The 2023 Loretta Lynn’s Amateur Championship concluded with a week of thrilling motocross action. Despite challenging weather conditions, the riders showcased their determination and skill as they fought for the championships in their respective classes.
In the Moto 3: Open Pro Sport, Daxton Bennick of Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing put on a dominant performance, securing another win to clinch the championship. Despite a rough start, Bennick made a comeback and passed his competitors to take the lead.
In Moto 3: 250 Pro Sport, Mark Fineis of GASGAS Amateur Team held onto his lead and overcame wet and muddy conditions to secure the championship.
Krystian Janik of Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green showed impressive progress throughout the week and took the win in Moto 3: 250 B, ultimately earning him the championship.
Casey Cochran of Rockstar Energy Husqvarna faced some challenges but managed to continue his pursuit of the championship in Moto 3: Schoolboy 2 (12-17) B/C.
The Supermini classes saw intense competition between Seth Dennis, Deacon Denno, and Landen Gordon. In Moto 3: Supermini 1 (12-15) and Supermini 2 (13-16), Landen Gordon emerged as the champion after consistently finishing on the podium in both classes.
The Mini Sr. 1 (12-14) and Mini Sr. 2 (13-15) classes featured highly competitive racing. Colby Lessar took the championship in Mini Sr. 1, while Vincent Wey secured the championship in Mini Sr. 2.
In the Senior (40+) and Masters (50+) classes, Jeff Emig demonstrated his skill and experience, winning both championships.
The event concluded with an awards ceremony, where the 36 newly crowned AMA National Champions were celebrated for their outstanding performances.
Overall, the 2023 Loretta Lynn’s Amateur Championship provided thrilling motocross action and showcased the talent and determination of the riders.
Thursday at the 2023 Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship was defined by heavy rainfall and thunderstorms, causing a delay in the race at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch. When racing resumed, the riders had to deal with a wet and challenging racetrack, leading to an unpredictable afternoon of competition.
Moto 2: 250 B Limited The only class that was not affected by the rain was the 250 B Limited. The race started before the storm, with Leum Oehlhof of the NSA Yamaha Amateur Factory Team leading the pack after winning Moto 1. Despite facing strong competition from Jeremy Fappani of KTM Orange Brigade, Oehlhof managed to climb up the ranks and secure second place behind Fappani. However, a costly tip over dashed Oehlhof’s hopes of winning another moto.
Fappani took advantage of a clear track and finished first in Moto 2. Grayson Fair of KTM secured the third spot on the podium.
The final moto on Friday will determine the champion between Fappani and Oehlhof, as both riders have identical finishes in the first two motos.
250 B Limited Moto 2 Results
Jeremy Fappani, Scottsdale, Ariz., KTM
Leum Oehlhof, Oak Hills, Calif., Yamaha
Grayson Fair, Jonesboro, La., KTM
Thomas Ralston, Dalhart, Texas, Yamaha
Trace Holland, Spicewood, Texas, KTM
Jeremy Fappani brought home a big win in the second moto of 250 B Limited. Photo Courtesy: MX Sports / Align Media
Moto 2: 250 B The focus in the 250 B class was on Casey Cochran of Rockstar Energy Husqvarna, who was undefeated and dominating the field. However, Yamaha rider Rodrigo Borges took the early lead in Moto 2, only to be passed by Jordan Renfro of KTM and eventually by Krystian Janik of Kawasaki. Unfortunately for Cochran, he suffered an injury and had to retire from the race, ending his chances of winning the title.
Janik secured first place, followed by Drew Adams of Kawasaki in second and Logan Best of Yamaha in third.
Adams is now in control of his own destiny going into the final moto, as he is the only rider in the class with back-to-back podium finishes.
