Redline-Moto Warming Up For 2023 MotoAmerica Championship
Performance Tire Warmer Company Is Now An Official Partner Of The 2023 MotoAmerica Championship
IRVINE, CA (February 6, 2023) – MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is pleased to announce that performance tire warmer company Redline-Moto is now an official partner of the 2023 MotoAmerica Championship.
Performance tire warmer company Redline-Moto is now an official partner of the 2023 MotoAmerica Championship.
Redline-Moto designs and produces fully digital, fully adjustable, and fully affordable performance tire warmers for professional road racing. Redline-Moto tire warmers have been purpose built to provide rapid and accurate heating via a digital controller, which allows for temperature adjustments within a tenth of a degree and a large heating range up to 240 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, emphasis was placed in positioning additional heating elements on the sides of the tire to help ensure edge grip.
The warmers are designed to fit large diameter tires (200/65) used in most road racing series.
“We want to welcome Redline-Moto as a sponsorship partner of our series,” said Lance Bryson, MotoAmerica’s Director of Sponsorship. “Obviously, our teams use tire warmers and so do a lot of our fans who take part in local racing events and/or track days. Having Redline-Moto onboard as a sponsor is a natural fit on many levels.”
“The initial goal for Redline has always been to provide to provide riders with products they can trust, from track days to professional racing,” said Redline-Moto’s owner Zach Butler. “We are excited to join MotoAmerica and bring our tire warmers to the incredible talent in the United States.”
For more information, visit www.redline-moto.com.
About MotoAmerica
MotoAmerica is North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series. Established in 2014, MotoAmerica is home to the AMA Superbike Championship as well as additional classes including Supersport, Stock 1000, Twins Cup, Junior Cup, and King Of The Baggers. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership including three-time 500cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey; ex-racer and former manager of Team Roberts Chuck Aksland; motorsports marketing executive Terry Karges; and businessman Richard Varner. For more information, please visit www.MotoAmerica.com and follow MotoAmerica on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube.
SWG Motorsports is proud to announce our partnership with Carl Soltisz and Super Carl Racing for the 2023 MotoAmerica SuperSport season.
“We have been looking forward to this day for months. We just kept putting things in place to make this happen. To have a veteran Pro racer like Carl not just believing in our mission but wanting to take part in its success is a huge opportunity I just couldn’t pass up. I can’t wait to get the season started and look forward to seeing our team achieving success!” says team owner AJ Gustafson.
Carl Soltisz commented: “I am very excited to be teaming up with SWG Motorsports for the 2023 MotoAmerica Supersport championship and the Daytona 200! I got to know AJ well last season since we were always running into each other at the track during my private coaching events. I also have a good relationship with Scott, having worked with him last year. When we all got to talking, it was clear that we shared a lot of the same goals and priorities when it comes to racing; having a strong focus on fun, striving for constant personal improvement, winning as often as we can, helping the sport grow, and setting a good example for the next generation of riders. Teaming up to achieve these goals by sharing our combined experience and resources was the natural choice. I’m looking forward to being a big part of the team’s growth and achieving some great race results in the process! I want to thank AJ and Scott for putting all this together, Chris Ulrich for providing me with the Next Generation-spec Team Hammer-prepared Suzuki GSX-R750 to race, Mark Junge for all his assistance with planning/setup, and lastly, all our amazing sponsors/fans for supporting us this season! In terms of team, bike, and rider, I think we’ve assembled the most competitive package yet and the only thing left for me to do now is SEND IT!”
SWG Motorsports, a family-owned and -operated race team, has been involved in MotoAmerica racing for the last five years, and has had a Mini Cup team involved for the last three years. In 2023, SWG Motorsports added principal members Scott Nelson and Kevin Boda to continue growth and capacity.
Scott “Scotty” Nelson, Co-Owner, has been involved in motorcycle racing for almost 30 years, from racing YSR’s to competing in a MotoAmerica Twins Cup race at the age of 57. More recently, he has been the owner of an ULW and a LW endurance team. He has also been involved in the MotoAmerica paddock in various capacities in the last three years.
Scotty: “Now that I’m old and slow, I’m putting my experience to use with this new MotoAmerica team. I’m an operations and logistics expert. Which means I drive the rig and get it to the races on time. I’m totally stoked for the 2023 season and am looking forward to providing some top notch support for some top notch riders.”
Kevin Boda has been club racing for the past decade. His recent years have focused on endurance racing with a championship-winning lightweight team finishing in the top three over the past five seasons. For the past few years, he has also attended the majority of MotoAmerica rounds, whether competing in the Twins Cup, helping other friends and teams in the paddock, or just enjoying being a spectator.
Kevin: “I’m excited to offer a unique new model to MotoAmerica riders with AJ and Scotty. Each of us brings different experiences and complementary skills to the effort, and my professional background in financial market risk management provides a diverse perspective.”
Kawasaki Puccetti Racing presented its 2023 line-up on Sunday 5 February in Reggio Emilia, Italy.
It was a wonderful evening, which took place in the distinguished setting of “Ruote da Sogno”, with its vintage cars and motorcycles. The event provided sponsors of Manuel Puccetti’s team with the opportunity to meet the team members, not least the riders – or rather the re-confirmed Can Öncü and “new-entry” Tom Sykes; a perfect combination that sees the young and emerging rider paired with a former WorldSBK champion, who brings his talent and great experience to the team.
The duo unveiled the liveries of their ZX-10RR Superbike and ZX-6R Superport bikes and joining the team on stage were top management figures from Kawasaki Italia.
Now that the winter tests are complete and the presentation made, everyone’s thoughts are on the first race weekend of the season, which will begin in less than three weeks in Australia. The show is about to start.
Manuel Puccetti commented:
“It was a really nice evening. I was pleased to meet all the team’s sponsors and supporters and introduce them to our riders and technicians who I want to thank for all their hard work over the winter. In Supersport our goal is to aim for the title with Can Oncu and help him achieve his first race win. In Superbike we will be doing our best to exploit Tom Sykes’ significant skills. We are all now focused on the season-opener in Australia.”
Tom Sykes. Photo courtesy Kawasaki.
Tom Sykes
“The presentation was fantastic, in true Italian style. A great location, lots of people and some good food to enjoy. Everything was organised in the best possible way, and I congratulate Manuel and his staff. It was nice to meet our sponsors and I was able to appreciate that they are really close to us and follow us with passion.
“My first goal during winter testing was to settle in and get to know the team. We definitely achieved that, as I feel very comfortable with them, and that’s another reason why the tests went well. There is still some work to do but we have laid the foundations for a good season. I feel confident ahead of the first Philip Island round.”
Can Öncü. Photo courtesy Kawasaki.
Can Öncü
“It was a great party – the ideal way to start the 2023 season. We have many supporters and this is a real incentive for us. I want to say a big thanks to Manuel and his staff for organising such a wonderful evening. Winter testing has gone well, and I’ve had a lot of fun. I feel ready to race and think we have everything we need for a great season.”
Fox built LeMans Corp./Parts Unlimited into a worldwide parts-distributor force
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Fred Fox, who turned Parts Unlimited into a worldwide force in motorcycle parts distribution, passed away Feb. 5 at the age of 86. The AMA and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame offer its condolences to his friends and family.
Fox was born July 21, 1936, and went on to get his engineering degree to help his parents, who were in the business of manufacturing truck bodies.
Eventually, Fox started Surplus Unlimited — which became Parts Unlimited — to buy parts from snowmobile companies that were failing and supplying snowmobile dealers. This developed into the company making its own parts and working with motorcycles.
Fox elevated motorcycling and racing nationally by creating a distribution system that got parts to dealers quickly. Helping to fuel the growth of sports such as AMA Supercross and motocross, Fox sponsored motorcycle racing series as well as amateur and professional riders.
By 2011, Fox’s umbrella company, LeMans Corporation, was the largest aftermarket motorcycle, snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle, and personal watercraft accessory distributor in the world, employing around 1,500 workers worldwide.
Fox was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2011.
Fred Fox (R.I.P.), circa 2005. Photo courtesy AMA.
About the American Motorcyclist Association
Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. Besides offering members money-saving discounts on products and services, the AMA also publishes American Motorcyclist, a recently revitalized and monthly full-color magazine (and digital version of same) that covers current events and motorcycle history with brilliant photography and compelling writing. American Motorcyclist is also North America’s largest-circulation magazine. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
Not a member? Join the AMA today: AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
TPR by Viñales Racing is pleased to announce that Isaac Viñales will ride for them in the 2023 FIM Superbike World Championship beginning at the first European event of the year at the iconic TT Circuit Assen in the Netherlands.
Viñales, who raced for TPR Team Pedercini at several rounds in 2022 will contest all remaining races of WorldSBK 2023 aboard a Kawasaki ZX-10RR machine. In addition to the three World Superbike starts with the team in 2022, Isaac has contested 37 WorldSSP races, with a best result of third, which he has achieved on five occasions.
TPR by Viñales Racing will release further information about the season ahead in due course.
