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Motorcycle Racer Larry Pegram & Daughter Riley Going IMSA Car Racing

Pegram Racing Taking On 2025 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge

Pegram Racing is proud to announce its plans to compete in the entire 2025 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge sports car racing series. The Hebron, Ohio-based team will field former professional Superbike racer Larry Pegram and his 20-year-old daughter Riley Pegram in a Hyundai Elantra N in the Touring Car (TCR) category.

The IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge features 10 rounds held at iconic venues like Daytona International Speedway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and Laguna Seca Racing, as well as other major markets in the U.S. and Canada. The races, lasting two to four hours, are televised on NBC Sports, Peacock, YouTube, and IMSA.tv to an audience that measured 10.8 unique viewers in 2024. In addition, IMSA’s social media channels reached 388 million fans last season.

Mock-up of the Pegram racing car that Larry and Riley Pegram will race in IMSA this season.

Larry Pegram is best known for his success as a motorcycle road racer and team owner, having won multiple Superbike races in America’s premier series and scored points in the Superbike World Championship. In 2016, Pegram pumped the brakes on his motorcycle racing career and switched to building businesses in Ohio with a sprinkling of four-wheel racing on the side. Now 52, Pegram is returning to professional racing alongside his eldest daughter Riley.

“I’ve been racing for a long time and enjoyed a lot of success,” said the elder Pegram, “but nothing compares to being able to go racing with your daughter. It’s a whole different level of enjoyment. And to be able to do it with IMSA, at the best tracks in America, and in front of the greatest fans makes it that much better.”

Riley Pegram, age 20, was bitten by the racing bug at age 16, when she entered the karting world and immediately started climbing the ranks. Soon, Riley expanded to racing cars and, in 2023, she jumped into a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 in the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America with MDK Motorsports. Riley achieved a perfect finishing record and claimed fourth place in the final Championship standings. After a partial IMSA season that saw her and her father take two top-10 finishes in the final three races of 2024, Riley is locked and loaded for her first full Michelin Pilot Challenge campaign.

“I’m really looking forward to being back in the Michelin Pilot Challenge series, and I feel blessed to do it with our family-run team,” said daughter Riley. “We’re a new team to IMSA, and we have a lot to learn, so I’m excited to see how we grow and develop during the season.

(Pegram made his latest comeback to motorcycle racing in MotoAmerica Supersport at Mid-Ohio in 2024, leading and finishing third in Supersport Race One but DNF Supersport Race Two with a mechanical issue. Pegram Racing is also planning a new reality TV show, similar to one Larry Pegram did circa 2010-2013 when he was racing in AMA Pro Superbike, called “Superbike Family.” )

World Supersport: Simone Corsi Retires From Racing

Simone Corsi, a five-time Grand Prix winner and winner of the 2024 World Supersport Challenge, has announced his retirement from racing.

“My career as a pilot ends here. Sooner or later this moment had to come,” Corsi posted on his Facebook page. “It’s been 23 very long years. Sacrifices, satisfactions but also many disappointments.

“In 2025 new challenges await me, I’ll be on the track but with a different role. Thank you family, friends and fans. Happy New Year to everyone.”

Corsi made 321 Grand Prix starts, with 210 of them in Moto2, where he scored nine podiums across his career. Corsi won five 125cc Grand Prix races in 95 starts. Aboard a Renzi Corse Ducati Panigale V2, he won the 2024 World Supersport Challenge–a Championship-within-a-Championship for Supersport riders who competed in only the European rounds.

Corsi will serve as Sporting Director for Forward Racing’s Moto2 efforts in 2025.

(Editorial Note: Corsi raced during the annual ASRA Race of Champions event held at Daytona, circa 2019.)

AFT Executive Richie Morris Arrested For DUI, Battery On Officer

Photo of Richie Morris published at daytonamugshots.com.
Booking photo of Richie Morris as published by daytonamugshots.com.

American Flat Track executive Richie Morris was arrested on charges of battery on a law enforcement officer in Florida, according to published reports.

Daytonamugshot.com, a website that publishes mug shots and arrest reports, says that Morris, 64, of Port Orange, was booked on Jan. 4 and charged with refusal to submit to testing, driving with a canceled/suspended/revoked license, battery on a law enforcement officer and driving under the influence with damage to persons or property.

Morris, a former team owner in AMA Pro Road Racing and in American Flat Track, is currently Director of Industry Relations for AFT. Morris also raced professionally in the AMA Pro Road Racing series but retired after suffering serious injuries, circa 2004.

