Kolby Carlile and G&G Racing Team Up for 2023 Progressive AFT Season
Southern California (December 19, 2022) – Kolby Carlile and G&G Racing have teamed up for the 2023 season in the Progressive American Flat Track Mission SuperTwins class. After four successful years with the Yamaha MT-07 in the Mission Production Twins class, including two championship-winning seasons, G&G Racing is pleased to return to the premier class for 2023, with Carlile. Also, G&G Racing is happy to continue their partnership with Yamaha Racing for 2023 making this their eighth season together.
G&G Racing would like to thank our sponsors who help make this happen: Yamaha Racing, Yamalube, bLU cRU, JMR, Twisted Development, Graves Sports, AIM, Fontana Radiators, Metalartopia, Motion Pro, Race Tech, Rosa Plates, Mission Foods and Roof Systems of Dallas.
Jim Roach – Yamaha Racing Department Manager for YMUS
“Yamaha Racing is excited that the G&G Racing Team is making the transition from the Mission Production Twins class to the Mission SuperTwins class. Having won two Production Twins Championships, it is now time to take the next step. The addition of Kolby Carlile, a Parts Unlimited AFT Singles Champion who won his Singles Championship on a Yamaha, will allow the team to continue to battle for Championships. Yamaha Racing is looking forward to the start of the racing season!”
“We are excited to welcome Kolby to the team and look forward to a fun and competitive year. Kolby still has the fire and desire to win races, plus has experience with the Yamaha MT-07. Also, we are thrilled to continue our partnership with Yamaha Racing.”
Kolby Carlile – G&G Racing
“I am so exhilarated to team up with G&G racing going into my tenth season as a professional racer. I have spent a lot of time battling with these bikes since 2019, so I know what they are capable of. We were able to do a test in California, and I liked the bikes as well as working with LJ and John (Gronek). I have vast experience with the Yamaha MT-07, and that is going to translate into this year. The guys at G&G are very relaxed and give me a fun, no-pressure atmosphere which will allow me to excel at my job.
“My career hasn’t been the easiest the past few years injury-wise, but I am putting all my attention into taking care of my body and doing all I can to be the best racer I can be this year. I can’t wait to get things going in March.”
About G&G Racing
G&G Racing is a 2X AFT Production Twins Championship team. A father and son who have built their own Yamaha MT-07’s for the AFT SuperTwins and sponsor riders, amateur to pro, in flat track. All work is done in-house from Southern California.
Bridgestone CSBK confirm 2023 National Event Calendar
Toronto, ON – The Bridgestone Canadian National Superbike Championship series will feature five events in 2023, a return to a full pre-pandemic calendar. Each weekend will host all six national classes that compete in the CSBK National tour, with “doubleheaders” (one race Saturday and one race Sunday) for the two featured Pro categories, Superbike and Liqui Moly Pro Sport Bike.
Every Pro Superbike and Pro Sport Bike races in the 2023 Bridgestone CSBK series will be broadcast on The Sports Network (TSN), Canada’s premier sports television channel. CSBK first appeared on TSN in 1995.
For the third year in a row, the weekend at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in August will provide three full points races for the top Pro Superbike class, a rare “tripleheader”. So far, no competitor has earned all three race victories at “old Mosport,” with 2021 national champ Alex Dumas (Suzuki) of Quebec City and newly crowned 2022 overall winner Ben Young (BMW) of Collingwood, ON, trading victories.
Both Dumas and Young, the only two feature Superbike winners in 2022, have earned “King of Mosport” honours, awarded to the Pro with the best overall finishing order over the three main races.
Canada’s most accomplished Superbike rider, 14-time champion Jordan Szoke of Lynden, ON, is expected to challenge the Young/Dumas rivalry up front next year after missing the entire 2022 CSBK season due to injuries suffered while training.
2023 Bridgestone CSBK National Championship Schedule
Round 1 May 19 – 21 Shannonville Motorsport Park, ON
Round 2 June 8 – 11 Grand Bend Motorplex, ON
Round 3 July 20 – 23 Atlantic Motorsport Park, NS *
Round 4 August 18 – 20 Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, ON **
Round 5 September 15 – 17 Shannonville Motorsport Park, ON
* Full double-header round: two races for all classes
** Full double-header round with three Pro Superbike races
As previously announced, the tour will begin with a much-anticipated return to historic Shannonville Motorsport Park on the Victoria Day weekend, using the perimeter Pro layout.
Next up is a trip to Ontario’s “west coast” at Grand Bend Motorplex, where an official series Thursday Test will lead into three days of competition using the technical layout.
CSBK are back on the east coast at famed “Shubie” in July, the traditional date for the national event at Atlantic Motorsport Park in Nova Scotia. In 2022, events at the venue near Shubenacadie, NS were pivotal in deciding the season-long points battle between title rivals Young and Dumas.
August is the month for CTMP, the fan-favourite venue that hosted the FIM Canadian Motorcycle Grand Prix back in 1967. Providing the unique triple header format, “old Mosport” is likely to be critical for the championship chase, only this time as the penultimate round as opposed to the traditional finale.
The 2023 Bridgestone CSBK series will instead finish back at Shannonville, the 23rd time the series has completed the tour at the former “Nelson International” circuit. The first SMP national was the second-ever Canadian Superbike weekend back in 1980, where Mississauga, ON’s George Morin clinched the inaugural crown for Kawasaki at Shannonville 43 years ago.
CSBK will continue to provide further news and updates for various items including homologated machinery, rules updates, and details of the March 2023 invitational Bridgestone Test at Jennings GP in north Florida, in the near future.
Mike Shank Appointed to the Board Of Directors for Road America
ELKHART LAKE, Wis. – Elkhart Lake’s Road America Inc., recently announced the addition of Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) Team Owner, Mike Shank, to its Board of Directors. Shank comes into the position with over two decades of motorsports experience as professional IMSA and INDYCAR SERIES Team Owner.
“We are excited to have Mike join our Board of Directors and share his vast insight and motorsports expertise as we continue into the future,” said Ron Pace, Chairman of the Board of Elkhart Lake’s Road America Inc.
Shank has been a leader in the professional motorsports community since first starting his team in 1994. Since then, Shank has established himself as a proven winner having led his team to two Rolex 24 Hour victories (2012 & 2022), back-to-back IMSA GTD Championships (2019 & 2020) and most recently closing out the 2022 IMSA season with a DPi Championship.
Shank’s career in racing has seen his single car IMSA Daytona Prototype team which made its 24 Hours or Le Mans debut in 2016 transform into a factory backed GT team – first in 2017 when MSR was selected by Acura to run the all-new NSX GT3 in IMSA competition. MSR transitioned back to the top IMSA category in 2022 and bookended the season with wins at the Rolex 24 and Petit Le Mans, yielding a third IMSA championship title. Shank is now leading MSR into a new era of IMSA competition with the debut of the hybrid Acura ARX-06 LMDh.
Shank continued to build a strong relationship with Honda that extended into the NTT INDYCAR SERIES which saw Shank build a winning IndyCar program, with MSR having first entered the category with a one-off appearance in the 2017 Indianapolis 500.
Shank and Meyer Shank Racing added “Indianapolis 500 winners” to its resume following a historic Indy 500 victory in 2021 which saw Helio Castroneves race to a record tying fourth Indy 500 win in his first race start with the team. MSR, which welcomed Jim Meyer as a co-owner in 2018, will contest the 2023 INDYCAR season with Castroneves and Simon Pagenaud.
“I’m honored to be selected to be on the Board of Directors for Road America,” said Shank. “This is something new for me, but I am looking forward to working with the rest of the team on initiatives for the future.
“Of course, Road America has been a staple on our racing calendars for as long as MSR has been competing, so it’s pretty cool to have an impact on such a special place.”
