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2023 REDBUD NATIONAL MX RESULTS

It’s the Fourth of July weekend, so it must be RedBud! The 2023 National MX season resumed after a short break. Some new faces joined the show with Chase Sexton and Jason Anderson back in action. “I’ve been wearing myself out the last few weeks to be as ready as I can be,” said Anderson. “I have about 7 or 8 days on the bike.”

“I would say I’m closer to 100 percent than I was a Pala,” said Sexton. Unfortunately the program lost Cooper Webb, who was injured in a practice crash. And, of course, Ken Roczen was in the U.K. competing in the opening round of WSX.

Once the 450 racing was underway, none of the additional competition seemed to bother Jett Lawrence. it was business as usual, with the Honda rider pulling both holeshots and establishing a solid lead. In moto one, Ty Masterpool did an amazing job of holding down second until Chase Sexton overtook him. Then he tangled with Adam Ciaciarulo and both riders went down. In the second moto, Masterpool was up front briefly, but a train of factory riders overtook him. Dylan Ferrandis seemed to be stronger in the end of that race and made second place his own.

The 250 race stated off looking like it might be Hunter Lawrence’s best race yet. He pulled the first holeshot and was never challenged, while Haiden Deegan was second. In the second race, however, Hunter went down in the first turn and and just like that, the Lawrence win streak was broken. Levi Kitchen won the race while second place was a battle between Deegan and Tom Vialle. Vaille eventually passed Deegan for the runner-up spot, but it was Deegan’s first overall victory with a 2-3 score. Hunter Lawrence reportedly has no serious injuries and maintains the series point lead.

For extended coverage of the 2023 Pro Motocross season, click here.

450 OVERALL

1 Jett Lawrence 1 / 1
2 Dylan Ferrandis 3 / 2
3 Chase Sexton 2 / 3
4 Aaron Plessinger 4 / 4
5 Jason Anderson 5 / 7
6 Garrett Marchbanks 9 / 5
7 Fredrik Noren 7 / 8
8 Phillip Nicoletti 10 / 9
9 Jose Butron 11 / 10
10 Adam Cianciarulo 31 / 6
11 Bryce Shelly 15 / 12
12 Jace Kessler 12 / 15
13 Ty Masterpool 6 / 40
14 Luca Marsalisi 17 / 11
15 Jeremy Hand 14 / 14
16 Lorenzo Locurcio 8 / 29
17 Lars van Berkel 19 / 13
18 Chandler Baker 13 / 30
19 Brandon Scharer 18 / 17
20 Derek Drake 39 / 16
21 Brandon Ray 16 / 35
22 Dominique Thury 21 / 18
23 Izaih Clark 24 / 19
24 Sebastian Balbuena 27 / 20
25 Scott Meshey 20 / 38
26 Vincent Luhovey 23 / 21
27 Ayden Shive 26 / 22
28 Trevor Schmidt 25 / 23
29 Nathen LaPorte 29 / 25
30 Judson Wisdom 28 / 27
31 Noah Willbrandt 30 / 28
32 Felix Lopez 22 / 37
33 Cody Groves 34 / 26
34 Christopher Prebula 36 / 33
35 Jared Lesher 38 / 32
36 Jerry Robin 37 / 34
37 Matthew Burkeen 35 / 39
38 Romain Pape 40 / 36
39 TJ Albright -/ 24
40 Bryton Carroll -/ 31
41 Kaeden Amerine 32 /-
42 Jeffrey Walker 33 /-

250 OVERALL

1 Haiden Deegan 2 / 3
2 Levi Kitchen 7 / 1
3 Justin Cooper 4 / 4
4 Tom Vialle 9 / 2
5 RJ Hampshire 3 / 7
6 Maximus Vohland 6 / 6
7 Jo Shimoda 8 / 5
8 Seth Hammaker 5 / 10
9 Hunter Lawrence 1 / 40
10 Daxton Bennick 10 / 9
11 Mitchell Harrison 12 / 11
12 Dilan Schwartz 13 / 13
13 Ryder DiFrancesco 14 / 14
14 Jalek Swoll 39 / 8
15 Talon Hawkins 15 / 15
16 Jett Reynolds 11 / 20
17 Tyson Johnson 16 / 16
18 Caden Braswell 36 / 12
19 Slade Smith 20 / 17
20 Matti Jorgensen 19 / 18
21 Lux Turner 18 / 19
22 Derek Kelley 17 / 25
23 Mitchell Zaremba 23 / 22
24 Maxwell Sanford 25 / 21
25 Marcus Phelps 24 / 24
26 Ethan Lane 26 / 23
27 Blaze Cremaldi 28 / 28
28 Gage Stine 32 / 26
29 Evan Haimowitz 31 / 27
30 Bryson Raymond 22 / 36
31 Rody Schroyer 30 / 29
32 Hardy Munoz 21 / 39
33 Hunter Cross 29 / 33
34 Brett Greenley 33 / 31
35 James Harrington 27 / 37
36 Charles Tolleson 34 / 32
37 Bailey Kroone 38 / 30
38 Colton Eigenmann 40 / 34
39 Cameron Skaalerud 35 /-
40 Nicholas Inman -/ 35
41 William Crete 37 /-
42 Brantley Schnell -/ 38

