Rancho Cucamonga, CA – The American Superbike Racing Association (ASRA) is thrilled to announce its continued partnership with Dunlop Motorcycle Tires for the 2025 road race season, solidifying a collaboration that promises to elevate competition and support racers across the series. This partnership reaffirms Dunlop’s position as a leader in motorcycle racing tire technology and ASRA’s commitment to delivering top-tier racing experiences, culminating with the season championship at the iconic Daytona International Speedway in October.

Dunlop Motorcycle Tires, renowned for its championship-winning heritage, will once again provide racers with cutting-edge tire technology, including a highly anticipated new line of road race tires designed to push performance boundaries. These innovative tires, developed with input from top riders and Dunlop’s extensive racing expertise, are set to debut in the 2025 season, offering enhanced grip, durability, and consistency for ASRA competitors. Dunlop’s commitment to innovation ensures that racers will have the tools they need to compete at the highest level, especially as the season builds toward the dramatic finale at Daytona.

“We’re proud to partner with Dunlop for the 2025 season,” said Alex Spellman, Partner at ASRA. “Their dedication to advancing tire technology and supporting our racers aligns perfectly with our mission to grow road racing in America. With the new road race tires and the season championship at Daytona in October, we’re setting the stage for an unforgettable year of competition.”

Cori Maynard, Amateur Road Race Support Manager and Motorsports Logistics Coordinator for Dunlop Motorcycle Tires, echoed this enthusiasm: “ASRA provides an incredible platform for racers, and we’re excited to bring our latest road race tires to the series. Our goal is to give riders the confidence and performance they need to chase victories, especially at the prestigious Daytona finale. We’re grateful for this partnership and can’t wait to see what the season holds.”

The 2025 ASRA National Endurance/Team Challenge Series and ASRA National Sprint Series will feature a robust schedule, with the championship-deciding finale held at Daytona International Speedway. The Daytona weekend starts with the Team Hammer Advanced Riding School & Pro Practice on October 16, followed by ASRA races on the high banks October 17-19. Dunlop’s support will extend beyond tires, offering trackside assistance to ensure racers have everything they need to succeed.

For more information about the 2025 ASRA season and the partnership with Dunlop, visit asraracing.com or dunlopmotorcycletires.com. Stay tuned for updates as the season approaches!

About ASRA

The American Superbike Racing Association (ASRA) is dedicated to promoting and growing motorcycle road racing in the United States. With a focus on competition, safety, and community, ASRA hosts a variety of racing events that showcase talent from amateur to professional levels.

About Dunlop Motorcycle Tires

Dunlop Motorcycle Tires is a global leader in motorcycle tire manufacturing, with a legacy of success in professional and amateur racing. Dunlop continues to innovate, delivering world-class tires for racers and enthusiasts alike.

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An Open Tire Series Built for Racers, by Racers

Pirelli Motorcycle Tires and the American Superbike Racing Association (ASRA) are delighted to announce the renewal of their esteemed partnership for the 2025 racing season. This collaboration reaffirms Pirelli’s unwavering commitment to delivering world-class performance and innovation to the racetrack while honoring ASRA’s legacy as a series crafted for racers, by racers.

For years, Pirelli has been a trusted sponsoring partner of ASRA, supplying riders with cutting-edge tire technology that enhances performance, safety, and competition. As the 2025 season approaches, this partnership continues to thrive, promising another year of exhilarating racing action and opportunities for riders to push their limits. Pirelli’s involvement underscores its dedication to advancing motorcycle racing while supporting the diverse needs of ASRA’s passionate racing community.

ASRA remains steadfast in its mission to provide a platform where racers of all backgrounds can compete on their terms. True to its roots, the series will maintain its status as an open tire series in 2025, ensuring competitors have the freedom to choose the equipment that best suits their riding style and strategy. This racer-driven philosophy, combined with Pirelli’s industry-leading tire solutions,including their Diablo Superbike and Supercorsa line up., sets the stage for a season that celebrates skill, innovation, and the spirit of competition.

“We are proud to continue our partnership with ASRA, a series that embodies the heart and soul of motorcycle racing,” said Oscar Solis, Senior Racing Manager of Pirelli North America. “At Pirelli, we are passionate about supporting racers at every level, and ASRA’s commitment to an open tire format aligns perfectly with our goal of empowering riders with choice and performance. We look forward to an exciting 2025 season filled with celebrating competitors’ achievements at ASRA events.”

“Our partnership with Pirelli is a testament to our shared values of excellence and dedication to the racing community”said ASRA partner Alex Spellman. “ASRA was built for racers, by racers, and we’re thrilled to carry that legacy forward in 2025 with Pirelli’s support. By remaining an open tire series, we ensure that our competitors have the flexibility to race their way, and we can’t wait to see what this season brings.”

