Yamaha Releases bLU cRU European Championship Schedule

David Swarts

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March 1, 2023

Yamaha Releases bLU cRU European Championship Schedule

Full Calendar Announced for Yamaha bLU cRU European Championship

Following the announcement this week confirming that the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari di Imola will host the seventh round of the 2023 FIM Superbike World Championship, Yamaha Motor Europe can now reveal the six races at which the stars of the future will contest the 2023 Yamaha bLU cRU European Championship.

Registration for the prestigious series, which runs alongside WorldSBK and will feature talented young riders aged between 14 and 20 from a multitude of different countries, remains open even as the countdown to the first race begins. Riders can register for the 2023 Yamaha bLU cRU European Championship here.

The season will start with a test at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli on April 10th, before racing gets underway a few weeks later with Round 1 at the TT Circuit Assen. Similarly iconic tracks make up the remainder of the calendar, with rounds in Barcelona, Misano, and Donington Park taking the bLU cRU youngsters into the summer. The latest addition to 2023 is a stop at the legendary Imola Circuit in July, before the season finale in early September at Magny-Cours, France.

With a great mixture of circuits spread evenly across the season, the 2023 Yamaha bLU cRU European Championship will once again treat spectators to fantastic and close racing as the stars of the future begin their journey on the world stage.

2023 Yamaha bLU cRU European Championship Calendar

10 Apr Preseason Test Misano, Italy

22 Apr Round 1 Assen, The Netherlands

06 May Round 2 Barcelona, Spain

03 Jun Round 3 Misano, Italy

01 Jul Round 4 Donington, United Kingdom

15 Jul Round 5 Imola, Italy

09 Sep Round 6 Magny-Cours, France

Andrea Dosoli

Road Racing Manager, Yamaha Motor Europe

“The 2023 Yamaha bLU cRU European Championship promises to be as close fought as in previous seasons. This year we will once again have the best young talents competing over six rounds and 12 races for the championship title and the fully supported ride in WorldSSP300 that accompanies it. This season the grid is split equally between riders from Europe and riders from overseas, with entries from as far afield as Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, Brazil and Colombia. The bLU cRU European Championship is the perfect series for young riders with world championship aspirations, as the number of former bLU cRU riders now racing in WorldSSP300 illustrates clearly. I am looking forward to the season ahead and I wish the best of luck to all the youngsters racing with us this year.”

WorldSBK: Championship Returns To Indonesia

David Swarts

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March 1, 2023

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WorldSBK: Championship Returns To Indonesia

WorldSBK returns to Mandalika for the Motul Indonesian Round

Alvaro Bautista returns to the track where he claimed his title as the Championship leader after Round 1

The Mandalika circuit hosted its first WorldSBK race in 2021 with an incredible title decider between Toprak Razgatlioglu and Jonathan Rea and decided the outcome of the 2022 Championship.

Lombok provides stunning scenery all around the circuit with incredible coastlines on one side and beautiful hillsides and lush countryside on the other, making for a stunning location for exciting racing in WorldSBK.

MANDALIKA’S HOT SPOTS WITH LORIS BAZ

T1: “T1 is not really difficult. It is a case of hard braking and trying to make the apex really nicely. You just need to be precise there.”

T10: “I think this is the corner where you see the most mistakes in the race. You always want to ‘over brake’ there, because you always feel like you’re too slow and you brake too late. If you are behind someone it’s a really nice spot to try to outbrake someone.”

T16: “Don’t listen to your brain so much. It tells you to release the brake because you’re too slow – but you are not too slow, you are too fast. Super-slow in T16, then short acceleration. Yeah, a lot of exit power there you can give us a lot of power.”

WorldSBK | KEY STAT

98

Jonathan Rea doesn’t occupy one of the first three Championship spots for the first time since Phillip Island Race 2, 2020, 98 races ago.

What to look out for in Mandalika

The WorldSBK paddock heads to Indonesia for the second round of the 2023 campaign.

Alvaro Bautista sits at the top of the Riders’ World Championship after his Australian hat-trick. The 2022 WorldSBK Champion returns to Mandalika, where he claimed his title, with a 28-point advantage over second-placed Andrea Locatelli. Bautista’s teammate Michael Ruben Rinaldi also had a good first round of the season and occupies the third place in the standings, his best classification so far.

With three top five finishes at Phillip Island, including a third place in Race 2, Andrea Locatelli is second in the Championship standings, his best-ever position, with 34 points. In 2022, he claimed a third position in the Tissot Superpole Race and two fourth places in Mandalika’s long races, making the Yamaha rider one to look out for at the Motul Indonesian Round.

After a mixed weekend in Australia, Jonathan Rea will aim to bounce back in Indonesia where he has a strong record, with five podium places scored in all five races held at the venue, including two wins in 2021.

Following his DNF in Race 2 at Phillip Island, Toprak Razgatlioglu will be eager to recover and move up the order in the standings, having only scored 23 points over his Australian campaign, giving him sixth place in the standings. Mandalika is a special track for him, as he won the 2021 title there and achieved a track-trick of wins in 2022.