Lucio Pedercini – Team Principal: “I am happy to confirm Isaac will return to the team with us for the 2023 season. We already worked together in Estoril last year, so we know each other a little. We are working hard behind the scenes and I am confident that the new-look team will be able to perform well – in any case we will do our best. We will update with more information in the coming weeks regarding testing, but we will be ready for Assen!”
Isaac Viñales: “I am very happy to be able to race with TPR by Viñales Racing in 2023. I am happy to be back in the World Superbike paddock and I am working hard to give 100% and hope for the good results that will surely come. I want to thank Lucio, Angel and the sponsors for the trust placed in me.”
Yamaha Champions Riding School Announces Champ U: New Rider.
February 2023 – Yamaha Champions Riding School, the premier motorcycle riding school in North America, is proud to announce a new Champions University digital curriculum: New Rider.
Champ U: New Rider is over three hours of digital content with 35 lessons, 28 quizzes, and drills designed to prepare students for life as a motorcyclist. This interactive course follows the ChampSchool tradition of truly explaining the “why” of everything a new rider must know, from how a clutch engages to proper and safe emergency-braking practice.
“New-rider parking-lot schools are the gateway to our sport and they have done the job of getting hundreds of thousands of riders licensed to ride on the road,” said ChampSchool founder Nick Ienatsch. “Our goal with New Rider is two-fold:
One: Use the reach of the internet to deliver motorcycle riding’s best practicesto any person interested in becoming a life-long motorcycle rider, or any current rider intent on improvement. These best practices are data driven and focused on drastically reducing risk while greatly increasing riding enjoyment. Champ U: New Rider students can expect to become excellent riders very quickly.
Two: Bolster the current license-waiver classes with context and proven foundational truths to not just earn a license, but to be truly ready for the road. A license doesn’t make you a safe rider! Understanding how a motorcycle works best and what inputs bring those best results is vital; New Rider goes above and beyond toteach how to practice and refine these inputs for a lifetime of riding success.
Champ U: New Rider is designed for non-riders, new riders, and returning riders. This digital curriculum is accessible from anywhere in the world with connection to the internet and is affordable for almost any budget with an introductory price of $19.95. Champions University: https://ridelikeachampion.com/champ-u-courses-page/
Champ U: New Rider is part of the growing Champions University ecosystem of digital motorcycle training tools that include Champ U: Core Curriculum with more than 15,000 users and hundreds of five-star reviews. Champ U also has several rider education support tools like a members-only forum and new for 2023, Video Coaching: stay tuned for our Video Coaching program to be announced very soon.
“We know that riders who are properly educated and wear appropriate gear will have more fun, ride longer, and encourage more people to become involved in motorcycling,” said Nick Ienatsch. “Our mission is to make quality motorcycle education available to all riders and grow the sport of motorcycling. Champ U: New Rider will be a powerful tool in reaching our goal.”
About Yamaha Champions Riding School:
Yamaha Champions Riding School (ChampSchool) is the nation’s premier motorcycle training program. ChampSchool is the evolution of the Freddie Spencer High-Performance Riding School and is led by racer, author, and former right-hand man of Spencer, Nick Ienatsch. ChampSchool uses “Champions Habits” to teach all riders the skills and techniques used by the top riders in the world to go faster safer, while concentrating on the way in which modern motorcycles are designed to be ridden. ChampSchool is dedicated to making all motorcycle riders safer and more in control of their riding, no matter what type of riding they do.
Yamaha Champions Riding School is proudly sponsored by: Yamaha Motor Corporation USA, Dunlop Motorcycle Tires, Dainese, Arai Helmets, YamaLube, GYTR, Chatterbox, GB Racing, ModOp, Chickenhawk Tire Warmers, Techspec, Payless Rental Cars, and N2 Track Days.
Rain affects play but Yamaha remain fastest on Day 2
Crutchlow takes back to the top late on and Aprilia debut an “innovative” front fairing on Monday
Monday, 06 February 2023
It was a rain-affected second day of Shakedown testing at Sepang International Circuit, and the factory test riders and Augusto Fernandez (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) had to wait until the final hour to get some more dry track running under their belts. Here’s a rundown of what was seen on Monday in Malaysia, starting with Yamaha after Cal Crutchlow topped the timesheets as the track dried enough to get some slick tyre lap times in just before the chequered flag.
YAMAHA
Weather disrupting plans was the top story at Yamaha, as it was for many. Cal Crutchlow was again the only rider laying down the rubber for the Iwata factory, but the rain meant their 2022-2023 engine specification testing plan was “wasted”, according to Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ Team Manager Maio Meregalli, who was casting a watchful eye in the Yamaha box. We’ll have to wait for Tuesday to see a little more, hoping the rain stays away…
Cal Crutchlow (T3). Photo courtesy Dorna.
DUCATI
After having sported a new aerodynamics package on Sunday, Ducati’s Michele Pirro lapped with the standard aero setup on Monday. The Italian’s two bikes did have different versions of the tail exhaust – the large one and the short one – though, so the rain didn’t make it a fully wasted day at the office for the reigning World Champions.
Michele Pirro. Photo courtesy Dorna.
The tail section of a Ducati Desmosedici GP23 at Sepang. Photo courtesy Dorna.
KTM
Having worked on Jack Miller’s side of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing garage during the opening day of action, Dani Pedrosa completed Monday’s outing with Brad Binder’s crew as KTM’s main focal point for the Shakedown is comparing different engine specifications. Jonas Folger joined Pedrosa on track again for his second day of testing activity.
Speaking to motogp.com on the ground in Sepang, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager Francesco Guidotti lamented that the “plan was to test new aero packages at the end of the Shakedown”, but due to the rain, it looks like they’ll run out of time to do that before the Official Test kicks off on Friday…
Jonas Folger testing a KTM RC16. Photo courtesy Dorna.
GASGAS
GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3’s Fernandez continued to find his feet on a MotoGP™ bike and unlike most, the Spaniard won’t have been too upset to get a first dose of wet weather riding under his belt on the RC16. The reigning Moto2™ World Champion set a 2:12.255 in the tricky conditions, a time that saw him sit P2 before the track began to dry, before he eventually climbed to P3 when heading out on slicks.
MotoGP rookie Augusto Fernandez (37). Photo courtesy Dorna.
APRILIA
“We have something innovative on the front fairing” was the cryptic message from Aprilia Racing Team Manager Paolo Bonora. Speaking to motogp.com, Bonora also explained how the Noale factory’s aero has been “redesigned” after “taking advantage of the time in the wind tunnel over the winter.”
Including those belonging to Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez in the RNF MotoGP™ Team camp, Aprilia have 10 bikes in Sepang for the Shakedown and Official Test. Lorenzo Savadori’s task – according to Bonora – is to get everything ready for Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Viñales, while also “trying small things.” Like every factory, testing 2023 engine specs are a high priority on the checklist for Aprilia.
Lorenzo Savadori (32). Photo courtesy Dorna.
HONDA
Test rider Stefan Bradl was spotted testing an updated chassis that the German was seen running at a private Jerez test recently. In addition, just as he was on Sunday, new HRC Technical Director Ken Kawauchi was inside the box getting to grips with his new surroundings.
Stefan Bradl (6). Photo courtesy Dorna.
That’s a wrap on a slightly damp squib Monday, but there’s so much still to come. Another day of Shakedown awaits on Tuesday, before the Official Test sees the whole grid out on track from the 10th to the 12th!
Come back for more Shakedown action tomorrow and keep up to date with all the goings on on motogp.com and across social media!
Tomac Shows Nerves of Steel in Houston Supercross Victory
Hunter Lawrence Wins Opening Round of Eastern Regional 250SX Class Racing
Houston, Texas, (February 5, 2023) Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac returned to his winning ways, holding firm through a dramatic Round 5 of the 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross. Team Honda HRC’s Chase Sexton had the lead in his sights but had to settle for second inside NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jason Anderson took the final podium position in the event that paid points to both the 17-round Supercross season as well as the inaugural 31-round SuperMotocross World Championship. In the opening round of the Eastern Regional 250SX Class, Team Honda HRC’s Hunter Lawrence earned the win with a performance that should have his competition worried.
Eli Tomac (1) looked to be in trouble early in the Houston Main Event but found more speed to earn his third win of the 2023 season. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
When the gate dropped for the 450SX Class Main Event, defending champion Eli Tomac jumped out into the lead with Red Bull KTM’s Aaron Plessinger pressuring him from the start. But 3:25 into the 20-minute plus one lap race, a crashed rider necessitated a red flag and a temporary stop to the action. The rules called for a unique staggered re-start. The racers were lined up, one after the other according to their race order, then thrown back into battle with the wave of a green flag. The starting position order was Tomac, Plessinger, Anderson, Sexton, and Red Bull KTM’s Cooper Webb, but once back underway Anderson quickly took over second place. Sexton was around Plessinger shortly after and with 13:05 remaining on the race clock Sexton got into the second-place spot.
Premiere class athletes staged for the staggered start after a red flag stopped the race due to a downed racer. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
After Sexton had demonstrated his speed on the Houston track by qualifying first by over a full second, and also catching and beating Tomac in their Heat Race, it looked like the Texas crowd would see a fight for the lead. But Tomac found some extra speed; he put in laps fast enough to stave off Sexton’s early charge. The gap between the two was 1.6 seconds, but soon Sexton was putting in the fastest laps of any rider on the track. When the clock ticked past 6:30 remaining, Sexton had whittled the lead down to just half a second and appeared to be looking for a line around Tomac.