The 2025 ASRA season promises to deliver high-octane competition across its challenging courses, showcasing the talents of skilled riders using top-tier equipment. Further details will be announced in the coming weeks. Fans and participants alike are encouraged to stay tuned for updates as ASRA and Pirelli gear up for another unforgettable year.

About ASRA

The American Superbike Racing Association (ASRA) is a premier motorcycle racing series in the United States, dedicated to fostering a competitive and inclusive environment for riders. Built for racers, by racers, ASRA offers a unique platform that prioritizes rider choice and celebrates the thrill of the sport.

About Pirelli

Founded in 1872, Pirelli is a global leader in premium tire manufacturing, renowned for its innovation, performance, and deep-rooted passion for motorsport. With a legacy of excellence, Pirelli continues to support riders and racers worldwide, delivering tires that blend cutting-edge technology with superior quality.

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For the third consecutive year, the revenue of the Borgo Panigale motorcycle manufacturer exceeds one billion euros. At the end of 2024, Ducati’s operating result is 91 million euros, corresponding to a profitability of 9.1%.

Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati: “The 2024 results confirm the strength of our brand and the company’s ability to generate the financial resources that allow us to continue to invest and consolidate the excellence, value and exclusivity of our products.”

Borgo Panigale, Bologna (Italy) March 18, 2025 – Ducati ended 2024 with financial results that testify to the solidity of its competitive positioning in the two-wheel sector and the effectiveness of the strategic choices made in recent years, oriented towards the development of a product range that represents the best fusion of beauty, performance and technology.

For the third consecutive year, Ducati recorded revenues of more than one billion euros (2024: 1,003 billion; 2023: 1,065 billion). A result achieved despite the challenges that are characterizing the industry and the current global competitive environment.

The operating result (EBIT) stood at 91 million euros, equal to a profitability of 9.1% (2023: 10.5%). A key figure, which also highlights the company’s ability to focus on generating the financial resources needed to support its strategic plans.

During 2024, 54,495 motorcycles were delivered to Ducatisti all over the world (2023: 58.224). Although showing a decline compared to the previous year, the figure is in line with the philosophy of the Bologna-based company, which aims to preserve the exclusivity and value of its products for its passionate clients.

“2024 ends with a positive balance that, despite a challenging competitive environment, confirms our solidity and a benchmark profitability in the two-wheeler market.” declared Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati. “ We enjoy a solid financial base that allows us to continuously and significantly invest in research and development, innovation and racing competition, while continuing to strengthen the uniqueness and prestige of our product range and ensuring the high standards of quality and service typical of a product of excellence. This, combined with our commitment to making every Ducatista feel part of a great family, makes the brand more beloved than ever today.”

Henning Jens, Ducati CFO, added: ” 2024 was a complicated year due to the particularly challenging market conditions the whole business faced. In this context, we chose to focus on protecting overall profitability, prioritizing long-term sustainability rather than just aiming at increasing sales volumes. This approach, combined with further improvements of our efficiency, is in line with our premium strategy and it allowed us to conclude the year with a profitability that reached 9.1% return on sales and an operating result that shows our ability to generate value and guarantee a solid financial base also under difficult circumstances. “

Looking at 2025, Ducati presented to the public ten new models, further enriching an increasingly complete, sophisticated and technologically advanced product range, designed to offer every Ducatista the most suitable bike to express their passion for two wheels.

These include the new XDiavel V4 and Multistrada V4, equipped with the V4 Granturismo engine, alongside the Panigale V4 and Streetfighter V4, both powered by the latest evolution of the Desmosedici Stradale engine, and the Panigale V2, Streetfighter V2 and Multistrada V2 , equipped with the new V2 engine, the lightest twin-cylinder ever made by Ducati. In addition, the Company makes its entry into the world of Off-Road with the introduction of its first motocross bike, available from June 2025 at selected dealerships.

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The American Superbike Racing Association (ASRA) is excited to announce the championship payout structure for the Thunderbike, Supersport and Superstock 1000 classes, reinforcing its commitment to rewarding top-tier performance and advancing competitive supersport racing across the series.

Thanks to generous sponsorship from Trident Cycles Racing, effective for the 2025 racing season, the top three championship finishers in the Thunderbike, Supersport and Superstock 1000 classes will receive the following cash prizes:

1st Place: $3,000

2nd Place: $2,000

3rd Place: $1,000

With a total of $6,000 in prize money awarded per class, this payout structure highlights ASRA’s dedication to recognizing the skill, dedication, and passion of its racers while elevating the stakes for the championship titles. The season will span seven months and conclude with a thrilling championship final at the iconic Daytona International Raceway, October 17-19, 2025, where champions will be crowned and payouts awarded amidst the legendary atmosphere of this world-class venue.

