SBK FP1
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Interview: American World Superbike Racer Garrett Gerloff, In The November Issue
Featured In the November 2022 issue of Roadracing World:
For the first time in more than a decade, American Garrett Gerloff is ready to race something other than a Yamaha. Starting out with the company on a YZF-R6 in WERA competition, Gerloff took a pair of MotoAmerica Supersport Championships on the company’s middleweight machine. After moving to the company’s MotoAmerica Superbike team, he took a stack of podiums and four wins, competing against racers as skilled and talented as five-time Superbike Champion (and teammate) Cameron Beaubier and Moto2 World Champion and Moto-America Superbike Champion (and MotoGP winner) Toni Elias.
That earned him a seat on Yamaha’s factory-supported satellite GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Junior Team in the 2020 Superbike World Championship. Gerloff won the Independent Rider title in 2021 and is in his third season with the team…
“Interview: American World Superbike Racer Garrett Gerloff,” by Michael Gougis
It is a time of change for American Garrett Gerloff. BMW approached him in 2022, and for 2023, Gerloff will be racing an M 1000 RR for the Bonovo Action BMW squad, teaming with Loris Baz. Read the latest on Gerloff’s career in the November issue of Roadracing World!
PREVIEW the November 2022 Issue of Roadracing World!
Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats.
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R.I.P. Former Racer Michael Tiberio
Michael A. Tiberio, 68, of Arlington, Virginia, passed peacefully at home on November 12, 2022. Despite surviving Hodgkin’s disease at 17, cancer surfaced once again.
A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Massachusetts Department of Geology, he also attended Boston College Department of Geology and Geophysics. His employ at MIT in Seismology led to a 42-year career as a Senior Scientist in Software Engineering.
Known to all for his limitless energy – he was a force who enjoyed every minute of every day. His Moto Guzzi love led to 4 National Titles, 160 trips to the Podium, and 3 years as a Top-10 AMA Pro Twins winner. Racing was the passion, but his skill at rebuilding engines and “modifying” motorcycles was legendary.
2017 brought a new passion: Land Speed Racing. On a dry lake bed in El Mirage, CA, he set a personal best of 141.69 mph.
Michael is survived by his wife of 34 years, Sondra; daughter, Robin (husband, Ryan Kerr); and son, Dominic. He is also survived by his two brothers, one sister, and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be December 3, 2022, from 1-4pm at Everly Funeral Home in Falls Church, VA.
WorldSBK: Nagashima Subbing For Injured Lecuona At Phillip Island
Tetsuta Nagashima to join Xavi Vierge for the WorldSBK grand finale at Phillip Island
Just three days after concluding the penultimate Superbike World Championship round in Indonesia, Team HRC is now on site in Australia, at the Phillip Island track, where the 2022 season finale is set to play out this coming weekend.
HRC official test rider Tetsuta Nagashima will replace Iker Lecuona who is unfortunately unable to compete in the last of the year’s races having sustained injury during the latest Mandalika round. The young factory rider is already in Spain, a few weeks of rest the primary course of treatment recommended for him as a recovery plan to full fitness.
It will not be the first time that the latest Suzuka 8 Hours winner joins the WorldSBK Team HRC, as earlier this year, in June, the Japanese rider took part in a two day testing session at Misano alongside Iker Lecuona, while Xavi Vierge was recovering from a hand injury.
The recent Indonesian WorldSBK round saw Xavi Vierge work hard throughout the weekend and score three top ten finishes, with a best of sixth in race 1. Vierge hopes to add to his total points tally and secure a top ten finish in the championship standings before attentions turn to preparation for the 2023 season.
The Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit is located in the Australian state of Victoria. Lying roughly 140km south of Melbourne, the facility was officially inaugurated in 1956. Arguably one of the most spectacular tracks on the calendar, its coastal location makes for a unique backdrop. The 4.445km track comprises twelve turns – 7 left-hand corners and 5 right-handers – and an 835-metre start/finish straight. WorldSBK was unable to compete at the track last year due to travel regulations resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, so teams are doubly keen to return to the Island this year.
Xavi Vierge 97
“We have come to the final round of the season, and I cannot image any better location than Australia. I love the Phillip Island track and missed it so much when the pandemic prevented us from racing here. So I’m excited to ride, my goal being to round out the year on a high, possibly top five or even better. The weather is always a question mark, as it can change so quickly and dramatically here. I hope it will be dry, because when it rains here it’s usually quite cold too, but we will adapt to any situation.”
Tetsuta Nagashima 49
“I’m really happy to compete in the final WorldSBK round because it will be my first experience of the series and I’m both curious and looking forward to it. At the same time, I wish Iker a speedy recovery and hope he’ll be back soon. I will try to help the team with the bike, collecting as much data as possible for the future and doing my best to enjoy this opportunity. As I said, it’s my SBK debut so I don’t know what to expect and the weekend schedule is also new to me but I’m ready to get going!”
Honda UK Making John McGuinness 100th TT Start Replica CBR1000RR-R
Limited Edition Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP Special Livery in John McGuinness 100th TT Start Replica
The Honda Fireblade is a legendary motorcycle. John McGuinness MBE is a legendary rider. Together at the Isle of Man TT, over the years, they have produced absolute road racing magic.
And, to celebrate John’s 100th TT start earlier this year – and in the Fireblade’s 30th anniversary year – Honda UK are joining the two forever by creating just 30 John McGuinness 100th Start replica CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SPs.
