MotoAmerica Riders

  • #1 Hayden Gillim

    Team: Revzilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson and Real Steel Motorsports
    Birthdate: December 22, 1994
    Hometown: Philpot, Kentucky
    Height/Weight: 6’ 0”/175 pounds
    Motorcycle: Harley-Davidson Road Glide and Honda CBR1000RR-R SP

  • #1 Jake Gagne

    Team: Attack Performance Yamaha
    Birthdate: August 27, 1993
    Hometown: San Diego, California
    Height/Weight: 5′ 10″/150 pounds
    Motorcycle: Yamaha YZF-R1

  • #2 Josh Herrin

    Team: Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati
    Birthdate: May 23, 1990
    Hometown: Los Angeles, California
    Height/Weight: 5’ 8”/155 pounds
    Motorcycle: Ducati Panigale V4 R

  • #6 Cameron Beaubier

    Team: Tytlers Cycle Racing
    Birthday: December 6, 1992
    Hometown: Roseville, California
    Height/Weight: 5′ 7″/145 pounds
    Motorcycle: BMW M 1000 RR

  • #21 Nolan Lamkin

    Team: Visit Indiana/Tom Wood Powersports
    Birthdate: March 3, 2001
    Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana
    Height/Weight: 6’ 2”/152 pounds
    Motorcycle: BMW S 1000 RR

  • #22 Ashton Yates

    Team: Jones Honda
    Birthdate: April 2, 1999
    Hometown: Milledgeville, Georgia
    Height/Weight: 6’ 2”/170 pounds
    Motorcycle: Honda CBR1000RR-R SP

  • #27 Ryan Burke

    Team: Burke Racing
    Birthdate: October 20, 1978
    Hometown: Keenesburg, Colorado
    Height/Weight: 5’ 11”/175 pounds
    Motorcycle: Yamaha YZF-R1

  • #37 Stefano Mesa

    Team: Tytlers Cycle Racing
    Birthdate: August 19, 1994
    Hometown: Medellin, Colombia
    Height/Weight: 5’ 5”/140 pounds
    Motorcycle: BMW M 1000 RR and Energica Eva Ribelle RS

  • #40 Sean Dylan Kelly

    Team: TopPro Racing
    Birthdate: May 17, 2002
    Hometown: Hollywood, Florida
    Height/Weight: 5’ 10”/150 pounds
    Motorcycle: BMW M 1000 RR

  • #45 Cameron Petersen

    Team: Attack Performance Yamaha
    Birthdate: December 2, 1994
    Hometown: Johannesburg, South Africa
    Height/Weight: 5’ 9”/155 pounds
    Motorcycle: Yamaha YZF-R1

  • #47 Justin Miest

    Team: Nielsen Racing
    Birthdate: March 11, 1995
    Hometown: Cannon Falls, Minnesota
    Height/Weight: 6’ 0”/175 pounds
    Motorcycle: Kawasaki ZX-10R

  • #48 Joseph Giannotto

    Team: Limitless Racing
    Birthdate: April 11, 1984
    Hometown: Hastings, Florida
    Height/Weight: 5’ 11”/155 pounds
    Motorcycle: Kawasaki ZX-10R

  • #50 Bobby Fong

    Team: Sac Mile/SDI Racing/Roland Sands/Indian and Wrench Motorcycles
    Birthdate: October 25, 1991
    Hometown: Stockton, California
    Height/Weight: 5’ 7”/150 pounds
    Motorcycle: Indian Challenger and Yamaha YZF-R1

  • #54 Richie Escalante

    Team: Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki
    Birthdate: April 22, 1995
    Hometown: Tizayuca, Mexico
    Height/Weight: 5’ 8”/135 pounds
    Motorcycle: Suzuki GSX-R1000R

  • #60 Carl Soltisz

    Team: Super Carl Racing
    Birthdate: June 20, 1990
    Hometown: Springfield Township, Michigan
    Height/Weight: 5’ 11”/175 pounds
    Motorcycle: Honda CBR1000RR-R SP and Suzuki GSX-R750

  • #72 Steven Shakespeare

    Team: 3D Motorsports
    Birthdate: October 29, 1972
    Hometown: Scottsdale, Arizona
    Height/Weight: 5’ 10”/185 pounds
    Motorcycle: Ducati Panigale V4 R

