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Lowes storms to season opening victory in the desert

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Sam Lowes crowned a perfect weekend by winning the first Moto2 race of 2021 in Qatar as Augusto Fernandez scored important points and gained valuable experience by finishing 14th. The 2021 season started in style under the floodlights at the Losail International Circuit with the 20-lap Moto2 race demonstrating the full potential of Sam Lowes, who rode to a brilliant victory. Sunday evening’s track temperature (23 degrees) was nine degrees lower than qualifying (32 degrees) and the wind had picked up considerably, adding another challenge for team-mates Lowes and Augusto Fernandez. After a tough qualifying on Saturday, in which he placed 21st, the 23-year old made some drastic changes to bike set-up ahead of the race. He confirmed these improvements on Sunday afternoon by placing eighth in warm-up. Fernandez was then involved in an epic six-rider fight for eleventh place for the majority of the race. He maintained a strong rhythm until the end, and came home 14th, 17.540s behind the winner. “I’m happy with what we changed with this bike” “I’m happy because we did a lot of work all weekend. Yesterday we changed the setting of the bike completely. So today was like a test. We had a quick warm-up, a new setting and then we had to try and understand as many things as possible before the race. Coming from the back of the grid is always difficult so I’m happy with the performance. We have to improve some things, especially in sector three, where I was struggling a lot. But we will analyse everything because I’m happy with what we changed with this bike. If we can improve in sector three, we’ll make a big step. My last two laps of the race were fast – top seven or top eight pace. I can’t wait to […]

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Historic motorcycles poised to visit Laguna Seca raceway

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by Jim Johnson from https://www.montereyherald.com County board to consider three-year pact for event A “vintage” motorocycles festival could be officially added to Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca’s “premiere” event schedule this season, serving as a bookend with the popular MotoAmerica Superbike event in July. The Board of Supervisors are set under its consent agenda Tuesday to consider a three-year deal with the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association for the Monterey Classic MotoFest event at Laguna Seca, running July 16-18 this year. The proposed agreement, which would take effect retroactive to Jan. 1, would require the AHRMA organization to pay the county $480,000 over the term of the pact through the 2023 racing season. It would last through July 31, 2023. The county board is also scheduled to consider another retroactive agreement under its consent agenda Tuesday, this one with the Historic Sportscar Racing from Feb. 1-Dec. 31, 2022 for the Pre-Reunion and Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion events set for Aug. 7-8 and Aug. 12-15, respectively. Raceway spokesman Barry Toepke said the AHRMA has rented the raceway track in the past and the “growing popularity of vintage motorcycles” has offered an opportunity to “celebrate the sport and hobby by creating a larger festival experience and developing a Bike Week following” the GEICO MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest at Monterey event set for July 9-11. Toepke said the agreement was initiated in November but the holidays, uncertainty around event dates and whether spectators would be allowed delayed finalization of the proposal. The organization touts its national and regional motorcycle road racing events ranging from motocross, dirt track and cross country to observed trials competition for historic motorcycles, as well as “alternative” modern racing with zero emissions electric motorcycles. Raceway management dubbed AHRMA the “preeminent vintage motorcycle organization” in the U.S. and produces events across the

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Indian Motorcycle Racing Wins AFT Opener