John is delighted by the project:
“The stars aligned for me to be back on a Honda Fireblade for my 100th TT start. It’s an awesome bike and has meant so much to me over my career. And, if I think about it, to so many other riders over the last 30 years too. I’m proud of my connection with its place in TT history and of this, my replica. There is no event like the Isle of Man TT in the world and this motorcycle celebrates Honda’s, and my own part, racing in it. That feels good. Really good.”
Neil Fletcher, Head of Motorcycles at Honda UK added:
“We are absolutely delighted to celebrate these icons and bring two such important names in racing together, John McGuinness and the Fireblade, to make this special edition. It gives those lucky few people their chance to own a bit of history. We couldn’t be prouder of the outcome.”
ABOUT THE BIKE
The 2022 CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP is armed with MotoGP tech throughout its four-cylinder engine, RCV213V-inspired aerodynamics, Öhlins Smart Electronic Control (SE-C) 43mm NPX forks and TT-36 rear shock, and full Brembo braking. In celebration of the Fireblade’s 30th year Honda have produced, in limited numbers, a 30th Anniversary model. And it’s this already special bike which forms the base of the new John McGuinness 100th Start replica.
As standard, the details set it apart; on start-up, there’s a ‘Ring of Fire’ screen animation as the display loads. The serial number is laser-engraved on the top yoke and 30th Anniversary logos are found on the Smart Key and laser-engraved on the Akrapovic muffler, marking the machine’s special place in Honda history.
But then, the special factor goes up several notches. And here’s why:
· The John McGuinness 100th Start Fireblade wears a full replica respray, incorporating Gold detailing and film strip (showing all of John’s TT starts on a Honda and 100th start sponsor logos) and Gold wheel stripes.
· John’s signature will crown the airbox cover
· Each will display an individually numbered plaque on the headstock
· And equipped with a Genuine Honda Accessories carbon fibre front mudguard (weighing just 255g, 38% lighter than stock) and 10% lighter carbon rear hugger, plus rear seat cowl and tall screen
· Metzeler Racetec RR tyres will be fitted – the original set of tyres will also be provided
· No more than 30 units to be built; £30,000 OTR retail price
There’s more. Alongside the bike itself, here’s what comes with it:
· Custom Fireblade garage mat
· Genuine Honda Accessories indoor body cover
· 3D laser-engraved crystal featuring a design of the John McGuinness 100th Start replica
· An opportunity for a personal handover from John McGuinness MBE himself, at Honda Racing UK in Louth
All enquires and orders for the John McGuinness CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP 100th Start replica are to be via the Honda dealer network.
This limited edition Fireblade will be on display on the Honda stand throughout Motorcycle Live at the NEC from 19th to 27th November.
ABOUT THE MAN
John McGuinness is the second most successful TT racer of all time, next to the late, great Joey Dunlop. Regarded as a real roads specialist, Morecambe’s finest is also a vastly experienced short circuit racer having ridden in 24-hour World Endurance races like the Bol d’Or and Le Mans, 500cc GPs and the Daytona 200. He’s a former British 250cc Champion, has ridden in World Supersport and finished third in the 2009 British Superstock Championship.
McGuinness has achieved wins at all the International road racing events, but it’s his mastery of the infamous 37.73-mile public roads course on the Isle of Man that’s largely defined his career and cemented his legendary status as one of the true giants of pure road racing.
Making his TT debut in 1996, he won the best newcomer title in the 250cc class. Three years later, he took his first win, the 250cc Lightweight TT. Over the ensuing two decades (1999-2019) he’s accumulated an incredible 47 podiums of which 23 were TT wins. His experience and course knowledge are second to none and he was also the first man to break through the 130mph barrier, which he achieved in a memorable 2007 centenary year, on an HM Plant sponsored Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade.
MRA Announces Its 2023 Race Schedule
The MRA is pleased to announce its 2023 Season Race Schedule, celebrating its 50th championship season!
April will see the New Racer School take place at High Plains Raceway (HPR). The full season of the championship series will consist of seven rounds, five of which at HPR, using three different track configurations, and two rounds at Pueblo Motorsports Park.
The MRA is planning to host a second New Racer School, combined with an MRA Trackday, at Pikes Peak International Raceway (PPIR), in June.
The MRA’s introduction to road racing class, “SuperStreet”, will also be returning on Saturdays of every round except Round Three, which will feature the MRA’s annual four-hour endurance race that day.
The MRA was proud to host the North America Talent Cup (NATC) at the first round of its 2022 season and hope to do so again in 2023. If that happens, the SuperStreet class will be cancelled for that round.
2023 Motorcycle Roadracing Association Race Schedule
April 7-8 – New Racer School #1 at HPR (Full Course)
May 6-7 – Round 1 at HPR (Full Course)
June 3 – New Racer School #2 and MRA Trackday at PPIR
June 24-25 – Round 2 at HPR (course TBD)
July 15-16 – Round 3 at HPR (Full Course) + 4-hour endurance
August 5-6 – Round 4 at Pueblo Motorsports Park
August 26-27 – Round 5 at HPR (course TBD)
September 23-24 – Round 6 at HPR (Full Course)
October 7-8 – Round 7 at Pueblo Motorsports Park
The Motorcycle Roadracing Association is dedicated to promoting safe and competitive motorcycle road racing events for enthusiasts in Colorado and the surrounding area. For more information go to http://www.mra-racing.org/.
Canadian Superbike: 2023 Season To Open And Close At Shannonville
2023 Bridgestone CSBK National Championships will start and finish at Shannonville Motorsport Park
Toronto, ON – The 2023 Bridgestone Canadian National Superbike Championship, CSBK, will open and close next season with rounds at Shannonville Motorsport Park (SMP), east of Belleville, Ontario. The second-ever Superbike National event took place at the same venue, then called Nelson International Raceway, in September 1980.