“We’re thrilled to roll out this championship payout structure for the Thunderbike, Supersport and Superstock 1000 classes,” said Scott Gilbert, Partner of ASRA. “This move reflects our ongoing mission to support our riders and grow racing in America by offering significant rewards for excellence on the track. Hosting the championship final at Daytona International Raceway only adds to the prestige and excitement.”

The ASRA Thunderbike, Supersport and Superstock 1000 classes are renowned for delivering intense competition and showcasing the talents of some of the country’s most skilled superbike racers. The 2025 season will feature the following race dates and locations:

May 10-11: Pittsburgh International Race Complex (Pitt Race)

May 24-25: Summit Point Motorsports Park

June 14-15: Virginia International Raceway (VIR)

July 12-13: Blackhawk Farms Raceway

August 22-23: Road Atlanta

September 13-14: Ozark International Raceway

October 17-19: Daytona International Raceway (Championship Final)

This new payout structure, paired with a robust schedule culminating at Daytona, is poised to attract even more competitors, promising an electrifying season for riders and fans alike. For more information about the ASRA racing schedule, rules, and participation details, visit www.asraracing.com or follow us on social media.

About ASRA
The American Superbike Racing Association (ASRA) is a leading motorcycle racing organization committed to promoting superbike racing throughout the United States. Focused on safety, integrity, and excitement, ASRA provides a competitive platform for riders to demonstrate their abilities and passion for the sport.

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The post-race Daytona 200 and Mission King Of The Baggers press conferences:

History was made in the 83rd running of the Daytona 200, so check out the post-race press conference featuring the race winner, runner-up, and third-place finisher. Also watch and listen to the post-race comments from the podium finishers in the Daytona Bike Week-concluding Mission King Of The Baggers Race 2.

https://www.motoamerica.com/video-daytona-200-mission-king-of-the-baggers-race-two-press-conferences/

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Josh Herrin etched his and Ducati’s name in the history books by securing his fourth Daytona 200 victory and third consecutive win for Ducati, marking the first time in the race’s history that a rider and manufacturer have achieved this feat.

The 2025 Daytona 200 was disrupted by two red flags: one for rain just before the halfway point and another for a crash during the restart. However, regardless of the challenges faced by the red number 2 Ducati, Herrin rose to the occasion.

Herrin’s blistering speed through the infield remained a cornerstone of his attack as he consistently gapped his opponents before the first banking. At that point, the Celtic/Economy Lube & Tire by Warhorse HSBK Ducati Panigale V2 took over to keep him at the front of the pack.

The last quarter of the race saw Herrin at his best performance by setting a phenomenal new lap record of 1:47.879 on lap 51. He leveraged his experience to maneuver around lapped riders, breaking free from any potential slipstream created by the pursuing riders and securing a controlled 5.33-second victory over Escalante and Scott.

The 2025 victory puts Herrin tied for third with Danny Eslick on the all-time Daytona 200 win list with four triumphs, with only AMA legends Miguel Duhamel and Scott Russell ahead on five wins each.

2025 Daytona 200 Results

1. Josh Herrin (Ducati)

2. Richie Escalante +5.330

3. Tyler Scott +5.338

4. Peter Hickman +35.963

5. Brandon Paasch +44.906

Josh Herrin (Celtic/Economy Lube & Tire by Warhorse HSBK Ducati – #2)

“Man, what a crazy weekend,” Herrin said with enthusiasm. “It’s my fourth win and third with Ducati; it doesn’t get much better than this. I see this as the biggest race in the United States and one of the largest in the world. Being the only person to win three in a row and rank in the top four of all-time wins is incredibly special.

“It’s a very difficult race to win once, let alone four times, and we’ve had some problems here in the past so it shows you need a bit of luck on your side. The bike felt incredible all weekend and I have an amazing crew behind me, so I really need to thank the whole Warhorse HSBK racing Ducati team, Brew Watch Co., Economy Lube and Tire, Ducati USA, and Ducati in Italy. I am so happy to be on the Panigale V2, and hopefully, we’ll see a surge in 2025 Panigale V2 sales!”

More, From Suzuki Motor USA:

SUZUKI TAKES ON DAYTONA AS ESCALANTE, SCOTT, AND CHAPIN SHINE

Suzuki Enjoys Strong Season Opener with Pole Position, Podium Finishes, and Twins Cup Sweep

Suzuki Motor USA kicked off the 2025 MotoAmerica season in outstanding fashion, with the Suzuki GSX-R750 claiming pole position and two podium positions in the 83rd Daytona 200 and the Suzuki GSX-8R sweeping both Twins Cup victories.

Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Superbike regular Richie Escalante capped off a near-flawless weekend for the team by earning second-place in the iconic Daytona 200 aboard the team’s next-generation Suzuki GSX-R750 Supersport machine. Escalante was in the mix, at or near the front throughout despite a rain delay and second red flag stoppage due to a crash. The Mexican born racer was calm and fast, aided by his team’s pit stop acumen that earlier won the squad the Pitstop Challenge victory. He ultimately edged teammate Tyler Scott for the runner-up position by a scant 0.08-second margin at the checkered flag.

“Honestly, it was a difficult weekend for us,” Escalante admitted. “I didn’t have the best feeling during the weekend, especially during the Time Attack. I wasn’t confident this morning, so I said, ‘Okay, let’s go back to the setting from last year.’ And I was very strong in the race. I felt really good, and we battled with so many different riders.

“I’m happy to finish on the podium. Of course, I want to win, but that’s not always possible. I’m super happy. Big thanks to my entire Team Hammer Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki crew.”

Scott finished on the podium after earlier taking the Suzuki GSX-R750 to pole for the second consecutive season. He led at the start and at several other points along the way before crossing the stripe side-by-side with his teammate in third.

He said, “It was a difficult day for sure with the rain and everything, but the whole Vision Wheel M4 Suzuki team put in so much effort from the end of last season to today. A lot of hard work, so much training, and a lot of testing. The bike we have here today is a way better motorcycle than we had last year, and I’m more fit than last year.

“Overall, it was a very good race. The pit stops were perfect. I can’t give enough thanks to all my guys. I’m really excited because the bike feels amazing going into the first round of the MotoAmerica Supersport championship.”

Reigning Junior Cup champion Matthew Chapin scored a pair of dramatic Twins Cup victories in his first race outing aboard the RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki GSX-8R. Chapin came out on top of a four-rider scrap to win on Friday by a narrow .087-second margin and then upped the stakes with a five-rider, 0.019-second triumph on Saturday.

Chapin said, “I think my whole plan was just to be patient until the last lap let those guys fight it out at the front. I didn’t want to take any unnecessary risks; I knew I had the bike underneath me to do it. So I just used the draft at the end and got it done.

“Huge thanks to everyone at RevZilla, Motul, and Vance & Hines for believing in me.”

About Team Hammer
The 2025 season marks Team Hammer’s 45th consecutive year of operating as a professional road racing team. Racebikes built and fielded by Team Hammer have won 134 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National races, have finished on AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National podiums 375 times and have won 11 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National Championships, as well as two FIM South American Championships (in Superbike and Supersport). The team has also won 137 endurance races overall (including seven 24-hour races) and 13 Overall WERA National Endurance Championships with Suzuki motorcycles and holds the U.S. record for mileage covered in a 24-hour race. The team also competed in the televised 1990s Formula USA National Championship, famously running “Methanol Monster” GSX-R1100 Superbikes fueled by methanol and won four F-USA Championships.

About Vision Wheel
Founded in 1976, Vision Wheel is one of the nation’s leading providers of custom wheels for cars and trucks, and one of the first manufacturers of custom wheels and tires for ATVs, UTVs, and golf carts. Vision Wheel looks beyond the current trends and to the future in developing, manufacturing, and distributing its wheels. Vision’s lines of street, race, off-road, American Muscle, and Milanni wheels are distributed nationally and internationally through a trusted network of distributors. Vision Wheel also produces the Vision It AR app to allow users to see how their wheel of choice will look on their vehicle before purchase and installation. For more information on Vision Wheel, visit www.visionwheel.com.

About Suzuki
Suzuki Motor USA, LLC (SMO) distributes Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Accessories, and ECSTAR Oils & Chemicals via an extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automobiles, Outboard Motors, and related products. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has business relations with 201 countries/regions. For more information, visit www.suzuki.com.

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BMW NA 50th Anniversary | 50 Stories for 50 Years Chapter 9: “A New Chapter for BMW Motorrad: BMW NA takes over from Butler & Smith”

Shortly after taking over U.S. sales of BMW automobiles from independent distributor Max Hoffman in 1975, BMW of North America initiated the process to do the same for the motorcycle side of the business.

BMW had been exporting motorcycles to the U.S. since 1950, less than two years after production had resumed in Munich following the destruction of World War II. At first, bikes were ordered directly by dealers whose relationship with BMW predated the war, like Oscar Liebmann, whose New Jersey-based AMOL Precision became the first official BMW motorcycle dealer in the U.S. in 1950. By the end of that year, however, the right to distribute BMW’s motorcycles in this market was assigned to the V. (for Victor) Harasty organization.