450 QUALIFYING

1 Jett Lawrence 2:04.713
2 Chase Sexton 2:06.145
3 Jason Anderson 2:07.867
4 Adam Cianciarulo 2:07.898
5 Ty Masterpool 2:08.001
6 Garrett Marchbanks 2:08.222
7 Derek Drake 2:08.465
8 Aaron Plessinger 2:08.960
9 Dylan Ferrandis 2:09.073
10 Brandon Scharer 2:09.997
11 Jose Butron 2:10.149
12 Lorenzo Locurcio 2:10.588
13 Fredrik Noren 2:10.781
14 Jeremy Hand 2:11.100
15 Kaeden Amerine 2:11.261
16 Jerry Robin 2:12.062
17 Izaih Clark 2:12.725
18 Jeffrey Walker 2:12.835
19 Chandler Baker 2:13.113
20 Phillip Nicoletti 2:13.174
21 Romain Pape 2:13.249
22 Bryce Shelly 2:13.571
23 Lars van Berkel 2:13.603
24 Luca Marsalisi 2:13.821
25 Felix Lopez 2:13.907
26 Brandon Ray 2:13.941
27 Jace Kessler 2:14.090
28 Vincent Luhovey 2:14.261
29 Christopher Prebula 2:14.572
30 Scott Meshey 2:14.828
31 Trevor Schmidt 2:15.202
32 Jared Lesher 2:15.219
33 Nathen LaPorte 2:15.784
34 Noah Willbrandt 2:15.870
35 Matthew Burkeen 2:15.916
36 Dominique Thury 2:15.939
37 Sebastian Balbuena 2:16.022
38 Ayden Shive 2:16.600
39 Zack Williams 2:16.659
40 Bryton Carroll 2:16.671
41 Cody Groves 2:16.672
42 Ricci Randanella 2:17.211
43 Austin Walker 2:17.387
44 Bryce Hammond 2:17.683
45 TJ Albright 2:17.707
46 Ryan Tolsma 2:18.284
47 Alex Ray 2:18.883
48 Ezra Lewis 2:18.991
49 Ryan Peters 2:19.089
50 Cameron Horner 2:19.273
51 Derek Leatherman 2:19.480
52 Cole Bradford 2:19.856
53 Judson Wisdom 2:20.037
54 Ryan Diezic 2:20.315
55 Dustin Jensen 2:20.385
56 Dennis Gritzmacher 2:21.326
57 Kyle Petrie 2:21.576
58 Mitchell Frantz 2:22.147
59 Grant Hoffman 2:22.390
60 Zach Peters 2:22.709
61 Cale Kuchnicki 2:22.754
62 Kristopher Corey 2:23.523
63 Brandon Green 2:23.803
64 Tayler Grall 2:24.036
65 Cole Shondeck 2:24.154
66 Ivon Hays 2:24.883
67 Chase Witmer 2:25.252
68 Gavin Tilford 2:25.360
69 Hunter Stempel 2:25.898
70 Evan Talbott 2:26.581
71 Chase Becker 2:26.829
72 Matthew Klann 2:26.901
73 Derek Hamm 2:27.136
74 Corey Burnett 2:27.294
75 Rylan Bly 2:27.557
76 Mitchell Prescott 2:27.632
77 Brandon Pederson 2:28.360
78 Devon Bates 2:28.939
79 Nicholas Burgess 2:29.277
80 Jordon Fancher 2:30.379
81 Lucas Giardino 2:31.424
82 Michael Kitzmiller 2:34.140
83 Vincent Lauzon 2:34.635
84 William Clark 2:34.656
85 Collin Hinrichs 2:36.846
86 Trent Yoder 2:37.232
87 Tyler Gosnell 2:37.845
88 Lucas Lockhart 2:39.471
89 James Cooper 2:45.230

250 QUALIFYING

1 Daxton Bennick 2:06.880
2 Justin Cooper 2:07.484
3 Hunter Lawrence 2:07.693
4 Maximus Vohland 2:08.297
5 RJ Hampshire 2:08.348
6 Haiden Deegan 2:08.388
7 Tom Vialle 2:08.826
8 Seth Hammaker 2:08.967
9 Jo Shimoda 2:09.496
10 Ryder DiFrancesco 2:09.940
11 Matti Jorgensen 2:10.610
12 Levi Kitchen 2:10.803
13 Jalek Swoll 2:10.827
14 Bailey Kroone 2:10.881
15 Lux Turner 2:11.022
16 Jett Reynolds 2:11.034
17 Marcus Phelps 2:11.108
18 Mitchell Harrison 2:11.440
19 Gage Stine 2:12.699
20 Derek Kelley 2:12.763
21 Talon Hawkins 2:12.903
22 Caden Braswell 2:13.704
23 Hardy Munoz 2:13.968
24 Dilan Schwartz 2:14.074
25 Chase Yentzer 2:14.318
26 Cameron Skaalerud 2:14.655
27 Tyson Johnson 2:14.777
28 William Crete 2:14.897
29 Slade Smith 2:15.213
30 Colton Eigenmann 2:15.462
31 Charles Tolleson 2:16.528
32 Brett Greenley 2:16.697
33 Bryson Raymond 2:16.718
34 Ethan Lane 2:16.970
35 Mitchell Zaremba 2:17.068
36 James Harrington 2:17.086
37 Maxwell Sanford 2:17.284
38 Keegan Rowley 2:17.344
39 Alex Ransom 2:17.420
40 Ethan Day 2:17.435
41 Nicholas Inman 2:17.449
42 Bronson McClure 2:17.460
43 Hunter Cross 2:17.845
44 Ashton Bloxom 2:18.497
45 Ian Kearon 2:18.724
46 Rody Schroyer 2:18.734
47 Jack Rogers 2:18.950
48 Blaze Cremaldi 2:19.008
49 Brantley Schnell 2:19.601
50 Jason Fichera 2:19.716
51 Nolan Dickinson 2:19.968
52 Evan Haimowitz 2:20.022
53 Logan Boye 2:20.160
54 Konnor Visger 2:20.441
55 Gavin Brough 2:20.528
56 Gerhard Matamoros 2:20.555
57 Kyle Murdoch 2:20.616
58 Peyton Jackson 2:20.690
59 Jacob Glenn 2:20.792
60 Chad Saultz 2:21.044
61 Gerald Lorenz III 2:21.152
62 Aidan Dickens 2:21.426
63 Andrew Rossi 2:21.790
64 Justin Oehlhof 2:21.856
65 Cory Carsten 2:21.895
66 Tyler Evans 2:22.136
67 Nicholas Hunt 2:22.169
68 Austin Brooks 2:23.787
69 Gage Hulsey 2:23.988
70 Trevor Dunn 2:24.839
71 Jordan Smith 2:24.893
72 Skyler Leaf 2:24.992
73 Nicholas McDonnell 2:25.540
74 Jordan Jarvis 2:26.359
75 Max Darling 2:26.725
76 James Gall 2:26.739
77 Braden Gray 2:27.280
78 Chad Stonier 2:28.306
79 Cole Jones 2:28.835
80 Jacob Beverage 2:29.120
81 Brian Saunier 2:29.826
82 James Churn 2:29.863
83 Bryn Steffan 2:30.268
84 Christopher Williams 2:30.344
85 Jason Gepford 2:31.325
86 Joey DeNeen 2:32.082
87 Steven Keil 2:32.472
88 Ryan Lechien 2:33.375
89 Mason Morris 2:34.780
90 Matthew Thomas 2:40.061

BMW

Sheldon van der Linde and Schubert Motorsport Achieve DTM Podium Finish in Zandvoort

Zandvoort. The 2023 DTM season saw its first podium finish for the BMW M4 GT3, with Sheldon van der Linde and Schubert Motorsport securing second place in the first of two races in Zandvoort (NED). In the second race, Marco Wittmann from the Project 1 team fought hard for a podium spot but ultimately finished fourth by a narrow margin. Dries Vanthoor, standing in for René Rast at Schubert Motorsport, also had a solid performance, securing a top-ten finish in the opening race. This event took place at the dune circuit in Zandvoort, marking the second event of the season.

