MotoAmerica Forced To Cancel VIR
MotoAmerica has announced that it has been forced to cancel the MotoAmerica Superbikes at Virginia event scheduled for May 1-3 at VIRginia International Raceway due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the Governor of Virginia’s stay-at-home order set to end June 10.
Although MotoAmerica and VIR worked diligently to find an alternative date, the task proved impossible. MotoAmerica, however, is still working toward holding a 10-event schedule.
Currently, the 2020 MotoAmerica Series is scheduled to begin May 29-31 with Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, with the Superbikes at Road America and the Vintage Motofest event.
“We worked hard with VIR to try and find a new date once Governor Northam extended the stay-at-home order to June 10, but we couldn’t make it work and have been forced to cancel,” said MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey. “Not being able to race at VIR in 2020 was not something we ever imagined, but then again we never thought we’d be faced with something like COVID-19. We will continue to work towards a 10-event schedule for 2020 and will keep everyone posted moving forward. In the meantime, we urge our fans, teams and riders to continue to do the right things to keep them safe and healthy.”
Customers who have already purchased tickets for Superbikes at Virginia may transfer the purchase to MotoAmerica race events at New Jersey Motorsports Park, Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta and Barber Motorsports Park, or receive a refund of ticket price, excluding ticketing fees.
The 2020 MotoAmerica Schedule
May 29-31: Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
June 26-28: The Ridge, Shelton, Washington
July 10-12: WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, California
July 31-August 2: Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Braselton, Georgia
August 7-9: Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, Pennsylvania
September 11-13: New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, New Jersey
September 18-20: Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, Alabama
October 9-11: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis, Indiana
November 13-15: Circuit of The Americas, Austin, Texas
To purchase tickets for all MotoAmerica events, click HERE
For information on how to watch the MotoAmerica Series, click HERE
For the full 2020 MotoAmerica Series schedule, click HERE
Video Postcards From The Edge: Bobby Fong
It’s early days for Bobby Fong and his M4 ECSTAR Suzuki Superbike. At the Official Dunlop Preseason Test, he didn’t get the seat time that he hoped for due to the weather conditions, but Fong knows it’s a process, and he is very much looking forward to his first season aboard a Suzuki Superbike.
Off Track Podcast: John Ulrich
John Ulrich wears many hats in the MotoAmerica paddock. For starters, he is the owner of Team Hammer, which has been racing for 40 years and is the new home of the factory Suzukis – ridden by Toni Elias and Bobby Fong – in the MotoAmerica Superbike Series. He’s also the founder and editor of Roadracing World magazine, a monthly publication that specializes in road racing coverage from the around the world, as well as tests of the newest streetbikes. To say Ulrich has been around the block a time or two would be an understatement. Carruthers and Bice caught up with Ulrich for the 75th episode of Off Track and quickly found out that an hour wasn’t going to be enough.
Listen to Off Track with Carruthers and Bice on your favorite podcast platform: http://bit.ly/MotoAmericaOffTrack\
Of Handshakes And Champagne Showers
On the way to the racetrack about 15 years ago, I had a conversation with my then-10-year-old son in preparation for his very first visit to an AMA road racing paddock. While seated in the passenger seat of my truck, he clutched a small, spiral-bound notebook—which would become his keepsake for the riders’ autographs—and he attentively listened to my pontifications.
“Now, let’s review the plan. When I introduce you to a rider, what do you do?” I inquired. In a slightly sing-song delivery that indicated his annoyance with my question, my son responded, “I say, ‘Hello, my name is Samuel.’ Then, I extend my right hand, look the rider in the eye, and give a firm handshake, while asking, ‘May I please have your autograph?’”
A few weeks ago, while I was flying home from the MotoAmerica Official Dunlop Preseason Test and pondering the global situation that was then just unfolding and is now all-too-familiar to all of us, I recalled that I handed out more than 50 handshakes while at Barber Motorsports Park—all accompanied by a firm grip and the appropriate amount of eye contact, just like I had taught my son.
A handshake is an ages-old tradition, a gesture thought to have originated with prehistoric man as a communication and an offering of peace. It’s a tangible way for two people to let each other know that they are not only friendly but also unarmed.
Who would have ever thought that one of mankind’s oldest greetings would, in 2020, become weaponized instead of being an indicator that no weapon exists?
