TCK Blog

From a competitor bulletin issued by AMA Pro Racing:

GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing Competitor Bulletin #2013-01
To: All Road Racing Competitors
Date: January 4, 2013
Effective Date: Immediately
Subject: Update on Possible Modifications to 2014 American SuperBike Electronic Rules

On November 2nd, 2012, AMA Pro Racing posted a final request for proposal from ECU manufacturers interested in the possibility of becoming an Official Partner of AMA Pro Racing and the exclusive supplier of ECUs for the AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike Championship applicable no earlier than 2014. The request called out a submittal deadline of December 14th and stated any modifications to the 2014 American SuperBike electronic rules would be posted by December 31st, 2012. Each submitted proposal has been reviewed and considered. AMA Pro Racing is now in direct consultation with teams and associated O.E. manufactures, openly discussing the remaining options for future electronic regulations. Because of this very important dialog, any announcement pertaining to possible modifications to the 2014 American SuperBike electronic rules will be no later than January 31st, 2013.

From a press release issued by Triple Crown/Richie Morris Racing

Triple Crown Industries and Richie Morris Racing (Triple Crown / RMR) announced today a multi-year partnership with MotoSport.com. The online powersports parts and accessories giant will be a primary supporter in both Daytona SportBike and SuperSport for the upcoming 2013 AMA Pro Road Racing Series.

“Teaming up with Richie Morris Racing and Triple Crown Industries for the AMA Pro Racing series is an exciting proposition,” stated MotoSport.com CEO and President, Bill Butcher. “The team is very strong. They have experienced championship-winning seasons and their organization is well run on all levels. We are eagerly anticipating racing alongside them through the 2013 AMA Pro season and look forward to seeing the view from the podium.”

The team will feature Stefano Mesa and Santiago Villa carrying the MotoSport.com banner in SuperSport, while Bobby Fong (and possibly another rider) will compete for the Daytona SportBike championship.

“When Richie and I merged our efforts we immediately started structuring our plans around MotoSport.com. We first sat down with them to discuss 2013, however, by the end of the meeting we were talking about 2014 and beyond. I consider the race team a part of my extended family and MotoSport.com is a big part of that family,” said Dave Brite.

“It is exciting to have an industry leader by our side at the race track,” stated Richie Morris. “Motorcycle race fans are known to support the folks that roll up their sleeves and get involved in our sport. I fully expect that to happen for MotoSport.com. I can’t wait to unload at Daytona and watch Bobby (Fong) run up front in the Daytona 200!”

MotoSport.com was started by rider, Bill Butcher, who raced in the 1970′s and 1980′s and was looking for a far more expansive supply of parts and accessories for racers which could be obtained quickly and without the usual hassles and limitations of a dealership.

Today, MotoSport has become an industry leader that remains focused on providing customers with the parts they need when they need them and is one of the fastest growing retailers of power sports apparel, parts and accessories on the Internet today. From start to finish, MotoSport.com is dedicated to providing the best experience, anytime, anywhere. Check them online at MotoSport.com or call 866-677-7338 and join the best customers in the industry.

From a press release issued by Team Ohio Racing:

Upper Arlington, Ohio. Team Ohio Racing has renewed its working relationship with the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) Alumni for the 2013 AMA Pro Road Racing season. In 2012 Team Ohio Racing fielded a Harley-Davidson Vance & Hines XR1200, crewed by disabled veterans provided by the WWP. With each event (Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and New Jersey Motorsports Park) the team was able to empower disabled veterans and provide a unique unique, hands-on experience for them, shifting their focus to their innate abilities. Team Ohio plans to continue to field a bike in the AMA Pro Racing Vance & Hines Harley Davidson XR1200 class, but will do so under the umbrella of Veterans Empowered Through Motorsports (VETM), a newly formed 501(c)(3) non-profit.

VETM founder Pete Cline states: “WWP saw the attention to detail that we put into our 2012 program and the value of the impressions and exposure that we were able to deliver. We created a unique team environment, which allowed local veterans to mentor each-other and work through their disabilities and create a distinctive human interest story for each WWP crew member. Media and promoter response helped put a spotlight on our warrior crew. It’s a solid package that we wanted to continue in 2013, and now, we can move forward and work out the details.”

