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Recent Wedding: Michael Barnes – Anne Roberts
2016 Daytona 200 winner Michael Barnes and Anne Roberts, a former racer and the current Advertising Sales Director for Roadracing World, were married today in Marietta, Georgia.
NCCR Raising Money To Donate EBR 1190 Racebikes To Barber Museum
NCCR announce mission to secure Erik Buell’s EBR 1190 IOMTT and WSBK Racebikes for the Barber Motorsport Museum with help of the worldwide Buell community, Erik Buell and Mark Miller as guests of honor.
General:
Sweden-based Family Company and Buell Specialist NCCR announces the project BringTheBikesHome.com to donate with help of the Buell fans 3 EBR 1190 racebikes to the Barber Collection. The donation will be supported by a raffle of 100 Erik Buell Racing Memorabilia prizes including an original EBR 1190 RS racebike. Limited posters and booklets accompany each raffle slot.
The donation ceremony at Barbers Advanced Design Center with Erik Buell and Mark Miller as guests of honor will be on the 20th of May 2023 at the MotoAmerica weekend.
For details please see: www.BringTheBikesHome.com
Quotes:
Erik Buell:
“Barber Motorsport Park is an incredible American treasure, and represents George Barber’s supreme passion for motorcycles and motorcycle racing. I cannot express enough my gratitude that in the Barber Museum he has built the quintessential display of Buell and EBR motorcycles and memorabilia. Adding these EBR racers is the perfect topper, as the 1190 RS represents my decades awaited ultimate American superbike. John Dimbylow with Splitlath Motorsport and his riders did a tremendous job bringing it to these iconic races like the Macau GP and the Isle of Man”.
Mark Miller:
“Racing the EBR 1190 was for sure one of the most interesting parts of my career, I really loved these bikes and till today I own an 1190 RX. It’s great that the bikes go to Barber and as they hold all bikes race ready and there is the track, who knows, maybe one day we do some laps again”.
John Dimbylow (Splitlath Motorsport):
“We had a good time, just needed maybe another year to develop the bikes to the level that was needed. Like the bumpy roads of the Isle of Man took their tribute, small problems with great effect. I loved Erik’s commitment and support, he´s a real racer and looking back it was a great thing to represent the brand in these years”.
Nick LaCasse (Barber Motorsport Museum):
“Erik Buell’s story of developing and building the American Sportsbike is an important part of U.S. motorcycle history. We have a long-standing relationship with Erik and are proud to have a collection of his work. From now, being able to tell the story of EBR’s Isle of Man TT Racing and having one of the original World Superbikes on display is an exciting addition to our collection”.
Jens Krüper (NCCR):
“When we overtook the inventory from Splitlath Motorport, Barber Motorsport Museum was the first on the list to contact. Nowhere else, the heritage of Erik’s work is better represented than in their collection. The Barber Museum had proved for many years that they give the bikes from East Troy, Wisconsin the space and attention they deserve. The bikes mark the peak in V-Twin Road Racing technology and competed in some of the world’s most difficult races. To preserve that history, make it accessible for the public and tell the stories, like racing Macau or the IOMTT, Barber is by far the best place”.
About Erik Buell:
Motorcycle Racer, Engineer and Designer originally from Pittsburgh, started in 1983 his motorcycle business in East Troy, Wisconsin, nearly 140,000 motorcycles with EBR and Buell brands were produced under his guidance. He also launched the FUELL e-two wheeler brand. Since 2022 he is retired and follows his other passions, writing and playing music.
About Mark Miller:
After a lifetime in Road Racing, the Californian retired from racing end of 2016 as the most successful and fastest American rider ever on the Isle of Man TT. In 2022, he came back to the Island broadcasting for TT+ Television and TT radio. Also this year, he will be part of the team reporting live from the IOM TT.
About Splitlath Motorsport:
Located in Hay-on-Wye/Wales in the United Kingdom, the Team raced from 2014 on the EBR 1190 RS at the Macau GP, on the IOMTT and at the Chinese Pan Delta series with mostly American riders, like Cory West, Brandon Cretu, Shelina Moreda and Mark Miller. From 2015 on, Splitlath was the Erik Buell Racing (EBR) factory race team.
About Barber Motorsport Museum:
The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum began in 1988 as George Barber’s private collection and became a §501 nonprofit organization in 1994. It opened to the public in its original Southside Birmingham, Alabama, in 1995. In 1997, the Barber Museum sent 21 motorcycles to New York’s Guggenheim Museum for The Art of the Motorcycle exhibit; the exhibit also traveled to Chicago and the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. After the success of The Art of the Motorcycle, Barber set out to create a unique facility complete with a track. Barber consulted with world champion racers John Surtees and Dan Gurney in designing the complex. In 2003, the Barber Museum relocated to its permanent home in Barber Motorsports Park.
The museum contains more than 1,800 vintage and modern motorcycles and racing cars. Guinness World Records certified the museum as the largest motorcycle museum in the world in 2014. The museum also houses the largest collection of Lotus race cars. The motorcycle collection includes bikes dating from 1904 to present-day production. More than 1,000 motorcycles are on display hailing from over 20 countries and representing over 140 marques. The Barber Collection also hosts the worldwide most interesting Buell Collection. Not only a 1984 RW 750, the early Square 4 2-stroke racer is a must-have for a collection of that caliber, or all the Buell RR models catch the eye. The prototypes and development bikes are extra interesting collection pieces for Buell enthusiasts. Where else can you see a clay model of an 1125 or see live, for years only in myths existing, the Buell 450 Motocross Rotax Single prototype? Buell and EBR Road and race bikes of all years and provenience, even Bubba Blackwell’s and Craig Jones’ stunt bikes, found their way into that fantastic collection.
About NCCR:
NCCR Northern Classic, Custom & Race AB is a family-owned company in the Swedish Hälsingland, located 350km North of Stockholm. In second generation, for more than 2 decades, the Krüper family sells, customizes, races and develops parts for Buell motorcycles. In 2010-2011, NCCR was running Pegasusraceteam.com leading the EBR 1190RR both years to the Sound of Thunder Championships. From 2015-2016, NCCR was the exclusive European partner of EBR (Erik Buell Racing). Today, NCCR hosts the EBR Racing heritage with the original EBR 1190 World Superbikes as well as the Splitlath Raceteam IOMTT and Macau Racebikes.
NCCR reveals at the Oslo Motorcycle Show in Norway on the 3rd of March 2023 a limited road adapted Replica of the EBR 1190 World Superbike based on the legendary 2014 EBR RS and built from original WSBK race inventory.
Bubba Shobert Being Honored At 2023 Quail Motorcycle Gathering
THE QUAIL MOTORCYCLE GATHERING NAMES BUBBA SHOBERT AS 2023 HONOREE
Flat-track legend and Hall of Famer named Legend of the Sport for the premier motorcycle gathering of over 300 vintage and modern motorcycles and scooters
Carmel, Calif. – The Quail Motorcycle Gathering announced that it will honor motorcycle racing legend Bubba Shobert as its 2023 Legend of the Sport during the 13th annual event in Carmel, California, on Saturday, May 6. One of the most anticipated motorcycle events of the year, the gathering celebrates the evolution of two-wheeled artistry with more than 300 vintage and modern motorcycles, scooters and bicycles, as well as artisan lunch options, local wines and brews, and a family-friendly kids area, all on the lush grasses of Quail Lodge & Golf Club.