The weekend started well with a promising first qualifying session on Saturday morning. Van der Linde and Wittmann secured second and third fastest times, respectively, giving them good starting positions for race one. Vanthoor qualified 16th.

In race one, van der Linde posed the biggest challenge to Maro Engel, the eventual winner from the Mercedes team. Van der Linde’s impressive performance earned him second place, securing his first podium of the season. Wittmann initially stayed close to van der Linde but dropped two positions after the pit stop. He finished fifth, his best result of the season so far. Vanthoor showed determination, starting from 16th on the grid and finishing ninth in the #33 BMW M4 GT3.

The second qualifying session on Sunday was disrupted by two crashes, causing the remaining three minutes to become unpredictable. Wittmann qualified seventh for race two, Vanthoor 14th, and van der Linde had to settle for 17th position.

Wittmann and van der Linde demonstrated their skills in race two, thrilling spectators with daring overtakes and impressive comebacks. Wittmann fought his way to fifth place and climbed to fourth after the pit stop. He continued battling for a podium spot until the end, narrowly missing the top three. Nevertheless, fourth place was his best result of the season. Van der Linde climbed from 17th to tenth place. Unfortunately, Vanthoor had to retire due to a puncture caused by a collision at the start. The race was won by Ricardo Feller from Audi.

The third race weekend of the 2023 DTM will take place from 7th to 9th July at the Norisring (GER).

Reactions from the DTM weekend in Zandvoort:

Sheldon van der Linde (BMW M4 GT3, Schubert Motorsport): “I am thrilled to be back on the podium yesterday, which was definitely the highlight of our season so far. It was unexpected, which makes it even sweeter. This result puts us back in the championship mix, although it’s still early days. It demonstrates that we have a strong package and motivates us to strive for more podium finishes. I can’t wait for Norisring in two weeks.”

Marco Wittmann (BMW M4 GT3, Project 1): “It was a much better weekend for us compared to the season opener in Oschersleben. We collected some good points with fifth and fourth place finishes. As a new team, we need to keep working hard to challenge for podiums and be at the front. Our battles in the races showed that we have found a positive race pace with a great balance and setup. There are areas where we still need to improve, but overall, it was a step forward with two strong results. We fought hard and gave it our all.”

Dries Vanthoor (BMW M4 GT3, Schubert Motorsport): “Overall, it was a fun weekend, and I was delighted to make my DTM debut. While the results weren’t what we expected, we did our best to fine-tune the car for my performance. It’s challenging to join a different racing series and team and immediately deliver a good performance. However, we had a fantastic race yesterday, coming back from 16th to 9th. Unfortunately, today’s qualifying was disrupted, forcing us to start from the back. I suffered an early puncture due to a touch in the race, but that’s part of racing. I had a great time working with the team and enjoyed the weekend with Sheldon.”

Motorsport

Meet Mirage, The Rare Porsche 911 from Transformers: Rise of the Beasts

The latest Transformers movie is here in time for the summer blockbuster season. Titled “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts,” it is in theaters now to take audiences on an adventure set in the 1990s. It also introduces a new faction of Transformers called the Maximals and features the Autobots, with a Porsche 911 Carrera named Mirage taking a central role. 

More specifically, Mirage is a 964 series Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.8 when in car form, a particularly rare model that is an unusual choice to base a hero on. However, according to Oliver Hoffmann, Head of Marketing Communications at Porsche AG, the Carrera RS 3.8 is perfect because of Mirage’s character traits, describing him as “A tough character with a good heart and a bit of a rebellious streak now and again.” 

Porsche only built 55 units of the Carrera RS 3.8, which are highly valuable today. Five picture cars were built to look like the original car to avoid the risk of damage and fulfill specific functions. One car was modified to go backward at high speed, while another was prepared for stunt sequences. Additional cars were built for close-ups or scenes involving the actors interacting with the car. 

The only area where a real Carrera RS 3.8 was used is sound design. “It was important to us to represent the sound of the 911 model depicted in the film,” said Ayesha Coker, Vice President of Marketing of Porsche Cars North America. “It was extremely ambitious due to the number of cars needed from a limited production 911, but we are thrilled with the result and hope audiences are too.”

What makes “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” unique is the level of involvement the production team had with Porsche, which was very hands-on with the development of Mirage. According to Irene Trachtenberg, SVP of Worldwide Marketing Partnerships at Paramount, that partnership “brought our Autobot Mirage to life in a most unique, iconic, and unforgettable way.”   

As for Porsche, it has been actively promoting the movie on its YouTube site and through social media. The automaker is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year and has been very active in sponsoring exhibits and releasing videos to commemorate the milestone. 

NewsNew

ZACH OSBORNE SHARES HIS THOUGHTS ON OFF-ROAD RACING

Zach Osborne, a well-known motocross and supercross rider, recently made the decision to try his hand at off-road racing. Unfortunately, he was sidelined with an elbow injury shortly after joining the Am-Pro Yamaha team for the GNCC XC1 Pro class. In a recent interview with Dirt Bike’s Travis Fant, Osborne gave an update on his recovery and discussed his experiences in off-road racing.

In his early days racing for Geico Honda, Osborne had already dabbled in off-road racing. He competed in a few GNCCs and the International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) in 2013 and 2014. When asked about his experience at the ISDE, Osborne mentioned that he raced alongside notable riders like Mike Brown, Kailub Russell, Thad Duvall, Kurt Caselli, and Charlie Mullins.