 

 

 

American Max Toth Signs With JuniorGP Moto2 Team

Editorial Note: Max Toth has signed to ride for Cardoso Racing in the 2025 FIM JuniorGP Moto2 World Championship. He’ll join fellow Hungarian-American and on-track rival Rossi Moor in the series. Both Toth and Moor competed with MotoAmerica, including both winning Junior Cup races and both finishing on the podium in Twins Cup races. Cardoso Racing is affiliated with the Fantic Moto2 World Championship team, and as with Moor’s deal with Team MMR, wild-card entries in the main Moto2 World Championship may be a possibility depending on Toth’s JuniorGP results.

From Cardoso Racing:

We are looking forward to starting 2025 and what better way to do it than welcoming Maxwell Toth to our team. We are very excited to have Max in our line-up, it’s going to be a great year! Welcome to our family, Max!

Max Toth in the FIM JuniorGP Moto2 race on Wednesday, November 27, 2024. The race was moved to Estoril after Valencia was flooded, and had to run mid-week. Photo courtesy AGR Team.

Max: “I’m immensely excited to begin this next Moto2 season working with Cardoso-Fantic Racing. The team’s project is proven to be absolutely top of the line, and I can’t wait to get acquainted with the new crew and bike. Massive thank you to Jose Luis Cardoso for the opportunity , and to all my family and supporters for their continued help. Already itching to get on the bike!”

American Max Toth will ride for Cardoso Racing in the 2025 FIM JuniorGP Moto2 series. Graphic courtesy Cardoso Racing.

Compact Octane Track Days Releases 2025 Schedule

Compact Octane will hold six 2025 track day events at three tracks in Southern California.

3/1-2 Streets Of Willow course, Willow Springs Raceway, Rosamond, CA

5/10  Streets Of Willow course, Willow Springs Raceway, Rosamond, CA

6/14-15 Streets Of Willow course, Willow Springs Raceway, Rosamond, CA

9/6-7 Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

9/27-28 Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

11/8-9 Streets Of Willow course, Willow Springs Raceway, Rosamond, CA

[email protected], www.compactoctane.com, (661) 878-5594

Precision Track Day Releases Updated 2025 Schedule

Precision Track Day has released its 2025 schedule, which includes multi-day events at nine tracks ranging from PittRace to JenningsGP.

2025 Precision Track Day Schedule

1/4-5-6 JenningsGP, Jennings, FL

2/8-9 JenningsGP, Jennings, FL

2/22-23-24 Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC

3/1-2 Altanta Motorsports Park, Dawsonville, GA

3/6-10 Virginia International Raceway (North), Alton, VA

3/22-23 Atlanta Motorsports Park, Dawsonville, GA

4/5-6 Atlanta Motorsports Park, Dawsonville, GA

4/18-19 Pittsburg Int’l Race Complex (Full Course) Ken Hill School + Track Day

4/28 Virginia International Raceway (South), Alton, VA

5/3-4 Roebling Road Raceway, Bloomingdale, GA

5/10-11 Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC

5/30-5/31-6/1 NCM, Garysburg, NC

6/6 Virginia International Raceway (North), Alton, VA

6/20-21-22 NCM, Garysburg, NC

6/30-7/1-7/2 Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA

7/19-20-21 Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC

8/8-9-10 Virginia International Raceway (North), Alton, VA

8/16-17-18 Atlanta Motorsports Park, Dawsonville, GA

8/29-30-31 NCM, Garysburg, NC

9/8-9 Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC

9/28-29 Roebling Road Raceway, Bloomingdale, GA

10/11-12 Roebling Road Raceway, Bloomingdale, GA

11/8-9-10 Atlanta Motorsports Park, Dawsonville, GA

11/15-16 Roebling Road Raceway, Bloomingdale, GA

11/29-30-12/1 JenningsGP, Jenning, FL

For additional info, call (770) 313-6797, [email protected], precisiontrackday.org.

Italy’s AIROH Helmets Setting Up U.S. Distribution

Italy’s AIROH Invades USA with New Product & Teams

Stronger, more powerfully innovative products…and people

With a renewed commitment toward assembling the best distribution and sales team in the United States, AIROH Helmets of Italy has obtained and secured distribution rights for the innovative brand’s world-renowned helmet products with an all new AIROH USA facility and team. Dennis Bloch, affiliated with SEVEN MX, James Stewart’s apparel company, will be heading up the new distribution, marketing and sales teams here in America. More well-known helmet executives and sales representatives will be announced following at the product’s media launch to be held in southern California on January 23rd.

An AIROH Spark2 Deco Blue helmet.

Known for its incredibly beautiful and functional Italian designs, AIROH Helmets will be revealing its latest products for distribution to dealers in 2025. It’s upgraded facility located in Bergamo, northern Italy complete with its own wind tunnel and helmet testing laboratory is true to its founder’s mission: to create and produce high-quality helmets that are synonymous with safety, design and performance. It is true many other helmet brands make similar claims, but it is undisputed that Italian companies have a keen eye for beautiful design and par excellence taste. Founder Antonio Locatelli has always had a deep passion for the racing world and has thus included its embedded DNA into each product manufactured and beautifully crafted in Bergamo, Italy enabling the company to obtain 150 world titles in motorcycle racing.