Born in Lubbock, Texas, Don Wayne Shobert began riding a Briggs & Stratton minibike when he was just 6-years-old. At the age of 8, his father Don took him to the AMA Grand National races at the Houston Astrodome, and the young Shobert immediately knew what he wanted to do with his life.
From there, Shobert built a successful motorcycle racing career in a variety of disciplines. He is a three-time AMA Grand National Flat Track champion (1985-1987), 1988 AMA Superbike champion, AMA Hall of Famer and 2007 Motorsports Hall of Fame member. Considered by many to be one of the fiercest and most-consistent flat track racers of all time, Shobert is one of the very few racers to have won in all forms of the Grand National Championship series: mile, half-mile, TT steeplechase, short track and road racing.
“Bubba Shobert is an icon in the motorcycling world, so we are thrilled to honor him as our Legend of the Sport this May,” said Kai Lermen, general manager of Quail Lodge & Golf Club. “Each year, we recognize those influential individuals who have made significant achievements and contributions to motorcycling, and Bubba’s accomplishments speak for themselves.”
Event attendees will enjoy a fireside chat with Shobert on-stage during the event, including a chance to learn more about his racing success and accomplishments.
The event kicks off with The Quail Ride on Friday, May 5. The 100-mile cruise, which is limited to just 100 motorcycles, departs from the Quail Lodge & Golf Club for a ride through the picturesque backroads of the Monterey Peninsula and includes lunch and dinner. Applications to join The Quail Ride can be submitted here.
The Quail Motorcycle Gathering features activities for all ages, and children and pets are welcome. Admission-only credentials are $60 per person and include parking and gear valet service for those riding a motorcycle to the event. A young adult credential for kids 13-18 years old are available for $20; kids 12 and under get in free. Guests can upgrade their experience with a General Admission + Hospitality credential for $175 per person, which includes access to a private seating area for a catered lunch buffet and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as on-site parking. Tickets are now available online at www.quaillodgetickets.com.
Entries are now being accepted for 2023’s featured classes: Italian and Single motorcycles, 1970s Vintage Muscle, and Bring on the Baggers, as well as 11 traditional classes. Entrant applications can be submitted here.
Please visit The Quail’s event website for detailed application, ticket and event information for the complete schedule of 2023 events. Follow The Quail Events on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on all activities.
The Peninsula Signature Events 2023:
13th Annual The Quail Ride: Friday, May 5, 2023
13th Annual The Quail Motorcycle Gathering: Saturday, May 6, 2023
25th Annual The Quail Rally: Monday, August 14 – Wednesday, August 16, 2023
20th Annual The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering: Friday, August 18, 2023
WorldSBK: Yamaha Racing In Indonesian Colors At Mandalika
Yamaha to race in Indonesian Colours at Mandalika WorldSBK Round
The Yamaha R1s of the Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK Team’s Toprak Razgatlıoğlu and Andrea Locatelli will sport a special livery for Round 2 of the 2023 FIM Superbike World Championship this weekend in Mandalika. The design, which features the red and white of the Sang Saka Merah-Putih, the national flag of Indonesia, is a thank you to both Indonesian race fans and Yamaha Indonesia Motor Manufacturing (YIMM) for their passion and support.
The connection between Yamaha Racing and the Indonesian fans has always been a close one, but it was cemented further in 2021. During the first ever WorldSBK weekend at the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit, thousands of local fans celebrated alongside Razgatlıoğlu as the Turkish rider was crowned as World Champion.
The relationship is just as close between Yamaha Racing and YIMM, who have been a staunch supporter of Yamaha’s racing activities in MotoGP, WorldSBK and MXGP for many years. This relationship extends further than World Championship racing, however. Yamaha Motor Europe and YIMM work closely together to identify and develop the next generation of racers, with the best from Indonesia securing places in the European bLU cRU program.
This was the path followed by Galang Hendra Pratama who, through the collaboration between Yamaha Motor Europe and YIMM, was able to progress from promising national championship racer to FIM Supersport 300 World Championship race winner. Galang Hendra remains an inspiration to the many Indonesian youngsters currently racing with YIMM support in Indonesia but looking to follow the same path to the world stage as their compatriot.
The Mandalika livery will also include a simple but special message for all supporters of Yamaha Racing in Indonesia, Terima kasih; Thank you!
Paolo Pavesio: Marketing & Motorsport Director, Yamaha Motor Europe
“Our race teams in both WorldSBK and MXGP have always enjoyed a special relationship with the Indonesian race fans and strong support from Yamaha Indonesia Motor Manufacturing. However, the connection goes beyond our professional race teams, since we work closely together to develop young Indonesian riders and give them the opportunity to showcase their talents within our bLU cRU program. This weekend in Mandalika we wanted to do something to show our appreciation for this support in Indonesia, to say Terima kasih to both the fans and to YIMM, but also to show the next generation of Indonesian racers that anything is possible. Hopefully in the future we will have an Indonesian rider on the bike, together with the flag!”
Dyonisius Beti: President Director & CEO PT Yamaha Indonesia Motor Manufacturing
“This weekend, we will have the FIM Superbike World Championship race in Mandalika. Thank you to the Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK Team for presenting a special Red and White livery on the Yamaha R1 WorldSBK, it is appreciated. This special treatment, which is a form of closeness between YIMM and Yamaha Racing, also shows the special relationship with loyal fans from Indonesia. We hope this will further strengthen the relationship with Indonesian fans and motivate and inspire young Indonesian racers to passionately pursue a racing career and, ultimately, achieve their goals.”
Isle Of Man TT: Michael Dunlop Racing Hawk Honda Superbike
DUNLOP UNVEILS PLANS WITH HAWK RACING AND HONDA
Michael Dunlop and Hawk Racing will resume their highly-successful partnership at this year’s Isle of Man TT Races, with the 21-time race winner campaigning the team’s new Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade in the six-lap Superbike and Senior TT Races.
It will be the first time that Dunlop has ridden a Honda in the headline Superbike and Senior Races since 2013 when he was part of the factory Honda TT Legends squad. That year saw him win the opening Superbike Race and finish second to team-mate John McGuinness in a thrilling Senior encounter.
Since then, the 34-year old has ridden either BMW or Suzuki machinery in the 1000cc races, primarily for the Stuart and Steve Hicken’s Hawk Racing team, with the combination taking a series of race wins and podium finishes through the years.
The Hawk Racing team have run the Suzuki GSX-R1000R for the last six years but recently announced a switch to the Honda brand for their British Superbike Championship campaign, and their TT plans have duly followed suit.
The Hawk-Dunlop partnership began in 2014 when they took a resounding Superbike-Senior double with BMW, giving the manufacturer their first Senior Race victory in 75 years. The Hicken family then stepped in during TT 2015 after Dunlop split from the Milwaukee Yamaha team part way through qualifying week, going on to take a second-place finish in that year’s Superstock Race.
The combination was back to its best in 2016 with another emphatic Superbike-Senior double as Dunlop became the first rider to lap the 37.73-mile Mountain Course in under 17 minutes, eventually increasing the outright lap record to 133.962mph on the Hawk Racing BMW S1000RR.
A switch to Suzuki followed in 2017 and although the GSX-R1000R was a brand-new model with no pedigree at the TT, Dunlop and Hawk Racing defied the odds to claim another Senior Race victory.
The pairing went their separate ways after their momentous win but were reunited once again in 2022 after Dunlop’s deal to ride for the PBM Ducati team fell through just weeks before the event. The late change and a lack of testing dented their prospects, but a third place in the opening Superbike Race was a highly-impressive result under the circumstances.