But Tomac held tough. The two-time and defending Supercross champion didn’t falter under the pressure. After about one lap with Sexton right on him, Tomac pulled back out enough breathing room to ride his own lines. Behind them, Anderson and Plessinger held steady while Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Justin Barcia found a way around Cooper Webb for fifth, yet Webb took the spot back before the checkered flag. Tomac scored his third win of 2023 and stretched out his points lead. Sexton nearly backed up his win from the previous round; he kept the bike on two wheels and earned second place points, securing second in the 17-round championship standings.
Hunter Lawrence (96), the favorite going into the opening Eastern Regional 250SX Class round, established himself as the racer to beat with a convincing win. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
In Eastern Regional 250SX Class racing Hunter Lawrence grabbed the Holeshot but within a few turns Frenchman Red Bull KTM’s Tom Vialle slid from third into the lead. Vialle, the two-time and reigning MXGP MX2 class Motocross World Champion, found himself leading not only his first Monster Energy AMA Supercross, but his first race ever in America. Hunter fought back on the opening lap but misjudged his launch off a triple jump and sent his Honda off the track. Lawrence made an incredible high-speed save through the track-lining Tuff Blox and rejoined the race only losing one position.
Team Honda HRC’s Chance Hymas found himself in second place. The Rookie put immediate pressure on Vialle. But before two minutes had run off the clock in the 15-minute plus one lap Main Event Lawrence had re-taken second from Hymas. Shortly after that pass Hymas had trouble and Fire Power Honda’s Max Anstie took over the third place spot with Muc-Off FXR ClubMX Yamaha’s Jeremy Martin, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Jordon Smith, and rookie Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan right behind. Deegan was in his first pro race after competing in the SX Futures class just one week prior.
Smith reeled in Anstie and pressured for the position until he crashed in the sand. With five minutes left on the race clock the top three seemed comfortably in their spots. It was an Australian, Brit, and a Frenchman looking to make the opening Eastern Regional race an international podium. But in the final laps Smith put on a charge, getting around Martin right before Vialle crashed in one of the track’s bowl turns. Martin then crashed on the final lap, and the opening round of the Eastern Regional Series ended with Lawrence crossing the finish line in first, Anstie in second, Smith earning a hard-fought third place, and Haiden Deegan grabbing fourth in his first professional race.
The racers face off again next weekend at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida for Round 6 of the 450SX Class and the second round of the Eastern Regional 250SX Class. The event pays points to each class for both the 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season as well as towards the ultimate title, the 2023 31-round SuperMotocross World Championship series which combines Supercross, Pro Motocross, and two SMX Playoffs and Final for an all-new title with a $10 million-dollar total purse.
All 2023 Monster Energy Supercross and SuperMotocross World Championship series rounds are available to watch live on Peacock. Select races are also broadcast on NBC, USA Network, and CNBC. For highlight videos and more information on the racers, results, and tickets to upcoming rounds please visit SupercrossLIVE.com.
450SX Class podium (racers left to right) Chase Sexton, Eli Tomac, and Jason Anderson. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
450SX Class Results
1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha
2. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda
3. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki
4. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM
5. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM
6. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., GASGAS
7. Justin Cooper, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha
8. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki
9. Joey Savatgy, Clermont, Fla., Kawasaki
10. Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Kawasaki
450SX Class Championship Standings
1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha (95)
2. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda (88)
3. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM (83)
4. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki (76)
Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting specialized arena and stadium-based motorsports entertainment. Properties include Monster Jam®, Monster Energy AMA Supercross, and the SuperMotocross World Championship. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a subsidiary of Feld Entertainment, Inc. Visit monsterjam.com, SupercrossLIVE.com, and feldentertainment.com for more information.
About Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship:
Monster Energy AMA Supercross is the most competitive and highest-profile off-road motorcycle racing championship on the planet. Founded in America and sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) since 1974. Over 17 weeks, Supercross attracts some of the largest and most impressive crowds inside the most recognizable and prestigious stadiums in North America to race in front of nearly one million live fans and broadcast to millions more worldwide. For more information, visit SupercrossLIVE.com.
About the SuperMotocross World Championship:
The SuperMotocross World Championship™ is the premier off-road motorcycle racing series that combines the technical precision of stadium racing with the all-out speed and endurance of outdoor racing. Created in 2022, the SuperMotocross World Championship combines the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and the AMA Pro Motocross Championship into a 31-event series that culminates in a season-ending two round playoff and SuperMotocross World Championship Final. Visit SuperMotocross.com for more information.
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. The AMA also provides money-saving discounts on products and services for its members. 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.
Crutchlow tops the opening day in Malaysia as new parts surface from several factories
Sunday, 05 February 2023
MotoGP™ bikes are back on track! The 2023 campaign has resumed with test riders and our sole premier class rookie, Augusto Fernandez (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3), completing a rain-affected opening day of the Sepang Shakedown test. Yamaha’s Cal Crutchlow topped the timesheets with a 2:01.146, although it’s less about laptimes and more about track time in the first few days of action this year.
YAMAHA
Three-time Grand Prix winner Crutchlow had three YZR-M1s at his disposal – two 2023 spec bikes, one 2022 spec machine. The main focus was pinpointed on Yamaha’s new, more aggressive engine which was a hot topic of conversation back in Valencia. Glancing at the timesheets, it looks like the problem that arose at the end of last year, causing some puzzled looks after clear improvements had been proven at earlier tests, has been diagnosed.
Crutchlow clocked a 330km/h top speed according to the circuit’s live timing, just a couple of kms shy of the fastest. In addition, looking back at the 2022 Sepang Test, Yamaha’s fastest top speed was 327km/h – early indications that progress has been made. That’ll be music to the ears of Fabio Quartararo and his Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ teammate Franco Morbidelli ahead of the Official Sepang Test.
Cal Crutchlow (T3). Photo courtesy Dorna.
KTM
New KTM testing recruit Jonas Folger joined MotoGP™ Legend Dani Pedrosa on track for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing as the German got to grips with the RC16 for the first time. Pedrosa, meanwhile, was working with Jack Miller’s crew on the opening day.
Dani Pedrosa (26). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Jonas Folger walks to his KTM RC16. Photo courtesy Dorna.
GASGAS
Reigning Moto2™ World Champion Fernandez was back out with GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 and having had no plans for the Valencia Test apart from trying a MotoGP™ bike for the first time, these three days will be vital for the Spaniard to start making the bike his own. The number 37 finished second on the timesheets with a 2:01.331, just 0.185s from Crutchlow’s best effort.
Augusto Fernandez (37). Photo courtesy Dorna.
HONDA
Stefan Bradl was lapping for HRC and the German had two RC213Vs in the box. Bradl was out on a new-look Honda machine dressed in redesigned aero, a new exhaust and the 2023 engine. Bradl’s best time was a 2:01.605, placing him fourth on the timesheets.
Stefan Bradl (6). Photo courtesy Dorna.
APRILIA
Lorenzo Savadori was on hand to give the 2023 Aprilia RS-GPs a shakedown, and it was a busy day for the Italian who had six bikes to ride. Aprilia debuted some new aero – something we’ll be seeing plenty of from the factories during pre-season – as Savadori also suffered a technical issue towards the end of the day.
Lorenzo Savadori (32). Photo courtesy Dorna.
DUCATI
Ducati’s trusted Michele Pirro was again putting in the groundwork for the reigning World Champions, who head into the season looking to defend not one, not two, but three Championships.
The Borgo Panigale factory opened their 2023 account with a new fairing to show off, and Pirro worked with two GP23s. The Italian posted a 2:02.115 best lap time.
Michele Pirro (51). Photo courtesy Dorna.
With temperatures soaring in Malaysia, coupled with a dirty track surface following the winter and then rain coming later in the day, times were around three seconds slower than what we saw at the 2022 Malaysian GP. Expect the times to tumble the further we get into testing at Sepang!
Come back for more Shakedown on Monday and keep up to date with all the goings on on motogp.com and across social media!
Despite racing motorcycles since 1989, I never possessed my racebike. Sure, I owned a few of my TZ250s but they never lived at my house, always staying with my tuner Steve Biganski or at Zero Gravity. We’d meet at the track, race, and then go our separate ways. The other bikes I raced in Willow Springs, WERA and AMA Pro competition belonged to the shops that built them.
Lately I’ve raced Rusty Bigley’s Spondon TZ750, Chris Carr’s GPz550 built by Hypercycle’s Carry Andrew, Carry’s Z1, and most notably a trick Honda NSR250 built by Speedwerks’s Steve Long and crew.
I write “notably” because Steve Long and I have enjoyed amazingly similar motorcycle lives even though we live almost a continent apart; we grew up in motorcycling together but separately. Steve places “consistently fast lap times while looking pretty” as the top priority of his builds and loaned me his NSR250 for the AHRMA finals at Barber a few years ago; since he wasn’t there, I tuned and rode it. It was a blast.