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INDIAN MOTORCYCLE racing TAKES BACK-TO-BACK WINS AT VOLUSIA HALF-MILE DOUBLEHEADER Indian Motorcycle Privateer Brandon Robinson & Wrecking Crew Rider Jared Mees Win Back-to-Back at Volusia Half-Mile I & II, Respectively MINNEAPOLIS (March 16, 2021) – Indian Motorcycle Racing, presented by Progressive Motorcycle Insurance, jumped out to an early lead in the 2021 American Flat Track (AFT) SuperTwins standings, as Indian Motorcycle Privateer Brandon Robinson and Wrecking Crew Rider Jared Mees secure back-to-back wins at the Volusia Half-Mile doubleheader. Robinson’s season-opener win at Volusia Half-Mile I marked his third straight victory, dating back to the 2020 season finale doubleheader in Daytona. After winning his semi and getting a start on the front row in the Main, Robinson jumped out to an early lead but was battling with the second-place rider throughout the race. In his third season as an Indian Motorcycle privateer, the win marks Robinson’s fifth victory aboard the Indian FTR750. “Despite being injured for the bulk of the 2020 season, Brandon finished the year with incredible momentum, so it was truly exciting to see him pick up right where he left off and reach the top of the box,” said Gary Gray, Vice President – Racing, Technology & Service for Indian Motorcycle. “Having swept the Volusia Half-Mile doubleheader last year, Jared entered round two with fierce determination to secure the win and garner the all-important points at a track he’s exceptionally comfortable and confident on.” On Saturday, Mees won his semi and was able to return to the front row for the Main. Though, it was Wrecking Crew teammate and defending SuperTwins Champion Briar Bauman who captured the holeshot. After leading eight laps, Bauman was unable to hold on, as Mees made his pass and gained separation with every lap – ultimately cruising comfortably to his 54th career win.

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Pirelli and Brandon Paasch Emerge Triumphant in the Daytona 200

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Tyler O’Hara Grabs Podium Position with DIABLO™ Superbike Slicks DAYTONA, Fla. (March 14, 2021) – Pirelli Tire North America returned to the winner’s circle once again at the 79th running of the Daytona 200, claiming three out of the top four positions in the 57-lap shootout. TSE Racing’s Brandon Paasch has come close to victory at the speedway previously, but 2021 marked the year that the 19-year old would get the job done, piloting his Yamaha YZF-R6 to victory by 0.031 of a second. Tyler O’Hara used an impressive late race charge to take the final step of the podium in third aboard his Floyd’s of Leadville Kawasaki Ninja® ZX™-6R. “It feels so good to get the job done here in Daytona,” said Paasch. “This has been a goal of mine for a long time, and to finally check this off the list, just feels amazing! My Pirelli DIABLO™ Superbike slicks worked incredible all day, especially towards the end of the race when it really counted, allowing me to chip away at the lead and make the pass for the win.” Both Paasch’s YZF-R6 and O’Hara’s ZX-6R relied on the performance of Pirelli’s DIABLO™ Superbike SC1 120/70-17 front tire and DIABLO™ Superbike Daytona 190/60-17 rear tire to handle the challenges of the high-banked 3.51-mile course. “I let the leaders get away from me a little bit there in the beginning laps,” said O’Hara. “I just never gave up though, and my Pirelli tires were working awesome. I’m so stoked to be up here on the podium, but to be honest, I really wanted to get that top step of the podium.” Paasch’s relentless efforts saw him make up a six-second gap in the final stages of the race, including using the traction of his Pirelli slicks to get a drive

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Honda extend MotoGP commitment

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Honda extend MotoGP commitment: Most successful MotoGP team to compete until 2026 Honda will continue to add to their illustrious history in Grand Prix racing, having extended their contract for the next five years until 2026 from https://www.financialexpress.com Honda will continue to expand their illustrious history in Grand Prix racing having signed an agreement with Dorna Sports S.L. to compete for the next five years, from 2022 to 2026. Honda started in 1954 when Honda’s founder, Soichiro Honda, declared entry into the Isle of Man TT, the premier motorcycle racing event of the era, with the aim of becoming the best in the world. This journey has so far seen 100 different riders win on Honda machines and amass over 800 wins across all categories. In the premier class alone, Honda has claimed 850 podiums and 25 Rider World Championships, more than any other brand in history. The journey will continue for at least five more years as Honda have agreed with commercial rights-holder and series-promoter Dorna Sports S.L. to guarantee their place on the grid until 2026. Noriaki Abe, Managing Officer, Motorcycle Operations, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.: “First, I would like to express my respect and gratitude to Carmelo Ezpeleta and everyone at Dorna Sports for their hard work in organizing races during the COVID-19 pandemic. I am very pleased that we have renewed our contract to compete in MotoGP from 2022 to 2026. “Honda has been competing in the FIM Grand Prix World Championship since 1959, and won its 800th grand prix last year. Honda believes MotoGP racing is vital to our motorsports activities. MotoGP is the pinnacle of motorcycle racing – it allows us to develop various technologies, and through fierce competition, teach our engineers and nurture their skills. With these engineers working on the development of