BELL ANNOUNCES LIMITED-EDITION CARLIN DUNNE RACE STAR
A replica graphic of Dunne’s 2018 Pikes Peak helmet will be available in limited quantities
Scotts Valley, CA – Bell is proud to release a limited-edition Carlin Dunne Race Star DLX Flex helmet in partnership with the Carlin Dunne Foundation and the Dunne Family – honoring fallen racer Carlin Dunne’s accomplishments as a motorcyclist and competitor, this replica of Dunne’s 2018 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Race Star is now available to the public in limited quantities.
Bell’s Carlin Dunne Race Star DLX Flex is a replica of the helmet Dunne wore during the 2018 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb event. Photo courtesy Bell Helmets.
Carlin Dunne was a decorated motorcycle racer who competed in a multitude of two-wheeled disciplines including free ride mountain biking, road racing, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, desert racing including Baja and Hollywood stunt work. In 2018, Dunne set the record for the fastest time up Pikes Peak for a motorcycle while wearing a custom Race Star DLX Flex helmet painted by renowned artist Chris Wood of AirTrix. Bell commissioned AirTrix’s artwork with the permission of the Dunne family to create an off-the-shelf graphic that looks nearly as striking as the original helmet Dunne wore in 2018.
Bell’s Carlin Dunne Race Star DLX Flex helmet features artwork by AirTrix’s Chris Wood that represents Dunne’s Native Mexican heritage. Photo courtesy Bell Helmets.
“The legacy left behind by Carlin Dunne speaks volumes for who he was as a racer and a person,” said SJ Owen, marketing director for Bell. “We are thankful to pay our respects to Carlin with this special replica graphic designed by Carlin and AirTrix. The Carlin Dunne Foundation, created in Carlin’s memory is doing important work to continue his memory and empower and educate future action sports athletes. This is a special helmet to honor an exceptional competitor and person.”
The Race Star DLX Flex features a Native headdress graphic, giving a nod to Dunne’s Native Mexican family lineage. The stunning gold, orange and blue feathers adorn the top of the helmet, while subtle pops of the Race Star’s signature 3k carbon shell feature a gloss finish. Dunne ran 5 as his race number and it is displayed prominently on the helmet’s chin bar which carries Native-Mexican inspired designs and shapes. Dunne is written across the back of the helmet in a special font, to complete the key details of the helmet.
Bell’s creation of the Carlin Dunne Race Star DLX Flex replica helmet was done in collaboration with Dunne’s family and the Carlin Dunne Foundation. Photo courtesy Bell Helmets.
“Carlin was a special person who lived life to the fullest,” said Daniela Dunne, Carlin’s sister and the creator of the Carlin Dunne Foundation. “He wore Bell helmets throughout his motorcycle racing career and we’re happy to collaborate with Bell on this special project. Carlin truly loved helping others learn and the Carlin Dunne Foundation was created to continue that mission in his honor.”
The Carlin Dunne Foundation serves to develop preventative resources and rehab programs for extreme sport athletes diagnosed with or at risk for CTE, Concussion Syndrome, and Traumatic Brain Injury. And secondly, it provides mentorship programs for up-and-coming riders, and is developing a network focused on providing the tools necessary to succeed. Bell will provide resources and help to the Foundation in addition to releasing the graphic in Carlin’s honor.
Available online and at Bell authorized retailers, the Carlin Dunne Race Star DLX Flex will retail for $919.95 USD in sizes S (54-55cm) through XXL (61-62cm).
To learn more about the Carlin Dunne and the Carlin Dunne Foundation, visit BellHelmets.com and follow Bell Helmets Power on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON TO KICK OFF 120TH CELEBRATION YEAR ON JANUARY 18
H-D.com to Host New 2023 Motorcycles and Harley-Davidson® Homecoming™ Details
MILWAUKEE – On January 18, 2023, Harley-Davidson will reveal both its 2023 motorcycle line-up and details of the first annual Harley-Davidson® Homecoming™, a celebration 120 years in the making. All the news will stream live at 10 a.m. CST at Harley-Davidson.com.
“2023 marks the 120th Anniversary of Harley-Davidson during which we’ll honor our rich heritage, celebrate with our fans and riding community, and reveal our newest motorcycles and product offerings,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, President and CEO of Harley-Davidson. “Please join us as we kick off our 120th Anniversary with exciting new model introductions and a peek at what we have in store for the landmark year ahead.”
The first wave of new 2023 Harley-Davidson motorcycles, Genuine Harley-Davidson Accessories and Harley-Davidson MotorClothes gear and apparel will be revealed on January 18 and will be available at authorized Harley-Davidson dealerships afterwards.
The 2023 Harley-Davidson® Homecoming™ event will fill four days with music, food, and moto-culture at multiple venues throughout the Milwaukee area on July 13-16, 2023. Details on entertainment, scheduled events, venues, ticket packages, and lodging will appear at H-D.com on Jan. 18, where visitors can also sign up for ongoing Homecoming updates. Everyone is welcome and invited from riders, co-riders, to fans, and families.
TPR Team Pedercini and Vinales Racing join forces for exciting new WorldSBK project
TPR Team Pedercini is excited to announce that they have reached an agreement with the Viñales Racing Team, the two joining forces for the 2023 season.
The collaboration, lasting a minimum of two years, will see the new look TPR by Viñales Racing squad compete solely in FIM Superbike World Championship. The team will race with Kawasaki machinery and a rider announcement will be made in due course.
Lucio Pedercini: “I am delighted to have reached an agreement with Angel and the Viñales Racing Team that will see TPR remain in the FIM Superbike World Championship moving forward with a structure that will allow us to make a big step in terms of performance and see us return to being the competitive team that we know we can be. 2022 was a difficult year in many ways and after discussing with Angel, who is respected and brings a lot of experience, like me from many years in the World Championship, it was an easy decision to make for us to join forces. The project is for a minimum of two years and our target is to become the top independent team within the World Superbike paddock. I still have a lot of passion and although we did the maximum, we could this year I am a competitor and I want to be at the front.”
Angel Viñales: “I didn’t have to think long when I contacted Lucio to join forces in this SBK project. I have always felt extremely comfortable helping riders in the large displacement categories, in the end it is with the bikes that I have the most experience. I’ve spent more than 10 years in MotoGP and with the experience gained over these past two years with my own team, I think we can do a great job together and meet all the goals we can set for ourselves. I am looking forward to getting going to start giving it the change that we both believe the team needs and become a benchmark in the championship.”
MIE Racing Honda Team completes a two-day test at Jerez with Eric Granado
The MIE Racing Honda team was at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit on Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 December for a test session with its new rider Eric Granado. Team-mate Hafizh Syahrin did not take part in this week’s sessions as the main aim was to offer rookie Granado a first taste of the CBR1000RR-R FIREBLADE with which he will compete during the 2023 Superbike World Championship season.
The test was unfortunately conditioned by persistent rain and so the track remained wet throughout the two days, the team having zero opportunity to test any dry set-ups. Granado nevertheless worked hard during his first outing with his new squad and focused on getting to grips with what is a new bike for him, complete with new electronics. Eric was also able to get to know his new team-mates and so the test was also useful in this respect, despite the squad having hoped for some dry track time.
Eric Granado. Photo courtesy MIE Honda Racing Team
Eric Granado
“The aim of this test was mainly to get to know the team and start to understand the bike and see how the electronics work, which is all very different from what I am used to. This all went very well and that’s a positive of course. Unfortunately, though, it more or less rained from start to finish and so we couldn’t test in the dry. That was unlucky, because I would have liked to ride in the dry but at least I completed a few laps over the two days we had available. I was also able to get to know the team and some of the riders I will be racing with next year and I learned a few things in the process. I would like to thank Midori (Moriwaki) and Honda once again, and everybody who has made it possible for me to compete in WorldSBK. Now I will go back to Brazil for a few weeks to enjoy some warm weather and spend some time with the family. I spend most of the year in Europe so I will take the opportunity to recharge my batteries and come back reenergized and ready to start the season.”