On the phone from Barber I told Steve about my desire to “have my very own racebike” someday. “What would you want?” Steve asked.
Great question, so I made a list:
–Something I could maintain myself
–Something that started with the push of a button
–Something that fit into an AHRMA (ahrma.org) class
–Something on 17-inch wheels for good tire selection
–A balance of entry speed and exit horsepower
–Something I could afford…and afford to crash
–Something reliable so I could actually ride, not constantly repair
During discussions the choice became clear: A 1989-1993 Yamaha FZR600. I’d successfully raced one at Willow and in AMA Pro. They were tough, fairly well-balanced, affordable, are now AHRMA legal…and Speedwerks had “a pile of that crap sitting around,” according to Steve.
A shot from the way-back machine…Nick Ienatsch at Willow Springs in 1989 with FZR600 and FZR400 raecbikes built by Kerker’s Steve Johnson. These good times make the Speedwerks 600 more precious. Photo courtesy NI Collection.
A Plan
A simple plan was devised. Speedwerks would get me started on the FZR600 and I would finish it in my very own garage.
Steve had questions about what prep Speedwerks should do and what I could do.
“Can you assemble a stock engine?” he asked.
“No.”
“Can you do the transmission?”
“No.”
“Can you modify the stock forks?”
“No.”
“Can you install aftermarket bodywork.”
“Good Lord, no.”
Fairly quickly Steve realized the direction of the build and asked, “Well…what can you do?”
Another good question. Truthfully, there’s nothing I can do in my garage better than the Speedwerks crew. However, I can clean parts, paint with a spray can, safety-wire stuff despite constant drill-bit breaking, change tires and oil, adjust valves unless the cams need to come out, bleed brakes, unbolt and bolt stuff, install chains, lubricate and maintain pieces and parts. I had to admit that my main mechanical strong point is enthusiasm.
It was a pretty short answer. “Not much” is how Steve summed it up. We laughed. We laugh about a lot of things.
“OK,” Steve sighed. “We’ll get you started with something.”
“I Threw Together a Bunch of Crap”
Steve’s friend Josh Deery knew of a worn and inexpensive FZR600 racebike in Pennsylvania so Speedwerks’s shipper Simon Tack grabbed it. It was a great find, but the crew soon discovered the engine was “beyond tired.” Steve, with a few phone calls, found another FZR in North Carolina and that bike’s stock engine had good compression and the stock carbs and airbox were intact and functional. We decided not to mod anything, just run it stock for reliability.
The tired 1990 FZR600 that Speedwerks unearthed to get this project started. Photo courtesy Speedwerks.
Then Steve’s crew of son Seth and Super Dave Trotter pulled the tired parts off, bolting on brand-new Beasley Composites fiberglass http://beasleycomposites.com , an old Vance & Hines header pipe matched to an Scorpion muffler that “was hanging on the wall,” spliced together with extensive handywork by Super Dave.
The team swapped out the stock rear-suspension linkage dogbones for GSX-R SRAD aluminum pieces so an SV650 17-inch rear wheel would work with an Öhlins shock. Yes, an Öhlins! Gave a whole new meaning to the term “Öhlins shock” when I heard about it.
“Yeah,” Steve said, “it’s a GSX-R1000 shock we had here. Dave modified and resprung it to get it set-up with the right swingarm angle and ride height. What color wheels do you want? I’ve got about a dozen SV wheels in various colors.
“Do you care if we run some inexpensive Chinese rearsets and clip-ons?” Nick Ienatsch didn’t mind. Note the new #528 chain and Öhlins shock in the background. These footpegs were made for a SV650 but Super Dave Trotter grafted them onto the FZR. Photo courtesy Speedwerks.
“We’re using the stock forks due to budget, but Super Dave added Race Tech Emulators https://racetech.com and massaged the bottoms and rebound damping holes. We threw some 9.25 springs in.
“Had a set of early-R6 calipers out in the dumpster, so they’re on the FZR now. Seth dug around in another pile of trash and found some good pads.”
Those were the messages, delivered with Steve’s understated sarcasm, and each of them came with a picture or two of the bike in various states of disarray. My excitement was at a fever pitch.
Remember these Factory case covers? This is the type of stuff Steve Long has “getting kicked around the shop, in the way.” Photo courtesy Speedwerks.
If pressed, I couldn’t truthfully answer the question: “Are you more excited to work on it or ride it?” I prepared a parts list, maintenance log, and started studying videos on “how to paint bikes in your garage.” The bike was still in Delaware, but I was beyond ready in Colorado.
Steve Long’s Main Flaw
On a Tuesday morning I got a text from Speedwerks, “Got some pics, want to see?”
“Send them!”
Two minutes later Steve sent me a link to a photo portfolio labeled “Nick’s Racebike.” I literally couldn’t believe it. The FZR looked stunning! Done. Ready to race. Beyond anything I ever expected and far beyond anything I had imagined or hoped for. Remember, I raced these things back in the day and they never looked this good. I couldn’t stop smiling.
Steve Long dug around the Speedwerks shop and found “the last Graves Motorsports FZR fairing stay in existence” and brought it into the modern world with a Koso voltmeter matched to a Koso coolant-temp sensor mounted in the stock ignition-key location. A steering damper was added in an out-of-harm’s-way location. Photo courtesy Speedwerks.
I immediately called and after stammering over the appearance of the bike, my first question was, “What happened to our plan of you starting it and me finishing it?”
Painter Dave Arnold worked his magic on the Beasely bodywork, producing a show-bike finish on a 33-year-old bike. Arnold, like Steve Long, is an enthusiast and is producing a custom bike to raffle for a veterans’ program. Photo courtesy Speedwerks.
“Yeah,” Steve answered, “we just got rolling on it and Dave Arnold, our painter, sprayed it grey and then I got Jeff at Inline4Designs and Print https://www.inline4designs.xyz/ to do the graphics. You said you liked grey with a yellow highlight, so there it is.”
I was speechless. My “starter kit” had turned into one of the neatest racebikes I’d ever seen. In 20 years I could not have reached this level, not only in quality but the inventiveness of the paint and graphics, the correctness of the rear suspension geometry, the overall sanitary appearance of the bike. “Yeah,” said Steve with a laugh, “we can’t really turn out anything half-assed around here.”
Ryan Burke, a MotoAmerica racer and YCRS instructor, picked up the FZR from Steve Long at NJMP, took it with him to Barber and finally arrived in a small Colorado town with the Speedwerks 600 crouched in the back of his dually. After breakfast, Nick swapped it into his own truck for the ride home. Photo by Nick Ienatsch.
Nice to Meet You
The bike arrived in Colorado just as autumn began to turn cold. Like many of you, I have a habit of tearing down every “new-to-me” bike so the FZR came apart for the few things I could do…simple stuff but so very joyful.
Nick Ienatsch is enthusiastic about have “my own racebike in my own garage. Words can’t describe how much fun I’ve had with this FZR and the main reason is how wonderfully Speedwerks made it. It’s not a haggard 33-year-old vintage bike. It’s a shining jewel…at least in my 61-year-old eyes.” Photo by Nick Ienatsch.
Cleaning the rust off the rotors is the type of work Nick’s done since the bike arrived. Photo by Nick Ienatsch.
Yes, I’ve ridden it. Sans bodywork and on the ratty old slicks Speedwerks installed to roll it around the shop, I rode it down my gravel driveway, then two miles on a dirt road to the paved freeway frontage road for a few blasts up and down…and then up and down and up and down a few more times! It ran nicely despite the 5,000 feet of elevation. And when the Bridgestone slicks arrive and are installed, I’ll sneak in a winter track day at Pueblo Motorsports Park or Pikes Peak International Raceway.
Not sure when I’ll race it, but who cares? It’s a treat just to be able to work on.
Skipping the Hard Part
I’ve written this FZR saga because this “starter kit” idea may make sense for you, too. Rather than buy a stock bike and make it a racer or buy an old racer to refurbish, have a proven shop like Speedwerks get you started.
Why? Because there are basics and details that builders like Steve Long know in their sleep; their connections are deep and proven, their decisions forged in the unambiguous world of racing. In this case, Steve cut months if not years off my dream to have my own racer in my own garage.
I’ll get back to you after our first track day together…just me and my very own racebike, finally.
Nick Ienatsch: “I’ve had the pleasure to ride and report on a few of Steve Long’s (left) Speedwerks bikes before; this RGv250 with an RG500 engine was the highlight…so far.” TheSBimage.com photo courtesy Nick Ienatsch.
Performance tire warmer company Redline-Moto is now an official partner of the 2023 MotoAmerica Championship. Photo courtesy MotoAmerica.
Redline-Moto Warming Up For 2023 MotoAmerica Championship
Performance Tire Warmer Company Is Now An Official Partner Of The 2023 MotoAmerica Championship
IRVINE, CA (February 6, 2023) – MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is pleased to announce that performance tire warmer company Redline-Moto is now an official partner of the 2023 MotoAmerica Championship.
Performance tire warmer company Redline-Moto is now an official partner of the 2023 MotoAmerica Championship.