Speaking of the news, Michael said:
“It’s good to get my plans sorted in plenty of time this year. You only have to look at the other boys to see how important it is to be working with a team you’re familiar with and to be up to speed well before you even get to the TT. The pace is so high right now, you’ve got to be right at the top of your game from the get go.”
“In truth, preparations for last year were not what they should have been. Steve and the boys came in to dig me out of a hole at the last minute but we still managed a good result. Before then [in 2019] I was still struggling quite bad with [a wrist] injury, so this year will be the first time in a long while where I’m both fully fit and I’m on a bike I’m set with. It’s good, I’m excited for it and I think we can put on a good show.”
Steve Hicken, Hawk Racing Team Manager commented:
“We’ve enjoyed a lot of success with Michael over the years including the podium we managed last year, despite the challenge we faced in getting him a bike ready at the very last minute. Fortunately, we’ve a little more time to prepare this year and it’ll be good to actually go testing this time.”
“The Honda is new to us and new to Michael, but we both believe it’s the best bike to be on right now. It’s also not the first time we’ve worked with him with a new bike, and if we can carry on with that previous run of form in these circumstances then we’ll be in a good place.”
Both Dunlop, who is expected to ride his own MD Racing Honda in the Superstock Races, and the Hicken family are hoping the move to the Honda Fireblade will see them get back on to the top step of a ‘big bike’ TT podium and claim their sixth title together.
WorldSBK: Bautista Expecting Greater Challenge In Indonesia
Outspoken ahead of Mandalika
Asia welcomes WorldSBK action with passion and excitement as Indonesia readies for another chapter of close racing
Just days after the season fired into life, the 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is already preparing for round two and the Motul Indonesian Round. The Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit is ready for a third year on the calendar, albeit in a new slot at the start of the season, and there promises to be plenty of fighting at the front. We caught up with some of the main stars, to get their thoughts on another unforgettable weekend in prospect from one of WorldSBK’s most passionate countries.
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati): “Last year, Toprak went fast, Jonathan was really competitive, so I expect them to fight for the victory in all three races!”
“We were celebrating as Champion here but now we are in a new season. I have good memories here and also after last weekend at Phillip Island. Last year, we struggled a bit here, so maybe we have many things to think about. With the weather here, it’s unpredictable, so you have to adapt a plan depending on the track condition. The biggest problem was on the front as Pirelli didn’t bring the tyre I had used for most of last season. This year, they have brought it, so I’m looking to forward to see if the problem I have felt has gone. With what we saw at Phillip Island, I don’t think it is 100% true, as we had tests before the round, so many riders had a good setup and it’s a very particular track. This season, the rest of the riders are closing the gap and when you have a bad day, you have more riders in between. What is sure is that here last year, Toprak went fast, and Jonathan was really competitive, so I expect them to fight for the victory in all three races.”
Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK): “Normally we’re strong here!”
“I have good memories. This year, we will see. The first round was not really a strong weekend for me, but this circuit is my favourite. Last year, I had the same feeling when we went to Phillip Island. The bike felt different because we used the harder tyres and it’s a different track. It’s not like my style. My style is usually hard braking. Mandalika is my favourite circuit and I try to do my best again last year. Last year, we had three wins. This year we will see because everybody is very fast and very strong; everybody’s improved their bike. Normally, we are very strong here. I hope we have a strong start and are fighting again for the win.”
Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK): “I want to win a race and get my season off to a proper start”
“It’s been a tough week leaving Australia without the points we set out to gain. Everything was going quite smoothly up until race day. Hard to draw any big conclusions as to why. The bike balance is quite different to what we had during testing. Back to square one this weekend with a bike we know should work. We need to try and be more competitive. We’ll forget last weekend, we want to be strong this weekend whether it’s wet, dry, windy, whatever. I think we have a good chance this weekend to fight for podium. Our target is much more than that. I want to win a race and get my season off to a proper start.”
Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati): “I think we can be competitive!”
“We should improve during the wet conditions because maybe here, if it is raining, we should be in the fight for a podium. But overall, I am quite happy with the start of the season. What I learnt is that the base in the wet is not good, so I spoke to the engineers and said ‘if we want to fight all year in top positions, then we have to improve in all conditions’ as it’s not acceptable to finish in P14. If it rains, we’ll have another setup and so I’ll be comfortable. Here is a different track compared to Phillip Island, but I think we can be competitive, but the other riders will be closer. I don’t think one rider will be break away. On the Imola announcement, it is one of my favourite tracks; I won there in STK1000 and I have good memories! I want to ride there as it’s special, like Misano, so I couldn’t be happier about that news!”
Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK): “We will enjoy again… we are confident!”
“In Yamaha, we always try to improve the bike and to work together to understand and compare data. We need to continue to do this as it’s important to work together and improve the bike, and to try and improve ourselves. It’s the same objective we have every year. We need to see what happens here at Mandalika because it’s always a bit strange for the hot conditions. Last year and the first year were great. We will enjoy again! In the end, if we can finish in the same positions as last year, it won’t be so bad but if we can improve and try to fight for the podium in the long race, we will see… it’s always difficult to say before the weekend, but we are confident. When I saw the news about Imola, I was smiling because for me, it’s one of the best tracks! I was really excited, and I can’t wait to ride this bike on that track. It won’t be easy because it’s July and it will be really warm but to get a good result there, we’ll be able to go on the beach a bit more relaxed!”
Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team): “We’ll be more competitive than Phillip Island”
“They weren’t the results we were hoping for but if we look back on my weekend, it wasn’t that bad. I wasn’t that far away from the fight for fourth place but unfortunately the pace dropped a lot at the end of the race. It’s not where we want to be but from my side, I think it was quite positive. We’re not that far away and I feel like we improved the package, but in general we need more corner speed and drive grip. It’s not easy but this weekend we have Mandalika, where it’s a different kind of a track and I’m curious to see how the bike works here. It’s always nice to be in Indonesia! My grandmother is from Indonesia, so I really enjoy this country and the people are really friendly. I’m confident but I have to stay calm; our bike works well in the wet but I’m looking forward to it, and I think in the dry, we’ll be more competitive than Phillip Island.”
Hafizh Syahrin (PETRONAS MIE Racing HONDA Team): “At the start of the season, scoring one point is better than nothing”
“It’s very close to my home and it’s one of the tracks that I really like. It won’t be easy, but I will try to do better than Australia. This track is suited to my style and we will see what the weather brings this weekend. I wanted to score more points in the Australian Round. I couldn’t challenge where I really wanted to. At the start of the season, scoring one point is better than nothing. We tried to take this motivation or spirit to Mandalika.”
More, from a press release issued by Aruba.it Racing Ducati:
The Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team already back on track in Indonesia for the second round of the 2023 WorldSBK season.
Only a few hours have passed since the amazing weekend at Phillip Island (Australia) and the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team is already at work in Indonesia setting up for the second round of the 2023 WorldSBK season.
The Indonesian Round will kick off tomorrow at 09.00 (02.00 CET) with the WorldSSP first free practice session followed by WorldSBK’s FP1 scheduled at 10.00 (03.00 CET).
After the extraordinary hat-trick scored in Australia, Alvaro Bautista will return to the Mandalika circuit (Lombok Island), where he won the WorldSBK World Championship title last November. The Spanish rider arrives in Indonesia as leader of the standings with 62 points, 28 more than Locatelli (Yamaha) and 31 more than Rea (Kawasaki) and Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati).