Bologna and Piazza Maggiore turn red to celebrate Ducati’s perfect season: Bagnaia and Bautista “Campioni in Piazza²”
Many fans in Piazza Maggiore in Bologna for “Campioni in Piazza²”, the event with which Ducati celebrated its unforgettable racing season and the conquest of all the World Titles in both MotoGP and WorldSBK
The city of Bologna, the Motor Valley and all of Italy celebrate the successes of Ducati, a company strongly rooted in the territory and at the same time an expression of “Made in Italy” that wins in the world
Two limited edition Panigale V4 were presented, paying homage to the triumphs of Francesco Bagnaia and Álvaro Bautista with livery inspired by the bikes of the World Champions and dedicated components
Bologna, 16 December 2022 – The streets of Bologna and its central square, Piazza Maggiore, were coloured in Ducati Red for the celebrations of an unforgettable 2022 racing year, which saw the Ducati Corse heroes conquer the Riders’, Constructors’ and Teams titles in the same season in both major motorcycle world championships: MotoGP and WorldSBK. An unprecedented triumph for the Borgo Panigale motorcycle manufacturer, which in this way wished to share this incredible joy with the Ducatisti and with the territory in which the company has always had its roots.
Francesco Bagnaia and Álvaro Bautista were obviously the stars of the evening. From the stage in Piazza Maggiore, the World Champions received a tidal wave of affection from Ducatisti enthusiasts from all over the world, who could not fail to miss this historic moment of celebration, despite the rain and the cold temperatures. The city of Bologna, the Emilia-Romagna region and all of Italy celebrated together with Ducati the successes of a company that draws strength every day from its history, well rooted in Borgo Panigale, and at the same time is honoured to be ambassador of “Made in Italy” all over the world.
2022 MotoGP World Champion Francesco Bagnaia is introduced to the fans. Photo courtesy Ducati.
The celebratory event got underway at around 8.00 pm CET on Thursday 15 December with a DJ-set by Fresco, a DJ and record producer known for his collaborations with Italian singer Jovanotti, interspersed with the irresistible comedy of Giuseppe Giacobazzi from Romagna, entertaining fans of all ages who had flocked to Piazza Maggiore.
The key part of the evening started to the sound of Federico Poggipollini’s guitar and the off-screen voice of the most famous Italian voice actor Luca Ward, who during the event became the protagonist of one of the most exciting passages, reciting a text in which the fundamental stages of the history of the Bologna-based manufacturer in the world of racing competition were retraced.
The presentation of “Campioni in Piazza²” was entrusted to the journalist and great motorsport enthusiast Barbara Pedrotti, who began a round of interviews by inviting the Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali and the representatives of the territorial institutions, the President of the Emilia-Romagna Region Stefano Bonaccini and the Mayor of Bologna Matteo Lepore, onto the stage. Both figures underlined the importance of an event like this for the city and the added value offered by the collaboration with Ducati with a view to synergy with the entire Emilia-Romagna Motor Valley.
2022 Superbike World Champion Alvaro Bautista is introduced to the fans. Photo courtesy Ducati.
The Ducati event continued with a speech by Ducati Corse General Manager Luigi Dall’Igna, who retraced the decisive moments of the season. From the stage, the audience was also greeted by all the other faces who best represent the successes of the Bologna-based manufacturer and who enthusiasts have now learned to recognize in the footage from the pits of circuits: Ducati Corse Sporting Director Paolo Ciabatti, Ducati Corse Technical Director Davide Barana, MotoGP Team Manager Davide Tardozzi, Team Principal Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Stefano Cecconi and WorldSBK Team Manager Serafino Foti.
The climax of the evening came when the voice of MotoGP on Italian TV Guido Meda called the two most awaited names on stage: the 2022 WorldSBK World Champion Álvaro Bautista and the 2022 MotoGP World Champion Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia , who were welcomed with great enthusiasm by the public in Piazza Maggiore. The celebration of the successes of Bagnaia and Bautista was shared with the other Ducati riders present at the event: Axel Bassani, Enea Bastianini, Marco Bezzecchi, Chaz Davies, Fabio Di Giannantonio, Luca Marini, Michele Pirro and Michael Ruben Rinaldi.
On stage, to celebrate the shared passion for sport and to pay their respects to the Ducati Champions, were also representatives of local and national sporting realities Lorenzo De Silvestri (Bologna Calcio football player), Pietro Aradori (Fortitudo Pallacanestro Bologna player) and Sabrina Cinili (captain of the Virtus Bologna women’s basketball team), together with the coach of the Italian national cycling team Daniele Bennati.
During the “Campioni in Piazza²” event, a big surprise was also unveiled for all the most passionate Ducatisti. To pay homage to the world titles of Bagnaia and Bautista, Ducati has in fact created two special series of Panigale V4 in limited and numbered editions, with liveries inspired respectively by the Desmosedici GP22 and the Panigale V4 R of the World Champions and with dedicated components.
These collector’s bikes are characterized by having the liveries of Pecco Bagnaia #63 and Álvaro Bautista #19 and each bike is made unique by having the original signature of the rider on the fuel tank, protected with a layer of transparent varnish. In their production numbers, the two bikes celebrate the year Ducati was founded, 1926. Each series will in fact consist of only 260 units.
Panigale V4 Bagnaia 2022 World Champion Replica and Panigale V4 Bautista 2022 World Champion Replica were displayed to the public in Piazza del Nettuno, flanked by the Desmosedici GP22 and the Panigale V4 R World Champion bikes and a Lamborghini Huracán STO, specially created for the occasion in Ducati Corse colours.
During the press conference that preceded the event, the documentary “Nuvola Rossa: Bagnaia & Ducati’s Perfect Comb1nation” was also presented, a short film that illustrates the most significant and exciting moments of the last three races of the MotoGP championship. The 20-minute documentary will be published on Ducati’s official YouTube channel and on Ducati.com on 16 December at 12.00 PM CET.
The press conference was also an opportunity to officially announce the dates for the presentation of the two official Ducati teams in MotoGP and WorldSBK for the 2023 season. “Campioni in Pista” (Champions on the Ski Track) will be held from 22nd to 24th January 2023 in the exceptional location of Madonna di Campiglio; during this event, organized in collaboration with Trentino Marketing and Madonna di Campiglio Tourist Board, Ducati will present the Ducati Lenovo Team and the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team together for the first time.
Yoshimura Suzuki Endurance Racing Team Motul will contest the FIM Endurance World Championship in 2023.
The Franco-Japanese squad is preparing to enter a Suzuki GSX-R1000R in the four-event ultimate test of rider and machine as it bids to reclaim the EWC title it won in 2021.
Yoshimura SERT Motul will announce its riders in due course but has confirmed it will run under the #12 and carry its familiar red and blue colour scheme.
Yohei Kato, Team Director, said: “I am very delighted to say that Yoshimura SERT Motul will participate in the FIM Endurance World Championship in 2023. The statement from Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) ending its factory participation in MotoGP and EWC at the end of 2022 was of course very difficult to digest. However, we accepted the situation and set our mind in putting [in place] new plans for the EWC 2023 season.
“Thanks to SMC’s understanding and decision for the new team’s support, we will continue to represent Suzuki at the highest level. We are fully committed to reclaim the EWC title in 2023.
“Taking this opportunity, we thank all of our sponsors including Motul and Denso, partner companies and fans for supporting us for many years. Voices not only from them but also from our team members themselves longing for the EWC participation made it possible.
“In the 2022 season, we were leading the championship until the last race of the season, but unexpected problems prevented us from defending our title. We will continue to move forward with the excellent Yoshimura SERT Motul riders and team members. Our goal is to win all races in 2023, and particularly look forward to the challenge of winning the 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans for the third consecutive year.”