An AIROH GP 800 Competition Red helmet.

Dennis Bloch, CEO of AIROH USA, proudly shares, “AIROH has had a presence in the USA Supercross field for about 10 years, but we are now equipped with a broader product lineup and an exceptional sales team to make a significant impact. From off-road and street to cruiser and sportbike helmets, AIROH is poised to offer it all. Nicknamed the ‘Ferrari for your head,’ the brand captivates anyone who sees it—and truly impresses once they pick it up. Known for its deep racing heritage, lightweight design, and striking aesthetics, AIROH stands apart.”

The brand will be available directly to dealers through AIROH USA in Spring 2025. Stay tuned for the launch!

Look for AIROH Helmets on the heads of Jason Anderson, Tom Vialle, MRP Husqvarna, Cody Webb, and Cooper Abbott this year in the USA. On the international circuit, look for AIROH helmets on Jeffrey Herlings, Antonio Cairoli, Liam Everts, David Alonso, Andrea Locatelli, Danilo Petrucci and many more.

An AIROH Aviator Sabre Red off-road and motocross helmet.

About AIROH Helmets Italy
Airoh was founded in the province of Bergamo, in Northern Italy, the company has always had a clear mission to create and produce high-quality helmets that are synonymous with safety, design, and performance. These features, designed to satisfy the best riders, are available to every passionate two-wheeled enthusiast who uses them on asphalt, dirt, sand, snow, and in any other terrain. Over the years, the company’s DNA has evolved, but it has never forgotten its origins, values, and the deep passion for the racing world, and beyond. This passion has consistently led to the achievement of incredible milestones, as evidenced by the company’s impressive
list of accomplishments, including and incredible number of over 150 world titles from 1997 to the present. #DARETOBEGREAT

About AIROH USA
Airoh’s U.S. entity embodies the same passion, innovation, and commitment to excellence that originated in Bergamo, Italy. Dedicated to providing high-quality helmets designed for safety, performance, and style, Airoh brings its legacy of over 150 world titles to American riders. The A iroh USA team is being formed with top industry experts in each field, ensuring unparalleled expertise and strategy as Airoh establishes a strong presence in the American powersports market. Whether conquering asphalt or dirt Airoh helmets are crafted to meet the demands of champions and enthusiasts alike. With deep roots in the racing world and an unwavering #DARETOBEGREAT philosophy, Airoh is poised to inspire and protect riders across the United States.

World Endurance: A Look Back At 2024 In Numbers

The 2024 FIM Endurance World Championship wasn’t just about the epic action on track. Here are some of the key numbers from the last 12 months.

45: The 2024 season was the FIM Endurance World Championship’s 45th

10: It was also the 10th promoted by Warner Bros. Discovery Sports

4: For the first time, Superstock teams could enter four riders to race in the two 24-hour contests

1: In another first for the EWC, the Suzuka 8 Hours formed part of the FIM Endurance World Cup schedule

8: Rather than running for 24 hours, Belgium’s EWC counter became the 8 Hours of Spa Motos, the first eight-hour EWC race in Europe since 2019

6.985: At 6.985 kilometres, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps was the longest on the EWC calendar

4.185: Meanwhile, at 4.185 kilometres, Circuit Bugatti was the shortest

54: Former EWC champion Jason Pridmore was 54 years and 25 days old when he made a one-off return to the championship in the 8 Hours of Spa Motos

18: When the 2024 EWC season began at Le Mans, Daniel González was 18 years, nine months and five days old

4: Dan Linfoot finished on the podium in all four EWC races in 2024 (below)

13: The Briton’s performances helped Yoshimura SERT Motul win a 13th EWC title (11 times as Suzuki Endurance Racing Team and two times as Yoshimura SERT Motul)

3: Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team pole run stretched to three events before being halted by BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team

43: Team Bolliger Switzerland has completed 43 consecutive seasons in the EWC

30: Team HRC’s third Suzuka 8 Hours victory in a row was also the 30th by the squad

1: Team Aviobike by M2 Revo’s 8 Hours of Spa Superstock victory was its first in the EWC and the first for the Aprilia brand

685: Gino Rea returned from serious injury to race in the EWC after a gap of 685 days

2: Niccolò Canepa retired from racing as a two-time EWC champion

1: Sébastien Suchet helped National Motos Honda FMA to its first FIM Endurance World Cup for Teams before calling time on his competition career

40: Suzuki Motor Corporation contested the 45th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race with a motorcycle using 40 per cent bio-sourced sustainable fuel, plus other eco-friendly products

1: MotoGP star Johann Zarco (below) scored his first EWC victory on his championship debut when he triumphed at Suzuka.