More, from a press release issued by Kawasaki:

Rea And Lowes Head To Mandalika

KRT riders Jonathan Rea and Alex Lowes will take part in a promotional event on the Indonesian island of Bali before making the short hop to the island of Lombok for the second round of the WorldSBK championship, to be held at the Mandalika International Street Circuit.

The Indonesian round of the championship will take place between 3-5 March, just one weekend after an eventful opening weekend in Australia.

Currently Rea is third overall, having taken second place in Race One at Phillip Island, overcoming the fully wet track conditions to do so. He will be looking to Mandalika to get back into the podium positions after unexpected seventh and eighth place finishes in the two subsequent Australian races.

Rea has scored two race wins and three other podium places in his previous visits to Mandalika.

Lowes had one strong Superpole race finish in fourth place at Phillip Island and two unfortunate falls in the longer races. Mandalika is his first chance to get back into podium contention again, on what will be WorldSBK’s third visit to the impressive 4.310km long circuit on the south coast of the popular tourist island of Lombok.

The weekend in Indonesia will begin with two Free Practice sessions on Friday 3 March, then FP3, Superpole Qualifying and Race One on Saturday 4 March. Sunday 5 March will feature the ten-lap Superpole Race and then a final full distance Race Two.

Jonathan Rea, stated: “It’s good to start the 2023 season at the two circuits where we finished the previous season. The Superbike calendar is really good this year. We will try to capitalise next weekend at Lombok with some good points scores and look forward to understanding the year in general. Last year in Lombok I felt good until the last part of the races where the risks I was taking were really overloading the front. I expect to be stronger in Lombok than I was last year. We will go and try our best. Lombok will be more of a gauge for us than Phillip Island, as it is more of a normal circuit design – although it will be very hot.”

Alex Lowes, stated: “Mandalika was our worst track last year and Phillip Island was our best track. I have one target for next week and that is to enjoy riding because I think it might be a tough weekend for us. We have worked really hard to improve our package but it looks like either we have dropped back or all of our opposition have jumped a bit forward. We have got work to do. It is going to be hot and slippy, which are not the best conditions for us. We will work hard from Friday, enjoy it and try to grind out three good results.”

Returning WorldSBK star Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) will look to Mandalika for an upturn in his prospects after three no-scores in Australia.

Twenty year-old Oliver König (Orelac Racing Movisio Kawasaki), in his second full WorldSBK season for his team, is out to score points at Mandalika, as he continues his personal learning curve inside the biggest production-derived championship of all.

More, from a press release issued by Team HRC Honda:

Team HRC readies itself for Indonesian WorldSBK round

From Australia straight to Indonesia, Team HRC is now on-site at the Mandalika International Street Circuit where the second round of the 2023 Superbike World Championship is scheduled to take place this coming weekend.

Factory riders Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge made a promising start to their 2023 campaign during the season-opener in Australia but are keen to build on those initial results at the Indonesian track. Thanks to their results at the first round, Iker and Xavi currently place seventh and tenth in the championship standings.

Lecuona was unable to compete in last year’s Mandalika races due to injuries sustained in a crash during the weekend’s first practice, but he is eager to tackle the Indonesian track now for the first time. Vierge scored a best result of sixth during last season’s round, when all three of the weekend’s races played out in very hot and humid conditions.

The beautiful circuit, which is situated in the Mandalika area of Lombok island, was only inaugurated two years ago, in 2021, when it staged the WorldSBK season finale. The track measures 4.3 km in length and features a total of seventeen turns, namely six left-handers and eleven right-handers.

Weekend schedule (CET +7):

Friday

10.00 – 10.45 – SBK FP1

13.00 – 13.45 – SBK FP2

Saturday

8.30 – 9.00 – SBK FP3

10.40 – 10.55 – Superpole

13.30 – SBK Race 1

Sunday

8.30 – 8.45 – SBK Warm-up

10.30 – SBK Superpole race

13.30 – SBK Race 2

Iker Lecuona 7

“I really happy to be in Indonesia and I just hope that the track conditions are better than they were last year, at least as far as I was able to experience, because my weekend was brought to a premature end after a massive high-side. But I like the track and I’m excited to be back in Mandalika and to race here for the first time. After the Australian weekend, I think we’re ready to fight again. We’re still learning about the new bike, so we’ll see but I’m looking forward to the next round.”

Xavi Vierge 97

“We now have the second round of the year at an amazing circuit. I really enjoyed last year’s races and I’m looking forward to getting back there, as there was an incredible atmosphere with great fans. I love the track, it’s a layout I really enjoy, but hope it will be in a better condition than last year, as this will make for more exciting races. I can’t wait to get started!”

More, from a press release issued by Pirelli:

Compared to 2022, rear allocation has been revised towards softer choices: out goes SC1 and in comes SCQ

Pirelli has decided to bring softer rear tyres, compared to those chosen in 2022, for the Indonesian round of the FIM Superbike World Championship, the second in the calendar after Australia’s kick-off round. In the light of the data collected in November, when the last race was held in Mandalika, Pirelli was able to verify that the new asphalt is not excessively abrasive but can reach quite high temperatures. The soft solutions at the rear are therefore the ideal choice because they are able to guarantee better grip. For this reason, this year the medium SC1 solution is no longer present in the rear tyre allocation and instead the extra soft SCQ has been included, which will be used in Superpole and, if the conditions are suitable, also in the Superpole Race.

