The Oregon Motorcycle Road Racing Association (OMRRA) completed the 2022 season last weekend [September 24-25 at Portland International Raceway] with perfect weather and track conditions. While some overall and class championships were already decided, there was plenty of hardware still up for grabs. OMRRA continues to work closely with WMRRA (Washington Motorcycle Road Racing Association) to create high-quality racing for racers and spectators alike. Round Six was no different with many WMRRA racers showing up to take home some OMRRA trophies.
The star of the weekend was surely Kevin Pinkstaff aboard his Zlock Racing Kawasaki ZX-10R with Pirelli tires. Kevin was crowned the champion of OMRRA’s Moneywell Lending Title Championship, so the #1 plate will be easy to find next year attached to the fluorescent Zlock livery. In addition to the OMRRA #1 Kevin also secured the WMRRA #1 plate for 2022, making him the king of Northwest road racing this year!
OMRRA’s Clubman Championship, sponsored by MotoCorsa, totals the points from each racer’s top two classes in a full-club hunt for the #1c plate. With the season done and dusted, the top five finishers in the Clubman Championship are: Alex Taylor, Nathan Aldrich, Jon Campbell, Joe Pittman, and Chase Farthing.
The Middleweight and Ultra-Lightweight races made for some of the closest battles, with Taylor, Aldrich, Jacob Keiner, and Hannah Johnson swapping podium spots among the six Middleweight races.
In the four Ultra-Lightweight races, Paxton Gray and Austin McCabe dominated once again aboard their Gray Area Racing 2022 KTM RC 390s. McCabe leaves the weekend with two new lap records in the ULWSS and ULWGP classes (1:19.957 and 1:20.205, resp.).
The 600 Supersport and Superbike races were dominated by Andy DiBrino on his EDR-tuned KTM 890 Duke R, fresh off a successful season of Roland Sands Design (RSD) Super Hooligan racing. Andy was followed by Josh McKay and Micah Kudo all weekend with great battles throughout the 600 ranks.
The Langlitz Leathers Vintage Championship leader Theis Corneliussen was back aboard his Yamaha RZ350, with some heavy competition from multiple Honda RS125s piloted by Collin Spittal, Shannon Lang, and Rob Tatom.
OMRRA’s next event will be the awards banquet in January, with racing returning in April of 2023.
OMRRA, incorporated in 1972 as a non-profit, volunteer run organization, has members ranging in age from 12 to over 70, racing motorcycles of many brands, sizes and ages. OMRRA operates at Portland International Raceway, a city park and world class track. For more information, visit www.omrra.com and join us at www.facebook.com/omrra.racing and @omrra.pdx on social media.
Money Well Lending Title Championship
1. Kevin Pinkstaff – 365pts
2. Kevin Obrien – 124pts
3. Andy DiBrino – 66pts
4. Abraham Balderas – 29pts
5. Christopher Ancien – 52pts
MotoCorsa Clubman Championship
1. Alex Taylor – 503pts
2. Nathan Aldrich – 379pts
3. Jon Campbell – 340pts
4. Joe Pittman – 301pts
5. Chase Farthing – 288pts
Langlitz Leathers Vintage Championship
1. Theis Corneliussen -27pts
2. Rob Tatom – 18pts
3. Collin Spittal – 17pts
4. Shannon Lang – 13pts
5. Ryan Shanahan – 12pts
Individual Race Results from September 24-25, 2022 at Portland International Raceway:
Rodio Racing Concludes 2022 Season at Barber Motorsports Park
Gus Rodio Ties for STG Junior Cup Championship; Anthony Mazziotto Ties for 2nd Place in REV’IT! Twins Cup
Entering the season finale at Barber Motorsports Park Gus Rodio and Anthony Mazziotto held second place in their respective championships. Despite being 20 points behind in the class championship, with 50 points available in two races Gus was optimistic about the prospect of erasing the deficit. Rebounding from fifth place in the first qualifying session Gus secured a third place grid position being only one of three riders in the 1:35’s. In an exciting Race One, Gus battled for the lead throughout, leading the white flag lap but dropping to third at the finish. Race Two was a different story, where Gus was credited with the lead in nine of the 11 laps, including the final lap for the his third win of the season. The win was enough to erase the entire points distance between Gus and the leader, finishing in a 285 point tie. After applying tie-breaker rules Gus was presented the second-place championship trophy. Gus announced that the 2022 Junior Cup season was his last and he will move up to Twins Cup racing in 2023.
Gus Rodio: “P2 in the 2022 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship. We lost by zero points. We managed 11 podiums, three wins, five second-place finishes, and three third-place finishes. There’s so many people to thank for making this happen. Kevin Rodio is the backbone to my whole career let alone our Rodio Racing team. I appreciate everything he does, and has done for me. Thank you Rich Marshall for being my main mechanic this season. It went from helping out at Daytona, to him making every single round, giving me a dialed machine to push for this championship all season long. Frank Angel for data analysis and using his many years of experience and intelligence to our advantage. Thank you Artie Meeker for his help as always, and keeping the vibes high! Thank you to my mom Stacey Santora Rodio my sister Nat Rodio and my brother Maximilian Rodio for everything they do for me behind the scenes. Thank you to my grandparents Mark Rodio and Rose Marie Pitale Rodio for their support. Thank you to all of my sponsors that help me chase this dream, because without them, we truly wouldn’t be doing what we are.”
Anthony Mazziotto (516) aboard his Rodio Racing Aprilia RS 660. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy of Rodio Racing.
Anthony Mazziotto came to Barber in second place, 15 points behind the REV’IT! Twins Cup leader with 25 championship points available. An electronics issue prevented Anthony from running the entire free practice session, and he dropped out of Q1 with a mechanical after completing only six laps. In Q2 Anthony finally completed his first full on-track session to finish in 10th position. In Sunday’s warm up things were looking improved for Anthony as he pushed to the fourth-fastest time. In the only race of the weekend an eighth-place finish secured a tie for 191 championship points that ultimately resulted in a season finish in third place after tie-breaker rules were applied.
Rodio Racing will retool over the off-season and be back in 2023 to chase more championships!
More, from a press release issued by Evike.com:
2021 MotoAmerica Mini Cup by Motul 110 & 160 Champion Kensei Matsudaira Returns to Win 2022 190 Championship
Kensei Matsudaira (74) leading the MotoAmerica Mini Cup by Motul 190 class Race One on his way to victory. Photo by Jason Reasin Photography, courtesy Evike.com.
September 25, 2022
11-year old Kensei Matsudaira, 2021 MotoAmerica Mini Cup by Motul double class champion in the 110 and 160 classes, returned to the premier American road racing series in 2022 to compete again the 160 class and the new Ohvale GP2 190 class. This past weekend at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama, Kensei accomplished his season-long goal of winning the 190 class championship, making him the first competitor to win the championship in every category of the highly competitive MotoAmerica Mini Cup series.
The weekend started with Kensei qualifying second on the 190 class grid, with a qualifying lap time just 0.02 seconds behind pole-sitter Jesse James Shedden. Unfortunately due to schedule conflicts with his North America Talent Cup races Jesse James was unable to participate in either of the two 190 class races despite being second in points in the championship, and Kensei was able to win both races leading from start to finish, finally ending the championship 36 points clear of his American Racing Team teammate Joshua Rayond Jr., who finished the championship in 2nd place.
The 160 class was a double-round weekend, meaning four races were held over the course of three days. Kensei entered the weekend fourth in the championship with hopes to improve his standing, but he struggled to bridge the gap to the point leaders on the smaller, less powerful bike while also struggling through severe allergies, and ended the championship ranked fifth after finishing three races in fourth, fifth, and sixth places, respectively, and missing the final race on Sunday due to worsening health conditions.
“I was definitely a little disappointed with how things went in the 160 races, especially on Sunday with how sick I was,” Kensei said after the weekend. “Halfway through the first race I wanted to come in because I was gasping for air and it hurt just to breathe, but I was fighting for position every lap and I just couldn’t back out of it. But for the second race, we decided I really shouldn’t push myself like that again, especially since I still have another race next weekend in Spain. I’m also sad that I couldn’t race with Jesse in the 190 races this weekend, but I had some good battles with Joshua and I’m really happy to be able to win the 190 championship.”
Kensei and his team would like to thank MotoAmerica and Ohvale USA/Rise Moto for their support and all of their efforts in the Mini Cup by Motul series, and for all of the personal efforts above and beyond put in by all of the individual staff.
Kensei would also like to thank fellow competitor and friend Jesse James Shedden and his family for all of their support in 2022 with transportation and logistics for the races since Kensei traveled directly to or from Spain for almost all of the MotoAmerica rounds. Without their help it would have been impossible to attend all of the races in America.
Kensei now travels directly to Spain to compete in the final round of the Moto5 Cuna de Campeones Spanish Championship being held at Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto in Andalusia, Spain where he will be racing at the historic grand prix circuit on a 250cc Spanish purpose-built race bike.
Kensei would like to thank all of his sponsors for their support to help him race both at home and abroad: American Racing Team & Academy, Fresh N Lean, Evike.com, Shoei Helmets, Dave Designs, AGV Sport, VNM Sport, D.I.D Chain, Galfer USA, Yoshimura R&D, Suspension Matters, TechSpec, The Starting Grid, Moto Tecnica, Mad Labs Minimoto, 73 Moto Parts, Bickle Racing, Vortex Racing, Landers Racing, Boyko Racing, Apex Racing Center, Live 100 Moto, DRT Racing, Karen E. Ott Photography, Hans King, Moto Survival School, California Superbike School, and Toni Elias School USA.
More, from a press release issued by Kreece Elliott Racing:
Kreece Elliott signs off from MotoAmerica season with double points finish
Fifteen-year-old Kreece Elliott may have only taken to racing on tarmac recently, but the teenager from Colorado has just completed the MotoAmerica Junior Cup championship with another double points finish in the season finale at Barber Motorsports Park.
Competing in selected rounds, the #47 Kawasaki rider achieved a season’s best of eleventh, narrowly missing the top 10 at the Brainerd International Raceway, before rounding out the year with 13th and 14th placed finishes.
He also revealed a striking new logo and interactive website and will continue to post exciting content throughout the winter as he looks to build his profile ahead of a full season of MotoAmerica racing in 2023.