  • #76 Loris Baz

    Team: Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati
    Birthdate: February 1, 1993
    Hometown: Sallanches, France
    Height/Weight: 6’ 3”/175 pounds
    Motorcycle: Ducati Panigale V4 R

  • #78 Benjamin Smith

    Team: FLO4LAW Racing
    Birthdate: May 29, 2000
    Hometown: Glenmoore, Pennsylvania
    Height/Weight: 5’ 10”/155 pounds
    Motorcycle: Yamaha YZF-R1

  • #88 Max Flinders

    Team: Thrashed Bike Racing and M3/Revolution Performance
    Birthdate: November 9, 1996
    Hometown: Brentwood, New Hampshire
    Height/Weight: 5’ 11”/160 pounds
    Motorcycle: Yamaha YZF-R1 and Indian Challenger

  • #94 Danilo Lewis

    Team: Team Brazil
    Birthdate: November 20, 1992
    Hometown: Osasco, Brazil
    Height/Weight: 5’ 8”/159 pounds
    Motorcycle: BMW M 1000 RR

  • #96 Brandon Paasch

    Team: Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki
    Birthdate: March 16, 2001
    Hometown: Freehold, New Jersey
    Height/Weight: 6’1”/160 pounds
    Motorcycle: Suzuki GSX-R1000R

  • #103 Alex Arango

    Team: TopPro Racing
    Birthdate: July 18, 1990
    Hometown: Coral Springs, Florida
    Height/Weight: 5’ 7”/140 pounds
    Motorcycle: BMW M 1000 RR

#1 Hayden Gillim

Hayden Gillim grew up racing flat track, but found quick success, and victories, on the pavement when he began road racing in the Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Championship in 2008. Hayden won the 2014 AMA Pro SuperSport national title. Last year Hayden completed one of the strongest comebacks in MotoAmerica history when he scared a rare double-championship season. Hayden won both the Stock 1000 and King of Baggers Championships. It was quite a feat considering the amount of racing he had to do and the transition between radically different motorcycles. Hayden took the Mission King of the Baggers Championship riding for Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson. In Stock 1000 he raced a Suzuki GSX-R100 for Disrupt Racing. Hayden will be back with the Vance & Hines squad this season looking to defend his Baggers title

Little Known Fact: Hayden is the cousin of the racing Hayden brothers. He won his first Amateur Dirt Track Grand Championship when he was just six. Gained a lot of recognition as star of Cycle World magazine’s “Man in a Van with a Plan” TV series documenting Hayden’s travels across the country racing in both road race and flat track events from 2016 to 2018.

MotoAmerica Stats
Wins: 33 (11 in Stock 1000, 2 in Red Bull Rookies Cup, 5 in SuperSport East, 12 in Supersport, 3 in King of the Baggers)
Podiums: 89 (14 in Stock 1000, 8 in Red Bull Rookies Cup, 16 in SuperSport East, 5 in Superstock 1000, 33 in Supersport, 13 in King Of The Baggers)

Career Highlights:

