Home Blog Page 89

Track Days Coming Up Soon (updated)

Next weekend, August 9-10, Sportbike Track Time is bringing you double the action at two incredible venues: Barber Motorsports Park and Putnam Park Road Course! Whether you’re chasing apexes in Alabama or carving corners in Indiana, we’ve got a thrilling track day experience waiting for you.

 

Northern Region: Putnam Park Road Course

Located about 45 minutes west of Indianapolis, this 1.78-mile track offers 10 corners and a long straightaway, providing a fantastic environment for riders to hone their skills.

Garages are available for rent, but they go fast! Overnight camping is not permitted, but you are welcome to leave your gear and bike at the track on Saturday evening if you’re riding with us both days.

Click the link below to grab your registrations today!

Saturday, August 9
All groups available

Sunday, August 10
All groups available

 

Southern Region: Barber Motorsports Park

Join us at the legendary Barber Motorsports Park for a two-day track spectacular! This world-class facility, known for its pristine grounds and challenging 2.38-mile layout, is a rider’s paradise. With over 80 feet of elevation change and a wide 45-foot track surface, it’s designed to push your limits and elevate your skills. Ride where the pros do and immerse yourself in the rich motorsports culture of Barber!

Special Rates: This event is STT’s Barber-on-a-budget weekend; all riders save $50 per registration!

Saturday, August 9
All groups available

Sunday, August 10
All groups available

 

Sportbike track time. Photo by SPImages
Sportbike track time. Photo by SPImages

 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

GINGERMAN RACEWAY
August 1 Bike Night

TALLADEGA GP
August 1
Novice class not offered
Race Certificate Class available

GRATTAN RACEWAY
August 2 – BACKWARDS
August 3 – BACKWARDS

PUTNAM PARK
August 9
August 10

BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK
August 9
August 10

ROAD AMERICA
August 11
August 12

GINGERMAN RACEWAY
August 15
August 16
1:1 Instruction available
Race Certificate Class available
August 17
1:1 Instruction available
Race Certificate Class available

 

More from a press release issued by EvolveGT:

August 1-3 Pittsburgh International Race Complex – 3 day event.

PITT RACE EVENT WAIVER HERE

Attendees, please fill this out before arriving

 

NEW DATE ADDED TO THE CALENDAR – something a little different.

August 29-30 – New Jersey Motorsports Park Thunderbolt

A special 4 rotation track day integrated into a race weekend with ASRA
2 sessions before lunch with 2 sessions after lunch, on Thunderbolt Saturday/Sunday
This is only open to Intermediate and Advance groups

TIME TRIALS
Time Trial event, this is open to track day riders and racers.
Event details, Schedule and rule book are on the ASRAracing webpage.

TIME TRIAL RULEBOOK

TIME TRIAL REGISTRAION

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

PITT RACE  – August 1-3

SUMMIT MAIN ASRA PRACTICE – August 8

PINEVIEW – August 16-17

ROAD ATLANTA – August 22

NCBIKE – August 30-31

NJMP “NEW special event” – August 30-31

 

More from a press release issued by Precision Track Days: 

Precision Track Days, the Southeast’s premier motorcycle track day organization, is turning up the heat this August with a thrilling 3-day weekend at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) from August 8–10. Riders from all over the region will have the rare opportunity to ride all three VIR configurations — Full Course Friday, North & South Courses Saturday and Sunday — in an event designed for both experienced racers and first-time track enthusiasts.

“This is our biggest event of the summer,” said Fahad Khan, Founder of PTD. “We’ve built something for everyone — from serious riders chasing lap times to beginners just getting their first taste of the track.” said Kevin Courtemanche, Co-owner of PTD

 

VIR Weekend Highlights:

  • 3 Track Configurations in 3 Days
  • 1-on-1 Coaching with top YCRS-trained instructors
  • Race School on Saturday — Get certified for WERA, ASRA, and PanAm
  • Giveaways: Sign up for 2+ days and enter to win a set of free Pirelli tires
  • Saturday Dinner On Us

  • Free Camping, Power & No Gate Fees

To top it off, riders who purchase the all-inclusive VIR package will receive a free track day at Carolina Motorsports Park (CMP) to use any time in 2025 — a $250+ value – limited to next 10 riders. 

 

The August Heatwave Continues

Atlanta Motorsports Park (AMP) – August 16–17

Next stop: Georgia. AMP is tight, technical, and packed with elevation changes. It’s the perfect place to level up your skills and ride with precision. Precision Track Days returns to AMP with 1-on-1 coaching, friendly vibes, and limited spots available.

National Corvette Museum (NCM) Motorsports Park – August 29-30–31

Rounding out the month is a 3 day ride at one of the most underrated tracks in the South. Located in Bowling Green, KY, NCM’s wide-open layout is ideal for high-speed thrills and perfecting your lines.

BONUS: Riders will have a unique opportunity to ride and get coached by MotoAmerica racer Max Van, who will be offering personalized insight, feedback, and 1-on-1 sessions throughout the weekend. Don’t miss the chance to learn from one of the best in the paddock.

 

About Precision Track Days

Precision Track Days creates unforgettable motorcycle experiences for riders of all skill levels. With a focus on safety, coaching, and community, precision track day offers premium track day events across the Southeast — with top-tier support, structured learning, and good vibes guaranteed.

To sign up or learn more about upcoming events, visit: https://precisiontrackday.org

EWC: Masson Aiming Higher As Suzuki Makes Its Return

Étienne Masson is banking on more than just a top five finish when Team Suzuki CN Challenge makes its second appearance in the FIM Endurance World Championship this week.

Following its groundbreaking EWC debut in the 45th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race in 2024 when a GSX-R1000R motorcycle was entered using 40 per cent bio-sourced fuel and several bio-friendly products, Team Suzuki CN Challenge will contest the 46th edition of the legendary Japanese event from 1-3 August utilising 100 per cent sustainable fuel. 

And world champion rider Masson has high hopes as Suzuki strives to achieve its stated goal of “both environmental load reduction and performance at a higher level to accelerate the development of environmental performance technologies through actual riding under severe conditions in endurance races”.

“All the goals have been revised upwards,” Masson said. “Last year, for our first time out, we finished eighth. This year, with an improved performance and team-mates, we’re obviously aiming higher. I think a top five finish would be a very good result. It would give credibility to the project and, who knows, it might inspire others.”

 

Etienne Masson. Photo courtesy EWC.
Etienne Masson. Photo courtesy EWC.

 

Masson returns to Suzuka with renewed belief as Team Suzuki CN Challenge goes for back-to-back victories in the Experimental category. “Suzuki had already asked me last year whether or not I wanted to continue my involvement in this project,” the Frenchman said. “Since it went really well and I really enjoyed working with the team, it was a no-brainer for me. I also knew they would have more time to work on the bike, given all the data we had collected during the race. You can feel all the experience they have in bike development. 

“Last year I really didn’t know what to expect, even though [team director] Sahara-san had reassured me about the bike’s potential. I was more worried about the tyre factor, which plays an important role in performance, but from the first few laps I felt it was performing well. After this first year, it was obviously a year to learn and discover, and this year will only be better.”

 

Etienne Masson (0) on his Suzuki GSX-R1000R. Photo courtesy EWC.
Etienne Masson (0) on his Suzuki GSX-R1000R. Photo courtesy EWC.

 

The switch to 100 per cent sustainable fuel is just one of the key developments for 2025, as Masson explained: “Last year we ran on gasoline with a 40 per cent biofuel content. This year it’s 100 per cent. So that’s a huge change for us riders, because the engine behaviour is really different. They’ve worked a lot on this with Takuya Tsuda, one of my team-mates [at Suzuka] in the All Japan Road Race Championship. The key point is the electronics because with this 100 per cent biofuel, the engine character is very aggressive, and we have to compensate with the electronics. That was our main focus during our two weeks of testing at Suzuka. 

“The other change is aerodynamics. Last year we had a little bit of it, this year we have a lot more. To put it simply, it’s the aerodynamics that were on the last Suzuki MotoGP bike. It makes the bike much more stable at high speeds.”

 

Suzuki GSX-R1000R. Photo courtesy EWC.
Suzuki GSX-R1000R. Photo courtesy EWC.

 

Team Suzuki CN Challenge has also tweaked its rider line-up for its second EWC appearance with the recruitment of Japan’s Takuya Tsuda and Spaniard Albert Arenas, who helped Yoshimura SERT Motul finish third overall at Suzuka in 2024.

“Tsuda is a rider with a lot of experience at Suzuka, but also on the Suzuki,” Masson said. “It’s great because we have the same feelings and our times are consistent. Then there’s Albert Arenas, who was called up to the SERT last year. His times should be pretty good too.”

 

Team Suzuki CN Challenge essentials: 

Motorcycle: Suzuki GSX-R1000R

Race number: #0

Fuel: TotalEnergies’ Excellium Racing 100 (100% certified* sustainable fuel)

Tyres: Bridgestone racing tyres with increased ratio of recycled and recyclable materials

Engine oil: Motul engine oil made using bio-sourced base oil

Fairings: JHI recycled carbon material (pre-preg material)

Fenders: Tras, Bcomp® (Unbleached natural flax fibre composite material)

Front brake: Sunstar Engineering non-heat treatment steel discs, Sunstar Engineering / Tokai Carbon low-dust pads

Battery: ELIIY Power LFP battery for motorcycle, storage battery for the garage

Silencer: Yoshimura Japan silencer made of TranTixxii™ -Eco (Eco-friendly titanium)

Team clothing: RS Taichi team polo shirt made of 100% recycled fabric

*Excellium Racing 100 is a certified 100% sustainable product according to the mass balanced system applied by a voluntary certification organisation approved by the European Union 
*”Bcomp” is a registered trademark of Switzerland Bcomp Ltd

The 46th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race takes place from 1-3 August. Click HERE for more information.

MotoAmerica: PS Squared Racing Will Miss VIR Round

Cory Ventura Injured in Testing Crash; PS Squared Racing to Return at Mid-Ohio with Taylor Knapp on Aprilia RSV4.

July 29, 2025 – Alton Va — PS Squared Racing announces that rider Cory Ventura will be sidelined following a crash during a private test session, resulting in the team missing the upcoming MotoAmerica Stock 1000 round at VIRginia International Raceway (VIR).

“This is a tough setback,” said Ventura. “We’ve had a rough start to the season, but things were finally beginning to click and we were making real technical progress with the RSV4. It’s disappointing to step away now, but getting healthy has to come first. I’ll be supporting the team and look forward to coming back strong.”

PS Squared Racing will return to the grid at Mid-Ohio with veteran racer Taylor Knapp, a seasoned national competitor and test rider. Knapp has extensive experience across multiple superbike platforms and has worked closely with the Aprilia RSV4 in a testing and technical role, making him well-suited to contribute to the team’s ongoing development efforts.

“I’m excited to jump in with PS Squared Racing,” said Knapp. “I’ve spent time with the RSV4 in testing and I know what the platform is capable of. It’s a potent machine, and I’m looking forward to working with the crew to get the most out of it at Mid-Ohio.”