250 B Moto 2 Results
Krystian Janik, Oak Lawn, Ill., Kawasaki
Drew Adams, Chattanooga, Tenn., Kawasaki
Logan Best, North Port, Fla., Yamaha
Casey Benard Jr., Gilbert, Ariz., GASGAS
Jordan Renfro, Lake Park, Ga., KTM
Krystian Janik captured the Moto 2 win in 250 B. Photo Courtesy: MX Sports / Align Media
Moto 2: Masters (50+) Mike Brown of Munn Racing KTM was focused on regaining his dominance after a misstep in Moto 1. He quickly took the lead in Moto 2, leaving behind Jeff Emig on his KTM. Brown continued to extend his lead throughout the race, securing a comfortable victory.
Masters (50+) Moto 2 Results
Mike Brown, Bluff City, Tenn., KTM
Jeff Emig, Riverside, Calif., KTM
Barry Carsten, Bayville, N.J., Suzuki
Gregory Pamart, Birdsboro, Pa., Kawasaki
Brian Carroll Jr., Vineland, N.J., Yamaha
No one was any match for Mike Brown in the second moto of Masters (50+). Photos Courtesy: MX Sports / Align Media
Moto 2: Mini Sr. 1 (12-14) The unexpected happened in the Mini Sr. 1 class, as Jayce Wolf, Vincent Wey, Jonathan Getz, and Cole Blecha, who were expected to be in the running for the win, were overshadowed by a rider who didn’t even place in the top 10 in Moto 1.
Dakota Baker took the lead after Wey crashed and maintained a sizable advantage throughout the race, ultimately securing the moto victory. Carson Wood and Austin Camden completed the podium.
Mini Sr. 1 (12-14) Moto 2 Results
Dakota Baker, Bowling Green, Ind., KTM
Carson Wood, Zephyrhills, Fla., Kawasaki
Austin Camden, Edmond, Okla., GASGAS
Colby Lessar, Centennial, Colo., KTM
Cole Blecha, Fruita, Colo., KTM
Dakota Baker took a surprise win in Moto 2 of Mini Sr. 1 (12-14). Photos Courtesy: MX Sports / Align Media
Moto 2: Supermini 1 (12-15) In the Supermini 1 class, Deacon Denno of Husqvarna seized the opportunity with a strong start and claimed the top spot after the STACYC Holeshot. Despite facing tough competition, Denno maintained his lead and finished first. Landen Gordon of Kawasaki fought his way up to second place, followed by Canyon Richards of KTM in third.
Supermini 1 (12-15) Moto 2 Results
Deacon Denno, Malakoff, Texas, Husqvarna
Landen Gordon, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki
Canyon Richards, Estell Manor, N.J., KTM
Seth Dennis, Groveland, Fla., KTM
Logan Mortberg, Pierson, Fla., KTM
Deacon Denno made a statement with his Moto 2 triumph in Supermini 1 (12-15). Photos Courtesy: MX Sports / Align Media
2023 AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship Thursday Winners
65cc (10-11) Limited: Jaydin Smart, Berry Creek, Calif., Cobra 125 Jr. (12-17) B/C: Kyle Paleologos, Auburn Ala., Yamaha Junior (25+): Jeremy Fappani, Scottsdale, Ariz., KTM 250 C: Wyatt Thurman, Burleson, Texas, KTM WMX: Ronnie Renner, Floral City, Fla., KTM College (18-24): Chase Haynes, Scottsdale, Ariz., Kawasaki 65cc (7-9): Easton Graves, Walker, La., KTM
Wednesday marked the second day of racing at the 2023 Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship. The day started with 22 more motos across different classes. The morning session wrapped up the remaining opening motos from the 36 classes, while the afternoon saw the start of the second motos. The competition was intense, and several riders impressed with strong performances.
Moto 1: 250 Pro Sport
In the 250 Pro Sport category, Daxton Bennick from Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing grabbed attention after his dominant performance in Open Pro Sport the previous day. However, he faced tough competition from riders like Julien Beaumer from KTM Orange Brigade, Evan Ferry and Mark Fineis from GASGAS, Avery Long from Rock River Yamaha, and Gavin Towers from NSA Yamaha Amateur Factory Team.