Redline-Moto designs and produces fully digital, fully adjustable, and fully affordable performance tire warmers for professional road racing. Redline-Moto tire warmers have been purpose built to provide rapid and accurate heating via a digital controller, which allows for temperature adjustments within a tenth of a degree and a large heating range up to 240 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, emphasis was placed in positioning additional heating elements on the sides of the tire to help ensure edge grip.
The warmers are designed to fit large diameter tires (200/65) used in most road racing series.
“We want to welcome Redline-Moto as a sponsorship partner of our series,” said Lance Bryson, MotoAmerica’s Director of Sponsorship. “Obviously, our teams use tire warmers and so do a lot of our fans who take part in local racing events and/or track days. Having Redline-Moto onboard as a sponsor is a natural fit on many levels.”
“The initial goal for Redline has always been to provide to provide riders with products they can trust, from track days to professional racing,” said Redline-Moto’s owner Zach Butler. “We are excited to join MotoAmerica and bring our tire warmers to the incredible talent in the United States.”
For more information, visit www.redline-moto.com.
About MotoAmerica
MotoAmerica is North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series. Established in 2014, MotoAmerica is home to the AMA Superbike Championship as well as additional classes including Supersport, Stock 1000, Twins Cup, Junior Cup, and King Of The Baggers. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership including three-time 500cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey; ex-racer and former manager of Team Roberts Chuck Aksland; motorsports marketing executive Terry Karges; and businessman Richard Varner. For more information, please visit www.MotoAmerica.com and follow MotoAmerica on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube.
Carl Soltisz (60). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy SWG Motorsports.
SWG Motorsports is proud to announce our partnership with Carl Soltisz and Super Carl Racing for the 2023 MotoAmerica SuperSport season.
“We have been looking forward to this day for months. We just kept putting things in place to make this happen. To have a veteran Pro racer like Carl not just believing in our mission but wanting to take part in its success is a huge opportunity I just couldn’t pass up. I can’t wait to get the season started and look forward to seeing our team achieving success!” says team owner AJ Gustafson.
Carl Soltisz commented: “I am very excited to be teaming up with SWG Motorsports for the 2023 MotoAmerica Supersport championship and the Daytona 200! I got to know AJ well last season since we were always running into each other at the track during my private coaching events. I also have a good relationship with Scott, having worked with him last year. When we all got to talking, it was clear that we shared a lot of the same goals and priorities when it comes to racing; having a strong focus on fun, striving for constant personal improvement, winning as often as we can, helping the sport grow, and setting a good example for the next generation of riders. Teaming up to achieve these goals by sharing our combined experience and resources was the natural choice. I’m looking forward to being a big part of the team’s growth and achieving some great race results in the process! I want to thank AJ and Scott for putting all this together, Chris Ulrich for providing me with the Next Generation-spec Team Hammer-prepared Suzuki GSX-R750 to race, Mark Junge for all his assistance with planning/setup, and lastly, all our amazing sponsors/fans for supporting us this season! In terms of team, bike, and rider, I think we’ve assembled the most competitive package yet and the only thing left for me to do now is SEND IT!”
SWG Motorsports, a family-owned and -operated race team, has been involved in MotoAmerica racing for the last five years, and has had a Mini Cup team involved for the last three years. In 2023, SWG Motorsports added principal members Scott Nelson and Kevin Boda to continue growth and capacity.
Scott “Scotty” Nelson, Co-Owner, has been involved in motorcycle racing for almost 30 years, from racing YSR’s to competing in a MotoAmerica Twins Cup race at the age of 57. More recently, he has been the owner of an ULW and a LW endurance team. He has also been involved in the MotoAmerica paddock in various capacities in the last three years.
Scotty: “Now that I’m old and slow, I’m putting my experience to use with this new MotoAmerica team. I’m an operations and logistics expert. Which means I drive the rig and get it to the races on time. I’m totally stoked for the 2023 season and am looking forward to providing some top notch support for some top notch riders.”
Kevin Boda has been club racing for the past decade. His recent years have focused on endurance racing with a championship-winning lightweight team finishing in the top three over the past five seasons. For the past few years, he has also attended the majority of MotoAmerica rounds, whether competing in the Twins Cup, helping other friends and teams in the paddock, or just enjoying being a spectator.
Kevin: “I’m excited to offer a unique new model to MotoAmerica riders with AJ and Scotty. Each of us brings different experiences and complementary skills to the effort, and my professional background in financial market risk management provides a diverse perspective.”
Kawasaki Puccetti Racing Team Manager Manuel Puccetti (center) with riders Tom Sykes (right) and Can Öncü (left). Photo courtesy Kawasaki.
2023 Kawasaki Puccetti Racing Team presentation
Kawasaki Puccetti Racing presented its 2023 line-up on Sunday 5 February in Reggio Emilia, Italy.
It was a wonderful evening, which took place in the distinguished setting of “Ruote da Sogno”, with its vintage cars and motorcycles. The event provided sponsors of Manuel Puccetti’s team with the opportunity to meet the team members, not least the riders – or rather the re-confirmed Can Öncü and “new-entry” Tom Sykes; a perfect combination that sees the young and emerging rider paired with a former WorldSBK champion, who brings his talent and great experience to the team.
The duo unveiled the liveries of their ZX-10RR Superbike and ZX-6R Superport bikes and joining the team on stage were top management figures from Kawasaki Italia.
Now that the winter tests are complete and the presentation made, everyone’s thoughts are on the first race weekend of the season, which will begin in less than three weeks in Australia. The show is about to start.
Manuel Puccetti commented:
“It was a really nice evening. I was pleased to meet all the team’s sponsors and supporters and introduce them to our riders and technicians who I want to thank for all their hard work over the winter. In Supersport our goal is to aim for the title with Can Oncu and help him achieve his first race win. In Superbike we will be doing our best to exploit Tom Sykes’ significant skills. We are all now focused on the season-opener in Australia.”
Tom Sykes. Photo courtesy Kawasaki.
Tom Sykes
“The presentation was fantastic, in true Italian style. A great location, lots of people and some good food to enjoy. Everything was organised in the best possible way, and I congratulate Manuel and his staff. It was nice to meet our sponsors and I was able to appreciate that they are really close to us and follow us with passion.
“My first goal during winter testing was to settle in and get to know the team. We definitely achieved that, as I feel very comfortable with them, and that’s another reason why the tests went well. There is still some work to do but we have laid the foundations for a good season. I feel confident ahead of the first Philip Island round.”
Can Öncü. Photo courtesy Kawasaki.
Can Öncü
“It was a great party – the ideal way to start the 2023 season. We have many supporters and this is a real incentive for us. I want to say a big thanks to Manuel and his staff for organising such a wonderful evening. Winter testing has gone well, and I’ve had a lot of fun. I feel ready to race and think we have everything we need for a great season.”
Fred Fox (R.I.P.) with his wife Paula, circa 2013.
AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Fred Fox Passes
Fox built LeMans Corp./Parts Unlimited into a worldwide parts-distributor force
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Fred Fox, who turned Parts Unlimited into a worldwide force in motorcycle parts distribution, passed away Feb. 5 at the age of 86. The AMA and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame offer its condolences to his friends and family.
Fox was born July 21, 1936, and went on to get his engineering degree to help his parents, who were in the business of manufacturing truck bodies.
Eventually, Fox started Surplus Unlimited — which became Parts Unlimited — to buy parts from snowmobile companies that were failing and supplying snowmobile dealers. This developed into the company making its own parts and working with motorcycles.
Fox elevated motorcycling and racing nationally by creating a distribution system that got parts to dealers quickly. Helping to fuel the growth of sports such as AMA Supercross and motocross, Fox sponsored motorcycle racing series as well as amateur and professional riders.
By 2011, Fox’s umbrella company, LeMans Corporation, was the largest aftermarket motorcycle, snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle, and personal watercraft accessory distributor in the world, employing around 1,500 workers worldwide.
Fox was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2011.
Fred Fox (R.I.P.), circa 2005. Photo courtesy AMA.
About the American Motorcyclist Association
Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. Besides offering members money-saving discounts on products and services, the AMA also publishes American Motorcyclist, a recently revitalized and monthly full-color magazine (and digital version of same) that covers current events and motorcycle history with brilliant photography and compelling writing. American Motorcyclist is also North America’s largest-circulation magazine. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
Not a member? Join the AMA today: AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
Isaac Vinales (32) on a Team Pedercini Kawasaki at Estoril in 2022. Photo courtesy Team Pedercini Racing.
A familiar name joins the team for 2023
TPR by Viñales Racing is pleased to announce that Isaac Viñales will ride for them in the 2023 FIM Superbike World Championship beginning at the first European event of the year at the iconic TT Circuit Assen in the Netherlands.
Viñales, who raced for TPR Team Pedercini at several rounds in 2022 will contest all remaining races of WorldSBK 2023 aboard a Kawasaki ZX-10RR machine. In addition to the three World Superbike starts with the team in 2022, Isaac has contested 37 WorldSSP races, with a best result of third, which he has achieved on five occasions.
TPR by Viñales Racing will release further information about the season ahead in due course.