To further support the team’s momentum, Gene Burcham has joined as Team Manager, bringing strong operational leadership and technical depth. This addition allows Brandon Cole to focus exclusively on Crew Chief responsibilities, leading the on-track setup and performance strategy.

PS Squared Racing sincerely thanks its sponsors and partners for their continued support: Infinity Fall Protection, Imperial Sportbikes, PowerSport Supply and Piaggio Group / Aprilia.

We also thank our valued technical collaborators:

Robem Engineering, Motovation, SC Project, Vesrah, Dunlop, and Blud Lubricants.

Stay tuned for updates as PS Squared Racing resumes its 2025 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 campaign at Mid-Ohio.

AMA Celebrates Successful Vintage Motorcycle Days

Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days presented by Turn 14 Distribution — one of motorcycling’s largest single-weekend events, featuring National Championship vintage racing and North America’s largest motorcycle swap meet — brought tens of thousands of motorcyclists to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, on July 25-27.

Owned and organized by the American Motorcyclist Association and co-promoted by track owner Green-Savoree Racing Promotions, the annual event raises money for the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit that funds the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame’s mission to promote and preserve the history and heritage of motorcycling in America.

“AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days is the best weekend in American motorcycling, and it wouldn’t be possible without a long list of partners, sponsors, volunteers, AMA staff and supporters from all corners of motorcycling,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “We appreciate everyone who helped make this weekend possible, supporting our celebration of vintage bikes, community and freedom on two wheels.”

The Grand Marshal for the 33rd running of the event was AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer and 1982 500cc Motocross World Champion Brad Lackey, who spent time greeting fans, participating in question-and-answer sessions and signing autographs.

“Lackey was one of the defining motocross racers of the 1970s and ’80s, making him an excellent choice for Grand Marshal of this year’s AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days,” Dingman said. “Lackey exemplifies the spirit and excitement of the event, and it was an honor to have him lead many of the weekend’s festivities.”

 

Suzuki Named Marque of the Year for 2025 Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days Presented By Turn 14 Distribution. Photo credit Mariah Lacy.
Suzuki Was Named Marque of the Year for the 2025 Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days Presented By Turn 14 Distribution. Photo credit Mariah Lacy.

This year’s featured marque was Suzuki, and a couple impactful anniversaries were celebrated, including 50 years of Suzuki RMs — launched in 1975 with the original RM125 — and 40 years of GSX-Rs — represented by the first-generation GSX-R750 in 1985.

“Having Suzuki as the featured marque proved perfect, as this was the year to celebrate the anniversaries of both RMs and GSX-Rs,” said AMA Editorial Director Mitch Boehm. “Examples of both were on display in the AMA Hall of Fame tent, and we appreciate Suzuki being on site, as well as various friends of the AMA who brought bikes for our special Suzuki display this year.”

AMA Business Development Manager Michael Kula thanked the many companies who supported the event financially.

“A huge thank you to Permco, who was our title sponsor for the third year in a row,” Kula said. “We also appreciate Turn 14 Distribution, who was the event’s presenting sponsor. Other sponsors and vendors included Yamaha, B’laster, SSR Motorsports, Royal Enfield, Motorcycle Classics, All Balls Racing, Kenda Tire, American Motor Drome Company, Biltwell, Classic British Motorcycle Club, Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club, Motorcycles and Coffee, Skidmark Garage, Moto Motion, Mimi & Moto, STACYC, Iron Pony, Blendzall, Southern Honda Powersports, Legends and Heroes, Motorcycle Ohio, Liquid Labs, Diana Lemonade, Ryvid Motorcycles, Cometic Gasket, Klotz Lubricant, Brake Free, Mecum Auctions and Kabuto Helmets.

“Our friends at Suzuki, Yamaha, Royal Enfield and Harley-Davidson,” Kula continued, “also had demo bikes for attendees to test ride throughout the weekend. We can’t thank them — and all these companies — enough for their support, especially since the proceeds help support the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.”

AMA Chief Operating Officer James Holter expressed appreciation for the AMA’s most important operational partner for the event, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

“Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course has become synonymous with AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days for good reasons: few, if any, other facilities in the country could accommodate an event as diverse and expansive as this one has become,” Holter said. “That starts with the people on Mid-Ohio’s team, including owners Kevin Savoree and Kim Green, and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course President Craig Rust. I also would like to personally thank Security Manager Paul Alterio and Safety Manager Brian Sipes who every year go above and beyond to ensure AMA members and all event support staff are safe, entertained and free to have fun and do their jobs.”

 

2025 Swap Meet to be the Largest in AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days History. Photo credit Mariah Lacy.
The 2025 Swap Meet was the largest in AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days history, and the largest motorcycle swap meet in the country. Photo credit Mariah Lacy.

One of the elements of AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days that Mid-Ohio supports so well is the massive swap meet — the largest motorcycle swap meet in North America. The VMD swap meet was bigger than ever this year, selling out completely several days before the event.

AMA Marketing & Communications Director Joy Burgess thanked AMA members for helping make the event another grand success — as well as the AMA membership services team for providing excellent member service over the weekend.

“Our main goal at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days,” Burgess said, “is to put on an event that allows our members to enjoy the thrill and freedom of two wheels while celebrating the history of motorcycling. We enjoyed the chance to meet and hear from our members, and we appreciate all the members who attended, and the many new ones who joined.”

In addition to AMA President & CEO Rob Dingman, several other AMA Board members were in attendance volunteering and supporting the event, including Directors Brad Baumert, Maggie McNally, Chris Cox, Chandler McCallum and Faisel Zaman and former board members Mark Hosbach, Robert Pearce and Gary Pontius. They supported the event in racing, swap meet operations and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame collections management, among other activities.

Many AMA members, including AMA-chartered and partner organizations, also were involved as volunteers.

“More than 100 volunteers — including 75 AMA member volunteers, volunteers from the AMA-chartered Christian Motorcyclist Association and our partner Motorcycle Ohio — came out to help,” said AMA Membership Event and Program Manager Makenzi Martin. “We can’t thank them — as well as our AMA staff — enough for committing their time and efforts to make AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days a success.”

Vintage racing at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days is huge, with thousands of race entries every year in vintage motocross, trials, hare scrambles, flat track and road racing.

“This was one of the most successful AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days race programs ever,” said AMA Racing Manager Jeff Canfield, who oversaw the motocross and off-road activity. “We could not execute for so many racers in so many disciplines without the help of a number of partner organizations and volunteers.”

Canfield thanked AMA Volunteers, Baja MX Incorporated, the Christian Motorcycle Association, Log Road MX, Mandi Mastin, Trials Inc., WERA, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and staff, the Bagger Racing League, eScore Electronic Event Scoring, Kevin Kelly, RaceLine Ministry, Acerbis, MotoAmerica and the Roadracing World Action Fund for soft barriers along the road race course.

For flat track racing, Canfield thanked the Ashland County Fairgrounds, Baer Racing, and the flaggers and officials that helped make the race a success.

AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days is the country’s premier celebration of vintage motorcycles and one of the largest single-weekend motorcycle events each summer. To learn more about AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, read stories from the event and see photos, visitVintageMotorcycleDays.com. 

 

 

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.

Motul MiniGP Canada: Rain Stops Races at Brechin

The 2025 Motul MiniGP tour was scheduled to open under the lights in conjunction with a Go Kart event at Brechin Motorsports Park on Saturday evening, July 26, but a variety of issues forced the cancellation of the event.

The scheduled activities were running according to plan until the second of two Qualifying sessions, when Tommy Molnar of Port Coquitlam, British Columbia fell from his REV Scholarship Ohvale and required medical attention. This delayed the schedule, and then rain arrived, flooding portions of the track.

Later, it was confirmed that Molnar had broken his wrist and ankle.

With events scheduled to run into the evening, under the track’s lights, the decision was made to cancel both the two-wheeled and four-wheeled activities.

MiniGP organizer Toni Sharpless, the Hall of Famer who runs the Super Sonic Road Racing School, confirmed that e[orts would be made to replace the races, but a hectic schedule means this will be di[icult, particularly with competitors travelling to events from across Canada.

As well, several of the front runners are competing in China this week as part of an Ohvale event to launch a new circuit in Guangzhou.

Prior to these unfortunate events, the planned two races were shaping up as a good battle between several young competitors. Ethan Reardon, age 10, of Calgary, Alberta, was fastest in Q1 with a lap at 40.45 seconds, just ahead of impressive first year racer Stefan Tanasic of Almira, ON, recent Shannonville winner, at 41.11 on the TAS Racing Ohvale.

Pre-race favorite, Arnprior, ON. based Jager Stockill, 12-years-old, a representative for Canada in Aragon, Spain last fall, was third best in Q1 at 41.5 with the 613 Motorsports Ohvale 160.

 

The No. 20 Bridgestone CSBK Scholarship Ohvale entry of Martina Cardenas (age 10) of Maple Ridge, B.C., leads the No. 15 TAS Racing Ohvale of rookie Stefan Tanasic (age 14) onto the front straight at Brechin Motorsports Park during practice for round one of the Motul MiniGP Nationals.
The No. 20 Bridgestone CSBK Scholarship Ohvale entry of Martina Cardenas (age 10) of Maple Ridge, B.C., leads the No. 15 TAS Racing Ohvale of rookie Stefan Tanasic (age 14) onto the front straight at Brechin Motorsports Park during practice for round one of the Motul MiniGP Nationals.

Fourth went to Martina Cardenas from Maple Ridge, B.C., a star of the west coast Mini Racing scene at Greg Moore Raceway in Chilliwack, B.C. Now old enough at age10 to join the series, Cardenas lapped in Q1 at 42.67, just ahead of Eric Sergi (age 14) of Aris, On., on the Surge Racing Ohvale at 44.00.

Q2 only lasted a few minutes, so a grid based on combined times was never created. Reardon was quickest in the early going, dropping the lead pace with a lap at 41.17 seconds – not quite to the Q1 pace. The running order for Q2 was completed at the front by Tanasic, Cardenas (already about a tenth of a second faster than in her opening session) and Mateen O’Brien of Etobicoke, ON.

MiniGP will participate at the RACEMoto Regional event at Shannonville Motorsport Park this weekend, on Saturday, August 2, with the next National round slated for Lombardy Raceway, north of Kingston, ON, August 22-23.

MotoAmerica Preview: Superbikes Head To Virginia

Will Cameron Beaubier And The Red-Hot Bobby Fong Claw Back Josh Herrin In Run For 2025 MotoAmerica Superbike Crown In Virginia?
 
IRVINE, CA (July 29, 2025) – The last time MotoAmerica made a stop at VIRginia International Raceway, Josh Herrin left Alton with a 31-point lead in the Supersport Championship he would ultimately win. After a two-year hiatus, MotoAmerica returns to VIR with Herrin atop the 2025 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship by… 31 points.
 