Towers took an early lead in the race with the STACYC Holeshot aboard his Yamaha but was soon passed by Beaumer. Trevin Nelson from Muc-Off/FXR/ClubMX Yamaha and Brad West on a Yamaha followed behind. Fineis made an impressive charge through the field to secure a podium position. In the end, Beaumer took first place, Fineis finished second, and Towers settled for third.
Moto 1: Schoolboy 2 (12-17) B/C
In the Schoolboy 2 category, Casey Cochran from Rockstar Energy Husqvarna was a rider to watch after winning in 250 B on the first day. Other notable riders in this class included Drew Adams from Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green and Logan Best from NSA Yamaha Amateur Factory Team. Krystian Janik and Enzo Temmerman, both from Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green, were also in the mix.
Janik took the early lead with the STACYC Holeshot, followed by Temmerman. Best made a move to take the lead, but Cochran quickly worked his way to the front of the pack. Cochran maintained his lead to win the moto, with Best finishing in second and Janik in third.
Moto 1: Schoolboy 1 (12-17) B/C
In the Schoolboy 1 category, Tiger Wood from GASGAS Amateur Team continued to impress after his victory in 125 Jr. (12-17) B/C on Tuesday. Wood took an early lead with the STACYC Holeshot, followed by Owen Covell on a Husqvarna and Klark Robbins on a KTM. Wood extended his lead and secured his second win of the championship, while Landon Hartz from EBR Performance/Altus Motorsports Yamaha finished in second and Carter Malcolm from GASGAS took third.
Moto 1: Supermini 1 (12-15) & Supermini 2 (13-16)
The Supermini 1 and Supermini 2 classes were packed with talent, including Seth Dennis from KTM Orange Brigade, Deacon Denno on a Husqvarna, and Landen Gordon from Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green. Dennis dominated the Supermini 1 moto, taking an early lead and maintaining a considerable gap between him and the rest of the field. Denno finished in second, and Gordon made an impressive comeback from a 28th place start to claim third.
In the Supermini 2 moto, Gordon redeemed himself after a mishap earlier in the day. He battled his way to the front, passing KTM rider Canyon Richards for the lead. Gordon eventually took the win, followed by Richards in second and Cole Timboe, also on a KTM, in third.
Moto 2: Open Pro Sport
The highlight of the afternoon was the return of Open Pro Sport, where Daxton Bennick aimed to continue his winning streak. Bennick secured the holeshot and held onto the lead throughout the moto. Julien Beaumer, fresh off his victory in the 250 Pro Sport race, charged through the field to finish in second. Gavin Towers maintained his strong performance and secured another podium finish in third.
Moto 2: Senior (40+)
In the Senior class, Mike Brown and Jeff Emig were the center of attention once again. Brown, looking for redemption after a mishap in the previous race, took the lead early on and never looked back. Emig, starting in fifth, steadily made his way through the field, eventually finishing in second. Robert Fitch impressed with a strong third-place finish.
Overall, it was an exciting day of racing at the 2023 Loretta Lynn Amateur Championship. The riders showcased their skills and determination as they battled for top positions in their respective classes.
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac signs a contract for another year of racing.
MARIETTA, Ga. – July 26, 2023 – Monster Energy Yamaha Racing is pleased to announce that Eli Tomac will be back in 2024. During the Yamaha dealer meeting in Colorado, the 2022 Monster Energy AMA Supercross 450SX and Pro Motocross 450MX Champion revealed that he will continue to ride for the team for the third consecutive season.
Tomac has had a successful partnership with the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team and the YZ450F. In 2022, he kicked off the year with two titles and a victory at the Motocross of Nations. He has accumulated an impressive number of wins, with 14 in supercross and 14 in outdoor motocross. This year, Tomac achieved another milestone when he claimed his 51st premier-class victory at the Glendale Triple Crown, putting him in second place on the all-time win list for supercross. He also made history by securing his seventh Daytona Supercross victory, matching NASCAR legend Richard Petty’s record. Unfortunately, Tomac suffered an Achilles tendon injury at the penultimate round in Denver, forcing him to miss the rest of the season. However, his recovery is progressing well and he is eager to return to racing.