The first round of the 2023 Bridgestone CSBK Tour will take place at SMP on May 19-21, at the start of the traditional Victoria Day long weekend. The final 2023 National event is scheduled for Shannonville in September, from Friday the 15th through Sunday, September 17.
“This is fantastic news. We are excited by the return of CSBK,” confirmed Shannonville Motorsport Park President John Bondar. “This is a great opportunity for the fans and the racing community. Our facility offers the best viewing experience for spectators to fully enjoy the close competition at every turn. The National Superbike events have always been iconic here at Shannonville and we are delighted to welcome them twice in 2023.”
The CSBK series will start the 2023 campaign on Shannonville’s perimeter Pro layout, 2.47 kilometer in length with nine turns. While plans for next year’s September National at SMP are not settled, the current plan is to use the full or Long track, 4.03 kilometers in length with 15 corners.
Shannonville most recently hosted the National opener in 2019, when eventual Champion Ben Young of Collingwood, ON, took victory for the Van Dolder’s Home Team BMW M1000RR on the Pro track. Young is scheduled to defend his second career overall series Championship and number one plate in 2023 for BMW, and has recently tested in the U.S.
Young’s arch-rival, Quebec City’s Alex Dumas, won the Pro Superbike Championship in his debut in 2021, and fought with Young last season. Although Dumas has never competed at Shannonville, he is an instructor for the FAST-Riding School, based at SMP.
The last time that Shannonville hosted two CSBK National rounds was in 2006, when Jordan Szoke won the opening Superbike feature for the works Competition Systems Kawasaki Ninja effort, and year end event success went to the Brooklin Cycle Racing Yamaha YZF-R1 of Kevin Lacombe.
Brantford, ON, born Szoke, the most successful competitor in the history of the Canadian Championships, missed all of 2022 due to a pre-season Motocross injury. It is expected but not yet confirmed that Szoke will return to the National tour starting at Shannonville next May.
As well, 20-year-old Trevor Dion of Strathroy, ON., is expected to make his full time Pro Superbike Feature class debut at Shannonville next May. As a rookie Pro in 2022, Dion won the Liqui Moly Pro Sport Bike Middleweight Championship for the LDS Consultants Kawasaki team.
As well as classes for Pro Superbike and Pro Sport Bike, with races for these top divisions both Saturday and Sunday, the Shannonville opener will also offer categories for AIM Insurance Amateur Superbike, Amateur Sport Bike, Super Sonic Road Race School Amateur Lightweight Sport Bike and the new-in-2022 Pro-AM Lightweight division.
The 2023 Canadian National series begins in northern Florida March 14 and 15, with an invitational two-day test hosted by new title sponsor Bridgestone at the motorcycle only Jennings GP facility. This is an invitation-only event for established CSBK competitors in all six categories.
ASBK: Domestic Championship Also Racing This Weekend At Phillip Island
Round Six Alpinestars Superbike Preview: The Maths, The Form and The Very Big Round
Today in the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul (ASBK), we are talking Alpinestars Superbike….!
Alpinestars Superbike
Coming into the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship (WSBK) round, the Alpinestars Superbike Championship is in a fascinating and potentially game-changing position.
From round one – ironically at Phillip Island earlier this year – reigning Champion Wayne Maxwell has made defending his Championship unusually difficult, and at times, seemingly impossible. While he was dominant in every session leading into race one on Sunday the 27th of February, not long after the flag dropped, he found himself in the gravel trap at The Hayshed on lap five.
Failing to capitalise on his favourite circuit has proved costly for the former Champion. A resurgent Bryan Staring was rightly brimming with confidence aboard the DesmoSport Ducati Panigale V4R. It became the running joke “Maxwell is behind by about the length of The Hayshed”.
Though quiet at Phillip Island, Mike Jones was able to impress himself upon the Championship via outstanding results at Queensland Raceway (two wins plus an extra point for pole). Pole plus a win at Wakefield saw Jones just pull ahead from the rest of the field, while Maxwell found himself unable to make a dent in Jones’ lead.
The Hidden Valley round in Darwin saw Maxwell start to loosen his grip on the title and Jones moved into warm and rightful Championship favouritism. Jones was at his tenacious best on a weekend where the Yamaha was not the preferred machine but still caught the flight south with 70 points in his carry-on luggage, while pole-sitter Maxwell was troubled in races one and three, netting just 53 points on a three-race 76-points-on-offer weekend.
Darwin also saw a joyful and resurgent Penrite Honda Troy Herfoss well involved, taking second overall on his CBR1000RR for a very-much welcomed return to the ASBK podium, while Staring powered his way to third to keep himself in the top three for the season.
At Morgan Park, the Yamaha R1 was expected to enjoy the tight and bumpy running at the 1.5km circuit. Despite this, Maxwell muscled and wrestled his Boost Mobile by K-Tech Panigale V4R for an unexpected pole and two wins, keeping his Championship hopes alive. He still faces a 29-point deficit with 127 maximum points left in season 2022.
And so here we are, back at The Island for another three-race weekend. It’s fair to say that Maxwell has- when upright- been the go-to racer at this circuit since 2009, so expectations are high and with it, the pressure, and at various critical moments this year, team and rider issues have proved costly.
This WSBK round has much intrigue because at round one at Phillip Island, Jones was third overall with both Staring and Cru Halliday ahead of him.
Team-mate Halliday saves his best racing for the Phillip Island GP Circuit and if Maxwell stays upright and up front for all three races, and some other riders can climb up the order, then the 29-point deficit could be down to single-digits heading into the finale at The Bend.