Kreece Elliott: “Race One went well. I started 17th and just put my head down from the start. I was running with the mid group and was able to score three championship points and improve my lap times. Race Two didn’t go to plan. I didn’t get the best of starts but I was able to maintain my position. I was struggling with front end chatter and some rear tire issues, so I just tried my best to manage the situation. I had to avoid a rider who crashed in front of me and that meant I was alone for the rest of the race. Overall, it was a good learning weekend, and I am now focused on 2023, where I will come back stronger.”
More, from a press release written by Nathan Fitzgerald and issued by North America Talent Cup:
AS CLOSE AS IT CAN GET, DI MARIO WINS NATC CHAMPIONSHIP BY ONE POINT
It was Di Mario and Shedden down to the wire for the final round at Barber Motorsports Park alongside MotoAmerica.
Alessandro Di Mario. Photo by Fast Glass Media, courtesy NATC.
BIRMINGHAM, AL – The inaugural season of the North America Talent Cup, an official Road to MotoGP™ project, came down to a single point between the champion and the runner-up. It could not have been any closer—a true testament of the incredible show the young road racer put on throughout the year.
For seven rounds, aspiring professional road racers as young as 13-years-old put their heart and soul into the North America Talent Cup. The competitors impressed seasoned racers wherever they went, and made full-grown adults question their own guts on the track.
It was an old-fashioned dog fight between Jesse James Shedden and Alessandro Di Mario. Neither competitor was going to give an inch on the track. Ultimately, it was Di Mario who prevailed with an impressive and consistent season on the Aprilia RS250 SP2.
We could be telling a different story and announcing a different winner had any one of the 14 races ended any other way. The only blemish on Shedden’s excellent season was a DQ during round six, giving him zero points for race one. That technical error ended up costing him the championship. A very hard pill to swallow, but the kind of lesson that forges a lifelong champion mindset. How will Shedden bounce back from NATC 2022?
Regardless, the numbers don’t lie, and it was Di Mario who finished one-point clear of Shedden. What lies ahead for Di Mario? He has proven his talent and tenacity. He can race; can he also be true professional at the highest level?
For many of the other NATC racers, they too have become high-profile talent. Alex Enriquez will represent North America in the 2023 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup — a phenomenal accomplishment. Logan Cunnison had a stellar year with several podiums and hard charging finishes. Aiden Sneed has shown he is definitely a force to reckon with and will continue to be a top competitor wherever he goes. Chris Clark, Jayden Fernandez, Logan Monk, Haydn Meng, Philip DeGama-Blanchet, and Suhaib Salem are all names we will continue to hear. I suspect we will see them on podiums in the near future.
All the competitors have proven they have what it takes to race at the national level. Thanks to the AMA and the NATC, we have been able to witness the genesis of America’s future road racing champions.
Side note: As a journalist, I am tasked with simply reporting and not getting emotionally involved. After watching these young athletes compete round after round, watching their teams and parents face challenge after challenge, and witnessing the pressure, I cannot help but say something from a personal perspective. Regardless of where they finished in the points, these kids have my respect. Their first round, not having any experience on the bike, was alongside MotoGP at COTA. A huge track and an equally huge production on the world stage. They stepped up. While most kids play ball sports, these kids are pushing the laws of physics at speeds over 100 mph on a high-performance motorcycle, all while traveling around the country and living in a van. Kudos to them, and respect to their families who also sacrifice their time, energy, and money to make dreams reality.
About NATC
The NATC is a one-make spec-series of teams and riders, using the successful Northern Talent Cup as a blueprint. The limit on entries is 20 riders between 13 and 16 years of age in 2022. The spec-motorcycle will be the Aprilia RS250 SP2; a machine developed by Aprilia in partnership with Ohvale and proven to offer a competitive platform for developing talent. The NATC is designed to create close competition in a cost-effective manner. In its first year, the NATC will race throughout the continental U.S., with seven designated rounds taking place alongside MotoGP™, MotoAmerica™, WERA, and MRA.
About the FIM North America
FIM North America is one of six Continental Unions (CONUs) recognized as geographical subdivisions and accountable to the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). It was founded in 1998. The national federations who are members of FIM North America are, by virtue of their geographical area and their membership in the FIM, the American Motorcyclist Association and the Canadian Motorcycle Association. FIM North America establishes an annual calendar of Continental Championship events and other activities and declares champions in designated disciplines and classes. Its member federations issue CONU licenses to riders participating in FIM NA events as well as those who are participating in Continental Championship events organized in other CONUs. For more information, visit fim-northamerica.com.
CVMA Racing kicked off the 2022/2023 Winter series this past weekend [September 24-25] at the newly resurfaced Chuckwalla Valley Raceway. Dedicated racers from all over the country braved the 108-degree heat to compete for the largest purses ever posted by CVMA and double points.
During qualifying on Saturday, Bryce Prince was fastest on an Open-class bike and overall, turning a 1:48.160 lap time. Chad Lewin was fastest on a middleweight with a 1:50.833 and Justin Bordonaro was fastest on a lightweight with a 1:53.461. Josh “The Joker” Fogle was fastest of all the Ultra Lightweight riders turning a 1:58.150 lap time
Multi-race winners on Saturday included Bordonaro, Dennis Bowers and Jasmine Nichols all winning two races.
Sunday’s Shootouts started off with a barn burner when Jeff “The Tiger” Tigert bested Lewin in the Supersport Middleweight Shootout. At the start, Lewin got the holeshot and led the first few laps with Tigert riding a 2009-model Honda CBR600RR never more than a few bikelengths behind. Mid-race, Tigert was able to pass Lewin and lead the remaining laps with Lewin very close behind. On the final lap, Lewin was close but was never close enough to attempt a pass. The final result was Tigert for the win, Lewin finished second, and Declan “Fast Forward” Van Rosmalen rounding out the podium in third.
In the Formula Ultra Lightweight Shootout, Nichols and Fogle had a race-long battle with Nichols taking a close win over Fogle in second. Rafael Revelo Sr. finished third.
Bordonaro won the Formula Lightweight Twins Shootout. Ramond Stevens finished second and Pitman Wallace finished third.
In the Stock 1000 Shootout, Jack Bakken got the holeshot and was never headed, taking the win by a comfortable margin. Prince started the race from pole position and slotted into second at the start, but unfortunately lost the front in Turn Seven and was out of the race early on, handing second position to Anthony “Lug Nut” Norton. Norton ran a lonely second the entire race as a battle for the final podium position raged behind.
Roger Miller ran most of the race in third with a sizable margin at the start. Late in the race, Wes Farnsworth, Justin Fite, and Dan Dickerman were able to close the gap to Miller. On the final lap, Farnsworth made a brave pass on the inside of Turn Three to take third position. However, Miller didn’t let the position go without a fight and rounded Turn Two side by side with Farnsworth. Miller clipped the curb in Turn One causing him to crash entering the front straight. Farnsworth went on to cross the finish line in third with Dickeman fourth and Fite fifth. Farnsworth was later disqualified from the race as his Aprilia RSV4 (1100cc) was not legal by Stock 1000 rules. The official results gave Bakken the win, Norton second, then Dickerman, Fite and Steve “Zoomer” Zoumaras round out the top five.
CVMA would also like to welcome a new sponsor. Ryder Gear will be sponsoring the Open Supersport class this season.
CVMA offers two full days of racing every race weekend and also includes Saturday qualifying for grid position in all classes, amateur and expert, as well as a wide variety of classes to choose from.
Additionally, CVMA offers free reciprocity as a means of encouraging racers from other clubs to come out and compete. Log on to www.cvmaracing.com for more information.
CVMA. It’s club racing done right.
Note: Corner numbers at Chuckwalla are always referred to in the clockwise direction. This round the track was run in the counterclockwise direction.
A return to Buriram marks the end of the first stint of the flyaways, Marc Marquez and Pol Espargaro as motivated as ever.
Thai fans have been waiting since 2019 to see the Repsol Honda Team in action and the wait is finally over. MotoGP’s last visit to Thailand holds fantastic memories, Marc Marquez clinching an exhilarating last-lap, last-corner race win to seal his eighth World Championship in style. In fact, Marquez is currently the only rider to have won the Thai GP after taking victory in both 2018 and 2019.
For 2022, the #93 arrives with a different mentality and aim. After a highly positive and informative Japanese GP, Marquez is again looking forward to a weekend of testing himself and the Honda RC213V. Along with the physical nature of the track, Thailand’s infamous heat will be another factor to contend with. But, forecasts suggest it might be a rather damp affair this weekend.
Pol Espargaro comes to Buriram having made more steps forward and found several interesting points to confirm this weekend. The Thai track has not been the kindest of circuits to Espargaro in the previous two visits with a best finish of 13th, but the unpredictable nature of the 2022 MotoGP season means anything is possible.
The weekend’s schedule is set to be far more regular than that of Japan, Free Practice 1 for the premier class set to begin at 10:50 Local Time on Friday. Sunday will see the 26-lap Thai Grand Prix start at 15:00 Local Time.
Marc Marquez
“The aim for the weekend is to put together another complete weekend like in Japan. Of course, I would like to be battling up the front again like in Japan, but I don’t think it’s realistic to set this expectation. It is also not our objective; we are here to build. I have very good memories there from 18 and 19, especially our last visit and I can’t wait to see the Thai fans again.”
Pol Espargaro
“Another weekend to see what we can do. In Japan we were able to find a bit of the speed we had at the start of the year and now we have to repeat this and improve it again in Thailand. On the previous visits we didn’t have the best luck in Thailand but I arrive now on a different machine so we will see what we can achieve this weekend.”
The Motorcycle Roadracing Association (MRA) was honored to hold its seventh race round of the season this last weekend, September 24 -25, at High Plains Raceway, in Deer Tail, Colorado. The ‘Full Course’ configuration was set for the competitors of this last chance for racing with the MRA in 2022. The typical grids of sprint races, endurance races, and the premier class event of the Race of the Rockies was to be the highlight of the weekend’s activities.