In May of 2022, VIRginia International Raceway hosted the second round of the MotoAmerica Championship. In 2025, VIR is round number six, and Herrin’s 31-point lead comes after 11 impressive races for the defending MotoAmerica Superbike Champion and his Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R.

How impressive? Well, Herrin has won five of the 11 races with five additional podiums (two seconds and three thirds). Herrin’s only non-podium finish came way back in the opening round of the 2025 series at Road Atlanta when he finished fifth. Since then, he’s been virtually unstoppable.

 

Key word: virtually.

If you can call two second-place finishes in a row a chink in the armor, then Herrin now has the tiniest of chinks. After winning five in a row, including the first of three races in the most recent round at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Herrin was beaten in races two and three at Laguna Seca by Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Bobby Fong.

Bobby Fong (50). Photo by Michael Gougis.

 

Fong showed that he’s a force to be reckoned with after finishing second to Herrin in race one and then beating the championship leader in races two and three. The two wins were the first of the year for Fong, and he adds those to his five runner-up finishes. In total, it puts him 37 points behind Herrin in the championship, but there’s plenty left to play for, and the two VIRginia International Raceway races may prove to be pivotal in the ’25 title chase. Fong, however, has an 11th and an eighth-place finish on his scorecard, and he can’t afford any more lackluster finishes as the series heats up in the dog days of summer.

Fong’s strong Laguna Seca weekend puts him just six points behind Tytlers Cycle Racing’s Cameron Beaubier. Surprisingly, Beaubier came out of the Laguna Seca round, his home race, with just two thirds and a sixth-place finish after remounting from a crash out of the lead in race one. Everyone expected more of Beaubier at Laguna. No one more so than Beaubier himself.

 

Cameron Beaubier (6). Photo by Michael Gougis.

 

This weekend’s two races at VIR are by no means must-win races for Beaubier, but we’re getting close to that. Neither he nor Fong can allow Herrin to come into Alton and win both Superbike races.

Fong’s teammate Jake Gagne could prove to be a bit of a spoiler as the championship heats up. The three-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion heads to VIR with the knowledge and confidence of having won the last two Superbike races in Virginia in 2022. He’s also the only rider other than Herrin, Beaubier, and Fong to have won a Superbike race in 2025. Gagne continues to get stronger, and he is coming off a third, a fifth, and a fourth in the three races at Laguna Seca. Gagne is fourth in the title chase, but 59 points behind Herrin.

 

Richie Escalante (54). Photo by Michael Gougis.

Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Richie Escalante seems to be stuck in the rut of finishing somewhere between fourth and sixth, though he does have a third-place finish in his points tally from Road America. Escalante’s only non-finish was in the first race of the season, and he sits in a solid fifth, 22 points ahead of Real Steel Honda’s JD Beach.

Although Beach’s main goal is to win the MotoAmerica Superbike Cup for those competing on Stock 1000-spec motorcycles, he’s proving to be a thorn in the side of many a Superbike rider. At Laguna Seca, Beach was fourth, eighth, and sixth.

Somewhat surprisingly, Beach is nine points ahead of his Honda CBR1000RR-R SP Superbike-mounted teammate Hayden Gillim. Gillim’s Laguna Seca weekend was one to bury somewhere that he never sees it again. Over the course of the three races, Gillim only scored 17 points, and we shouldn’t even bring up the fact that he appeared to be on the road to two Mission King Of The Baggers wins when he suffered mechanical failures in both.

Sean Dylan Kelly’s season has sort of derailed after a start to the year when he finished fourth in four straight races on his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki. The results have plummeted downhill since then with his fourth-place finish in race two at Laguna Seca bookended by crashes in race one and three. Kelly sits five points behind Gillim.

BPR Racing’s Bryce Kornbau and FLO4LAW/SBU Racing’s Benjamin Smith are ninth and 10th, respectively, in the title chase as the series arrives in Virginia. Smith has non-finishes in three of the past five races and is just a single point behind Kornbau.

 

Pre-VIR Notes…

Jake Gagne was on a hot streak the last time MotoAmerica visited VIRginia International Raceway in 2022, and he kept the ball rolling with two Superbike wins on the 3.27-mile racetrack. Gagne topped Mathew Scholtz in both races, with Danilo Petrucci, who had won the first three races to start the season, and Cameron Petersen splitting thirds in the two races.

The Superbike lap record goes way back to 2008 at VIRginia International Raceway, with Ben Spies ripping off a 1:23.403 on his Yoshimura Suzuki. The current race lap record, however, is held by Jake Gagne with his 1:24.109 set in race two in 2022.

The first-ever AMA Superbike race at VIRginia International Raceway in 2001 was won by the late Nicky Hayden, the 2002 AMA Superbike Champion and 2006 MotoGP World Champion, backing that up with a second victory at VIR in 2002.

With his five wins thus far in 2025, Josh Herrin now has 21 career AMA Superbike victories. His 21st victory moved him out of a tie with Fred Merkel and into eighth place on the all-time AMA Superbike win list.

Cameron Beaubier and Josh Hayes are still both tied for the all-time lead in AMA wins across all classes with 89 victories apiece.

The last time MotoAmerica visited VIR was in 2022, and the then 47-year-old Josh Hayes won Supersport race one, beating 16-year-old Tyler Scott and 17-year-old Rocco Landers

 
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, Talent Cup, Super Hooligan National Championship, 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 MotoAmerica’s social platforms on FacebookInstagramTikTokTwitter, and YouTube. To watch all things MotoAmerica, subscribe to MotoAmerica’s live streaming and video on-demand service, MotoAmerica Live+ 
 
 

NJMP Announces 10-Year Master Plan For The South Jersey Racetrack Facility

New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP) releases new information on its 10-year master plan for the racetrack’s future in a one-on-one interview with the company President and COO, Brad Scott.

NJMP in Millville, NJ, has come a long way since its inception in 2008. Today the park includes two world-class road courses, Thunderbolt and Lightning Raceway, two motorsports country club membership programs for cars and motorcycles, and one of the top outdoor karting complexes in the U.S. – Tempest Raceway.  NJMP continues to develop commercial and private real estate opportunities including its Exotic Car Garage private garage condominiums and more.

 

What is next for New Jersey Motorsports in the near future?

Scott: Currently we are working on Phase XIII and IX of our Exotic Car Garage project. Each building will consist of seven units each and when complete it will total 64 completed Exotic Car Garages and eight Villas around our iconic Thunderbolt Raceway. This project is expected to finish in spring 2026.

 

Speaking of Thunderbolt Raceway, when the track was completely repaved in 2023 there was talk of a new course configuration. Are there any updates on when riders and drivers can expect to see this addition?

Scott: We will begin the new track configuration project on the Thunderbolt Circuit called the Devil’s Pass at the conclusion of the 2025 season. This additional track option will add greater passing zones and alternatives to avoid the Esses. The project will begin on Monday, November 17, 2025, and will be ready for the 2026 season.

 

echnical Drawing of the Devil's Pass Addition coming to Thunderbolt Raceway in 2026
echnical Drawing of the Devil’s Pass Addition coming to Thunderbolt Raceway in 2026

 

 

Thunderbolt will feel like a whole new track to most with this new update. Do you have plans to update your 1.9-mile racetrack, Lightning Raceway, to meet the standard you set with Thunderbolt?

Scott: Originally, we had the Lightning Raceway scheduled for repaving in five to six years. But after several months of review and studies, and consulting with ownership, we are looking at estimated costs for completion after the 2027 season. After spending over $3.0M on the Thunderbolt Circuit we are hoping to give us a little time to recover. But the time is coming. In addition to repaving the racetrack, we are reviewing options to add daily garages to the Lightning paddock. Lightning is a fast and flowing course that often is overlooked when compared to Thunderbolt, so we are eager to give it the attention it deserves.

 

Adding daily garages to Lightning will definitely be a game changer for car and bike owners. Have you ever considered more long-term storage options?

Scott: Yes, we are working on approvals to develop Exotic Car Garages for the next ten to fifteen years. This will include an additional 96 units, four locations and twelve buildings. This master plan will include locations by Thunderbolt Bridge, Thunderbolt Front Straight and around the Lightning Raceway.

 

Why Exotic Car Garages over other alternatives or additions?

Scott: Those who are truly devoted to this lifestyle will understand that the Exotic Car Garages not only bring convenience, but comfort and dependability as well. These are more than garages to store your vehicle in, they are havens for car and bike owners to relax and work in while enjoying the proximity to the racetrack’s services. That is why we do it. To foster this community that seeks out NJMP over other tracks.

 

rtist Rendering of New Jersey Motorsports Park in approx. 2035.
rtist Rendering of New Jersey Motorsports Park in approx. 2035.

 

In your artist rendering of the future for NJMP there is a large business complex, can you tell me more about that?

Scott: That is NJMP’s Commercial Corner. These are premium commercial building lots that can range in size from 1-acre to 20-acre lots. Currently, there is one business in our Commercial Corner, but we are always accepting inquiries from interested motorsports-related businesses.

 

Over the years, NJMP’s go-karting offerings have grown with arrive-and-drive sessions, leagues, and even team endurance races. Is there anything new coming to your go-karting track in the future?

Scott: Next up would be the Tempest Karting track repave. The 1.1-mile track will require work in approximately four to six years. This will be up next after the Lightning Racetrack is complete.

 

I’m sure this is a question you have heard a few times over, but are you going to connect the tracks, Thunderbolt and Lightning?
Scott: No, that is a long story and would have been deadly for the survival of NJMP if we did in 2008.

 

Currently you offer road-racing races, off-track festivals and the occasional drift event. Do you have plans to include drag racing?

Scott: I would say no, but you never know. This is not on our short-term list of new projects.

 

With your tracks evolving and improving, will your policies evolve with them to allow electric vehicles on track?

Scott: We are looking at hybrid vehicles right now. We are waiting for new vehicle technology and want to make sure we are properly and safely prepared before we allow on our racetracks.

 

I’m sure you have heard the news in the motorsport’s community by now, and what do you think of the proposed racetrack at Badger field in Atlantic City which is located only an hour away from NJMP?

Scott: There are 100 other investments I would make with $4.3B. I will believe it when I see it.

 

Stay up to speed with NJMP by calling (856) 327-8000, visiting www.njmp.com or following on X: @NJMP, Instagram: @njmotorsportspark, and Facebook: @newjerseymotorsportspark . Or join their e-newsletter here.

Intro: 2025 Yamaha MT-07 Is A Benchmark Middleweight Standard

By Michael Gougis

The second time the handlebars got light in my hands, I realized that the ride was going to be entertaining. I was still in the parking lot at Yamaha’s Southern California campus, and I hadn’t even gotten to the exit gate yet.

Now, admittedly, part of this was due to how I’d packed the thing. The new 2025 MT-07 I’d borrowed for a ride up to the MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest at Monterey Presented by Law Tigers came with baggage–and no, I don’t mean the Yamaha employee who was coming along for a much-needed two-wheel getaway on another MT-07. Specifically, my ride had a hefty 34-liter tail case mounted high and far back, which when grossly overloaded by yours truly certainly contributed to the tendency of the front end to get light on the throttle. All on its own, the bike was peppy and responsive on the gas, and I was looking forward to the long ride on twisty roads and fast highways.