The Bend, where Maxwell took the double win in 2021 to clinch the title…
Live Broadcast Information (in Australia):
Sunday
SBS 1-3pm highlights of race one & two Australian Superbikes and Australian Supersport in replay plus Australian Superbikes Race 3 live during the two hours of coverage
Stan Sport 1pm – 3pm highlights of race one & two Australian Superbikes and Australian Supersport in replay plus Australian Superbikes Race 3 Live over the two hours of coverage
WorldSBK: Season Concludes This Weekend At Phillip Island
WorldSBK returns to the iconic Phillip Island Circuit for the 2022 season finale
WorldSBK in numbers
374-377 – In the last race of the season, Jonathan Rea will equal the record number of starts of Troy Corser, 377, set at Portimao 11 years ago.
200 – Rea posted his 200th podium for Kawasaki (Race 2)
68 – Ducati have collected no less than 68 podium finishes at Phillip Island: that is the third highest value in history for a manufacturer on a given track after the 89 podiums set by themselves at Misano and the 81 at Assen.
29-30 – Alvaro Bautista needs just one podium to become the second rider in history with at least 30 in a season. He stands at 29 now: Jonathan Rea recorded 34 in 2019 and 30 in 2021.
What to look out for in Phillip Island
Championship P1 – 553 points
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Ducati – Racing)
Bautista claimed the WorldSBK title in Race 2 of the Indonesian Round.
Bautista made his WorldSBK debut at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in 2019. That year, he claimed his first triple winning all three races.
In 2020, a sixth place was his best result in Race 1 and Race 2, while he was 16th in the Tissot Superpole Race.
“We come to the last race of this season. For sure, arriving with the Championship is always much better. Now I feel much more relaxed even if before the previous round I didn’t think too much about the Championship. Now it’s done. We enjoyed a lot the moment. But now I would like to finish the season as best as possible. Phillip Island is one of my favourite tracks. I’ve always been really fast there, so I hope to find a good setup with the bike. I hope to find a good feeling with my bike there and try to enjoy as much as possible. There is no real target in terms of results but I will try to give my best to end the season with a good result.”
Championship P2 – 487 points
Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK)
In 2020, Razgatlioglu won Race 1 and was second in the Tissot Superpole Race. He did not finish Race 2 due to a technical issue.
With 487 points and a 37-point advantage over Rea, Razgatlioglu will aim to secure his second place in the standings.
“You know, I’ll say this once again: I need three wins because it’s my last chance. Alvaro is very strong at Phillip Island and Ducati is very strong on the straight. I think he’ll ride alone like at Catalunya. But anyway, we’ll keep fighting. We will see what happens at Phillip Island.”
Championship P3 – 450 points
Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK)
Rea’s first win at Phillip Island was in 2015. Since then, he has claimed a total of 12 podiums and six victories. His last win at the circuit was in the Tissot Superpole 2020.
“We’re going to face a slightly different Phillip Island as the previous year because we go there in the middle of spring. Phillip Island is known for having four seasons in a day in summer. So, we never know what sort of weather we’re going to face. If it’s cooler, I expect the grip level to be much higher, the race lap time is going to be fast. But also, you still have that issue with tyre consumption cause it’s very hard on the tyre with a lot of energy in heating the tyres in the long fast corners. But it’s one of my favourite tracks.”
Championship P4 – 279 points
Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Ducati Racing)
In 2020, Rinaldi was 10th in Race 1 and 9th in the Tissot Superpole Race for the Team Goeleven squad
His best result at the Australian venue is an eighth place in the 2019 Tissot Superpole Race.
He currently is fourth in the Championship standings 171 points behind Rea.
“I’m so happy to go to Australia because it’s been since 2020 that we haven’t race there. It’s a really beautiful track. I want to finish the season in the best way possible. I will go there and try to do my best. Unfortunately, the forecast says that it can rain. But in all conditions, I will try to have a good result to go in the winter break we a great feeling.”
Championship P5 – 245 points
Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK)
Locatelli has never raced in WorldSBK at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. He claimed victory there in WorldSSP in his first race in 2020.
He stands in fifth place in the Championship standings and is 34 points behind Rinaldi.
“Phillip Island will be interesting. To be honest, in the beginning of the year, I said in many interviews it would be nice to win one race. We’ll have our last chance in Australia. We don’t have a lot of pressure. But I want to try for sure, to enjoy and to push hard. But why not, we’ll try until the end. To finish the season with a good result is interesting to start very well 2023.”
Championship P6 – 234 points
Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK)
In 2020, he won the Race 2 of the Australian Round and finished second in the Tissot Superpole Race.
“I’m looking forward to Australia. Obviously, I’ve got good memories from the last time there, we’ve missed a year. Last time there was my first race weekend with Kawasaki. I’m excited to go back. It’s a very different challenge compared to last weekend at Mandalika. It’s a completely different circuit. Obviously, we had a tough weekend in Indonesia so I’m looking forward to bouncing back and fighting for the podium and finishing 2022 as strongly as possible.”
Team HRC’s Xavi Vierge will race at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit for the first time with WorldSBK. He already knows the Australian circuit from his Moto2TM career. His best result there was a seventh place in 2019.