Cline continues “For 2013, Team Ohio Racing has established VETM and our non-profit status will allow us to provide a sustainable outreach program for disabled veterans. We’ve already had some early conversations with potential team partners for 2013. We know the fiscal costs, but like everyone else in the paddock, we need to get team partners on board. Hopes and dreams are great but they don’t fill the gas tank or put a team on the grid. We are also looking at some additional motorsports projects that will incorporate veteran outreach and create even broader impact for our mission. Venues for such opportunities will include the WERA National Endurance Series and a 4-wheel venture in autocross racing. I hope the 501(c)(3) status will encourage companies to reach out to us to continue to make this veteran experience happen.”

About Team Ohio Racing (TOR), LTD / Veterans Empowered Through Motorsports (VETM): TOR/VETM is the first motorsports team to fully integrate disabled veterans into an active race team environment. By working with the local combat veterans TOR/VETM makes them active components in our team. Our experience allows our combat veteran members to focus on abilities instead of disabilities, to show respect to veterans, and to heal and empower through motorsports.

TOR/VETM’s 2013 partners are: XR1200 Owners Group, Wounded Warrior Project Alumni crew, Midwest Motorcyclist, REV’IT! Sport USA, Drippin’Wet, NEXX Helmets, Silkolene,, Portfolio Creative, Maverick Moto Media, Team Ohio Racing

To learn more about Team Ohio Racing, follow them on Facebook at http://facebook.com/TeamOhioRacing and on twitter @TeamOhioRacing

From a press release issued by Michael Jordan Motorsports:

Danny Eslick.

Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy of AMA Pro Racing

MICHAEL JORDAN MOTORSPORTS RENEWS PARTNERSHIP WITH NATIONAL GUARD, ADDS ESLICK TO TEAM

EAST TROY, WI (December 17, 2012) – Michael Jordan Motorsports (MJM) announced its renewed partnership with the Army National Guard for the 2013 AMA Pro National Guard Superbike Championship season. This season marks the team’s fifth year of collaboration with the nation’s oldest branch of the military, and their common goal is to continue to provide a platform for recruiting and to train National Guard soldiers to ride street motorcycles safely.

The race-winning MJM team is also celebrating the addition of a new rider to its lineup, Danny Eslick, who will ride the #23 Jordan Suzuki GSX-R1000. A former Daytona Sportbike Champion, Eslick finished eighth overall in last year’s AMA Pro Superbike series and brought home three podium finishes. Eslick’s best result of the season was a solid second-place at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Florida.

Eslick joins National Guard Jordan Suzuki’s returning rider Roger Lee Hayden, who will again race the #54 Jordan Suzuki GSX-R1000. Last year, Hayden picked up his first-ever AMA Pro Superbike victory and finished third overall in the series. Hayden’s win came at Homestead-Miami Speedway, where he also captured his first career AMA Pro Superbike pole position. Overall, 2012 saw Hayden visit the podium seven times.

“It’s all about the goal of winning a championship,” said Kreig Robinson, MJM Vice President of Corporate Relations. “Each year we work tirelessly to improve upon the last. Through intense off-season development and testing, we try to come up with the formula that will put us on top every race. We are looking forward to a good 2013 AMA Pro National Guard Superbike season.”

The MJM team’s next event in the 2013 AMA Pro National Guard Superbike Championship will be the season-opening round at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, FL, in March 2013.

A press release issued by RoadRace Factory/ RedBull:

The RoadRace Factory/Red Bull AMA Pro Road Racing team is planning to continue with J.D. Beach, Jake Gagne and Tomas Puerta riding Yamaha YZF-R6s in 2013, according to an e-mail sent to Roadracingworld.com by Team Owner Danny Walker.

Beach, a 21-year-old former Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, placed sixth in the 2012 AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike Championship with two podium appearances and 17 top-10 finishes in 19 races. He will continue in the Daytona SportBike class.

Gagne, another former Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, was 11th in the 2012 AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike Championship, but the 19-year-old Californian captured the team’s first Daytona SportBike victory in Race Two at Homestead-Miami Speedway. He will continue in the Daytona SportBike class.

Puerta, a 20-year-old native of Colombia, finished third in the AMA Pro SuperSport East Championship with five podium finishes and a best result of second place in Race Two at Homestead-Miami Speedway. He will continue in the SuperSport class.