Exactly 888 miles and four days later, I was back at home, and I was still impressed by the newest (and heavily revised) version of Yamaha’s middleweight standard. I know, Yamaha calls it a hyper-naked, but there’s nothing hyper about 72.4 horsepower. But decades ago, basic street motorcycles used to be simple, capable of doing anything a rider asked reasonably well, and we called them standards. Think of the MT-07 as the spiritual descendant of the much-loved XJ550, or Seca, of the early 1980s. That middleweight Inline-4 served as a commuter, a tourer, and a pretty decent track bike. The new MT-07 did all of those things with aplomb during the time I had it.

 

The 2025 Yamaha MT-07 in Ice Storm. Photo courtesy Yamaha.

 

MT-07 Technical Overview

The core of the MT-07 is the twin-cylinder, 8-valve four-stroke DOHC CP2 engine used in a wide variety of Yamaha products. Yamaha claims 72.39 bhp at 8,750 rpm and 49.4 lbs.-ft. of torque at 6,500 rpm from the engine, which has a compression ratio of 11.5:1 and a 80mm x 68.6mm bore and stroke for a total displacement of 689cc. The intake is tuned to make cool induction noises; the 2-1 exhaust features a catalytic converter close to the header pipes to increase efficiency.

New stuff for the MT-07 in 2025 starts with the set of 41mm KYB forks, mated to a new tubular-steel chassis. Yamaha says the new frame is 13% stiffer torsionally, laterally and longitudinally, yet still weighs 32.6 pounds, the same as the previous frame it replaces. The forks and chassis are tuned to work with a new, asymmetrical steel swingarm. The riding position has changed, with the bars lower and closer to the rider, the pegs lower and the tank cover narrower where it meets the seat. Overall, the machine’s wet weight is down three pounds, to 403 pounds.

A new assisted/slipper clutch works with a light pull at the lever, and clutchless up- and down-shifting is available as an option. Changes in the transmission itself are designed to promote smooth shifting. A ride-by-wire throttle allows Yamaha to incorporate two ride modes–Street and Sport–and two levels of traction control, which can be switched off. Spin-forged aluminum-alloy wheels carry Dunlop Sportmax Q5A tires. The antilock brakes are upgraded to match those on the YZF-R7, with a pair of 11.8-inch discs in the front and a 9.6-inch disc in the rear. The front forks now carry a pair of radial-mounted four-piston ADVICS calipers. And the styling is all-new. Yamaha calls the stem-to-stern overhaul the biggest in the history of the MT-07.

For this ride, Yamaha threw on a couple of accessories that definitely helped, including heated grips, the aforementioned rear case, and a comfort seat for rider and passenger. Suggested retail for the base model, available in dealerships now, starts at $8,599.

 

Upright bars make turn-in effortless. Good tires and solid suspension make sporting riding enjoyable, even for a middleweight standard that wouldn’t be out of place in the hands of a newer rider. Photo by Karen E. Ott.

 

Riding The MT-07

Yamaha really does styling well. The bike I rode came in the Ice Storm livery, which has silver and black with light blue flashes that match the rims. It’s a little thing that Yamaha does, creating unique wheel colors that coordinate with the rest of the machine, and it really adds to the bike’s premium appearance.

Throw a leg over the MT-07 and the reach to the ground feels a bit tall; the seat height is listed at 31.7 inches. The assisted/slipper clutch is a joy, and shifting feels light and positive. The CP2 engine is happiest in the mid-range, spinning up quickly before running out of breath soon after tipping across the triple-digit mph mark. But massive top speed is not what buyers of an MT-07 are looking for. The throttle response is precise and easy to manage, with the mapping spot-on in both Street and Sport modes.

Ripping from construction zone to construction zone on Highway 33 (it was like interval training; ride like mad, sit and wait and bake in the heat, repeat until dehydrated) demonstrated that the chassis definitely feels stiffer than previous versions of the MT platform I’ve ridden. The front felt precise, and there was more than enough damping to keep the chassis stable during enthusiastic street cornering, even over some fairly rippled pavement. Coming back, I spent most of the ride on interstate highways, and some of the sharp expansion joints in the concrete sections were jarring. But that was a small price to pay for mid-corner stability in faster turns.

Like most upright bikes, corner tip-in took little effort, and the Dunlop tires were a very nice surprise for a bike in this market segment–these are tires that are well up to track use. After I got home, I spent some time riding the bike at a local kart track, where it’s all about flicking the bike quickly into corner after corner, and it became easier and easier to turn-in hard enough to grind the pegs with confidence. And the brakes proved more than adequate for any reasonable scenario.

The lack of wind protection was wearying after six straight hours on the bike, but that sort of abuse is well outside of the MT-07’s normal performance envelope. A rider planning to use the bike in that way should consider having a windscreen bolted on. The overall riding position was comfortable, and the seat provided welcome support after a long day of riding. And one little thing: The self-canceling turn signals are just so nice, even though I didn’t have the bike long enough to get used to the new rocker-type switch.

I mentioned the XJ550 Seca for a reason; back in the early 1980s, that bike would have occupied the same market segment as the MT-07. It’s fascinating to think about how far motorcycles have come since then. The Seca’s designers would still recognize the MT-07 as a motorcycle, but would be completely blown away by the technology, power, and performance of Yamaha’s most modern middleweight standard. The best part is that the MT-07 is a bargain comparable to the Seca. Adjusted for inflation, the 1981 Seca today would cost $8,944. Back then, you got a lot of bike for your money with the Seca. Today, you get the same with the $8,599 MT-07!

CIV: American Fernandez On The Podium Again (updated)

At the CIV Racing Night held at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli on July 27, 2025, American rider Jayden Fernandez continued to impress in the Aprilia RS 660 Trophy, following up on his debut win earlier in the season.

Jayden Fernandez:

“Back on the Box again! The race had a great start to it with me getting a great launch and positioning myself into second into turn 1 from 5th on the grid. From there I tried my best to stay with the leader but wasn’t making enough progress to catch up to him so the gap of about a second or so stayed stagnant, then another rider passed me into turn 2 in the beginning of the second lap. I tried to use this rider as a good measure to catch up to the front but couldn’t find the pace to do so. For most of the race I was around a second off of the first two guys up until the second or third to last lap where me and my teammate started to battle for third overall. On the last lap I did my best to keep him behind me but I ended up making a little mistake off the back straight and blew the turn. This allowed the fight to continue all the way to the line where I unfortunately lost out by 0.012 of a second. In the end it was a fun race to battle in and also quite a difficult race for me on the front end. We still have the lead in the championship and we will learn from this race and apply it to Imola. If my difficult weekends means 3rd place I think that’s pretty good! Thanks to the whole team for their hard work and support this weekend and hopefully we keep this podium streak going in Imola!

Also thanks to Mike Rinow with Inspection Specialties, Mike and Glenn from High Plains Raceway, Bob with Longmont Tire, KYT Helmets, TechSpec Tank Grips, Danny With American Supercamp, Bobby with Motorev Suspension, and ImI Motorsports Park”

 
 
Classifica di Classe Misano
Classifica Campionato

FIM Yamaha R3 BluCru: Chris Clark Maintains P2 in Championship Standings

Chris Clark put on another front running performance in the latest round of the 2025 FIM Yamaha R3 BLU CRU World Cup at the all-new Balaton Park circuit in Hungary this past weekend to enter the summer break second overall in the championship standings.

Quickly up to speed in Friday’s Free Practice, Chris put his Smrz Racing BGR Yamaha on the third row of the grid for race one after a strong Superpole saw him post the seventh fastest lap.

Saturday afternoon’s opening ten lap encounter saw Chris launch off the line well, moving into podium contention almost immediately. Running fourth, he unfortunately lost the slipstream towards the end of the race, but a valiant fight saw him fend off the chasing pack. He took fifth at the flag.

Starting twelfth in race two, the #5 once again ensured he was in contention for the podium throughout and whilst he crossed the line eighth, Chris again showed his skill and race craft throughout.

Chris’s results in Hungary means that he is now one of only five riders that can win the title.

He will now return home to the USA for a few weeks before returning to Europe in late August to attend the Yamaha Mastercamp event in Valencia, Spain, where he will join with several top Yamaha riders in a specially designed week-long event designed to further develop young talent. He is the first American rider to be selected for the event, underlying the potential seen in him by many well-respected individuals in the paddock.

Chris Clark: “Race one was good for me. I started seventh but was up to fifth by turn two. I was running alone in fourth for a little bit, but I lost contact with the leading three. I was then in big group and had to battle really hard. I knew we weren’t going to catch the leaders so my focus was then to score as many points as I could. I finished fifth which was good for the championship. It was possibly going to rain on Sunday but either way I was ready. Sunday wasn’t a complete disaster, but I was a little disappointed, however the main thing is am still second in the championship which I am happy about. I was confident for race two. I maintained by position off the start but was then in a huge group which I couldn’t pass as quickly as I had hoped. At the end my bike was too hot and lost power, and I had no real top speed to pass, even though I knew I was faster. Overall, it was another good weekend. I have the mastercamp coming up which I am so excited for and then a bit of a break until Aragon. I know it’s going to be a great end to the season. I want to thank the whole Smrz Racing BGR team, my mum, all my sponsors, my manager and everyone who is supporting me.”

 

Results R3 RACE 1
Results R3 RACE 2

 

ChampionshipStandings YAMAHA R3 CUP

Track Days Coming Up Soon (updated)

Sportbike Track Time. Photo by US129 Photos
Sportbike Track Time. Photo by US129 Photos

Next weekend, August 9-10, Sportbike Track Time is bringing you double the action at two incredible venues: Barber Motorsports Park and Putnam Park Road Course! Whether you’re chasing apexes in Alabama or carving corners in Indiana, we’ve got a thrilling track day experience waiting for you.

 

Northern Region: Putnam Park Road Course

Located about 45 minutes west of Indianapolis, this 1.78-mile track offers 10 corners and a long straightaway, providing a fantastic environment for riders to hone their skills.

Garages are available for rent, but they go fast! Overnight camping is not permitted, but you are welcome to leave your gear and bike at the track on Saturday evening if you’re riding with us both days.

Click the link below to grab your registrations today!

Saturday, August 9
All groups available

Sunday, August 10
All groups available

 

Southern Region: Barber Motorsports Park

Join us at the legendary Barber Motorsports Park for a two-day track spectacular! This world-class facility, known for its pristine grounds and challenging 2.38-mile layout, is a rider’s paradise. With over 80 feet of elevation change and a wide 45-foot track surface, it’s designed to push your limits and elevate your skills. Ride where the pros do and immerse yourself in the rich motorsports culture of Barber!

Special Rates: This event is STT’s Barber-on-a-budget weekend; all riders save $50 per registration!