Four years later, that privilege was transferred to the Butler & Smith Trading Company. (Contrary to assumptions, the name of the firm referred not to its founders but to the intersection in Brooklyn where the company was located. Butler & Smith first imported NSU motorcycles from Germany, then Lambretta scooters from Italy.)

On February 19, 1954, Butler & Smith president Alfred Bondy wrote a letter to inform NSU and BMW motorcycle dealers that Butler & Smith was BMW’s official U.S. importer. Bondy expressed his desire that BMW dealers should continue with the new distributor, which would “combine Germany’s two most prominent brands which are world renowned for their workmanship and performance.” Bondy also stated that “The first BMW motorcycles will arrive in a few days. A large quantity of BMW parts is on order from the factory, and we hope that our reputation for fast and complete NSU parts service will soon apply to our BMW parts service.”

Initially, Butler & Smith would handle operations on the East Coast, with West Coast distribution delegated to the Flanders Company of Pasadena, California. In 1969, Butler & Smith took over distribution for the entire U.S., and in May 1970 established a new headquarters and import center in Norwood, New Jersey.

Even prior to that move, Butler & Smith had ensured that BMW built motorcycles suited to the needs and tastes of U.S. riders, most of whom used bikes like the R 50 and R 69 for long-distance touring. Their suitability for that purpose had been firmly established in 1958, when Ohio dealer John Penton rode his 600cc R 69 from New York to Los Angeles in 52 hours, 11 minutes, setting a new record and gaining great publicity for the reliability of BMW motorcycles. (Penton was an accomplished off-road rider, and he’d ride a factory-backed R 27 single in the 1962 International Six Days Trial, winning a silver medal despite a few bad crashes.) Thanks to Butler & Smith, BMW motorcycles could be ordered in the U.S. with options like dual seats, higher handlebars, and accessories like saddlebags, fairings, and the side stands preferred by Americans over the standard center stand. Later, Butler & Smith would offer aftermarket equipment including Krauser luggage, Luftmeister fairings, and Continental or Metzeler tires.

BMW built sporty models as well as touring bikes, of course, and Butler & Smith went racing to promote them. The firm became especially active on the racetrack following the move to New Jersey, which likely coincided with the ascension of Dr. Peter Adams to the leadership of the Butler & Smith firm. Adams was the son of Butler & Smith owner Irwin Adams, who may have founded or purchased it with Bondy in 1949 but who had in any case become its sole owner by 1970.

Adams formed a technologically sophisticated race team led by Udo Gietl and Todd Schuster, both of whom were innovative fabricators and technicians. The team got off to a fine start in 1971, campaigning a thoroughly exotic 750cc machine in the American Motorcycle Association’s Formula 750 class with riders Reg Pridmore and Gary Fisher. Five years later, the Butler & Smith team switched to the R 90 S, and its extensively modified bikes finished 1-2 in the very first AMA Superbike championship, with Reg Pridmore taking the crown over teammate Steve McLaughlin.

The elation of that championship would be short-lived, at least where Butler & Smith was concerned. Having taken over U.S. automobile sales and distribution from Max Hoffman in March 1975, BMW of North America was looking to do the same for its motorcycles. Dr. Adams resisted the takeover, and in 1978 filed suit to retain his distributorship. BMW of North America prevailed in September 1980, and that October saw the company take possession of the Butler & Smith operation at Walnut and Hudson streets in Norwood, New Jersey.

The new division was led by vice-president Jean-Pierre Bailby, who’d come to North America from BMW France. Joseph Salluzzo served as national sales manager, with Rolf Kettler as marketing manager. Below them, many of the motorcycle division’s employees were retained from Butler & Smith, at least temporarily.

“At that point, all of the employees in sales, parts, and service were Butler & Smith employees, wondering what happens next,” said Rob Mitchell. “Eventually, people from BMW NA started filling some positions. I came about six months later to head up advertising and promotion, taking over from Rolf Kettler, who’d been sent over temporarily from Germany. I’d been in sales training, and I got hired because I was the only person at NA who rode motorcycles. It was a real trial-by-fire.”