WCM Co-Owner Peter Clifford Remembers Partner Bob MacLean (Updated)

Remembering Bob MacLean
 
By Peter Clifford
 
Thanks for running an obit on Bob. He was the very best friend and business partner anyone could wish for. A total enthusiast who put a huge amount of effort into supporting so many riders. He had tremendous success racing in the U.S. with Rich Schlachter, Kork Ballington, Wayne Rainey etc. before we started the World Championship Motorsports (WCM) 500cc Grand Prix team.
 

Then he enabled us to do fantastic things as WCM, becoming the best privateer 500cc team with riders that included Peter Goddard, Niall Mackenzie, Neil Hodgson, Andrew Stroud, Mark Willis and Kirk McCarthy which gained us Yamaha’s respect so that they offered us the factory bikes in 1997. Then, with riders such as Luca Cadalora, Troy Corser, Simon Crafar, Regis Laconi, Garry McCoy, John Hopkins, Jean-Michel Bayle and Alex Hofmann we won GPs and competed for the 500cc World Championship. 

WCM co-owner Bob MacLean receives the team trophy after rider Simon Crafar won a 500cc Grand Prix on one of the team’s Red Bull Yamaha YZR500s at Donington Park, 1998. Lou Martin photo/courtesy WCM.

When the class switched to MotoGP and Yamaha could not supply us with bikes, we built the WCM MotoGP machines and ran Chris Burns, David de Gea, James Ellison, Franco Battaini and Youichi Ui.

Bob did all of this and built a huge population of friends around the world, far beyond the riders involved: The team members all looked up to Bob and appreciated his wonderful drive and good humor as well as unwavering support. Bob MacLean was unique and very special. May he rest in peace…

WCM co-owners Bob MacLean (left) and Peter Clifford (right), circa 1997. Lou Martin photo/courtesy WCM.

 

More, from the November 2018 issue of Roadracing World:

1118_RW-NOVEMBER_AB_V15_WEB 1-3_pages

January 2025

0

On the Front Cover: Fabio Di Giannantonio’s MotoGP career looked like it was over at the end of 2023 and again at the end of 2024. Now he’s one of only three riders with a contract to race a Ducati GP25. Gigi Soldano/DPPI Media Photo.

 

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JANUARY 2025 ISSUE

 

FEATURES

Inside Info: KTM Vows To Continue Racing, Ducati Introduces Panigale
V4 Tricolore, FIM Sanctions Bagger Racing In Europe, and more…

Historic Racebike Illustrations: 1956 DKW 350 Triple

Intro: Triumph Speed Twin 1200 and Speed Twin 1200 RS

Shops: The Renaissance Of Fantic And Minarelli

 

RACING

Racer Profile: Garrett Gerloff’s World Superbike Adventure

Racing History: Shooting Star Johnny Cecotto

MotoGP Analysis: Marc Marquez Tells (Almost) All

MotoGP Analysis: Fabio Di Giannantonio Is A Survivor

    

COLUMNS

Letters To The Editor: R.I.P. Bob MacLean; 98cc 111-mph 1950s Streamliner;
Outing Cherohala Skyway; Aero In The USA, Back In The Day

10 Years Ago, January 2015: Racing Editor Chris Ulrich rides the 2015 BMW S 1000;
Yamaha introduces the limited-edition YZF-R1M ; Shops Visits Sportbike Track Gear; Marc Marquez wins MotoGP races; Sylvain Guintoli’s Superbike World Champ on an Aprilia; and BEi Racing beats AOD to win the WERA Endurance Championship by 0.66-point!

The Crash Page: Marc Marquez Crashed Less In 2024!

2025 Racing, School, & Track Day Calendar: Where & When To Ride

Classified Ads/Advertiser Index

High Performance Parts & Services Directory

Chris Ulrich: Adventures Of An Ex-Racer: On Track With Van

*******************************************************************

Click here to receive a sample issue of Roadracing World magazine (print edition). One sample issue per household, U.S. address only.

Motorcycle Racer Larry Pegram & Daughter Riley Going IMSA Car Racing

Larry Pegram (left) is teaming up in IMSA car racing with daughter Riley.

Pegram Racing Taking On 2025 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge

Pegram Racing is proud to announce its plans to compete in the entire 2025 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge sports car racing series. The Hebron, Ohio-based team will field former professional Superbike racer Larry Pegram and his 20-year-old daughter Riley Pegram in a Hyundai Elantra N in the Touring Car (TCR) category.

The IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge features 10 rounds held at iconic venues like Daytona International Speedway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and Laguna Seca Racing, as well as other major markets in the U.S. and Canada. The races, lasting two to four hours, are televised on NBC Sports, Peacock, YouTube, and IMSA.tv to an audience that measured 10.8 unique viewers in 2024. In addition, IMSA’s social media channels reached 388 million fans last season.