Walker’s 2013 team will not include 17-year-old Hayden Gillim, who finished second in the AMA Pro SuperSport West Championship with two victories and seven podium appearances while riding a RoadRace Factory/Red Bull Yamaha.

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

AMA Pro Flat Track may have 17 events in 2013.

Photo by AMA Pro Racing/Dave Hoenig

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (December 10, 2012) – AMA Pro Racing is pleased to announce 14 confirmed events on the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track schedule. In addition to the events listed below, AMA Pro Racing plans to make announcements on three additional events in the near future.

All of the AMA Pro Flat Track events in 2013 will once again feature non-stop entertainment and thrilling motorcycle racing action from the AMA Pro Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com and AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles classes. Of the confirmed events announced today, Harley-Davidson Insurance GNC Expert Singles will compete at four of the rounds, broken down into two Short Tracks and two Tourist Trophies, while the mighty Expert Twins will contest the remaining 10 rounds, consisting of five Half-Mile and five Mile tracks. Fans can also expect to watch as the sport’s finest up-and-coming talent battle for fame and glory in Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles races.

On March 14-15, 2013, DAYTONA® Flat Track will once again play host to the AMA Pro Flat Track opener as the series kicks off the 2013 season with a doubleheader on the quarter-mile lime rock track located outside Daytona International Speedway’s west banking. At the 2012 season opener, fans witnessed two riders taking their breakout Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship wins, with Johnny Lewis holding off the charging field for his first in the Thursday night final and Matt Weidman taking the checkered flag over eventual 2012 series champ Jared Mees in Friday’s main event.

Next up, the series will make a stop in Arizona on May 4, 2013 at a TBA event before heading to Stockton, Calif.’s Half-Mile track at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds on May 11, 2013. The event will mark the first time AMA Pro Flat Track races on the all-new Half-Mile track located within the historic Stockton Mile and it’s sure to bring northern California some of the most exciting motorcycle racing action in the world.

It wouldn’t be a complete season if AMA Pro Flat Track didn’t visit Springfield, Ill. The legendary Springfield Mile has served as one of the most historic venues and is considered to be one of the most coveted wins on the circuit. When the fire-breathing twins roll off the trucks at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on May 26, 2013, this go-around is sure to add even more excitement to the legacy of the storied event.

Another TBA event is scheduled in Ohio on June 8, 2013 before the series heads to another historically significant and action-packed circuit on June 29, 2013. Dating back to 1984, AMA Pro Flat Track has made the trek to Lima, Ohio to take on the “cushion” Half-Mile at the Allen County Fairgrounds, and this year will be no exception.

Just after the Fourth of July holiday, the Series will make a swing near the Nation’s capital on July 6, 2013 as Hagerstown, Md.’s Hagerstown Speedway will host the only round on the east coast that features what is typically a very smooth, and very fast, half-mile track. Jared Mees grabbed his lone win in 2012 over local-favorite Jake Johnson at last year’s event, and the defending champ will likely have his hands full when the star-studded line-up gets to the grid again next season.

The second west-coast tour begins on July 20, 2013 with a Half-Mile event at Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma, Wash, followed by the always-incredible Sacramento Mile at the Cal Expo Fairgrounds in Sacramento, Calif. on July 27, 2013. That leg will conclude with a drive up the coast, where the AMA Pro Flat Track stars will hop back on their 450cc singles at the Castle Rock Race Park TT in Castle Rock, Wash. on August 3, 2013.

Next up is another TT, and the granddaddy of them all, scheduled for one week later at Peoria Race Park in Peoria, Ill. on August 11, 2013. The Peoria TT has been a staple on the Grand National circuit since 1947 and still packs the hillsides with spectators eager to watch the high-flying singles take to the track. Watch out for Henry Wiles, who collected his eighth consecutive victory at the legendary venue last year and seems to be unbeatable here.

The Indy Mile at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, Ind., returns to the 2013 schedule on August 17, 2013 and the event will once again coincide with both the Indiana State Fair and MotoGP’s state-side return for the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Labor Day Weekend means a return to the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Ill. for the second Springfield Mile on the calendar; the September 1st event is the final 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track event scheduled east of the Mississippi river.

AMA Pro Flat Track will once again head west to the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa to battle it out against the beautiful backdrop of the Santa Rosa Mile. In last year’s contest, Sammy Halbert grabbed his fourth win of the season in front of a packed house, and the 2012 runner-up will definitely be looking to match his winning result on September 29, 2013.