The one at Phillip Island was a Sunday to remember for Michael Rinaldi, second behind his team-mate both at the end of Superpole Race and Race-2. The Italian rider’s goal is to score the first podium of his career at the Indonesian circuit after his best result (P4) in last season’s Race-1.
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #1)
“It’s clear that this round will set more difficult challenges than the ones we faced in Australia. Last year in Indonesia we weren’t as competitive as we were at Phillip Island but I have to admit that during the winter tests – and on Saturday at Phillip Island – I felt good even with track conditions not exactly ideal. As always I’ll try to have fun session after session, then at the end we’ll see our results”.
Michael Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #21)
“In Australia, we showed that we can be very fast, especially in dry conditions. For this reason in Indonesia, it will be important to be ready if the weather, as it often happens at the Mandalika circuit, should change suddenly. The start of the season has been positive but the most important thing is to be able to confirm ourselves immediately at the level of last Sunday”.
WorldSSP
There are also high expectations for Nicolò Bulega and the Ducati Panigale V2 of the Aruba.it Racing WSSP team. The Italian rider arrives at the Lombok circuit after two victories in the Australian round and, above all, with a year of experience more than his first weekend in Indonesia in 2022.
Nicolò Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WSSP)
“Despite the fact that last year we didn’t manage to get on the podium, the sensations I had at the Mandalika circuit were still very positive. I arrive in Indonesia with a lot of confidence: I feel very good athletically and the feeling with the bike has improved a lot this winter. I think we can also be very fast this weekend”.
More, from a press release issued by Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK:
Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK Provide New Perspectives on Mandalika
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu and Andrea Locatelli return to one of Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK’s favourite circuits on the 2023 FIM Superbike World Championship calendar this week, the Mandalika International Street Circuit, for the second round of the season from 3-5 March.
It is no secret that Indonesia holds fond memories for Yamaha, after wrapping up the WorldSBK “Triple Crown” and Rookie of the Year in 2021, Razgatlıoğlu and Locatelli’s combined results in 2022 signalled the best weekend for the team since Yamaha’s return to WorldSBK in 2016.
Razgatlıoğlu simply dominated the weekend – winning all three races and setting an incredible circuit-record pole position on his Yamaha R1 WorldSBK that was 1.052s clear of his next closest rival. Teammate Locatelli too enjoyed a strong weekend with his first front row start in WorldSBK (P3) followed by a podium in the Superpole Race and two fourth position finishes in the feature races, which were all held in dry conditions.
By contrast, in 2021 the WorldSBK field experienced Mandalika in full wet conditions – and a quirk of the track was that in the wet, this particular asphalt construction enabled the riders to access incredible grip because water drains through very quickly. However in 2022, the track was resurfaced and a revised schedule introduced to avoid the heavy tropical monsoon rains that temporarily flood the track and severely limit visibility – leaving the new construction untested.
After speaking with local track staff last year about the upgraded asphalt, Razgatlıoğlu’s Crew Chief Phil Marron says that the surface should behave in a similar way to Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli – however the key difference is that track temperature in Indonesia stays the same in the wet, rather than dropping by around 10 degrees Celsius like in Italy, so the riders can still expect similar grip levels to 2021.
The first opportunity to assess track conditions this year will come tomorrow morning at 10:00 local time (UTC+8) with the first 45-minute Free Practice 1, followed naturally by Free Practice 2 taking place from 13:00.
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu
“There are three main corners to overtake in Mandalika – first one, first corner with hard braking – I like it! Second one, Turn 9 and also the last corner. It is not easy to pass the last corner, but if on the last lap you are trying to win – then anything is possible! I enjoy to ride my R1 here, okay some corners I am not very strong but in general I like this circuit. For all riders, of course the problem is it’s very hot! It is a nice place to be, the people are very friendly and I like it – very relaxed way of life. My goal for this weekend is three wins, like last year I hope… Inshallah!”
Andrea Locatelli
“The most difficult part here in Mandalika with respect to the other tracks is this temperature and the humidity – it’s really warm! It’s not easy to do the long races but we train for this, it’s our job, so I think like last year we are fully ready to fight in these conditions. It will be really difficult but it is the same for everybody and you can see who has prepared well. We will continue to work and keep the good feeling we have with our bike – in 2022, here it was a good circuit for me, with the second podium of the year in the Superpole Race and a really good qualifying on the front row. In general, I am feeling really confident especially after the Phillip Island weekend. We need to continue pushing and fight for the good results, but I think we can do well again!”
Paul Denning – Team Principal, Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK:
“Starting the race season in Phillip Island – the WorldSBK “tradition” before calendar changes due to the pandemic in 2021 and 2022 – is always a pleasure, even if the timeframe to be fully prepared is very challenging. In the end, we faced three races in completely different conditions and we achieved three podiums, including a thoroughly well-deserved third place finish for “Loka” in Race 2. His performance at the test and over the race weekend showed that his growing confidence is certainly not misplaced! He also finished on the podium in Mandalika in 2022, so we expect him to continue with this improved performance level. Toprak was again very strong in the wet Race 1 and the Superpole Race (closing on Rinaldi on the final lap and nearly taking second place) for his second podium of the weekend. The Race 2 crash after the mistake by Alex Lowes means we lost many valuable points, but in Mandalika we begin the fightback! Toprak’s style is not perfectly suited to Phillip Island, and there were challenges in some aspects of the testing programme, while Loka is fully up to speed with all Yamaha’s important 2023 developments. However, Mandalika is a very different circuit and we expect Toprak to be back in the fight for victories.”
More, from a press release issued by GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team:
Unpredictable Mandalika Awaits Aegerter and Gardner
The GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team is ready to get back in action on 3rd-5th March at Mandalika International Street Circuit after a thrilling season opener in Phillip Island just one week ago.
As it was at the opening round, it will be the first time for Dominique Aegerter and Remy Gardner with their Yamaha R1 machines on the Indonesian track, which will host the WorldSBK paddock for the third time. With unpredictable weather expected, the riders and the team should be ready to face any last-minute change. Moreover, on Saturday, Race 1 can mark Aegerter’s 300th world championship race, a prestigious milestone in his career.
Throughout its 17 corners, one of Mandalika track’s main challenges will be understanding the tarmac. Damiano Evangelisti, Gardner’s crew chief, highlights that we faced two different types of asphalt in 2021 and 2022, so quick adaption to the surface will be required in 2023 as well. Moreover, ensuring to test all of the different tyre options will be necessary, including a new rear Pirelli. Finally, the GYTR GRT Yamaha duo is looking to focus on longer runs during free practice to prepare for the latter stages of the race.
Filippo Conti, GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team Manager, claims: “The potential was there; what we saw in Australia is proof of how fast we can be this year”. Moreover, “What happened one week ago showed how close we are as a team, and that’s the right spirit to face a long season.”
The riders are also ready to face a new challenge on a different track. Dominique Aegerter is looking forward to racing in Indonesia but is wary of what the weather might do. Furthermore, the Swiss rider calls attention to: “A section of the circuit which is very fast with multiple changes of direction, so you have to be powerful, and it takes a lot of strength”. On the other side of the garage, Remy Gardner is “looking to improve what we learned in Phillip Island”. The Aussie also has already spotted “Turn 1 and the last corner” as possible overtaking points.