Lucio Pedercini – Team Principal: “I am happy to confirm Isaac will return to the team with us for the 2023 season. We already worked together in Estoril last year, so we know each other a little. We are working hard behind the scenes and I am confident that the new-look team will be able to perform well – in any case we will do our best. We will update with more information in the coming weeks regarding testing, but we will be ready for Assen!”
Isaac Viñales: “I am very happy to be able to race with TPR by Viñales Racing in 2023. I am happy to be back in the World Superbike paddock and I am working hard to give 100% and hope for the good results that will surely come. I want to thank Lucio, Angel and the sponsors for the trust placed in me.”
Yamaha Champions Riding School Announces Champ U: New Rider.
February 2023 – Yamaha Champions Riding School, the premier motorcycle riding school in North America, is proud to announce a new Champions University digital curriculum: New Rider.
Champ U: New Rider is over three hours of digital content with 35 lessons, 28 quizzes, and drills designed to prepare students for life as a motorcyclist. This interactive course follows the ChampSchool tradition of truly explaining the “why” of everything a new rider must know, from how a clutch engages to proper and safe emergency-braking practice.
“New-rider parking-lot schools are the gateway to our sport and they have done the job of getting hundreds of thousands of riders licensed to ride on the road,” said ChampSchool founder Nick Ienatsch. “Our goal with New Rider is two-fold:
One: Use the reach of the internet to deliver motorcycle riding’s best practicesto any person interested in becoming a life-long motorcycle rider, or any current rider intent on improvement. These best practices are data driven and focused on drastically reducing risk while greatly increasing riding enjoyment. Champ U: New Rider students can expect to become excellent riders very quickly.
Two: Bolster the current license-waiver classes with context and proven foundational truths to not just earn a license, but to be truly ready for the road. A license doesn’t make you a safe rider! Understanding how a motorcycle works best and what inputs bring those best results is vital; New Rider goes above and beyond toteach how to practice and refine these inputs for a lifetime of riding success.
Champ U: New Rider is designed for non-riders, new riders, and returning riders. This digital curriculum is accessible from anywhere in the world with connection to the internet and is affordable for almost any budget with an introductory price of $19.95. Champions University: https://ridelikeachampion.com/champ-u-courses-page/
Champ U: New Rider is part of the growing Champions University ecosystem of digital motorcycle training tools that include Champ U: Core Curriculum with more than 15,000 users and hundreds of five-star reviews. Champ U also has several rider education support tools like a members-only forum and new for 2023, Video Coaching: stay tuned for our Video Coaching program to be announced very soon.
“We know that riders who are properly educated and wear appropriate gear will have more fun, ride longer, and encourage more people to become involved in motorcycling,” said Nick Ienatsch. “Our mission is to make quality motorcycle education available to all riders and grow the sport of motorcycling. Champ U: New Rider will be a powerful tool in reaching our goal.”
About Yamaha Champions Riding School:
Yamaha Champions Riding School (ChampSchool) is the nation’s premier motorcycle training program. ChampSchool is the evolution of the Freddie Spencer High-Performance Riding School and is led by racer, author, and former right-hand man of Spencer, Nick Ienatsch. ChampSchool uses “Champions Habits” to teach all riders the skills and techniques used by the top riders in the world to go faster safer, while concentrating on the way in which modern motorcycles are designed to be ridden. ChampSchool is dedicated to making all motorcycle riders safer and more in control of their riding, no matter what type of riding they do.
Yamaha Champions Riding School is proudly sponsored by: Yamaha Motor Corporation USA, Dunlop Motorcycle Tires, Dainese, Arai Helmets, YamaLube, GYTR, Chatterbox, GB Racing, ModOp, Chickenhawk Tire Warmers, Techspec, Payless Rental Cars, and N2 Track Days.
Rain affects play but Yamaha remain fastest on Day 2
Crutchlow takes back to the top late on and Aprilia debut an “innovative” front fairing on Monday
Monday, 06 February 2023
It was a rain-affected second day of Shakedown testing at Sepang International Circuit, and the factory test riders and Augusto Fernandez (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) had to wait until the final hour to get some more dry track running under their belts. Here’s a rundown of what was seen on Monday in Malaysia, starting with Yamaha after Cal Crutchlow topped the timesheets as the track dried enough to get some slick tyre lap times in just before the chequered flag.
YAMAHA
Weather disrupting plans was the top story at Yamaha, as it was for many. Cal Crutchlow was again the only rider laying down the rubber for the Iwata factory, but the rain meant their 2022-2023 engine specification testing plan was “wasted”, according to Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ Team Manager Maio Meregalli, who was casting a watchful eye in the Yamaha box. We’ll have to wait for Tuesday to see a little more, hoping the rain stays away…
Cal Crutchlow (T3). Photo courtesy Dorna.
DUCATI
After having sported a new aerodynamics package on Sunday, Ducati’s Michele Pirro lapped with the standard aero setup on Monday. The Italian’s two bikes did have different versions of the tail exhaust – the large one and the short one – though, so the rain didn’t make it a fully wasted day at the office for the reigning World Champions.
Michele Pirro. Photo courtesy Dorna.
The tail section of a Ducati Desmosedici GP23 at Sepang. Photo courtesy Dorna.
KTM
Having worked on Jack Miller’s side of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing garage during the opening day of action, Dani Pedrosa completed Monday’s outing with Brad Binder’s crew as KTM’s main focal point for the Shakedown is comparing different engine specifications. Jonas Folger joined Pedrosa on track again for his second day of testing activity.
Speaking to motogp.com on the ground in Sepang, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager Francesco Guidotti lamented that the “plan was to test new aero packages at the end of the Shakedown”, but due to the rain, it looks like they’ll run out of time to do that before the Official Test kicks off on Friday…
Jonas Folger testing a KTM RC16. Photo courtesy Dorna.
GASGAS
GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3’s Fernandez continued to find his feet on a MotoGP™ bike and unlike most, the Spaniard won’t have been too upset to get a first dose of wet weather riding under his belt on the RC16. The reigning Moto2™ World Champion set a 2:12.255 in the tricky conditions, a time that saw him sit P2 before the track began to dry, before he eventually climbed to P3 when heading out on slicks.
MotoGP rookie Augusto Fernandez (37). Photo courtesy Dorna.
APRILIA
“We have something innovative on the front fairing” was the cryptic message from Aprilia Racing Team Manager Paolo Bonora. Speaking to motogp.com, Bonora also explained how the Noale factory’s aero has been “redesigned” after “taking advantage of the time in the wind tunnel over the winter.”
Including those belonging to Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez in the RNF MotoGP™ Team camp, Aprilia have 10 bikes in Sepang for the Shakedown and Official Test. Lorenzo Savadori’s task – according to Bonora – is to get everything ready for Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Viñales, while also “trying small things.” Like every factory, testing 2023 engine specs are a high priority on the checklist for Aprilia.
Lorenzo Savadori (32). Photo courtesy Dorna.
HONDA
Test rider Stefan Bradl was spotted testing an updated chassis that the German was seen running at a private Jerez test recently. In addition, just as he was on Sunday, new HRC Technical Director Ken Kawauchi was inside the box getting to grips with his new surroundings.
Stefan Bradl (6). Photo courtesy Dorna.
That’s a wrap on a slightly damp squib Monday, but there’s so much still to come. Another day of Shakedown awaits on Tuesday, before the Official Test sees the whole grid out on track from the 10th to the 12th!
Come back for more Shakedown action tomorrow and keep up to date with all the goings on on motogp.com and across social media!
Houston has hosted a round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross series for 46 years. NRG Stadium lights up during opening ceremonies. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Tomac Shows Nerves of Steel in Houston Supercross Victory
Hunter Lawrence Wins Opening Round of Eastern Regional 250SX Class Racing
Houston, Texas, (February 5, 2023) Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac returned to his winning ways, holding firm through a dramatic Round 5 of the 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross. Team Honda HRC’s Chase Sexton had the lead in his sights but had to settle for second inside NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jason Anderson took the final podium position in the event that paid points to both the 17-round Supercross season as well as the inaugural 31-round SuperMotocross World Championship. In the opening round of the Eastern Regional 250SX Class, Team Honda HRC’s Hunter Lawrence earned the win with a performance that should have his competition worried.
Eli Tomac (1) looked to be in trouble early in the Houston Main Event but found more speed to earn his third win of the 2023 season. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
When the gate dropped for the 450SX Class Main Event, defending champion Eli Tomac jumped out into the lead with Red Bull KTM’s Aaron Plessinger pressuring him from the start. But 3:25 into the 20-minute plus one lap race, a crashed rider necessitated a red flag and a temporary stop to the action. The rules called for a unique staggered re-start. The racers were lined up, one after the other according to their race order, then thrown back into battle with the wave of a green flag. The starting position order was Tomac, Plessinger, Anderson, Sexton, and Red Bull KTM’s Cooper Webb, but once back underway Anderson quickly took over second place. Sexton was around Plessinger shortly after and with 13:05 remaining on the race clock Sexton got into the second-place spot.