2023 – Scored the MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Championship riding for Disrupt Racing on a Suzuki GSX-R1000. He scored seven Stock 1000 podiums, six of those being wins. Won the King of the Baggers Championship riding a Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson Road Glide. Scored three victories (Laguna Seca, Brainerd and New Jersey) in the class and tallied 11 podiums in the 14-race series. 2022 – Had an outstanding season racing for Disrupt Racing Suzuki in MotoAmerica Stock 1000 and Superbike. Finished runner up in MotoAmerica Stock 1000 scoring a total of seven podiums, including five wins. Did double duty and also scored eight in MotoAmerica Superbike with 13 top-10 finishes. Just missed the Superbike podium at Brainerd, finishing fourth, his top result in the class for the season. 2021 – Finished third in MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers. Scored a podium (third) at Road America. Raced for Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson. 2020 – Raced in the King Of The Baggers Invitational at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca where he finished runner-up on his Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson. 2019 – Finished third in MotoAmerica Supersport aboard a Rickdiculous Racing Yamaha YZF-R6. Scored five wins and a total of nine podiums. 2018 – Was runner-up in MotoAmerica Supersport and scored four wins. Earned a podium in all but two rounds of the 17-race series. Raced a Rickdiculous Racing Yamaha YZF-R6. 2017 – Finished fifth in MotoAmerica Bazzaz Superstock 1000. Scored three podium finishes. Best result was second in the season finale at Barber Motorsports Park. Raced a Cycle World/Suzuki-backed GSX-R1000. Won two rounds of the AFT Singles Championship (Springfield TT and Buffalo Chip TT). 2016 – Ranked fifth in the MotoAmerica Bazzaz Superstock 1000 on the strength of nine top-five finishes, including two podium results. Best finish was second in round six at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Raced with Cycle World Suzuki. Was ranked ninth in MotoAmerica Superbike, best result was fourth in round six at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Won the GNC2 class of the Peoria TT. 2015 – Raced a Veloce Racing MV Agusta in MotoAmerica Supersport. Earned 10 top-10 results, best was seventh (three times). 2014 – Won the AMA Pro Supersport Championship. Scored three victories and nine podiums en route to the title. 2013 – Finished second AMA Pro Supersport East. Scored six podiums, including two wins. 2012 – Won two races in AMA Pro Supersport East with six podiums in all and finished second in the series. 2011 – Finished second in the AMA Pro Supersport East division with four podiums, including a win in race two at Mid-Ohio. 2010 – Earned the prestigious AMA Sports Horizon Award at the AMA Road Race Grand Championships, contended WERA races to get acclimated to 600cc machines. 2009 – Chosen to compete in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup; turned in a season-best finish of tenth at the opening Jerez round. 2008 – Finished second in the Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Championship, earning eight podiums and two victories at Mid-Ohio and VIRginia International Raceway.

#1 Jake Gagne

Jake Gagne scored his second consecutive MotoAmerica Superbike Championship in 2022 with a solid come-from-behind campaign aboard the Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbike.

After the first three races in the 2022 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship Gagne was ranked 10th in the standings after two DNFs and was looking up at a massive hill to climb back into the championship hunt, while rival Danilo Petrucci was unbeaten with 75 points. Gagne then proceeded to go on a tear winning 11 of the next 16 rounds en route to wrapping up his second career MotoAmerica Superbike Championship. Ultimately Gagne ended the year with 12 wins.

Gagne’s outstanding campaign moved him past Nicky Hayden, Fred Merkel and Ben Spies from ninth to sixth on the all-time MotoAmerica/AMA Superbike Wins List. His 29-career Superbike wins, in just two seasons, places him behind only Mat Mladin, Josh Hayes, Cameron Beaubier, Miguel Duhamel and Toni Elias for all-time wins. His 17-win season in 2021 set an all-time single season win record for MotoAmerica/AMA Superbike.

His 2022 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship marked the fourth AMA title for Gagne. In addition to his pair of Superbike crowns, he won the AMA Daytona SportBike Championship in 2015 and was crowned champion of the inaugural MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Championship in 2015.

In 2018, the former youth motocrosser competed overseas in the World Superbike Championship on a Ten Kate Honda but returned stateside to the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship in 2019 and rode a Scheibe Racing BMW to eighth in the title chase.

Gagne, who was born and raised in San Diego, California, now resides in Durango, Colorado.

Little Known Fact: His 29 MotoAmerica Superbike wins in 2021 and 2022 marked the most wins in any two-year span in the history of the series dating back to the birth of the series in 1976. Jake Gagne qualified for and raced in the 2015 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship round at the Utah Motorsports Campus and very nearly finished in the top 20.