WorldSBK: Rinaldi And Bautista 1-2 In FP2 In Indonesia
World Supersport: Bulega Tops FP2 At Mandalika
WorldSBK: Rinaldi Leads Tight Field In FP1 In Indonesia
Recent Wedding: Michael Barnes – Anne Roberts
2016 Daytona 200 winner Michael Barnes and Anne Roberts, a former racer and the current Advertising Sales Director for Roadracing World, were married today in Marietta, Georgia.
NCCR Raising Money To Donate EBR 1190 Racebikes To Barber Museum
NCCR announce mission to secure Erik Buell’s EBR 1190 IOMTT and WSBK Racebikes for the Barber Motorsport Museum with help of the worldwide Buell community, Erik Buell and Mark Miller as guests of honor.
General:
Sweden-based Family Company and Buell Specialist NCCR announces the project BringTheBikesHome.com to donate with help of the Buell fans 3 EBR 1190 racebikes to the Barber Collection. The donation will be supported by a raffle of 100 Erik Buell Racing Memorabilia prizes including an original EBR 1190 RS racebike. Limited posters and booklets accompany each raffle slot.
The donation ceremony at Barbers Advanced Design Center with Erik Buell and Mark Miller as guests of honor will be on the 20th of May 2023 at the MotoAmerica weekend.
For details please see: www.BringTheBikesHome.com
Quotes:
Erik Buell:
“Barber Motorsport Park is an incredible American treasure, and represents George Barber’s supreme passion for motorcycles and motorcycle racing. I cannot express enough my gratitude that in the Barber Museum he has built the quintessential display of Buell and EBR motorcycles and memorabilia. Adding these EBR racers is the perfect topper, as the 1190 RS represents my decades awaited ultimate American superbike. John Dimbylow with Splitlath Motorsport and his riders did a tremendous job bringing it to these iconic races like the Macau GP and the Isle of Man”.
Mark Miller:
“Racing the EBR 1190 was for sure one of the most interesting parts of my career, I really loved these bikes and till today I own an 1190 RX. It’s great that the bikes go to Barber and as they hold all bikes race ready and there is the track, who knows, maybe one day we do some laps again”.
John Dimbylow (Splitlath Motorsport):
“We had a good time, just needed maybe another year to develop the bikes to the level that was needed. Like the bumpy roads of the Isle of Man took their tribute, small problems with great effect. I loved Erik’s commitment and support, he´s a real racer and looking back it was a great thing to represent the brand in these years”.
Nick LaCasse (Barber Motorsport Museum):
“Erik Buell’s story of developing and building the American Sportsbike is an important part of U.S. motorcycle history. We have a long-standing relationship with Erik and are proud to have a collection of his work. From now, being able to tell the story of EBR’s Isle of Man TT Racing and having one of the original World Superbikes on display is an exciting addition to our collection”.
Jens Krüper (NCCR):
“When we overtook the inventory from Splitlath Motorport, Barber Motorsport Museum was the first on the list to contact. Nowhere else, the heritage of Erik’s work is better represented than in their collection. The Barber Museum had proved for many years that they give the bikes from East Troy, Wisconsin the space and attention they deserve. The bikes mark the peak in V-Twin Road Racing technology and competed in some of the world’s most difficult races. To preserve that history, make it accessible for the public and tell the stories, like racing Macau or the IOMTT, Barber is by far the best place”.
About Erik Buell:
Motorcycle Racer, Engineer and Designer originally from Pittsburgh, started in 1983 his motorcycle business in East Troy, Wisconsin, nearly 140,000 motorcycles with EBR and Buell brands were produced under his guidance. He also launched the FUELL e-two wheeler brand. Since 2022 he is retired and follows his other passions, writing and playing music.
About Mark Miller:
After a lifetime in Road Racing, the Californian retired from racing end of 2016 as the most successful and fastest American rider ever on the Isle of Man TT. In 2022, he came back to the Island broadcasting for TT+ Television and TT radio. Also this year, he will be part of the team reporting live from the IOM TT.
About Splitlath Motorsport:
Located in Hay-on-Wye/Wales in the United Kingdom, the Team raced from 2014 on the EBR 1190 RS at the Macau GP, on the IOMTT and at the Chinese Pan Delta series with mostly American riders, like Cory West, Brandon Cretu, Shelina Moreda and Mark Miller. From 2015 on, Splitlath was the Erik Buell Racing (EBR) factory race team.
About Barber Motorsport Museum:
The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum began in 1988 as George Barber’s private collection and became a §501 nonprofit organization in 1994. It opened to the public in its original Southside Birmingham, Alabama, in 1995. In 1997, the Barber Museum sent 21 motorcycles to New York’s Guggenheim Museum for The Art of the Motorcycle exhibit; the exhibit also traveled to Chicago and the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. After the success of The Art of the Motorcycle, Barber set out to create a unique facility complete with a track. Barber consulted with world champion racers John Surtees and Dan Gurney in designing the complex. In 2003, the Barber Museum relocated to its permanent home in Barber Motorsports Park.
The museum contains more than 1,800 vintage and modern motorcycles and racing cars. Guinness World Records certified the museum as the largest motorcycle museum in the world in 2014. The museum also houses the largest collection of Lotus race cars. The motorcycle collection includes bikes dating from 1904 to present-day production. More than 1,000 motorcycles are on display hailing from over 20 countries and representing over 140 marques. The Barber Collection also hosts the worldwide most interesting Buell Collection. Not only a 1984 RW 750, the early Square 4 2-stroke racer is a must-have for a collection of that caliber, or all the Buell RR models catch the eye. The prototypes and development bikes are extra interesting collection pieces for Buell enthusiasts. Where else can you see a clay model of an 1125 or see live, for years only in myths existing, the Buell 450 Motocross Rotax Single prototype? Buell and EBR Road and race bikes of all years and provenience, even Bubba Blackwell’s and Craig Jones’ stunt bikes, found their way into that fantastic collection.
About NCCR:
NCCR Northern Classic, Custom & Race AB is a family-owned company in the Swedish Hälsingland, located 350km North of Stockholm. In second generation, for more than 2 decades, the Krüper family sells, customizes, races and develops parts for Buell motorcycles. In 2010-2011, NCCR was running Pegasusraceteam.com leading the EBR 1190RR both years to the Sound of Thunder Championships. From 2015-2016, NCCR was the exclusive European partner of EBR (Erik Buell Racing). Today, NCCR hosts the EBR Racing heritage with the original EBR 1190 World Superbikes as well as the Splitlath Raceteam IOMTT and Macau Racebikes.
NCCR reveals at the Oslo Motorcycle Show in Norway on the 3rd of March 2023 a limited road adapted Replica of the EBR 1190 World Superbike based on the legendary 2014 EBR RS and built from original WSBK race inventory.
Bubba Shobert Being Honored At 2023 Quail Motorcycle Gathering
THE QUAIL MOTORCYCLE GATHERING NAMES BUBBA SHOBERT AS 2023 HONOREE
Flat-track legend and Hall of Famer named Legend of the Sport for the premier motorcycle gathering of over 300 vintage and modern motorcycles and scooters
Carmel, Calif. – The Quail Motorcycle Gathering announced that it will honor motorcycle racing legend Bubba Shobert as its 2023 Legend of the Sport during the 13th annual event in Carmel, California, on Saturday, May 6. One of the most anticipated motorcycle events of the year, the gathering celebrates the evolution of two-wheeled artistry with more than 300 vintage and modern motorcycles, scooters and bicycles, as well as artisan lunch options, local wines and brews, and a family-friendly kids area, all on the lush grasses of Quail Lodge & Golf Club.
