The FIM Asia Road Racing Championship has confirmed that the Round 1 opener, scheduled to be held at Sepang International Circuit from June 4 to 6, will be postponed to a later date due to the rise in Covid-19 cases in Asia over the past month.
The ARRC season opener will be delayed over concerns about the rise of Covid-19 cases in Asia
This was in accordance with requests from the majority of the participating teams and riders. Even though the season-opener had been given the green-light to proceed from the Malaysian government, the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship stands together with the teams and riders in that the health and well-being of our respective communities is of utmost importance.
A new calendar for 2021 will be released as soon as possible.
Ron Hogg – Two Wheels Motor Racing Director
“I would like to start off by expressing our gratitude to the Malaysian government, especially the officials in the Malaysian Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS), the National Security Council and the Malaysian Ministry of Health. Working hand-in-hand with these officials, the season opener had actually been given the green light to proceed.”
Broc Parkes – 2020 ARRC
“However, in view of the rising number of Covid-19 cases in the region, we as the promoters, concur with the views of our participating teams and riders, in that it would be more prudent to postpone instead of pushing through with the first round. The health and well-being of our teams and participants will always be our top priority. At the same time, international travel within the Asian region is also becoming increasingly difficult. The tightening of national borders in response to the rise in cases have restricted air travel to and from certain countries, making it hard for the teams to plan their travel schedule.
“We would like to apologize to the fans of Asian motorsports who have been waiting eagerly for the action to start. On behalf of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, I would like to assure everyone that Season 2021 is merely postponed, and will certainly take off by the latter half of the year. Meanwhile, we hope that everyone will continue to stay safe. Let’s do our part to keep the Covid-19 pandemic under control so that sports can get back into action as soon as possible.”
Stephan Carapiet – FIM Asia President
“The FIM Asia supports the decision of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship to defer the start of the 2021 season. While it is certainly disappointing, it is always preferable to err on the side of caution. Please look forward to the release of a new 2021 calendar soon.”
89 laps – the second most – were pocketed by Pol Espargaro on the Honda and the Spaniard was sixth fastest on the timesheets. His 1:37.506 best was a smidgen shy of his qualifying time in Q1 last Saturday, but it was more than just a day of setting quick times. Every corner of those 89 laps would have been incredibly important for Espargaro and HRC as they look to find improvements for the rest of the season, with all four of their riders sporting blacked out fairings at some stage. In Esparagro’s case, the number 44 was spotted riding at least three different HRC bikes – his standard one, one with different aero and a completely carbon coloured. All in all, Honda had five different aero packages at the Jerez Test, with Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol) using a similar one to what they ran with in 2018. It’s safe to say it was a busy day for the Japanese giants.
Two-time AMA Grand National Champion, Dick “Bugsy” Mann passed away on April 26th at his home near Reno, Nevada. (Dave Friedman / Don Emde Collection/)
There is much sadness in the motorcycling world this week as word spreads of the passing of one of America’s greatest motorcycle racers ever. Two-time AMA Grand National Champion, Dick “Bugsy” Mann passed away on April 26th at his home near Reno, Nevada. He would have been 87 years old on June 13th.
Dick’s versatility on a motorcycle will never be matched. There were so many specialists back in his days of racing, when there were five types of events in the AMA Grand National Championship. On the point-scoring calendar were 1/4-mile Short Tracks, ½-mile and 1-mile Flat Tracks, TTs and Roadraces. Of the thousands who have tried, Dick Mann is one of only four riders in the history of the AMA Grand National series to have won in all five. Only Mann, Kenny Roberts, Bubba Shobert and Doug Chandler ever achieved that.
Dick won the Daytona 200 twice (1970 and ’71), as well as many other roadraces thru the years. So you might think he just liked smooth tracks? The truth was in dirt track racing, the rougher it got, his chances of winning went way up. That brings me to a story he told me a couple of years ago when I went up to visit him and his wife Kay at their house in Nevada.
We were talking about racing, of course, and I asked him how it was that he was so good on the rough dirt tracks? He said the late-great racer Joe Leonard told him when he was getting started back in the 1950s that it would pay off to be good on rough tracks. Dick said Joe told him that at the smooth tracks there would always be 20 or more of what Joe called the “Soup and Salad guys” who will all go fast. But when the track is rough and dusty, only a few will be any good.
Dick took Joe’s advice and he wasn’t just good at the rough AMA Nationals. In the off-season Mann rode motocross at the pro level, as well as Enduros and other off-road events. In 1975 he earned a place on America’s International Six Days Trial team and won a Bronze medal.