The last to-be-announced event on the schedule is slotted for October 5, 2012 in Arizona before the 2013 AMA Pro Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com schedule comes to a close – and fan-favorite Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. looks to repeat his commanding victory – on the half-mile track at the LA County Fairplex in Pomona, Calif on October 12, 2013.

2013 AMA Pro Flat Track Schedule:

March 14th
DAYTONA Flat Track I
DAYTONA Flat Track Daytona Beach, Fla.
Short Track

March 15th
DAYTONA Flat Track II
DAYTONA Flat Track Daytona Beach, Fla.
Short Track

May 4th
TBA
Arizona

May 11th
Stockton Half-Mile
San Joaquin County Fairgrounds, Stockton, Calif.
Half-Mile

May 26th
Springfield Mile
Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, Ill.
Mile

June 8th
TBA
Ohio

June 29th
Lima Half-Mile
Allen County Fairgrounds, Lima, Ohio
Half-Mile

July 6th
Hagerstown, Half-Mile
Hagerstown Speedway, Md.
Half-Mile

July 20th
Grays Harbor Raceway
Grays Harbor, Elma, Wash.
Half-Mile

July 27th
Sacramento Mile
Cal Expo, Sacramento, Calif.
Mile

August 3rd
Castle Rock TT
Castle Rock Race Park, Castle Rock Wash.
TT

August 11th
Peoria TT
PMC Race Park, Peoria, Ill.
TT

August 17th
Indy Mile
Indiana State Fairground, Indianapolis, Ind.
Mile

September 1st
Springfield Mile II
Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, Ill.
Mile

September 29th
Santa Rosa Mile
Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa, Calif.
Mile

October 5th
TBA
Arizona

October 12th
Flat Track Season Finale
LA County Fairplex, Pomona, Calif.
Half-Mile

AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.

From a press release issued by Farmer’s Insurance

AMA Pro Superbike racer and reality TV star Larry Pegram (72).

Pegram Racing will be featured on Speed TV for a Second Season of Superbike Family!

Grand Rapids, MI – The Superbike Family is back in action for a second season to document the 2012 AMA American Superbike series. The “Superbike Family” is a reality show based on the excitement, adventure, trials and tribulations of Foremost Insurance Group sponsored racer Larry Pegram and his family-based racing team. The reality series will air on Speed TV beginning January 5, 2013 at 9:00 p.m., directly prior to the live 2013 Supercross coverage.

Larry Pegram is a professional road racer who not only champions wins on his bike, but also is owner and manager of his own team.

“The show is about our dream of becoming a Superbike Championship race team. My parents, wife and children all contribute to the season and my crew is the best,” says Pegram. “This show takes a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to be a superbike racer, how we have endured as a family-owned and operated team and what steps we take to commit to the challenge.”

Superbike Family is sponsored in part by Foremost and began taping during the first 2012 race weekend at Daytona International Speedway. The show will document the Superbike family through the 2012 season at the superbike races, as well as their entertaining home life.

“Pegram racing is a first-class operation and it’s great to give people the chance to see that,” says Randy Slotten, director of marketing at Foremost. “The show gets down to the actual dream Larry had of becoming a Superbike racer and how his family has supported him. It’s not only entertaining, but sheds light on just what it takes to make a team like this run.”

The second season will air on the Speed TV channel beginning January 5, 2013 at 9:00 p.m. EST, prior to live 2013 Supercross coverage. The entire schedule for the second season of Superbike Family can be accessed on the Foremost blog at blog.foremost.com and episodes of the first season can also be viewed at blog.foremost.com.

Foremost is proud to sponsor the Pegram Road Racing team for the up-coming 2013 season. To learn more about Foremost Pegram racing team and to see the AMA American Superbike Series schedule go to, www.foremostracing.com or www.pegramracing.com.

Foremost wants you to be safe in whatever adventure you choose. To learn more about Foremost products or to share feedback, visit www.Foremost.com, our blog at blog.foremost.com, our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/ForemostInsurance or our Twitter account at www.Twitter.com/Foremost.