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Bagger Racing League

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The Bagger Racing League™ explodes onto the scene! The Harley-Davison and V-Twin motorcycle community will now have their day at the racetrack! Durango, CO (January 29, 2021) – On January 25, 2021, the biggest news to hit the Harley-Davison and V-Twin motorcycle community arrived in the formation of the Bagger Racing League™ at the V-Twin Only Track Day at Chuckwalla Raceway in Southern California on Monday. The idea was to bring the V-Twin Performance Community to a road race track and let the world know what the upgrades are all about. The V-Twin Only Track Day with the help of Tony from Shred Moto Co and Eric from Jiffy Tune, hosted over 100 American big twin bikes at Chuckwalla Valley Raceway and was the perfect opportunity for the big announcement. Bagger Racing League™ welcomed DRAG Specialties, world leader in V-Twin aftermarket parts, accessories and apparel distribution, as their Title Sponsor. Bagger Racing League™ founder Rob Buydos and Chief Operations Officer John Oakes welcomed representatives from the best aftermarket parts and accessory companies and race teams in the world as they all took part in signing a commitment to race with the Bagger Racing League™ for the 2021 Season. Race team conformations included: Alloy Art Barnett Bassani Feuling Parts Performance Machine Saddleman Slyfox The Speed Merchant Trask Performance More teams will be announced as they sign on. Additionally, The biggest news in the custom bike game was also announced! Zach and Cory Ness of Arlen Ness Motorcycles have signed a commitment to host a massive custom motorcycle show at the 2021 event. “With the rise of performance baggers we’ve seen over the last 5 years, we wanted an event that could help promote those parts that make these bikes so sought after. This is just the beginning, and I can’t wait

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Army of Darkness Race Team Joins Forces with Pirelli for the 2021 Racing Season

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AoD Yamaha R1-Equipped with DIABLO™ Superbike Slicks Seeks 16th National Title ROME, Ga. (January 21, 2021) – Pirelli Tire North America has announced a new partnership that will see the Army of Darkness (AoD) racing team equipped with Pirelli DIABLO™ Superbike slicks for the 2021-racing season. Founded in 1993, AoD is the longest running endurance motorcycle road racing team in America and have captured an impressive 15 national championships. The AoD Yamaha YZF-R1® machine will be fitted with DIABLO Superbike slicks, specifically using the new, larger 125/70-17 and 200/65-17 sizing. “The Army of Darkness racing team has an impressive record that speaks for itself,” said Oscar Solis, road racing manager, Pirelli. “I feel that this is the perfect time to spotlight our newer World Superbike and World Supersport tires in the endurance race series. The AoD team will be running the new, larger sized Pirelli DIABLO™ Superbike slicks that have proven to be more durable with the additional grip. I am very excited about the new partnership and to see what we can do together on the racetrack.” For 2021, AoD will have its sights set on returning to the WERA/N2 National Endurance series and look to defend the championship that it captured this past year. Pirelli’s DIABLO Superbike range of tires, including the new, larger sizing, has been developed through the brand’s role as the official tire supplier for the World Superbike Championship the past 17 seasons. Pirelli continues to pride itself on the motto “we race what we sell, we sell what we race”, meaning that riders competing in both local and national championships can purchase the same tires used in the world championship through their local Pirelli trackside vendor. “Army of Darkness has won 15 national endurance championships, and each year, it has required effort to figure

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Justin Brayton Charges to Podium Finish at Houston 2 Round of Supercross