Osborne revealed that off-road racing was always part of his long-term plan, even during his successful motocross career. He seized the opportunity to switch to off-road racing when it came along, despite facing challenges and setbacks. He acknowledged that the level of competition and the sport itself had evolved significantly in the past decade, but he was determined to succeed.

In terms of training, Osborne made adjustments to focus on zone training and working in mid-heart-rate zones. He mentioned that his training intensity is now consistent across all aspects, including riding and supplemental training. Although he has reduced the number of riding days per week, the hours spent on the road bike and dirt bike have increased.

When asked about the differences between motocross and off-road racing, Osborne mentioned that he hadn’t had much opportunity to ride off-road tracks due to his injury. However, he did have a chance to experience the challenging Penton section of the GNCC, which involved riding rocks, roots, and managing difficult terrain. He acknowledged that there was a learning curve but expressed confidence in his ability to adapt and improve.

As the reigning 2020 Pro Motocross Champion, Osborne acknowledged that he might have a target on his back in the GNCC. He understood that competitors would want to beat him and recognized the elevated level of competition in off-road racing.

One significant difference Osborne noticed between supercross and off-road racing was the atmosphere. Off-road events were more laid-back and less corporate-driven. He appreciated the grassroots nature of off-road racing and the passion that riders had for the sport.

In terms of bike setup, Osborne mentioned that he now runs hand guards for off-road racing, something he hadn’t used in motocross or supercross. His bike is also set up softer for the rougher off-road terrain. He emphasized the durability of the off-road bikes and the focus on longevity rather than short bursts of performance.

Osborne shared that many racers and people in the sport thought he was crazy for transitioning from supercross to off-road racing. However, he believed it was the right decision for him and his wife. He expressed appreciation for the opportunity and the support from his team.

Regarding his recovery and plans for the summer break, Osborne mentioned that he had suffered a leg injury in a recent crash. Due to the extent of the injury and overall soreness, he decided to take some time to heal and come back stronger. He mentioned his intention to participate in local races and events during the summer break to regain his momentum and ride competitively again.

Although Osborne has considered racing on the West Coast, he admitted that the high speeds and the skill level of the riders in races like WORCS (World Off Road Championship Series) were not suitable for him at the moment.

When asked about his thoughts on two-stroke bikes, Osborne admitted he wasn’t a big fan and preferred the performance of four-stroke bikes. He mentioned that his current Yamaha YZ250F was one of his favorite bikes, and he believed that the advantages of riding a two-stroke in the GNCC were minimal.

Osborne’s down-to-earth and media-friendly nature was also discussed in the interview. He believed in reciprocating the time and effort people put into him and had respect for those working in different disciplines and making a living. Osborne expressed gratitude for the opportunities in his career and hoped to be a positive influence for future riders looking to transition from supercross to off-road racing.

The interview concluded with Osborne expressing his enthusiasm for returning to racing and making his mark in the GNCC. He emphasized his determination to succeed and pave the way for others in the sport.

NewsNew

2023 HIGH POINT NATIONAL MX RESULTS

The 2023 Pro Motocross season made a stop in Mount Morris, Pennsylvania on Father’s Day weekend, bringing a different vibe to the races. The 450 class featured a showdown between Ken Roczen and Jet Lawrence, as Roczen aimed to challenge Lawrence’s path to the championship. However, heavy rainfall before practice caused complications, making it crucial for riders to set a good lap time in the first qualifying session. Roczen seized this opportunity by setting a blazing time, while Lawrence struggled with minor crashes interrupting his session. In the 250 class, Justin Cooper experienced a crash during qualifying, while his teammate Haiden Deegan secured the fastest time. For more extensive coverage of the 2023 Pro Motocross season, click here.

250 MOTO 1

In the first 250 moto, the track was a muddy and rutted nightmare. RJ Hampshire took the lead initially, with Jo Shimoda in second. However, Shimoda went down in the second turn, causing a massive pile-up that also affected series point leader Hunter Lawrence. Haiden Deegan and Jalek Swoll battled for a few laps, but Deegan eventually broke free. As the race progressed, Lawrence made impressive progress through the pack, while Deegan kept a close eye on Hampshire. In a dramatic finish, Hampshire managed to retake the lead on the last lap. Lawrence also passed Swoll for third place at the very end.

1 RJ Hampshire
2 Haiden Deegan
3 Hunter Lawrence
4 Jalek Swoll
5 Ryder DiFrancesco
6 Maximus Vohland
7 Jo Shimoda
8 Chance Hymas
9 Caden Braswell
10 Preston Kilroy
11 Tom Vialle
12 Levi Kitchen
13 Talon Hawkins
14 Dilan Schwartz
15 Jordon Smith
16 Derek Kelley
17 Chase Yentzer
18 Maxwell Sanford
19 Slade Smith
20 Jack Rogers
21 Cory Carsten
22 Kyle Murdoch
23 Blaze Cremaldi
24 Mitchell Zaremba
25 Tyson Johnson
26 Joseph Tait
27 Rody Schroyer
28 James Harrington
29 Peyton Jackson
30 Tyler Evans
31 Gerald Lorenz III
32 Evan Haimowitz
33 Gerhard Matamoros
34 Aidan Dickens
35 Cole Jones
36 Skyler Leaf
37 Steve Roman
38 Tyler Conner
39 Matti Jorgensen
40 Ian Kearon

450 MOTO 1

Jett Lawrence took the holeshot in the 450 class with Ken Roczen starting around fifth. Roczen quickly moved up to second place and attempted to catch Lawrence throughout the race. However, every time Roczen made some progress, Lawrence responded and maintained a 4-second lead. Garrett Marchbanks managed to keep up with the front runners, while the rest of the field gradually fell behind. During the race’s midway point, Lawrence had a fall, allowing Roczen and Marchbanks to pass him. Although Lawrence quickly regained his position ahead of Marchbanks, it took several laps for him to catch up to Roczen. The two riders engaged in a thrilling battle, with Lawrence briefly overtaking Roczen, who retaliated and recaptured the lead a few turns later. Eventually, Lawrence secured the lead for good. Roczen stayed within a couple of seconds until he fell on the final lap, struggling to restart his Suzuki and settling for 7th place.