The weather was extremely favorable for the weekend, with sun, little breeze, and temps in the high 70’s and low 80’s for most of it. Though of note, the cool air of a Colorado fall morning did appear and temps were in the low 50’s to start the weekend. Saturday did dawn very crisp and it did see a couple of riders slipping and sliding around their practice sessions. The fall air that was but a hint at the last round, showing its brisk full face for this event.
With it being the final round and with several championships on the line, the races on Saturday were special. The entire day was punctuated with competitive and fierce racing, regardless of the class or cc’s. Battles at the front of every class. Borrowed bikes, with well-worn and beat up riders everywhere. The kinetic energy in the pits was palpable. The drive and will of the racers to finish their season were boiling over. Last-lap passes and crashes would become a common site as the weekend wore on.
At one point during the Novice GTO race, there were a total of five bikes down, with five rides up and trudging from the impact zones. There was no stoppage in play as the bikes all well cleared the racing surface and all the riders popped up and immediately headed for the safety of the local bunkers. A statistic that the track support and operations crew hopes is not challenged again any time soon.
The evening was celebrated with an event to honor that very same track support and safety crew. A judged chili competition was held as well as a raffle with prizes for the tenured safety crew. Special mention to Erik Maxwell, chili #8 and winner of the first ever “Black Plate & White Script” MRA chili award.
This reporter was thrilled not to be a judge for this event as every chili tasted was simply divine and the competition was ridiculously close. Dinner and the club’s pot-o-Luck saw a majority of the paddock, racers and guests well fed; with smiles and shared tales of the days races floating on the air. Extra thanks to all those brave cooking competitors and story tellers for making the evenings celebration event so successful.
On Sunday, Race of the Rockies GTO & GTU (RORO & RORU) was in fact the race to watch. It had a little bit of everything this last weekend. Drama, heartache, loss, and of course a winner. In the Open class, James Wilkerson and the 2022 champion Mike Applegate snuck off to an early lead together. Yet as they slowly battled back and forth over the course of half a dozen laps, it brought a third rider back into the mix. Ray Thornton was able to capitalize on some late-race pace and get in between Mike and James just before the end. It may have been Thornton’s last chance to wear the number-one plate for a while, but he wore it well on Sunday!
In the RORU class, it was the drama and heartache that came to the fore. Ken Yee had a mechanical about halfway through the race while leading the class and defending from Jared Dear. On the very last lap, Jered Dear crashed out of Turn 10 while defending the lead from Jeremiah Downing. (All riders OK)
Dedicated to family friendly and close, competitive racing, the MRA thanks everyone involved for their support and patronage this last weekend, and hopes to see everyone again for the Awards Banquet in October!
A grueling season-long effort by the entire S&S Cycle #IndianChallenger team sees Tyler O’Hara regain the Mission Foods #KingOfTheBaggers Championship crown.
Go in-depth with the team and riders to see what it took in a dramatic New Jersey finale.
Indian Motorcycle is America’s First Motorcycle Company®. Founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycle has won the hearts of motorcyclists around the world and earned distinction as one of America’s most legendary and iconic brands through unrivaled racing dominance, engineering prowess and countless innovations and industry firsts. Today that heritage and passion are reignited under new brand stewardship.
TETSUTA NAGASHIMA TO REPLACE NAKAGAMI AT THAILAND GP
Nakagami will miss this week’s Thailand GP in Buriram. Tetsuta Nagashima will ride for the LCR Honda IDEMITSU Team at Buriram.
After Sunday’s Japanese GP race, Takaaki Nakagami has consulted with a specialist in Japan, and after a scan on Tuesday morning has been diagnosed with a torn tendon in his little finger.
Nakagami will undergo further surgery on Friday and hopes to return for the Australian GP, pending further evaluation.
Tetsuta Nagashima
“First of all, I wish Taka well and I hope that he can come back as soon as possible. I will try to do my best in his place for the LCR Honda IDEMITSU Team and I will try to enjoy the racing.
I’m looking forward to this weekend’s event. I really had a lot of fun at the Japanese GP, and I learned quite a lot. So, this weekend, I want to continue to do the same because I still have to learn a lot of things with the MotoGP bike.”
RED BULL KTM’S KODY KOPP CROWNED 2022 AFT SINGLES CHAMPION AT ROUND 15
Round 15 – American Flat Track Championship
NEW RICHMOND, Wis. – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Kody Kopp has wrapped up the 2022 American Flat Track Singles Championship – his first and the team’s second – with two rounds remaining in the series. With a title on the horizon, the 17-year-old Kopp managed the race like a champion knowing that a fourth-place finish at the Cedar Lake Short Track was as good as gold. His teammate, Max Whale, rounded out the night with seventh overall in New Richmond, Wisconsin.
Chris Fillmore, Team Manager: “We’re thrilled to wrap up our first championship. I’m very proud of Kody, the team members and everybody that’s helped out through the year. There’s a lot of people to thank that make this all work and it wouldn’t have been possible without everybody’s participation. It’s a nice weight off of our shoulders to go into the two final rounds with the number one plate and I’m looking forward to having this team together for next year and building off the momentum from this season.”
Qualifying second, Kopp started on pole position in Semi 2. He immediately took the lead. Just after the halfway point, he dropped back one position. Kopp was able to quickly recover the lead and took the win aboard his KTM 450 SX-F after leading all but one lap. Kopp also won the Dash for Cash, leading all four laps. With the possibility of wrapping up the championship early, Kopp knew that his performance in the AFT Singles Main Event needed to be strong. Starting from the front row, he was positioned third early on. He then slipped to fourth, where he battled for the remainder of the race, except for one lap where he was in fifth. His fourth-place finish was enough to allow him to capture his first-ever AFT Singles championship, with two rounds remaining.
Kody Kopp (right) with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager Chris Fillmore (left) on the podium at the Cedar Lake Short Track. Photo courtesy Red Bull KTM Factory Racing.
Kody Kopp: “We won our first championship today, it’s surreal! I finished fourth in the race, I didn’t know if it was enough with the Trevor Brunner machine right in front of me. We were second in qualifying, won our semi, won the dash, and were sitting really nice for the Main Event. Fourth is not where we wanted to be today – I guess the nerves got to me – but fourth is what it took. We’ve had a good enough season so far to wrap it up two rounds early, which is kind of just a dream come true, to be honest.”
In Semi 1, Whale started from the second row of the grid due to a 15th place qualifying position. He got off to a fifth place start on his KTM 450 SX-F, where he settled in for the majority of the race before moving into fourth with one lap to go. After a second-row start in the AFT Singles Main Event, Whale settled into sixth for the next 21 laps. With just a few laps to go, he slipped to seventh where he eventually finished.
Max Whale (18) at the Cedar Lake Short Track. Photo courtesy Red Bull KTM Factory Racing.
Max Whale: “It’s been an up and down year for sure. With two rounds to go, I just want to finish off strong. Today started off with probably one of the worst qualifyings this year but every session on-track we improved a little bit, but just came up a little short in the Main Event. I had a few issues that hindered me a little bit and then ended up costing me.”
Next Race: Volusia Half-Mile (Double Header) – Barberville, Florida – October 14-15, 2022
Kayleigh Buyck Crowned at Royal Enfield BUILD. TRAIN. RACE. Barber Final
Jaycee Jones victorious again in BTR Flat Track Championship while Kayleigh Buyck brings home BTR Road Racing title with a win at the final round
Milwaukee, WI – Royal Enfield’s Build. Train. Race. program was burning at both ends over the weekend with action in both Flat Track and Road Racing. The BTR Flat Track women took on the all-new American Flat Track venue for the Cedar Lake Short Track, the penultimate round of the season, while BTR Road Racing wrapped up the six-round championship at the Barber MotoAmerica round. In both cases, the race winners each earned their respective titles—Jaycee Jones in BTR Flat Track and Kayleigh Buyck in BTR Road Racing.
BTR ROAD RACING – BARBER MOTOAMERICA
For the BTR ladies on the Road Racing side, the season came full circle at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama. It was here that they met their teammates for the first time, and got their first track time on their completed builds during a two-day test prior to the start of the MotoAmerica season.
With three from a possible five wins already to her credit, all Kayleigh Buyck needed was a podium finish to clinch the championship. But she went above and beyond in the final round, putting a stamp on her title with a victory in what was the most thrilling battle of the season.
When the light turned green, Jenny Chancellor and Buyck rocketed off the line and headed the field. Buyck, Chancellor and Chloe Peterson duked it out in a three-way battle before Buyck and Peterson broke away for their own duel. Peterson, fresh off her first pole position of the season, was eager to turn her fast lap advantage into a race win. But in the end, Buyck would not be denied. In a battle to the end, Buyck claimed the victory and the championship.
Kayleigh Buyck, the 2022 Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. road race Champion. Photo courtesy Royal Enfield North America.
“I knew it was going to be close after Jersey,” said Buyck, referring to the previous round where she finished off the podium in fourth. “I just put my head down and came into this weekend. I wanted to have fun. It’s been a stressful season. Everyone has been kicking butt the whole time. I wanted to win the whole race, but I knew if I at least finished decent, I’d hopefully be able to lock it in. Locking in the championship by winning the last race is definitely the way to end the perfect season.”
Peterson collected second place while Chancellor got caught up in the battle for third with previous round winner Crystal Martinez. Martinez eventually broke free from Chancellor to secure third, and made a push to close the gap to the lead duo, but ran out of time and had to settle for third. Despite giving up a handful of points to Peterson at the final round, Martinez still secured second overall in the championship, two points over Peterson.
Jenny Chancellor held on for fourth while Ash Truxal rounded out the top-five in Barber, mirroring their overall championship placement, as well.
“It’s fitting that our season wrapped up here at Barber, where it all began earlier this season,” said Breeann Poland. “It’s all gone by in a flash and we all can’t believe it’s already done! This season was absolutely life-changing for so many. We’ve had some ups and downs this year, and to watch these women flourish with their fortitude, their confidence and their talent was really rewarding. The speed this group of women has reached in these six races is astonishing. I couldn’t be prouder of each and every one of them.
“We want to thank our 2022 Build. Train. Race. sponsors. Without them this isn’t possible. A heartfelt thank you to all the companies and individuals behind BTR: Parts Unlimited, Harris Performance, S&S Cycle, Dunlop, Maxima Racing Oils, BOXO USA, Öhlins USA Suspension and Arai Helmets.”
