AMA Pro Racing News Release
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (November 7, 2011) - AMA Pro Racing is proud to announce the introduction of the XR Showdown, a $60,000 year-end points fund that…
Team Suzuki News Flash
CHINO, CA (November 7, 2011) - Yoshimura Racing and American Suzuki Motor Corporation are proud to announce plans for the 2012 AMA Pro Superbike Championship Series that…
Ducati Racing News Flash
After a positive first two days during the final round of the 2011 MotoGP season, the Ducati Team had an unfortunate and premature end to the Valencia…
Factory Yamaha Racing News Release
MOTOGP SEASON FINALE FREE PRACTICE: Yamaha Factory rider Ben Spies made it count this afternoon in difficult weather conditions to take third on the grid for…
It is with mixed emotions that Yamaha Factory Racing arrives in Valencia this weekend for the final Grand Prix of the 2011 season.
MotoGP’s tragic loss of rising star Marco Simoncelli…
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (November 7, 2011) – AMA Pro Racing is proud to announce the introduction of the XR Showdown, a $60,000 year-end points fund that riders in the AMA Pro Vance & Hines XR1200 Series will be competing for during the 2012 AMA Pro Road Racing season.
The XR Showdown, which is supported by Vance & Hines and the Harley-Davidson Motor Company, will be offered in addition to the $10,000 purse plus posted contingency available each weekend, meaning that well over $100,000 will be up for grabs over the course of the season.
AMA Pro Racing Competition BulletinThe XR Showdown will begin when there are five races remaining on the 2012 schedule. The top ten riders in the XR1200 Series point standings at that time will be eligible for XR Showdown points, which will be paid for each of the five remaining events on the schedule.
The rider with the most XR Showdown points at the end will take home $30,000 in prize money, with the remaining $30,000 in the points fund to be paid out to second through tenth in the final XR Showdown point standings.
“This further emphasizes the commitment from AMA Pro Racing, Vance & Hines and Harley-Davidson,” said David Atlas, Chief Operating Officer of AMA Pro Racing. “We want to send a strong message to our teams and riders that we will reward them for their efforts. The addition of the XR Showdown is sure to produce even more world-class racing action.”
The AMA Pro Vance & Hines XR1200 Series, which was added to the AMA Pro Road Racing class structure alongside AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike, AMA Pro Daytona SportBike and AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com SuperSport at the Road America round of the 2010 season, features Harley-Davidson XR1200s modified with a specially-prepared parts-and-accessories kit from famed motorcycle performance tuner Vance & Hines. The big twins are showcased in a single-race format during each AMA Pro Road Racing event weekend except for the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
CHINO, CA (November 7, 2011) – Yoshimura Racing and American Suzuki Motor Corporation are proud to announce plans for the 2012 AMA Pro Superbike Championship Series that commences at the Daytona Beach International Speedway in Daytona Beach, FL on March 15-17, 2012.
Team Yoshimura Suzuki’s returning rider, Blake Young, and new team-mate, Chris Clark, will be aggressively-campaigning for the 2012 championship aboard a pair of Yoshimura-prepared Suzuki GSX-R1000s.
Yoshimura Racing and American Suzuki have a long history of dominating US racing in AMA Superbike:
Yoshimura has led the factory Suzuki Superbike team to claim 10 of the last 13 AMA Superbike Championships as well as the sweep of the 2010 AMA Supercross and Motocross Championships.
With Suzuki’s famed GSX-R1000 and its championship-winning DNA combined with its full-factory support, Yoshimura Suzuki Racing is looking to dominate once again in 2012.
Yoshimura Suzuki’s Young is coming off of a strong season in 2011 that found the 24-year-old Wisconsin native with the most race wins for the year but falling just short of the championship at the last race in New Jersey. This will be Young’s fourth season aboard the GSX-R1000 with the Yoshimura Suzuki squad.
“I’m really excited for 2012,” said Young. “I know I’ve got the best bike in the paddock with the Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000. It’s been like riding a real rocketship for me and I learned a lot about what it takes to win a championship this year. We came up just a little short and I don’t want to be in that position in 2012. We’ve got a great crew – the best bike – and a smarter rider; and I just want to go out and win races and bring home that championship for the team. I’m gonna do everything I can to make sure that happens.”
After a positive first two days during the final round of the 2011 MotoGP season, the Ducati Team had an unfortunate and premature end to the Valencia Grand Prix, with riders Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden both being taken out of the race in a Turn 1 racing incident.
The American experienced pain and swelling in his right hand following the fall, but an X-ray in the mobile clinic didn’t reveal any fractures. Rossi and Hayden finish the season seventh and eight, respectively, in the final points standings.
A post-race test will take place at the Valencia circuit on this Tuesday and Wednesday.
Valentino Rossi (Ducati Team) DNF
“There’s really nothing to say about today, other than that I’m sorry beyond measure not to have been able to put on Sic’s T-shirt for the lap of honour. It’s truly a shame. I started well and all the conditions were in our favour for having a nice race, but we were unfortunate and received no points here either. We finish the season tied with Sic, with him ahead of me in the standings. I guess that’s my tribute to him!”
