Photo courtesy of Dale Miller

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (June 22, 2024) — Broc Nicol made a big statement in Kern County, reeling off 6 straight wins to take the win and top points as the 2024 AMA National Speedway Championship Series kicked off. Speedway, for a sport that is often regulated by weather, most notably rain, had other elemental factors on race day that put the ‘Bake’ into Bakersfield! High temperatures meant that when gates opened, weather was around 107 degrees Fahrenheit, just over 40 centigrade! Though temps cooled to a chilly 100 when the racing started, the racetrack, though on the grippy side, did not experience a single heat of that notorious Paris/Dakar rally type dust bowl.

The Grand Prix format was once again used with a 16-rider main program, albeit utilizing the former GP points scoring system for the 3-round series. Ahead of the first heat, the oversubscribed event and series meant that a runoff had to be held for the final places. Charlie Trana made it through that race with ease with Greg Moore riding the deep and sticky outside line to get by Rees Todd to become the second qualifier. An early fall from Justin Almon, who has been showing much improved form all season, ended his night early.

Onto the main show itself, eleven-time AMA champ Billy Janniro showed he wasn’t letting up in his quest for 12 with victory over former Wolverhampton Wolf Chris Kerr to kick things off. Heat two had defending champion Max Ruml coming head-to-head with Nicol. When Ruml beat his big rival with relative ease, one could be forgiven for thinking that Mad Max would be set for another big night after so many big scores in the series over the last three seasons. However, as we know, anything can happen in speedway. USA’s two recently returned SGP2 riders met in heat 3 with Alex Martin using the outside to his advantage to lead home Slater Lightcap. Louie Mersaroli, perhaps the most under the radar star of American speedway led home Austin Novratil, the ultimate showman, to round out the first set of heats.

Martin went two for two in winning ahead of Mersaroli in heat 5. He didn’t know it at the time, but the 19-year-old would be the only unbeaten rider by the end of the round. Heat 6 saw Max Ruml hit immediate bikes trouble and suddenly the event and series took on an early twist. Ruml, to his credit, completed 4 laps on a very sick sounding bike. Seventeen-year-old Trana was the impressive victor over Lightcap and Kerr. Heat 7 was another blockbuster and the first sign of Nicol’s big night ahead, as he led from Janniro from veteran Bart Bast. Novratil ran an impressive heat 8 leading home Russell Green.

Back into the action for round 3, and it was Ruml who resumed business as usual ahead of Novratil in heat 9. Kerr got his first win of the night, moving up to 6 points by heading home Bast in heat 10. Janniro stopped anyone from being able to go perfect all night by taking heat 11 from Martin. Nicol won heat 12 with Lightcap scoring his third second place of the event. Nicol, Janniro and Martin were all tied on 8 for the lead at this point.

After a break for track prep, Nicol went from the inside gate to win heat 13 from Trana and Timmy Dion. Kerr made it two in a row in 14 with Green and Mersaroli finishing in the next spots. Janniro kept on 11 points at the joint top of the leader board (with Nicol) next out with victory over Novratil and Lightcap. Max Ruml took his third win of the event in heat 16 with the impressive Martin in second place.

The final round of heats roared into action with Lightcap finally getting onto the winner’s board over Green in heat 17. Nicol led home Martin and Kerr in 18. The win meant that due to his round 2 defeat of Janniro, Nicol would be getting first gate choice in the semifinals. Janniro and Ruml had an epic battle in heat 19 but it was the 11-time champ and former Coventry Bee who came out on top. The heats were rounded out with a popular win by Blake Borello, who up to that point had endured a tough evening. Eddie Castro led the first running of heat 20 but a fall on turn 4 brought out the red flags and an exclusion.

Semi Final 1 was loaded with Nicol, Ruml, Lightcap and Novratil all in it together. This line-up could be your main event at any typical Southern California speedway track. Nicol made no mistake with another fantastic start and his fifth win in a row. Ruml booked his spot in the final with second place with Novratil in third after a late charge. Semi Final 2 saw Janniro, Martin, Kerr and Trana, an all-Northern California race. In the first staging Martin went down hard in turn 1 and took a while to get up. Referee Steve Lucero correctly called all riders back for the rerun, where Janniro again got the best start. Kerr slotted into second with Trana third while Martin struggled with mechanical issues on his back up bike. While Janniro cruised to his fifth win on the night, Trana attacked Kerr hard on the inside, but Kerr fended off the challenge to get the last place in the big final.

With the series ‘big three’ all together, there was much anticipation for the final and bragging rights heading into round 2. It was Nicol who got the start from Janniro and Ruml. Janniro briefly challenged Nicol and Ruml made a daring late charge on Janniro, but positions held with Nicol claiming first blood and a slender 1-point series lead going into round 2.

The series resumes at Industry Hills Speedway on Saturday, August 3^rd and concludes at Fast Friday’s Speedway on September 21^st.

There was a limited support program with each class’s winner taking all three races in their division. Local rider Isiah Canales won Support, Jameson Hutchison 250 Junior and Riley Rearick 150cc Mini.

There was also a final Division 1 race for the ‘Red White and Blue Young Guns Helmet,’ sponsored by the band ‘WhiteStar.’ The race featured the four riders who were also entered into the early evening run off. It consisted of the ‘1 lap and eliminate last place’ format before the final two contenders took part in a two-lap match race for the win. Greg Moore was the first eliminated with Justin Almon (the current helmet holder) out in leg two. Charlie Trana capped off a big night winning the final head-to-head from Rees Todd.

The event was once more brought into being by Mike Helm, son of the late and legendary Digger Helm,  a local Flat Track and race car racer and the original speedway promoter in Bakersfield in the 1970s. Helm Junior brought on board event partners and a beautiful perpetual trophy as a nod and tribute to his much loved father.

Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway speedway program takes a summer break and returns for action mid-September with late year events including the AMA FIM North America Final and the AMA Under 21 National championship.

The post Nicol Turns Up The Heat at Kern to Win AMA National Speedway Championship Round 1 appeared first on American Motorcyclist Association.

Information from a MotoAmerica Press Release

Photo courtesy of MotoAmerica

IRVINE, Calif. (June 18, 2024) — MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is happy to announce that the debut of the Mission Mini Cup By Motul National Final will be streamed live from Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, August 10-11, on MotoAmerica Live+.

All the action from the inaugural National Final will be streamed live and on-demand and will feature road racing champions Roger Hayden and James Rispoli as commentators calling all the Mini Cup action, which includes Stock 50, Stock 110, Stock 125, GP160, GP190 and Street GP classes.

The MotoAmerica Live+ streaming package will cost $12.99 for the single event and will also be available for free to current subscribers of MotoAmerica Live+.

“The first year of doing our regional qualifiers has been successful,” said MotoAmerica COO Chuck Aksland. “Now we’re happy to announce that the racers who have qualified for the Mission Mini Cup By Motul National Final will have their efforts rewarded and their friends, family and race fans in general will be able to watch the event unfold live on MotoAmerica Live+”

The event will utilize two different tracks at the Briggs and Stratton Motorplex at Road America and consist of four races over the weekend (two on Saturday and two on Sunday) for each of the six classes competing. Each race will pay points and the rider with the highest points total in each class being awarded the AMA National Champion number-one plate.

Riders who have qualified at one of the many Mission MotoAmerica Mini Cup By Motul Qualifier events across the country start the event with 10 points automatically earned.

For information on where to participate in your local regional qualifier, information can be found at www.motoamerica.com/mini-cup-events.

For information on how to pre-enter the National Final at Road America, August 9-11, information can be found at: https://www.motorsportreg.com/events/mission-mini-cup-by-motul-national-final-road-america-motoamerica-618429.

The deadline for entry in the 2024 Mission Mini Cup By Motul National Final is August 5.

The post Mission Mini Cup By Motul National Final Set For Live Streaming On MotoAmerica Live+ appeared first on American Motorcyclist Association.

Information from an AMA West Hare Scrambles press release (written by Mary Rinell)

Photo courtesy of Mark Kariya

Prineville, Oregon — Round three of the AMA West Hare Scrambles presented by Mojo Motosport, the Desperado Hare Scramble, took place this past weekend in the rural, quaint Oregon town of Prineville. By the time racers were rolling into battle for podium positions, the dry rocky terrain promised dust that would be rising through the pines come race day. The 15-mile course took the fastest pro racer just over 34-minutes to complete a lap, with final race times running 2:50:52 for the overall finisher.

With the first two rounds showcasing both FMF Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team’s Oliveira brothers (Dante and Mateo) on the podium, the question on everyone’s mind was: is this the new normal? However, 3Bros Hatch GASGAS Factory supported racer Giacomo Redondi had different plans. Both Dante and Giacomo got a good jump off the start, resulting in tight 1-2 positions the first two laps. Running ahead of his KTM competitor on lap three, Redondi made the decision to pit for gas. Oliveira decided he’d had enough of eating Redondi’s dust, and made the quick  decision to hold off on pitting until lap four. Putting down the hammer in an attempt to create a gap, he pushed hard, navigating through lappers. Around that time, Giacomo lost his shifter lever, giving Oliveira an unforeseen advantage. Fortunately, for Giacomo, he was in third gear, and although not ideal to be unable to shift your bike for the remainder of the race, he was able  to keep the momentum going to maintain a second place finish behind Dante.

Not far behind the duo were Dante’s teammate Mateo and Factory Beta Racing Team’s Zane Roberts. An unexpected knee injury in round two had caused Zane to have to ride smart and pull back slightly, resulting in a fifth place round two finish. After a four week break between rounds,  Roberts was feeling around 90% going into Prineville. Knowing that pushing too hard this round could result in further injury, his plan was clear: maintain a realistic pace, minimizing mistakes for a clean finish. Zane lead Mateo off the start for the first two laps. Losing a position to him on lap three due to pitting first, he was quickly able to gain it back on lap four when the KTM racer had to fuel up himself. The Factory Beta racer completed the day in the final podium position.

The Pro Women’s class had a surprise entry this round, with Oregon local Red Bull JCR Honda  Factory Racing’s Tarah Geiger joining the women’s line up. The three lap morning race was nothing short of exciting, with many of the competitors swapping positions at least once.  Innteck-supported KTM racer Rachel Stout found herself leading the charge for lap one, having gotten the jump on her competition off the start line. But by the end of loop two, points leader  and defending champion, GASGAS Factory-supported racer Ava Silvestri had found an opportunity to make the pass on Stout. The two raced all three laps within mere seconds of  each other, with JCR Honda’s Geiger a comfortable three minutes or so behind the pair in third.  The trio would hold these positions through the checkers, increasing Ava‘s points lead, and moving Rachel up in points to second going into the final round of the season before summer break.

The 2024 WHS season might be one of the most competitive yet in the Pro 250 class. The top two racers have swapped 1-2 podiums both rounds, allowing for tied points going into round three. With two more rounds to go before summer break, everyone is wondering where the points will fall, in this competitive class. Knowing starting position would play an important role in the weekend’s race (mostly due to dusty conditions), FMF RPM KTM Factory racer Jaden Dahners got the jump he wanted when the green flag dropped, charging ahead to lead the pack. Factory Sherco Racing Team’s Layton Smail was not going to let him off easy, sticking closely on his rear tire, patiently waiting for his chance to make a pass. By lap two the Sherco rider had seized the opportunity to push ahead, and maintained a slightly faster race pace all four additional laps securing his top step on the podium. Dahners kept Smail humble all race, but unable to take the lead again he settled for a second place finish. Not far behind the two, Husqvarna Motorcycles Factory-supported racer Ryder Thomaselli cruised into third, a little more than 3 1/2  minutes behind the pair. Ryder has been consistent all season, rounding out the podium all three rounds.