Premiere class athletes staged for the staggered start after a red flag stopped the race due to a downed racer. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
After Sexton had demonstrated his speed on the Houston track by qualifying first by over a full second, and also catching and beating Tomac in their Heat Race, it looked like the Texas crowd would see a fight for the lead. But Tomac found some extra speed; he put in laps fast enough to stave off Sexton’s early charge. The gap between the two was 1.6 seconds, but soon Sexton was putting in the fastest laps of any rider on the track. When the clock ticked past 6:30 remaining, Sexton had whittled the lead down to just half a second and appeared to be looking for a line around Tomac.
But Tomac held tough. The two-time and defending Supercross champion didn’t falter under the pressure. After about one lap with Sexton right on him, Tomac pulled back out enough breathing room to ride his own lines. Behind them, Anderson and Plessinger held steady while Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Justin Barcia found a way around Cooper Webb for fifth, yet Webb took the spot back before the checkered flag. Tomac scored his third win of 2023 and stretched out his points lead. Sexton nearly backed up his win from the previous round; he kept the bike on two wheels and earned second place points, securing second in the 17-round championship standings.
Hunter Lawrence (96), the favorite going into the opening Eastern Regional 250SX Class round, established himself as the racer to beat with a convincing win. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
In Eastern Regional 250SX Class racing Hunter Lawrence grabbed the Holeshot but within a few turns Frenchman Red Bull KTM’s Tom Vialle slid from third into the lead. Vialle, the two-time and reigning MXGP MX2 class Motocross World Champion, found himself leading not only his first Monster Energy AMA Supercross, but his first race ever in America. Hunter fought back on the opening lap but misjudged his launch off a triple jump and sent his Honda off the track. Lawrence made an incredible high-speed save through the track-lining Tuff Blox and rejoined the race only losing one position.
Team Honda HRC’s Chance Hymas found himself in second place. The Rookie put immediate pressure on Vialle. But before two minutes had run off the clock in the 15-minute plus one lap Main Event Lawrence had re-taken second from Hymas. Shortly after that pass Hymas had trouble and Fire Power Honda’s Max Anstie took over the third place spot with Muc-Off FXR ClubMX Yamaha’s Jeremy Martin, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Jordon Smith, and rookie Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan right behind. Deegan was in his first pro race after competing in the SX Futures class just one week prior.
Smith reeled in Anstie and pressured for the position until he crashed in the sand. With five minutes left on the race clock the top three seemed comfortably in their spots. It was an Australian, Brit, and a Frenchman looking to make the opening Eastern Regional race an international podium. But in the final laps Smith put on a charge, getting around Martin right before Vialle crashed in one of the track’s bowl turns. Martin then crashed on the final lap, and the opening round of the Eastern Regional Series ended with Lawrence crossing the finish line in first, Anstie in second, Smith earning a hard-fought third place, and Haiden Deegan grabbing fourth in his first professional race.
The racers face off again next weekend at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida for Round 6 of the 450SX Class and the second round of the Eastern Regional 250SX Class. The event pays points to each class for both the 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season as well as towards the ultimate title, the 2023 31-round SuperMotocross World Championship series which combines Supercross, Pro Motocross, and two SMX Playoffs and Final for an all-new title with a $10 million-dollar total purse.
All 2023 Monster Energy Supercross and SuperMotocross World Championship series rounds are available to watch live on Peacock. Select races are also broadcast on NBC, USA Network, and CNBC. For highlight videos and more information on the racers, results, and tickets to upcoming rounds please visit SupercrossLIVE.com.
450SX Class podium (racers left to right) Chase Sexton, Eli Tomac, and Jason Anderson. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
450SX Class Results
1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha
2. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda
3. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki
4. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM
5. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM
6. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., GASGAS
7. Justin Cooper, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha
8. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki
9. Joey Savatgy, Clermont, Fla., Kawasaki
10. Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Kawasaki
450SX Class Championship Standings
1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha (95)
2. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda (88)
3. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM (83)
4. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki (76)
Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting specialized arena and stadium-based motorsports entertainment. Properties include Monster Jam®, Monster Energy AMA Supercross, and the SuperMotocross World Championship. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a subsidiary of Feld Entertainment, Inc. Visit monsterjam.com, SupercrossLIVE.com, and feldentertainment.com for more information.
About Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship:
Monster Energy AMA Supercross is the most competitive and highest-profile off-road motorcycle racing championship on the planet. Founded in America and sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) since 1974. Over 17 weeks, Supercross attracts some of the largest and most impressive crowds inside the most recognizable and prestigious stadiums in North America to race in front of nearly one million live fans and broadcast to millions more worldwide. For more information, visit SupercrossLIVE.com.
About the SuperMotocross World Championship:
The SuperMotocross World Championship™ is the premier off-road motorcycle racing series that combines the technical precision of stadium racing with the all-out speed and endurance of outdoor racing. Created in 2022, the SuperMotocross World Championship combines the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and the AMA Pro Motocross Championship into a 31-event series that culminates in a season-ending two round playoff and SuperMotocross World Championship Final. Visit SuperMotocross.com for more information.
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. The AMA also provides money-saving discounts on products and services for its members. 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.
Yamaha test rider Cal Crutchlow (T2) was quickest on Day One of the MotoGP "Shakedown Test" at Sepang. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Yamaha fastest as Sepang Shakedown kicks off 2023
Crutchlow tops the opening day in Malaysia as new parts surface from several factories
Sunday, 05 February 2023
MotoGP™ bikes are back on track! The 2023 campaign has resumed with test riders and our sole premier class rookie, Augusto Fernandez (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3), completing a rain-affected opening day of the Sepang Shakedown test. Yamaha’s Cal Crutchlow topped the timesheets with a 2:01.146, although it’s less about laptimes and more about track time in the first few days of action this year.
YAMAHA
Three-time Grand Prix winner Crutchlow had three YZR-M1s at his disposal – two 2023 spec bikes, one 2022 spec machine. The main focus was pinpointed on Yamaha’s new, more aggressive engine which was a hot topic of conversation back in Valencia. Glancing at the timesheets, it looks like the problem that arose at the end of last year, causing some puzzled looks after clear improvements had been proven at earlier tests, has been diagnosed.
Crutchlow clocked a 330km/h top speed according to the circuit’s live timing, just a couple of kms shy of the fastest. In addition, looking back at the 2022 Sepang Test, Yamaha’s fastest top speed was 327km/h – early indications that progress has been made. That’ll be music to the ears of Fabio Quartararo and his Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ teammate Franco Morbidelli ahead of the Official Sepang Test.
Cal Crutchlow (T3). Photo courtesy Dorna.
KTM
New KTM testing recruit Jonas Folger joined MotoGP™ Legend Dani Pedrosa on track for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing as the German got to grips with the RC16 for the first time. Pedrosa, meanwhile, was working with Jack Miller’s crew on the opening day.
Dani Pedrosa (26). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Jonas Folger walks to his KTM RC16. Photo courtesy Dorna.
GASGAS
Reigning Moto2™ World Champion Fernandez was back out with GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 and having had no plans for the Valencia Test apart from trying a MotoGP™ bike for the first time, these three days will be vital for the Spaniard to start making the bike his own. The number 37 finished second on the timesheets with a 2:01.331, just 0.185s from Crutchlow’s best effort.
Augusto Fernandez (37). Photo courtesy Dorna.
HONDA
Stefan Bradl was lapping for HRC and the German had two RC213Vs in the box. Bradl was out on a new-look Honda machine dressed in redesigned aero, a new exhaust and the 2023 engine. Bradl’s best time was a 2:01.605, placing him fourth on the timesheets.
Stefan Bradl (6). Photo courtesy Dorna.
APRILIA
Lorenzo Savadori was on hand to give the 2023 Aprilia RS-GPs a shakedown, and it was a busy day for the Italian who had six bikes to ride. Aprilia debuted some new aero – something we’ll be seeing plenty of from the factories during pre-season – as Savadori also suffered a technical issue towards the end of the day.
Lorenzo Savadori (32). Photo courtesy Dorna.
DUCATI
Ducati’s trusted Michele Pirro was again putting in the groundwork for the reigning World Champions, who head into the season looking to defend not one, not two, but three Championships.
The Borgo Panigale factory opened their 2023 account with a new fairing to show off, and Pirro worked with two GP23s. The Italian posted a 2:02.115 best lap time.
Michele Pirro (51). Photo courtesy Dorna.
With temperatures soaring in Malaysia, coupled with a dirty track surface following the winter and then rain coming later in the day, times were around three seconds slower than what we saw at the 2022 Malaysian GP. Expect the times to tumble the further we get into testing at Sepang!
Come back for more Shakedown on Monday and keep up to date with all the goings on on motogp.com and across social media!
Nick Ienatsch, talking about his Project Bike. "Yamaha FZR600…produced in 1990, remade 33 years later. I raced one then, and I own one now." Photo by Nick Ienatsch.
FIRST PERSON/OPINION:
By Nick Ienatsch
Despite racing motorcycles since 1989, I never possessed my racebike. Sure, I owned a few of my TZ250s but they never lived at my house, always staying with my tuner Steve Biganski or at Zero Gravity. We’d meet at the track, race, and then go our separate ways. The other bikes I raced in Willow Springs, WERA and AMA Pro competition belonged to the shops that built them.