1 Jett Lawrence
2 Garrett Marchbanks
3 Cooper Webb
4 Adam Cianciarulo
5 Ty Masterpool
6 Dylan Ferrandis
7 Ken Roczen
8 Aaron Plessinger
9 Derek Drake
10 Romain Pape
11 Grant Harlan
12 Phillip Nicoletti
13 Lorenzo Locurcio
14 Fredrik Noren
15 Jeremy Hand
16 Kaeden Amerine
17 Trevor Schmidt
18 Brandon Ray
19 Christopher Prebula
20 Bryce Shelly
21 Vincent Luhovey
22 Max Miller
23 Jose Butron
24 Jared Lesher
25 Jeremy Smith
26 Chandler Baker
27 Luca Marsalisi
28 Jeffrey Walker
29 Cody Groves
30 Jace Kessler
31 Scott Meshey
32 Ricci Randanella
33 Ayden Shive
34 Lowell Spangler
35 Alex Ray
36 Billy Ainsworth
37 Bryton Carroll
38 Dakota Kessler
39 Matthew Burkeen
40 Jerry Robin

450 COMBINED QUALIFYING

1 Ken Roczen 2:21.066
2 Jett Lawrence 2:23.675
3 Garrett Marchbanks 2:24.214
4 Dylan Ferrandis 2:24.537
5 Adam Cianciarulo 2:24.858
6 Ty Masterpool 2:25.663
7 Derek Drake 2:25.764
8 Cooper Webb 2:26.264
9 Aaron Plessinger 2:28.969
10 Jerry Robin 2:30.106
11 Cody Groves 2:31.427
12 Grant Harlan 2:31.606
13 Fredrik Noren 2:31.657
14 Jeremy Smith 2:33.120
15 Bryton Carroll 2:33.492
16 Jeremy Hand 2:33.845
17 Kaeden Amerine 2:34.480
18 Luca Marsalisi 2:35.035
19 Chandler Baker 2:35.206
20 Jace Kessler 2:35.303
21 Christopher Prebula 2:35.612
22 Romain Pape 2:36.162
23 Lorenzo Locurcio 2:36.514
24 Jared Lesher 2:36.745
25 Ricci Randanella 2:36.803
26 Matthew Burkeen 2:37.312
27 Trevor Schmidt 2:37.354
28 Vincent Luhovey 2:37.828
29 Bryce Shelly 2:38.871
30 Alex Ray 2:39.387
31 Brandon Ray 2:39.559
32 Lowell Spangler 2:40.401
33 Scott Meshey 2:40.455
34 Max Miller 2:40.975
35 Jose Butron 2:41.277
36 Phillip Nicoletti 2:41.622
37 TJ Albright 2:42.471
38 Zack Williams 2:42.471
39 Gabe Gutierres 2:42.529
40 Ayden Shive 2:43.234
41 Billy Ainsworth 2:45.156
42 Ryan Diezic 2:45.280
43 Jacob Rose 2:45.837
44 Nathan Augustin 2:46.081
45 Felix Lopez 2:46.120
46 Jeffrey Walker 2:46.526
47 Dakota Kessler 2:46.780
48 Nick Fratz-Orr 2:47.299
49 Brandon Hugney 2:49.103
50 Alex Panzarella 2:49.618
51 Derek Leatherman 2:50.037
52 Seamus Sullivan 2:50.460
53 Austin Walker 2:50.785
54 Ezra Lewis 2:52.298
55 Nicholas Hayes 2:52.366
56 Thomas Lanphear 2:53.208
57 Rylan Bly 2:53.509
58 Bryce Hammond 2:54.280
59 Corey Burnett 2:55.091
60 Nick Kraeger 2:56.411
61 Garrett Smith 2:56.556
62 Evan Richard 2:56.879
63 Justin Thompson 2:56.963
64 Brandon Pederson 2:57.101
65 Jakob Rassa 2:57.671
66 Jacob Glenn 3:00.913
67 Brett Greenley 3:01.699
68 Maik Schaller 3:02.122
69 Zach Peters 3:03.616
70 Cole Bradford 3:04.606
71 Liam Langer 3:04.635
72 Anthony Roth 3:05.788
73 Landon Armbruster 3:06.183
74 Evan Talbott 3:08.420
75 Joey DeNeen 3:09.116
76 Ivon Hays 3:10.414
77 Chase Witmer 3:10.744
78 Nicholas Burgess 3:12.973
79 Trent Yoder 3:18.843
80 Devon Bates 3:25.138
81 Kyle Farren 3:25.662
82 Kyle Vidovich 3:29.085
83 William Clark 3:35.666
84 James Cooper 4:06.906
85 Vincent Harrison 4:35.069
86 Nicholas Peccarelli 4:45.895
87 Jimmy Knisley 6:18.230

250 COMBINED QUALIFYING

1 Haiden Deegan 2:20.801
2 Matti Jorgensen 2:21.018
3 Hunter Lawrence 2:21.734
4 Jo Shimoda 2:22.014
5 Steve Roman 2:22.521
6 Justin Cooper 2:22.545
7 RJ Hampshire 2:23.451
8 Chance Hymas 2:23.553
9 Maxwell Sanford 2:23.638
10 Jordon Smith 2:23.723
11 Maximus Vohland 2:23.926
12 Joseph Tait 2:24.912
13 Tom Vialle 2:25.345
14 Jalek Swoll 2:25.489
15 Ryder DiFrancesco 2:27.023
16 Preston Kilroy 2:27.411
17 Kyle Murdoch 2:27.778
18 Rody Schroyer 2:27.788
19 Cory Carsten 2:28.782
20 Peyton Jackson 2:28.820
21 Gerhard Matamoros 2:28.871
22 Skyler Leaf 2:29.229
23 Evan Haimowitz 2:29.578
24 Talon Hawkins 2:30.000
25 Derek Kelley 2:30.068
26 Caden Braswell 2:30.342
27 Slade Smith 2:30.463
28 Ian Kearon 2:30.702
29 Mitchell Zaremba 2:31.229
30 Chase Yentzer 2:31.390
31 Jack Rogers 2:31.697
32 Levi Kitchen 2:32.202
33 Dilan Schwartz 2:32.481
34 Aidan Dickens 2:32.824
35 Tyson Johnson 2:34.354
36 Gerald Lorenz III 2:34.362
37 Max Darling 2:34.713
38 Jason Neidigh 2:35.302
39 Gage Stine 2:35.671
40 Tyler Conner 2:35.996
41 Logan Boye 2:36.619
42 Damian Buccieri 2:37.207
43 Cole Jones 2:37.927
44 Blaze Cremaldi 2:38.002
45 James Harrington 2:38.017
46 Travis Mecking 2:39.076
47 Konnor Visger 2:39.803
48 Cory Gilliam 2:40.240
49 Hunter Cross 2:40.499
50 Ethan Lane 2:40.511
51 Marcus Phelps 2:40.585
52 Bryson Raymond 2:40.817
53 Michael Lennon 2:41.513
54 Braden Gray 2:41.674
55 Christopher Williams 2:41.818
56 Tyler Evans 2:42.411
57 Riley Ripper 2:43.161
58 Charles Tolleson 2:43.680
59 Nicholas Inman 2:44.061
60 Ashton Bloxom 2:44.392
61 Colton Eigenmann 2:44.804
62 Gage Hulsey 2:44.942
63 Robert Bailey 2:46.411
64 Cole Robbins 2:47.076
65 Jason Fichera 2:47.091
66 Brantley Schnell 2:47.406
67 Ryan Quinn 2:47.953
68 Ethan Day 2:47.987
69 Nolan Dickinson 2:49.583
70 Zachary Lahman 2:51.526
71 Gavin Brough 2:52.142
72 James Churn 2:52.639
73 Jordan Jarvis 2:53.133
74 Brian Saunier 2:53.566
75 Steven Keil 2:53.600
76 Ryan Lechien 3:05.763