MotoAmerica Stats
Wins: 29
Podiums: 44

Career Highlights

2022 – Won 12 races on his way to his second straight MotoAmerica Superbike Championship. Scored a total of 15 podiums in the 20-race series. Won a series-leading eight Superbike poles. Raced for Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing. 2021 – Won the 2021 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship with a record-setting 17 wins out of 20 races on his Fresh N’ Lean Attack Performance Yamaha. 2020 – Finished second in the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship with 11 podiums as a teammate to champion Cameron Beaubier on the Monster Energy Attack Performance Yamaha team. 2019 – Rode a Scheibe Racing BMW to eighth in the Superbike title chase with a best finish of fourth. 2018 – Raced a Ten Kate Honda in the World Superbike Championship and ended up 17th in the championship. 2017 – Finished 11th in the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship on a RoadRace Factory Honda. 2016 – Finished 10th in the 2016 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship with a best result of third at Road Atlanta. 2015 – Won the MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Championship on a RoadRace Factory Yamaha YZF-R1 with 11 victories. 2014 – Won the AMA Daytona SportBike Championship. 2013 – Raced a RoadRace Factory/Red Bull Yamaha to second to Cameron Beaubier in the AMA Daytona SportBike class and was the only rider to beat Beaubier when he scored victory at Road America. 2012 – Won his first-career AMA Daytona SportBike race at Homestead-Miami Speedway on his RoadRace Factory/Red Bull Yamaha. 2011 – Raced as a wild card in the Moto2 World Championship round at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 2010 – Won four rounds of the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup and won the championship. 2009 – Competed in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup and two rounds of the AMA Supersport East Series with a best finish of sixth. 2008 – Competed in the Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup, winning two rounds at Road Atlanta and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, respectively. 2005 – 65cc Ponca City Amateur National Motocross Champion.

#2 Josh Herrin

Josh Herrin raced a Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC Ducati Panigale V2 to the 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship. It marked the third national racing title for Herrin after winning the AMA Superbike Championship in 2013 and the MotoAmerica Superstock Championship in 2016.

This season Herrin will return to the premier MotoAmerica Superbike Championship, aiming for his second Superbike title riding for the factory-backed Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York squad on a Ducati Panigale V4 R Superbike.

“I’m excited to return to the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship and be reunited with the team with whom I enjoyed so much success last year,” Herrin said. “The MotoAmerica Superbike class is really competitive, but I’m confident that my team can deliver a motorcycle capable of winning. I’m really looking forward to swinging a leg over the factory-prepped Panigale V4 R superbike and wearing Ducati red for another year.”

The Georgian who now calls Huntington Beach, California home, has eight AMA Superbike wins to his credit and 48 podiums in the premier class.

Little Known Fact: Josh is popular on social media with nearly 200,000 followers on Instagram. Josh’s brother Zach is a stock car racer. Josh’s family owns a first-class Supermoto track in Georgia where many top pro racers train. In 2021 Josh set a Guinness World Record for fastest elbow drag at 100.9 mph. Déjà vu? In 2014, Herrin was replaced on Yamaha’s AMA factory team by Cameron Beaubier with Herrin heading to the Moto2 World Championship. In 2021, Herrin replaced Beaubier who left MotoAmerica to race in the Moto2 World Championship.

MotoAmerica Stats

Wins: 45 (8 in Superbike, 15 in Supersport, 14 in Daytona SportBike, 8 in Superstock 1000)

Podiums: 127 (48 in Superbike, 36 in Supersport, 30 in Daytona SportBike, 13 in Superstock 1000)

Career Highlights:

2022 – Herrin dominated the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship riding a Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC Ducati Panigale V2. He scored a class-leading nine wins and a total of 16 podiums in the 18 race series. 2021 – Herrin was sixth in the 2021 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship with seven podiums on a Fresh N’ Lean Attack Performance Yamaha. 2020 – Finished sixth in the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship on a Scheibe Racing BMW. 2019 – Rode alongside Toni Elias on the Yoshimura Suzuki team, ending the season fifth in the Superbike Championship with two wins. 2018 – Finished third in the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship on an Attack Performance Yamaha, winning two races.  2017 – Rode a Meen Motorsports Yamaha to eighth in the Superbike Championship and finished second in the final round at Barber Motorsports Park as a fill-in rider on the factory Yamaha team for Cameron Beaubier. 2016 – With eight wins on the year, Herrin won the Superstock 1000 Championship on a Meen Motorsports Yamaha. 2015 – Ended the season ranked second in the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship with four victories and 11 podiums. 2014 – Raced in the Moto2 World Championship. 2013 – With four wins on the season, Herrin earned the 2013 AMA Superbike Championship on the Monster Energy Graves Yamaha. 2012 – Made his Superbike debut and finished fourth in the AMA Superbike Championship. 2011 – Finished second in the AMA Daytona SportBike Championship with five wins. 2010 – Ended the season third in the Daytona SportBike Series with five victories. 2009 – Finished second in the Daytona SportBike Series with four wins. 2008 – Riding a Graves Yamaha, finished fifth in the AMA Supersport Championship with one win. 2007 – Finished seventh in AMA Supersport Series, earning his first win in the class along the way. 2006 – Racing on a limited Supersport schedule after turning professional, finished 11th in the Supersport Championship but earned his first career podium in the class in Utah.