Lately I’ve raced Rusty Bigley’s Spondon TZ750, Chris Carr’s GPz550 built by Hypercycle’s Carry Andrew, Carry’s Z1, and most notably a trick Honda NSR250 built by Speedwerks’s Steve Long and crew.
I write “notably” because Steve Long and I have enjoyed amazingly similar motorcycle lives even though we live almost a continent apart; we grew up in motorcycling together but separately. Steve places “consistently fast lap times while looking pretty” as the top priority of his builds and loaned me his NSR250 for the AHRMA finals at Barber a few years ago; since he wasn’t there, I tuned and rode it. It was a blast.
On the phone from Barber I told Steve about my desire to “have my very own racebike” someday. “What would you want?” Steve asked.
Great question, so I made a list:
–Something I could maintain myself
–Something that started with the push of a button
–Something that fit into an AHRMA (ahrma.org) class
–Something on 17-inch wheels for good tire selection
–A balance of entry speed and exit horsepower
–Something I could afford…and afford to crash
–Something reliable so I could actually ride, not constantly repair
During discussions the choice became clear: A 1989-1993 Yamaha FZR600. I’d successfully raced one at Willow and in AMA Pro. They were tough, fairly well-balanced, affordable, are now AHRMA legal…and Speedwerks had “a pile of that crap sitting around,” according to Steve.
A shot from the way-back machine…Nick Ienatsch at Willow Springs in 1989 with FZR600 and FZR400 raecbikes built by Kerker’s Steve Johnson. These good times make the Speedwerks 600 more precious. Photo courtesy NI Collection.
A Plan
A simple plan was devised. Speedwerks would get me started on the FZR600 and I would finish it in my very own garage.
Steve had questions about what prep Speedwerks should do and what I could do.
“Can you assemble a stock engine?” he asked.
“No.”
“Can you do the transmission?”
“No.”
“Can you modify the stock forks?”
“No.”
“Can you install aftermarket bodywork.”
“Good Lord, no.”
Fairly quickly Steve realized the direction of the build and asked, “Well…what can you do?”
Another good question. Truthfully, there’s nothing I can do in my garage better than the Speedwerks crew. However, I can clean parts, paint with a spray can, safety-wire stuff despite constant drill-bit breaking, change tires and oil, adjust valves unless the cams need to come out, bleed brakes, unbolt and bolt stuff, install chains, lubricate and maintain pieces and parts. I had to admit that my main mechanical strong point is enthusiasm.
It was a pretty short answer. “Not much” is how Steve summed it up. We laughed. We laugh about a lot of things.
“OK,” Steve sighed. “We’ll get you started with something.”
“I Threw Together a Bunch of Crap”
Steve’s friend Josh Deery knew of a worn and inexpensive FZR600 racebike in Pennsylvania so Speedwerks’s shipper Simon Tack grabbed it. It was a great find, but the crew soon discovered the engine was “beyond tired.” Steve, with a few phone calls, found another FZR in North Carolina and that bike’s stock engine had good compression and the stock carbs and airbox were intact and functional. We decided not to mod anything, just run it stock for reliability.
The tired 1990 FZR600 that Speedwerks unearthed to get this project started. Photo courtesy Speedwerks.
Then Steve’s crew of son Seth and Super Dave Trotter pulled the tired parts off, bolting on brand-new Beasley Composites fiberglass http://beasleycomposites.com , an old Vance & Hines header pipe matched to an Scorpion muffler that “was hanging on the wall,” spliced together with extensive handywork by Super Dave.
The team swapped out the stock rear-suspension linkage dogbones for GSX-R SRAD aluminum pieces so an SV650 17-inch rear wheel would work with an Öhlins shock. Yes, an Öhlins! Gave a whole new meaning to the term “Öhlins shock” when I heard about it.
“Yeah,” Steve said, “it’s a GSX-R1000 shock we had here. Dave modified and resprung it to get it set-up with the right swingarm angle and ride height. What color wheels do you want? I’ve got about a dozen SV wheels in various colors.
“Do you care if we run some inexpensive Chinese rearsets and clip-ons?” Nick Ienatsch didn’t mind. Note the new #528 chain and Öhlins shock in the background. These footpegs were made for a SV650 but Super Dave Trotter grafted them onto the FZR. Photo courtesy Speedwerks.
“We’re using the stock forks due to budget, but Super Dave added Race Tech Emulators https://racetech.com and massaged the bottoms and rebound damping holes. We threw some 9.25 springs in.
“Had a set of early-R6 calipers out in the dumpster, so they’re on the FZR now. Seth dug around in another pile of trash and found some good pads.”
Those were the messages, delivered with Steve’s understated sarcasm, and each of them came with a picture or two of the bike in various states of disarray. My excitement was at a fever pitch.
Remember these Factory case covers? This is the type of stuff Steve Long has “getting kicked around the shop, in the way.” Photo courtesy Speedwerks.
If pressed, I couldn’t truthfully answer the question: “Are you more excited to work on it or ride it?” I prepared a parts list, maintenance log, and started studying videos on “how to paint bikes in your garage.” The bike was still in Delaware, but I was beyond ready in Colorado.
Steve Long’s Main Flaw
On a Tuesday morning I got a text from Speedwerks, “Got some pics, want to see?”
“Send them!”
Two minutes later Steve sent me a link to a photo portfolio labeled “Nick’s Racebike.” I literally couldn’t believe it. The FZR looked stunning! Done. Ready to race. Beyond anything I ever expected and far beyond anything I had imagined or hoped for. Remember, I raced these things back in the day and they never looked this good. I couldn’t stop smiling.
Steve Long dug around the Speedwerks shop and found “the last Graves Motorsports FZR fairing stay in existence” and brought it into the modern world with a Koso voltmeter matched to a Koso coolant-temp sensor mounted in the stock ignition-key location. A steering damper was added in an out-of-harm’s-way location. Photo courtesy Speedwerks.
I immediately called and after stammering over the appearance of the bike, my first question was, “What happened to our plan of you starting it and me finishing it?”
Painter Dave Arnold worked his magic on the Beasely bodywork, producing a show-bike finish on a 33-year-old bike. Arnold, like Steve Long, is an enthusiast and is producing a custom bike to raffle for a veterans’ program. Photo courtesy Speedwerks.
“Yeah,” Steve answered, “we just got rolling on it and Dave Arnold, our painter, sprayed it grey and then I got Jeff at Inline4Designs and Print https://www.inline4designs.xyz/ to do the graphics. You said you liked grey with a yellow highlight, so there it is.”
I was speechless. My “starter kit” had turned into one of the neatest racebikes I’d ever seen. In 20 years I could not have reached this level, not only in quality but the inventiveness of the paint and graphics, the correctness of the rear suspension geometry, the overall sanitary appearance of the bike. “Yeah,” said Steve with a laugh, “we can’t really turn out anything half-assed around here.”
Ryan Burke, a MotoAmerica racer and YCRS instructor, picked up the FZR from Steve Long at NJMP, took it with him to Barber and finally arrived in a small Colorado town with the Speedwerks 600 crouched in the back of his dually. After breakfast, Nick swapped it into his own truck for the ride home. Photo by Nick Ienatsch.
Nice to Meet You
The bike arrived in Colorado just as autumn began to turn cold. Like many of you, I have a habit of tearing down every “new-to-me” bike so the FZR came apart for the few things I could do…simple stuff but so very joyful.
Nick Ienatsch is enthusiastic about have “my own racebike in my own garage. Words can’t describe how much fun I’ve had with this FZR and the main reason is how wonderfully Speedwerks made it. It’s not a haggard 33-year-old vintage bike. It’s a shining jewel…at least in my 61-year-old eyes.” Photo by Nick Ienatsch.
Cleaning the rust off the rotors is the type of work Nick’s done since the bike arrived. Photo by Nick Ienatsch.
Yes, I’ve ridden it. Sans bodywork and on the ratty old slicks Speedwerks installed to roll it around the shop, I rode it down my gravel driveway, then two miles on a dirt road to the paved freeway frontage road for a few blasts up and down…and then up and down and up and down a few more times! It ran nicely despite the 5,000 feet of elevation. And when the Bridgestone slicks arrive and are installed, I’ll sneak in a winter track day at Pueblo Motorsports Park or Pikes Peak International Raceway.
Not sure when I’ll race it, but who cares? It’s a treat just to be able to work on.
Skipping the Hard Part
I’ve written this FZR saga because this “starter kit” idea may make sense for you, too. Rather than buy a stock bike and make it a racer or buy an old racer to refurbish, have a proven shop like Speedwerks get you started.
Why? Because there are basics and details that builders like Steve Long know in their sleep; their connections are deep and proven, their decisions forged in the unambiguous world of racing. In this case, Steve cut months if not years off my dream to have my own racer in my own garage.
I’ll get back to you after our first track day together…just me and my very own racebike, finally.
Nick Ienatsch: “I’ve had the pleasure to ride and report on a few of Steve Long’s (left) Speedwerks bikes before; this RGv250 with an RG500 engine was the highlight…so far.” TheSBimage.com photo courtesy Nick Ienatsch.
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