Lamborghini

Lamborghini The Real Race – Super Trofeo Esports

The global search for the best sim racing talent continues for a fourth season in 2023

Sant’Agata Bolognese, 31st May 2023 – The Real Race – Super Trofeo Esports season in 2023 is the fourth edition of the virtual contest for Lamborghini fans worldwide. The competition now takes place on the Assetto Corsa Competizione platform and introduces new format changes. It offers participants the opportunity to compete against elite Esport talent from three different continents.

The Real Race – Super Trofeo Esports showcases the latest Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo EVO2 race car and represents Lamborghini’s commitment to authenticity, bravery, and unexpectedness in the world of Esports.

Format changes for 2023

This season, aspiring Esport talents can demonstrate their skills live at famous racing venues in Europe. The Fanatec Arena, located at select racing venues hosting the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS, allows the public to experience cutting-edge racing simulations. The fastest driver from each event earns a wildcard entry into The Real Race – Super Trofeo Esports Grand Final.

On-site locations:

  • Circuit Paul Ricard | June 3rd
  • Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps | July 2nd
  • Nürburgring | July 29th

In addition to the on-site activations, drivers from the European region can participate in a four-round online racing series. Prior to each standalone racing event, there will be a hot-stint competition. The NALA and APAC regions will also have their hot-stint qualifications followed by regional finals with the top 24 drivers from each region.

Moreover, the Lamborghini Abu Dhabi and Dubai dealers have partnered with the Real Race program to organize a simulator tour, scouting for the best student racing “drivers” in Abu Dhabi and Dubai’s leading schools and universities. The top three students will represent the UAE in the tournament final.

For European drivers, the challenge is to qualify for each race through a leaderboard hot-stint competition. The top 24 drivers advance to a standalone race using the Assetto Corsa Competizione simulation. The top four finishers from each race earn a spot in the on-site final at the Nürburgring Grand Prix Circuit.

The final grid will consist of the 16 qualified drivers, one wildcard qualifier from each on-site activation, and the three qualifiers from Lamborghini Abu Dhabi and Dubai. These European finalists and wildcard entrants will compete in an on-site grand final at the Fanatec Arena during the GT World Challenge race weekend at the Nürburgring Grand Prix Circuit.

A ‘money can’t buy’ prize

The ultimate goal for participants in The Real Race – Super Trofeo Esports series is to win the Grand Final and secure a money-can’t-buy opportunity to become a factory driver in the new Automobili Lamborghini Esports Team. The winners from the NALA and APAC regions will also join the Lamborghini family as proud representatives of the brand in their respective regions.

This tournament expands Lamborghini’s presence in international virtual motorsport, transforming the lives and careers of those who can rise to the top of the Esports racing podium.

Schedule

The Real Race – Super Trofeo Esports season kicks off in June for European competitors and in August for APAC and NALA participants.

European Hot-stint Qualification
Circuit Paul Ricard
Start: June 5th at 11:00 CEST / End: June 12th at 10:00 CEST

Monza Grand Prix Circuit
Start: June 12th at 11:00 CEST / End: June 19th at 10:00 CEST

Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Start: June 19th at 11:00 CEST / End June 26th at 10:00 CEST

Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
Start June 26th at 11:00 CEST / End: July 3rd at 10:00 CEST

European Qualification Races
Race 1 – Paul Ricard   June 15th at 19:30 CEST
Race 2 – Monza           June 22nd at 19:30 CEST
Race 3 – Barcelona     June 29th at 19:30 CEST 
Race 4 – Spa               July 6th at 19:30 CEST

NALA Hot-stint Qualifying
Indianapolis
Start August 14th at 10:00 CEST / End August 28th at 10:00 CEST

APAC Hot-stint Qualifying
Suzuka
Start August 17th at 10:00 CEST / End August 31st at 10:00 CEST

European Regional Final (on-site) 
Date: July 30th 2023
Race 1 – Nürburgring Grand Prix Circuit 
Race 2 – Nürburgring Grand Prix Circuit

NALA Regional Final (online) 
Date: September 2nd 2023
Race 1 – Indianapolis Motor Speedway Grand Prix Course 
Race 2 – Indianapolis Motor Speedway Grand Prix Course

APAC Regional Final (online) 
Date: September 6th 2023
Race 1 – Suzuka Circuit 
Race 2 – Suzuka Circuit

Live Streaming and Official Website

All events of The Real Race – Super Trofeo Esports will be broadcast live and exclusively on the official Lamborghini Squadra Corse YouTube and social media channels. For more information about the series, visit the official website: https://esports.lamborghini/.

The Real Race Official Technical Partner: Assetto Corsa Competizione

Assetto Corsa Competizione is the official GT World Challenge video game. It offers a high-quality simulation experience, allowing players to compete against official drivers, teams, cars, and circuits of the FIA GT3 homologated championship. The game features realistic weather conditions, graphics, motion capture animations, and driving physics. It sets a new standard for driving realism and immersion.