Damien Saulnier, Team Manager, said: “It is with great pleasure that, together with Yohei, we can confirm that the Yoshimura SERT Motul partnership is renewed for 2023. We will be running our Suzuki GSX-R1000R in red and blue livery to symbolise our association with both Yoshimura and Suzuki for the third year. We’ll also run with the traditional number 12 plate when we return to the track next April.
“Despite the withdrawal of Suzuki from the official competition, we are still getting significant support from them as we continue to represent the brand in this important world championship. We will do our best to reward such confidence and return the Japanese manufacturer to the top step of the EWC podium in 2023.
“We are also very grateful to our longstanding partners, as well as new ones, for standing by us and backing us for the new season. With their help, we can concentrate on the job in hand, power on and be ready to reconquer the title. We look forward to welcoming our many fans and supporters to the opening round of EWC at Le Mans next April.”
The 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans opens the new EWC season from 13-16 April.
Yamaha honors champions at the 2022 Wall of Champions induction ceremony
MARIETTA, Ga. – December 16, 2022 – Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, honored its 2022 Yamaha bLU cRU champions last week at the annual Yamaha Wall of Champions induction ceremony. Held this year at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, nine racers were recognized for their crowning achievements in their respective professional championships.
Eli Tomac was recognized for his landmark season aboard the YZ450F, winning premier class titles in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross and AMA Pro Motocross Championships, as well as being a Motocross of Nations Champion with Team USA. Also honored for his achievements in supercross was 2022 250SX West Champion Christian Craig, who carried on the YZ250F’s title-winning tradition.
2022 AMA Supercross and 2022 AMA Pro Motocross Champion Eli Tomac (left) with Yamaha Racing Department Manager Jim Roach (right). Photo courtesy Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.
In road racing, Jake Gagne was inducted for his second-consecutive MotoAmerica Superbike Championship aboard the YZF-R1. The young Blake Davis earned his first Wall of Champions plaque for winning the MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship with the YZF-R7.
Yamaha racers also reaped success off-road on both two- and four-wheels. Rachael Archer earned her first title in the Grand National Cross Country Series (GNCC), winning the 2022 GNCC WXC Motorcycle Championship aboard the YZ250FX. Taking top honors on the YFZ450R was Brycen Neal in the GNCC XC1 Pro ATV Championship and Joel Hetrick in the AMA Pro ATV Motocross Championship. Yamaha racers also swept the Championship Off-Road Tour Side-by-Side (SxS) classes in the pure sport YXZ1000R, with Brock Heger winning the Pro Stock SxS title and Hamish Kelsey winning the Pro Turbo SxS title.
2022 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion Blake Davis (left) with Yamaha Racing Department Manager Jim Roach (right). Photo courtesy Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.
“It was another exciting year for the Yamaha bLU cRU. Securing multiple championships and race wins in 2022, we continue to add to Yamaha’s rich legacy in racing at the highest level,” said Steve Nessl, YMUS Motorsports Marketing Manager. “We are thrilled to honor these racers at this year’s induction ceremony. The Yamaha Wall of Champions not only celebrates the success of these talented riders and drivers but also showcases our commitment to racing and producing world-class products. From all of us at Yamaha, congratulations to the 2022 Wall of Champions inductees.”
The inductees received copies of their honorary plaques that will be added to the Wall of Champions at Yamaha Motorsports headquarters in Marietta, Georgia. Established to honor Yamaha bLU cRU champions with a lasting memory of their accomplishments, the first induction ceremony for the Wall of Champions was held on November 16, 2012. Since then, over 100 racers have been inducted for their achievements.
About Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA
Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the outdoor recreation industry. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings include Motorcycles and Scooters, ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles, Snowmobiles, WaveRunner Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outboard Motors, Outdoor Power Equipment, Power Assist Bicycles, Golf Cars, Power Assist Wheelchair Systems, Surface Mount Technology (SMT) and Robotic Machines, Unmanned Helicopters, Accessories, Apparel, Yamalube products, and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of distributors and dealers in the United States.
YMUS has a corporate office in California, two corporate offices in Georgia, facilities in Wisconsin and Alabama, and factory operations in Tennessee and Georgia. Additional U.S.-based subsidiaries include Yamaha Marine Systems Company (YMSC) with divisions Bennett Marine (Florida), Kracor Systems (Wisconsin) and Siren Marine, Inc. (Rhode Island), Skeeter Boats (Texas), with division G3 Boats (Missouri), and Yamaha Precision Propeller (Indiana).
Kolby Carlile and G&G Racing Team Up for 2023 Progressive AFT Season
Southern California (December 19, 2022) – Kolby Carlile and G&G Racing have teamed up for the 2023 season in the Progressive American Flat Track Mission SuperTwins class. After four successful years with the Yamaha MT-07 in the Mission Production Twins class, including two championship-winning seasons, G&G Racing is pleased to return to the premier class for 2023, with Carlile. Also, G&G Racing is happy to continue their partnership with Yamaha Racing for 2023 making this their eighth season together.
G&G Racing would like to thank our sponsors who help make this happen: Yamaha Racing, Yamalube, bLU cRU, JMR, Twisted Development, Graves Sports, AIM, Fontana Radiators, Metalartopia, Motion Pro, Race Tech, Rosa Plates, Mission Foods and Roof Systems of Dallas.
Jim Roach – Yamaha Racing Department Manager for YMUS
“Yamaha Racing is excited that the G&G Racing Team is making the transition from the Mission Production Twins class to the Mission SuperTwins class. Having won two Production Twins Championships, it is now time to take the next step. The addition of Kolby Carlile, a Parts Unlimited AFT Singles Champion who won his Singles Championship on a Yamaha, will allow the team to continue to battle for Championships. Yamaha Racing is looking forward to the start of the racing season!”
“We are excited to welcome Kolby to the team and look forward to a fun and competitive year. Kolby still has the fire and desire to win races, plus has experience with the Yamaha MT-07. Also, we are thrilled to continue our partnership with Yamaha Racing.”
Kolby Carlile – G&G Racing
“I am so exhilarated to team up with G&G racing going into my tenth season as a professional racer. I have spent a lot of time battling with these bikes since 2019, so I know what they are capable of. We were able to do a test in California, and I liked the bikes as well as working with LJ and John (Gronek). I have vast experience with the Yamaha MT-07, and that is going to translate into this year. The guys at G&G are very relaxed and give me a fun, no-pressure atmosphere which will allow me to excel at my job.
“My career hasn’t been the easiest the past few years injury-wise, but I am putting all my attention into taking care of my body and doing all I can to be the best racer I can be this year. I can’t wait to get things going in March.”
About G&G Racing
G&G Racing is a 2X AFT Production Twins Championship team. A father and son who have built their own Yamaha MT-07’s for the AFT SuperTwins and sponsor riders, amateur to pro, in flat track. All work is done in-house from Southern California.
2021 Canadian Superbike Champion Alex Dumas (1) leads eventual 2022 Champion Ben Young (86), Trevor Daley (9), Michael Leon (74), and Samuel Guerin (2) at Atlantic Motorsport Park in 2022. Photo by Rob O'Brien, courtesy CSBK.
Bridgestone CSBK confirm 2023 National Event Calendar
Toronto, ON – The Bridgestone Canadian National Superbike Championship series will feature five events in 2023, a return to a full pre-pandemic calendar. Each weekend will host all six national classes that compete in the CSBK National tour, with “doubleheaders” (one race Saturday and one race Sunday) for the two featured Pro categories, Superbike and Liqui Moly Pro Sport Bike.
Every Pro Superbike and Pro Sport Bike races in the 2023 Bridgestone CSBK series will be broadcast on The Sports Network (TSN), Canada’s premier sports television channel. CSBK first appeared on TSN in 1995.