Championship standings (after Race 2 – Round 11)
1. Alvaro Bautista (ESP) Ducati (553 points)*
2. Toprak Razgatlioglu (TUR) Yamaha (487 points)
3. Jonathan Rea (GBR) Kawasaki (450 points)
*clinched 2022 World Championship
WorldSBK: Rea P1, Gerloff P6 In FP1 At Phillip Island
Interview: American World Superbike Racer Garrett Gerloff, In The November Issue
Featured In the November 2022 issue of Roadracing World:
For the first time in more than a decade, American Garrett Gerloff is ready to race something other than a Yamaha. Starting out with the company on a YZF-R6 in WERA competition, Gerloff took a pair of MotoAmerica Supersport Championships on the company’s middleweight machine. After moving to the company’s MotoAmerica Superbike team, he took a stack of podiums and four wins, competing against racers as skilled and talented as five-time Superbike Champion (and teammate) Cameron Beaubier and Moto2 World Champion and Moto-America Superbike Champion (and MotoGP winner) Toni Elias.
That earned him a seat on Yamaha’s factory-supported satellite GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Junior Team in the 2020 Superbike World Championship. Gerloff won the Independent Rider title in 2021 and is in his third season with the team…
“Interview: American World Superbike Racer Garrett Gerloff,” by Michael Gougis
It is a time of change for American Garrett Gerloff. BMW approached him in 2022, and for 2023, Gerloff will be racing an M 1000 RR for the Bonovo Action BMW squad, teaming with Loris Baz. Read the latest on Gerloff’s career in the November issue of Roadracing World!
PREVIEW the November 2022 Issue of Roadracing World!
Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats.
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Click to SUBSCRIBE NOW ! Or call (909) 654-4779, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.
Read the November 2022 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology with your online subscription. Log in HERE
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World Supersport: Caricasulo Quickest In FP1 At Phillip Island
R.I.P. Former Racer Michael Tiberio
Michael A. Tiberio, 68, of Arlington, Virginia, passed peacefully at home on November 12, 2022. Despite surviving Hodgkin’s disease at 17, cancer surfaced once again.
A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Massachusetts Department of Geology, he also attended Boston College Department of Geology and Geophysics. His employ at MIT in Seismology led to a 42-year career as a Senior Scientist in Software Engineering.
Known to all for his limitless energy – he was a force who enjoyed every minute of every day. His Moto Guzzi love led to 4 National Titles, 160 trips to the Podium, and 3 years as a Top-10 AMA Pro Twins winner. Racing was the passion, but his skill at rebuilding engines and “modifying” motorcycles was legendary.
2017 brought a new passion: Land Speed Racing. On a dry lake bed in El Mirage, CA, he set a personal best of 141.69 mph.
Michael is survived by his wife of 34 years, Sondra; daughter, Robin (husband, Ryan Kerr); and son, Dominic. He is also survived by his two brothers, one sister, and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be December 3, 2022, from 1-4pm at Everly Funeral Home in Falls Church, VA.
WorldSBK: Nagashima Subbing For Injured Lecuona At Phillip Island
Tetsuta Nagashima to join Xavi Vierge for the WorldSBK grand finale at Phillip Island
Just three days after concluding the penultimate Superbike World Championship round in Indonesia, Team HRC is now on site in Australia, at the Phillip Island track, where the 2022 season finale is set to play out this coming weekend.
HRC official test rider Tetsuta Nagashima will replace Iker Lecuona who is unfortunately unable to compete in the last of the year’s races having sustained injury during the latest Mandalika round. The young factory rider is already in Spain, a few weeks of rest the primary course of treatment recommended for him as a recovery plan to full fitness.
It will not be the first time that the latest Suzuka 8 Hours winner joins the WorldSBK Team HRC, as earlier this year, in June, the Japanese rider took part in a two day testing session at Misano alongside Iker Lecuona, while Xavi Vierge was recovering from a hand injury.
The recent Indonesian WorldSBK round saw Xavi Vierge work hard throughout the weekend and score three top ten finishes, with a best of sixth in race 1. Vierge hopes to add to his total points tally and secure a top ten finish in the championship standings before attentions turn to preparation for the 2023 season.
The Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit is located in the Australian state of Victoria. Lying roughly 140km south of Melbourne, the facility was officially inaugurated in 1956. Arguably one of the most spectacular tracks on the calendar, its coastal location makes for a unique backdrop. The 4.445km track comprises twelve turns – 7 left-hand corners and 5 right-handers – and an 835-metre start/finish straight. WorldSBK was unable to compete at the track last year due to travel regulations resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, so teams are doubly keen to return to the Island this year.
Xavi Vierge 97
“We have come to the final round of the season, and I cannot image any better location than Australia. I love the Phillip Island track and missed it so much when the pandemic prevented us from racing here. So I’m excited to ride, my goal being to round out the year on a high, possibly top five or even better. The weather is always a question mark, as it can change so quickly and dramatically here. I hope it will be dry, because when it rains here it’s usually quite cold too, but we will adapt to any situation.”
Tetsuta Nagashima 49
“I’m really happy to compete in the final WorldSBK round because it will be my first experience of the series and I’m both curious and looking forward to it. At the same time, I wish Iker a speedy recovery and hope he’ll be back soon. I will try to help the team with the bike, collecting as much data as possible for the future and doing my best to enjoy this opportunity. As I said, it’s my SBK debut so I don’t know what to expect and the weekend schedule is also new to me but I’m ready to get going!”
Honda UK Making John McGuinness 100th TT Start Replica CBR1000RR-R
Limited Edition Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP Special Livery in John McGuinness 100th TT Start Replica
The Honda Fireblade is a legendary motorcycle. John McGuinness MBE is a legendary rider. Together at the Isle of Man TT, over the years, they have produced absolute road racing magic.
And, to celebrate John’s 100th TT start earlier this year – and in the Fireblade’s 30th anniversary year – Honda UK are joining the two forever by creating just 30 John McGuinness 100th Start replica CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SPs.