#6 Cameron Beaubier

Cameron Beaubier is one of the all-time elites in the history of MotoAmerica/AMA Superbike racing. A five-time Superbike Champion, Cameron began his racing career as a Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup race winner, then became the 2013 Daytona 200 winner and 2013 AMA Pro Daytona SportBike champion before moving up to become one of the most dominant Superbike riders ever.

After racking up an amazing run in MotoAmerica Superbike, which saw him become third on the all-time MotoAmerica/AMA Superbike wins list and second in terms of number of championships, in 2021 the Californian left MotoAmerica to ride for the American Racing Team in the FIM Moto2 Grand Prix World Championship. After two seasons in the world championships in 2023 Cameron returns to MotoAmerica hoping to build on his already impressive racing legacy.

Little Known Fact: Trains with his brother and fellow MotoAmerica racer Ezra on a TT track called “Area 97” riding a 150cc motorcycle. Served as a guest instructor at the Yamaha Champions Riding School in 2016. Has as much international racing experience as just about any other rider in the MotoAmerica paddock. In addition to his recent Moto2 stint, he also ran the GP circuit in 2007 with the Red Bull Rookies, the Spanish CEV 125cc Series in 2008, the FIM 125cc World Championships in 2009 and did the British round of the Superbike World Championship in 2016. Married his wife Shelby in 2021. Cameron comes from a family of racers. His dad and uncles all raced dirt bikes. Cameron grew up playing soccer. Hobbies include hanging out with friends, mountain biking, cycling and golf.

MotoAmerica Stats

Wins: 75 (54 Superbike, 19 in Daytona SportBike, 2 in SuperSport East)
Podiums:  140 (101 in Superbike, 32 in Daytona SportBike, 7 in SuperSport East)

Career Highlights:

2022 – Raced the Moto2 World Championships with the American Racing Team. Scored five top-10 finishes with a best of fourth in France. Won the Moto2 pole at the American round at the Circuit of the Americas. Ranked 17th.  2021 – Raced the Moto2 World Championships with the American Racing Team. Scored five top-10 finishes with a best of fifth (twice). Ranked 15th. 2020 – Won his fifth MotoAmerica Superbike Championship, which placed him second on the all-time MotoAmerica/AMA Superbike Championship list behind Mat Mladin who has seven titles. Won a series leading 16 races and earned a total of 18 podium finishes. Raced for Monster Energy Attack Performance Yamaha. 2019 – Won his fourth MotoAmerica Superbike Championship, with six race wins, 17 podiums and four poles. Raced with the factory Yamaha team. 2018 – Won his fourth MotoAmerica Superbike Championship scoring eight wins, 17 podiums and six poles. Raced with the Yamaha factory team. 2017 – Took third in the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship with Team Yamaha. Tallied five race wins, 12 podiums and two poles. 2016 – Won his second MotoAmerica Superbike Championship with eight race wins, 13 podiums and four poles. Raced with factory Yamaha. Scored a top-10 finish in the Superbike World Championship round in Great Britain. 2015 – Earned his first MotoAmerica Superbike Championship. Took eight race wins, 17 podiums and three poles. Raced with Yamaha. 2014 – AMA Pro SuperBike rookie season with factory Yamaha. Earned three race wins, seven podiums and two poles on his way to finishing third in the championship. 2013 – Dominated the AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Championship taking 12 race wins (out of 13 races). Won pole and was on the podium for every race. Won the Daytona 200 and earned the pole for the race. Raced for satellite factory Graves Yamaha squad on a Yamaha R6. 2012 – Finished third in AMA Pro Daytona SportBike with seven race wins, 14 podiums and two poles. Raced for Graves Yamaha. 2011 – Finished sixth in AMA Pro Daytona SportBike debut. Took five podium finishes in 13 starts. Best race of the season was a second place at Laguna Seca. Raced a Jake Holden Racing Yamaha R6. 2010 – Won two races in AMA Pro SuperSport East, one being his very first race on a 600 at Daytona, and the other at Infineon. He was in championship contention but unfortunately had an injury toward the end of the season and finished fourth. Earned two poles and seven podiums. Raced for Rockwall Performance Yamaha. 2009 – Rode for Red Bull KTM in the GP125 World Championship. Scored world championship points in two races. Best result was 14th. Ranked 29th. 2008 – Raced in the Spanish CEV GP125 Championship. Best result was sixth. 2007 – Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, one race win, three podiums, sixth in the series.