Two books were written about him: Motorcycle Ace. The Dick Mann Story, written by Joe Scalzo and published in 1972 and Mann of His Time, by Ed Youngblood in 2002. Mann has also been honored by the major motorsports institutions. He was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1993, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1998 and the Trailblazers Hall of Fame. In 2005, Mann received the Trailblazers highest honor when he was the recipient of the prestigious Dick Hammer Award.
In his later years, Dick was involved with vintage motocross and Trials, restoring antique motorcycles and traveling to events in America and also to England to participate in reunions with his many former racing competitors.
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We really will cross the t’s and dot the i’s at this final test at Motorland Aragon. The last test we went to there was productive, and we made some progress, but we never got the chance to do a full race simulation. That is going to be key, something we need to look at understand the bike in a race simulation, with a soft tyre and hard tyre. Aside from that, our test programme has really been about confirming different software and hardware. We have put the pieces together but we have not fine-tuned the bike. We have not got the bike into the window where we are really starting to play with small items, like you would during a race weekend. That is going to be the focus of this test and I really hope to get some consistent weather. I don’t think I have done a winter test this year where we have had two days of the same weather. I really have to thank my team because they have pulled all the stops out to maximise our track time this off-season. We have just been unfortunate with the weather and we have a very good test plan to take us through the season. During these tough times it is very hard to travel and they team make it easier by making sure I always have the right documents. I am looking forward to this last test before the season starts because we will have some of our rivals on track with us as well, riders and manufacturers, so we should get a good idea of where we are
Espargaro’s biggest frustrations have come from not understanding where he’s going wrong. After a positive pre-season testing and showcasing pace during the opening two rounds of the year that could’ve seen him challenge the leading contenders, he now admits he’s totally lost: “I don’t know if it’s me, if it’s the bike, if it’s the package I’m using, if it’s my riding style, if it’s my electronics, I have no idea. We are using different packages, different riders are using different things, and it’s difficult to understand what is working and what isn’t.
Hi everyone, So, where do start on that one? From when the chequered flag dropped – well, maybe a corner or two before that to be honest – I was on this massive rollercoaster of emotions. One minute crying like a baby, the next one fist-pumping and high-fiving everyone in sight. The feelings are… Source: Jack Miller on Facebook
GasGas-mounted contender secures runner-up honours in the ACT.
Image: Foremost Media.
A pair of third-place results amounted to a career-first MX2 podium for rookie Noah Ferguson, the GasGas-mounted rider experiencing a turnaround performance at Canberra’s second round of the 2021 Penrite ProMX Championship on Sunday.
The youthful Queenslander endured a challenging opening round last month in victoria, mustering up just 10 championship points with a 13-DNF scorecard.
It was a drastic turnaround in the ACT for Ferguson, who after claiming an impressive second overall result, suggested an anticipated maiden podium would come further along in the series after his difficult start to the championship.
“I’m pretty pumped with my first P2 in MX2, which was only my second race in that category,” Ferguson told MotoOnline.com.au. “The podium hasn’t surprised me – it was always the goal and the intention to be on the podium, but after round one, it was more of a doubt.
“I knew that’s where I needed to be, and it was a bit of a breakthrough ride to be on the podium so early. I’m always driving to be better – I’ll just take it week by week, and try to get better and be more consistent – that’s been the biggest downfall in my years of racing. I’d say it’s flipped a few goals around.”
The breakthrough result now sees Ferguson ranked seventh in the MX2 championship standings as ProMX visits South Australia for the next stop on the calendar, scheduled for 30 May.
2021 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup
Round 2 – Jerez, Spain
The Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup took to Jerez over the weekend for their second round, alongside the Gran Premio Red Bull De Espana, where Daniel Holgado wrestled the lead from David Alonso across two hard fought races, with David Munoz also claiming a race win.
Qualifying
Double victor in Portimão, Colombian 15-year-old David Alonso carried his great form to Jerez and after being fast all day found that little extra late in Qualifying to put himself on Pole.
David Alonso
Spaniard Daniel Holgado turned 16 on Tuesday and took second just ahead of Brazilian Diogo Moreira who celebrated his 17th birthday last week.
The trio looked to be the class of the field through Friday but were joined in the final session by Italian 16-year-old Filippo Farioli, fourth fastest.