For the third year in a row, the weekend at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in August will provide three full points races for the top Pro Superbike class, a rare “tripleheader”. So far, no competitor has earned all three race victories at “old Mosport,” with 2021 national champ Alex Dumas (Suzuki) of Quebec City and newly crowned 2022 overall winner Ben Young (BMW) of Collingwood, ON, trading victories.
Both Dumas and Young, the only two feature Superbike winners in 2022, have earned “King of Mosport” honours, awarded to the Pro with the best overall finishing order over the three main races.
Canada’s most accomplished Superbike rider, 14-time champion Jordan Szoke of Lynden, ON, is expected to challenge the Young/Dumas rivalry up front next year after missing the entire 2022 CSBK season due to injuries suffered while training.
2023 Bridgestone CSBK National Championship Schedule
Round 1 May 19 – 21 Shannonville Motorsport Park, ON
Round 2 June 8 – 11 Grand Bend Motorplex, ON
Round 3 July 20 – 23 Atlantic Motorsport Park, NS *
Round 4 August 18 – 20 Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, ON **
Round 5 September 15 – 17 Shannonville Motorsport Park, ON
* Full double-header round: two races for all classes
** Full double-header round with three Pro Superbike races
As previously announced, the tour will begin with a much-anticipated return to historic Shannonville Motorsport Park on the Victoria Day weekend, using the perimeter Pro layout.
Next up is a trip to Ontario’s “west coast” at Grand Bend Motorplex, where an official series Thursday Test will lead into three days of competition using the technical layout.
CSBK are back on the east coast at famed “Shubie” in July, the traditional date for the national event at Atlantic Motorsport Park in Nova Scotia. In 2022, events at the venue near Shubenacadie, NS were pivotal in deciding the season-long points battle between title rivals Young and Dumas.
August is the month for CTMP, the fan-favourite venue that hosted the FIM Canadian Motorcycle Grand Prix back in 1967. Providing the unique triple header format, “old Mosport” is likely to be critical for the championship chase, only this time as the penultimate round as opposed to the traditional finale.
The 2023 Bridgestone CSBK series will instead finish back at Shannonville, the 23rd time the series has completed the tour at the former “Nelson International” circuit. The first SMP national was the second-ever Canadian Superbike weekend back in 1980, where Mississauga, ON’s George Morin clinched the inaugural crown for Kawasaki at Shannonville 43 years ago.
CSBK will continue to provide further news and updates for various items including homologated machinery, rules updates, and details of the March 2023 invitational Bridgestone Test at Jennings GP in north Florida, in the near future.
Mike Shank, owner of Meyer Shank Racing. Photo courtesy Road America.
Mike Shank Appointed to the Board Of Directors for Road America
ELKHART LAKE, Wis. – Elkhart Lake’s Road America Inc., recently announced the addition of Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) Team Owner, Mike Shank, to its Board of Directors. Shank comes into the position with over two decades of motorsports experience as professional IMSA and INDYCAR SERIES Team Owner.
“We are excited to have Mike join our Board of Directors and share his vast insight and motorsports expertise as we continue into the future,” said Ron Pace, Chairman of the Board of Elkhart Lake’s Road America Inc.
Shank has been a leader in the professional motorsports community since first starting his team in 1994. Since then, Shank has established himself as a proven winner having led his team to two Rolex 24 Hour victories (2012 & 2022), back-to-back IMSA GTD Championships (2019 & 2020) and most recently closing out the 2022 IMSA season with a DPi Championship.
Shank’s career in racing has seen his single car IMSA Daytona Prototype team which made its 24 Hours or Le Mans debut in 2016 transform into a factory backed GT team – first in 2017 when MSR was selected by Acura to run the all-new NSX GT3 in IMSA competition. MSR transitioned back to the top IMSA category in 2022 and bookended the season with wins at the Rolex 24 and Petit Le Mans, yielding a third IMSA championship title. Shank is now leading MSR into a new era of IMSA competition with the debut of the hybrid Acura ARX-06 LMDh.
Shank continued to build a strong relationship with Honda that extended into the NTT INDYCAR SERIES which saw Shank build a winning IndyCar program, with MSR having first entered the category with a one-off appearance in the 2017 Indianapolis 500.
Shank and Meyer Shank Racing added “Indianapolis 500 winners” to its resume following a historic Indy 500 victory in 2021 which saw Helio Castroneves race to a record tying fourth Indy 500 win in his first race start with the team. MSR, which welcomed Jim Meyer as a co-owner in 2018, will contest the 2023 INDYCAR season with Castroneves and Simon Pagenaud.
“I’m honored to be selected to be on the Board of Directors for Road America,” said Shank. “This is something new for me, but I am looking forward to working with the rest of the team on initiatives for the future.
“Of course, Road America has been a staple on our racing calendars for as long as MSR has been competing, so it’s pretty cool to have an impact on such a special place.”
Bell's Carlin Dunne Race Star DLX Flex limited-edition helmet. Photo courtesy Bell Helmets.
BELL ANNOUNCES LIMITED-EDITION CARLIN DUNNE RACE STAR
A replica graphic of Dunne’s 2018 Pikes Peak helmet will be available in limited quantities
Scotts Valley, CA – Bell is proud to release a limited-edition Carlin Dunne Race Star DLX Flex helmet in partnership with the Carlin Dunne Foundation and the Dunne Family – honoring fallen racer Carlin Dunne’s accomplishments as a motorcyclist and competitor, this replica of Dunne’s 2018 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Race Star is now available to the public in limited quantities.
Bell’s Carlin Dunne Race Star DLX Flex is a replica of the helmet Dunne wore during the 2018 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb event. Photo courtesy Bell Helmets.
Carlin Dunne was a decorated motorcycle racer who competed in a multitude of two-wheeled disciplines including free ride mountain biking, road racing, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, desert racing including Baja and Hollywood stunt work. In 2018, Dunne set the record for the fastest time up Pikes Peak for a motorcycle while wearing a custom Race Star DLX Flex helmet painted by renowned artist Chris Wood of AirTrix. Bell commissioned AirTrix’s artwork with the permission of the Dunne family to create an off-the-shelf graphic that looks nearly as striking as the original helmet Dunne wore in 2018.
Bell’s Carlin Dunne Race Star DLX Flex helmet features artwork by AirTrix’s Chris Wood that represents Dunne’s Native Mexican heritage. Photo courtesy Bell Helmets.
“The legacy left behind by Carlin Dunne speaks volumes for who he was as a racer and a person,” said SJ Owen, marketing director for Bell. “We are thankful to pay our respects to Carlin with this special replica graphic designed by Carlin and AirTrix. The Carlin Dunne Foundation, created in Carlin’s memory is doing important work to continue his memory and empower and educate future action sports athletes. This is a special helmet to honor an exceptional competitor and person.”
The Race Star DLX Flex features a Native headdress graphic, giving a nod to Dunne’s Native Mexican family lineage. The stunning gold, orange and blue feathers adorn the top of the helmet, while subtle pops of the Race Star’s signature 3k carbon shell feature a gloss finish. Dunne ran 5 as his race number and it is displayed prominently on the helmet’s chin bar which carries Native-Mexican inspired designs and shapes. Dunne is written across the back of the helmet in a special font, to complete the key details of the helmet.
Bell’s creation of the Carlin Dunne Race Star DLX Flex replica helmet was done in collaboration with Dunne’s family and the Carlin Dunne Foundation. Photo courtesy Bell Helmets.
“Carlin was a special person who lived life to the fullest,” said Daniela Dunne, Carlin’s sister and the creator of the Carlin Dunne Foundation. “He wore Bell helmets throughout his motorcycle racing career and we’re happy to collaborate with Bell on this special project. Carlin truly loved helping others learn and the Carlin Dunne Foundation was created to continue that mission in his honor.”