A part of the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies®, Foremost Insurance Group (“Foremost”) has been a leader in personal lines insurance since 1952. Foremost is headquartered in Caledonia, Michigan. Farmers is a trade name and may refer to Farmers Group, Inc. or the Farmers Exchanges, as the case may be. Farmers Group, Inc., a management and holding company, along with its subsidiaries, is wholly owned by the Zurich Financial Services Group. The Farmers Exchanges are three reciprocal insurers (Farmers Insurance Exchange, Fire Insurance Exchange and Truck Insurance Exchange), including their subsidiaries and affiliates, owned by their policyholders, and managed by Farmers Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries. For more information about Farmers, visit www.Farmers.com, or www.Facebook.com/FarmersInsurance.

A TCK Exclusive:

Josh Hayes announced Friday at the International Motorcycle Show in Long Beach, California, that he has re-signed to continue riding for the Yamaha factory team for two years, to compete in the 2013 and 2014 GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Superbike Series.

“It’s been a bit of a hard pill to swallow, but I guess I’ll stick around,” Hayes said, joking. “It’s fantastic. I’m in a good place. I’ve got an amazing crew and team around me and family here at Yamaha. It’s awesome that I’ll be able to stick around and continue to ride this motorcycle for at least two more years. So it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Someone in the assembled group of media representatives, asked, “Two years?”

“Yeah, two,” said Hayes.

From a press release issued by KTM North America

Taylor Knapp.

Photo courtesy KTM North America.

KTM Signs Taylor Knapp to KTM/HMC Superbike Racing Team

Murrieta, CA – KTM Motorsports is excited to announce the signing of Taylor Knapp as the second rider aboard the KTM/HMC Superbike Racing Team to compete in the AMA Pro SuperBike Racing Series for the 2013 season.

Last year marked the team’s first full-time year as a Superbike race team. After much success with team rider Chris Fillmore earning top five finishes, the team has decided to expand its racing efforts for 2013 and add an additional rider. KTM/HMC Superbike Racing Team Manager, Mitch Hansen, selected Michigan native Taylor Knapp as his first pick.

“The first thing I noticed about Taylor is that he has a very strong work ethic,” stated Hansen. “I feel he and Chris will push each other each time they train together which will help them both progress throughout the season. He is a young and aggressive rider, just like Chris, and I feel together they will create a solid team.”

Knapp has been racing professionally since the age of sixteen where he began his start in the 600cc classes. He moved up and raced in the Sport Bike classes and in 2009 officially began racing full-time in the AMA Pro SuperBike class. Knapp’s career best finish was a 4th place result at the 2012 New Jersey Motorsports Park round which nabbed the attention of Hansen.

“I am very excited to be given the opportunity to race for the KTM/HMC Superbike Team,” commented Knapp. “I have been very interested in the progress of the team since I first saw the RC8 at a race two years ago. I have had success on twin motorcycles in the past and am looking forward to racing the KTM this coming season. I am very happy to have caught Mitch’s attention and to be given this opportunity to show the team what I am capable of.”

Look for Knapp and teammate Chris Fillmore during their first event together at the opening round of the AMA Pro SuperBike Series at Daytona International Speedway on March 14-16, 2013.

A press release issued by Aussie Dave Racing:

Local AMA Pro Superbike racer and team owner David “Aussie Dave” Anthony is moving his team into the 2013 AMA Pro Supercross Lites series with a new primary sponsor, although he hopes to also continue in AMA Pro Superbike racing.

“We are going Supercross racing. That’s 100%,” said Anthony. “It’s only come about in the last three or four weeks. We’re running everything out of the shop [ADR Motorsports, in Lake Elsinore, California]. A lot of the road race sponsors are on board for this. We’re running the Supercross Lites, East and West, with multiple riders.”

Anthony said he will continue to compete in AMA Pro Superbike if he secures enough additional sponsorship to run a higher-level AMA Pro Superbike program with better equipment and a better crew–with Anthony as the only rider.

“I’m aiming just for myself to run Superbike and do it properly instead of just making up numbers and putting bikes on the grid,” said Anthony. “I’m going for the budget to do it properly. If I get it, then we’re all good. If I don’t, then I won’t be [road] racing. I put way too much effort into it to not make any money. I’m still not going to make any money, but at least I’ll put a decent effort in and try to get some results and I’ll get the satisfaction that way.”

Anthony said he will announce more about his new Supercross program as soon as the details are finalized.