Mock-up of the Pegram racing car that Larry and Riley Pegram will race in IMSA this season.

Larry Pegram is best known for his success as a motorcycle road racer and team owner, having won multiple Superbike races in America’s premier series and scored points in the Superbike World Championship. In 2016, Pegram pumped the brakes on his motorcycle racing career and switched to building businesses in Ohio with a sprinkling of four-wheel racing on the side. Now 52, Pegram is returning to professional racing alongside his eldest daughter Riley.

“I’ve been racing for a long time and enjoyed a lot of success,” said the elder Pegram, “but nothing compares to being able to go racing with your daughter. It’s a whole different level of enjoyment. And to be able to do it with IMSA, at the best tracks in America, and in front of the greatest fans makes it that much better.”

Riley Pegram, age 20, was bitten by the racing bug at age 16, when she entered the karting world and immediately started climbing the ranks. Soon, Riley expanded to racing cars and, in 2023, she jumped into a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 in the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America with MDK Motorsports. Riley achieved a perfect finishing record and claimed fourth place in the final Championship standings. After a partial IMSA season that saw her and her father take two top-10 finishes in the final three races of 2024, Riley is locked and loaded for her first full Michelin Pilot Challenge campaign.

“I’m really looking forward to being back in the Michelin Pilot Challenge series, and I feel blessed to do it with our family-run team,” said daughter Riley. “We’re a new team to IMSA, and we have a lot to learn, so I’m excited to see how we grow and develop during the season.

(Pegram made his latest comeback to motorcycle racing in MotoAmerica Supersport at Mid-Ohio in 2024, leading and finishing third in Supersport Race One but DNF Supersport Race Two with a mechanical issue. Pegram Racing is also planning a new reality TV show, similar to one Larry Pegram did circa 2010-2013 when he was racing in AMA Pro Superbike, called “Superbike Family.” )

World Supersport: Simone Corsi Retires From Racing

Simone Corsi (40) with fellow World Supersport Challenge competitors Tom Edwards (71) and Jacobo Cretaro (73) at Jerez. Photo by Michael Gougis.

Simone Corsi, a five-time Grand Prix winner and winner of the 2024 World Supersport Challenge, has announced his retirement from racing.

“My career as a pilot ends here. Sooner or later this moment had to come,” Corsi posted on his Facebook page. “It’s been 23 very long years. Sacrifices, satisfactions but also many disappointments.

“In 2025 new challenges await me, I’ll be on the track but with a different role. Thank you family, friends and fans. Happy New Year to everyone.”

Corsi made 321 Grand Prix starts, with 210 of them in Moto2, where he scored nine podiums across his career. Corsi won five 125cc Grand Prix races in 95 starts. Aboard a Renzi Corse Ducati Panigale V2, he won the 2024 World Supersport Challenge–a Championship-within-a-Championship for Supersport riders who competed in only the European rounds.

Corsi will serve as Sporting Director for Forward Racing’s Moto2 efforts in 2025.

(Editorial Note: Corsi raced during the annual ASRA Race of Champions event held at Daytona, circa 2019.)

AFT Executive Richie Morris Arrested For DUI, Battery On Officer

A view of the motorcycle parking area at the American Flat Track (AFT) Daytona Short Track I at Daytona International Speedway, 2023.
A view of the motorcycle parking area at the American Flat Track (AFT) Daytona Short Track I at Daytona International Speedway, 2023.
Photo of Richie Morris published at daytonamugshots.com.
Booking photo of Richie Morris as published by daytonamugshots.com.

American Flat Track executive Richie Morris was arrested on charges of battery on a law enforcement officer in Florida, according to published reports.

Daytonamugshot.com, a website that publishes mug shots and arrest reports, says that Morris, 64, of Port Orange, was booked on Jan. 4 and charged with refusal to submit to testing, driving with a canceled/suspended/revoked license, battery on a law enforcement officer and driving under the influence with damage to persons or property.

Morris, a former team owner in AMA Pro Road Racing and in American Flat Track, is currently Director of Industry Relations for AFT. Morris also raced professionally in the AMA Pro Road Racing series but retired after suffering serious injuries, circa 2004.

 

 

 

American Max Toth Signs With JuniorGP Moto2 Team

Max Toth (27) chases fellow American Rossi Moor (92) in their FIM JuniorGP Moto2 battle at Estoril in 2024. Both finished in the top 10 and earned 2025 rides in the series. Photo by Manutormo/courtesy AGR Team.

Editorial Note: Max Toth has signed to ride for Cardoso Racing in the 2025 FIM JuniorGP Moto2 World Championship. He’ll join fellow Hungarian-American and on-track rival Rossi Moor in the series. Both Toth and Moor competed with MotoAmerica, including both winning Junior Cup races and both finishing on the podium in Twins Cup races. Cardoso Racing is affiliated with the Fantic Moto2 World Championship team, and as with Moor’s deal with Team MMR, wild-card entries in the main Moto2 World Championship may be a possibility depending on Toth’s JuniorGP results.