Nicky Hayden (Ducati Team) DNF
“I felt some riders coming up the inside really fast as we approached Turn 1. Then something happened and it was just the domino effect—race over in the first corner. I’m okay other than my hand being pretty sore. It’s unfortunate. One of our bike’s strengths is generating heat in the tyres, and that’s what you need on a cold, wet track like this. Already on the warm-up lap, the bike felt good. It’s easy to say now, but I honestly feel like we could have put up a decent fight today and had some fun.”
Vittoriano Guareschi (Team Manager)
“Today I’m particularly sorry to have to talk about a race in which once again, we weren’t able to capitalize on our potential. In practice, both Vale and Nicky demonstrated that they were able to ride this track well in the conditions that we had for the race, but after they both started well, they really were victims of a classic first-turn crash. It happens, but it hurt Ducati worse than the others. There’s not much else to say. Now we’ll focus on the work that’s about to start for 2012.”
MOTOGP SEASON FINALE FREE PRACTICE: Yamaha Factory rider Ben Spies made it count this afternoon in difficult weather conditions to take third on the grid for tomorrow’s Grand Prix of Valencia.
The Texan completed his fastest lap on a used set of tyres having patiently circled waiting for a gap in the changing weather to put in a qualifying time.
Katsuyuki Nakasuga faced yet another treacherous day of unpredictable weather as he learnt his way around the twisty Valencia circuit.
A fresh rear tyre towards the end of the qualifying session saw him exit the pits in confident mood to set a qualifying time however the drops of rain on the track meant he was unable to improve on 15th position.
Ben Spies Position 3rd – Time 1.33.057 – Laps 22
“Qualifying was really hectic today for all the riders. There was a sprinkling of rain all the way through which makes you very nervous about how much to push. I have to say thank you Yamaha for a great bike. It’s working great here so we just need to pray for some dry time for the race. We’re going to get some rest tonight and try to make sure we end the season on a high tomorrow.”
Katsuyuki Nakasuga Position 15th – Time 1.35.999 – Laps 25
“Today was quite difficult with the different weather conditions. I did feel that I understood the track a little bit better. This afternoon in qualifying we changed to a new tyre and I felt good with it but unfortunately was not able to make a better time as I was unsure how much to push with some rain falling. Tomorrow I will do my best for Yamaha; the experience will also help me in the future as a test rider!”
Wilco Zeelenberg – Yamaha Factory Racing Team Manager
“It’s been a very challenging weekend for Nakasuga-san to learn a complicated track in difficult weather conditions. Yesterday was pretty wet and this afternoon in qualifying there were spots of rain throughout. There’s been no clear run in one weather condition for him which has added to the complexity of the task. Under the circumstances we’re happy with his progress. It’s going to be a tough race tomorrow but we are all behind him.”
Massimo Meregalli – Yamaha Factory Racing Team Director
“I think Ben really proved what he could do this afternoon, he didn’t surprise me, I was confident for him. I was a little worried about the weather but he did a great job despite the tricky conditions. To start from the front row considering all the problems we’ve had recently shows he is a tough rider. Unfortunately Nakasuga-san didn’t find the best conditions to learn a new track, Valencia looks simple but it isn’t. He knows what he has to do so I’m sure he’ll deliver the best result possible tomorrow.”
It is with mixed emotions that Yamaha Factory Racing arrives in Valencia this weekend for the final Grand Prix of the 2011 season.
MotoGP’s tragic loss of rising star Marco Simoncelli in Sepang two weeks ago has left all with heavy hearts but determined to put on a good show in honour of their fallen competitor.
The race is the last in Yamaha’s 50th anniversary of Grand Prix racing so the team will wear the red and white YZR-M1 WGP50th Anniversary Edition livery for the last time. 2010 World Champion Jorge Lorenzo continues to recover from surgery to his hand following his injury sustained in Australia.
As a result he will not participate in this weekend’s Grand Prix and will be replaced by Japanese Yamaha test rider and All Japan Superbike competitor Katsuyuki Nakasuga.
Yamaha Factory rider Ben Spies arrives for the last race of season committed to racing although still recovering from injuries sustained in Phillip Island.
The Texan was also recovering from injury for the 2010 season finale at Valencia. Despite the pain he impressed, qualifying sixth and finishing just off the podium in fourth.
Ben Spies
“I can’t believe I won’t be battling Marco on the track this weekend, it’s an incredibly sad way to finish the season. I’m going to honour him in the best way I know how, on the track. As with last year I arrive in Valencia recovering from injuries, but will of course give 100% of my efforts into performing to the best of my ability.”
Katsuyuki Nakasuga
“It was a great honour to be chosen to ride for Jorge at Sepang and here at Valencia. Due to the tragic loss of Marco Simoncelli in Malaysia the race was cancelled. This weekend the track will be new for me but I will try as hard as I can to deliver good results.”
