Tag Archives: Racing’s

NewsNew

FACTORY KTM DOMINATES ROUND 3 OF U.S. SPRINT ENDURO

FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Johnny Girroir has continued his successful methods in Round 3 of the 2024 U.S. Sprint Enduro Series, topping the Pro 1 Class and the general convincingly as FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers teammates Gus Riordan and Brandy Richards additionally stood on the highest step of the rostrum.

Defending champion Girroir has been in profession type so far this season onboard his KTM 350 XC-F, controlling the Warrior Sprint in Semora, North Carolina, throughout each days on his method to a third-straight victory within the collection this yr. As a outcome, he leads the Pro 1 and general championship standings.

Johnny Girroir: “Yesterday I made some mistakes and just wasn’t flowing, but I went to bed last night a little frustrated and told myself I have to hit my marks today. I had one close call in the early tests, but other than that it was a mistake-free day, I put some solid tests in and I’m happy. It feels good to be three-from-three and we want to keep this momentum going.”

FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers’ Riordan – final yr’s Pro 2 title winner – was additionally as soon as once more in successful type, managing to prime the Pro 2 Class on his KTM 250 XC-F, as did teammate Richards within the Pro Women’s Class this weekend. They too at present lead the U.S. Sprint Enduro Series.

Gus Riordan: “It was good, I was able to win the round in Pro 2, and it was a positive weekend overall. I started out a bit slow, but other than that I was happy with how things went, the conditions were nice and dry, so I’m satisfied with Round 3.”

Brandy Richards: “This weekend was definitely a good time. The Cross Test was tricky with it being super-slick, and the Enduro Test was really rough with all the tree roots as well. It was the first time that I’ve actually felt comfortable in the Enduro Tests, so it was a great weekend for me.”

Pro 1 Class Results
1. Johnny Girroir, KTM
2. Liam Draper, YAM
3. Craig DeLong, HQV

Pro 2 Class Results
1. Angus Riordan, KTM
2. Jason Tino, HQV
3. Jack Edmondson, GAS

Women’s Pro Class Results
1. Brandy Richards, KTM
2. Korie Steede, HQV
3. Ava Silvestri, GAS

NewsNew

BILY BOLT ON TOP AGAIN AT SUPERENDURO IN GERMANY

BILLY BOLT EXTENDS SUPERENDURO CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD

Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Billy Bolt noticed his win streak within the 2024 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship proceed, with the Brit claiming the general victory at spherical three in Riesa, Germany. Bolt took two race wins from three begins on his FE 350 to increase his championship result in 16 factors. It was not clear crusing for the defending world champion in Germany. Landing awkwardly quick on the end line bounce throughout observe, Billy injured his left knee. Initially not sure if he may proceed with the evening’s racing, Bolt opted to attempt the night’s SuperPole scorching lap to see how he felt on observe. Going on to say second place, the tough-minded Brit opted to line up for the opening race

Billy Bolt’s hit a bounce badly in timed observe, injuring his left knee sufficient for the large man to be on the ground in critical ache.

Moto one had Jonny Walker getting the holeshot, which was short-lived when Bolt blew by in a rock backyard. It took Walker a few laps to slide previous although and it appeared like a accomplished take care of Bolt driving on one and a half legs. But Walker’s Beta  took a success to the rear brake pedal with two laps to go, and Bolt sucked up the hole to take again the lead and remarkably win together with the quickest lap.

Moto two noticed the reverse grid begin and a Beta assault within the high three starters with Tim Apolle forward of Walker with Will Hoare shadowing him. Billy Bolt plodded his manner by means of the pack into second on the half manner level. Walker had a giant lead,  however he bought hung up on the large tire impediment, letting Bolt take the moto win.

Moto three lastly noticed Walker snag a win, giving him second general for the evening. KTM’s Mani Lettenbichler completed third general, although he was by no means within the hunt for the general.

Mini Lettenbichler switched again to a 2-stroke and felt far more snug on the German spherical of the SuperEnduro sequence. A primary flip crash within the last didn’t assist his outcomes. 

Billy Bolt: “What can I say, it’s been a tough night. After injuring my knee in practice I wasn’t 100 per cent sure if I could race, so to finish on the top step of the podium is beyond my expectations tonight. It was a tough track out there, but I tried to be as patient in my riding as I could. Winning the opening race was great and it gave me motivation to keep pushing through each moto. Claiming two out of three race wins for the overall victory has been great for the championship. The plan now is to get checked out and get ready to go again in Romania for round four.”