From Cardoso Racing:

We are looking forward to starting 2025 and what better way to do it than welcoming Maxwell Toth to our team. We are very excited to have Max in our line-up, it’s going to be a great year! Welcome to our family, Max!

Max Toth in the FIM JuniorGP Moto2 race on Wednesday, November 27, 2024. The race was moved to Estoril after Valencia was flooded, and had to run mid-week. Photo courtesy AGR Team.

Max: “I’m immensely excited to begin this next Moto2 season working with Cardoso-Fantic Racing. The team’s project is proven to be absolutely top of the line, and I can’t wait to get acquainted with the new crew and bike. Massive thank you to Jose Luis Cardoso for the opportunity , and to all my family and supporters for their continued help. Already itching to get on the bike!”

American Max Toth will ride for Cardoso Racing in the 2025 FIM JuniorGP Moto2 series. Graphic courtesy Cardoso Racing.

Compact Octane Track Days Releases 2025 Schedule

Heath Cofran (2) and friends have started a new track day organization catering to smaller motorcycles. Photo courtesy Compact Octane.
Heath Cofran (2) and friends run a track day organization catering to riders on smaller motorcycles. Photo courtesy Compact Octane.

Compact Octane will hold six 2025 track day events at three tracks in Southern California.

3/1-2 Streets Of Willow course, Willow Springs Raceway, Rosamond, CA

5/10  Streets Of Willow course, Willow Springs Raceway, Rosamond, CA

6/14-15 Streets Of Willow course, Willow Springs Raceway, Rosamond, CA

9/6-7 Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

9/27-28 Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

11/8-9 Streets Of Willow course, Willow Springs Raceway, Rosamond, CA

[email protected], www.compactoctane.com, (661) 878-5594

Precision Track Day Releases Updated 2025 Schedule

Riders having fun at a Precision Track Day event at Roebling Road Raceway in 2024. Photo by Raul Jerez/Highside Photo, courtesy Precision Track Day.

Precision Track Day has released its 2025 schedule, which includes multi-day events at nine tracks ranging from PittRace to JenningsGP.

2025 Precision Track Day Schedule

1/4-5-6 JenningsGP, Jennings, FL

2/8-9 JenningsGP, Jennings, FL

2/22-23-24 Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC

3/1-2 Altanta Motorsports Park, Dawsonville, GA

3/6-10 Virginia International Raceway (North), Alton, VA

3/22-23 Atlanta Motorsports Park, Dawsonville, GA

4/5-6 Atlanta Motorsports Park, Dawsonville, GA

4/18-19 Pittsburg Int’l Race Complex (Full Course) Ken Hill School + Track Day

4/28 Virginia International Raceway (South), Alton, VA

5/3-4 Roebling Road Raceway, Bloomingdale, GA

5/10-11 Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC

5/30-5/31-6/1 NCM, Garysburg, NC

6/6 Virginia International Raceway (North), Alton, VA

6/20-21-22 NCM, Garysburg, NC

6/30-7/1-7/2 Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA

7/19-20-21 Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC

8/8-9-10 Virginia International Raceway (North), Alton, VA

8/16-17-18 Atlanta Motorsports Park, Dawsonville, GA

8/29-30-31 NCM, Garysburg, NC

9/8-9 Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC

9/28-29 Roebling Road Raceway, Bloomingdale, GA

10/11-12 Roebling Road Raceway, Bloomingdale, GA

11/8-9-10 Atlanta Motorsports Park, Dawsonville, GA

11/15-16 Roebling Road Raceway, Bloomingdale, GA

11/29-30-12/1 JenningsGP, Jenning, FL

For additional info, call (770) 313-6797, [email protected], precisiontrackday.org.

Italy’s AIROH Helmets Setting Up U.S. Distribution

A rider wearing an AIROH GP 800 FIM Racing helmet..

Italy’s AIROH Invades USA with New Product & Teams

Stronger, more powerfully innovative products…and people

With a renewed commitment toward assembling the best distribution and sales team in the United States, AIROH Helmets of Italy has obtained and secured distribution rights for the innovative brand’s world-renowned helmet products with an all new AIROH USA facility and team. Dennis Bloch, affiliated with SEVEN MX, James Stewart’s apparel company, will be heading up the new distribution, marketing and sales teams here in America. More well-known helmet executives and sales representatives will be announced following at the product’s media launch to be held in southern California on January 23rd.

An AIROH Spark2 Deco Blue helmet.