The Carlin Dunne Foundation serves to develop preventative resources and rehab programs for extreme sport athletes diagnosed with or at risk for CTE, Concussion Syndrome, and Traumatic Brain Injury. And secondly, it provides mentorship programs for up-and-coming riders, and is developing a network focused on providing the tools necessary to succeed. Bell will provide resources and help to the Foundation in addition to releasing the graphic in Carlin’s honor.
Available online and at Bell authorized retailers, the Carlin Dunne Race Star DLX Flex will retail for $919.95 USD in sizes S (54-55cm) through XXL (61-62cm).
To learn more about the Carlin Dunne and the Carlin Dunne Foundation, visit BellHelmets.com and follow Bell Helmets Power on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Harley-Davidson is kicking off its 120th anniversary celebration by announcing its 2023 motorcycle lineup January 18, 2023. Photo courtesy Harley-Davidson.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON TO KICK OFF 120TH CELEBRATION YEAR ON JANUARY 18
H-D.com to Host New 2023 Motorcycles and Harley-Davidson® Homecoming™ Details
MILWAUKEE – On January 18, 2023, Harley-Davidson will reveal both its 2023 motorcycle line-up and details of the first annual Harley-Davidson® Homecoming™, a celebration 120 years in the making. All the news will stream live at 10 a.m. CST at Harley-Davidson.com.
“2023 marks the 120th Anniversary of Harley-Davidson during which we’ll honor our rich heritage, celebrate with our fans and riding community, and reveal our newest motorcycles and product offerings,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, President and CEO of Harley-Davidson. “Please join us as we kick off our 120th Anniversary with exciting new model introductions and a peek at what we have in store for the landmark year ahead.”
The first wave of new 2023 Harley-Davidson motorcycles, Genuine Harley-Davidson Accessories and Harley-Davidson MotorClothes gear and apparel will be revealed on January 18 and will be available at authorized Harley-Davidson dealerships afterwards.
The 2023 Harley-Davidson® Homecoming™ event will fill four days with music, food, and moto-culture at multiple venues throughout the Milwaukee area on July 13-16, 2023. Details on entertainment, scheduled events, venues, ticket packages, and lodging will appear at H-D.com on Jan. 18, where visitors can also sign up for ongoing Homecoming updates. Everyone is welcome and invited from riders, co-riders, to fans, and families.
TPR Team Pedercini's Lucio Pedercini (left) and Vinales Racing's Angel Vinales (right). Photo courtesy TPR by Vinales Racing.
TPR Team Pedercini and Vinales Racing join forces for exciting new WorldSBK project
TPR Team Pedercini is excited to announce that they have reached an agreement with the Viñales Racing Team, the two joining forces for the 2023 season.
The collaboration, lasting a minimum of two years, will see the new look TPR by Viñales Racing squad compete solely in FIM Superbike World Championship. The team will race with Kawasaki machinery and a rider announcement will be made in due course.
Lucio Pedercini: “I am delighted to have reached an agreement with Angel and the Viñales Racing Team that will see TPR remain in the FIM Superbike World Championship moving forward with a structure that will allow us to make a big step in terms of performance and see us return to being the competitive team that we know we can be. 2022 was a difficult year in many ways and after discussing with Angel, who is respected and brings a lot of experience, like me from many years in the World Championship, it was an easy decision to make for us to join forces. The project is for a minimum of two years and our target is to become the top independent team within the World Superbike paddock. I still have a lot of passion and although we did the maximum, we could this year I am a competitor and I want to be at the front.”
Angel Viñales: “I didn’t have to think long when I contacted Lucio to join forces in this SBK project. I have always felt extremely comfortable helping riders in the large displacement categories, in the end it is with the bikes that I have the most experience. I’ve spent more than 10 years in MotoGP and with the experience gained over these past two years with my own team, I think we can do a great job together and meet all the goals we can set for ourselves. I am looking forward to getting going to start giving it the change that we both believe the team needs and become a benchmark in the championship.”
Eric Granado. Photo courtesy MIE Honda Racing Team.
MIE Racing Honda Team completes a two-day test at Jerez with Eric Granado
The MIE Racing Honda team was at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit on Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 December for a test session with its new rider Eric Granado. Team-mate Hafizh Syahrin did not take part in this week’s sessions as the main aim was to offer rookie Granado a first taste of the CBR1000RR-R FIREBLADE with which he will compete during the 2023 Superbike World Championship season.
The test was unfortunately conditioned by persistent rain and so the track remained wet throughout the two days, the team having zero opportunity to test any dry set-ups. Granado nevertheless worked hard during his first outing with his new squad and focused on getting to grips with what is a new bike for him, complete with new electronics. Eric was also able to get to know his new team-mates and so the test was also useful in this respect, despite the squad having hoped for some dry track time.
Eric Granado. Photo courtesy MIE Honda Racing Team
Eric Granado
“The aim of this test was mainly to get to know the team and start to understand the bike and see how the electronics work, which is all very different from what I am used to. This all went very well and that’s a positive of course. Unfortunately, though, it more or less rained from start to finish and so we couldn’t test in the dry. That was unlucky, because I would have liked to ride in the dry but at least I completed a few laps over the two days we had available. I was also able to get to know the team and some of the riders I will be racing with next year and I learned a few things in the process. I would like to thank Midori (Moriwaki) and Honda once again, and everybody who has made it possible for me to compete in WorldSBK. Now I will go back to Brazil for a few weeks to enjoy some warm weather and spend some time with the family. I spend most of the year in Europe so I will take the opportunity to recharge my batteries and come back reenergized and ready to start the season.”
Fans gathered on a cold and sometimes rainy evening Dec. 15 in the Piazza Maggiore in Bologna, Italy, to celebrate Ducati's two World Championships in 2022. Photo courtesy Ducati.
Bologna and Piazza Maggiore turn red to celebrate Ducati’s perfect season: Bagnaia and Bautista “Campioni in Piazza²”
Many fans in Piazza Maggiore in Bologna for “Campioni in Piazza²”, the event with which Ducati celebrated its unforgettable racing season and the conquest of all the World Titles in both MotoGP and WorldSBK
The city of Bologna, the Motor Valley and all of Italy celebrate the successes of Ducati, a company strongly rooted in the territory and at the same time an expression of “Made in Italy” that wins in the world
Two limited edition Panigale V4 were presented, paying homage to the triumphs of Francesco Bagnaia and Álvaro Bautista with livery inspired by the bikes of the World Champions and dedicated components
Bologna, 16 December 2022 – The streets of Bologna and its central square, Piazza Maggiore, were coloured in Ducati Red for the celebrations of an unforgettable 2022 racing year, which saw the Ducati Corse heroes conquer the Riders’, Constructors’ and Teams titles in the same season in both major motorcycle world championships: MotoGP and WorldSBK. An unprecedented triumph for the Borgo Panigale motorcycle manufacturer, which in this way wished to share this incredible joy with the Ducatisti and with the territory in which the company has always had its roots.
Francesco Bagnaia and Álvaro Bautista were obviously the stars of the evening. From the stage in Piazza Maggiore, the World Champions received a tidal wave of affection from Ducatisti enthusiasts from all over the world, who could not fail to miss this historic moment of celebration, despite the rain and the cold temperatures. The city of Bologna, the Emilia-Romagna region and all of Italy celebrated together with Ducati the successes of a company that draws strength every day from its history, well rooted in Borgo Panigale, and at the same time is honoured to be ambassador of “Made in Italy” all over the world.
2022 MotoGP World Champion Francesco Bagnaia is introduced to the fans. Photo courtesy Ducati.
The celebratory event got underway at around 8.00 pm CET on Thursday 15 December with a DJ-set by Fresco, a DJ and record producer known for his collaborations with Italian singer Jovanotti, interspersed with the irresistible comedy of Giuseppe Giacobazzi from Romagna, entertaining fans of all ages who had flocked to Piazza Maggiore.