About AK Esports

Ak Esports is an Italian company specialized in organizing Esports competitions, managing Esports teams, and hosting events across Europe, with a focus on Sim Racing. Founded by Ak Informatica, experts in PC gaming since 2004, the company has steadily grown by working with the latest technology and gaming titles to develop Esports Entertainment. AK Esports has collaborated with various car manufacturers and, in partnership with SRO Motorsport Group and Kunos Simulazioni, created the first SRO Esports Championship in 2019. Learn more about AK at www.akesports.it.

BMW

BMW M Motorsport News, 30th May 2023

Björn Lellmann, who is the Head of Customer Racing at BMW M Motorsport, shared how the new season in the DTM and associated series began last weekend. Although the BMW M4 GT3 did not perform perfectly at Oschersleben, BMW M Motorsport had many things to be happy about. The all-new BMW M4 GT4 performed extremely well in the very competitive ADAC GT4 Germany, earning four podiums in just two races for Walkenhorst Motorsport and Project 1. In the British GT, Century Motorsport achieved more podium finishes in the GT4 class, and earned fifth place in the overall standings with the BMW M4 GT3, and likewise, grabbing valuable championship points. A week before, privateer BMW M Motorsport teams earned a total of six class wins in the Nürburgring 24-hour race, included the new BMW M4 GT4 in the hotly contested SP10 category. The BMW M2 CS Racing was likewise triumphant in the TC America. In the Italian GT Championship, Ceccato Racing reached the podium for BMW M Motorsport. Lellmann was ecstatic with these stupendous results and congratulated all the teams and drivers.

In the ADAC GT4 Germany series hosted at Oschersleben, the new BMW M4 GT4 jumped onto the scene with a bang, capturing four podium finishes. Three of these podium places belonged to Walkenhorst Motorsport. In the first race that took place on Saturday, Sami-Matti Trogen (FIN) and Enzo Joulié (FRA) landed second place. They were followed by their team-mates Nico Hantke (GER) and Mex Jansen (NED). The BMW M4 GT4 earned second place in Sunday’s race. The Project 1 team succeeded in capturing second place with the reigning BMW M2 Cup champion, Maxime Oosten (NED) and Michal Makes (CZE). Walkenhorst Motorsport’s Hantke and Jansen obtained third place once again. The BMW M4 GT4 from Hofor Racing by Bonk Motorsport and FK Performance Motorsport both secured top-five and top-ten positions. The Sunday race marked the BMW M4 GT4 earning second, third, fourth, and fifth positions.

The BMW M2 Cup also had the commencement of its season at Oschersleben, showcasing a competitive 16-car field. However, Denny Berndt (GER) grabbed first place in both the races and secured two wins in the BMW M2 CS Racing. Max Rosam (GER) and Leyton Fourie (RSA) placed in second and third positions on Saturday, while Rosam took second place again on Sunday and Bart Horsten (AUS) secured third place. The BMW M2 Cup will be part of the support programme for six out of the eight DTM race weekends, with the upcoming race weekend scheduled for the Norisring (GER).

At the British GT Championship race weekend held at Donington Park (GBR), BMW M works drivers Dan Harper and Darren Leung (both GBR)’s fifth place finish in the overall standings is notable, following their victory at Silverstone. In the GT4 category, Carl Cavers and Lewis Plato (both GBR) gained third place and second place in the Pro-Am category in the BMW M4 GT4 with number #22. The team’s #14 BMW M4 GT4 driven by Michael Johntson and Chris Salkeld (both GBR) obtained third position in the Pro-Am standings. In contrast, Harper and Leung sit in third place in the drivers’ standings with 68.5 points.

In the third round of the season in the Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS that was held at the Circuit Of The Americas near Austin (USA), BimmerWorld and ST Racing was present with one BMW M4 GT3 each. In the Pro class, Chandler Hull and Bill Auberlen (both USA) placed fourth in the BimmerWorld #94 BMW M4 GT3 at the circuit. In the Pro-Am class, Samantha Tan (CAN) and BMW M works driver John Edwards (USA) secured the fifth place in the ST Racing #38 BMW M4 GT3.

BimmerWorld BMW M4 GT4 #51 from Auto Technic Racing driven by John Dubets and Zac Anderson (both USA) earned the overall win and victory in the Silver class in the first of two GT4 America races. In the second race, they landed third place overall and second in the Silver standings. The BMW M4 GT4s obtained a one-two result in the Am standings. Rooster Hall Racing earned second place in the Pro-Am class. The BMW drivers earned five out of six podium positions in the two TC America races.

In the Italian GT Championship Endurance Cup held at Pergusa (ITA), the Ceccato Racing team secured third place and won the Pro-Am class with the #7 BMW M4 GT3 driven by Stefano Comandini, Marco Cassarà (both ITA), and Alfred Nilsson (SWE) after braving the rain throughout the two-hour race.

The BMW M2 CS Racing Cup Benelux race was held at Red Bull Ring (AUT), and Senna van Soelen (NED) and Leyton Fourie (RSA) won first place in both races. BMW 330e M Sport claimed podium finishes in the British Touring Car Championship at Snetterton (GBR). In both races, Jake Hill from the Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport team came second, followed by Colin Turkington from Team BMW who came third. All four BMW drivers placed in the top ten in the third and final race, with Stephen Jelley (GBR) capturing sixth place.

NissanUs

Mid-season review with Nissan Formula E Team drivers

YOKOHAMA, Japan – Following a busy first part of Season 9, with nine races in less than five months spanning five continents, the Nissan Formula E Team drivers Sacha Fenestraz and Norman Nato reflect on their first season with the squad, the challenges of Gen3, and more.

Sacha Fenestraz

How did you find the adaptation process to the Gen3 technology?

Sacha Fenestraz: When I began testing last year with Nissan, I quickly realized that I kind of had to start again, from a blank sheet of paper almost. The car is so different to anything I experienced before, even the Gen2 machinery. I knew the energy management from my experience in the Gen2 car, but I had to adapt my driving style.

Did you find it easy to settle in with Nissan?

SF: Yes, it was great, the relationship between the whole squad is really good. On my side of the garage, my engineer Johann and I are both new to Formula E, so we are learning together and really open minded with each other. When mistakes happen, we’re honest and talk about it openly. It’s been going really well so far and I’m looking forward to continuing to work with the team and building the season together.