Known for its incredibly beautiful and functional Italian designs, AIROH Helmets will be revealing its latest products for distribution to dealers in 2025. It’s upgraded facility located in Bergamo, northern Italy complete with its own wind tunnel and helmet testing laboratory is true to its founder’s mission: to create and produce high-quality helmets that are synonymous with safety, design and performance. It is true many other helmet brands make similar claims, but it is undisputed that Italian companies have a keen eye for beautiful design and par excellence taste. Founder Antonio Locatelli has always had a deep passion for the racing world and has thus included its embedded DNA into each product manufactured and beautifully crafted in Bergamo, Italy enabling the company to obtain 150 world titles in motorcycle racing.

An AIROH GP 800 Competition Red helmet.

Dennis Bloch, CEO of AIROH USA, proudly shares, “AIROH has had a presence in the USA Supercross field for about 10 years, but we are now equipped with a broader product lineup and an exceptional sales team to make a significant impact. From off-road and street to cruiser and sportbike helmets, AIROH is poised to offer it all. Nicknamed the ‘Ferrari for your head,’ the brand captivates anyone who sees it—and truly impresses once they pick it up. Known for its deep racing heritage, lightweight design, and striking aesthetics, AIROH stands apart.”

The brand will be available directly to dealers through AIROH USA in Spring 2025. Stay tuned for the launch!

Look for AIROH Helmets on the heads of Jason Anderson, Tom Vialle, MRP Husqvarna, Cody Webb, and Cooper Abbott this year in the USA. On the international circuit, look for AIROH helmets on Jeffrey Herlings, Antonio Cairoli, Liam Everts, David Alonso, Andrea Locatelli, Danilo Petrucci and many more.

An AIROH Aviator Sabre Red off-road and motocross helmet.

About AIROH Helmets Italy
Airoh was founded in the province of Bergamo, in Northern Italy, the company has always had a clear mission to create and produce high-quality helmets that are synonymous with safety, design, and performance. These features, designed to satisfy the best riders, are available to every passionate two-wheeled enthusiast who uses them on asphalt, dirt, sand, snow, and in any other terrain. Over the years, the company’s DNA has evolved, but it has never forgotten its origins, values, and the deep passion for the racing world, and beyond. This passion has consistently led to the achievement of incredible milestones, as evidenced by the company’s impressive
list of accomplishments, including and incredible number of over 150 world titles from 1997 to the present. #DARETOBEGREAT

About AIROH USA
Airoh’s U.S. entity embodies the same passion, innovation, and commitment to excellence that originated in Bergamo, Italy. Dedicated to providing high-quality helmets designed for safety, performance, and style, Airoh brings its legacy of over 150 world titles to American riders. The A iroh USA team is being formed with top industry experts in each field, ensuring unparalleled expertise and strategy as Airoh establishes a strong presence in the American powersports market. Whether conquering asphalt or dirt Airoh helmets are crafted to meet the demands of champions and enthusiasts alike. With deep roots in the racing world and an unwavering #DARETOBEGREAT philosophy, Airoh is poised to inspire and protect riders across the United States.

World Endurance: A Look Back At 2024 In Numbers

Moto2 World Champion and MotoGP race winner Johann Zarco does his signature victory backflip after winning at the Suzuki 8 Hours. Photo courtesy EWC.
Moto2 World Champion and MotoGP race winner Johann Zarco does his signature victory backflip after winning at the Suzuki 8 Hours. Photo courtesy EWC.

The 2024 FIM Endurance World Championship wasn’t just about the epic action on track. Here are some of the key numbers from the last 12 months.

45: The 2024 season was the FIM Endurance World Championship’s 45th

10: It was also the 10th promoted by Warner Bros. Discovery Sports

4: For the first time, Superstock teams could enter four riders to race in the two 24-hour contests

1: In another first for the EWC, the Suzuka 8 Hours formed part of the FIM Endurance World Cup schedule

8: Rather than running for 24 hours, Belgium’s EWC counter became the 8 Hours of Spa Motos, the first eight-hour EWC race in Europe since 2019

6.985: At 6.985 kilometres, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps was the longest on the EWC calendar

4.185: Meanwhile, at 4.185 kilometres, Circuit Bugatti was the shortest

54: Former EWC champion Jason Pridmore was 54 years and 25 days old when he made a one-off return to the championship in the 8 Hours of Spa Motos

18: When the 2024 EWC season began at Le Mans, Daniel González was 18 years, nine months and five days old

4: Dan Linfoot finished on the podium in all four EWC races in 2024 (below)

13: The Briton’s performances helped Yoshimura SERT Motul win a 13th EWC title (11 times as Suzuki Endurance Racing Team and two times as Yoshimura SERT Motul)

3: Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team pole run stretched to three events before being halted by BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team

43: Team Bolliger Switzerland has completed 43 consecutive seasons in the EWC

30: Team HRC’s third Suzuka 8 Hours victory in a row was also the 30th by the squad

1: Team Aviobike by M2 Revo’s 8 Hours of Spa Superstock victory was its first in the EWC and the first for the Aprilia brand

685: Gino Rea returned from serious injury to race in the EWC after a gap of 685 days

2: Niccolò Canepa retired from racing as a two-time EWC champion

1: Sébastien Suchet helped National Motos Honda FMA to its first FIM Endurance World Cup for Teams before calling time on his competition career

40: Suzuki Motor Corporation contested the 45th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race with a motorcycle using 40 per cent bio-sourced sustainable fuel, plus other eco-friendly products

1: MotoGP star Johann Zarco (below) scored his first EWC victory on his championship debut when he triumphed at Suzuka.