WorldSBK

Front: the new 2023 standard solutions are confirmed: medium SC1 and hard SC2. Given that Mandalika is a circuit that puts stress on the front tyre, last year the SC2 solution was by far the most used.

Rear: three options, two of which can always be used and one only for qualifying and Superpole Race. Those available throughout the weekend are the super soft SCX-A (development spec. B0800) and the soft SC0, the latter being the most chosen from last year. For Superpole and the Superpole Race there will also be the extra soft SCQ, which is also standard.
WorldSSP

The riders will have the standard SC1 and SC2 available on the front while at the rear they will be able to choose between the standard SCX and SC0. In 2022 the SC1 was the most used front choice in Race 1 while the SC2 was the most chosen in Race 2. At the rear, the most used option was the SC0.

Further details on the tyre allocation are available in the technical data sheets attached to this press release.

Soft solutions will guarantee more grip in the heat

“Last year the resurfacing work on the Mandalika circuit was completed a few days before the round and, not knowing the characteristics of the new asphalt, we had decided to bring also rear tyres that were a little more protected from a wear point of view: the selection consisted of SCX B0800, SC0 and SC1. However, we have seen that the SC1 was practically never chosen because with high asphalt temperatures it was unable to offer the grip that instead the SC0 was able to guarantee, which is why it was the choice for the races. For this year we have decided to confirm the SC0 and SCX B0800 by adding the SCQ for qualifying and the Superpole Race. At the front, SC1 and SC2 are also confirmed. We will therefore rely almost exclusively on standard tyres that all motorcyclists can regularly buy on the market. At this time in Indonesia, it is the rainy season so the wet tyres already used in Australia could come back in action”.

Where To Ride In March: Track Days, Schools, And Races

David Swarts

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March 1, 2023

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Where To Ride In March: Track Days, Schools, And Races

The following track days, riding schools, and racing events are scheduled by organizations based in the United States and Canada during March 2023.

Motorcycle track days, riding schools, and races are posted under the Event Calendar tab on the home page of this website, or you can access the Event Calendar for March 2023 directly by clicking HERE.

Once on the Event Calendar page, you can search for the event you are looking for by its date.

When you click on the event you want to attend you should find a link to the website and/or email address of the host organization, a link to the website of the host venue, the physical address of the host venue, a Google map to the host venue, and buttons to add the event and its information to your calendar application.

To have your motorcycle racing or riding event added to the Event Calendar on this website and published in the print edition of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine, submit your calendar and contact information via the contact page on this website or by clicking HERE.

3/2-3 Yamaha Champions Riding School, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

3/3-4 American Supercamp (Dirt Track School), Santa Rosa, CA

3/4 SoCal Supermoto School, Adams Motorsport Park, Riverside, CA

3/4 South Florida MiniGP (SFLminiGP) Rider Development Days (Minis), Herrin Compound, Dublin GA

3/4 Southeast Mini Moto Series (Minis), Lamar County Speedway, Barnesville, GA

3/4-5 ASMA Track Days and Advanced Rider Training, Arroyo Seco Raceway, Deming, NM

3/4-5 Cornerspin School: Roadracing In The Dirt (Dirt Track School), Cornerspin Facility, Spencer, NC

3/4-5 South Florida MiniGP Series (Minis), Herrin Compound, Dublin GA

3/4-5 Southern Track Days, Jennings GP, Jennings, FL

3/4-5 TrackXperience Track Days, Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA

3/5 Brake Free Track Time Track Days, Arizona Motorsports Park, Litchfield Park, AZ

3/5 Superbike-Coach Corp. (Schools), Little 99 Raceway, Stockton, CA

3/5-6 American Supercamp (Dirt Track School), Santa Rosa, CA

3/7-8 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Prather, CA (POST Motorcycle Officer Update Course)

3/9 AMA Pro American Flat Track (AFT) Series, Daytona Flat Track I, Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL

3/9-11 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Series, Daytona 200, Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL

3/10 AMA Pro American Flat Track (AFT) Series, Daytona Flat Track II, Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL

3/10 JP43 Fridays, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

3/11 ASMA Track Days and Advanced Rider Training, The Podium Club at Attesa, Casa Grande, AZ

3/11 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Prather, CA (Learn To Ride Off-Road)

3/11 Sandy Hook Mini Moto Track Days (Minis), Sandy Hook Speedway, Street, MD

3/11-12 2 Wheels Track Days, Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA

3/11-12 ASMA Series, The Podium Club at Attesa, Casa Grande, AZ

3/11-12 California Superbike School, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, NV

3/11-12 Cornerspin School: Roadracing In The Dirt (Dirt Track School), Cornerspin Facility, Spencer, NC