As the weekend’s race fell on Mother’s Day; from all of the staff here at the NHHA, we’d like to  send a very Happy Mother’s Day to all the moto moms out there busy raising champions!  Round four of the WHS is June 8th-9th in Bellingham, WA. We hope to see you there! Visit www.westharescrambles.com for more info, race registration, results, and live scoring. Follow us on FB IG and YouTube for our season series “Chasing Ribbon”.

Thank you to our sponsors FMF, Beta, KTM, Husqvarna Motorcycles, GASGAS, Cricket Speaker, Zingg, PCI Radios, Sign Art, IWC Tire Pros, STACYC, Mojo Motosports, Klim, Unsworth Racing, Racer Decal, RAD Custom Graphics.

For Full Results https://www.moto-tally.com/whs/Results.aspx

The post Dante Does It Again at AMA West Hare Scramble in Prineville appeared first on American Motorcyclist Association.

Information from a Grand National Cross Country Series Press Release

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (April 22, 2024) – The Progressive Grand National Cross Country (GNCC Racing) Series presented by Specialized, an AMA National Championship, is excited to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the American Motorcyclist Association. In doing so GNCC and the AMA have created GNCC Days at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. GNCC Days at the AMA HOF will be held Wednesday, April 24 through Tuesday, April 30, 2024.

GNCC Racers are encouraged to stop by the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio for a free tour on their way to or from the AMSOIL Hoosier GNCC in Crawfordsville, Indiana. The first 250 GNCC Racers that visit the AMA HOF will receive $20 off your gate admission, which will be good at any GNCC event in 2024.

“This is an amazing opportunity for GNCC racers and family members to stop by and see the iconic AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame,” said Tim Cotter, Racer Productions Event Director. “This is a special place for motorcyclists and is definitely a must-see when traveling through Pickerington, Ohio.”

Stop by and take in all of the off-road racing and motorcyclist history that the AMA HOF has to offer, plus see the displays from the class of 2023 including the matriarch of GNCC Racing, Rita Coombs, Eight-Time GNCC Champion, Barry Hawk, Pro Motocross Racers, Ryan Dungey and Grant Langston, and adrenaline junkie Travis Pastrana. 

“The GNCC family, including AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famers Rita Coombs and the late Dave Coombs, has made an indelible mark on the history of motorcycling in America,” said AMA COO James Holter. “That history is enshrined for posterity at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. We look forward to welcoming racers and their families anytime and especially during GNCC Days. The AMA and the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, the 501c3 that raises money for the Hall of Fame, greatly appreciate the continuing support of the Coombs and the whole team at Racer Productions.”

The AMA HOF features two floors of exhibits for everyone to enjoy, visitors can enjoy the themed exhibits and historic motorcycles from the museum’s collection on the first level. The upper level honors the lives and careers of AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famers, as well as other men and women who have shaped motorcycling in America.

The AMA Hall of Fame hours are currently 9 am – 5 pm ET, seven days a week and they are located at 13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington, Ohio 43147. If you have any questions about the AMA Hall of Fame, give them a call at (614) 856-2222.

Admission into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame is FREE for AMA Members, however, if you are not a member it will cost you just $10 for adults, $3 for students (ages 12-17) and $8 for seniors. Children 11 and under can visit for free with an accompanying adult. Military veterans enjoy a discounted rate of $5.

For more information on the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, visit the official website at https://americanmotorcyclist.com/hall-of-fame/.

For more information on the GNCC series, visit the official website at www.gnccracing.com or call (304) 284-0084. Join the conversation on the series Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and be sure to always hashtag #GNCC.

The post Progressive GNCC Racing Days at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame appeared first on American Motorcyclist Association.

Photo courtesy of Mark Kariya

Jacksonville, Oregon- Round two of the AMA West Hare Scrambles presented by Mojo Motosport traveled to beautiful Jacksonville, Oregon this past weekend.

The Timber Mountain Hare Scramble hosted by the Motorcycle Riders Association (MRA) took racers into the first wooded race of the season; offering racers flow-y tight single track that took them in and out of the trees and through the scenic mountainous trails.

In traditional Pacific Northwest fashion, Mother Nature brought in consistent rains leading right up to the start of the race. The otherwise chocolate dirt quickly turned to mud, and racers were forced to navigate rutted lines while finding their way safely through the lappers.  As a fan-favorite venue of the season it was no surprise the event saw an excellent turn out, with over 400 racers in attendance. The 12.5 mile course took the fastest pro racer just under 30 minutes to complete, with the race being 2.5 hours long.

Returning series Pro Champion, RedBull FMF Factory KTM Racing’s Dante Oliveira, arrived in Jacksonville feeling good coming off of a win at the season-opener in Doyle, CA. Although others were timid with the wet terrain, Dante was excited about the rain “slowing things down a bit and keeping the dust down”. Although he was initially overtaken by his teammate Mateo Oliveira, the champ secured his P1 position finishing an astounding one second in front of his brother. The two secured the first two podium positions, clocking times of 2:52:37 and 2:52:38 unofficially. Rounding out the Pro podium was 3Bros Hatch GASGAS Racing team’s Giacomo Redondi, who secured his third place position just under four minutes behind the pair.

The Pro Women’s class had an excellent turn out, with defending two-time champion Ava Silvestri prepared to maintain her title aboard her GASGAS factory supported red machine. The women had the benefit of racing the 1.5 hour morning race, being the first to touch the already heavily saturated course. This turned out to be a much-appreciated benefit. As the course saw more and more racers, the lines became more defined and muddy ruts deepened. Strategic line choice was essential to all the racer’s finishes, and would prove fundamental to  Silvestri’s eventual top-of-the-box finish. Just under three minutes behind her, Meg Griffiths, a newcomer to the Hare Scrambles, secured an impressive second place finish. Less than two minutes later, Factory Beta Racing Team’s Britney Gallegos rocketed in to scoring and nabbed the final podium position.