WCM Co-Owner Peter Clifford Remembers Partner Bob MacLean (Updated)

WCM team co-owners Peter Clifford (left) and Bob MacLean (right) cheer as Simon Crafar wins a 500cc Grand Prix on their Red Bull Yamaha YZR500 at Donington in 1998. Lou Martin photo/Courtesy WCM.
Remembering Bob MacLean
 
By Peter Clifford
 
Thanks for running an obit on Bob. He was the very best friend and business partner anyone could wish for. A total enthusiast who put a huge amount of effort into supporting so many riders. He had tremendous success racing in the U.S. with Rich Schlachter, Kork Ballington, Wayne Rainey etc. before we started the World Championship Motorsports (WCM) 500cc Grand Prix team.
 

Then he enabled us to do fantastic things as WCM, becoming the best privateer 500cc team with riders that included Peter Goddard, Niall Mackenzie, Neil Hodgson, Andrew Stroud, Mark Willis and Kirk McCarthy which gained us Yamaha’s respect so that they offered us the factory bikes in 1997. Then, with riders such as Luca Cadalora, Troy Corser, Simon Crafar, Regis Laconi, Garry McCoy, John Hopkins, Jean-Michel Bayle and Alex Hofmann we won GPs and competed for the 500cc World Championship. 

WCM co-owner Bob MacLean receives the team trophy after rider Simon Crafar won a 500cc Grand Prix on one of the team’s Red Bull Yamaha YZR500s at Donington Park, 1998. Lou Martin photo/courtesy WCM.

When the class switched to MotoGP and Yamaha could not supply us with bikes, we built the WCM MotoGP machines and ran Chris Burns, David de Gea, James Ellison, Franco Battaini and Youichi Ui.

Bob did all of this and built a huge population of friends around the world, far beyond the riders involved: The team members all looked up to Bob and appreciated his wonderful drive and good humor as well as unwavering support. Bob MacLean was unique and very special. May he rest in peace…

WCM co-owners Bob MacLean (left) and Peter Clifford (right), circa 1997. Lou Martin photo/courtesy WCM.

 

More, from the November 2018 issue of Roadracing World:

1118_RW-NOVEMBER_AB_V15_WEB 1-3_pages

January 2025

January 2025 Issue
January 2025 Issue

On the Front Cover: Fabio Di Giannantonio’s MotoGP career looked like it was over at the end of 2023 and again at the end of 2024. Now he’s one of only three riders with a contract to race a Ducati GP25. Gigi Soldano/DPPI Media Photo.

 

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JANUARY 2025 ISSUE

 

FEATURES

Inside Info: KTM Vows To Continue Racing, Ducati Introduces Panigale
V4 Tricolore, FIM Sanctions Bagger Racing In Europe, and more…

Historic Racebike Illustrations: 1956 DKW 350 Triple

Intro: Triumph Speed Twin 1200 and Speed Twin 1200 RS

Shops: The Renaissance Of Fantic And Minarelli

 

RACING

Racer Profile: Garrett Gerloff’s World Superbike Adventure

Racing History: Shooting Star Johnny Cecotto

MotoGP Analysis: Marc Marquez Tells (Almost) All

MotoGP Analysis: Fabio Di Giannantonio Is A Survivor

    

COLUMNS

Letters To The Editor: R.I.P. Bob MacLean; 98cc 111-mph 1950s Streamliner;
Outing Cherohala Skyway; Aero In The USA, Back In The Day

10 Years Ago, January 2015: Racing Editor Chris Ulrich rides the 2015 BMW S 1000;
Yamaha introduces the limited-edition YZF-R1M ; Shops Visits Sportbike Track Gear; Marc Marquez wins MotoGP races; Sylvain Guintoli’s Superbike World Champ on an Aprilia; and BEi Racing beats AOD to win the WERA Endurance Championship by 0.66-point!

The Crash Page: Marc Marquez Crashed Less In 2024!

2025 Racing, School, & Track Day Calendar: Where & When To Ride

Classified Ads/Advertiser Index

High Performance Parts & Services Directory

Chris Ulrich: Adventures Of An Ex-Racer: On Track With Van

*******************************************************************

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