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Justin Brayton Charges to Podium Finish with Pirelli SCORPION™ MX Tires at Houston 2 Round of Supercross Pirelli Continues to Race on the Same Product that is Available to the Public Houston, Texas (January 20, 2021) – For the second consecutive round, the Monster Energy Supercross, an FIM World Championship visited the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas for Round 2 in front of a limited capacity crowd. Pirelli rider Justin Brayton piloted his Muc-Off Racing Honda to a podium finish in the star-studded 450SX Class. Brayton’s CRF450 relied on the performance of Pirelli’s SCORPION™ MX32™ Mid Soft 80/100-21 front and MX32 Mid Soft 120/90-19 rear tires equipped with standard tubes both front and rear. “These podiums are not easy to come by when you have 15 factory riders who are all capable of being on the podium in any given night,” said Brayton. “Our starts have been solid and our lap times are competitive. Pirelli are proving their place in this championship. We sit third in points following Round 2 and that’s a testament to the new Honda and our power partners, which include Pirelli and their SCORPION™ MX range.” As the 450SX Class launched off of the starting gate and into the first turn, Brayton found himself off to another good start with his SCORPION™ MX tires and inside the top-five. He battled hard for position during the opening laps and eventually moved into a podium position on Lap 5. Just a few laps later his relentless efforts saw him climb into the runner-up position. When the checkered flag waved, Brayton crossed the finish to take a hard-earned third place and was the top finishing Honda rider. The soon-to-be 37-year-old collected his ninth 450SX career podium. “It was incredible to watch Justin [Brayton] out there tonight and it feels

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Royal Enfield announces road racing participants

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Seven female motorcyclists have been selected for the road racing program Milwaukee, Wis (January 19, 2021) Royal Enfield today announced its seven finalists for the BUILD TRAIN RACE (BTR) road racing program. The seven female motorcyclists come from diverse backgrounds and over the course of the next year are tasked with converting Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 motorcycles into road racing motorcycles, for a series of exhibition races to be held in 2021. Royal Enfield launched the BTR program in 2019, challenging four women to build flat track motorcycles and compete in select exhibitions during American Flat Track events. After a strong response to the program, the second phase of BTR will showcase the road racing capabilities of the Continental GT 650 and the abilities of seven female motorcyclists to build, train and race the motorcycles they create. Melissa Paris, veteran road racer, and BTR flat track participant will serve as a mentor to the selected participants and provide valuable insights throughout the duration of the program. “The BTR flat track program received an enormous outpouring of support and interest in the last year,” said Breeann Poland, Marketing Lead – Americas and Continental GT 650 global brand manager. “A panel of judges including myself, Melissa Paris and Anne Roberts have handpicked a group of fantastic female motorcycle enthusiasts from across the U.S. through a video submission process, and will be providing each of them with a Continental GT 650 motorcycle, so that they may begin the customization process.“ After careful review, the panel of judges selected Michaela Turnbull of Wyoming, CJ Lukacs of California, Kayla Theisler of Wisconsin, Becky Goebel of California, Trisha Dahl of Minnesota, Alyssa Bridges of California and Scarlett Grosselangehorst of New York to take part in the BTR program. The BTR road racing program will kick

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King of the Baggers Returns in 2021 With 5 Races

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by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com Last year, the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca was host to a race between baggers for the first time. The event was part of the first-of-its-kind Drag Specialties King of the Baggers event, and this year it’s all coming back with a vengeance. The 2020 event was a major hit, as it was watched online in massive numbers, with millions tuning in for the show. “The popularity of the event was crazy so how could we not do more? We know there are plenty of Bagger fans out there as our videos of the debut Laguna event were watched by millions,” said in a statement MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey. So, this year we’ll be enjoying the event five-fold. The series will be held in conjunction with the 2021 MotoAmerica HONOS Superbike Series, kicking off at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta on April 30. Then the newborn series will burn through Road America, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, and Pittsburgh International Race Complex before coming to an end at Barber Motorsports Park in September. “Having five races gives us the opportunity to bring King of the Baggers to fans in several different areas of the country. We’ve also opted to make the series open to any qualified racer, which should bring new teams and new bike builds to the series from the aftermarket and motorcycle dealers who specialize in baggers,” Rainey added. For now, it is too early to say who will be taking part in the coming races, but we reckon most of those present at last year’s event will be on the starting grid once more. The already-held bagger race ended with Indian taking the win with an S&S- and Roland Sands-prepped Challenger ridden by Tyler O’Hara. A second Challenger, ridden by Frankie Garcia, finished in third

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