Saturday, August 9
All groups available

Sunday, August 10
All groups available

 

Sportbike track time. Photo by SPImages
Sportbike track time. Photo by SPImages

 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

GINGERMAN RACEWAY
August 1 Bike Night

TALLADEGA GP
August 1
Novice class not offered
Race Certificate Class available

GRATTAN RACEWAY
August 2 – BACKWARDS
August 3 – BACKWARDS

PUTNAM PARK
August 9
August 10

BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK
August 9
August 10

ROAD AMERICA
August 11
August 12

GINGERMAN RACEWAY
August 15
August 16
1:1 Instruction available
Race Certificate Class available
August 17
1:1 Instruction available
Race Certificate Class available

 

More from a press release issued by EvolveGT:

August 1-3 Pittsburgh International Race Complex – 3 day event.

PITT RACE EVENT WAIVER HERE

Attendees, please fill this out before arriving

 

NEW DATE ADDED TO THE CALENDAR – something a little different.

August 29-30 – New Jersey Motorsports Park Thunderbolt

A special 4 rotation track day integrated into a race weekend with ASRA
2 sessions before lunch with 2 sessions after lunch, on Thunderbolt Saturday/Sunday
This is only open to Intermediate and Advance groups

TIME TRIALS
Time Trial event, this is open to track day riders and racers.
Event details, Schedule and rule book are on the ASRAracing webpage.

TIME TRIAL RULEBOOK

TIME TRIAL REGISTRAION

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

PITT RACE  – August 1-3

SUMMIT MAIN ASRA PRACTICE – August 8

PINEVIEW – August 16-17

ROAD ATLANTA – August 22

NCBIKE – August 30-31

NJMP “NEW special event” – August 30-31

 

More from a press release issued by Precision Track Days: 

Precision Track Days, the Southeast’s premier motorcycle track day organization, is turning up the heat this August with a thrilling 3-day weekend at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) from August 8–10. Riders from all over the region will have the rare opportunity to ride all three VIR configurations — Full Course Friday, North & South Courses Saturday and Sunday — in an event designed for both experienced racers and first-time track enthusiasts.

“This is our biggest event of the summer,” said Fahad Khan, Founder of PTD. “We’ve built something for everyone — from serious riders chasing lap times to beginners just getting their first taste of the track.” said Kevin Courtemanche, Co-owner of PTD

 

VIR Weekend Highlights:

  • 3 Track Configurations in 3 Days
  • 1-on-1 Coaching with top YCRS-trained instructors
  • Race School on Saturday — Get certified for WERA, ASRA, and PanAm
  • Giveaways: Sign up for 2+ days and enter to win a set of free Pirelli tires
  • Saturday Dinner On Us

  • Free Camping, Power & No Gate Fees

To top it off, riders who purchase the all-inclusive VIR package will receive a free track day at Carolina Motorsports Park (CMP) to use any time in 2025 — a $250+ value – limited to next 10 riders. 

 

The August Heatwave Continues

Atlanta Motorsports Park (AMP) – August 16–17

Next stop: Georgia. AMP is tight, technical, and packed with elevation changes. It’s the perfect place to level up your skills and ride with precision. Precision Track Days returns to AMP with 1-on-1 coaching, friendly vibes, and limited spots available.

National Corvette Museum (NCM) Motorsports Park – August 29-30–31

Rounding out the month is a 3 day ride at one of the most underrated tracks in the South. Located in Bowling Green, KY, NCM’s wide-open layout is ideal for high-speed thrills and perfecting your lines.

BONUS: Riders will have a unique opportunity to ride and get coached by MotoAmerica racer Max Van, who will be offering personalized insight, feedback, and 1-on-1 sessions throughout the weekend. Don’t miss the chance to learn from one of the best in the paddock.

 

About Precision Track Days

Precision Track Days creates unforgettable motorcycle experiences for riders of all skill levels. With a focus on safety, coaching, and community, precision track day offers premium track day events across the Southeast — with top-tier support, structured learning, and good vibes guaranteed.

To sign up or learn more about upcoming events, visit: https://precisiontrackday.org

EWC: Masson Aiming Higher As Suzuki Makes Its Return

Etienne Masson (0) on his Suzuki GSX-R1000R. Photo courtesy EWC.
Etienne Masson (0) on his Suzuki GSX-R1000R. Photo courtesy EWC.

Étienne Masson is banking on more than just a top five finish when Team Suzuki CN Challenge makes its second appearance in the FIM Endurance World Championship this week.

Following its groundbreaking EWC debut in the 45th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race in 2024 when a GSX-R1000R motorcycle was entered using 40 per cent bio-sourced fuel and several bio-friendly products, Team Suzuki CN Challenge will contest the 46th edition of the legendary Japanese event from 1-3 August utilising 100 per cent sustainable fuel. 

And world champion rider Masson has high hopes as Suzuki strives to achieve its stated goal of “both environmental load reduction and performance at a higher level to accelerate the development of environmental performance technologies through actual riding under severe conditions in endurance races”.

“All the goals have been revised upwards,” Masson said. “Last year, for our first time out, we finished eighth. This year, with an improved performance and team-mates, we’re obviously aiming higher. I think a top five finish would be a very good result. It would give credibility to the project and, who knows, it might inspire others.”

 

Etienne Masson. Photo courtesy EWC.
Etienne Masson. Photo courtesy EWC.

 

Masson returns to Suzuka with renewed belief as Team Suzuki CN Challenge goes for back-to-back victories in the Experimental category. “Suzuki had already asked me last year whether or not I wanted to continue my involvement in this project,” the Frenchman said. “Since it went really well and I really enjoyed working with the team, it was a no-brainer for me. I also knew they would have more time to work on the bike, given all the data we had collected during the race. You can feel all the experience they have in bike development. 

“Last year I really didn’t know what to expect, even though [team director] Sahara-san had reassured me about the bike’s potential. I was more worried about the tyre factor, which plays an important role in performance, but from the first few laps I felt it was performing well. After this first year, it was obviously a year to learn and discover, and this year will only be better.”

 

Etienne Masson (0) on his Suzuki GSX-R1000R. Photo courtesy EWC.
Etienne Masson (0) on his Suzuki GSX-R1000R. Photo courtesy EWC.

 

The switch to 100 per cent sustainable fuel is just one of the key developments for 2025, as Masson explained: “Last year we ran on gasoline with a 40 per cent biofuel content. This year it’s 100 per cent. So that’s a huge change for us riders, because the engine behaviour is really different. They’ve worked a lot on this with Takuya Tsuda, one of my team-mates [at Suzuka] in the All Japan Road Race Championship. The key point is the electronics because with this 100 per cent biofuel, the engine character is very aggressive, and we have to compensate with the electronics. That was our main focus during our two weeks of testing at Suzuka. 

“The other change is aerodynamics. Last year we had a little bit of it, this year we have a lot more. To put it simply, it’s the aerodynamics that were on the last Suzuki MotoGP bike. It makes the bike much more stable at high speeds.”

 

Suzuki GSX-R1000R. Photo courtesy EWC.
Suzuki GSX-R1000R. Photo courtesy EWC.

 

Team Suzuki CN Challenge has also tweaked its rider line-up for its second EWC appearance with the recruitment of Japan’s Takuya Tsuda and Spaniard Albert Arenas, who helped Yoshimura SERT Motul finish third overall at Suzuka in 2024.

“Tsuda is a rider with a lot of experience at Suzuka, but also on the Suzuki,” Masson said. “It’s great because we have the same feelings and our times are consistent. Then there’s Albert Arenas, who was called up to the SERT last year. His times should be pretty good too.”

 

Team Suzuki CN Challenge essentials: 

Motorcycle: Suzuki GSX-R1000R

Race number: #0

Fuel: TotalEnergies’ Excellium Racing 100 (100% certified* sustainable fuel)

Tyres: Bridgestone racing tyres with increased ratio of recycled and recyclable materials

Engine oil: Motul engine oil made using bio-sourced base oil

Fairings: JHI recycled carbon material (pre-preg material)

Fenders: Tras, Bcomp® (Unbleached natural flax fibre composite material)

Front brake: Sunstar Engineering non-heat treatment steel discs, Sunstar Engineering / Tokai Carbon low-dust pads

Battery: ELIIY Power LFP battery for motorcycle, storage battery for the garage

Silencer: Yoshimura Japan silencer made of TranTixxii™ -Eco (Eco-friendly titanium)

Team clothing: RS Taichi team polo shirt made of 100% recycled fabric

*Excellium Racing 100 is a certified 100% sustainable product according to the mass balanced system applied by a voluntary certification organisation approved by the European Union 
*”Bcomp” is a registered trademark of Switzerland Bcomp Ltd

The 46th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race takes place from 1-3 August. Click HERE for more information.

MotoAmerica: PS Squared Racing Will Miss VIR Round

Cory Ventura on his PS2 Racing Aprilia RSV4 1100 at Road Atlanta. Photo courtesy Brian J Nelson
Cory Ventura on his PS2 Racing Aprilia RSV4 1100 at Road Atlanta. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Cory Ventura Injured in Testing Crash; PS Squared Racing to Return at Mid-Ohio with Taylor Knapp on Aprilia RSV4.

July 29, 2025 – Alton Va — PS Squared Racing announces that rider Cory Ventura will be sidelined following a crash during a private test session, resulting in the team missing the upcoming MotoAmerica Stock 1000 round at VIRginia International Raceway (VIR).

“This is a tough setback,” said Ventura. “We’ve had a rough start to the season, but things were finally beginning to click and we were making real technical progress with the RSV4. It’s disappointing to step away now, but getting healthy has to come first. I’ll be supporting the team and look forward to coming back strong.”

PS Squared Racing will return to the grid at Mid-Ohio with veteran racer Taylor Knapp, a seasoned national competitor and test rider. Knapp has extensive experience across multiple superbike platforms and has worked closely with the Aprilia RSV4 in a testing and technical role, making him well-suited to contribute to the team’s ongoing development efforts.

“I’m excited to jump in with PS Squared Racing,” said Knapp. “I’ve spent time with the RSV4 in testing and I know what the platform is capable of. It’s a potent machine, and I’m looking forward to working with the crew to get the most out of it at Mid-Ohio.”

To further support the team’s momentum, Gene Burcham has joined as Team Manager, bringing strong operational leadership and technical depth. This addition allows Brandon Cole to focus exclusively on Crew Chief responsibilities, leading the on-track setup and performance strategy.

PS Squared Racing sincerely thanks its sponsors and partners for their continued support: Infinity Fall Protection, Imperial Sportbikes, PowerSport Supply and Piaggio Group / Aprilia.

We also thank our valued technical collaborators:

Robem Engineering, Motovation, SC Project, Vesrah, Dunlop, and Blud Lubricants.

Stay tuned for updates as PS Squared Racing resumes its 2025 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 campaign at Mid-Ohio.