Even during the Preseason Test at Barber, which now seems like a lifetime ago, many of my handshakes were met with hesitation. At the time, I remember feeling bad that I put so many people on the spot, how many times I proclaimed that I have impeccable hygiene, and how it never occurred to me at the time that the people to whom I was offering my handshake could have been trying to protect me as much as I only thought they were trying to protect themselves.
Handshakes, fist bumps, high fives, hugs, and even kisses are all part of the MotoAmerica paddock, and they are as prevalent during podium celebrations as champagne showers, shouts of joy, and copious rounds of energetic applause.
We remain optimistic about the 2020 MotoAmerica season. And, as the saying goes, “This too shall pass.” The curve will flatten, the pandemic will subside, and the beloved sport of motorcycle road racing will return.
I also think the handshakes, fist bumps, high fives, hugs, and even kisses will return…in time. And, if my son were still 10 years old instead of 25, I’d certainly have to amend what I told him a decade and a half ago.
“Extend your right hand, look the rider in the eye, and give a firm handshake, while asking, ‘May I please have your autograph?’”
I look forward to the return to normalcy, in the MotoAmerica paddock, as well as everywhere else. I’m sure you do, too.
Even if it’s a new kind of normalcy.
To purchase tickets for all MotoAmerica events, click HERE
For information on how to watch the MotoAmerica Series, click HERE
For the full 2020 MotoAmerica Series schedule, click HERE
MotoAmerica’s Round At The Brickyard Rescheduled
Indianapolis Motor Speedway has announced that due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic it has rescheduled the Indy 500 to August 23. To accommodate the change, MotoAmerica has rescheduled its Superbikes at the Brickyard event to October 9-11.
“We knew that with the current situation of the Coronavirus outbreak, more changes could be coming,” said MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey. “We understand Indy’s position on this and we’re happy to make the move to the October 9-11. As our fans, racers, teams and sponsors understand, things are changing on a daily basis and we are working diligently to have a 10-round 2020 MotoAmerica Series.”
As it stands now, the Superbikes at the Brickyard event will be round nine of the 10-round series.
Tech Talk: Let’s Learn About The Track Flags And Lights
In MotoAmerica, as in most forms of motorsports racing, a system of flags and lights is utilized by Race Control to inform the riders of specific situations on the track. There are 10 individual flags used by MotoAmerica, which are described below:
Green Flag and Green Light
Indicates that the track is clear. This flag is waved at each flag marshal post for the first lap of each practice and warmup session and also during the sighting lap and warmup lap of a race. The Green Flag is waved at the flag marshal post immediately after an incident that necessitates the use of one or more Yellow Flags. When the pit-lane exit is open, the Green Flag must be waved at the pit-lane exit.
The Green Light is illuminated at the pit-lane exit to signal the start of each practice and warm up session, the start of the sighting lap(s), and the start of the warmup lap.
Yellow Flag
Indicates that a hazardous situation exists on the track.
A standing Yellow Flag at the flag marshal post indicates that there is a danger ahead on the track. Riders must exercise caution, and overtaking is forbidden up until the point where the green flag is waved.
A waving Yellow Flag at the flag marshal post indicates that there is a hazard either completely or partially blocking the track, or there is some other high-risk situation. Riders must slow down and be prepared to stop.
Overtaking is forbidden from the first yellow flag up until the point where the green flag is waved.
Any infringement of this rule during a practice session will result in the cancellation of the time of the lap during which the infraction occurred.
In case of infringement of this rule during the race, the rider must go back the number of positions decided by the Race Direction.
A board will be displayed for the rider at the finish line during a maximum of five laps. If the rider does not go back after the board has been presented five times, he may be penalized by the Race Direction. In both cases, further penalties (such as penalty points, a fine, or suspension) may also be imposed.
If immediately after having overtaken, the rider realizes that he made an infraction, he must raise his hand and let past the rider(s) that he has overtaken. In this case, no penalty will be imposed.
Waving Yellow Flags displayed at designated rows on the starting grid indicate that the start of the race is delayed.
During the final inspection lap, the Yellow Flag is waved at the exact place where the flag marshal will be positioned during practice sessions, qualifying, Superpole, warmup sessions, and races.
Red Flag and Red Light
Indicates when a practice, qualifying session, or race is stopped. Red Flags are waved at each flag marshal post and Red Lights are illuminated around the track. The riders must return slowly to the pits.