Barber BTR Results
1. Kayleigh Buyck #16
2. Chloe Peterson #55
3. Crystal Martinez #25
4. Jenny Chancellor #19
5. Ash Truxal #31
6. Jessica Martin #23
7. Nicole Pareso #11
8. Cora Tennyson #95
9. Hannah Stockton #62
10. Michaela Trumbull #27
11. Trisha Dahl #44
12. Kayla Theisler #52
13. Alyssa Bridges #30
14. Patty Paul #79
15. Bridgette LeBer #21
Final Championship Standings – BTR Road Racing
1. Kayleigh Buyck (113/4 wins)
2. Crystal Martinez (94/1 win)
3. Chloe Peterson (92)
4. Jenny Chancellor (72/1 win)
5. Ash Truxal (62)
6. Jessica Martin (60)
7. Michaela Trumbull (48)
8. Trisha Dahl (43)
9. Nicole Pareso (38)
10. Alyssa Bridges (38)
11. Cora Tennyson (35)
12. Bridgette LeBer (26)
13. Hannah Stockton (21)
14. Kayla Theisler (12)
15. Patty Paul (2)
BTR FLAT TRACK – CEDAR LAKE SHORT TRACK
Jaycee Jones, the Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. flat track Champion at the Cedar Lake Short Track. Photo courtesy Royal Enfield North America.
As the ladies of BTR Flat Track took to the high-banked 3/8-mile clay oval at Cedar Lake, the ever-dominant Jaycee Jones had the bullseye squarely on her back. Aside from the preseason exhibition race at the Volusia Half Mile where Jillian Deschenes nabbed the win, Jones has managed to dominate every round, and was ready to clinch the championship one round early should things break her way. BTR veteran Deschenes and 18-year-old rookie Zaria Martens were hungry for a win, and looking to keep their title hopes alive.
The BTR field was slated to have a test at Cedar Lake prior to the race, but sadly, the weather had other plans. Unfortunately, the inclement weather also spilled over into race day, and as the skies opened up and dumped on the track just before the first practice session, which prompted officials to postpone racing until Sunday.
An abbreviated schedule meant the women had little time to figure out the track and get their Royal Enfield INT650 motorcycles dialed in. Jillian Deschenes led the way in practice, setting fast laps, but it was rookie sensation Zaria Martens with the pole position for the main event.
The main event saw Jones once again out front early, where she stayed all the way to the checkered flag. Deschenes and Martens put on another spectacular battle for runner-up honors, and in the end, it was Deschenes with the advantage, claiming second ahead of Martens, who rounded out the podium.
While the overall title may be spoken for, the battle for runner-up in the 2022 BTR Flat Track championship remains tight, with only two points separating Deschenes and Martens heading into the final round, the Volusia Half Mile, where Deschenes already tasted preseason victory. The series concludes on October 15 in Barberville, Florida, where Jones will receive her number-one championship plate.
Cedar Lake BTR Results
1. Jaycee Jones #33
2. Jillian Deschenes #31
3. Zaria Martens #8
4. Makenna Hiatt #81
5. Stephanie Pietz #57
6. Erin Ferris #909
7. Kaiela Hobart #46
8. Alex Bumpus McDonald #2
9. Anna Serena #800
10. Nean Kiskela #27
11. Gabrielle Hughes #327
12. Mia Reese #15
About Royal Enfield
The oldest motorcycle company in continuous production in the world, Royal Enfield made its first motorcycle in 1901. A division of Eicher Motors Limited, Royal Enfield has created the midsize motorcycle segment in India with its unique and distinctive modern classic motorcycles. With its manufacturing base in Chennai, India, Royal Enfield has been able to grow its production rapidly against a surge in demand for its motorcycles. Royal Enfield is a leading player in the global middleweight motorcycle market.
Royal Enfield North America (RENA) is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is developing a growing network of more than 150 dealers in North America, including the contiguous U.S. and Canada. RENA currently offers the all-new Scram 411, Classic 350, Meteor 350, Himalayan and the 650 Twins (INT650 and Continental GT 650) motorcycles, along with a range of Genuine Motorcycle Accessories and apparel.
For more information on Royal Enfield North America, visit www.RoyalEnfield.com/us/en/, www.Instagram.com/RoyalEnfield_NA, www.Facebook.com/RoyalEnfieldNorthAmerica.
LIVEWIRE™ READIES LATEST S2 DEL MAR™ ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE
Reservations Open September 27th for the Production S2 Del Mar, Expected to Begin Deliveries Spring 2023
MILWAUKEE, WI (September 27, 2022) – As the company becomes the first publicly traded EV motorcycle company in the U.S., LiveWire™ is opening reservations for the production version of the all-electric S2 Del Mar™ motorcycle, the first LiveWire model to feature the new ARROW architecture, and the first bike to sit next to the LiveWire ONE—the company’s flagship electric motorcycle.
• The production S2 Del Mar will deliver immediately after the Launch Edition, which sold out this past May in 18 minutes.
• Priority delivery will be given to customers with confirmed reservations, which can be placed now at livewire.com for expected delivery in the spring of 2023.
• The Del Mar Launch Edition models will feature 3 unique colors; Pacific Gray, Nightfall Blue, and Asphalt Black at an MSRP of $16,999.
• Performance highlights include expected outcomes at production of output of 80 horsepower (59.6 kW), 184 ft-lb of torque, 75 minute 20%-80% recharge time using L2, and 431 pounds of weight, delivering projected 0-to-60 mph times of 3.1 seconds.
• Del Mar range in city riding is targeted to be 110 miles. *
“Today we are pleased to be opening reservations for the production edition of the S2 Del Mar – our second LiveWire motorcycle and the next step in the evolution of the LiveWire Brand,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman and CEO of LiveWire Group Inc. “The modular ARROW architecture underpinning the Del Mar, developed in-house at LiveWire Labs, demonstrates our ambition to lead in the EV space and establish LiveWire as the most desirable electric motorcycle brand in the world. We’re excited about the future at LiveWire and look forward to the company creating the path to the electrification of motorcycling.”
Advanced LiveWire ARROW Architecture
LiveWire’s scalable ARROW architecture with proprietary battery, motor, charging, and control systems debuts on the Del Mar model and was designed at LiveWire Labs in Mountain View, California. The ARROW architecture is intended to be modular and serves as the central component of the motorcycle chassis.
Del Mar is designed to offer its rider thrilling performance with a targeted output of 80 horsepower (59.6 kW), delivering projected 0-to-60 mph times of 3.1 seconds. City range is expected to be 110 miles.* The Del Mar model weight target is 431 pounds.
The Mark of Urban Riding
Built for agility, and soulful by design, S2 Del Mar is the mark of urban riding and beyond. The newest electric riding experience form LiveWire presents an upright position for a comfortable and controlled riding experience. Equipped with custom developed LiveWire Dunlop DT1 tires equally capable on paved and dirt surfaces, the capabilities of Del Mar are uncompromised by road condition.
Production Model
Equipped with L1 and L2 charging capabilities, over-the-air updates, and a 4” TFT LCD display, the riding is immediately different and instantly familiar as LiveWire. The 10.5 kWh pack that powers the bike is the central component of the Arrow architecture, and first clean sheet, in-house design from LiveWire. Complete performance highlights and equipment specifications will be published at the time of retail launch.
The production S2 Del Mar debuts with an MSRP of $16,999. Delivery of the production version is planned to follow the Launch Edition, with an expected timeline set for the spring of 2023. All LiveWire S2 Del Mar motorcycles will be assembled at Harley-Davidson Vehicle Operations in York, PA.
To learn more about the LiveWire S2 Del Mar Launch Edition motorcycle visit: livewire.com/delmar.
*Range estimates are based on expected performance on a fully-charged battery and are derived from SAE J2982 Riding Range Test Procedure data on a sample motorcycle under ideal laboratory conditions. Actual range will vary depending on personal riding habits, road and driving conditions, ambient weather, vehicle condition and maintenance, tire pressure, vehicle configuration (parts and accessories), and vehicle loading (cargo, rider and passenger weight).
About LiveWire
LiveWire is soulful by design, transforming the everyday into urban adventure and beyond. Drawing on its DNA as an agile disruptor from the lineage of Harley-Davidson and capitalizing on a decade of learnings in the EV sector, LiveWire’s ambition is to be the most desirable electric motorcycle brand in the world. With a dedicated focus on EV, LiveWire plans to develop the technology of the future and to invest in the capabilities needed to lead the transformation of motorcycling. LiveWire benefits from Harley-Davidson’s engineering expertise, manufacturing footprint, supply chain infrastructure, and global logistics capabilities. Innovating by design and attracting industry-leading talent, LiveWire is headquartered virtually, with initial hubs in Silicon Valley, CA (LiveWire Labs) and Milwaukee, WI.
For LiveWire career opportunities visit: livewire.com/careers
Kevin Pinkstaff (21). Photo by Louis Stevenson/StevensonFoto.com, courtesy OMRRA.
The Oregon Motorcycle Road Racing Association (OMRRA) completed the 2022 season last weekend [September 24-25 at Portland International Raceway] with perfect weather and track conditions. While some overall and class championships were already decided, there was plenty of hardware still up for grabs. OMRRA continues to work closely with WMRRA (Washington Motorcycle Road Racing Association) to create high-quality racing for racers and spectators alike. Round Six was no different with many WMRRA racers showing up to take home some OMRRA trophies.
The star of the weekend was surely Kevin Pinkstaff aboard his Zlock Racing Kawasaki ZX-10R with Pirelli tires. Kevin was crowned the champion of OMRRA’s Moneywell Lending Title Championship, so the #1 plate will be easy to find next year attached to the fluorescent Zlock livery. In addition to the OMRRA #1 Kevin also secured the WMRRA #1 plate for 2022, making him the king of Northwest road racing this year!
OMRRA’s Clubman Championship, sponsored by MotoCorsa, totals the points from each racer’s top two classes in a full-club hunt for the #1c plate. With the season done and dusted, the top five finishers in the Clubman Championship are: Alex Taylor, Nathan Aldrich, Jon Campbell, Joe Pittman, and Chase Farthing.