Finishing a mere 27-seconds behind the Pro podium finishers, FMF RPM KTM Racing Team racer Jaden Dahners secured his Pro 250 win seemingly with ease. The KTM supported racer remained in the first place position for his class all 6 laps, with second place finisher Sherco Factory Racing Team’s Layton Smail not far behind. Smail had some minor technical difficulties aboard his 250 SEF, which kept him far enough behind Dahners to allow them both a clean finish in round two of the seven round series. Husqvarna factory support racer Ryder Thomaselli blew through the checkers with a solid third place, awarding him the final step on the Pro 250 podium. The tight single track wasn’t all that was tight this weekend, with less than five minutes separating the top three finishers in all Pro classes!

Round three of the AMA West Hare Scrambles is May 11th and 12th, in Prineville, Oregon. Visit www.westharescrambles.com for more info, race registration, results, and live scoring.

Thank you to our sponsors FMF, Beta, KTM, Husqvarna Motorcycles, GASGAS, Cricket Speaker, Zingg, PCI Radios, Sign Art, IWC Tire Pros, STACYC, Mojo Motosports, Klim, Unsworth Racing, Racer Decal, RAD Custom Graphics.

The post A Battle to the Finish for the Oliveira Brothers appeared first on American Motorcyclist Association.

Photo courtesy of Honda

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — The 2024 AMA Arenacross series wrapped up on Friday evening at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, where Kyle Peters rode the Phoenix Racing Honda CRF250R to his fifth-consecutive title. The achievement ties a record held by past Arenacross greats Dennis Hawthorne and Buddy Antunez, who won their last crowns in 1990 and 2001, respectively.

Each of the Greensboro, North Carolina, native’s crowns has come in different ways. He dominated last year’s championship, clinching it with two rounds remaining, despite having to overcome a broken neck suffered the previous off-season. Conversely, this year was hard-fought since the December 1 opener in Boise, Idaho. Peters faced adversity including crashes, run-ins with other riders, an injured thumb, and severe anxiety from self-imposed pressure to win. In addition, title-rival Ryan Breece opted to compete aboard a 450cc machine, a decision (allowed by the rules) that turned out to be an advantage given that several of the tour stops were held at elevation. In the end, Peters still managed to take his fifth crown, with just a five-point margin.

“They’re all special and have their special meaning in their own way, but this one was definitely the toughest on me, mentally, just from all the adversity I faced,” said Peters, who turns 31 one week from today. “Things didn’t really seem to be going my way, and I always kind of felt like I was on my back foot. It was really tough, and a few rounds from the end, I was thinking, ‘It’s not looking good.’ Thankfully, Lord willing, I was able to get it done, and to pull through was amazing.”

Including the 2019 title by Jace Owens, this marks the sixth-consecutive crown for David Eller’s Salisbury, North Carolina-based Phoenix Racing Honda team.

“On behalf of everyone at American Honda, congratulations to Kyle for his fifth in a row, and to David and the entire Phoenix Racing Honda crew for their sixth in a row,” said Brandon Wilson, manager of Racing and Advertising at American Honda. “Kyle has become a juggernaut in Arenacross, but no one should make the mistake of assuming what he’s doing is easy. The fact that he was able to pull it off despite the challenges he faced says a lot about his perseverance and determination, as well as the professionalism of his team. A big thank-you to everyone involved.”

The post Kyle Peters Ties AMA Arenacross Record with Fifth-Consecutive Championship appeared first on American Motorcyclist Association.

Photo courtesy of Mark Kariya

MURPHY, ID — Round two of the AMA National Hare and Hound Championship presented by FMF ventured to the northwest this weekend in scenic Murphy, Idaho. Hosted by Dirt Inc., this event has been part of the series for over a decade, and is consistently a racer favorite.

A much-appreciated Saturday rain provided for prime conditions going into Sunday’s race day.  With minimal dust and moisture in the canyons, everyone was buzzing by the time they lined up at the bomb run, ready to give their best attempt on the 100-mile race.

With the sun low in the sky, the two-minute warning dropped and the hare took off, knowing he’d soon be caught by one of the pros on that first line. As the banner went down and bikes rev’d, a fast and long bomb run commenced at speeds most of us cannot even relate to experiencing. What happened next is what documentaries are made of; Pro class racer Clayton Roberts, aboard his 450 Gas Gas, was ahead of the pack in the main fast line with only JCR Honda Racing’s Preston Campbell in front of him. Mid-bomb Roberts found himself hovering the front wheel after a compressed shock rebounded,­ riding the front wheel a long way before cartwheeling several feet. NHH Champion Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Dalton Shirey was directly behind him. Witnessing the event Dalton immediately threw on his brakes and tossed his bike down, to flag racers away from the grounded Roberts. This, is our defending National Champion. The gesture of sportsmanship is one of the most admirable we have ever seen in off-road racing.

Dalton mounted dead last and chased all day for a 5th overall finish. Tensions were high, and it was evident he was shaken from the experience and stress of worry for Roberts, but still he soldiered on. Although he did not finish on the podium, the NHH feels his actions deserve the space in this press release. We’d like to also extend a huge thank you to the medics and staff who assisted, and a heartfelt speedy recovery to Clayton and his family.