Born in Lubbock, Texas, Don Wayne Shobert began riding a Briggs & Stratton minibike when he was just 6-years-old. At the age of 8, his father Don took him to the AMA Grand National races at the Houston Astrodome, and the young Shobert immediately knew what he wanted to do with his life.
From there, Shobert built a successful motorcycle racing career in a variety of disciplines. He is a three-time AMA Grand National Flat Track champion (1985-1987), 1988 AMA Superbike champion, AMA Hall of Famer and 2007 Motorsports Hall of Fame member. Considered by many to be one of the fiercest and most-consistent flat track racers of all time, Shobert is one of the very few racers to have won in all forms of the Grand National Championship series: mile, half-mile, TT steeplechase, short track and road racing.
“Bubba Shobert is an icon in the motorcycling world, so we are thrilled to honor him as our Legend of the Sport this May,” said Kai Lermen, general manager of Quail Lodge & Golf Club. “Each year, we recognize those influential individuals who have made significant achievements and contributions to motorcycling, and Bubba’s accomplishments speak for themselves.”
Event attendees will enjoy a fireside chat with Shobert on-stage during the event, including a chance to learn more about his racing success and accomplishments.
The event kicks off with The Quail Ride on Friday, May 5. The 100-mile cruise, which is limited to just 100 motorcycles, departs from the Quail Lodge & Golf Club for a ride through the picturesque backroads of the Monterey Peninsula and includes lunch and dinner. Applications to join The Quail Ride can be submitted here.
The Quail Motorcycle Gathering features activities for all ages, and children and pets are welcome. Admission-only credentials are $60 per person and include parking and gear valet service for those riding a motorcycle to the event. A young adult credential for kids 13-18 years old are available for $20; kids 12 and under get in free. Guests can upgrade their experience with a General Admission + Hospitality credential for $175 per person, which includes access to a private seating area for a catered lunch buffet and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as on-site parking. Tickets are now available online at www.quaillodgetickets.com.
Entries are now being accepted for 2023’s featured classes: Italian and Single motorcycles, 1970s Vintage Muscle, and Bring on the Baggers, as well as 11 traditional classes. Entrant applications can be submitted here.
Please visit The Quail’s event website for detailed application, ticket and event information for the complete schedule of 2023 events. Follow The Quail Events on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on all activities.
The Peninsula Signature Events 2023:
13th Annual The Quail Ride: Friday, May 5, 2023
13th Annual The Quail Motorcycle Gathering: Saturday, May 6, 2023
25th Annual The Quail Rally: Monday, August 14 – Wednesday, August 16, 2023
20th Annual The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering: Friday, August 18, 2023
WorldSBK: Yamaha Racing In Indonesian Colors At Mandalika
Yamaha to race in Indonesian Colours at Mandalika WorldSBK Round
The Yamaha R1s of the Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK Team’s Toprak Razgatlıoğlu and Andrea Locatelli will sport a special livery for Round 2 of the 2023 FIM Superbike World Championship this weekend in Mandalika. The design, which features the red and white of the Sang Saka Merah-Putih, the national flag of Indonesia, is a thank you to both Indonesian race fans and Yamaha Indonesia Motor Manufacturing (YIMM) for their passion and support.
The connection between Yamaha Racing and the Indonesian fans has always been a close one, but it was cemented further in 2021. During the first ever WorldSBK weekend at the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit, thousands of local fans celebrated alongside Razgatlıoğlu as the Turkish rider was crowned as World Champion.
The relationship is just as close between Yamaha Racing and YIMM, who have been a staunch supporter of Yamaha’s racing activities in MotoGP, WorldSBK and MXGP for many years. This relationship extends further than World Championship racing, however. Yamaha Motor Europe and YIMM work closely together to identify and develop the next generation of racers, with the best from Indonesia securing places in the European bLU cRU program.
This was the path followed by Galang Hendra Pratama who, through the collaboration between Yamaha Motor Europe and YIMM, was able to progress from promising national championship racer to FIM Supersport 300 World Championship race winner. Galang Hendra remains an inspiration to the many Indonesian youngsters currently racing with YIMM support in Indonesia but looking to follow the same path to the world stage as their compatriot.
The Mandalika livery will also include a simple but special message for all supporters of Yamaha Racing in Indonesia, Terima kasih; Thank you!
Paolo Pavesio: Marketing & Motorsport Director, Yamaha Motor Europe
“Our race teams in both WorldSBK and MXGP have always enjoyed a special relationship with the Indonesian race fans and strong support from Yamaha Indonesia Motor Manufacturing. However, the connection goes beyond our professional race teams, since we work closely together to develop young Indonesian riders and give them the opportunity to showcase their talents within our bLU cRU program. This weekend in Mandalika we wanted to do something to show our appreciation for this support in Indonesia, to say Terima kasih to both the fans and to YIMM, but also to show the next generation of Indonesian racers that anything is possible. Hopefully in the future we will have an Indonesian rider on the bike, together with the flag!”
Dyonisius Beti: President Director & CEO PT Yamaha Indonesia Motor Manufacturing
“This weekend, we will have the FIM Superbike World Championship race in Mandalika. Thank you to the Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK Team for presenting a special Red and White livery on the Yamaha R1 WorldSBK, it is appreciated. This special treatment, which is a form of closeness between YIMM and Yamaha Racing, also shows the special relationship with loyal fans from Indonesia. We hope this will further strengthen the relationship with Indonesian fans and motivate and inspire young Indonesian racers to passionately pursue a racing career and, ultimately, achieve their goals.”
Isle Of Man TT: Michael Dunlop Racing Hawk Honda Superbike
DUNLOP UNVEILS PLANS WITH HAWK RACING AND HONDA
Michael Dunlop and Hawk Racing will resume their highly-successful partnership at this year’s Isle of Man TT Races, with the 21-time race winner campaigning the team’s new Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade in the six-lap Superbike and Senior TT Races.
It will be the first time that Dunlop has ridden a Honda in the headline Superbike and Senior Races since 2013 when he was part of the factory Honda TT Legends squad. That year saw him win the opening Superbike Race and finish second to team-mate John McGuinness in a thrilling Senior encounter.
Since then, the 34-year old has ridden either BMW or Suzuki machinery in the 1000cc races, primarily for the Stuart and Steve Hicken’s Hawk Racing team, with the combination taking a series of race wins and podium finishes through the years.
The Hawk Racing team have run the Suzuki GSX-R1000R for the last six years but recently announced a switch to the Honda brand for their British Superbike Championship campaign, and their TT plans have duly followed suit.
The Hawk-Dunlop partnership began in 2014 when they took a resounding Superbike-Senior double with BMW, giving the manufacturer their first Senior Race victory in 75 years. The Hicken family then stepped in during TT 2015 after Dunlop split from the Milwaukee Yamaha team part way through qualifying week, going on to take a second-place finish in that year’s Superstock Race.
The combination was back to its best in 2016 with another emphatic Superbike-Senior double as Dunlop became the first rider to lap the 37.73-mile Mountain Course in under 17 minutes, eventually increasing the outright lap record to 133.962mph on the Hawk Racing BMW S1000RR.
A switch to Suzuki followed in 2017 and although the GSX-R1000R was a brand-new model with no pedigree at the TT, Dunlop and Hawk Racing defied the odds to claim another Senior Race victory.