The Middleweight and Ultra-Lightweight races made for some of the closest battles, with Taylor, Aldrich, Jacob Keiner, and Hannah Johnson swapping podium spots among the six Middleweight races.
In the four Ultra-Lightweight races, Paxton Gray and Austin McCabe dominated once again aboard their Gray Area Racing 2022 KTM RC 390s. McCabe leaves the weekend with two new lap records in the ULWSS and ULWGP classes (1:19.957 and 1:20.205, resp.).
The 600 Supersport and Superbike races were dominated by Andy DiBrino on his EDR-tuned KTM 890 Duke R, fresh off a successful season of Roland Sands Design (RSD) Super Hooligan racing. Andy was followed by Josh McKay and Micah Kudo all weekend with great battles throughout the 600 ranks.
The Langlitz Leathers Vintage Championship leader Theis Corneliussen was back aboard his Yamaha RZ350, with some heavy competition from multiple Honda RS125s piloted by Collin Spittal, Shannon Lang, and Rob Tatom.
OMRRA’s next event will be the awards banquet in January, with racing returning in April of 2023.
OMRRA, incorporated in 1972 as a non-profit, volunteer run organization, has members ranging in age from 12 to over 70, racing motorcycles of many brands, sizes and ages. OMRRA operates at Portland International Raceway, a city park and world class track. For more information, visit www.omrra.com and join us at www.facebook.com/omrra.racing and @omrra.pdx on social media.
Money Well Lending Title Championship
1. Kevin Pinkstaff – 365pts
2. Kevin Obrien – 124pts
3. Andy DiBrino – 66pts
4. Abraham Balderas – 29pts
5. Christopher Ancien – 52pts
MotoCorsa Clubman Championship
1. Alex Taylor – 503pts
2. Nathan Aldrich – 379pts
3. Jon Campbell – 340pts
4. Joe Pittman – 301pts
5. Chase Farthing – 288pts
Langlitz Leathers Vintage Championship
1. Theis Corneliussen -27pts
2. Rob Tatom – 18pts
3. Collin Spittal – 17pts
4. Shannon Lang – 13pts
5. Ryan Shanahan – 12pts
Individual Race Results from September 24-25, 2022 at Portland International Raceway:
Gus Rodio (96) aboard his Rodio Racing Kawasaki Ninja 400. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy of Rodio Racing.
Rodio Racing Concludes 2022 Season at Barber Motorsports Park
Gus Rodio Ties for STG Junior Cup Championship; Anthony Mazziotto Ties for 2nd Place in REV’IT! Twins Cup
Entering the season finale at Barber Motorsports Park Gus Rodio and Anthony Mazziotto held second place in their respective championships. Despite being 20 points behind in the class championship, with 50 points available in two races Gus was optimistic about the prospect of erasing the deficit. Rebounding from fifth place in the first qualifying session Gus secured a third place grid position being only one of three riders in the 1:35’s. In an exciting Race One, Gus battled for the lead throughout, leading the white flag lap but dropping to third at the finish. Race Two was a different story, where Gus was credited with the lead in nine of the 11 laps, including the final lap for the his third win of the season. The win was enough to erase the entire points distance between Gus and the leader, finishing in a 285 point tie. After applying tie-breaker rules Gus was presented the second-place championship trophy. Gus announced that the 2022 Junior Cup season was his last and he will move up to Twins Cup racing in 2023.
Gus Rodio: “P2 in the 2022 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship. We lost by zero points. We managed 11 podiums, three wins, five second-place finishes, and three third-place finishes. There’s so many people to thank for making this happen. Kevin Rodio is the backbone to my whole career let alone our Rodio Racing team. I appreciate everything he does, and has done for me. Thank you Rich Marshall for being my main mechanic this season. It went from helping out at Daytona, to him making every single round, giving me a dialed machine to push for this championship all season long. Frank Angel for data analysis and using his many years of experience and intelligence to our advantage. Thank you Artie Meeker for his help as always, and keeping the vibes high! Thank you to my mom Stacey Santora Rodio my sister Nat Rodio and my brother Maximilian Rodio for everything they do for me behind the scenes. Thank you to my grandparents Mark Rodio and Rose Marie Pitale Rodio for their support. Thank you to all of my sponsors that help me chase this dream, because without them, we truly wouldn’t be doing what we are.”
Anthony Mazziotto (516) aboard his Rodio Racing Aprilia RS 660. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy of Rodio Racing.
Anthony Mazziotto came to Barber in second place, 15 points behind the REV’IT! Twins Cup leader with 25 championship points available. An electronics issue prevented Anthony from running the entire free practice session, and he dropped out of Q1 with a mechanical after completing only six laps. In Q2 Anthony finally completed his first full on-track session to finish in 10th position. In Sunday’s warm up things were looking improved for Anthony as he pushed to the fourth-fastest time. In the only race of the weekend an eighth-place finish secured a tie for 191 championship points that ultimately resulted in a season finish in third place after tie-breaker rules were applied.
Rodio Racing will retool over the off-season and be back in 2023 to chase more championships!
More, from a press release issued by Evike.com:
2021 MotoAmerica Mini Cup by Motul 110 & 160 Champion Kensei Matsudaira Returns to Win 2022 190 Championship
Kensei Matsudaira (74) leading the MotoAmerica Mini Cup by Motul 190 class Race One on his way to victory. Photo by Jason Reasin Photography, courtesy Evike.com.
September 25, 2022
11-year old Kensei Matsudaira, 2021 MotoAmerica Mini Cup by Motul double class champion in the 110 and 160 classes, returned to the premier American road racing series in 2022 to compete again the 160 class and the new Ohvale GP2 190 class. This past weekend at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama, Kensei accomplished his season-long goal of winning the 190 class championship, making him the first competitor to win the championship in every category of the highly competitive MotoAmerica Mini Cup series.
The weekend started with Kensei qualifying second on the 190 class grid, with a qualifying lap time just 0.02 seconds behind pole-sitter Jesse James Shedden. Unfortunately due to schedule conflicts with his North America Talent Cup races Jesse James was unable to participate in either of the two 190 class races despite being second in points in the championship, and Kensei was able to win both races leading from start to finish, finally ending the championship 36 points clear of his American Racing Team teammate Joshua Rayond Jr., who finished the championship in 2nd place.
The 160 class was a double-round weekend, meaning four races were held over the course of three days. Kensei entered the weekend fourth in the championship with hopes to improve his standing, but he struggled to bridge the gap to the point leaders on the smaller, less powerful bike while also struggling through severe allergies, and ended the championship ranked fifth after finishing three races in fourth, fifth, and sixth places, respectively, and missing the final race on Sunday due to worsening health conditions.
“I was definitely a little disappointed with how things went in the 160 races, especially on Sunday with how sick I was,” Kensei said after the weekend. “Halfway through the first race I wanted to come in because I was gasping for air and it hurt just to breathe, but I was fighting for position every lap and I just couldn’t back out of it. But for the second race, we decided I really shouldn’t push myself like that again, especially since I still have another race next weekend in Spain. I’m also sad that I couldn’t race with Jesse in the 190 races this weekend, but I had some good battles with Joshua and I’m really happy to be able to win the 190 championship.”
Kensei and his team would like to thank MotoAmerica and Ohvale USA/Rise Moto for their support and all of their efforts in the Mini Cup by Motul series, and for all of the personal efforts above and beyond put in by all of the individual staff.
Kensei would also like to thank fellow competitor and friend Jesse James Shedden and his family for all of their support in 2022 with transportation and logistics for the races since Kensei traveled directly to or from Spain for almost all of the MotoAmerica rounds. Without their help it would have been impossible to attend all of the races in America.
Kensei now travels directly to Spain to compete in the final round of the Moto5 Cuna de Campeones Spanish Championship being held at Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto in Andalusia, Spain where he will be racing at the historic grand prix circuit on a 250cc Spanish purpose-built race bike.
Kensei would like to thank all of his sponsors for their support to help him race both at home and abroad: American Racing Team & Academy, Fresh N Lean, Evike.com, Shoei Helmets, Dave Designs, AGV Sport, VNM Sport, D.I.D Chain, Galfer USA, Yoshimura R&D, Suspension Matters, TechSpec, The Starting Grid, Moto Tecnica, Mad Labs Minimoto, 73 Moto Parts, Bickle Racing, Vortex Racing, Landers Racing, Boyko Racing, Apex Racing Center, Live 100 Moto, DRT Racing, Karen E. Ott Photography, Hans King, Moto Survival School, California Superbike School, and Toni Elias School USA.
More, from a press release issued by Kreece Elliott Racing:
Kreece Elliott signs off from MotoAmerica season with double points finish
Fifteen-year-old Kreece Elliott may have only taken to racing on tarmac recently, but the teenager from Colorado has just completed the MotoAmerica Junior Cup championship with another double points finish in the season finale at Barber Motorsports Park.
Competing in selected rounds, the #47 Kawasaki rider achieved a season’s best of eleventh, narrowly missing the top 10 at the Brainerd International Raceway, before rounding out the year with 13th and 14th placed finishes.
He also revealed a striking new logo and interactive website and will continue to post exciting content throughout the winter as he looks to build his profile ahead of a full season of MotoAmerica racing in 2023.
Kreece Elliott: “Race One went well. I started 17th and just put my head down from the start. I was running with the mid group and was able to score three championship points and improve my lap times. Race Two didn’t go to plan. I didn’t get the best of starts but I was able to maintain my position. I was struggling with front end chatter and some rear tire issues, so I just tried my best to manage the situation. I had to avoid a rider who crashed in front of me and that meant I was alone for the rest of the race. Overall, it was a good learning weekend, and I am now focused on 2023, where I will come back stronger.”
More, from a press release written by Nathan Fitzgerald and issued by North America Talent Cup:
AS CLOSE AS IT CAN GET, DI MARIO WINS NATC CHAMPIONSHIP BY ONE POINT
It was Di Mario and Shedden down to the wire for the final round at Barber Motorsports Park alongside MotoAmerica.
Alessandro Di Mario. Photo by Fast Glass Media, courtesy NATC.
BIRMINGHAM, AL – The inaugural season of the North America Talent Cup, an official Road to MotoGP™ project, came down to a single point between the champion and the runner-up. It could not have been any closer—a true testament of the incredible show the young road racer put on throughout the year.