AMA Celebrates Successful Vintage Motorcycle Days

Vintage motocross racer at 2025 Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days presented by Turn 14 Distribution. Photo credit: Mariah Lacy.
Vintage motocross racer at 2025 Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days presented by Turn 14 Distribution. Photo credit: Mariah Lacy.

Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days presented by Turn 14 Distribution — one of motorcycling’s largest single-weekend events, featuring National Championship vintage racing and North America’s largest motorcycle swap meet — brought tens of thousands of motorcyclists to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, on July 25-27.

Owned and organized by the American Motorcyclist Association and co-promoted by track owner Green-Savoree Racing Promotions, the annual event raises money for the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit that funds the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame’s mission to promote and preserve the history and heritage of motorcycling in America.

“AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days is the best weekend in American motorcycling, and it wouldn’t be possible without a long list of partners, sponsors, volunteers, AMA staff and supporters from all corners of motorcycling,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “We appreciate everyone who helped make this weekend possible, supporting our celebration of vintage bikes, community and freedom on two wheels.”

The Grand Marshal for the 33rd running of the event was AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer and 1982 500cc Motocross World Champion Brad Lackey, who spent time greeting fans, participating in question-and-answer sessions and signing autographs.

“Lackey was one of the defining motocross racers of the 1970s and ’80s, making him an excellent choice for Grand Marshal of this year’s AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days,” Dingman said. “Lackey exemplifies the spirit and excitement of the event, and it was an honor to have him lead many of the weekend’s festivities.”

 

Suzuki Named Marque of the Year for 2025 Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days Presented By Turn 14 Distribution. Photo credit Mariah Lacy.
Suzuki Was Named Marque of the Year for the 2025 Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days Presented By Turn 14 Distribution. Photo credit Mariah Lacy.

This year’s featured marque was Suzuki, and a couple impactful anniversaries were celebrated, including 50 years of Suzuki RMs — launched in 1975 with the original RM125 — and 40 years of GSX-Rs — represented by the first-generation GSX-R750 in 1985.

“Having Suzuki as the featured marque proved perfect, as this was the year to celebrate the anniversaries of both RMs and GSX-Rs,” said AMA Editorial Director Mitch Boehm. “Examples of both were on display in the AMA Hall of Fame tent, and we appreciate Suzuki being on site, as well as various friends of the AMA who brought bikes for our special Suzuki display this year.”

AMA Business Development Manager Michael Kula thanked the many companies who supported the event financially.

“A huge thank you to Permco, who was our title sponsor for the third year in a row,” Kula said. “We also appreciate Turn 14 Distribution, who was the event’s presenting sponsor. Other sponsors and vendors included Yamaha, B’laster, SSR Motorsports, Royal Enfield, Motorcycle Classics, All Balls Racing, Kenda Tire, American Motor Drome Company, Biltwell, Classic British Motorcycle Club, Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club, Motorcycles and Coffee, Skidmark Garage, Moto Motion, Mimi & Moto, STACYC, Iron Pony, Blendzall, Southern Honda Powersports, Legends and Heroes, Motorcycle Ohio, Liquid Labs, Diana Lemonade, Ryvid Motorcycles, Cometic Gasket, Klotz Lubricant, Brake Free, Mecum Auctions and Kabuto Helmets.

“Our friends at Suzuki, Yamaha, Royal Enfield and Harley-Davidson,” Kula continued, “also had demo bikes for attendees to test ride throughout the weekend. We can’t thank them — and all these companies — enough for their support, especially since the proceeds help support the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.”

AMA Chief Operating Officer James Holter expressed appreciation for the AMA’s most important operational partner for the event, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

“Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course has become synonymous with AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days for good reasons: few, if any, other facilities in the country could accommodate an event as diverse and expansive as this one has become,” Holter said. “That starts with the people on Mid-Ohio’s team, including owners Kevin Savoree and Kim Green, and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course President Craig Rust. I also would like to personally thank Security Manager Paul Alterio and Safety Manager Brian Sipes who every year go above and beyond to ensure AMA members and all event support staff are safe, entertained and free to have fun and do their jobs.”

 

2025 Swap Meet to be the Largest in AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days History. Photo credit Mariah Lacy.
The 2025 Swap Meet was the largest in AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days history, and the largest motorcycle swap meet in the country. Photo credit Mariah Lacy.

One of the elements of AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days that Mid-Ohio supports so well is the massive swap meet — the largest motorcycle swap meet in North America. The VMD swap meet was bigger than ever this year, selling out completely several days before the event.

AMA Marketing & Communications Director Joy Burgess thanked AMA members for helping make the event another grand success — as well as the AMA membership services team for providing excellent member service over the weekend.

“Our main goal at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days,” Burgess said, “is to put on an event that allows our members to enjoy the thrill and freedom of two wheels while celebrating the history of motorcycling. We enjoyed the chance to meet and hear from our members, and we appreciate all the members who attended, and the many new ones who joined.”

In addition to AMA President & CEO Rob Dingman, several other AMA Board members were in attendance volunteering and supporting the event, including Directors Brad Baumert, Maggie McNally, Chris Cox, Chandler McCallum and Faisel Zaman and former board members Mark Hosbach, Robert Pearce and Gary Pontius. They supported the event in racing, swap meet operations and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame collections management, among other activities.

Many AMA members, including AMA-chartered and partner organizations, also were involved as volunteers.

“More than 100 volunteers — including 75 AMA member volunteers, volunteers from the AMA-chartered Christian Motorcyclist Association and our partner Motorcycle Ohio — came out to help,” said AMA Membership Event and Program Manager Makenzi Martin. “We can’t thank them — as well as our AMA staff — enough for committing their time and efforts to make AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days a success.”

Vintage racing at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days is huge, with thousands of race entries every year in vintage motocross, trials, hare scrambles, flat track and road racing.

“This was one of the most successful AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days race programs ever,” said AMA Racing Manager Jeff Canfield, who oversaw the motocross and off-road activity. “We could not execute for so many racers in so many disciplines without the help of a number of partner organizations and volunteers.”

Canfield thanked AMA Volunteers, Baja MX Incorporated, the Christian Motorcycle Association, Log Road MX, Mandi Mastin, Trials Inc., WERA, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and staff, the Bagger Racing League, eScore Electronic Event Scoring, Kevin Kelly, RaceLine Ministry, Acerbis, MotoAmerica and the Roadracing World Action Fund for soft barriers along the road race course.

For flat track racing, Canfield thanked the Ashland County Fairgrounds, Baer Racing, and the flaggers and officials that helped make the race a success.

AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days is the country’s premier celebration of vintage motorcycles and one of the largest single-weekend motorcycle events each summer. To learn more about AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, read stories from the event and see photos, visitVintageMotorcycleDays.com. 

 

 

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.

Motul MiniGP Canada: Rain Stops Races at Brechin

Practice action for the opening FIM World Final MiniGP qualifying event at Brechin Motorsport Park, with the No. 152 REV Scholarship Ohvale of Tommy Molnar leading No. 111 Surge Racing entry of Eric Sergi and the No. 91 of Ethan Reardon. Molnar crashed early in the second of two Qualifying sessions, and required medical attention before rain arrived and forced cancellation of the event. Unfortunately, Molnar was slated to be one of the young racers representing Canada at an invitational event in China this week.
FIM World Final MiniGP qualifying event at Brechin Motorsport Park, with the No. 152 REV Scholarship Ohvale of Tommy Molnar leading No. 111 Surge Racing entry of Eric Sergi and the No. 91 of Ethan Reardon.

The 2025 Motul MiniGP tour was scheduled to open under the lights in conjunction with a Go Kart event at Brechin Motorsports Park on Saturday evening, July 26, but a variety of issues forced the cancellation of the event.

The scheduled activities were running according to plan until the second of two Qualifying sessions, when Tommy Molnar of Port Coquitlam, British Columbia fell from his REV Scholarship Ohvale and required medical attention. This delayed the schedule, and then rain arrived, flooding portions of the track.

Later, it was confirmed that Molnar had broken his wrist and ankle.

With events scheduled to run into the evening, under the track’s lights, the decision was made to cancel both the two-wheeled and four-wheeled activities.

MiniGP organizer Toni Sharpless, the Hall of Famer who runs the Super Sonic Road Racing School, confirmed that e[orts would be made to replace the races, but a hectic schedule means this will be di[icult, particularly with competitors travelling to events from across Canada.

As well, several of the front runners are competing in China this week as part of an Ohvale event to launch a new circuit in Guangzhou.

Prior to these unfortunate events, the planned two races were shaping up as a good battle between several young competitors. Ethan Reardon, age 10, of Calgary, Alberta, was fastest in Q1 with a lap at 40.45 seconds, just ahead of impressive first year racer Stefan Tanasic of Almira, ON, recent Shannonville winner, at 41.11 on the TAS Racing Ohvale.

Pre-race favorite, Arnprior, ON. based Jager Stockill, 12-years-old, a representative for Canada in Aragon, Spain last fall, was third best in Q1 at 41.5 with the 613 Motorsports Ohvale 160.

 

The No. 20 Bridgestone CSBK Scholarship Ohvale entry of Martina Cardenas (age 10) of Maple Ridge, B.C., leads the No. 15 TAS Racing Ohvale of rookie Stefan Tanasic (age 14) onto the front straight at Brechin Motorsports Park during practice for round one of the Motul MiniGP Nationals.
The No. 20 Bridgestone CSBK Scholarship Ohvale entry of Martina Cardenas (age 10) of Maple Ridge, B.C., leads the No. 15 TAS Racing Ohvale of rookie Stefan Tanasic (age 14) onto the front straight at Brechin Motorsports Park during practice for round one of the Motul MiniGP Nationals.

Fourth went to Martina Cardenas from Maple Ridge, B.C., a star of the west coast Mini Racing scene at Greg Moore Raceway in Chilliwack, B.C. Now old enough at age10 to join the series, Cardenas lapped in Q1 at 42.67, just ahead of Eric Sergi (age 14) of Aris, On., on the Surge Racing Ohvale at 44.00.

Q2 only lasted a few minutes, so a grid based on combined times was never created. Reardon was quickest in the early going, dropping the lead pace with a lap at 41.17 seconds – not quite to the Q1 pace. The running order for Q2 was completed at the front by Tanasic, Cardenas (already about a tenth of a second faster than in her opening session) and Mateen O’Brien of Etobicoke, ON.

MiniGP will participate at the RACEMoto Regional event at Shannonville Motorsport Park this weekend, on Saturday, August 2, with the next National round slated for Lombardy Raceway, north of Kingston, ON, August 22-23.

MotoAmerica Preview: Superbikes Head To Virginia

Josh Herrin and his Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati arrive at VIRginia International Raceway with a 31-point lead in the 2025 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship. Photo by Brian J. Nelson
Josh Herrin and his Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati arrive at VIRginia International Raceway with a 31-point lead in the 2025 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship. Photo by Brian J. Nelson
Will Cameron Beaubier And The Red-Hot Bobby Fong Claw Back Josh Herrin In Run For 2025 MotoAmerica Superbike Crown In Virginia?
 