Jim Roach, Yamaha Racing Department Manager for YMUS, said, “We’re excited to have Eli back for 2024. It’s not only great for Yamaha and the team, but for the sport as a whole. We’re also happy to see that his recovery is going well and that he is reenergized and eager to go racing. Together, we’ve had a lot of success with the YZ450F and we aim to continue that success next year.”
Jeremy Coker, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing 450 Team Manager, expressed his excitement about Tomac’s return, saying, “We couldn’t be happier to have Eli on board for next year. It was a disappointment to have the championship slip away in Denver, but we were hoping that Eli would come back. We’re happy to see that he still has that fire and can’t wait to go racing. There’s definitely unfinished business, and we look forward to next season!”
Eli Tomac himself also shared his enthusiasm about signing for another racing season with the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team. He mentioned that his recovery is going well and he expects to be back on the motorcycle around the six-month mark in preparation for the 2024 racing season. Tomac expressed his gratitude to the team and his eagerness to compete for the championship once again.
Volkswagen Group has appointed Giovanni Palazzo as the new Head of Charging and Energy to drive the strategic realignment of the charging and energy business. Palazzo, who also serves as the CEO and Head of Sales for the Elli brand, will focus on expanding the fast-charging network and advancing Volkswagen’s smart energy platform. The collaboration between Elli and Electrify America will be strengthened, new business models will be introduced internationally, and closer cooperation with Group brands and customers will be established. The strategic plan has already been presented to investors and analysts at the Capital Markets Day.
Giovanni Palazzo, Senior Vice President Volkswagen Group Charging and Energy and the CEO of Elli, stated, “Volkswagen Group has a strong foundation in charging and energy, particularly through Electrify America, the largest open charging network in the US, and Elli, the largest mobility service provider in Europe. We aim to expand this expertise throughout the value chain and focus on verticalizing the energy management business, which will be a key revenue driver in the future. This involves a new strategic direction, new business models, and closer collaboration within the division and with Volkswagen Group brands.”
Volkswagen aims to offer innovative solutions for load management, energy market optimization, and energy trading as part of its strategic orientation. The company plans to introduce intelligent charging management services for fleet customers from 2024. Giovanni Palazzo brings valuable experience from his role as the CEO of Electrify America in the North American market. Robert Barrosa has taken over as the President and CEO of Electrify America since June 1.
Thomas Schmall, Member of the Volkswagen Group Board of Management responsible for Technology and CEO of Volkswagen Group Technology, said, “We recognized early on that charging and energy is one of the most important sectors for the growth of electric mobility and the energy transition. It is crucial to develop our own products and services across the entire value chain and establish strategic partnerships in the energy sector. With Giovanni Palazzo, we have an excellent industry expert and a modern leader who will enhance the Group’s competencies in the energy transition. As an experienced international manager, he has the skills to drive global cooperation and innovation partnerships.”
Expansion of the global fast charging network
Volkswagen already operates the largest open charging network in the US through Electrify America. The company aims to collaborate with partners to establish more than 43,000 fast-charging points in Europe, China, and North America by 2025. Electrify America plans to double the number of fast-charging points to 8,000 in North America alone. In Europe, Volkswagen’s Elli brand provides access to over 500,000 charging points as a mobility service provider. Additionally, the CAMS joint venture in China aims to build 17,000 fast-charging points by 2025. The Group will also expand its range of charging and energy services to better meet customer needs.
In addition to home chargers and flexible fast-charging stations, Volkswagen Group will offer charging and energy services such as public charging, green energy, and energy management. Some of these services are already provided by Electrify America in North America and Elli in Europe. In the long term, the Group plans to integrate electric cars as intelligent consumers and power banks within the electricity grid to contribute to the future energy system.