For seven rounds, aspiring professional road racers as young as 13-years-old put their heart and soul into the North America Talent Cup. The competitors impressed seasoned racers wherever they went, and made full-grown adults question their own guts on the track.
It was an old-fashioned dog fight between Jesse James Shedden and Alessandro Di Mario. Neither competitor was going to give an inch on the track. Ultimately, it was Di Mario who prevailed with an impressive and consistent season on the Aprilia RS250 SP2.
We could be telling a different story and announcing a different winner had any one of the 14 races ended any other way. The only blemish on Shedden’s excellent season was a DQ during round six, giving him zero points for race one. That technical error ended up costing him the championship. A very hard pill to swallow, but the kind of lesson that forges a lifelong champion mindset. How will Shedden bounce back from NATC 2022?
Regardless, the numbers don’t lie, and it was Di Mario who finished one-point clear of Shedden. What lies ahead for Di Mario? He has proven his talent and tenacity. He can race; can he also be true professional at the highest level?
For many of the other NATC racers, they too have become high-profile talent. Alex Enriquez will represent North America in the 2023 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup — a phenomenal accomplishment. Logan Cunnison had a stellar year with several podiums and hard charging finishes. Aiden Sneed has shown he is definitely a force to reckon with and will continue to be a top competitor wherever he goes. Chris Clark, Jayden Fernandez, Logan Monk, Haydn Meng, Philip DeGama-Blanchet, and Suhaib Salem are all names we will continue to hear. I suspect we will see them on podiums in the near future.
All the competitors have proven they have what it takes to race at the national level. Thanks to the AMA and the NATC, we have been able to witness the genesis of America’s future road racing champions.
Side note: As a journalist, I am tasked with simply reporting and not getting emotionally involved. After watching these young athletes compete round after round, watching their teams and parents face challenge after challenge, and witnessing the pressure, I cannot help but say something from a personal perspective. Regardless of where they finished in the points, these kids have my respect. Their first round, not having any experience on the bike, was alongside MotoGP at COTA. A huge track and an equally huge production on the world stage. They stepped up. While most kids play ball sports, these kids are pushing the laws of physics at speeds over 100 mph on a high-performance motorcycle, all while traveling around the country and living in a van. Kudos to them, and respect to their families who also sacrifice their time, energy, and money to make dreams reality.
About NATC
The NATC is a one-make spec-series of teams and riders, using the successful Northern Talent Cup as a blueprint. The limit on entries is 20 riders between 13 and 16 years of age in 2022. The spec-motorcycle will be the Aprilia RS250 SP2; a machine developed by Aprilia in partnership with Ohvale and proven to offer a competitive platform for developing talent. The NATC is designed to create close competition in a cost-effective manner. In its first year, the NATC will race throughout the continental U.S., with seven designated rounds taking place alongside MotoGP™, MotoAmerica™, WERA, and MRA.
About the FIM North America
FIM North America is one of six Continental Unions (CONUs) recognized as geographical subdivisions and accountable to the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). It was founded in 1998. The national federations who are members of FIM North America are, by virtue of their geographical area and their membership in the FIM, the American Motorcyclist Association and the Canadian Motorcycle Association. FIM North America establishes an annual calendar of Continental Championship events and other activities and declares champions in designated disciplines and classes. Its member federations issue CONU licenses to riders participating in FIM NA events as well as those who are participating in Continental Championship events organized in other CONUs. For more information, visit fim-northamerica.com.
Eventual race winner Jack Bakken (29) leads Bryce Prince (74), Wes Farnsworth (33), and the rest of the field early in the CVMA Stock 1000 Shootout at the 2022-2023 Winter Series opener at Chuckwalla Valley Raceway. Photo by CaliPhotography.com, courtesy CVMA.
CVMA Racing Round 1 2022/2023 Winter Series
CVMA Racing kicked off the 2022/2023 Winter series this past weekend [September 24-25] at the newly resurfaced Chuckwalla Valley Raceway. Dedicated racers from all over the country braved the 108-degree heat to compete for the largest purses ever posted by CVMA and double points.
During qualifying on Saturday, Bryce Prince was fastest on an Open-class bike and overall, turning a 1:48.160 lap time. Chad Lewin was fastest on a middleweight with a 1:50.833 and Justin Bordonaro was fastest on a lightweight with a 1:53.461. Josh “The Joker” Fogle was fastest of all the Ultra Lightweight riders turning a 1:58.150 lap time
Multi-race winners on Saturday included Bordonaro, Dennis Bowers and Jasmine Nichols all winning two races.
Sunday’s Shootouts started off with a barn burner when Jeff “The Tiger” Tigert bested Lewin in the Supersport Middleweight Shootout. At the start, Lewin got the holeshot and led the first few laps with Tigert riding a 2009-model Honda CBR600RR never more than a few bikelengths behind. Mid-race, Tigert was able to pass Lewin and lead the remaining laps with Lewin very close behind. On the final lap, Lewin was close but was never close enough to attempt a pass. The final result was Tigert for the win, Lewin finished second, and Declan “Fast Forward” Van Rosmalen rounding out the podium in third.
In the Formula Ultra Lightweight Shootout, Nichols and Fogle had a race-long battle with Nichols taking a close win over Fogle in second. Rafael Revelo Sr. finished third.
Bordonaro won the Formula Lightweight Twins Shootout. Ramond Stevens finished second and Pitman Wallace finished third.
In the Stock 1000 Shootout, Jack Bakken got the holeshot and was never headed, taking the win by a comfortable margin. Prince started the race from pole position and slotted into second at the start, but unfortunately lost the front in Turn Seven and was out of the race early on, handing second position to Anthony “Lug Nut” Norton. Norton ran a lonely second the entire race as a battle for the final podium position raged behind.
Roger Miller ran most of the race in third with a sizable margin at the start. Late in the race, Wes Farnsworth, Justin Fite, and Dan Dickerman were able to close the gap to Miller. On the final lap, Farnsworth made a brave pass on the inside of Turn Three to take third position. However, Miller didn’t let the position go without a fight and rounded Turn Two side by side with Farnsworth. Miller clipped the curb in Turn One causing him to crash entering the front straight. Farnsworth went on to cross the finish line in third with Dickeman fourth and Fite fifth. Farnsworth was later disqualified from the race as his Aprilia RSV4 (1100cc) was not legal by Stock 1000 rules. The official results gave Bakken the win, Norton second, then Dickerman, Fite and Steve “Zoomer” Zoumaras round out the top five.
CVMA would also like to welcome a new sponsor. Ryder Gear will be sponsoring the Open Supersport class this season.
CVMA offers two full days of racing every race weekend and also includes Saturday qualifying for grid position in all classes, amateur and expert, as well as a wide variety of classes to choose from.
Additionally, CVMA offers free reciprocity as a means of encouraging racers from other clubs to come out and compete. Log on to www.cvmaracing.com for more information.
CVMA. It’s club racing done right.
Note: Corner numbers at Chuckwalla are always referred to in the clockwise direction. This round the track was run in the counterclockwise direction.
Marc Marquez (93), as seen during MotoGP FP1 at Motegi. Photo by Kohei Hirota.
Thai treat to close out triple header
A return to Buriram marks the end of the first stint of the flyaways, Marc Marquez and Pol Espargaro as motivated as ever.
Thai fans have been waiting since 2019 to see the Repsol Honda Team in action and the wait is finally over. MotoGP’s last visit to Thailand holds fantastic memories, Marc Marquez clinching an exhilarating last-lap, last-corner race win to seal his eighth World Championship in style. In fact, Marquez is currently the only rider to have won the Thai GP after taking victory in both 2018 and 2019.
For 2022, the #93 arrives with a different mentality and aim. After a highly positive and informative Japanese GP, Marquez is again looking forward to a weekend of testing himself and the Honda RC213V. Along with the physical nature of the track, Thailand’s infamous heat will be another factor to contend with. But, forecasts suggest it might be a rather damp affair this weekend.
Pol Espargaro comes to Buriram having made more steps forward and found several interesting points to confirm this weekend. The Thai track has not been the kindest of circuits to Espargaro in the previous two visits with a best finish of 13th, but the unpredictable nature of the 2022 MotoGP season means anything is possible.
The weekend’s schedule is set to be far more regular than that of Japan, Free Practice 1 for the premier class set to begin at 10:50 Local Time on Friday. Sunday will see the 26-lap Thai Grand Prix start at 15:00 Local Time.
Marc Marquez
“The aim for the weekend is to put together another complete weekend like in Japan. Of course, I would like to be battling up the front again like in Japan, but I don’t think it’s realistic to set this expectation. It is also not our objective; we are here to build. I have very good memories there from 18 and 19, especially our last visit and I can’t wait to see the Thai fans again.”
Pol Espargaro
“Another weekend to see what we can do. In Japan we were able to find a bit of the speed we had at the start of the year and now we have to repeat this and improve it again in Thailand. On the previous visits we didn’t have the best luck in Thailand but I arrive now on a different machine so we will see what we can achieve this weekend.”
Mike Applegate (79) won the premier Race of the Rockies GTO race at the MRA season finale. Photo by Kelly Vernell, courtesy MRA.
The Motorcycle Roadracing Association (MRA) was honored to hold its seventh race round of the season this last weekend, September 24 -25, at High Plains Raceway, in Deer Tail, Colorado. The ‘Full Course’ configuration was set for the competitors of this last chance for racing with the MRA in 2022. The typical grids of sprint races, endurance races, and the premier class event of the Race of the Rockies was to be the highlight of the weekend’s activities.
The weather was extremely favorable for the weekend, with sun, little breeze, and temps in the high 70’s and low 80’s for most of it. Though of note, the cool air of a Colorado fall morning did appear and temps were in the low 50’s to start the weekend. Saturday did dawn very crisp and it did see a couple of riders slipping and sliding around their practice sessions. The fall air that was but a hint at the last round, showing its brisk full face for this event.
With it being the final round and with several championships on the line, the races on Saturday were special. The entire day was punctuated with competitive and fierce racing, regardless of the class or cc’s. Battles at the front of every class. Borrowed bikes, with well-worn and beat up riders everywhere. The kinetic energy in the pits was palpable. The drive and will of the racers to finish their season were boiling over. Last-lap passes and crashes would become a common site as the weekend wore on.