When the pit-lane exit is closed, a Red Flag is waved and a Red light are illuminated at the pit lane exit. Riders are not allowed to exit the pit lane.
The Red Flag will be shown motionless on the starting grid at the end of the warmup lap. This will indicate that each rider must stop in their grid position and cannot pass the official holding the red flag.
The Red Flag may also be used to indicate that the track is closed.
The Red Light is illuminated at the start line for between two and five seconds to start each race. When the Red Light is turned off, the race begins.
Blue Flag
Indicates to a rider that he is about to be overtaken. This flag is waved at the flag marshal post. During qualifying sessions, the rider concerned must keep his line and slow down gradually to allow the faster rider to pass him. During races, the rider concerned is about to be lapped and must allow the following rider(s) to pass at the earliest opportunity. Overtaking within a group of lapped riders is forbidden under the Blue Flag.
White Flag
Indicates the final lap of a race. This flag is waved at the finish line.
Checkered Black and White Flag
Indicates the finish of a race, qualifying, or practice session This flag is waved at the finish line.
Checkered Black and White Flag waved together with Blue Flag
The Checkered Black/White Flag is waved together with the Blue Flag at the finish line when a rider(s) closely precedes the race leader during the final lap before the finish line.
Yellow and Red Striped Flag waved together with White Flag with Diagonal Red Cross
This combination of flags advises the riders of where the track is wet due to rain. These flags are waved at the flag marshal post.
Yellow and Red Striped Flag
Indicates that the adhesion in this section of the track could be affected by a reason other than rain. This flag is waved at the flag marshal post.
White Flag with Diagonal Red Cross
Indicates that there are some drops of rain in this section of the track. This flag is waved at the flag marshal post.
Black Flag
Conveys instructions to a single rider only and is waved at the flag marshal post while also displaying the rider’s number. The rider must stop at the pits after the completion of the current lap and cannot restart.
The Black Flag may also be presented to a rider for a reason other than a penalty (e.g. to rectify a non-dangerous technical problem such as a transponder issue).
Black Flag with Orange Disk
Also known as the “meatball” flag. Conveys instructions to a single rider only and is waved at the flag marshal post while also displaying the rider’s number. Informs the rider that his/her motorcycle has mechanical problems likely to endanger himself/herself or others, and that he/she must immediately leave the track.
To purchase tickets for all MotoAmerica events, click HERE
For information on how to watch the MotoAmerica Series, click HERE
For the full 2020 MotoAmerica Series schedule, click HERE
MotoAmerica Reschedules Road Atlanta Round Of 2020 Series
MotoAmerica has announced that it has rescheduled the Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta round of the 2020 MotoAmerica Series from April 17-19 to July 31-August 2 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
With the opening round of the series originally scheduled for Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, already postponed until November because of the Coronavirus, Road Atlanta was slated to be the opening round of the 2020 MotoAmerica Series. As it stands now, the series will begin at VIRginia International Raceway in Alton, Virginia, May 1-3, though MotoAmerica is continuing to monitor that situation as well.
“We are all in this together as everyone in the world is affected in some way by COVID-19,” MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey said. “There are a lot of people who are struggling right now on so many levels. Even though racing motorcycles doesn’t rank highly in the list of problems going on in our world, our teams and our racetracks rely on racing because it’s their livelihood. With that being said, racing right now just isn’t possible. However, we’ve been working with the good people at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta to find an alternative date and we’re happy that with their help we’ve been able to obtain the July 31-August 2 weekend. We really appreciate them working with us because this is obviously a very difficult time for them as well.”
With the change in the schedule, Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta will now host the fifth round of the series with round six a weekend later at Pittsburgh International Race Complex in Wampum, Pennsylvania, August 7-9.
“Our championship is very similar to Formula One, MotoGP, IndyCar and IMSA in that our events are held over four days, including our move-in day,” MotoAmerica’s Chuck Aksland explained. “Our events are held at facilities that also host the premier series mentioned and adjusting the calendar can be difficult as it requires a lot of organization and cooperation with the tracks and other series. Our goal is to race at every track that is on our current schedule and we are working hard on a daily basis trying to finalize dates.”
Fans who have already purchased tickets for the Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta round can use those tickets for the rescheduled July 31-August 2 weekend.