Mitchell worked out of an office in Norwood for the next two years, until the motorcycle division moved to BMW of North America’s headquarters in Montvale. In the interim, BMW NA began modernizing operations for sales and distribution, financing, and technical training. Imposing new standards allowed BMW to cut the number of U.S. dealers by half, from around 300 to 150. “Like Hoffman, Butler & Smith would sign you up as a dealer if you purchased $500 worth of parts and a [BMW] sign,” Mitchell said. “I visited one dealer in upstate New York that was in an extension of his house, and which had a dirt floor in the workshop. Once BMW NA put certain operating requirements for corporate signage, inventory, facilities, and technical training—all the normal dealership stuff—dealers like that, who weren’t willing to step up and make the investment, fell away.”

Replacing Butler & Smith with a modern, efficient sales subsidiary yielded tangible benefits, Mitchell said. “Back in the old days, you’d pick up the telephone and order a bike from Butler & Smith. Now you had a modern business culture for ordering bikes and parts, signing up for technical training, all of that. Some dealers were upset that they could no longer continue the way they had before, but those who stayed on found they could offer a lot more to customers. And the customers got way better support, too. It’s much better to go into a dealer and see dozens of new bikes rather than just one, plus accessories and people anxious to help you.”

As it had with the cars, BMW of North America was hoping to increase sales of BMW motorcycles in the U.S., and to take advantage of motorcycles’ burgeoning popularity in this country. (That phenomenon was due largely to the Japanese manufacturers, who marketed their lightweight motorcycles to young people as an alternative to cars, and as a “fun” alternative to heavyweight American machines.) Although hard data isn’t available for the years immediately before and after the transition, documents within the BMW Archive record declining export volumes to the U.S. in the mid 1970s: 10,553 units in 1974; 9,256 units in 1975; and 7,539 units in 1976. Presumably, imports declined further as the decade wore on. Mitchell doesn’t know the exact figures, but believes that Butler & Smith was selling perhaps 2,500 motorcycles per year by the time BMW of North America took over sales and distribution in 1980.

In 1985, the earliest year for which BMW NA data is available, the company sold 5,597 motorcycles in the U.S., followed by 6,078 in 1986. That number represented barely one percent of new motorcycles sold in the U.S. per annum, but it was a significant improvement nonetheless.

A new ad campaign helped. After an agency review, BMW’s motorcycle account was moved to Ammirati & Puris, which had created “The Ultimate Driving Machine” tagline that resonated so strongly with car buyers. For the motorcycles, Ammirati & Puris came up with another memorable slogan, “The Legendary Motorcycles of Germany,” which emphasized the company’s heritage at a time when BMW’s performance was somewhat tepid compared to that of the Japanese and Italian marques. Ammirati & Puris placed ads in the Wall Street Journal and Esquire magazine, hoping to reach upscale customers. This didn’t always work, Mitchell said. “Motorcyclists are grass-roots people, and prestige isn’t the biggest thing. It’s a very different group than the car people.”

More important, Mitchell said, was ensuring that BMW NA maintained a press fleet of new motorcycles, and staged press launches to ensure that new models were reviewed in motorcycle magazines. Those new models would themselves help BMW NA succeed, especially after the R 80 G/S caught on with adventure-touring riders following its 1980 introduction. “What started as an oddity—an 800cc, 400-pound dirt bike—became the most important segment, but it took probably ten years to really take off.”

In late 1983, BMW would enter another crucial segment, supplementing its longstanding boxer twin lineup with all-new K bikes powered by water-cooled three- and four-cylinder engines. “Even longtime boxer owners seemed genuinely excited by the K bikes,” Mitchell said. “There was clearly room for both within BMW.”

Today, BMW Motorrad USA offers a full range of motorcycles, from the entry-level G 310 R and GS to the Superbike-spec M 1000 RR, with all manner of touring, heritage, urban, and adventure bikes in between. A wide variety of engines is available, from singles to inline sixes, plus inline fours, Boxer and parallel twins, and even battery-powered scooters.

BMW Motorrad’s factories in Berlin and elsewhere around the world are busier than ever, turning out 209,257 bikes in 2023. Of those, 24,176 went to customers in Germany and 21,668 to France, while 17,017 were delivered to customers in the U.S., BMW Motorrad’s third-largest motorcycle market worldwide. That number constitutes only a small fraction of the half-million-plus motorcycles sold in the U.S. last year, but volume isn’t everything. BMW riders have long been among the industry’s most enthusiastic riders, especially when it comes to putting serious mileage on their machines. Just like John Penton’s R 69 in 1959, BMW motorcycles continue to carry their riders quickly and reliably from coast to coast…and beyond.

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Ken Roczen captures his first DAYTONA Supercross championship while Kyle Wyman, Dallas Daniels, Kody Kopp continued to dominate at Daytona in their respective disciplines

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 8, 2025) – The 83rd running of the DAYTONA 200 was one for the books as Josh Herrin won his third DAYTONA 200 in a row to cap off the 84th Annual Bike Week Presented by GEICO races at Daytona International Speedway. Herrin secured his fourth overall DAYTONA 200 victory Saturday afternoon, and made history by becoming the first rider to win three DAYTONA 200s in a row.