Wilco Zeelenberg
“This is the last round of the season, looking to the condition of the Championship and riders, and more significantly the tragedy in Sepang it’s good that we can now wrap it up. The feeling of the crew, like all those in the paddock has been affected deeply by what happened, we intend to honour Marco through our actions this weekend. Jorge continues to recover well from his surgery but unfortunately not quickly enough to ride to his potential this weekend. We look forward to having him with us on Saturday and Sunday to provide support for our replacement rider. The team are ready to give Nakasuga-san all the help he needs to get to grips with the Valencia circuit as quickly as possible.”
Massimo Meregalli
“This is going to be a difficult and challenging weekend for many reasons. Everyone is affected by the sad passing of Marco Simoncelli. This last race of the season would usually be marked by a party to celebrate our year but this is not now in keeping with the mood and feeling of the team. As such we will wrap up with our yearly technical presentation and a quiet team dinner. We have Nakasuga-san with us having to learn the Valencia circuit for the first time, and Ben still not 100% after his crash in Australia. Despite this we will give our maximum effort to mark the final race of our 50th anniversary year and to honour the memory of Marco Simoncelli.”
A Yamaha YZ450F was wheeled onto the top step of the prestigious Paris Bercy SX podium on Sunday evening as American Kyle Chisholm grabbed rostrum results across all three nights at the capacity Palais Omnisports stadium in the French capital.
Only a few days beforehand multi AMA Champion James Stewart confirmed his signature with the powerful JGR racing team to steer YZ450F technology in the 2012 AMA Supercross and Motocross series for what will be his fourth year in ‘blue’.
Stewart, who claimed the seventeen round contest in 2009 in what was his first season with Yamaha and his LandM squad, battled against a broken wrist in 2010 and was part of an exciting four-rider chase for the title in 2011.
The 26 year old last won a main event at Seattle this past April. JGR committed to Yamaha in 2008 and have now extended their agreement for the next three years to become one of the leading outfits for the company in the United States and the off-road racing scene.
“Joining our long term partnership with Yamaha along with the signing of James Stewart and the 2012 YZ450F at our disposal there is nothing holding us back from achieving all of our goals for 2012,” said Coy Gibbs about his team’s outlook on the 2012 season.
“Yamaha’s relationship with JGR has been a very positive one and we were very happy when they chose the YZ450F as their bike when they started the team in 2008”, said Yamaha Motor Co. Racing Division Manager, Keith McCarty, “and now with a long term contract the YZ450F and Yamaha will play an even bigger part in the team’s future.”
The motorcycle took centre-stage at Europe’s busiest and most popular Supercross meeting as Chisholm finished second, first and third on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings in Paris to claim the King of Bercy accolade in what was the 29th edition of the event. The American travelled over for the second year in succession with support from Yamaha France and aced his first main event victory in front of what was a raucous Saturday night crowd.
The annual Supercross of Paris Bercy has been once more a huge success. Jake Weimer was one of the fastest riders in Bercy, and put his Monster Kawasaki on the final podium.
For its 29th anniversary the French classic met some of the fastest SX riders, including Americans Jake Weimer and Nick Wey, or regular GP contenders such as Tommy Searle, Gregory Aranda or Dylan Ferrandis.
Thanks to Weimer and Aranda there was one Kawasaki on the podium each night, and for his first attempt in a European Supercross Jake Weimer finished third in the ‘King of Bercy’ classification.
Riding his factory Monster Kawasaki in Paris, Jake Weimer was always among the fastest riders and posted twice the best lap time in the practice sessions.
Third on Friday and second on Sunday in the main event, Jake lost his chance to become “King of Bercy” when he hit a neutral and crashed on Saturday. But it was a great experience for him, who missed most of the Supercross season after his injury; he proved in Paris how fast he can be on a SX track!
Called just one week before the event to replace Christophe Pourcel, Tommy Searle flew to Paris after just a couple of hours of training on his KX 450 F Kawasaki since the Motocross of Nations! Tommy improved his results night after night; eleventh, seventh and finally sixth on Sunday despite a crash, he gained more experience in Supercross and was the best European competitor behind Frenchmen Soubeyras and Izoird, both Supercross experts.
Third overall before the third and last day, Nick Wey confirmed his good performances in the Monster Cup for his second race on a Kawasaki. Fifth and then fourth during the first two nights, Nick was unfortunate to crash on Sunday while recovering from a poor start.
As usual Gregory Aranda was one of the fastest riders in Bercy; twice winner and later runner-up of the Super Pole session – each rider has a single lap to post a fast lap – Greg got a strong podium on Saturday with a third position. But he retired on Friday after a collision at the start of the main, and crashed pretty hard in the tunnel on Sunday during his last race for the Bud Racing Kawasaki team. He suffers a concussion, and went to the hospital for more exams after his crash.
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Only a few days beforehand multi AMA Champion James Stewart confirmed his signature with the powerful JGR racing team to steer YZ450F technology in the 2012 AMA Supercross and Motocross series for what will be his fourth year in ‘blue’.
For its 29th anniversary the French classic met some of the fastest SX riders, including Americans Jake Weimer and Nick Wey, or regular GP contenders such as Tommy Searle, Gregory Aranda or Dylan Ferrandis.