IRVINE, CA (July 29, 2025) – The last time MotoAmerica made a stop at VIRginia International Raceway, Josh Herrin left Alton with a 31-point lead in the Supersport Championship he would ultimately win. After a two-year hiatus, MotoAmerica returns to VIR with Herrin atop the 2025 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship by… 31 points.
 

In May of 2022, VIRginia International Raceway hosted the second round of the MotoAmerica Championship. In 2025, VIR is round number six, and Herrin’s 31-point lead comes after 11 impressive races for the defending MotoAmerica Superbike Champion and his Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R.

How impressive? Well, Herrin has won five of the 11 races with five additional podiums (two seconds and three thirds). Herrin’s only non-podium finish came way back in the opening round of the 2025 series at Road Atlanta when he finished fifth. Since then, he’s been virtually unstoppable.

 

Key word: virtually.

If you can call two second-place finishes in a row a chink in the armor, then Herrin now has the tiniest of chinks. After winning five in a row, including the first of three races in the most recent round at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Herrin was beaten in races two and three at Laguna Seca by Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Bobby Fong.

Bobby Fong (50). Photo by Michael Gougis.

 

Fong showed that he’s a force to be reckoned with after finishing second to Herrin in race one and then beating the championship leader in races two and three. The two wins were the first of the year for Fong, and he adds those to his five runner-up finishes. In total, it puts him 37 points behind Herrin in the championship, but there’s plenty left to play for, and the two VIRginia International Raceway races may prove to be pivotal in the ’25 title chase. Fong, however, has an 11th and an eighth-place finish on his scorecard, and he can’t afford any more lackluster finishes as the series heats up in the dog days of summer.

Fong’s strong Laguna Seca weekend puts him just six points behind Tytlers Cycle Racing’s Cameron Beaubier. Surprisingly, Beaubier came out of the Laguna Seca round, his home race, with just two thirds and a sixth-place finish after remounting from a crash out of the lead in race one. Everyone expected more of Beaubier at Laguna. No one more so than Beaubier himself.

 

Cameron Beaubier (6). Photo by Michael Gougis.

 

This weekend’s two races at VIR are by no means must-win races for Beaubier, but we’re getting close to that. Neither he nor Fong can allow Herrin to come into Alton and win both Superbike races.

Fong’s teammate Jake Gagne could prove to be a bit of a spoiler as the championship heats up. The three-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion heads to VIR with the knowledge and confidence of having won the last two Superbike races in Virginia in 2022. He’s also the only rider other than Herrin, Beaubier, and Fong to have won a Superbike race in 2025. Gagne continues to get stronger, and he is coming off a third, a fifth, and a fourth in the three races at Laguna Seca. Gagne is fourth in the title chase, but 59 points behind Herrin.

 

Richie Escalante (54). Photo by Michael Gougis.

Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Richie Escalante seems to be stuck in the rut of finishing somewhere between fourth and sixth, though he does have a third-place finish in his points tally from Road America. Escalante’s only non-finish was in the first race of the season, and he sits in a solid fifth, 22 points ahead of Real Steel Honda’s JD Beach.

Although Beach’s main goal is to win the MotoAmerica Superbike Cup for those competing on Stock 1000-spec motorcycles, he’s proving to be a thorn in the side of many a Superbike rider. At Laguna Seca, Beach was fourth, eighth, and sixth.

Somewhat surprisingly, Beach is nine points ahead of his Honda CBR1000RR-R SP Superbike-mounted teammate Hayden Gillim. Gillim’s Laguna Seca weekend was one to bury somewhere that he never sees it again. Over the course of the three races, Gillim only scored 17 points, and we shouldn’t even bring up the fact that he appeared to be on the road to two Mission King Of The Baggers wins when he suffered mechanical failures in both.

Sean Dylan Kelly’s season has sort of derailed after a start to the year when he finished fourth in four straight races on his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki. The results have plummeted downhill since then with his fourth-place finish in race two at Laguna Seca bookended by crashes in race one and three. Kelly sits five points behind Gillim.

BPR Racing’s Bryce Kornbau and FLO4LAW/SBU Racing’s Benjamin Smith are ninth and 10th, respectively, in the title chase as the series arrives in Virginia. Smith has non-finishes in three of the past five races and is just a single point behind Kornbau.

 

Pre-VIR Notes…

Jake Gagne was on a hot streak the last time MotoAmerica visited VIRginia International Raceway in 2022, and he kept the ball rolling with two Superbike wins on the 3.27-mile racetrack. Gagne topped Mathew Scholtz in both races, with Danilo Petrucci, who had won the first three races to start the season, and Cameron Petersen splitting thirds in the two races.

The Superbike lap record goes way back to 2008 at VIRginia International Raceway, with Ben Spies ripping off a 1:23.403 on his Yoshimura Suzuki. The current race lap record, however, is held by Jake Gagne with his 1:24.109 set in race two in 2022.

The first-ever AMA Superbike race at VIRginia International Raceway in 2001 was won by the late Nicky Hayden, the 2002 AMA Superbike Champion and 2006 MotoGP World Champion, backing that up with a second victory at VIR in 2002.

With his five wins thus far in 2025, Josh Herrin now has 21 career AMA Superbike victories. His 21st victory moved him out of a tie with Fred Merkel and into eighth place on the all-time AMA Superbike win list.

Cameron Beaubier and Josh Hayes are still both tied for the all-time lead in AMA wins across all classes with 89 victories apiece.

The last time MotoAmerica visited VIR was in 2022, and the then 47-year-old Josh Hayes won Supersport race one, beating 16-year-old Tyler Scott and 17-year-old Rocco Landers

 
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, Talent Cup, Super Hooligan National Championship, 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 MotoAmerica’s social platforms on FacebookInstagramTikTokTwitter, and YouTube. To watch all things MotoAmerica, subscribe to MotoAmerica’s live streaming and video on-demand service, MotoAmerica Live+ 
 
 

NJMP Announces 10-Year Master Plan For The South Jersey Racetrack Facility

Artist Rendering of New Jersey Motorsports Park in approx. 2035. Photo courtesy New Jersey Motorsports Park.
Artist Rendering of New Jersey Motorsports Park in approx. 2035. Photo courtesy New Jersey Motorsports Park.

New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP) releases new information on its 10-year master plan for the racetrack’s future in a one-on-one interview with the company President and COO, Brad Scott.

NJMP in Millville, NJ, has come a long way since its inception in 2008. Today the park includes two world-class road courses, Thunderbolt and Lightning Raceway, two motorsports country club membership programs for cars and motorcycles, and one of the top outdoor karting complexes in the U.S. – Tempest Raceway.  NJMP continues to develop commercial and private real estate opportunities including its Exotic Car Garage private garage condominiums and more.

 

What is next for New Jersey Motorsports in the near future?

Scott: Currently we are working on Phase XIII and IX of our Exotic Car Garage project. Each building will consist of seven units each and when complete it will total 64 completed Exotic Car Garages and eight Villas around our iconic Thunderbolt Raceway. This project is expected to finish in spring 2026.

 

Speaking of Thunderbolt Raceway, when the track was completely repaved in 2023 there was talk of a new course configuration. Are there any updates on when riders and drivers can expect to see this addition?

Scott: We will begin the new track configuration project on the Thunderbolt Circuit called the Devil’s Pass at the conclusion of the 2025 season. This additional track option will add greater passing zones and alternatives to avoid the Esses. The project will begin on Monday, November 17, 2025, and will be ready for the 2026 season.

 

echnical Drawing of the Devil's Pass Addition coming to Thunderbolt Raceway in 2026
echnical Drawing of the Devil’s Pass Addition coming to Thunderbolt Raceway in 2026

 

 

Thunderbolt will feel like a whole new track to most with this new update. Do you have plans to update your 1.9-mile racetrack, Lightning Raceway, to meet the standard you set with Thunderbolt?

Scott: Originally, we had the Lightning Raceway scheduled for repaving in five to six years. But after several months of review and studies, and consulting with ownership, we are looking at estimated costs for completion after the 2027 season. After spending over $3.0M on the Thunderbolt Circuit we are hoping to give us a little time to recover. But the time is coming. In addition to repaving the racetrack, we are reviewing options to add daily garages to the Lightning paddock. Lightning is a fast and flowing course that often is overlooked when compared to Thunderbolt, so we are eager to give it the attention it deserves.

 

Adding daily garages to Lightning will definitely be a game changer for car and bike owners. Have you ever considered more long-term storage options?

Scott: Yes, we are working on approvals to develop Exotic Car Garages for the next ten to fifteen years. This will include an additional 96 units, four locations and twelve buildings. This master plan will include locations by Thunderbolt Bridge, Thunderbolt Front Straight and around the Lightning Raceway.

 

Why Exotic Car Garages over other alternatives or additions?

Scott: Those who are truly devoted to this lifestyle will understand that the Exotic Car Garages not only bring convenience, but comfort and dependability as well. These are more than garages to store your vehicle in, they are havens for car and bike owners to relax and work in while enjoying the proximity to the racetrack’s services. That is why we do it. To foster this community that seeks out NJMP over other tracks.

 

rtist Rendering of New Jersey Motorsports Park in approx. 2035.
rtist Rendering of New Jersey Motorsports Park in approx. 2035.

 

In your artist rendering of the future for NJMP there is a large business complex, can you tell me more about that?

Scott: That is NJMP’s Commercial Corner. These are premium commercial building lots that can range in size from 1-acre to 20-acre lots. Currently, there is one business in our Commercial Corner, but we are always accepting inquiries from interested motorsports-related businesses.

 

Over the years, NJMP’s go-karting offerings have grown with arrive-and-drive sessions, leagues, and even team endurance races. Is there anything new coming to your go-karting track in the future?

Scott: Next up would be the Tempest Karting track repave. The 1.1-mile track will require work in approximately four to six years. This will be up next after the Lightning Racetrack is complete.

 

I’m sure this is a question you have heard a few times over, but are you going to connect the tracks, Thunderbolt and Lightning?
Scott: No, that is a long story and would have been deadly for the survival of NJMP if we did in 2008.

 

Currently you offer road-racing races, off-track festivals and the occasional drift event. Do you have plans to include drag racing?

Scott: I would say no, but you never know. This is not on our short-term list of new projects.

 

With your tracks evolving and improving, will your policies evolve with them to allow electric vehicles on track?

Scott: We are looking at hybrid vehicles right now. We are waiting for new vehicle technology and want to make sure we are properly and safely prepared before we allow on our racetracks.

 

I’m sure you have heard the news in the motorsport’s community by now, and what do you think of the proposed racetrack at Badger field in Atlantic City which is located only an hour away from NJMP?

Scott: There are 100 other investments I would make with $4.3B. I will believe it when I see it.

 

Stay up to speed with NJMP by calling (856) 327-8000, visiting www.njmp.com or following on X: @NJMP, Instagram: @njmotorsportspark, and Facebook: @newjerseymotorsportspark . Or join their e-newsletter here.