Results – 2024 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship – Round 3, Germany

Prestige Overall
1. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 59pts
 2. Jonny Walker (Beta) 57pts
3. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 39pts
4. Mitch Brightmore (GASGAS) 37pts
5. Will Hoare (Beta) 35pts

Prestige Race 1
1. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 10 laps, 7:13.164
 2. Jonny Walker (Beta) 10 laps, 7:20.391
3. Mitch Brightmore (GASGAS) 10 laps, 7:33.261

Prestige Race 2
1. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 10 laps, 7:15.777
 2. Jonny Walker (Beta) 10 laps, 7:27.188
3. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 10 laps, 7:30.345

Prestige Race 3
1. Jonny Walker (Beta) 10 laps, 7:09.279
2. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 10 laps, 7:20.705
 3. Will Hoare (Beta) 10 laps, 7:35.862

Championship Standings (After Round 3)
1. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 182pts
 2. Jonny Walker (Beta) 166pts
3. Will Hoare (Beta) 117pts
4. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 110pts
5. Dominik Olszowy (GASGAS) 85pts…

NewsNew

FACTORY HUSQVARNA SET FOR 2024 DAKAR RALLY : ALL IN WITH BENAVIDES

Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Luciano Benavides is all set to race the 2024 Dakar Rally, beginning on January 5 in Saudi Arabia. The forty sixth version of the occasion is billed to be one of the crucial difficult to this point, with practically 5,000 kilometres of timed specials and a brand new 48-hour stage designed to push riders and groups to the restrict.

After clinching the world championship title in 2023, Luciano is keen to maintain his constructive momentum going as he heads into the 2024 Dakar. At the 2023 occasion, the Argentinian received three levels and completed sixth total, matching his career-best end result from 2020.

Going on to assert 4 podiums on his FR 450 Rally in 2023, Luciano had a stellar rally-raid season. At the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge he positioned second after a troublesome race by the UAE desert. At the Sonora Rally in Mexico, Benavides as soon as once more completed on the rostrum, this time in third place.

Luciano devoted himself to in depth testing and coaching with the group in the course of the lengthy summer season break. That onerous work paid off, with the 28-year-old securing a second-place end at his dwelling race in Argentina – the Desafio Ruta 40. A fourth podium end result on the remaining spherical of the championship, the Rallye du Maroc in Morocco, ensured the Husqvarna Factory Racing star was topped world champion. Overall, Benavides claimed a formidable 10 stage wins throughout the five-round season.

Heading into 2024, and fired up by his championship win, Luciano is trying to enhance on his earlier Dakar outcomes and end on the rostrum to make sure a powerful begin to the brand new season.

Hosted in Saudi Arabia for the fifth time, the Dakar Rally begins on January 5 within the metropolis of AlUla. This yr’s version of the 14-stage occasion will current riders with loads of new challenges, specifically within the type of the 48-hour ‘Chrono Stage’, which is the revamped marathon stage. With 60 p.c of the 2024 route protecting brand-new territory in Saudi, navigation abilities will likely be extra essential than ever.

Luciano Benavides: “I was 14 years old when I realised I wanted to be a Dakar rider. I remember watching the Dakar in Salta, seeing all the top guys race so close to my home was a crazy experience. When I watched that day, I was still riding enduro at the time and I remember saying that I wanted to race rally one day – and now I’m here! The Dakar is such a cool adventure for 15 days, where you have to be fully prepared for everything – happy, sad, tired, hungry – some days you just don’t want to race again and your emotions go up and down. But when you’re feeling on top, that’s what you want to get back to. You go through so much and feel so much in just one Dakar that you would need 10 years to fit it all in any other way. It’s a race that makes you a better person both physically and mentally. Last year’s Dakar gave me a lot of confidence and motivation to know that I have what it takes to win. Winning stage six was something that changed my mind and perspective on racing and confirmed to me that to be a Dakar champion is my dream. Every day, I wake up and think about it! Riding for Husqvarna is really important to me, it’s a brand that I love, from the team to the bike. I will do my best to achieve my dream and make it a reality as it’s something I’ve prepared for my whole life.”

Andreas Hölzl – Rally Team Manager: “To win the world championship with Luciano this yr was unimaginable! Now, heading into Dakar 2024, Luciano has been trying super-fast within the testing classes, his pace is unimaginable and he’s clearly very assured on the bike. He has made an enormous step ahead on his technical driving, so with the arrogance from his world title behind him I feel he can do rather well at Dakar!

NewsNew

BILLY BOLT TAKES FRENCH SUPER ENDURO WIN

Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Billy Bolt claimed victory in round one of the 2024 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship by dominating the competition inside the Arena Stade couvert de Lievin. Bolt secured three wins from three starts and also topped the SuperPole hot lap, earning a maximum points score for the round. Jonny Walker, who had minimal test time and raced the same bike from the previous year’s championship, secured second place.