Australian Harrison Voight qualified 16th, while New Zealand’s Cormac Buchanan was 25th.
Race 1
When the first Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup race kicked off, it was a ten man battle for the lead on the KTM RC250 Rs. The intensity built over a shortened 10 lap race, following a red flag due to technical issues with the starting equipment.
Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup kicks off at Jerez
Holgado was in great form and despite being under pressure and being passed several times. The 16-year-old Spaniard seemed to have the answers as countrymen 14-year-old David Muñoz and 16-year-old Ortolá snapped at his heels.
Brazilian 17-year old Moreira was equally determined, while 15-year-old Colombian Alonso seemed content just to be in a good, top-six position ready for a play in the final laps.
2021 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup – Round 2 – Jerez, Spain
As usual at Jerez it did come down to the final corner and the ten riders all elbowing and lunging for the lead with David Muñoz doing the best job and Holgado going from first to fourth.
David Muñoz
“I’m very happy for this race and victory, Jerez is my home race. I am ready to try and do the same thing again tomorrow, I know it will be very difficult again but I am very focussed. Today it was a very hard and difficult race, everyone was pushing so hard but I believed I could win it. The bike was great, very happy with that and no need to change anything for Sunday.”
Australian Harrison Voight finished 17th, while Cormac Buchanan was 22nd.
Race 2
A dramatic Jerez round of the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup ended with victory for Daniel Holgado. He fought off all-comers at the final corner to cross the line first, several of whom had long lap penalties, meaning ultimately second went to Diogo Moreira ahead of Alex Millan.
Daniel Holgado
Points leader David Alonso was one of those with the penalty and that dropped him to eighth and cost him enough points to give Holgado the Cup lead, by four-points.
It had been a great KTM RC 250 R battle from the start and again a lead group of 10 traded places at every turn. Holgado did most of the leading just as he did on Saturday only to lose out on the last lap.
This time he managed to break away slightly in the second half of the race chased by Moreira. But in giving chase Moreira had exceeded track limits too many times.
2021 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup
Round 2 – Jerez, Spain
Moreira took his long lap penalty with six laps to go but incredibly fought back and made a lunge for the lead on the final lap. That didn’t work but he was in the lead group at the line and took second when Alonso and David Muñoz failed to take their late penalties and were given three-second penalties post race.
Daniel Holgado – P1
“This race was incredible for me. Difficult but I am happy for me and my team. Today the difference was the last corner, yesterday it was very difficult for me but today, much better. The bike was great today, we made a very good set-up and it was fun to ride. The track conditions were difficult with the temperature but I could manage the situation, I enjoyed the race and am ready for the next in Mugello. I believe that I can win there again.”
Daniel Holgado
Diogo Moreira – P2
“The race was very good, I enjoyed it a lot. When I saw I had a long lap penalty I knew I had to do it as soon as possible. After I did it I knew I had to get with the group again for the last laps. On the last lap I tried to win the race but I didn’t, that’s racing and I’m happy. Jerez is my favourite circuit, from FP1 I was fast and I enjoyed it from the start. All weekend I tried to make my laps alone so that I would have the best chance to win the race and I tried to escape the group but I am still happy with the weekend. Mugello I have never ridden before, I need to try and win the race.”
Harrison Voight had a better second race of the weekend, improving to 12th, while New Zealand’s Cormac Buchanan took his best Rookies Cup result yet with P18 in Race 2.
Harrison Voight – P12
“A weekend where I experienced the highs and lows of this sport. I’m aware of what needs to be fixed and I’m determined to come back stronger after Valencia. Thanks to everyone who’s made this possible and I’m looking forward to next week with the team SIC 58 Squadra CORSE.”
Cormac Buchanan – P18
“Absolutely rapt to earn my best finish to date in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup here at the legendary Circuito de Jerez. It sure was a drama-filled race but i managed to keep it shiny side up and tight enough to stay off the green stuff! Full credit to Dad Stacey Buchanan and my mechanic Aleix for making some beneficial changes to the set up and the whole Rookies Cup crew for having our backs. We’ve had a blast here in Spain but time to start another phase of this adventure. Massive thanks to those who make this a reality for me.”
Daniel Holgado now holds the overall lead on 71-points, with David Alonso second on 67 and Diogo Moreira third on 64-points, with only seven points separating the top three. David Munoz and Alex Millan complete the top five overall.
David Alonso holds second overall in the standings
Harrison Voight now holds seven championship points, with Cormac Buchanan working his way towards a points-earning result.
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