John is delighted by the project:
“The stars aligned for me to be back on a Honda Fireblade for my 100th TT start. It’s an awesome bike and has meant so much to me over my career. And, if I think about it, to so many other riders over the last 30 years too. I’m proud of my connection with its place in TT history and of this, my replica. There is no event like the Isle of Man TT in the world and this motorcycle celebrates Honda’s, and my own part, racing in it. That feels good. Really good.”
Neil Fletcher, Head of Motorcycles at Honda UK added:
“We are absolutely delighted to celebrate these icons and bring two such important names in racing together, John McGuinness and the Fireblade, to make this special edition. It gives those lucky few people their chance to own a bit of history. We couldn’t be prouder of the outcome.”
ABOUT THE BIKE
The 2022 CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP is armed with MotoGP tech throughout its four-cylinder engine, RCV213V-inspired aerodynamics, Öhlins Smart Electronic Control (SE-C) 43mm NPX forks and TT-36 rear shock, and full Brembo braking. In celebration of the Fireblade’s 30th year Honda have produced, in limited numbers, a 30th Anniversary model. And it’s this already special bike which forms the base of the new John McGuinness 100th Start replica.
As standard, the details set it apart; on start-up, there’s a ‘Ring of Fire’ screen animation as the display loads. The serial number is laser-engraved on the top yoke and 30th Anniversary logos are found on the Smart Key and laser-engraved on the Akrapovic muffler, marking the machine’s special place in Honda history.
But then, the special factor goes up several notches. And here’s why:
· The John McGuinness 100th Start Fireblade wears a full replica respray, incorporating Gold detailing and film strip (showing all of John’s TT starts on a Honda and 100th start sponsor logos) and Gold wheel stripes.
· John’s signature will crown the airbox cover
· Each will display an individually numbered plaque on the headstock
· And equipped with a Genuine Honda Accessories carbon fibre front mudguard (weighing just 255g, 38% lighter than stock) and 10% lighter carbon rear hugger, plus rear seat cowl and tall screen
· Metzeler Racetec RR tyres will be fitted – the original set of tyres will also be provided
· No more than 30 units to be built; £30,000 OTR retail price
There’s more. Alongside the bike itself, here’s what comes with it:
· Custom Fireblade garage mat
· Genuine Honda Accessories indoor body cover
· 3D laser-engraved crystal featuring a design of the John McGuinness 100th Start replica
· An opportunity for a personal handover from John McGuinness MBE himself, at Honda Racing UK in Louth
All enquires and orders for the John McGuinness CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP 100th Start replica are to be via the Honda dealer network.
This limited edition Fireblade will be on display on the Honda stand throughout Motorcycle Live at the NEC from 19th to 27th November.
ABOUT THE MAN
John McGuinness is the second most successful TT racer of all time, next to the late, great Joey Dunlop. Regarded as a real roads specialist, Morecambe’s finest is also a vastly experienced short circuit racer having ridden in 24-hour World Endurance races like the Bol d’Or and Le Mans, 500cc GPs and the Daytona 200. He’s a former British 250cc Champion, has ridden in World Supersport and finished third in the 2009 British Superstock Championship.
McGuinness has achieved wins at all the International road racing events, but it’s his mastery of the infamous 37.73-mile public roads course on the Isle of Man that’s largely defined his career and cemented his legendary status as one of the true giants of pure road racing.
Making his TT debut in 1996, he won the best newcomer title in the 250cc class. Three years later, he took his first win, the 250cc Lightweight TT. Over the ensuing two decades (1999-2019) he’s accumulated an incredible 47 podiums of which 23 were TT wins. His experience and course knowledge are second to none and he was also the first man to break through the 130mph barrier, which he achieved in a memorable 2007 centenary year, on an HM Plant sponsored Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade.
MRA Announces Its 2023 Race Schedule
The MRA is pleased to announce its 2023 Season Race Schedule, celebrating its 50th championship season!
April will see the New Racer School take place at High Plains Raceway (HPR). The full season of the championship series will consist of seven rounds, five of which at HPR, using three different track configurations, and two rounds at Pueblo Motorsports Park.
The MRA is planning to host a second New Racer School, combined with an MRA Trackday, at Pikes Peak International Raceway (PPIR), in June.
The MRA’s introduction to road racing class, “SuperStreet”, will also be returning on Saturdays of every round except Round Three, which will feature the MRA’s annual four-hour endurance race that day.
The MRA was proud to host the North America Talent Cup (NATC) at the first round of its 2022 season and hope to do so again in 2023. If that happens, the SuperStreet class will be cancelled for that round.
2023 Motorcycle Roadracing Association Race Schedule
April 7-8 – New Racer School #1 at HPR (Full Course)
May 6-7 – Round 1 at HPR (Full Course)
June 3 – New Racer School #2 and MRA Trackday at PPIR
June 24-25 – Round 2 at HPR (course TBD)
July 15-16 – Round 3 at HPR (Full Course) + 4-hour endurance
August 5-6 – Round 4 at Pueblo Motorsports Park
August 26-27 – Round 5 at HPR (course TBD)
September 23-24 – Round 6 at HPR (Full Course)
October 7-8 – Round 7 at Pueblo Motorsports Park
The Motorcycle Roadracing Association is dedicated to promoting safe and competitive motorcycle road racing events for enthusiasts in Colorado and the surrounding area. For more information go to http://www.mra-racing.org/.
Canadian Superbike: 2023 Season To Open And Close At Shannonville
2023 Bridgestone CSBK National Championships will start and finish at Shannonville Motorsport Park
Toronto, ON – The 2023 Bridgestone Canadian National Superbike Championship, CSBK, will open and close next season with rounds at Shannonville Motorsport Park (SMP), east of Belleville, Ontario. The second-ever Superbike National event took place at the same venue, then called Nelson International Raceway, in September 1980.
