicholas Bjornstad

2             Spencer Morabito

3             Austn Yantes

4             Logan Willet

5             Reed Anderson

6             Chris Chamberland

 

FWSS Expert

1             Justin Miest

2             William Miller

3             Andrew Vandal

4             Ike Messmore

5             Dane Fickel

6             Catherine Hurley

 

FWSS Novice

1             Sam Fisk

2             Nicholas Bjornstad

3             Ross Olson

4             Braden Routh

5             Jacques Smith

6             Katerina Litvinova

 

Unlimited SS Expert

1             Justin Miest

2             Jake Schmotter

3             Shane Keaveny

4             Zachery Hughes

5             PR Stafki

6             Jesse Nelson

 

Unlimited SS Novice

1             Mike Olson

2             Aaron Inouye

 

LWSS Expert

1             Graham Williams

2             Tony Mahto

3             Jake Vandal

4             Jason Weidholz

5             Jeffrey Quam

 

LWSS Novice

1             Jason Denman

2             Denyse Brooks

3             Miranda Cain

 

Formula 40 – F1

1             Josh Pangier

2             Tate Guckin

3             Kristie Strandmark

 

Formula 40 – F2

1             JR Hiebert

2             Justin Robson

3             Mark Dargis

4             Kris Skellenger

5             Denyse Brooks

6             Christopher Staub

 

Sportsman LW Expert

1             Ike Messmore

2             Dane Fickel

3             Billy Lachmiller

 

Sportsman MW Expert

1             Jason Weidholz

 

Supertwins Expert

1             JR Hiebert

2             PR Stafki

3             Josh Pangier

4             Kyle Franz

5             Tate Guckin

6             Graham Williams

 

Supertwins Novice

1             Thor Routh

2             Jason Denman

3             Don Blaess

4             Denyse Brooks

5             Miranda Cain

 

MWSB Expert

1             Zack Abraham

2             Jordan Imrie

3             Dillon Baumeister

4             Brian Hebeisen

5             Justin Ebnet

6             Colin McMerty

 

MWSB Novice

1             Ryan Largent

2             Austin Yantes

3             Reed Anderson

4             Chris Castle

5             Nicholas Tindal

6             Logan Willet

 

UL Cup Race 2 Expert

1             Jake Vandal

2             Andrew Vandal

3             William Miller

4             Max Bullard

5             Harlan Bullard

6             Billy Lachmiller

 

UL Cup Race 2 Novice

1             Sam Fisk

2             Tom Marchant

3             Hunter Hebeisen

4             Matthew Gauer

5             Katerina Litvinova

 

WelterW Race 2 Expert

1             Christian Schmidt

2             Brian Rogers

3             Kyle Franz

4             Josh Pangier

5             Graham Williams

6             Tony Mahto

 

WelterW Race 1 Novice

1             Thor Routh

 

90s SB Cup Race 2 Expert

1             Jes Schwartz

2             James Michaelson

3             Jason Weidholz

 

90s SB Cup Race 2 Novice

1             Michael McMerty

 

HWSB Expert

1             Zack Abraham

2             Brian Hebeisen

3             Dillon Baumeister

4             Colin McMerty

5             Aaron Anderson

6             Justin Robson

 

HWSB Novice

1             Nicholas Bjornstad

2             Austin Yantes

3             Logan  Willet

4             Nicholas Tindal

5             Spencer Morabito

6             Chris Chamberland

 

FWSB Expert

1             Ike Messmore

2             Andrew Vandal

3             William Miller

4             Justin Miest

5             Harlan Bullard

6             Max Bullard

 

FWSB Novice

1             Sam Fisk

2             Ross Olson

3             Hunter Hebeisen

4             Matthew Gauer

5             Braden Routh

6             Katerina Litvinova

 

Unlimited SB Expert

1             Justin Miest

2             Shane Keaveny

3             Jake Schmotter

4             Jesse Nelson

5             PR Stafki

6             Austin Tschida

 

Unlimited SB Novice

1             Aaron Inouye

 

LWSB Expert

1             Kyle Franz

2             Brian Rogers

3             Josh Pangier

4             Andrew Kruse

5             Jake Vandal

6             Graham Williams

 

LWSB Novice

1             Thor Routh

2             Sam Fisk

3             Jason Denman

4             Don Blaess

5             Miranda Cain

 

MWGP Expert

1             Jordan Imrie

2             Brian Hebeisen

3             Justin Ebnet

4             Justin Robson

5             Tony Boshart

6             Nick Paidosh

 

MWGP Novice

1             Ryan Largent

2             Nicholas Bjornstad

3             Austin Yantes

4             Spencer Morabito

5             Nicholas Tindal

6             Logan Willet

 

UL Cup Race 3 Expert

1             Jake Vandal

2             Justin Miest

3             Andrew Vandal

4             Harlan Bullard

5             Max Bullard

6             Catherine Hurley

 

UL Cup Race 3 Novice

1             Sam Fisk

2             Tom Marchant

3             Hunter Hebeisen

4             Matthew Gauer

5             Katerina Litvinova

 

WelterW Race 3 Expert

1             Christian Schmidt

2             Kyle Franz

3             Brian Rogers

4             Jeff Bean

5             Ike Messmore

6             Dane Fickel

 

WelterW Race 3 Novice

1             Thor Routh

2             Jason Denman

 

90s SB Cup Race 3 Expert

1             Jes Schwartz

2             James Michaelson

3             Jason Weidholz

 

HWGP Expert

1             Brian Hebeisen

2             Justin Robson

3             Mark Dargis

 