Herrin, a California native and rider for Warhorse HSBK Ducati, persevered through two red flags, and was dominant through the final stint of the race on his Ducati Panigale V2 bike, winning by 5.330 seconds over Richie Escalante and Tyler Scott, who finished second and third. Herrin made the most of his opportunities throughout the day, overcoming trouble exiting his pit with 16 laps to go, cementing himself among the legends who have been victorious at Daytona International Speedway.

Herrin joined a list of stars from the two-wheeled world who cemented their legacy in their respective racing disciplines with a win at Daytona International Speedway over the 10 days of events.

Fans of DAYTONA Supercross were guaranteed to see a new champion with no previous 450SX winners in the field for the 55th running of Bike Week’s opening racing event on Saturday, March 1. And there were a plethora of hungry riders ready to step up to the top of the podium. In the end, it was veteran rider Ken Roczen who captured the victory in his 11th attempt at glory at DIS.

The Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki rider put on a Monster Energy AMA Supercross clinic after taking the lead at the midpoint of the race, holding off Cooper Webb and Aaron Plessinger, who finished second and third, respectively.

The 250SX class also had a first-time DAYTONA Supercross winner as Hudson, Florida, native RJ Hampshire captured the win. Tom Vialle and Seth Hammaker rounded out the top three.

When the racing action shifted from the temporary Ricky Carmichael-designed Supercross course located along the frontstretch of the famed Daytona International Speedway to the historic 3.51-mile road course, a familiar name in Harley-Davidson x Dynojet Factory Racing rider Kyle Wyman took home the hardware in the pair of Mission King Of The Baggers races.

Wyman won his fourth and fifth consecutive Daytona King Of The Baggers trophies, sweeping the two weekend races for the series on Friday and Saturday afternoons. But the two wins played out completely differently.

On Friday, Wyman faced an early challenge from Troy Herfoss, but when Herfoss crashed out with five laps to go, it was clear sailing to the checkered flag for Wyman. On Saturday, the pair stayed close together throughout the race – with Herfoss leading on the white flag lap. But Wyman took the lead coming out of the infield portion and was able to hold off Herfoss through the backstretch chicane for the win.

On Thursday and Friday night, the Progressive American Flat Track organization put on a show under the lights on the DAYTONA Flat Track, located in the shadow of the famed banking outside Turns 1 and 2 of Daytona International Speedway.

Rick Ware Racing’s Dallas Daniels once again reigned supreme on the short track at Daytona, sweeping the Mission AFT SuperTwins class pair of features. He won one of the two races a year ago.

Kody Kopp, the winningest rider in AFT Singles history, continued to build on his win total by capturing victory in both races. He now has 23 wins in AFT Singles presented by KICKER, five of them at Daytona.

As the 84th annual Bike Week winds down, visitors can still look forward to a summer filled with fun at Daytona International Speedway. Events such as the spring Daytona Turkey Run (March 21-23), Jeep Beach (April 18-27), and Welcome to Rockville (May 15-18) will provide entertainment for fans of all ages.

NASCAR returns to the World Center of Racing for intense action as the NASCAR Cup Series will close out the regular season and set the Playoff field during the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Saturday, August 23. The NASCAR Xfinity Series will also be helping to set their Playoff field in the Wawa 250 Powered by Coca-Cola on August 22.

For a complete calendar of upcoming events or to purchase tickets, please visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com.

Fans can also stay connected with Daytona International Speedway via www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com, on X, Facebook and Instagram, as well as the all-new NASCAR Tracks App, for the latest speedway news.

About Daytona International Speedway  
Daytona International Speedway is a state-of-the-art motorsports facility and was awarded the SportsBusiness Journal’s prestigious Sports Business Award for Sports Facility of the Year in 2016. Daytona International Speedway is the home of The Great American Race – the DAYTONA 500. Though the season-opening NASCAR Cup Series event garners most of the attention – as well as the largest audience in motorsports – the approximately 500-acre motorsports complex, also known as the World Center of Racing, boasts the most diverse schedule of racing on the globe. Some of the exciting racing events include January’s Rolex 24 At DAYTONA and Roar Before The Rolex 24, February’s DAYTONA 500 and Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth, March’s Bike Week At DAYTONA Presented By Monster Energy, featuring DAYTONA Supercross and the DAYTONA 200, the August Coke Zero Sugar 400 weekend, and much more. The Speedway grounds are also used extensively for other events that include concerts (Welcome to Rockville, Heroes Honor Festival, etc.), sporting events (DAYTONA Soccer Fest, CLASH DAYTONA, etc.) civic and social gatherings, car shows, photo shoots, production vehicle testing and police motorcycle training.
  