3/11-12 Inde Motorsports Ranch (IMR) Riders Club Track Days, Inde Motorsports Ranch, Willcox, AZ

3/11-12 N2 Track Days, Roebling Road Raceway, Bloomingdale, GA

3/11-12 SoCal Supermoto School, Adams Motorsport Park, Riverside, CA

3/11-12 SoCal Track Days, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

3/11-13 Jennings GP Track Days & Novice Schools, Jennings GP, Jennings, FL

3/11-13 JP43 Training School, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

3/12 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Prather, CA (Off-Road Challenge Course)

3/12-13 Fun Track Dayz, Thunderhill Raceway Park, Willows, CA

3/16-17 California Superbike School, Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA

3/17 AHRMA Academy of Roadracing, Track Days & Ed Bargy Advanced Track Riding Technique Workshop, Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC

3/17-19 (Bridgestone) AHRMA American Historic Racing Series, Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC

3/18-19 AFM Series, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

3/18-19 California Superbike School, Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA

3/18-19 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Prather, CA (Fun Camp)

3/18-19 Track Day Winner Track Days, Jennings GP, Jennings, FL

3/18-19 (Pirelli) WERA National Challenge Co-Sanctioned by AMA/WERA Sportsman Series Atlantic Coastal/Southeast Regional Series, Roebling Road Raceway, Bloomingdale, GA

3/19 Superbike-Coach Corp. (Schools), Little 99 Raceway, Stockton, CA

3/19 XCEL Trackdays Track Days, Arizona Motorsports Park, Litchfield Park, AZ

3/19-20 SoCal Supermoto School, Adams Motorsport Park, Riverside, CA

3/20-21 Yamaha Champions Riding School, Inde Motorsports Ranch, Willcox, AZ

3/22-23 JP43 Training School, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

3/22-23 Racers Edge Track Days, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

3/24 Apex Assassins Track Days, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

3/25 AMA Pro American Flat Track (AFT) Series, Senoia Short Track, Senoia Raceway, Senoia, GA

3/25 Sandy Hook Mini Moto Track Days (Minis), Sandy Hook Speedway, Street, MD

3/25-26 Carters@thetrack Track Days, Thunderhill Raceway Park, Willows, CA

3/25-26 Cornerspin School: Roadracing In The Dirt (Dirt Track School), Cornerspin Facility, Spencer, NC

3/25-26 CVMA Series, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

3/25-26 Fastrack Riders Academy & Apex Club Track Days & School, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, NV

3/25-26 RideSmart Motorcycle School, MSR Houston, Angleton, TX

3/25-26 TrackXperience Track Days, Spring Mountain Motorsports Resort, Pahrump, NV

3/25-27 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL

3/26 SoCal Supermoto School, Adams Motorsport Park, Riverside, CA

3/26 Superbike-Coach Corp. (Schools), Little 99 Raceway, Stockton, CA

3/26-27 Let’s Ride Track Days, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

3/27 Performance Riding Experience (PRE) Track Days, VIRginia International Raceway (North), Alton, VA

3/30 Racers Edge Track Days, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, NV

3/31-4/1 Yamaha Champions Riding School, Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA

3/31-4/2 CMRA Series, Hallett Motor Racing Circuit, Hallett, OK

MotoAmerica: Special Pre-Season Pricing On Live+ Ends March 1

David Swarts

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February 28, 2023

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MotoAmerica: Special Pre-Season Pricing On Live+ Ends March 1

Last Chance For $89.99 MotoAmerica Live+ Package

MotoAmerica’s Live And On-Demand Streaming Service Is $89.99 Until March 1. Just In Time For Daytona 200

IRVINE, CA – MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is pleased to announce that MotoAmerica Live+ will again be the place to go for live coverage of the 2023 MotoAmerica Championship.

MotoAmerica Live+ is what you need for live and on-demand streaming of the entire 2023 MotoAmerica Championship – beginning with the Daytona 200 on March 11 – as it provides race fans with the option of watching all the action on the web, Roku, Android, iOS and Apple TV.

And now is the time to get signed up as MotoAmerica is currently offering an “early bird” special pricing of $89.99 until March 1. After March 1, the cost of watching all the action from the championship live will increase from $89.99 to $109.99.

Coverage on MotoAmerica Live+ features six to eight hours of coverage a day of the majority of practice, plus every lap of qualifying and race action live, in addition to exclusive interviews, and other special features from all the MotoAmerica classes, including the premier Medallia Superbike class, Supersport, Yuasa Stock 1000, Junior Cup and REV’IT! Twins Cup.

“MotoAmerica Live+ has proven to be very popular with our fans, especially so as the 2023 season promises so much excitement and is just around the corner,” said MotoAmerica COO Chuck Aksland. “We will start with the Daytona 200 on March 11 and Live+ will be the only place where our fans who can’t make it out to the races can watch it live. Last year’s 200 was thrilling from start to finish with Brandon Paasch winning the race by just .007 of a second and, with Daytona historically producing close finishes, we’re expecting more of the same this year.”