As the race continued, Factory Beta Racing and Idaho-local Joe Wasson found himself front of the pack, battling with Shirey’s teammate Austin Walton, who was hot on his fender. Walton came into the pits after the first 60-mile loop, a single second behind Wasson. Knowing he’d have to give it all he had to take the win, Joe rode a flawless 40 miles on loop two, with no mistakes and determination in his eye. The two were not alone in this chase, with Factory Beta Racing’s Zane Roberts within seconds of the pair. The trio pressed on through the technical terrain, with Roberts and Walton swapping positions a handful of times. Nearing the finish line the race was so close that not a single one of them was willing to let off the gas, resulting in a pass by Walton on the very last turn which brought him into a second-place checker, only one second behind a very excited Wasson. “I got the monkey off my back!” Wasson exclaimed, as he celebrated his hard-earned win with his team, family, and fans.

Returning two-time Pro Women’s champion Rachel Stout came prepared to defend her number one plate aboard her KTM 350 XC-F sponsored by Innteck. Coming off a win from round one, Rachel was feeling good going into the race, but knew she would not be given any breaks with long-time competitor Factory Beta-supported racer Britney Gallegos twisting two-stroke throttle against her. The women lined up against the usual suspects, with one unknown face amongst the female crowd. First-time Hare & Hound racer Meg Griffith showed up eager to try her hand in the national. Although Stout got out in front early on and held her lead for the 100 miles, Gallegos, Ashlee Gage, Ty Woolslayer and Griffith would swap positions nearly every mile. These women dug deep for more than three hours, pulling every ounce of fight they had up to the surface, pushing forward, willing their bikes to the finish. Checkered flags showed Stout claiming the victory, with newcomer Griffith 14 seconds behind her. Rounding out the podium was Gallegos.

The Pro 250 class has had an exciting and unexpected start to the season, with Australian native Sam Pretscherer coming from down under (literally), going two for two for the first two rounds. The Aussie has proven to be a natural in the desert terrain, despite the fact he had never trained nor ridden in such conditions before coming to the United States. Following him into the finish was Arizona-native racer DJ Weber, who in stark contrast grew up riding the deep desert canyons and hitting high speed sandy berms. Weber was all smiles on the podium, having worked his way up through the classes and finding himself consistently finishing on the podium in the Pro 250 class. Securing the third-place podium position was Matthew Combs, aboard his 250 Yamaha.

Round three of the NHH is April 6th, in Jericho Utah. Visit www.nationalhareandhound.com for more info, race registration, results, and live scoring.  Follow us on FB IG and YouTube

Thank you to our sponsors FMF, Beta, KTM, Husqvarna Motorcycles, GASGAS, Cricket Speaker, Zingg, PCI Radios, Sign Art, IWC Tire Pros, STACYC, Mojo Motosports, Klim, Unsworth Racing, Racer Decal, RAD Custom Graphics.

The post Joe Wasson Charges to First NHH Victory of the Season appeared first on American Motorcyclist Association.

Photo courtesy of AMA West Hare Scrambles

DOYLE, Calif. — Round one of the AMA West Hare Scrambles presented by Mojo Motorsport kicked off this weekend in Doyle, California. The 2024 Turtle Mountain Hare Scramble was hosted by the Lassen M/C Diamondbacks.

The conditions for this year’s season opener could not have been better, with a late season snow melting off just in time to leave wet dirt on the freshly groomed trails, minimizing the dust. The Lassen M/C has hosted the opening round for WHS for the past 4 years, and has always set up a fun, flow-y race leading the riders up and back down steep mountainous desert terrain. The 12 mile loop ended in a huge downhill known as “Widowmaker”, which could be seen from the pits and allowed spectators and teams the opportunity to view their racers ripping into the finish line. The fastest Pro racer completed the loop in just under 20 minutes. The race was 2.5 hours long, resulting in a maximum of 8 loops over the course of the sunny day.

Returning 2023 WHS Pro Champion RedBull FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Dante Oliveira showed up in full force ready to defend his title, which is exactly what he did. After an exciting back and forth battle with his teammate Mateo Oliveira, the champ secured his P1 position finishing less than a minute in front of his brother. The two secured the first two podium positions, clocking times of 2:40:17 and 2:41:02 unofficially.

Rounding the pro podium was Factory Beta’s Zane Roberts who had a couple get-off’s that cost him a little time, but also admitted he just wasn’t tracking his competition with as much speed. Due to a number of variables including the terrain and lappers, Roberts made the wise decision to set his own pace and finish the race without issue.

The Pro Women’s class had the benefit of racing the 1.5 hour morning race, being the first to touch the race course. This turned out to be a much appreciated benefit for the women. As the course saw more and more racers, the lines became more defined, making passing in some places nearly impossible. 2023 WHS season champion Gasgas Factory-supported racer Ava Silvestri came prepared to defend her title. It is safe to say she accomplished her mission, running lap times as fast as the Pro Open class, at just over 21 minutes. Knowing with those times she would come in just under the 1.5 hour on lap 4 (forcing everyone behind her to do another lap), the Pro racer strategically paced herself to slow down only slightly so she would finish just over the time limit at 1:30:26 unofficially. Not far behind her was Innteck KTM supported racer Rachel Stout, who got off to a great start and ran her own race, staying a comfortable distance in front of P3’s finisher Factory Beta Racing’s Britney Gallegos. Being the only racer in the Pro Women’s class on a two stroke, Gallegos felt she had the advantage with some of the sandy fast climbs up and down the Northern California terrain. The WHS Pro Women’s class showcases some amazing talent in the off-road racing community, setting the stage for an exciting 2024 season.

The Pro 250 class saw some new faces mixed in with the usual subjects this round. Most notable performances this weekend include Layton Smail, bringing Factory Sherco USA into the WHS scene. Smail wasted no time letting the field know he is here to win, talking briefly at the press conference before the race on the positive changes the brand has made to his 2024 SEF 250 Factory ride. Considering his impressive finish of P1 in his class and P4 overall, we’d have to agree; the pair appears to be a match made in heaven. Finishing a little over a minute behind Layton was FMF RPM KTM Racing Team’s Jaden Dahners. Dahners stepped up to the factory supported team in 2024. Rounding the Pro 250 podium was Ryder Thomaselli, a long-time WHS racer who worked his way up through the ranks to find himself seated on the Husqvarna Factory support team this season.