The key part of the evening started to the sound of Federico Poggipollini’s guitar and the off-screen voice of the most famous Italian voice actor Luca Ward, who during the event became the protagonist of one of the most exciting passages, reciting a text in which the fundamental stages of the history of the Bologna-based manufacturer in the world of racing competition were retraced.
The presentation of “Campioni in Piazza²” was entrusted to the journalist and great motorsport enthusiast Barbara Pedrotti, who began a round of interviews by inviting the Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali and the representatives of the territorial institutions, the President of the Emilia-Romagna Region Stefano Bonaccini and the Mayor of Bologna Matteo Lepore, onto the stage. Both figures underlined the importance of an event like this for the city and the added value offered by the collaboration with Ducati with a view to synergy with the entire Emilia-Romagna Motor Valley.
2022 Superbike World Champion Alvaro Bautista is introduced to the fans. Photo courtesy Ducati.
The Ducati event continued with a speech by Ducati Corse General Manager Luigi Dall’Igna, who retraced the decisive moments of the season. From the stage, the audience was also greeted by all the other faces who best represent the successes of the Bologna-based manufacturer and who enthusiasts have now learned to recognize in the footage from the pits of circuits: Ducati Corse Sporting Director Paolo Ciabatti, Ducati Corse Technical Director Davide Barana, MotoGP Team Manager Davide Tardozzi, Team Principal Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Stefano Cecconi and WorldSBK Team Manager Serafino Foti.
The climax of the evening came when the voice of MotoGP on Italian TV Guido Meda called the two most awaited names on stage: the 2022 WorldSBK World Champion Álvaro Bautista and the 2022 MotoGP World Champion Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia , who were welcomed with great enthusiasm by the public in Piazza Maggiore. The celebration of the successes of Bagnaia and Bautista was shared with the other Ducati riders present at the event: Axel Bassani, Enea Bastianini, Marco Bezzecchi, Chaz Davies, Fabio Di Giannantonio, Luca Marini, Michele Pirro and Michael Ruben Rinaldi.
On stage, to celebrate the shared passion for sport and to pay their respects to the Ducati Champions, were also representatives of local and national sporting realities Lorenzo De Silvestri (Bologna Calcio football player), Pietro Aradori (Fortitudo Pallacanestro Bologna player) and Sabrina Cinili (captain of the Virtus Bologna women’s basketball team), together with the coach of the Italian national cycling team Daniele Bennati.
During the “Campioni in Piazza²” event, a big surprise was also unveiled for all the most passionate Ducatisti. To pay homage to the world titles of Bagnaia and Bautista, Ducati has in fact created two special series of Panigale V4 in limited and numbered editions, with liveries inspired respectively by the Desmosedici GP22 and the Panigale V4 R of the World Champions and with dedicated components.
These collector’s bikes are characterized by having the liveries of Pecco Bagnaia #63 and Álvaro Bautista #19 and each bike is made unique by having the original signature of the rider on the fuel tank, protected with a layer of transparent varnish. In their production numbers, the two bikes celebrate the year Ducati was founded, 1926. Each series will in fact consist of only 260 units.
Panigale V4 Bagnaia 2022 World Champion Replica and Panigale V4 Bautista 2022 World Champion Replica were displayed to the public in Piazza del Nettuno, flanked by the Desmosedici GP22 and the Panigale V4 R World Champion bikes and a Lamborghini Huracán STO, specially created for the occasion in Ducati Corse colours.
During the press conference that preceded the event, the documentary “Nuvola Rossa: Bagnaia & Ducati’s Perfect Comb1nation” was also presented, a short film that illustrates the most significant and exciting moments of the last three races of the MotoGP championship. The 20-minute documentary will be published on Ducati’s official YouTube channel and on Ducati.com on 16 December at 12.00 PM CET.
The press conference was also an opportunity to officially announce the dates for the presentation of the two official Ducati teams in MotoGP and WorldSBK for the 2023 season. “Campioni in Pista” (Champions on the Ski Track) will be held from 22nd to 24th January 2023 in the exceptional location of Madonna di Campiglio; during this event, organized in collaboration with Trentino Marketing and Madonna di Campiglio Tourist Board, Ducati will present the Ducati Lenovo Team and the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team together for the first time.
Xavier Simeon (1) at speed on the Yoshimura SERT Motul Suzuki GSX-R1000 in 2022. Photo courtesy Team Suzuki Press Office.
Yoshimura SERT Motul all set for 2023 EWC action
Yoshimura Suzuki Endurance Racing Team Motul will contest the FIM Endurance World Championship in 2023.
The Franco-Japanese squad is preparing to enter a Suzuki GSX-R1000R in the four-event ultimate test of rider and machine as it bids to reclaim the EWC title it won in 2021.
Yoshimura SERT Motul will announce its riders in due course but has confirmed it will run under the #12 and carry its familiar red and blue colour scheme.
Yohei Kato, Team Director, said: “I am very delighted to say that Yoshimura SERT Motul will participate in the FIM Endurance World Championship in 2023. The statement from Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) ending its factory participation in MotoGP and EWC at the end of 2022 was of course very difficult to digest. However, we accepted the situation and set our mind in putting [in place] new plans for the EWC 2023 season.
“Thanks to SMC’s understanding and decision for the new team’s support, we will continue to represent Suzuki at the highest level. We are fully committed to reclaim the EWC title in 2023.
“Taking this opportunity, we thank all of our sponsors including Motul and Denso, partner companies and fans for supporting us for many years. Voices not only from them but also from our team members themselves longing for the EWC participation made it possible.
“In the 2022 season, we were leading the championship until the last race of the season, but unexpected problems prevented us from defending our title. We will continue to move forward with the excellent Yoshimura SERT Motul riders and team members. Our goal is to win all races in 2023, and particularly look forward to the challenge of winning the 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans for the third consecutive year.”
Damien Saulnier, Team Manager, said: “It is with great pleasure that, together with Yohei, we can confirm that the Yoshimura SERT Motul partnership is renewed for 2023. We will be running our Suzuki GSX-R1000R in red and blue livery to symbolise our association with both Yoshimura and Suzuki for the third year. We’ll also run with the traditional number 12 plate when we return to the track next April.
“Despite the withdrawal of Suzuki from the official competition, we are still getting significant support from them as we continue to represent the brand in this important world championship. We will do our best to reward such confidence and return the Japanese manufacturer to the top step of the EWC podium in 2023.
“We are also very grateful to our longstanding partners, as well as new ones, for standing by us and backing us for the new season. With their help, we can concentrate on the job in hand, power on and be ready to reconquer the title. We look forward to welcoming our many fans and supporters to the opening round of EWC at Le Mans next April.”
The 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans opens the new EWC season from 13-16 April.
2022 MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne (left) with Yamaha Racing Department Manager Jim Roach (right). Photo courtesy Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.
Yamaha Celebrates 2022 Champions
Yamaha honors champions at the 2022 Wall of Champions induction ceremony
MARIETTA, Ga. – December 16, 2022 – Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, honored its 2022 Yamaha bLU cRU champions last week at the annual Yamaha Wall of Champions induction ceremony. Held this year at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, nine racers were recognized for their crowning achievements in their respective professional championships.
Eli Tomac was recognized for his landmark season aboard the YZ450F, winning premier class titles in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross and AMA Pro Motocross Championships, as well as being a Motocross of Nations Champion with Team USA. Also honored for his achievements in supercross was 2022 250SX West Champion Christian Craig, who carried on the YZ250F’s title-winning tradition.
2022 AMA Supercross and 2022 AMA Pro Motocross Champion Eli Tomac (left) with Yamaha Racing Department Manager Jim Roach (right). Photo courtesy Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.
In road racing, Jake Gagne was inducted for his second-consecutive MotoAmerica Superbike Championship aboard the YZF-R1. The young Blake Davis earned his first Wall of Champions plaque for winning the MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship with the YZF-R7.