MotoAmerica Live+ gets rolling March 9-11 with the only live coverage of all the MotoAmerica action from Daytona International Speedway, including the 81st running of America’s most historic motorcycle race – the Daytona 200. In addition to the 200, MotoAmerica Live+ subscribers will also get to watch action from the opening rounds of the REV’IT! Twins Cup, Mission King Of The Baggers and Roland Sands’ Super Hooligans National Championship.

For those wanting to purchase MotoAmerica Live+ on a race-to-race basis, individual races can be purchased for $12.99.

For more information, visit motoamericaliveplus.com

About MotoAmerica

MotoAmerica is North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series. Established in 2014, MotoAmerica is home to the AMA Superbike Championship as well as additional classes including Supersport, Stock 1000, Twins Cup, Junior Cup, and King Of The Baggers. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership including three-time 500cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey; ex-racer and former manager of Team Roberts Chuck Aksland; motorsports marketing executive Terry Karges; and businessman Richard Varner. For more information, please visit www.MotoAmerica.com and follow MotoAmerica on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube.

American Flat Track: Fisher Signs With Rackley Racing

David Swarts

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February 28, 2023

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American Flat Track: Fisher Signs With Rackley Racing

Fisher to Pilot Rackley Racing Indian FTR750

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (February 28, 2023) – Rackley Racing will be the title sponsor for Mission SuperTwins race winner Davis Fisher during the 2023 Progressive American Flat Track season.

Stockton, California’s Geramy Rackley, team owner of Rackley Racing, is a former racer who now actively gives back to the younger generation of riders. He’s been supporting racers in Progressive AFT since the 2019 season and adds one of the paddock’s most talented and hard-working riders in Fisher to its roster for the upcoming season.

Fisher is a former Parts Unlimited AFT Singles champion who has since developed into a premier-class power. He’s finished inside the championship top ten with top-five results in each of the series’ most recent six seasons, highlighted by four podiums and a victory.

Rackley will prep the team’s Indian Motorcycle FTR750s during the week and get them to the track. Davis’ father, Rex Fisher, will fly in and serve as his mechanic on race day with Geramy Rackley standing as Crew Chief to oversee the entire operation.

“I am more than excited to race the Rackley Racing Indian FTR750s this season,” said Fisher. “I was able to finish out the season in 2022 getting comfortable on Rackley’s bikes. Seeing the work he puts into his equipment and the team, I knew we would work well together. After getting my first win at the end of 2021, I’ve been hungry for more. I believe being under the Rackley tent, we can get another win!”

Rackley said, “I am ready to get the 2023 season started. We’re coming in full force this year with competitive bikes and a great group of racers. Our team is backed by sponsors including Wells Tuned, Twisted Development, PCP Motorsports, Pro Plates, Rekluse, Integ Motorsports Motion Pro ODI, and World Wide Bearing.”

Fisher, who hails from Warren, Oregon, comes to Rackley Racing after competing aboard his own Mission SuperTwins machinery in five of his seven premier-class seasons. Alongside Rackley Racing, long-time sponsor Bob Lanphere will continue to support Fisher for the ‘23 season. Bob Lanphere’s Beaverton Motorcycles opened in 1964 and BMC Racing has supported Fisher’s racing efforts for 15 years. The Lanphere Auto Group owns a number of car and motorcycle dealerships throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Additionally, Fisher will continue to receive support from Dan Wall of Wall 60 Racing, Jerry Stinchfield of Roof Systems of Dallas, Texas, Elkhart Indian Motorcycles, Rod Lake Racing, Steve Simon of Allied Motors, Jeff Celorie of Celorie Bros. Trucking, and Arai Helmets.

About Progressive American Flat Track

Progressive American Flat Track is the world’s premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest-running championships in the history of motorsports. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., the series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing on the globe. For more information on Progressive American Flat Track, please visit us on the web, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, check us out on Instagram and catch all the Progressive American Flat Track racing action on FOX Sports.

MotoAmerica: John Ashmead (R.I.P.) To Be Honored At Daytona 200

David Swarts

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February 28, 2023

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MotoAmerica: John Ashmead (R.I.P.) To Be Honored At Daytona 200

John Ashmead To Be Honored Prior To The 81st Running Of The Daytona 200

Michael Barnes Will Take A Lap In Honor Of The 1989 Daytona 200 Winner

IRVINE, CA (February 28, 2023) – MotoAmerica has announced that 1989 Daytona 200 winner John Ashmead will be honored prior to the start of the 81st running of the Daytona 200 on March 11, with 2016 Daytona 200 winner Michael Barnes set to take a memorial lap of Daytona International Speedway to honor his fallen friend. Ashmead passed away in October of 2022 after a brief bout with cancer at the age of 59.

In addition to winning the 1989 Daytona 200 on his privateer Honda VFR750, Ashmead is the all-time race mileage record holder with 4573 miles completed from his 34 Daytona 200 starts. Ashmead’s 34 starts in the Daytona 200 includes a run of 28 consecutive appearances in the race, a mark that ties him with Rick Shaw and Wayne Sherwood.