The first round of the 2023 Bridgestone CSBK Tour will take place at SMP on May 19-21, at the start of the traditional Victoria Day long weekend. The final 2023 National event is scheduled for Shannonville in September, from Friday the 15th through Sunday, September 17.
“This is fantastic news. We are excited by the return of CSBK,” confirmed Shannonville Motorsport Park President John Bondar. “This is a great opportunity for the fans and the racing community. Our facility offers the best viewing experience for spectators to fully enjoy the close competition at every turn. The National Superbike events have always been iconic here at Shannonville and we are delighted to welcome them twice in 2023.”
The CSBK series will start the 2023 campaign on Shannonville’s perimeter Pro layout, 2.47 kilometer in length with nine turns. While plans for next year’s September National at SMP are not settled, the current plan is to use the full or Long track, 4.03 kilometers in length with 15 corners.
Shannonville most recently hosted the National opener in 2019, when eventual Champion Ben Young of Collingwood, ON, took victory for the Van Dolder’s Home Team BMW M1000RR on the Pro track. Young is scheduled to defend his second career overall series Championship and number one plate in 2023 for BMW, and has recently tested in the U.S.
Young’s arch-rival, Quebec City’s Alex Dumas, won the Pro Superbike Championship in his debut in 2021, and fought with Young last season. Although Dumas has never competed at Shannonville, he is an instructor for the FAST-Riding School, based at SMP.
The last time that Shannonville hosted two CSBK National rounds was in 2006, when Jordan Szoke won the opening Superbike feature for the works Competition Systems Kawasaki Ninja effort, and year end event success went to the Brooklin Cycle Racing Yamaha YZF-R1 of Kevin Lacombe.
Brantford, ON, born Szoke, the most successful competitor in the history of the Canadian Championships, missed all of 2022 due to a pre-season Motocross injury. It is expected but not yet confirmed that Szoke will return to the National tour starting at Shannonville next May.
As well, 20-year-old Trevor Dion of Strathroy, ON., is expected to make his full time Pro Superbike Feature class debut at Shannonville next May. As a rookie Pro in 2022, Dion won the Liqui Moly Pro Sport Bike Middleweight Championship for the LDS Consultants Kawasaki team.
As well as classes for Pro Superbike and Pro Sport Bike, with races for these top divisions both Saturday and Sunday, the Shannonville opener will also offer categories for AIM Insurance Amateur Superbike, Amateur Sport Bike, Super Sonic Road Race School Amateur Lightweight Sport Bike and the new-in-2022 Pro-AM Lightweight division.
The 2023 Canadian National series begins in northern Florida March 14 and 15, with an invitational two-day test hosted by new title sponsor Bridgestone at the motorcycle only Jennings GP facility. This is an invitation-only event for established CSBK competitors in all six categories.
ASBK: Domestic Championship Also Racing This Weekend At Phillip Island
Round Six Alpinestars Superbike Preview: The Maths, The Form and The Very Big Round
Today in the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul (ASBK), we are talking Alpinestars Superbike….!
Alpinestars Superbike
Coming into the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship (WSBK) round, the Alpinestars Superbike Championship is in a fascinating and potentially game-changing position.
From round one – ironically at Phillip Island earlier this year – reigning Champion Wayne Maxwell has made defending his Championship unusually difficult, and at times, seemingly impossible. While he was dominant in every session leading into race one on Sunday the 27th of February, not long after the flag dropped, he found himself in the gravel trap at The Hayshed on lap five.
Failing to capitalise on his favourite circuit has proved costly for the former Champion. A resurgent Bryan Staring was rightly brimming with confidence aboard the DesmoSport Ducati Panigale V4R. It became the running joke “Maxwell is behind by about the length of The Hayshed”.
Though quiet at Phillip Island, Mike Jones was able to impress himself upon the Championship via outstanding results at Queensland Raceway (two wins plus an extra point for pole). Pole plus a win at Wakefield saw Jones just pull ahead from the rest of the field, while Maxwell found himself unable to make a dent in Jones’ lead.
The Hidden Valley round in Darwin saw Maxwell start to loosen his grip on the title and Jones moved into warm and rightful Championship favouritism. Jones was at his tenacious best on a weekend where the Yamaha was not the preferred machine but still caught the flight south with 70 points in his carry-on luggage, while pole-sitter Maxwell was troubled in races one and three, netting just 53 points on a three-race 76-points-on-offer weekend.
Darwin also saw a joyful and resurgent Penrite Honda Troy Herfoss well involved, taking second overall on his CBR1000RR for a very-much welcomed return to the ASBK podium, while Staring powered his way to third to keep himself in the top three for the season.
At Morgan Park, the Yamaha R1 was expected to enjoy the tight and bumpy running at the 1.5km circuit. Despite this, Maxwell muscled and wrestled his Boost Mobile by K-Tech Panigale V4R for an unexpected pole and two wins, keeping his Championship hopes alive. He still faces a 29-point deficit with 127 maximum points left in season 2022.
And so here we are, back at The Island for another three-race weekend. It’s fair to say that Maxwell has- when upright- been the go-to racer at this circuit since 2009, so expectations are high and with it, the pressure, and at various critical moments this year, team and rider issues have proved costly.
This WSBK round has much intrigue because at round one at Phillip Island, Jones was third overall with both Staring and Cru Halliday ahead of him.