Yamaha racers also reaped success off-road on both two- and four-wheels. Rachael Archer earned her first title in the Grand National Cross Country Series (GNCC), winning the 2022 GNCC WXC Motorcycle Championship aboard the YZ250FX. Taking top honors on the YFZ450R was Brycen Neal in the GNCC XC1 Pro ATV Championship and Joel Hetrick in the AMA Pro ATV Motocross Championship. Yamaha racers also swept the Championship Off-Road Tour Side-by-Side (SxS) classes in the pure sport YXZ1000R, with Brock Heger winning the Pro Stock SxS title and Hamish Kelsey winning the Pro Turbo SxS title.
2022 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion Blake Davis (left) with Yamaha Racing Department Manager Jim Roach (right). Photo courtesy Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.
“It was another exciting year for the Yamaha bLU cRU. Securing multiple championships and race wins in 2022, we continue to add to Yamaha’s rich legacy in racing at the highest level,” said Steve Nessl, YMUS Motorsports Marketing Manager. “We are thrilled to honor these racers at this year’s induction ceremony. The Yamaha Wall of Champions not only celebrates the success of these talented riders and drivers but also showcases our commitment to racing and producing world-class products. From all of us at Yamaha, congratulations to the 2022 Wall of Champions inductees.”
The inductees received copies of their honorary plaques that will be added to the Wall of Champions at Yamaha Motorsports headquarters in Marietta, Georgia. Established to honor Yamaha bLU cRU champions with a lasting memory of their accomplishments, the first induction ceremony for the Wall of Champions was held on November 16, 2012. Since then, over 100 racers have been inducted for their achievements.
About Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA
Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the outdoor recreation industry. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings include Motorcycles and Scooters, ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles, Snowmobiles, WaveRunner Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outboard Motors, Outdoor Power Equipment, Power Assist Bicycles, Golf Cars, Power Assist Wheelchair Systems, Surface Mount Technology (SMT) and Robotic Machines, Unmanned Helicopters, Accessories, Apparel, Yamalube products, and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of distributors and dealers in the United States.
YMUS has a corporate office in California, two corporate offices in Georgia, facilities in Wisconsin and Alabama, and factory operations in Tennessee and Georgia. Additional U.S.-based subsidiaries include Yamaha Marine Systems Company (YMSC) with divisions Bennett Marine (Florida), Kracor Systems (Wisconsin) and Siren Marine, Inc. (Rhode Island), Skeeter Boats (Texas), with division G3 Boats (Missouri), and Yamaha Precision Propeller (Indiana).
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Hide Images
Hide Emoji
Reading Guide
Stop Animations
Reading Mask
Highlight Hover
Highlight Focus
Big Dark Cursor
Big Light Cursor
Cognitive Reading
Virtual Keyboard
Navigation Keys
Voice Navigation
Accessibility Statement
www.roadracingworld.com
November 10, 2026
Compliance status
We firmly believe that the internet should be available and accessible to anyone, and are committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience,
regardless of circumstance and ability.
To fulfill this, we aim to adhere as strictly as possible to the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG 2.1) at the AA level.
These guidelines explain how to make web content accessible to people with a wide array of disabilities. Complying with those guidelines helps us ensure that the website is accessible
to all people: blind people, people with motor impairments, visual impairment, cognitive disabilities, and more.
This website utilizes various technologies that are meant to make it as accessible as possible at all times. We utilize an accessibility interface that allows persons with specific
disabilities to adjust the website’s UI (user interface) and design it to their personal needs.
Additionally, the website utilizes an AI-based application that runs in the background and optimizes its accessibility level constantly. This application remediates the website’s HTML,
adapts Its functionality and behavior for screen-readers used by the blind users, and for keyboard functions used by individuals with motor impairments.
If you’ve found a malfunction or have ideas for improvement, we’ll be happy to hear from you. You can reach out to the website’s operators by using the following email
Screen-reader and keyboard navigation
Our website implements the ARIA attributes (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) technique, alongside various different behavioral changes, to ensure blind users visiting with
screen-readers are able to read, comprehend, and enjoy the website’s functions. As soon as a user with a screen-reader enters your site, they immediately receive
a prompt to enter the Screen-Reader Profile so they can browse and operate your site effectively. Here’s how our website covers some of the most important screen-reader requirements,
alongside console screenshots of code examples:
Screen-reader optimization: we run a background process that learns the website’s components from top to bottom, to ensure ongoing compliance even when updating the website.
In this process, we provide screen-readers with meaningful data using the ARIA set of attributes. For example, we provide accurate form labels;
descriptions for actionable icons (social media icons, search icons, cart icons, etc.); validation guidance for form inputs; element roles such as buttons, menus, modal dialogues (popups),
and others. Additionally, the background process scans all the website’s images and provides an accurate and meaningful image-object-recognition-based description as an ALT (alternate text) tag
for images that are not described. It will also extract texts that are embedded within the image, using an OCR (optical character recognition) technology.
To turn on screen-reader adjustments at any time, users need only to press the Alt+1 keyboard combination. Screen-reader users also get automatic announcements to turn the Screen-reader mode on
as soon as they enter the website.
These adjustments are compatible with all popular screen readers, including JAWS and NVDA.
Keyboard navigation optimization: The background process also adjusts the website’s HTML, and adds various behaviors using JavaScript code to make the website operable by the keyboard. This includes the ability to navigate the website using the Tab and Shift+Tab keys, operate dropdowns with the arrow keys, close them with Esc, trigger buttons and links using the Enter key, navigate between radio and checkbox elements using the arrow keys, and fill them in with the Spacebar or Enter key.Additionally, keyboard users will find quick-navigation and content-skip menus, available at any time by clicking Alt+1, or as the first elements of the site while navigating with the keyboard. The background process also handles triggered popups by moving the keyboard focus towards them as soon as they appear, and not allow the focus drift outside it.
Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Disability profiles supported in our website
Epilepsy Safe Mode: this profile enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
Visually Impaired Mode: this mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
Cognitive Disability Mode: this mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
ADHD Friendly Mode: this mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
Blindness Mode: this mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
Keyboard Navigation Profile (Motor-Impaired): this profile enables motor-impaired persons to operate the website using the keyboard Tab, Shift+Tab, and the Enter keys. Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Additional UI, design, and readability adjustments
Font adjustments – users, can increase and decrease its size, change its family (type), adjust the spacing, alignment, line height, and more.
Color adjustments – users can select various color contrast profiles such as light, dark, inverted, and monochrome. Additionally, users can swap color schemes of titles, texts, and backgrounds, with over seven different coloring options.
Animations – person with epilepsy can stop all running animations with the click of a button. Animations controlled by the interface include videos, GIFs, and CSS flashing transitions.
Content highlighting – users can choose to emphasize important elements such as links and titles. They can also choose to highlight focused or hovered elements only.
Audio muting – users with hearing devices may experience headaches or other issues due to automatic audio playing. This option lets users mute the entire website instantly.
Cognitive disorders – we utilize a search engine that is linked to Wikipedia and Wiktionary, allowing people with cognitive disorders to decipher meanings of phrases, initials, slang, and others.
Additional functions – we provide users the option to change cursor color and size, use a printing mode, enable a virtual keyboard, and many other functions.
Browser and assistive technology compatibility
We aim to support the widest array of browsers and assistive technologies as possible, so our users can choose the best fitting tools for them, with as few limitations as possible. Therefore, we have worked very hard to be able to support all major systems that comprise over 95% of the user market share including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera and Microsoft Edge, JAWS and NVDA (screen readers).
Notes, comments, and feedback
Despite our very best efforts to allow anybody to adjust the website to their needs. There may still be pages or sections that are not fully accessible, are in the process of becoming accessible, or are lacking an adequate technological solution to make them accessible. Still, we are continually improving our accessibility, adding, updating and improving its options and features, and developing and adopting new technologies. All this is meant to reach the optimal level of accessibility, following technological advancements. For any assistance, please reach out to