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The post More From Bike Week Races At Daytona appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

A new chapter of Yamaha Racing history began two weeks ago in Australia as the all new R9 made its debut in the FIM Supersport World Championship. And as racing debuts go, the Next Generation Supersport machine did not disappoint.

Introducing a brand-new motorcycle at world championship level is no easy task in the best of circumstances, let alone when the machine being succeeded has a legacy as iconic as the R6.

The development team at Yamaha Motor Europe Motorsport Research and Development have been working on the R9 in secret since early 2024 in close collaboration with the engineers from Japan.

The R9 is a hugely significant new model and to match this significance, Yamaha assembled its strongest-ever rider and team line-up in WorldSSP. Three teams, all former World Champions, (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate, Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Racing and GMT94) would field a six-strong rider-line up comprising of a mix of youth and experience to give Yamaha the best chance of success with the new machine.

The teams got a first taste of the new bike in WorldSSP spec for the first time in a shakedown test at Cremona last November, before heading off on their own pre-season testing programmes. Poor weather in Europe limited these tests, meaning the R9 headed to Australia for the first race of the season as an unknown quantity.

The official pre-season test at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit showed the bike had potential and as Round 1 got underway, Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) securing a front row start for the R9’s debut race offered further promise.

An exciting race would follow with not just one R9 in the mix but multiple throughout the two-part encounter, which featured mandatory a mandatory pit-stop at the mid-way point. In poetic style, Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate) – twice a runner-up in the WorldSSP championship – took the R9 to victory in its first ever race 126 days after he’d crossed the line first in the R6’s last ever race.

In our latest YouTube video, join the teams in Australia to go behind the scenes of the preparation for the opening races of the year as the R9 makes history. Watch below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1R_CT5eXO0A

The post World Supersport: More On Yamaha R9 Development appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

This year’s event is set for Wednesday, March 5, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. till noon at the
DAYTONA 200 MONUMENT.

The Daytona 200 Monument is located beach side on the Boardwalk next to the Historic Bandshell and in front of the Hilton Hotel Beachside (100 N. Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL). Please note there is no beach front boardwalk parking at the monument, so attendees can park in the Ocean Walk public parking garage on A1A and it is a short walk to the Monument. The event is open to the public and all motorcyclists in town for Daytona Bike Week.

During the 2025 Daytona 200 Monument’s “Gathering of Champions” event there will be 10 new personalized granite plaques unveiled and 54 personalized paver bricks.

This year’s plaque unveilings include:

• Dave Despain, well-respected announcer, and TV personality

• Mike Trimby, Daytona 200 racer and founder of IRTA and his wife, Irene

• Gary “Too Fast” Fisher, road racer

•The late Michelle Lindsay Wilson, four-time Daytona 200 Champion TOBC Racing Team Owner

• Bobby Decker, dirt track racer

• Mikey Buman II, Speedway racer

• Roger Crump, 1974 Daytona Short Track racer

• Drag Racer Curly Jim Fontaine and his wife Kim

• Donald “Skip” Eaken, legendary tuner

• Kathy Rall Estep, Dave Estep, Donnie Estep, Ronnie Rall and Norbert Rall,
Estep Rall Racing

The event is hosted by Cristy Klamfoth, daughter of Daytona 200 Monument founders Bev and Dick Klamfoth, along with her husband, Al Charles.

Noted race announcers Richard Chambers and Pat Gonsalves will emcee the event and introduce this year’s plaque and brick sponsors and help us relive Daytona racing stories of the past.

The celebration continues Thursday, March 6, 2025, at 8:00 am with the annual “Over The Hill Gang” Breakfast at the Eagles Lodge (5130 South Ridgewood Ave, in Port Orange).
There are no reservations required, and tickets are available at the door.
Bring your stories and claim your bragging rights.

The Daytona 200 Monument was the dream of three-time Daytona 200 Champion Dick Klamfoth and his wife Bev as a place to honor the great riders who had won on the Beach.

Over the years, the Daytona 200 Monument has grown to embrace all the Daytona 200 Champions as well as Champions from all forms of racing and the Motorcycle Industry. Daytona Beach Bike Week attendees continue to support the Monument and return each year to celebrate and remember their visit to this famous beach.

For more information contact Cristy or AL Via email kccyclellc@aol.com or visit daytona200monument.com.

The post Daytona 200 Monument “Gathering of Champions” Honoring Michelle Lindsay (RIP) March 5th appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.