#21 Nolan Lamkin

After a successful run in MotoAmerica Supersport, which was highlighted by a podium finish in 2021, Nolan Lamkin moved up to MotoAmerica Stock 1000 and Superbike Cup racing last season aboard a Tom Wood Powersports BMW S 1000 RR and finished ranked 13th in Stock 1000 and sixth in Superbike Cup. This season will mark Nolan’s ninth year in MotoAmerica competition.

Little Known Fact: Nolan comes from a racing family. His dad participated in motorcycle drag racing, but Nolan wanted to go road racing. Cites Nicky Hayden and former Moto3 World Champ Danny Kent as racing heroes. Motorcycling runs deep in the family. His great grandfather owned a Norton dealership. Got to experience one of his lifelong dreams when he raced at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway last year in the MotoAmerica event. Has been coached by Michael Barnes and Jason Pridmore.

MotoAmerica Stats
Wins:
Podiums: 1 (Supersport)

Career Highlights:

2022 – Finished ranked 13th in Stock 1000 riding a Tom Wood Powersports BMW S 1000 RR. Scored six top-10 Stock 1000 finishes with a best of seventh in the season finale at Barber Motorsports Park. Finished sixth in the Superbike Cup for riders racing Stock 1000 machine in MotoAmerica Superbike. While his focus was on Stock 1000, Lamkin did race a few Superbike races and scored points in three rounds. Best Superbike finish was 14th at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Ranked 29th in Superbike. 2021 – It was a landmark season for Nolan. He earned his first podium finish in MotoAmerica competition when he took third in the Supersport season-opener at Road Atlanta. He finished the season ranked 12th in the series. Raced for Cycle Gear Racing on a Yamaha YZF-R6. 2020 – Cracked the top-10 for the first time in MotoAmerica Supersport. Scored 10 top-10 finishes, including a season best of fifth in round 10 at The Ridge. Raced a Cycle Gear Racing Yamaha R6. 2019 – Raced a Cycle Gear Racing Yamaha R6 to 15th in MotoAmerica Supersport. Scored a pair of top-10 finishes, with a best of ninth in the season finale at Barber. 2018 – Ranked 25th in MotoAmerica Supersport. Earned two points-paying finishes, both 13th-place. Raced a Cycle Gear Racing Yamaha R6. 2017 – Ranked 15th in MotoAmerica Superstock 600 on a Cycle Gear Racing/Westby Racing Yamaha R6. Three top-10 finishes with a season best of seventh at round eight in Utah. Ranked 29th in Supersport with top-10 finish (10th) in Utah. 2016 – Raced KTM RC Cup. Ranked 13th in the series with five top-10 finishes. Best result was sixth (twice). Backed by Cycle Gear Racing. 2015 – Finished 17th in KTM RC Cup. Best finish was eighth in the opening round at COTA. Sponsored by Cycle Gear Racing.

#22 Ashton Yates

Ashton Yates raced his first full season in MotoAmerica Superbike in 2022 and finished ranked 10th riding the Scheibe Racing BMW. Ashton became the first rider in series history to race in all five MotoAmerica classes when he took part in the 2020 MotoAmerica Superbike class. Yates started his MotoAmerica career in KTM RC Cup, advanced to Junior Cup, then raced in Stock 600 and Supersport, and in 2019, he competed in Stock 1000. Ashton is the son of multi-time AMA Champion Aaron Yates.