At one point during the Novice GTO race, there were a total of five bikes down, with five rides up and trudging from the impact zones. There was no stoppage in play as the bikes all well cleared the racing surface and all the riders popped up and immediately headed for the safety of the local bunkers. A statistic that the track support and operations crew hopes is not challenged again any time soon.
The evening was celebrated with an event to honor that very same track support and safety crew. A judged chili competition was held as well as a raffle with prizes for the tenured safety crew. Special mention to Erik Maxwell, chili #8 and winner of the first ever “Black Plate & White Script” MRA chili award.
This reporter was thrilled not to be a judge for this event as every chili tasted was simply divine and the competition was ridiculously close. Dinner and the club’s pot-o-Luck saw a majority of the paddock, racers and guests well fed; with smiles and shared tales of the days races floating on the air. Extra thanks to all those brave cooking competitors and story tellers for making the evenings celebration event so successful.
On Sunday, Race of the Rockies GTO & GTU (RORO & RORU) was in fact the race to watch. It had a little bit of everything this last weekend. Drama, heartache, loss, and of course a winner. In the Open class, James Wilkerson and the 2022 champion Mike Applegate snuck off to an early lead together. Yet as they slowly battled back and forth over the course of half a dozen laps, it brought a third rider back into the mix. Ray Thornton was able to capitalize on some late-race pace and get in between Mike and James just before the end. It may have been Thornton’s last chance to wear the number-one plate for a while, but he wore it well on Sunday!
In the RORU class, it was the drama and heartache that came to the fore. Ken Yee had a mechanical about halfway through the race while leading the class and defending from Jared Dear. On the very last lap, Jered Dear crashed out of Turn 10 while defending the lead from Jeremiah Downing. (All riders OK)
Dedicated to family friendly and close, competitive racing, the MRA thanks everyone involved for their support and patronage this last weekend, and hopes to see everyone again for the Awards Banquet in October!
Tyler O'Hara (29) on his Mission Foods/S&S Cycle Indian Challenger. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
A grueling season-long effort by the entire S&S Cycle #IndianChallenger team sees Tyler O’Hara regain the Mission Foods #KingOfTheBaggers Championship crown.
Go in-depth with the team and riders to see what it took in a dramatic New Jersey finale.
Indian Motorcycle is America’s First Motorcycle Company®. Founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycle has won the hearts of motorcyclists around the world and earned distinction as one of America’s most legendary and iconic brands through unrivaled racing dominance, engineering prowess and countless innovations and industry firsts. Today that heritage and passion are reignited under new brand stewardship.
Tetsuta Nagashima (33) in action on the Team HRC Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP Friday at the Suzuka 8-Hours. Photo by Kohei Hirota.
TETSUTA NAGASHIMA TO REPLACE NAKAGAMI AT THAILAND GP
Nakagami will miss this week’s Thailand GP in Buriram. Tetsuta Nagashima will ride for the LCR Honda IDEMITSU Team at Buriram.
After Sunday’s Japanese GP race, Takaaki Nakagami has consulted with a specialist in Japan, and after a scan on Tuesday morning has been diagnosed with a torn tendon in his little finger.
Nakagami will undergo further surgery on Friday and hopes to return for the Australian GP, pending further evaluation.
Tetsuta Nagashima
“First of all, I wish Taka well and I hope that he can come back as soon as possible. I will try to do my best in his place for the LCR Honda IDEMITSU Team and I will try to enjoy the racing.
I’m looking forward to this weekend’s event. I really had a lot of fun at the Japanese GP, and I learned quite a lot. So, this weekend, I want to continue to do the same because I still have to learn a lot of things with the MotoGP bike.”
Kody Kopp (12) at the Cedar Lake Short Track. Photo courtesy Red Bull KTM Factory Racing.
RED BULL KTM’S KODY KOPP CROWNED 2022 AFT SINGLES CHAMPION AT ROUND 15
Round 15 – American Flat Track Championship
NEW RICHMOND, Wis. – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Kody Kopp has wrapped up the 2022 American Flat Track Singles Championship – his first and the team’s second – with two rounds remaining in the series. With a title on the horizon, the 17-year-old Kopp managed the race like a champion knowing that a fourth-place finish at the Cedar Lake Short Track was as good as gold. His teammate, Max Whale, rounded out the night with seventh overall in New Richmond, Wisconsin.
Chris Fillmore, Team Manager: “We’re thrilled to wrap up our first championship. I’m very proud of Kody, the team members and everybody that’s helped out through the year. There’s a lot of people to thank that make this all work and it wouldn’t have been possible without everybody’s participation. It’s a nice weight off of our shoulders to go into the two final rounds with the number one plate and I’m looking forward to having this team together for next year and building off the momentum from this season.”
Qualifying second, Kopp started on pole position in Semi 2. He immediately took the lead. Just after the halfway point, he dropped back one position. Kopp was able to quickly recover the lead and took the win aboard his KTM 450 SX-F after leading all but one lap. Kopp also won the Dash for Cash, leading all four laps. With the possibility of wrapping up the championship early, Kopp knew that his performance in the AFT Singles Main Event needed to be strong. Starting from the front row, he was positioned third early on. He then slipped to fourth, where he battled for the remainder of the race, except for one lap where he was in fifth. His fourth-place finish was enough to allow him to capture his first-ever AFT Singles championship, with two rounds remaining.
Kody Kopp (right) with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager Chris Fillmore (left) on the podium at the Cedar Lake Short Track. Photo courtesy Red Bull KTM Factory Racing.
Kody Kopp: “We won our first championship today, it’s surreal! I finished fourth in the race, I didn’t know if it was enough with the Trevor Brunner machine right in front of me. We were second in qualifying, won our semi, won the dash, and were sitting really nice for the Main Event. Fourth is not where we wanted to be today – I guess the nerves got to me – but fourth is what it took. We’ve had a good enough season so far to wrap it up two rounds early, which is kind of just a dream come true, to be honest.”
In Semi 1, Whale started from the second row of the grid due to a 15th place qualifying position. He got off to a fifth place start on his KTM 450 SX-F, where he settled in for the majority of the race before moving into fourth with one lap to go. After a second-row start in the AFT Singles Main Event, Whale settled into sixth for the next 21 laps. With just a few laps to go, he slipped to seventh where he eventually finished.
Max Whale (18) at the Cedar Lake Short Track. Photo courtesy Red Bull KTM Factory Racing.
Max Whale: “It’s been an up and down year for sure. With two rounds to go, I just want to finish off strong. Today started off with probably one of the worst qualifyings this year but every session on-track we improved a little bit, but just came up a little short in the Main Event. I had a few issues that hindered me a little bit and then ended up costing me.”
Next Race: Volusia Half-Mile (Double Header) – Barberville, Florida – October 14-15, 2022
Kayleigh Buyck (16) in action at Barber Motorsports Park. Photo courtesy Royal Enfield North America.
Kayleigh Buyck Crowned at Royal Enfield BUILD. TRAIN. RACE. Barber Final
Jaycee Jones victorious again in BTR Flat Track Championship while Kayleigh Buyck brings home BTR Road Racing title with a win at the final round
Milwaukee, WI – Royal Enfield’s Build. Train. Race. program was burning at both ends over the weekend with action in both Flat Track and Road Racing. The BTR Flat Track women took on the all-new American Flat Track venue for the Cedar Lake Short Track, the penultimate round of the season, while BTR Road Racing wrapped up the six-round championship at the Barber MotoAmerica round. In both cases, the race winners each earned their respective titles—Jaycee Jones in BTR Flat Track and Kayleigh Buyck in BTR Road Racing.
BTR ROAD RACING – BARBER MOTOAMERICA
For the BTR ladies on the Road Racing side, the season came full circle at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama. It was here that they met their teammates for the first time, and got their first track time on their completed builds during a two-day test prior to the start of the MotoAmerica season.
With three from a possible five wins already to her credit, all Kayleigh Buyck needed was a podium finish to clinch the championship. But she went above and beyond in the final round, putting a stamp on her title with a victory in what was the most thrilling battle of the season.
When the light turned green, Jenny Chancellor and Buyck rocketed off the line and headed the field. Buyck, Chancellor and Chloe Peterson duked it out in a three-way battle before Buyck and Peterson broke away for their own duel. Peterson, fresh off her first pole position of the season, was eager to turn her fast lap advantage into a race win. But in the end, Buyck would not be denied. In a battle to the end, Buyck claimed the victory and the championship.
Kayleigh Buyck, the 2022 Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. road race Champion. Photo courtesy Royal Enfield North America.
“I knew it was going to be close after Jersey,” said Buyck, referring to the previous round where she finished off the podium in fourth. “I just put my head down and came into this weekend. I wanted to have fun. It’s been a stressful season. Everyone has been kicking butt the whole time. I wanted to win the whole race, but I knew if I at least finished decent, I’d hopefully be able to lock it in. Locking in the championship by winning the last race is definitely the way to end the perfect season.”
Peterson collected second place while Chancellor got caught up in the battle for third with previous round winner Crystal Martinez. Martinez eventually broke free from Chancellor to secure third, and made a push to close the gap to the lead duo, but ran out of time and had to settle for third. Despite giving up a handful of points to Peterson at the final round, Martinez still secured second overall in the championship, two points over Peterson.
Jenny Chancellor held on for fourth while Ash Truxal rounded out the top-five in Barber, mirroring their overall championship placement, as well.
“It’s fitting that our season wrapped up here at Barber, where it all began earlier this season,” said Breeann Poland. “It’s all gone by in a flash and we all can’t believe it’s already done! This season was absolutely life-changing for so many. We’ve had some ups and downs this year, and to watch these women flourish with their fortitude, their confidence and their talent was really rewarding. The speed this group of women has reached in these six races is astonishing. I couldn’t be prouder of each and every one of them.
“We want to thank our 2022 Build. Train. Race. sponsors. Without them this isn’t possible. A heartfelt thank you to all the companies and individuals behind BTR: Parts Unlimited, Harris Performance, S&S Cycle, Dunlop, Maxima Racing Oils, BOXO USA, Öhlins USA Suspension and Arai Helmets.”