Ashmead’s upset victory in 1989 also marked the last AMA Superbike victory for Honda’s legendary VFR750 while his win also put Ashmead in the history books as the first rider from Florida to win the Daytona 200.

Ashmead was as surprised as anyone with his victory.

“I looked up and saw my number on top,” Ashmead said after taking a look at the scoreboard on the final lap. “I thought it was a mistake, I couldn’t believe it.”

In addition to his Daytona 200 victory on March 12, 1989, Ashmead also won an AMA Superbike National at Laguna Seca in 1985.

“Since John won the Daytona 200 in 1989, I’ve always thought about how special it was for him to do that,” said Barnes. “And then for me to become the next Floridian to do it in 2016, so many years later, and to share it with him was special. John and I spent a lot of miles on the road together traveling to various races and he was a dear friend who is greatly missed. For me to be able to do this lap to honor him means the world to me.”

“Without hesitation, everyone I talked to about doing a lap of honor for John (Ashmead) said, ‘absolutely, let’s make it happen,'” said Bridgestone’s Warren Dunham [who initiated the memorial project]. “I’d like to thank MotoAmerica’s Chuck Aksland and Daytona International Speedway’s Andrew Gertis, along with Roadracing World’s John Ulrich and Paul Schwemmer. Also, Bridgestone Tire for giving me the resources and the flexibility in my schedule to make this happen. Most of all, I want to thank Michael Barnes for coming out of retirement to do this honorary lap and to pay tribute to one of the Daytona 200’s and Florida’s finest road racing legends – Mr. John Ashmead.”

About MotoAmerica

MotoAmerica is North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series. Established in 2014, MotoAmerica is home to the AMA Superbike Championship as well as additional classes including Supersport, Stock 1000, Twins Cup, Junior Cup, and King Of The Baggers. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership including three-time 500cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey; ex-racer and former manager of Team Roberts Chuck Aksland; motorsports marketing executive Terry Karges; and businessman Richard Varner. For more information, please visit www.MotoAmerica.com and follow MotoAmerica on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube.

Mission Foods Sponsoring AMA Flat Track Grand Championship

David Swarts

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February 28, 2023

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Mission Foods Sponsoring AMA Flat Track Grand Championship

Mission Foods Returns as Title Sponsor of AMA Flat Track Grand Championship

Enters second year of three-year title sponsorship supporting amateur flat track racing

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Mission Foods, the world’s leading manufacturer of tortillas, wraps and tortilla chips, and a top supporter of motorcycle racing, will return for the second year in a row as title sponsor of the 2023 AMA Flat Track Grand Championship (FTGC), which will take place at Du Quoin State Fairgrounds in Du Quoin, Ill., June 14-20.

The Mission Foods AMA Flat Track Grand Championship has served as the premier amateur flat track event since the mid-1970s and is the only race in the country where you can earn an AMA National No. 1 plate in amateur flat track racing.

Throughout the past few years, Mission Foods has passionately supported motorsports of all types, specifically backing flat track racing and riders at both the amateur and pro levels. Mission Foods CEO Juan Gonzalez, a motorcycle enthusiast and ex-racer, has been key in the company’s commitment to supporting motorcycle racing at every level.

“We are pleased to continue as official title sponsor of the AMA Flat Track Grand Championship,” said Juan Gonzalez, Mission Foods Chief Executive Officer. “It exemplifies our commitment to motorsports, and we are proud to support these young racers as they pursue their passion for motorcycle racing.”

The AMA appreciates Mission Foods’ continued backing of amateur flat track.

“Mission Foods continues to be instrumental in energizing flat track at every level,” said AMA Track Racing Manager Ken Saillant. “The AMA is proud to have them back for the second year running as our title sponsor for the week-long event.”

Providing seven days of the best amateur flat track action in the country, the event includes all four disciplines of flat track racing: Mile, Half-Mile, Short Track and TT. Racers in each class who have the highest number of points will be awarded AMA National No. 1 plates.

At the end of the event program, special awards will be presented, including the prestigious Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award, AMA Fast Brain Award, AMA Vet/Senior Racer of the Year and AMA Youth Racer of the Year.

Stayed tuned for a Grand Marshal announcement, event schedule, and news on pre-registration. For more information on the upcoming AMA Flat Track Grand Championship, visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com/flat-track-racing/.

About the American Motorcyclist Association

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

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

About Mission Foods

MISSION®, owned by GRUMA, S.A.B. de C.V., is the world’s leading brand for tortillas and wraps. MISSION® is also globally renowned for flatbreads, dips, salsas, and Mexican food products. With presence in over 112 countries MISSION® products are suited to the lifestyles and the local tastes of each country. With innovation and customer needs in mind, MISSION® focuses on the highest quality, authentic flavors, and providing healthy options that families and friends can enjoy together. For more information, please visit https://www.missionfoods.com/

MotoAmerica: Rodio Racing And Robem Engineering Merge

David Swarts

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February 28, 2023

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MotoAmerica: Rodio Racing And Robem Engineering Merge

Rodio Racing & Robem Engineering Join Forces for the MotoAmerica Rev’it Twins Cup Championship in 2023.