HWGP Novice

1             Nicholas Bjornstad

2             Spencer Morabito

3             Logan Willet

4             Nicholas Tindal

5             Christian Swanson

6             Chris Chamberland

 

FWGP Expert

1             Justin Miest

2             Andrew Vandal

3             Ike Messmore

4             Harlan Bullard

5             Max Bullard

6             Dane Fickel

 

FWGP Novice

1             Sam Fisk

2             Ross Olson

3             Hunter Hebeisen

4             Nicholas Bjornstad

5             Braden Routh

6             Katerina Litvinova

 

Unlimited GP Expert

1             Jake Schmotter

2             JR Hiebert

3             Justin Robson

4             Russell Chamberlin

5             Pat Gill

 

LWGP Expert

1             Kyle Franz

2             Graham Williams

3             Jake Vandal

4             Jeff  Bean

5             Ike Messmore

6             Jeff Franz

 

LWGP Novice

1             Thor Routh

2             Sam Fisk

3             Jason Denman

4             Denyse Brooks

American Matsudaira Wins Moto5 Race In Spain

Kensei Matsudaira (74) leading a Moto5 race in Spain. Photo by Benaisa Photography, courtesy Evike.com.
Kensei Matsudaira (74) leading a Moto5 race in Spain. Photo by Benaisa Photography, courtesy Evike.com.

American Kensei Matsudaira Wins in Moto5 Spanish Championship

July 16-17, 2022

11-year-old Japanese-American Kensei Matsudaira became a Moto5 category race winner on July 17, 2022 in the third round of the Cuna de Campeones Spanish Championship at Kotarr Circuit in Burgos, Spain.

Despite some technical issues during free practice on Saturday, Kensei was able to secure his first front-row start in the Spanish championship with a result of third position in qualifying.

In Race One on Sunday, Kensei got a good start and became part of the top group of three riders fighting for the win. From third position, he bided his time in the first half of the race and made his moves in the latter half of the race, working his way into the lead on lap 10 of 12. He never looked back and took his first win in the Spanish national championship.

Race Two saw a similar start with the top three riders breaking away from the rest of the grid to fight for the win. This time Kensei worked his way into second position early on lap two, and fought to catch the race leader, but finally ended the race in P2, just 1.0 seconds off the race winner.

Kensei narrowly missed getting the fastest lap of the races by just 0.03 second in the first race and 0.004 second in the second race. In the end, it was a double podium weekend for Kensei who now sits second in the championship.

“It’s hard for me to find the right words, winning in Spain was always a goal of course but it seemed so far away from when I first came to Spain three years ago and raced here for the first time and saw the level of competition,” Kensei said after the race weekend. “I almost can’t believe I won, but I’m just so happy to be able to notch this first win, hopefully with more to come!”

Round Four of the Moto5 Cuna de Campeones Spanish Championship will be held at As Pontes Circuit in Galicia, Spain on August 13-14, 2022.

Kensei will return to the US the following weekend to race at Round Three of the MotoAmerica Mini Cup by Motul championship at Pittsburgh International Race Complex. He is currently third in the Ohvale GP-0 160 category and leads the championship in the Ohvale GP-2 190 category.

Kensei would like to thank all of his sponsors for their support to help him race both at home and abroad:

American Racing Team & Academy, Fresh N Lean, Evike.com, Shoei Helmets, Dave Designs, AGV Sport, VNM Sport, D.I.D Chain, Galfer USA, Yoshimura R&D, Suspension Matters, TechSpec, The Starting Grid, Moto Tecnica, Mad Labs Minimoto, 73 Moto Parts, Bickle Racing, Vortex Racing, Landers Racing, Boyko Racing, Apex Racing Center, Live 100 Moto, DRT Racing, Karen E. Ott Photography, Hans King, Moto Survival School, California Superbike School, and Toni Elias School USA.

 

Results - Kotarr (Moto5 Races)

MotoGP: Rins Signs Two-Year Deal With LCR Honda Castrol

Alex Rins (left) with LCR Honda Team Principal Lucio Cechinello (right). Photo courtesy LCR Honda.
Alex Rins (left) with LCR Honda Team Principal Lucio Cechinello (right). Photo courtesy LCR Honda.

ALEX RINS, LCR HONDA CASTROL TEAM AND HRC  SIGN NEW CONTRACT

The LCR Honda CASTROL Team are pleased to announce the signing of Álex Rins on a two-year contract with Honda Racing Corporation.

The 26-year-old from Barcelona has established himself as a consistent front-runner in all Grand Prix classes and finished 3rd overall in the 2020 MotoGP World Championship. Making his debut in 2012 with Honda in the Moto3 World Championship, Rins battled for the lightweight and intermediate titles each year before stepping up to the premier class in 2017. Having claimed 15 wins, including three premier class victories, and a total of 55 podiums, 15 in MotoGP, Rins brings a wealth of experience to HRC and the LCR Honda CASTROL Team.

Álex Rins

“I am very happy to be joining the LCR Honda Team. Changing team and bike is a challenge but I am ready to give my 100% and to put into practice everything that I’ve learnt during my years in the MotoGP class.

Lucio and Honda’s trust have been crucial for me in deciding to take on this challenge with this factory. I would like to thank them for this opportunity.”

Lucio Cecchinello

“I am delighted to announce that Álex Rins will be the LCR Honda CASTROL rider in 2023. We’ve just finished signing the contract, all 3 parties, so we are finally able to announce it. Rins is an experienced rider, a fast rider and a podium finisher.

This wealth of experience, coupled with Rins’ ability to give the precise suggestions to his technicians, as I’ve heard, will surely help us to improve our our bike package, aiming to fight for more podiums.”

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