Team-mate Halliday saves his best racing for the Phillip Island GP Circuit and if Maxwell stays upright and up front for all three races, and some other riders can climb up the order, then the 29-point deficit could be down to single-digits heading into the finale at The Bend.
The Bend, where Maxwell took the double win in 2021 to clinch the title…
Live Broadcast Information (in Australia):
Sunday
SBS 1-3pm highlights of race one & two Australian Superbikes and Australian Supersport in replay plus Australian Superbikes Race 3 live during the two hours of coverage
Stan Sport 1pm – 3pm highlights of race one & two Australian Superbikes and Australian Supersport in replay plus Australian Superbikes Race 3 Live over the two hours of coverage
WorldSBK: Season Concludes This Weekend At Phillip Island
WorldSBK returns to the iconic Phillip Island Circuit for the 2022 season finale
WorldSBK in numbers
374-377 – In the last race of the season, Jonathan Rea will equal the record number of starts of Troy Corser, 377, set at Portimao 11 years ago.
200 – Rea posted his 200th podium for Kawasaki (Race 2)
68 – Ducati have collected no less than 68 podium finishes at Phillip Island: that is the third highest value in history for a manufacturer on a given track after the 89 podiums set by themselves at Misano and the 81 at Assen.
29-30 – Alvaro Bautista needs just one podium to become the second rider in history with at least 30 in a season. He stands at 29 now: Jonathan Rea recorded 34 in 2019 and 30 in 2021.
What to look out for in Phillip Island
Championship P1 – 553 points
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Ducati – Racing)
Bautista claimed the WorldSBK title in Race 2 of the Indonesian Round.
Bautista made his WorldSBK debut at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in 2019. That year, he claimed his first triple winning all three races.
In 2020, a sixth place was his best result in Race 1 and Race 2, while he was 16th in the Tissot Superpole Race.
“We come to the last race of this season. For sure, arriving with the Championship is always much better. Now I feel much more relaxed even if before the previous round I didn’t think too much about the Championship. Now it’s done. We enjoyed a lot the moment. But now I would like to finish the season as best as possible. Phillip Island is one of my favourite tracks. I’ve always been really fast there, so I hope to find a good setup with the bike. I hope to find a good feeling with my bike there and try to enjoy as much as possible. There is no real target in terms of results but I will try to give my best to end the season with a good result.”
Championship P2 – 487 points
Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK)
In 2020, Razgatlioglu won Race 1 and was second in the Tissot Superpole Race. He did not finish Race 2 due to a technical issue.
With 487 points and a 37-point advantage over Rea, Razgatlioglu will aim to secure his second place in the standings.
“You know, I’ll say this once again: I need three wins because it’s my last chance. Alvaro is very strong at Phillip Island and Ducati is very strong on the straight. I think he’ll ride alone like at Catalunya. But anyway, we’ll keep fighting. We will see what happens at Phillip Island.”
Championship P3 – 450 points
Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK)
Rea’s first win at Phillip Island was in 2015. Since then, he has claimed a total of 12 podiums and six victories. His last win at the circuit was in the Tissot Superpole 2020.
“We’re going to face a slightly different Phillip Island as the previous year because we go there in the middle of spring. Phillip Island is known for having four seasons in a day in summer. So, we never know what sort of weather we’re going to face. If it’s cooler, I expect the grip level to be much higher, the race lap time is going to be fast. But also, you still have that issue with tyre consumption cause it’s very hard on the tyre with a lot of energy in heating the tyres in the long fast corners. But it’s one of my favourite tracks.”
Championship P4 – 279 points
Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Ducati Racing)
In 2020, Rinaldi was 10th in Race 1 and 9th in the Tissot Superpole Race for the Team Goeleven squad
His best result at the Australian venue is an eighth place in the 2019 Tissot Superpole Race.
He currently is fourth in the Championship standings 171 points behind Rea.
“I’m so happy to go to Australia because it’s been since 2020 that we haven’t race there. It’s a really beautiful track. I want to finish the season in the best way possible. I will go there and try to do my best. Unfortunately, the forecast says that it can rain. But in all conditions, I will try to have a good result to go in the winter break we a great feeling.”
Championship P5 – 245 points
Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK)
Locatelli has never raced in WorldSBK at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. He claimed victory there in WorldSSP in his first race in 2020.
He stands in fifth place in the Championship standings and is 34 points behind Rinaldi.
“Phillip Island will be interesting. To be honest, in the beginning of the year, I said in many interviews it would be nice to win one race. We’ll have our last chance in Australia. We don’t have a lot of pressure. But I want to try for sure, to enjoy and to push hard. But why not, we’ll try until the end. To finish the season with a good result is interesting to start very well 2023.”
Championship P6 – 234 points
Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK)
In 2020, he won the Race 2 of the Australian Round and finished second in the Tissot Superpole Race.
“I’m looking forward to Australia. Obviously, I’ve got good memories from the last time there, we’ve missed a year. Last time there was my first race weekend with Kawasaki. I’m excited to go back. It’s a very different challenge compared to last weekend at Mandalika. It’s a completely different circuit. Obviously, we had a tough weekend in Indonesia so I’m looking forward to bouncing back and fighting for the podium and finishing 2022 as strongly as possible.”
Team HRC’s Xavi Vierge will race at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit for the first time with WorldSBK. He already knows the Australian circuit from his Moto2TM career. His best result there was a seventh place in 2019.
Championship standings (after Race 2 – Round 11)
1. Alvaro Bautista (ESP) Ducati (553 points)*
2. Toprak Razgatlioglu (TUR) Yamaha (487 points)
3. Jonathan Rea (GBR) Kawasaki (450 points)
*clinched 2022 World Championship