February 28, 2023 – The successful merger of Rodio Racing and Robem Engineering yielded a virtual tie for the Junior Cup Championship and another tie for 2nd place in the Rev’It Twins Cup Championship in 2022. Following those results the two teams simply had to explore a partnership for the 2023 season.

The new coalition is dubbed “Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering” and their racers Gus Rodio and Ben Gloddy are in the hunt for the 2023 Rev’It Twins Cup Championship.

Ben Gloddy (72). Photo by Sara Chappell, courtesy Rodio Racing.

Ben Gloddy: “I am very excited to be racing for Robem Engineering again this year in the Rev’it Twins Cup and super excited that Robem and Rodio Racing have joined forces. Gus and I have been racing together since our NJMiniGP days and I am close with the Rodio Family. Gus and I have always been very competitive with each other and are always pushing each other to go faster and be better from MiniGP to Junior Cup and now Twins. It’s going to be an exciting season!”

Gus Rodio (96). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Rodio Racing.

Gus Rodio: “I’m stoked to be a part of the team and excited to keep working towards our goals. I appreciate Rodio Racing and Robem Engineering for the opportunity to show what we have. Having Ben as a teammate is awesome. I’ve been riding with him forever and I think we work really well together.”

Matthew Spicer, Principal, Robem Engineering: “We were able to build a relationship with Rodio Racing during the 2022 season and excited to continue support in 2023 and showcase the potential of the Aprilia RS 660 in MotoAmerica with Ben and Gus. Working with Rodio Racing will allow us to focus on continuing development at a faster pace for the Aprilia platform for us and other Aprilias in the paddock.”

Kevin Rodio, Owner, Rodio Racing: “Everyone knows that Robem Engineering builds some of the most advanced Aprilia’s on the grid and we’re fortunate to forge this relationship with them. They really came through for us last season and have already gone above and beyond with their innovations for the upcoming season. I’m also excited to see Ben and Gus team up as well. They’re two really talented racers who have put in the work and it shows.”

Rodio and Gloddy just wrapped up a testing weekend at Jennings GP, in Florida after turning some of the fastest laps ever on their Robem built Aprilia RS660s. The team now enters its final stages in preparation for the Motoamerica Rev’it Twins Cup Season Opener at Daytona International Speedway, March 9-11, 2023. You can also find the team competing in most rounds of the WERA/N2 National endurance series as well.

Buell Showcasing RSD Super Cruiser At Daytona Bike Week

David Swarts

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February 28, 2023

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Buell Showcasing RSD Super Cruiser At Daytona Bike Week

Buell’s® Daytona Bike Week Lineup will Showcase New Super Cruiser, the Bike Everyone is Talking About

Grand Rapids, MI, February 28, 2023 – Buell Motorcycles and Roland Sands Design have announced the first public preview of the 2025 Buell Super Cruiser. Making its East Coast debut at Daytona Bike Week, Friday, March 3 – Sunday, March 12, 2023, the Super Cruiser will star in Buell’s lineup along Destination Daytona’s main drag, showing off their high-performance, American-made superbikes and touting their latest updates.

The Super Cruiser, first revealed at a private event on February 10 at the Roland Sands Design facility in Long Beach, CA, has been well-received by both the media and fans. As eager riders continue to place unprecedented preorders on the Buell website, the Super Cruiser is exceeding expectations and generating significant buzz.

“It’s the design of this bike that’s got everyone going crazy,” said Buell’s CEO, Bill Melvin. “The response we’ve seen so far is overwhelming. It’s clear there’s a tremendous demand for a high-performance cruiser, and we’re thrilled to meet it. We always knew a Buell cruiser would be big, but it needed Buell features and had to be the highest-performing American production bike ever made. Lucky for us, we were the ones who innovated the kick-ass technology of the 1190 platform. So, we didn’t need to reinvent the wheel. We just needed to take what was already ideal and build a cruiser around it. Refining things like steering angle, rake, wheels, tires, brakes, and chassis – Roland Sands was the genius to pull all that together.”

Of course, Buell’s Daytona lineup would be incomplete without its flagship bikes, the Hammerhead and 1190 SX, featuring small but important improvements since last year. Notable changes include carbon bodywork, tires and throttle-body balancing refinement.

Also on display will be the latest refinements to Buell’s 1190 SuperTouring® modular superbike, slated for 2025 production.

The Buell 1190 SuperTouring model. Photo courtesy Buell Motorcycles.

“The ST provided a great opportunity for us to hear and engage with our fanbase,” said Jacob Stark, Buell’s Engineering Specialist. “It led to exploring new ideas, experimenting, and using the ST platform to stretch our comfort zone.”

Created in collaboration with award-winning designer J. Ruiter to thrill supersport fans and tourers alike, the SuperTouring is the world’s fastest adaptive motorcycle, easily converting to a track bike in under an hour. Its latest modifications include a new modular front faring with headlamp assembly, higher handlebars, foot-forward controls, and a new seat and bags.