The pairing went their separate ways after their momentous win but were reunited once again in 2022 after Dunlop’s deal to ride for the PBM Ducati team fell through just weeks before the event. The late change and a lack of testing dented their prospects, but a third place in the opening Superbike Race was a highly-impressive result under the circumstances.
Speaking of the news, Michael said:
“It’s good to get my plans sorted in plenty of time this year. You only have to look at the other boys to see how important it is to be working with a team you’re familiar with and to be up to speed well before you even get to the TT. The pace is so high right now, you’ve got to be right at the top of your game from the get go.”
“In truth, preparations for last year were not what they should have been. Steve and the boys came in to dig me out of a hole at the last minute but we still managed a good result. Before then [in 2019] I was still struggling quite bad with [a wrist] injury, so this year will be the first time in a long while where I’m both fully fit and I’m on a bike I’m set with. It’s good, I’m excited for it and I think we can put on a good show.”
Steve Hicken, Hawk Racing Team Manager commented:
“We’ve enjoyed a lot of success with Michael over the years including the podium we managed last year, despite the challenge we faced in getting him a bike ready at the very last minute. Fortunately, we’ve a little more time to prepare this year and it’ll be good to actually go testing this time.”
“The Honda is new to us and new to Michael, but we both believe it’s the best bike to be on right now. It’s also not the first time we’ve worked with him with a new bike, and if we can carry on with that previous run of form in these circumstances then we’ll be in a good place.”
Both Dunlop, who is expected to ride his own MD Racing Honda in the Superstock Races, and the Hicken family are hoping the move to the Honda Fireblade will see them get back on to the top step of a ‘big bike’ TT podium and claim their sixth title together.
WorldSBK: Bautista Expecting Greater Challenge In Indonesia
Outspoken ahead of Mandalika
Asia welcomes WorldSBK action with passion and excitement as Indonesia readies for another chapter of close racing
Just days after the season fired into life, the 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is already preparing for round two and the Motul Indonesian Round. The Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit is ready for a third year on the calendar, albeit in a new slot at the start of the season, and there promises to be plenty of fighting at the front. We caught up with some of the main stars, to get their thoughts on another unforgettable weekend in prospect from one of WorldSBK’s most passionate countries.
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati): “Last year, Toprak went fast, Jonathan was really competitive, so I expect them to fight for the victory in all three races!”
“We were celebrating as Champion here but now we are in a new season. I have good memories here and also after last weekend at Phillip Island. Last year, we struggled a bit here, so maybe we have many things to think about. With the weather here, it’s unpredictable, so you have to adapt a plan depending on the track condition. The biggest problem was on the front as Pirelli didn’t bring the tyre I had used for most of last season. This year, they have brought it, so I’m looking to forward to see if the problem I have felt has gone. With what we saw at Phillip Island, I don’t think it is 100% true, as we had tests before the round, so many riders had a good setup and it’s a very particular track. This season, the rest of the riders are closing the gap and when you have a bad day, you have more riders in between. What is sure is that here last year, Toprak went fast, and Jonathan was really competitive, so I expect them to fight for the victory in all three races.”
Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK): “Normally we’re strong here!”
“I have good memories. This year, we will see. The first round was not really a strong weekend for me, but this circuit is my favourite. Last year, I had the same feeling when we went to Phillip Island. The bike felt different because we used the harder tyres and it’s a different track. It’s not like my style. My style is usually hard braking. Mandalika is my favourite circuit and I try to do my best again last year. Last year, we had three wins. This year we will see because everybody is very fast and very strong; everybody’s improved their bike. Normally, we are very strong here. I hope we have a strong start and are fighting again for the win.”
Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK): “I want to win a race and get my season off to a proper start”
“It’s been a tough week leaving Australia without the points we set out to gain. Everything was going quite smoothly up until race day. Hard to draw any big conclusions as to why. The bike balance is quite different to what we had during testing. Back to square one this weekend with a bike we know should work. We need to try and be more competitive. We’ll forget last weekend, we want to be strong this weekend whether it’s wet, dry, windy, whatever. I think we have a good chance this weekend to fight for podium. Our target is much more than that. I want to win a race and get my season off to a proper start.”
Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati): “I think we can be competitive!”
“We should improve during the wet conditions because maybe here, if it is raining, we should be in the fight for a podium. But overall, I am quite happy with the start of the season. What I learnt is that the base in the wet is not good, so I spoke to the engineers and said ‘if we want to fight all year in top positions, then we have to improve in all conditions’ as it’s not acceptable to finish in P14. If it rains, we’ll have another setup and so I’ll be comfortable. Here is a different track compared to Phillip Island, but I think we can be competitive, but the other riders will be closer. I don’t think one rider will be break away. On the Imola announcement, it is one of my favourite tracks; I won there in STK1000 and I have good memories! I want to ride there as it’s special, like Misano, so I couldn’t be happier about that news!”
Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK): “We will enjoy again… we are confident!”
“In Yamaha, we always try to improve the bike and to work together to understand and compare data. We need to continue to do this as it’s important to work together and improve the bike, and to try and improve ourselves. It’s the same objective we have every year. We need to see what happens here at Mandalika because it’s always a bit strange for the hot conditions. Last year and the first year were great. We will enjoy again! In the end, if we can finish in the same positions as last year, it won’t be so bad but if we can improve and try to fight for the podium in the long race, we will see… it’s always difficult to say before the weekend, but we are confident. When I saw the news about Imola, I was smiling because for me, it’s one of the best tracks! I was really excited, and I can’t wait to ride this bike on that track. It won’t be easy because it’s July and it will be really warm but to get a good result there, we’ll be able to go on the beach a bit more relaxed!”
Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team): “We’ll be more competitive than Phillip Island”
“They weren’t the results we were hoping for but if we look back on my weekend, it wasn’t that bad. I wasn’t that far away from the fight for fourth place but unfortunately the pace dropped a lot at the end of the race. It’s not where we want to be but from my side, I think it was quite positive. We’re not that far away and I feel like we improved the package, but in general we need more corner speed and drive grip. It’s not easy but this weekend we have Mandalika, where it’s a different kind of a track and I’m curious to see how the bike works here. It’s always nice to be in Indonesia! My grandmother is from Indonesia, so I really enjoy this country and the people are really friendly. I’m confident but I have to stay calm; our bike works well in the wet but I’m looking forward to it, and I think in the dry, we’ll be more competitive than Phillip Island.”
Hafizh Syahrin (PETRONAS MIE Racing HONDA Team): “At the start of the season, scoring one point is better than nothing”
“It’s very close to my home and it’s one of the tracks that I really like. It won’t be easy, but I will try to do better than Australia. This track is suited to my style and we will see what the weather brings this weekend. I wanted to score more points in the Australian Round. I couldn’t challenge where I really wanted to. At the start of the season, scoring one point is better than nothing. We tried to take this motivation or spirit to Mandalika.”
More, from a press release issued by Aruba.it Racing Ducati:
The Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team already back on track in Indonesia for the second round of the 2023 WorldSBK season.
Only a few hours have passed since the amazing weekend at Phillip Island (Australia) and the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team is already at work in Indonesia setting up for the second round of the 2023 WorldSBK season.
The Indonesian Round will kick off tomorrow at 09.00 (02.00 CET) with the WorldSSP first free practice session followed by WorldSBK’s FP1 scheduled at 10.00 (03.00 CET).