James McMurray raced his way to the top of the Pro Vet class this round, after some good battles with second place finisher Steve Roberts aboard his Yamaha. By the last lap Roberts had successfully made a pass on McMurray, only needing to progress the infamous Widowmaker steep down-hill, and cruise to the finish. Unfortunately for him (but fortunately for James) a lapper got in the way of Roberts’ smooth progression, holding him up just enough for McMurray to make a last minute pass for the win. Rounding out the Pro Vet podium was Chase Rosenquist, who was celebrating his bachelor party over the weekend, and surprised himself with a podium finish considering the post-celebratory condition he was in. A special congrats to him and his fiancé!

Overall the experience at this year’s AMA West Hare Scramble season opener was one of massive fun and excitement. The premiere part of the course, ‘Widowmaker’, was one the racers either came to love or hate, there really was no in-between.

Round two of the WHS is April 13th and 14th, in Jacksonville Oregon. Visit www.westharescrambles.com for more info, race registration, results, and live scoring.

Thank you to our sponsors FMF, Beta, KTM, Husqvarna Motorcycles, GASGAS, Cricket Speaker, Zingg, PCI Radios, Sign Art, IWC Tire Pros, STACYC, Mojo Motosports, Klim, Unsworth Racing, Racer Decal, RAD Custom Graphics.

The post Dante Oliveira Takes AMA West Hare Scrambles Round 1 Win appeared first on American Motorcyclist Association.

Information from a MotoAmerica Press Release

Lead photo courtesy of MotoAmerica

Welcome to the phenomenon that is the Daytona 200. Sixty-eight riders will attempt to qualify for the 82^nd running of the “Great American Motorcycle Race,” two of those MotoAmerica racers are women, and one of them is half of a married couple who will compete against her husband. Additionally, five different brands of motorcycles will be on the starting grid at Daytona International Speedway and 13 countries will be represented.

Did we mention that the race is 200 miles long and features pit stops? And that three different tire manufacturers will battle for bragging rights in one of the few races left in road racing that doesn’t require the use of one tire brand?

Oh, it’s also worth noting that the margin of victory in the past three 200s was a combined .108 of a second.

All those things combined make the 200 an aberration. It really is like no other motorcycle race in the world.

82^nd Daytona 200 – All In

The list of potential winners in the Daytona 200 is lengthy, but it must begin with the defending race champion Josh Herrin and his Only Fans Warhorse Ducati Panigale V2. Herrin won a drafting war to the finish line of last year’s 200 on his Ducati to beat five-time AMA Superbike Champion Josh Hayes by just .070 of a second as five riders crossed the line separated by less than half a second.

Four of those five riders from a season ago will be back for another shot in the 200, led by Hayes who will go to battle on his CSU One Cure/J4orce Racing Yamaha YZF-R6 in what may end up being his only race of the 2024 MotoAmerica Championship. Hayes has yet to win a Daytona 200.

Cameron Petersen won’t be defending his third-place finish in last year’s 200 as he continues to rehab his wrist injury and is focusing on being 100 percent when the MotoAmerica Steel Commander Superbike series begins at Road Atlanta in April. Although the South African won’t be on the grid at the Speedway, his Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing YZF-R6 will be in the capable hands of Xavi Forés, the 2023 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion.

Like Hayes, Daytona might be Forés’s only MotoAmerica race with the Spaniard failing to land a ride for 2024 despite carrying the number-one plate as the series champion.

Hayden Gillim and PJ Jacobsen are the other top-five finishers returning for another crack at Daytona 200 glory. Gillim will be Suzuki GSX-R750-mounted but for a different team – Vesrah Racing – in this year’s race. Ditto for PJ Jacobsen as the New Yorker will be in the race on a different bike and a different team as he and teammates Kayla Yaakov and Corey Alexander will make their Rahal Ducati Moto Panigale V2 debuts at the Speedway.

With foreign riders aplenty, the list must start with the three-rider YART-ProKASRO team that is the defending World Endurance Champion. They are led by Italian Niccoló Canepa, who now calls Switzerland home, German Marvin Fritz, and Czech Karel Hanika.

Britain will be represented in this year’s Daytona 200 by 13-time Isle of Man TT winner Peter Hickman and his PHR Performance Triumph teammate Richard Cooper.

There’s also a horde of 11 Canadian racers making the trip south, led by three-time defending Canadian Superbike Champion Ben Young. Young and his countrymen will be trying to become the first Canadian to win the 200 since Miguel Duhamel in 2005.

There’s also an Australian entered with Tom Toparis making the trip to ride a ASTRO MAR Suzuki GSX-R750. Toparis, who finished 10^th and 18^th in the two World Supersport races at Phillip Island recently, is hoping to be the first Australian to win the 200 since Mat Mladin won in 2000 and 2001.

The MotoAmerica regulars mentioned earlier will be joined by the likes of Bobby Fong (Wrench Motorcycles Suzuki); Stefano Mesa (Boulder Motor Sports Ducati); Richie Escalante (Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki) and his teammates Brandon Paasch, Tyler Scott and Teagg Hobbs; Gus Rodio (Rodio Racing – Powered By Robem Engineering Ducati); David Anthony (Wrench Motorcycles Suzuki); and four-time Daytona 200 winner Danny Eslick (TOBC Racing Triumph) with any of them capable of scoring victory.

Mission King Of The Baggers – Let The Battle Begin

Sixteen of the best Mission King Of The Baggers motorcycles will be ridden by the 16 best King Of The Baggers racers at Daytona International Speedway this weekend with the championship set to begin with two races at the Speedway.

Led by defending champion Hayden Gillim and his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson Road Glide, there is no questioning the depth of the field in the season opener.