Barber BTR Results
1. Kayleigh Buyck #16
2. Chloe Peterson #55
3. Crystal Martinez #25
4. Jenny Chancellor #19
5. Ash Truxal #31
6. Jessica Martin #23
7. Nicole Pareso #11
8. Cora Tennyson #95
9. Hannah Stockton #62
10. Michaela Trumbull #27
11. Trisha Dahl #44
12. Kayla Theisler #52
13. Alyssa Bridges #30
14. Patty Paul #79
15. Bridgette LeBer #21
Final Championship Standings – BTR Road Racing
1. Kayleigh Buyck (113/4 wins)
2. Crystal Martinez (94/1 win)
3. Chloe Peterson (92)
4. Jenny Chancellor (72/1 win)
5. Ash Truxal (62)
6. Jessica Martin (60)
7. Michaela Trumbull (48)
8. Trisha Dahl (43)
9. Nicole Pareso (38)
10. Alyssa Bridges (38)
11. Cora Tennyson (35)
12. Bridgette LeBer (26)
13. Hannah Stockton (21)
14. Kayla Theisler (12)
15. Patty Paul (2)
BTR FLAT TRACK – CEDAR LAKE SHORT TRACK
Jaycee Jones, the Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. flat track Champion at the Cedar Lake Short Track. Photo courtesy Royal Enfield North America.
As the ladies of BTR Flat Track took to the high-banked 3/8-mile clay oval at Cedar Lake, the ever-dominant Jaycee Jones had the bullseye squarely on her back. Aside from the preseason exhibition race at the Volusia Half Mile where Jillian Deschenes nabbed the win, Jones has managed to dominate every round, and was ready to clinch the championship one round early should things break her way. BTR veteran Deschenes and 18-year-old rookie Zaria Martens were hungry for a win, and looking to keep their title hopes alive.
The BTR field was slated to have a test at Cedar Lake prior to the race, but sadly, the weather had other plans. Unfortunately, the inclement weather also spilled over into race day, and as the skies opened up and dumped on the track just before the first practice session, which prompted officials to postpone racing until Sunday.
An abbreviated schedule meant the women had little time to figure out the track and get their Royal Enfield INT650 motorcycles dialed in. Jillian Deschenes led the way in practice, setting fast laps, but it was rookie sensation Zaria Martens with the pole position for the main event.
The main event saw Jones once again out front early, where she stayed all the way to the checkered flag. Deschenes and Martens put on another spectacular battle for runner-up honors, and in the end, it was Deschenes with the advantage, claiming second ahead of Martens, who rounded out the podium.
While the overall title may be spoken for, the battle for runner-up in the 2022 BTR Flat Track championship remains tight, with only two points separating Deschenes and Martens heading into the final round, the Volusia Half Mile, where Deschenes already tasted preseason victory. The series concludes on October 15 in Barberville, Florida, where Jones will receive her number-one championship plate.
Cedar Lake BTR Results
1. Jaycee Jones #33
2. Jillian Deschenes #31
3. Zaria Martens #8
4. Makenna Hiatt #81
5. Stephanie Pietz #57
6. Erin Ferris #909
7. Kaiela Hobart #46
8. Alex Bumpus McDonald #2
9. Anna Serena #800
10. Nean Kiskela #27
11. Gabrielle Hughes #327
12. Mia Reese #15
About Royal Enfield
The oldest motorcycle company in continuous production in the world, Royal Enfield made its first motorcycle in 1901. A division of Eicher Motors Limited, Royal Enfield has created the midsize motorcycle segment in India with its unique and distinctive modern classic motorcycles. With its manufacturing base in Chennai, India, Royal Enfield has been able to grow its production rapidly against a surge in demand for its motorcycles. Royal Enfield is a leading player in the global middleweight motorcycle market.
Royal Enfield North America (RENA) is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is developing a growing network of more than 150 dealers in North America, including the contiguous U.S. and Canada. RENA currently offers the all-new Scram 411, Classic 350, Meteor 350, Himalayan and the 650 Twins (INT650 and Continental GT 650) motorcycles, along with a range of Genuine Motorcycle Accessories and apparel.
For more information on Royal Enfield North America, visit www.RoyalEnfield.com/us/en/, www.Instagram.com/RoyalEnfield_NA, www.Facebook.com/RoyalEnfieldNorthAmerica.
A LiveWire S2 Del Mar electric motorcycle. Photo courtesy LiveWire.
LIVEWIRE™ READIES LATEST S2 DEL MAR™ ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE
Reservations Open September 27th for the Production S2 Del Mar, Expected to Begin Deliveries Spring 2023
MILWAUKEE, WI (September 27, 2022) – As the company becomes the first publicly traded EV motorcycle company in the U.S., LiveWire™ is opening reservations for the production version of the all-electric S2 Del Mar™ motorcycle, the first LiveWire model to feature the new ARROW architecture, and the first bike to sit next to the LiveWire ONE—the company’s flagship electric motorcycle.
• The production S2 Del Mar will deliver immediately after the Launch Edition, which sold out this past May in 18 minutes.
• Priority delivery will be given to customers with confirmed reservations, which can be placed now at livewire.com for expected delivery in the spring of 2023.
• The Del Mar Launch Edition models will feature 3 unique colors; Pacific Gray, Nightfall Blue, and Asphalt Black at an MSRP of $16,999.
• Performance highlights include expected outcomes at production of output of 80 horsepower (59.6 kW), 184 ft-lb of torque, 75 minute 20%-80% recharge time using L2, and 431 pounds of weight, delivering projected 0-to-60 mph times of 3.1 seconds.
• Del Mar range in city riding is targeted to be 110 miles. *
“Today we are pleased to be opening reservations for the production edition of the S2 Del Mar – our second LiveWire motorcycle and the next step in the evolution of the LiveWire Brand,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman and CEO of LiveWire Group Inc. “The modular ARROW architecture underpinning the Del Mar, developed in-house at LiveWire Labs, demonstrates our ambition to lead in the EV space and establish LiveWire as the most desirable electric motorcycle brand in the world. We’re excited about the future at LiveWire and look forward to the company creating the path to the electrification of motorcycling.”
Advanced LiveWire ARROW Architecture
LiveWire’s scalable ARROW architecture with proprietary battery, motor, charging, and control systems debuts on the Del Mar model and was designed at LiveWire Labs in Mountain View, California. The ARROW architecture is intended to be modular and serves as the central component of the motorcycle chassis.
Del Mar is designed to offer its rider thrilling performance with a targeted output of 80 horsepower (59.6 kW), delivering projected 0-to-60 mph times of 3.1 seconds. City range is expected to be 110 miles.* The Del Mar model weight target is 431 pounds.
The Mark of Urban Riding
Built for agility, and soulful by design, S2 Del Mar is the mark of urban riding and beyond. The newest electric riding experience form LiveWire presents an upright position for a comfortable and controlled riding experience. Equipped with custom developed LiveWire Dunlop DT1 tires equally capable on paved and dirt surfaces, the capabilities of Del Mar are uncompromised by road condition.
Production Model
Equipped with L1 and L2 charging capabilities, over-the-air updates, and a 4” TFT LCD display, the riding is immediately different and instantly familiar as LiveWire. The 10.5 kWh pack that powers the bike is the central component of the Arrow architecture, and first clean sheet, in-house design from LiveWire. Complete performance highlights and equipment specifications will be published at the time of retail launch.
The production S2 Del Mar debuts with an MSRP of $16,999. Delivery of the production version is planned to follow the Launch Edition, with an expected timeline set for the spring of 2023. All LiveWire S2 Del Mar motorcycles will be assembled at Harley-Davidson Vehicle Operations in York, PA.
To learn more about the LiveWire S2 Del Mar Launch Edition motorcycle visit: livewire.com/delmar.
*Range estimates are based on expected performance on a fully-charged battery and are derived from SAE J2982 Riding Range Test Procedure data on a sample motorcycle under ideal laboratory conditions. Actual range will vary depending on personal riding habits, road and driving conditions, ambient weather, vehicle condition and maintenance, tire pressure, vehicle configuration (parts and accessories), and vehicle loading (cargo, rider and passenger weight).
About LiveWire
LiveWire is soulful by design, transforming the everyday into urban adventure and beyond. Drawing on its DNA as an agile disruptor from the lineage of Harley-Davidson and capitalizing on a decade of learnings in the EV sector, LiveWire’s ambition is to be the most desirable electric motorcycle brand in the world. With a dedicated focus on EV, LiveWire plans to develop the technology of the future and to invest in the capabilities needed to lead the transformation of motorcycling. LiveWire benefits from Harley-Davidson’s engineering expertise, manufacturing footprint, supply chain infrastructure, and global logistics capabilities. Innovating by design and attracting industry-leading talent, LiveWire is headquartered virtually, with initial hubs in Silicon Valley, CA (LiveWire Labs) and Milwaukee, WI.
For LiveWire career opportunities visit: livewire.com/careers
A “press release” is promotional text issued by a rider, team, company or organization to inform
the public about an event, product, or service from the issuer’s own point of view, and if deemed
to have news value, may be placed on roadracingworld.com as a service to our readers.
A press release is not an article written by Roadracingworld.com staffers. When a post is labeled with the words “press release”, it means that Roadracingworld.com is not responsible for its content and that Roadracingworld.com makes no guarantee that it is accurate. Not all press releases are posted and Roadracingworld.com may reject press releases if the content is too heavy on commercial promotion with little or no news value or if the press release contains obvious errors.
Accessibility
Accessibility modes
Epilepsy Safe Mode
Dampens color and removes blinks
This mode 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
Improves website's visuals
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
Helps to focus on specific content
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
Reduces distractions and improve focus
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
Allows using the site with your screen-reader
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.
Online Dictionary
Readable Experience
Content Scaling
Default
Text Magnifier
Readable Font
Dyslexia Friendly
Highlight Titles
Highlight Links
Font Sizing
Default
Line Height
Default
Letter Spacing
Default
Left Aligned
Center Aligned
Right Aligned
Visually Pleasing Experience
Dark Contrast
Light Contrast
Monochrome
High Contrast
High Saturation
Low Saturation
Adjust Text Colors
Adjust Title Colors
Adjust Background Colors
Easy Orientation
Mute Sounds
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 14, 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