“I didn’t even think about the race before because we were too busy getting here from America. My bike is the same one from last year that finished championship on and has about four hours on it. So I put new plastics on, changed tyres and put it in the van. I didn’t even start it from last year and then when I got here then I was like, shit, I hope it starts!

Will Hoare, racing on Beta UK-supported RR 300 two-stroke, secured third place. Hoare, who had recently joined the team and had not planned on racing the series, expressed surprise at his results. “I’ve only just jumped on the Beta really, without much time training. When we got here the times were pretty good and I was up there, I was second in the timed qualifying I think so it was a matter of making it happen in the races. I wasn’t gonna go to the other rounds but I think I’d better get driving to Poland in a couple of weeks now!”

UK Beta sponsored Will Hoare went 5-3-3 for a third overall finish.

Mani Lettenbichler, returning to indoor racing, faced challenges and commented on the intense competition. “It was a mixed evening for me and definitely wild. The boys are unbelievably fast right now, especially Billy and Jonny, they’re on another level. I was struggling quite a bit and I feel like I went to the extreme on my suspension, too soft in the settings so I think we’re going to go back and try to find something more for Poland.”

Mani Lettenbichler, the Hard Enduro World champion is back on the SuperEnduro circuit. His results were pedestrian, finishing sixth overall.
One of the biggest stories of the weekend came with Taddy Blazusiak and his new Stark ride and the sudden decision from the FIM on ‘not’ allowing electric motorcycles in this “open class” race championship.

The debut of Taddy Blazusiak and Stark was marred by frustration when the FIM changed their rulebook less than 24 hours before the technical inspection opened. The rulebook was updated to exclude electric motorcycles from the open categories (E1, E2, and E3 for all classes), causing disappointment for the Stark team.

Jonny Walker, Billy Bolt, and Will Hoare on the podium

The FIM SuperEnduro World Championship now moves on to round two in Krakow, Poland on December 9th.

NewsNew

ELI TOMAC SIGNS WITH STAR RACING YAMAHA FOR 2024

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.

ToyotaUk

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s “The Shoot” Finale Impress With 300-HP Rally-Inspired Toyota GR Corolla

  • The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing brand and U.S Lineup were launched in a three-part series
  • TOYOTA GAZOO Racing North America team drivers bring the action movie inspired stunts to life
  • In this follow-up, “The Shoot,” stars the 300-HP Rally Inspired Toyota GR Corolla Hot Hatch
  • “The Pitch” had the GR Supra as the starring model in 2021

PLANO, Texas (June 13, 2023) – The final installment of the exciting “The Pitch” campaign, “The Shoot,” features Toyota’s GR Sports Car trio. The showstoppers in the episode include an adrenaline-pumping car chase in a snowy mountain road, a high-speed dash out of a roadside trap, and a dusty getaway in a one-horse Western town. 

The episode, a four-minute spot shot across different locations in California and Park City, Utah, sees professional drivers behind the wheel of GR sports cars, including TGR-NA drivers Frederic Aasbø and Ken Gushi, and Ryan Tuerck. They bring the creative team’s ideas to life while the executives continue to give them notes. The episode also pays tribute to an old Corolla commercial from Australia. It is the conclusion of a three-part series that launched the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing brand and the U.S. lineup.

In the debut episode, “The Pitch” (2021), GR Supra was the starring model, and the GR badged model was launched in the US. “The Focus Group” (2022) saw the newly added GR86 appeared. 

The episodes, created by Sweatpants Media in association with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, showcased the self-expression and fun-to-drive characteristics of Toyota’s stylish sports cars. They sought to establish the brand’s unique identity in the eyes of young Americans.

The GR Corolla, available in Core Grade, Circuit Edition, and ultra-limited MORIZO Edition, features the GR-Four All Wheel Drive, a 1.6L Turbo 3 Cylinder G16E-GTS engine, and 6-speed intelligent Manual Transmission. The car is Toyota’s hot-hatch entry in the GR sports car lineup.

Product Highlights Include:

The GR Corolla hot hatch’s final exciting campaign will target sports car enthusiasts and auto intenders alike, sharing across different digital and social media platforms.

The epic finale of “The Pitch” campaign, “The Shoot,” sees the 300-HP Rally Inspired Toyota GR Corolla Hot Hatch bring more GR to the streets for a final series of stunts. The episode brings Sweatpants Media and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s partnership to an eye-catching end, showcasing the self-expression and fun-to-drive attributes of Toyota’s lineup of stylish sports cars.