And there are plenty of new faces amongst the 16, beginning with Gillim’s new teammate Rocco Landers, the 19-year-old set to make his Baggers debut on the high banks of Daytona.

Joining Landers in making his debut at the Speedway is three-time Australian Superbike Champion and Supermoto phenom Troy Herfoss, who will join one of the founding fathers of the class Tyler O’Hara (the 2022 King Of The Baggers Champion) on the pair of factory S&S/Indian Motorcycle Indian Challengers.

The Harley-Davidson Factory Racing team will again feature 2021 champion Kyle Wyman, the winningest Baggers racer with 12 victories (the next closest are O’Hara, Gillim and Bobby Fong with three wins apiece), and former Vance & Hines teamster James Rispoli.

Rispoli and Kyle Wyman won the two races at Daytona last year with Rispoli winning race one and finishing second in race two while Wyman had a DNF in race one before winning race two.

Saddlemen/Harley-Davidson will field three riders with former Harley factory rider Travis Wyman joined on the team by incumbents Cory West and Jake Lewis.

Andorran Rubén Xaus comes to the Baggers series with a thick racing resume that includes stints in World Superbike (including 11 wins), World Supersport (two wins) and MotoGP (a podium finish in the Grand Prix of Qatar) and he and his Feuling Parts team have definitely put in the time and effort with its Harley-Davidson Road Glide.

Fong, and his three career Mission King Of The Baggers victories, returns for more with the SDI/Roland Sands Racing/Indian Motorcycle Indian Challenger. Fong is a proven winner in the class and the only MotoAmerica Superbike race winner in the Baggers series.

Others who have stepped up their programs for 2024 are Suburban Motors H-D/Slyfox/Trask Performance’s Jesse Janisch, Nowaskey Extreme Performance’s Danny Eslick, RydFast Racing’s Kyle Ohnsorg, Mad Monkey Motorsports’ Max Flinders, and Trask Performance’s Shane Narbonne.

BellissiMoto Twins Cup – Welcome To The Jungle

With a 25-riders strong grid, the opening round of the BellissiMoto Twins Cup series should be another barnburner and it will be so without defending series champion Blake Davis, who will focus his efforts on the Supersport (and Daytona 200) series with his N2 Racing/BobbleHeadMoto Yamaha YZF-R6.

As for the rest, most of the gang is back for more, including last year’s series runner-up Gus Rodio and his Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering Aprilia RS 660. Rodio won three races en route to second in the championship, including a victory in race one at Daytona last year.

Rodio will be joined on the Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering two-rider team by Italian Alessandro Di Mario.

Rocco Landers returns to the BellissiMoto Twins Cup after his six-win 2023 season netted him third in the title chase. Landers has switched teams and will race the new Suzuki GSX-8R for the new RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki team.

South African Dominic Doyle stood on four podiums last year, including a victory at Ridge Motorsports Park. Doyle will race a Yamaha YZF-R7 for the Giaccmoto Yamaha Racing team that will also include former Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. competitor Sonya Lloyd.

Last year’s Junior Cup Champion Avery Dreher moves up to the Twins Cup class on a TopPro Racing Team Aprilia RS 660 and Rossi Moor is another MotoAmerica youngster making a new home in Twins Cup, and he will do so on a Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-8R.

Another to watch is 1-833-CJKNOWS Accident and Injury Law’s Kaleb De Keyrel, who returns to BellissiMoto Twins Cup racing on a Yamaha YZF-R7. De Keyrel won the Twins Cup title in 2021 and has 10 career wins in the class.

Ditto for Ben Gloddy who will get at least a one-off ride for Daytona on a third Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering Aprilia RS 660.

Wrench Motorcycles is also fielding a Yamaha YZF-R7 for former Junior Cupper Jack Roach.

Mission Super Hooligan National Championship – A Baker’s Dozen?

The big news for the opening round of the Mission Super Hooligan National Championship is actually the motorcycles themselves as 11 different manufacturers (and a total of 13 different individual motorcycle models) will be represented in the field of 35. Who knew?

Let’s see. There’s at least one of each of the following: Indian FTR1200s, BMW R nine T, Harley-Davidson XR1200 Pan America, KTM 890 DUKE R, Yamaha MT-09 SP, Suzuki SV1000, Ducati Monster SP and Hypermotard, Energica Eva Ribelle RS, Aprilia Tuono, Buell XB12XT and Victory Vegas.

Making its debut at Daytona will be the Yamaha MT-09 SP, a three-cylinder motorcycle that will be ridden by three different riders, including World Endurance Champion Niccoló Canepa.

Canepa and the rest will have to deal with defending class champion Tyler O’Hara and his new S&S/Indian FTR1200-mounted teammate Troy Herfoss, the three-time Australian Superbike Champion, Stefano Mesa on the electric Tytlers Cycle Energica Eva Ribelle RS and Andy DiBrino on the Competition Werkes/Gray Area KTM 890 Duke R.

DiBrino finished third in last year’s championship behind O’Hara and his then-teammate Jeremy McWilliams with Mesa ending up fourth in the title chase.

There’s a new team, or actually the revival of an old team, with Kyle Wyman Racing (KWR) fielding Cody Wyman and Hayden Schultz on Harley-Davidson Pan Americas.

Pre-Daytona Notes…

Josh Herrin earned pole position for last year’s Daytona 200 with his 1:48.741 set during the Time Attack qualifying session. Herrin’s best was .254 of a second faster than PJ Jacobsen’s best of 1:49.005 with Herrin the only rider to crack into the 1:48s. Tyler Scott completed the front row with his 1:49.027.

The fastest lap in the race went to two-time Daytona 200 winner Brandon Paasch with his 1:49.981. Paasch ended up 11^th in the race after being docked 15 seconds for a pit-lane violation.