After the extraordinary hat-trick scored in Australia, Alvaro Bautista will return to the Mandalika circuit (Lombok Island), where he won the WorldSBK World Championship title last November. The Spanish rider arrives in Indonesia as leader of the standings with 62 points, 28 more than Locatelli (Yamaha) and 31 more than Rea (Kawasaki) and Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati).
The one at Phillip Island was a Sunday to remember for Michael Rinaldi, second behind his team-mate both at the end of Superpole Race and Race-2. The Italian rider’s goal is to score the first podium of his career at the Indonesian circuit after his best result (P4) in last season’s Race-1.
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #1)
“It’s clear that this round will set more difficult challenges than the ones we faced in Australia. Last year in Indonesia we weren’t as competitive as we were at Phillip Island but I have to admit that during the winter tests – and on Saturday at Phillip Island – I felt good even with track conditions not exactly ideal. As always I’ll try to have fun session after session, then at the end we’ll see our results”.
Michael Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #21)
“In Australia, we showed that we can be very fast, especially in dry conditions. For this reason in Indonesia, it will be important to be ready if the weather, as it often happens at the Mandalika circuit, should change suddenly. The start of the season has been positive but the most important thing is to be able to confirm ourselves immediately at the level of last Sunday”.
WorldSSP
There are also high expectations for Nicolò Bulega and the Ducati Panigale V2 of the Aruba.it Racing WSSP team. The Italian rider arrives at the Lombok circuit after two victories in the Australian round and, above all, with a year of experience more than his first weekend in Indonesia in 2022.
Nicolò Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WSSP)
“Despite the fact that last year we didn’t manage to get on the podium, the sensations I had at the Mandalika circuit were still very positive. I arrive in Indonesia with a lot of confidence: I feel very good athletically and the feeling with the bike has improved a lot this winter. I think we can also be very fast this weekend”.
More, from a press release issued by Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK:
Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK Provide New Perspectives on Mandalika
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu and Andrea Locatelli return to one of Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK’s favourite circuits on the 2023 FIM Superbike World Championship calendar this week, the Mandalika International Street Circuit, for the second round of the season from 3-5 March.
It is no secret that Indonesia holds fond memories for Yamaha, after wrapping up the WorldSBK “Triple Crown” and Rookie of the Year in 2021, Razgatlıoğlu and Locatelli’s combined results in 2022 signalled the best weekend for the team since Yamaha’s return to WorldSBK in 2016.
Razgatlıoğlu simply dominated the weekend – winning all three races and setting an incredible circuit-record pole position on his Yamaha R1 WorldSBK that was 1.052s clear of his next closest rival. Teammate Locatelli too enjoyed a strong weekend with his first front row start in WorldSBK (P3) followed by a podium in the Superpole Race and two fourth position finishes in the feature races, which were all held in dry conditions.
By contrast, in 2021 the WorldSBK field experienced Mandalika in full wet conditions – and a quirk of the track was that in the wet, this particular asphalt construction enabled the riders to access incredible grip because water drains through very quickly. However in 2022, the track was resurfaced and a revised schedule introduced to avoid the heavy tropical monsoon rains that temporarily flood the track and severely limit visibility – leaving the new construction untested.
After speaking with local track staff last year about the upgraded asphalt, Razgatlıoğlu’s Crew Chief Phil Marron says that the surface should behave in a similar way to Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli – however the key difference is that track temperature in Indonesia stays the same in the wet, rather than dropping by around 10 degrees Celsius like in Italy, so the riders can still expect similar grip levels to 2021.
The first opportunity to assess track conditions this year will come tomorrow morning at 10:00 local time (UTC+8) with the first 45-minute Free Practice 1, followed naturally by Free Practice 2 taking place from 13:00.
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu
“There are three main corners to overtake in Mandalika – first one, first corner with hard braking – I like it! Second one, Turn 9 and also the last corner. It is not easy to pass the last corner, but if on the last lap you are trying to win – then anything is possible! I enjoy to ride my R1 here, okay some corners I am not very strong but in general I like this circuit. For all riders, of course the problem is it’s very hot! It is a nice place to be, the people are very friendly and I like it – very relaxed way of life. My goal for this weekend is three wins, like last year I hope… Inshallah!”
Andrea Locatelli
“The most difficult part here in Mandalika with respect to the other tracks is this temperature and the humidity – it’s really warm! It’s not easy to do the long races but we train for this, it’s our job, so I think like last year we are fully ready to fight in these conditions. It will be really difficult but it is the same for everybody and you can see who has prepared well. We will continue to work and keep the good feeling we have with our bike – in 2022, here it was a good circuit for me, with the second podium of the year in the Superpole Race and a really good qualifying on the front row. In general, I am feeling really confident especially after the Phillip Island weekend. We need to continue pushing and fight for the good results, but I think we can do well again!”
Paul Denning – Team Principal, Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK:
“Starting the race season in Phillip Island – the WorldSBK “tradition” before calendar changes due to the pandemic in 2021 and 2022 – is always a pleasure, even if the timeframe to be fully prepared is very challenging. In the end, we faced three races in completely different conditions and we achieved three podiums, including a thoroughly well-deserved third place finish for “Loka” in Race 2. His performance at the test and over the race weekend showed that his growing confidence is certainly not misplaced! He also finished on the podium in Mandalika in 2022, so we expect him to continue with this improved performance level. Toprak was again very strong in the wet Race 1 and the Superpole Race (closing on Rinaldi on the final lap and nearly taking second place) for his second podium of the weekend. The Race 2 crash after the mistake by Alex Lowes means we lost many valuable points, but in Mandalika we begin the fightback! Toprak’s style is not perfectly suited to Phillip Island, and there were challenges in some aspects of the testing programme, while Loka is fully up to speed with all Yamaha’s important 2023 developments. However, Mandalika is a very different circuit and we expect Toprak to be back in the fight for victories.”
More, from a press release issued by GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team:
Unpredictable Mandalika Awaits Aegerter and Gardner
The GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team is ready to get back in action on 3rd-5th March at Mandalika International Street Circuit after a thrilling season opener in Phillip Island just one week ago.
As it was at the opening round, it will be the first time for Dominique Aegerter and Remy Gardner with their Yamaha R1 machines on the Indonesian track, which will host the WorldSBK paddock for the third time. With unpredictable weather expected, the riders and the team should be ready to face any last-minute change. Moreover, on Saturday, Race 1 can mark Aegerter’s 300th world championship race, a prestigious milestone in his career.
Throughout its 17 corners, one of Mandalika track’s main challenges will be understanding the tarmac. Damiano Evangelisti, Gardner’s crew chief, highlights that we faced two different types of asphalt in 2021 and 2022, so quick adaption to the surface will be required in 2023 as well. Moreover, ensuring to test all of the different tyre options will be necessary, including a new rear Pirelli. Finally, the GYTR GRT Yamaha duo is looking to focus on longer runs during free practice to prepare for the latter stages of the race.
Filippo Conti, GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team Manager, claims: “The potential was there; what we saw in Australia is proof of how fast we can be this year”. Moreover, “What happened one week ago showed how close we are as a team, and that’s the right spirit to face a long season.”
The riders are also ready to face a new challenge on a different track. Dominique Aegerter is looking forward to racing in Indonesia but is wary of what the weather might do. Furthermore, the Swiss rider calls attention to: “A section of the circuit which is very fast with multiple changes of direction, so you have to be powerful, and it takes a lot of strength”. On the other side of the garage, Remy Gardner is “looking to improve what we learned in Phillip Island”. The Aussie also has already spotted “Turn 1 and the last corner” as possible overtaking points.