Charging and Energy division within Group Technology
The Charging and Energy division is one of four technology pillars of Group Technology, alongside PowerCo, Group Components, and Group Platform Business. Group Technology, created by Volkswagen two years ago, forms a unique ecosystem around electric mobility, covering all services from components for electric engines and batteries to charging and energy. Volkswagen Group Technology supports brands as a group-wide technology supplier and includes subsidiaries PowerCo and Elli. The division focuses on batteries, charging, and e-components, with PowerCo set to produce the unified cell from 2025. The Platform Business collaborates with external partners such as Ford and Mahindra.
About Elli
Elli, a Volkswagen Group brand with approximately 300 employees, caters to the interface between energy and mobility. As a part of the Group, Elli offers a wide range of energy and charging solutions in Europe and acts as a mobility service provider. Its portfolio includes charging solutions for private customers and companies, charging services, and innovative smart green electricity tariffs. Elli also provides digital solutions and services for charging in public spaces. Established in 2018, Elli has offices in Berlin, Wolfsburg, and Munich.
Utility companies are well-prepared for heat waves and try to meet the increased energy demands that come with them. So, if your utility company is asking you to reduce your electricity usage, it’s for a good reason. Although it may not be ideal, it’s better to turn off your A/C than to lose power completely. If you find yourself in a power outage during a heat wave, there are several things you can do to stay cool. These include increasing ventilation in your home, using battery-powered fans and other devices, and being prepared with generators. Many of these preparations can be done while the power is still on and you are being asked to conserve energy.
Another way to address power outages during heat waves is to voice your concerns to your government representatives and utility companies. Request an increased use of solar and wind energy to supplement your grid’s capacity, as well as the implementation of smart grid technology. Smart grids, especially a unified national Smart Grid, help make energy distribution more efficient and enables the grid to better handle sudden surges in energy demand. This is achieved through automatic computerized adjustments as well as by empowering workers to manually address stress on the grid. Throttling power and using real-time, GPS-synchronized data to make informed decisions about energy distribution are some of the methods employed.
Considering that climate change will lead to more frequent and more intense heat waves, it is crucial to expedite the implementation of smart grid technology. By advocating for your representatives and power company to adapt to this technology and take more assertive action against climate change, you can contribute to preventing future blackouts.
Land Energy, an electric motorcycle start-up based in Cleveland, Ohio, has seen significant growth in recent years. The company was founded by Scott Colosimo, who previously co-founded Cleveland Cycle Werks, and has now doubled its workforce. The electric bike project called Falcon, which Colosimo started, helped him realize his interest in electrification. Consequently, he started Land Energy to manufacture and assemble electric motorcycles in Cleveland. In 2022, Land Energy launched its flagship bike, the District, and in January 2023, it released the District Scrambler.
According to Chris Davis, Land Energy’s production manager, the team has grown from five or six to fourteen people in just four months. The company has also increased production to building three bikes a week from one bike a month and plans to produce thirty bikes a month in the next few months. Land Energy offers its customers a range of options on its website, such as different battery capacities, paint colors, and wheel types.
The price of the base model of Land Energy’s electric motorcycles starts at $7,800 for the District Scrambler and $8,200 for the District. Depending on the customers’ preferences, the cost can escalate with additional features such as more massive battery setups and accessories such as bash guards, rear racks, and top boxes.
Colosimo originally founded Cleveland Cycle Werks, which started as a small business in Ohio in 2009. Today, Cleveland Cycle Works has partnerships all over the world, including in the UK, Switzerland, Poland, India, and Vietnam. Its mission is to make affordable yet stylish motorcycles for everyone.
Land Energy currently has a 60,000-square foot plant in Cleveland and aims to manufacture 15,000 units a year in the factory. It intends to perform final assembly in Cleveland, capitalizing on the city’s rich manufacturing history. Land Energy’s growth plans will create new manufacturing jobs and help revitalize Cleveland.
Peter Hickman and the Monster Energy by FHO Racing BMW Team had a fantastic week, winning three races and setting new lap records at the Isle of Man TT. This year, Hickman won both Superstock TT races and the prestigious Senior TT, setting a new outright TT lap record and new lap records in the Senior TT and the Superbike TT. The new BMW M 1000 RR bike also made its debut at the Isle of Man TT and won both Superstock races. Hickman now has a total of 13 Isle of Man TT wins, with ten victories in the 1,000 cc class on BMW bikes.