Yamaha and Suzuki lead the way in entries for the Daytona 200 with both companies represented by 17 riders each. Kawasaki is next up with 16 entries, followed by Ducati with 10 and Triumph with eight.

Yamaha is the winningest brand by far in Daytona victories with 27 wins since the first Daytona 200 was held on the old beach circuit in 1937. The winner of that first Daytona 200 was Ed Kretz, who was riding an Indian. Harley-Davidson sits second on the all-time manufacturer win list in the 200 with 16 victories, the last of which was Cal Rayborn’s victory in 1969. The third highest win total goes to Honda with 11 victories with Jake Zemke the last rider to win on a Honda in 2006.

The first Daytona 200 to be run at Daytona International Speedway was in 1961 with Roger Reiman taking victory on his Harley-Davidson.

The Daytona 200 switched to Superbikes in 1985 with Freddie Spencer winning his one and only Daytona 200 on a Honda. Superbikes were featured in the 200 until 2005 when 600cc Formula Xtreme bikes took over. The FX class ran in the 200 until 600cc Daytona SportBikes were used beginning in 2009 with Ben Bostrom’s victory on a Yamaha YZF-R6.

This year’s 200 will mark the start of MotoAmerica’s third season of using the FIM’s “Supersport Next Generation” rules, with the class featuring Yamaha’s YZF-R6, Ducati’s Panigale V2, Suzuki’s GSX-R750 and GSX-R600, Kawasaki’s ZX-6R, and Triumph’s Speed Triple RS. Last year, MV Agusta’s F3RR also made some appearances but there are no MVs entered in this year’s 200.

Thirteen countries will be represented in this year’s Daytona 200 so it’s worth noting that Welshman Chaz Davies is the last non-American to win the Daytona 200 in 2008 with Americans winning 65 of the 81 Daytona 200s.

With America leading the way in victories (65) in the Daytona 200, Canada is second with five wins – all thanks to five-time winner Miguel Duhamel. Australia is third on the list with three wins and, again, it was one rider who won the races – Mat Mladin.

Finland (Jarno Saarinen), Italy (Giacomo Agostini), Venezuela (Johnny Cecotto), France (Patrick Pons), New Zealand (Graeme Crosby) and Great Britain (Chaz Davies) all have one win apiece in the 200 and are the other foreigners to win the race. Sixteen Mission King Of The Baggers riders will take part in the opening round of the championship with two races slated for Daytona International Speedway. Eleven of those will be racing Harley-Davidsons with five aboard Indian Challengers.

The post Daytona Preview: The 200? It’s Anybody’s Guess appeared first on American Motorcyclist Association.

With the release of the 2024 Competition and Recreation Schedules by American Motorcyclist Association Districts in the Midwest, many races are “Joint Meets”  points-paying events in multiple districts. Between Minnesota and Wisconsin many Flat Track, Hillclimb and Off-Road venues feature points being awarded in both District 16 and District 23. Observed Trials will see both Illinois District 17 and Wisconsin District 16 points awarded at the fantastic Manchester Trials Weekend in downtown Manchester, Iowa. The middle of all this action will feature an AMA National Hillclimb on August 2-4 near Red Wing, Minnesota hosted by the Indianhead Motorcycle Club, site of the joint D-16/D-23 Hillclimb May 11-12. The Flat Track season will both start and end at the indoor Cedar Lake Arena near New Richmond, Wisconsin for both Wisconsin and Minnesota while the Trollhaugen Hare Scrambles near Dresser, Wisconsin will challenge the best from both District 23 and 16.

Here’s the complete rundown of Joint Meets including the Dual-Sport ride near Finlayson, Minnesota October 6th:

Flat Track

April 20 & 21 – Cedar Lake Arena, New Richmond, WI. Indoor Flat Track. D16 & D23 Points Meet including Youth and Quad classes.

May 11 – Mississippi Thunder Speedway, Fountain City, WI. ⅜ mile Flat Track. D16 & D23 Points Meet including Youth, Quads & GNHC Hooligans

June 22 – Mississippi Thunder Speedway, Fountain City, WI. ⅜ mile Flat Track. D16 & D23 Points Meet including Youth, Quads & GNHC Hooligans

October 5 & 6 – Cedar Lake Arena, New Richmond, WI. Indoor Flat Track. D16 & D23 Points Meet including Youth and Quad classes.

Off-Road

June 30 – Trollhaugen Hare Scrambles, Dresser, WI. D16 & D23 Points Meet including Youth classes.

July 20 – MORA Youth Enduro, Snake River, Minnesota State Forest. D16 & D23 Points Meet.

July 21 – MORA Enduro, Snake River, Minnesota State Forest. D16 & D23 Points Meet.

August 17 – Duquette Youth Enduro, Jackie Berger Memorial Park – Kerrick, MN. D16 & D23 Points Meet.

August 18 – Duquette Enduro, Jackie Berger Memorial Park – Kerrick, MN. D16 & D23 Points Meet.

Hillclimb

May 11 & 12 – Indianhead Hillclimb, Red Wing, MN. D16 & D23 Points Meet.

June 22 & 23 – CMJ Raceway, Hixton, WI. D16 & D23 Points Meet.

July 14 – Valley Springs M/C, Bay City, WI. D16 & D23 Points Meet.

August 2-4 – Indianhead AMA National Hillclimb, Red Wing, MN.

Observed Trials

August 3 & 4 – Manchester Trials, Manchester, IA. D16 & D17 Points Meet.

Recreation/Dual-Sport

October 6 – Moose Lake, Finlayson, MN. D16 & D23 Dual-Sport Ride, Norsemen M/C.

Be sure to contact the respective Clubs/Promoters as to details on each event.

District 16: amadistrict16.com

District 17: amadistrict17.com

District 23: armca.org

The post Joint Points Meets – AMA Districts 16,17 & 23 appeared first on American Motorcyclist Association.