I also have a great relationship with Norman, the best I’ve ever had with a teammate. We don’t hide anything, we share data and ideas. When we started working together, he told me he would be open and we would help each other and we both quickly realized we had a healthy relationship there.

What has been the highlights of your maiden Formula E campaign?

SF: Monaco! Even though it was taken away, to achieve pole position at such an historic and important track for a racing driver, that was the highlight for me. Of course the first pole position in Cape Town was very special but for some reason Monaco felt even better because I never expected it. If you told me last year I would take pole in Cape Town and Monaco I wouldn’t have believed you but somehow we managed to do it.

Can you explain your feelings in the moment you took your first Formula E pole position in Cape Town?

SF: It took quite a few days for it to sink in. It brought a lot of emotions, the beginning of the season was a bit of a rollercoaster for me, achieving a pole position this year was not at the top of our objectives for the campaign, so managing to do it was great and I was extremely happy for myself and the team. And then we proved it wasn’t a one-off in Monaco, which made it even better.

How did it feel to go up against Norman in the Monaco qualifying semi-final?

SF: I hated it! I’m very much a team player, I don’t just race for myself, so I always hope for both of us to do well. I knew one of us wouldn’t have the opportunity to fight for pole position, it would’ve been great for us to meet in the final and be guaranteed first and second on the grid, but this is Formula E and sometimes it can happen. Of course, once I jumped in the car and put the visor down, I did the best job I could and didn’t think about who I was racing against. But still, it was a shame to be against Norman and I wished it was someone else, although obviously I was happy to have Norman at the front of the grid with me.

How was it to battle with the championship leaders in Monaco?

SF: I feel that Monaco was one of the races I learnt the most from, in terms of strategy, when to push and what to do from who I was following. To be up with the championship leading teams and drivers gave me a great opportunity to learn just from watching behind. Obviously I wished I was ahead of them, but just by observing it was a great way to see our strengths and weaknesses against the leading teams.

Norman Nato

How did you find the adaptation process to the Gen3 technology?

Norman Nato: It was complicated in a way because there are many new aspects we have to do differently and learn in terms of preparing to drive the car, it’s definitely not the same technically compared to Gen2. On track, especially during push laps, it’s fairly similar, it’s more the approach and strategy that we had to change.

Did the Gen3 cars match your expectations?

NN: In terms of power, I would say it’s been a really good step forward. It’s positive because as drivers we can clearly feel the boost compared to a Gen 2 car. I think we would all prefer more grip in general, because it’s really tough to drive the car in the way that you want to. We would like to push a bit more but there’s just not enough grip to do that.

Which of the three new tracks (Hyderabad, Cape Town, São Paulo) was your favourite and why?

NN: India, despite the fact that Turn 1 was messy! The rest of the circuit was great, and it was fun to battle on track. Qualifying was also cool to drive, the layout was really good. Brazil was very different, I quite liked it, bumpy and challenging, which is what I enjoy in Formula E, where you have to fight with the car. Cape Town is an amazing place but I think the track was too quick for the cars, with the level of grip we have.

How did it feel to race on your home circuit at Monaco in the Gen3 car?

NN: To drive any car at Monaco is a pleasure and a dream, it’s Monaco! It’s so special, and the only regret I have – not speaking about the race which is obviously tough to swallow – is that everything happens in one day and you don’t really have time to enjoy it. It all went so fast, we spend two or three days doing media, which is enjoyable, because it’s great to soak up the atmosphere, although it would be ideal to have more chance to enjoy the moment on track. But anyway, to race in Monaco is a pleasure and to be on the limit in qualifying and perform well, it’s an extra happiness.

Has the Monaco qualifying session given you a boost of confidence ahead of the remaining rounds?

NN: To be honest, not really, because I never lost my confidence. A few times this season we’ve made mistakes with tire strategy or been unlucky, for example we caught yellow flags in qualifying in Cape Town and Brazil, so there were a few occasions I feel we should’ve been up there, but weren’t for whatever reason. We proved our speed in Monaco and it was really important and good for us to bounce back the way we did following the tough weekend in Berlin.

What do the team and you need to do to be competing at the front in the second half of the season?

NN: I would say energy management in the race and getting the best out of both cars. So far, we’ve struggled to get the two of us in the Duels and we’ve never had a double-points finish, which is a difference between us and other teams. Monaco was the perfect race example, we had the performance to do it but it didn’t happen. This is what we need to develop in the second half of the championship and hopefully it can have a massive impact on the teams’ standings if we get it right.

More information
Please visit Global.NissanNews.com/FormulaEPressKit

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About Nissan in Formula E
Nissan made its all-electric racing debut in Season 5 (2018/19) of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship, becoming the first and only Japanese manufacturer to enter the series.

In Season 7 (2020/21), Nissan announced its long-term involvement in Formula E and its commitment to the Gen3 era, which will run from Season 9 (2022/23) through to the end of Season 12 (2025/26) of the all-electric racing series.

In April 2022, Nissan acquired the e.dams race team, with the Japanese automaker taking full ownership of its involvement in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

In June 2022, Nissan announced it would supply its Nissan EV powertrain technology to McLaren Racing for the entirety of the Formula E Gen3 era.

For Season 9 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, the Nissan Formula E drivers will be Norman Nato and Sacha Fenestraz.

Nissan races in Formula E to bring the excitement and fun of zero-emission electric vehicles to a global audience. As part of its goal to achieve carbon neutrality across its operations and the life cycle of its products by 2050, Nissan intends to electrify every all-new vehicle offering by the early 2030s in key markets. The Japanese automaker aims to bring its expertise in transferring knowledge and technology between the racetrack and road for better electric vehicles for customers.

About Formula E
The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship became the first global sport to be certified with a net zero carbon footprint from inception back in 2020, having invested in certified climate-protecting projects in all race markets to offset emissions from every season of electric racing.

All cars in the championship are powered by electricity, with the series acting as a competitive platform to test and develop the latest in electric technology.

The World’s greatest manufacturers race against each other on street circuits and Formula E promotes the adoption of sustainable mobility in city centres in a bid to combat air pollution and lessen the effects of climate change.

Contact
Maria De Juana
Head of Communications, Formula E, Nissan Motor Co.
Phone: +33-6 17 36 37 61
mdejuana@nissan-europe.com