Dr. Markus Schramm, Head of BMW Motorrad, congratulated Hickman and the FHO Racing team for their successful performance. He praised Hickman’s ability to continue BMW’s success story at the Isle of Man TT with the new M 1000 RR bike and acknowledged the hard work put in by Hickman and the FHO Racing Team.
The race week began with the Superbike TT, where Hickman faced technical difficulties but managed to set a new Superbike lap record and finish second. He then switched to the Superstock TT version of the M 1000 RR and won both Superstock TT races, setting a sensational new official outright lap record at the Isle of Man TT with an average speed of 136.358 mph. The week concluded with the six-lap Senior TT, which Hickman won comfortably, setting a new Senior TT lap record and finishing almost 20 seconds ahead of second-place Dean Harrison.
Hickman praised the competition at the Isle of Man TT, especially Michael Dunlop, and thanked everyone for their support. His teammate Josh Brookes returned to Isle of Man TT after five years and finished with a personal best of 132.529 mph.
BMW had 16 road racers competing at this year’s Isle of Man TT, with Hickman’s BMW M 1000 XR prototype providing a preview of the third M model at BMW Motorrad.
Energy and charging solutions provider Elli is changing its charging tariffs effective June 1, 2023. The new price system will provide even more flexibility for Elli’s customers: price-per-minute charging will no longer apply anywhere in Europe, vehicles can be connected to AC chargers for longer before a blocking fee is charged, and the minimum contract period for charging plans will be reduced to one month. These measures will help to cushion the price increases for new customers that rising costs have made unavoidable.
Customers of Elli and the SEAT/CUPRA, ŠKODA, Audi, Volkswagen and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brands will benefit from a new price system starting June 1. The specific terms will vary from country to country and from brand to brand but will be clearly shown in the relevant apps. The switch from billing based on charging time to consumption-based charging in kilowatt hours (kWh) will now benefit all users without exception. Going forward, the blocking fee for vehicles parked at AC (alternating current) charging stations that are not being charged will be imposed after four hours instead of three. The blocking fee at AC charging stations will continue to be suspended between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m.
Depending on the plan, the minimum contract period will also be reduced from twelve months to just one or three months. This will allow customers to choose the best plan for their needs, even at short notice – for example for longer trips taken during the summer holidays. The convenient Plug & Charge technology for automatic registration, charging and billing will also continue to be part of all brands’ plans.
Another new feature planned is a selected partner network that will make charging even more convenient. This will be rolled out as part of the plans offered by Elli, SEAT, ŠKODA, Audi and Volkswagen and will allow additional partners to benefit from the lower prices that up to now were the preserve of IONITY users.
In making these changes, Elli is doing its part to cushion the price increases that charging station operators are forced to implement to cover rising costs: along with the higher infrastructure costs, the operators will also pass on the electricity price increases to Elli. The new charging plans enter into force on June 1, 2023 for new customers in 28 European markets and will be transparently itemized in the relevant apps for all Elli, SEAT/CUPRA, ŠKODA, Audi and Volkswagen customers. In Germany, the basic monthly fee for the middle plan will also be reduced to EUR 4.99.
Elli provides an extensive portfolio of energy and charging solutions
With a workforce of some 300 employees, Elli takes care of the things that matter to settlements with customers at the touchpoints between energy and mobility. Elli is the Volkswagen Group brand that offers a wide portfolio of energy and charging solutions in Europe and also acts as a provider of mobility services. Its current range of products includes charging solutions for private customers and companies – from the customers’ own wall boxes and the mobile charging station Flexpole to charging services and – innovative and smart green-power rates. Elli offers digital solutions and services designed to create seamless experiences at public charging stations. Elli was founded in 2018 and has offices in Berlin, Wolfsburg and Munich.