“We can’t wait for Bike Week 2023. Buell is back and building a strong reputation as a small, responsive company building bikes to order and providing a unique customer experience,” said Melvin. ” We’ve tuned our approach to match customer feedback and will continue making the changes that deliver the best riding experience possible.”

WorldSBK: Championship Returning To Imola In 2023

David Swarts

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February 28, 2023

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WorldSBK: Championship Returning To Imola In 2023

2023 calendar update: WorldSBK returns to Imola for the first time since 2019

The FIM, the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari di Imola and Dorna WSBK Organization (DWO) are delighted to announce a new agreement that will see the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship race at the iconic Italian circuit in 2023.

Imola will host the Italian Round as it returns to the WorldSBK calendar after three seasons away with the legendary venue hosting the seventh round of the 2023 season from the 14th to the 16th of July. All three classes will take to the track at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari di Imola, including Italian Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK), Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) but also Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) and Lorenzo Baldassarri (GMT94 Yamaha) who will make their debuts in 2023, competing in the Superbike class.

Featured on the calendar for the first time back in 2001, the iconic circuit was the scene of unforgettable moments such as the season finale between Colin Edwards and Troy Bayliss in 2002 and Bayliss’s title in 2006. The 2023 Italian Round also promises to be a thrilling event with Ducati rider Alvaro Bautista who will be fighting to retain his title.

Gregorio Lavilla, WorldSBK Executive Director:

“After three seasons away, we are thrilled to welcome back Imola to the calendar in 2023. This second round in Italy confirms the popularity of the Championship amongst the Italian fans as there is a lot of passion for our sport there with many Italian riders and teams in our Paddock. Imola has an illustrious history within World Superbike, and we look forward to the 2023 Italian Round which promises to be an exciting event for the fans.”

Pietro Benvenuti, Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari di Imola General Director:

“It is with great satisfaction that we announce this agreement with Dorna WSBK Organization, which brings Imola back to the prestigious WorldSBK calendar. We know that there are many fans who wouldn’t miss this event for anything as Imola always had strong ties with this series. Not to mention that a World Champion on a Ducati will take to the track, undoubtedly a great incentive for many of the “Rossa” to watch on from trackside. Opting for the month of July is also strategic for the region as it will open business opportunities during a period when local accommodation options are not at full capacity, confirming the role of the circuit as a driving force of the local economy. It’s a great result made possible thanks to the full support of the Municipal Administration, which strongly wanted the return of Superbike to Imola.”

Yamaha Releases bLU cRU European Championship Schedule

March 1, 2023

Action from the 2022 Yamaha bLU cRU European Championship. Photo courtesy Yamaha Motor Europe.

Full Calendar Announced for Yamaha bLU cRU European Championship

Following the announcement this week confirming that the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari di Imola will host the seventh round of the 2023 FIM Superbike World Championship, Yamaha Motor Europe can now reveal the six races at which the stars of the future will contest the 2023 Yamaha bLU cRU European Championship.

Registration for the prestigious series, which runs alongside WorldSBK and will feature talented young riders aged between 14 and 20 from a multitude of different countries, remains open even as the countdown to the first race begins. Riders can register for the 2023 Yamaha bLU cRU European Championship here.

The season will start with a test at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli on April 10th, before racing gets underway a few weeks later with Round 1 at the TT Circuit Assen. Similarly iconic tracks make up the remainder of the calendar, with rounds in Barcelona, Misano, and Donington Park taking the bLU cRU youngsters into the summer. The latest addition to 2023 is a stop at the legendary Imola Circuit in July, before the season finale in early September at Magny-Cours, France.

With a great mixture of circuits spread evenly across the season, the 2023 Yamaha bLU cRU European Championship will once again treat spectators to fantastic and close racing as the stars of the future begin their journey on the world stage.

2023 Yamaha bLU cRU European Championship Calendar

10 Apr Preseason Test Misano, Italy

22 Apr Round 1 Assen, The Netherlands

06 May Round 2 Barcelona, Spain

03 Jun Round 3 Misano, Italy

01 Jul Round 4 Donington, United Kingdom

15 Jul Round 5 Imola, Italy

09 Sep Round 6 Magny-Cours, France

Andrea Dosoli

Road Racing Manager, Yamaha Motor Europe

“The 2023 Yamaha bLU cRU European Championship promises to be as close fought as in previous seasons. This year we will once again have the best young talents competing over six rounds and 12 races for the championship title and the fully supported ride in WorldSSP300 that accompanies it. This season the grid is split equally between riders from Europe and riders from overseas, with entries from as far afield as Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, Brazil and Colombia. The bLU cRU European Championship is the perfect series for young riders with world championship aspirations, as the number of former bLU cRU riders now racing in WorldSSP300 illustrates clearly. I am looking forward to the season ahead and I wish the best of luck to all the youngsters racing with us this year.”

WorldSBK: Championship Returns To Indonesia

March 1, 2023

Mandalika International Street Circuit. Photo courtesy Dorna. — Mandalika International Street Circuit, in Lombok, Indonesia. Photo courtesy Dorna.