Intro: 2025 Yamaha MT-07 Is A Benchmark Middleweight Standard

A new chassis, new swingarm, ride-by-wire throttle, new electronic rider aids and new inverted forks are among the biggest changes Yamaha has made to the MT-07 for 2025. Photo by Karen E. Ott.

By Michael Gougis

The second time the handlebars got light in my hands, I realized that the ride was going to be entertaining. I was still in the parking lot at Yamaha’s Southern California campus, and I hadn’t even gotten to the exit gate yet.

Now, admittedly, part of this was due to how I’d packed the thing. The new 2025 MT-07 I’d borrowed for a ride up to the MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest at Monterey Presented by Law Tigers came with baggage–and no, I don’t mean the Yamaha employee who was coming along for a much-needed two-wheel getaway on another MT-07. Specifically, my ride had a hefty 34-liter tail case mounted high and far back, which when grossly overloaded by yours truly certainly contributed to the tendency of the front end to get light on the throttle. All on its own, the bike was peppy and responsive on the gas, and I was looking forward to the long ride on twisty roads and fast highways.

Exactly 888 miles and four days later, I was back at home, and I was still impressed by the newest (and heavily revised) version of Yamaha’s middleweight standard. I know, Yamaha calls it a hyper-naked, but there’s nothing hyper about 72.4 horsepower. But decades ago, basic street motorcycles used to be simple, capable of doing anything a rider asked reasonably well, and we called them standards. Think of the MT-07 as the spiritual descendant of the much-loved XJ550, or Seca, of the early 1980s. That middleweight Inline-4 served as a commuter, a tourer, and a pretty decent track bike. The new MT-07 did all of those things with aplomb during the time I had it.

 

The 2025 Yamaha MT-07 in Ice Storm. Photo courtesy Yamaha.

 

MT-07 Technical Overview

The core of the MT-07 is the twin-cylinder, 8-valve four-stroke DOHC CP2 engine used in a wide variety of Yamaha products. Yamaha claims 72.39 bhp at 8,750 rpm and 49.4 lbs.-ft. of torque at 6,500 rpm from the engine, which has a compression ratio of 11.5:1 and a 80mm x 68.6mm bore and stroke for a total displacement of 689cc. The intake is tuned to make cool induction noises; the 2-1 exhaust features a catalytic converter close to the header pipes to increase efficiency.

New stuff for the MT-07 in 2025 starts with the set of 41mm KYB forks, mated to a new tubular-steel chassis. Yamaha says the new frame is 13% stiffer torsionally, laterally and longitudinally, yet still weighs 32.6 pounds, the same as the previous frame it replaces. The forks and chassis are tuned to work with a new, asymmetrical steel swingarm. The riding position has changed, with the bars lower and closer to the rider, the pegs lower and the tank cover narrower where it meets the seat. Overall, the machine’s wet weight is down three pounds, to 403 pounds.

A new assisted/slipper clutch works with a light pull at the lever, and clutchless up- and down-shifting is available as an option. Changes in the transmission itself are designed to promote smooth shifting. A ride-by-wire throttle allows Yamaha to incorporate two ride modes–Street and Sport–and two levels of traction control, which can be switched off. Spin-forged aluminum-alloy wheels carry Dunlop Sportmax Q5A tires. The antilock brakes are upgraded to match those on the YZF-R7, with a pair of 11.8-inch discs in the front and a 9.6-inch disc in the rear. The front forks now carry a pair of radial-mounted four-piston ADVICS calipers. And the styling is all-new. Yamaha calls the stem-to-stern overhaul the biggest in the history of the MT-07.

For this ride, Yamaha threw on a couple of accessories that definitely helped, including heated grips, the aforementioned rear case, and a comfort seat for rider and passenger. Suggested retail for the base model, available in dealerships now, starts at $8,599.

 

Upright bars make turn-in effortless. Good tires and solid suspension make sporting riding enjoyable, even for a middleweight standard that wouldn’t be out of place in the hands of a newer rider. Photo by Karen E. Ott.

 

Riding The MT-07

Yamaha really does styling well. The bike I rode came in the Ice Storm livery, which has silver and black with light blue flashes that match the rims. It’s a little thing that Yamaha does, creating unique wheel colors that coordinate with the rest of the machine, and it really adds to the bike’s premium appearance.

Throw a leg over the MT-07 and the reach to the ground feels a bit tall; the seat height is listed at 31.7 inches. The assisted/slipper clutch is a joy, and shifting feels light and positive. The CP2 engine is happiest in the mid-range, spinning up quickly before running out of breath soon after tipping across the triple-digit mph mark. But massive top speed is not what buyers of an MT-07 are looking for. The throttle response is precise and easy to manage, with the mapping spot-on in both Street and Sport modes.

Ripping from construction zone to construction zone on Highway 33 (it was like interval training; ride like mad, sit and wait and bake in the heat, repeat until dehydrated) demonstrated that the chassis definitely feels stiffer than previous versions of the MT platform I’ve ridden. The front felt precise, and there was more than enough damping to keep the chassis stable during enthusiastic street cornering, even over some fairly rippled pavement. Coming back, I spent most of the ride on interstate highways, and some of the sharp expansion joints in the concrete sections were jarring. But that was a small price to pay for mid-corner stability in faster turns.

Like most upright bikes, corner tip-in took little effort, and the Dunlop tires were a very nice surprise for a bike in this market segment–these are tires that are well up to track use. After I got home, I spent some time riding the bike at a local kart track, where it’s all about flicking the bike quickly into corner after corner, and it became easier and easier to turn-in hard enough to grind the pegs with confidence. And the brakes proved more than adequate for any reasonable scenario.

The lack of wind protection was wearying after six straight hours on the bike, but that sort of abuse is well outside of the MT-07’s normal performance envelope. A rider planning to use the bike in that way should consider having a windscreen bolted on. The overall riding position was comfortable, and the seat provided welcome support after a long day of riding. And one little thing: The self-canceling turn signals are just so nice, even though I didn’t have the bike long enough to get used to the new rocker-type switch.

I mentioned the XJ550 Seca for a reason; back in the early 1980s, that bike would have occupied the same market segment as the MT-07. It’s fascinating to think about how far motorcycles have come since then. The Seca’s designers would still recognize the MT-07 as a motorcycle, but would be completely blown away by the technology, power, and performance of Yamaha’s most modern middleweight standard. The best part is that the MT-07 is a bargain comparable to the Seca. Adjusted for inflation, the 1981 Seca today would cost $8,944. Back then, you got a lot of bike for your money with the Seca. Today, you get the same with the $8,599 MT-07!

CIV: American Fernandez On The Podium Again (updated)

Jayden Fernandez and his crew celebrate P3 at Misano. Photo courtesy Fernandez Racing.
Jayden Fernandez and his crew celebrate P3 at Misano. Photo courtesy Fernandez Racing.

At the CIV Racing Night held at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli on July 27, 2025, American rider Jayden Fernandez continued to impress in the Aprilia RS 660 Trophy, following up on his debut win earlier in the season.

Jayden Fernandez:

“Back on the Box again! The race had a great start to it with me getting a great launch and positioning myself into second into turn 1 from 5th on the grid. From there I tried my best to stay with the leader but wasn’t making enough progress to catch up to him so the gap of about a second or so stayed stagnant, then another rider passed me into turn 2 in the beginning of the second lap. I tried to use this rider as a good measure to catch up to the front but couldn’t find the pace to do so. For most of the race I was around a second off of the first two guys up until the second or third to last lap where me and my teammate started to battle for third overall. On the last lap I did my best to keep him behind me but I ended up making a little mistake off the back straight and blew the turn. This allowed the fight to continue all the way to the line where I unfortunately lost out by 0.012 of a second. In the end it was a fun race to battle in and also quite a difficult race for me on the front end. We still have the lead in the championship and we will learn from this race and apply it to Imola. If my difficult weekends means 3rd place I think that’s pretty good! Thanks to the whole team for their hard work and support this weekend and hopefully we keep this podium streak going in Imola!

Also thanks to Mike Rinow with Inspection Specialties, Mike and Glenn from High Plains Raceway, Bob with Longmont Tire, KYT Helmets, TechSpec Tank Grips, Danny With American Supercamp, Bobby with Motorev Suspension, and ImI Motorsports Park”

 
 
Classifica di Classe Misano
Classifica Campionato

FIM Yamaha R3 BluCru: Chris Clark Maintains P2 in Championship Standings

Chris Clark in action on his Yamaha R3 at Balaton Park Circuit. Photo courtesy Chris Clark Racing.
Chris Clark in action on his Yamaha R3 at Balaton Park Circuit. Photo courtesy Chris Clark Racing.

Chris Clark put on another front running performance in the latest round of the 2025 FIM Yamaha R3 BLU CRU World Cup at the all-new Balaton Park circuit in Hungary this past weekend to enter the summer break second overall in the championship standings.

Quickly up to speed in Friday’s Free Practice, Chris put his Smrz Racing BGR Yamaha on the third row of the grid for race one after a strong Superpole saw him post the seventh fastest lap.

Saturday afternoon’s opening ten lap encounter saw Chris launch off the line well, moving into podium contention almost immediately. Running fourth, he unfortunately lost the slipstream towards the end of the race, but a valiant fight saw him fend off the chasing pack. He took fifth at the flag.

Starting twelfth in race two, the #5 once again ensured he was in contention for the podium throughout and whilst he crossed the line eighth, Chris again showed his skill and race craft throughout.

Chris’s results in Hungary means that he is now one of only five riders that can win the title.

He will now return home to the USA for a few weeks before returning to Europe in late August to attend the Yamaha Mastercamp event in Valencia, Spain, where he will join with several top Yamaha riders in a specially designed week-long event designed to further develop young talent. He is the first American rider to be selected for the event, underlying the potential seen in him by many well-respected individuals in the paddock.

Chris Clark: “Race one was good for me. I started seventh but was up to fifth by turn two. I was running alone in fourth for a little bit, but I lost contact with the leading three. I was then in big group and had to battle really hard. I knew we weren’t going to catch the leaders so my focus was then to score as many points as I could. I finished fifth which was good for the championship. It was possibly going to rain on Sunday but either way I was ready. Sunday wasn’t a complete disaster, but I was a little disappointed, however the main thing is am still second in the championship which I am happy about. I was confident for race two. I maintained by position off the start but was then in a huge group which I couldn’t pass as quickly as I had hoped. At the end my bike was too hot and lost power, and I had no real top speed to pass, even though I knew I was faster. Overall, it was another good weekend. I have the mastercamp coming up which I am so excited for and then a bit of a break until Aragon. I know it’s going to be a great end to the season. I want to thank the whole Smrz Racing BGR team, my mum, all my sponsors, my manager and everyone who is supporting me.”

 

Results R3 RACE 1
Results R3 RACE 2

 

ChampionshipStandings YAMAHA R3 CUP
0FansLike
0FollowersFollow
0FollowersFollow
1,620SubscribersSubscribe

Latest Posts