Little Known Fact: Ashton Yates has finished on the podium in three classes of MotoAmerica racing: KTM RC 390 Cup, Liqui Moly Junior Cup and Stock 1000. He also became the first rider to stand on the podium in two different classes on the same day when he did so in Supersport and Liqui Moly Junior Cup at Road Atlanta in 2018.

MotoAmerica/AMA Superbike Stats
Wins: 6 (KTM RC Cup/Junior Cup)
Podiums: 23 (17 in KTM RC Cup/Junior Cup, 1 in Supersport, 5 in Stock 1000)

Career Highlights: 

2022 – Finished 10th in MotoAmerica Superbike. Scored 12 top-10 finishes with a best result of sixth (three times). Raced a Scheibe Racing BMW S 1000 RR. Ran a Jones Honda CBR1000RR-R SP in MotoAmerica Stock 1000 at Road Atlanta and finished ninth. Ranked 25th in Stock 1000 based on that single event. 2021 – Finished fifth in Stock 1000 and scored four podiums. His best result was second (three times). Ashton showed amazing progress and rain-riding prowess in MotoAmerica Superbike racing in select rounds. At the end of the season, he scored two fourths and a sixth in the season finale tripleheader round at Barber Motorsports Park. Raced for Jones Honda aboard a Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP. 2020 – Finished seventh-ranked in the Stock 1000 class scoring 10 top-10 finishes and a season-best of fifth at New Jersey. Ranked seventh in the Superbike Cup for riders racing Stock 1000 machine in the Superbike class. Scored points-paying finishes in five MotoAmerica Superbike rounds with his best finish being an 11th at Barber. Ranked 24th in Superbike. 2019 – Despite not starting the Stock 1000 series until the seventh round, finished seventh in the championship with a second-place finish at Pitt Race. Started the season in the Supersport Championship and ended up 17th despite switching to the Stock 1000 class. Scored three top-10 finishes in Supersport with a best of ninth (twice). 2018 – Finished fourth in Junior Cup with three victories and seven podiums in all. Did double duty and also raced in the Supersport class where he finished 14th in the championship, scoring a podium (third) at Road Atlanta. 2017 – Finished 11th in the Superstock 600 Championship with five top-10 finishes. Best result was seventh. 2016 – Finished third in the KTM RC Cup Championship with 10 podium finishes and three victories. 2015 – Made his MotoAmerica debut and ended the season ranked 19th in the KTM RC Cup Championship. Best finish was sixth.

#27 Ryan Burke

Ryan Burke is a six-time number-one plate holder with the MRA club racing organization in Colorado. He came back in pro racing in 2021 after racing AMA 750 Supersport in the late 1990s at his then home track of Pikes Peak International Raceway. Last season he scored his first career pro top-10 finish.

Little Known Fact:  Ryan’s uncle Dennie Burke was an AMA pro road racer, and that’s what got Ryan interested in racing. Ryan says Mick Doohan, Kevin Schwantz, and Wayne Rainey were the riders he most admired growing up.

MotoAmerica Stats
Wins:
Podiums: 

Career Highlights:

2022 – Ran MotoAmerica Stock 1000 on his Burke Racing/Boulder Motorsports Yamaha YZF-R1. Recorded championship points in seven races. Best result was 10th at The Ridge. Ranked 16th in Stock 1000. 2021 – Ran a Burke Racing/Boulder Motorsports Ducati in Stock 1000. Recorded no finishes. 1997-1999 – Raced the Pikes Peak round of AMA 750 Supersport each year and scored a best result of 13th in the 1998 event.

#37 Stefano Mesa

Stefano Mesa has been a professional motorcycle racer in America for over a decade, and his experience showed last year with MotoAmerica Supersport podium results at New Jersey Motorsports Park and Barber Motorsports Park and ultimately earned a solid 10th-place ranking in the championship despite racing a limited schedule. Finished even higher in MotoAmerica Stock 1000 ranking seventh after scoring six top-five finishes. Even though he’s been in and out of pro rides throughout his career, he’s still managed to rack up four career wins and an incredible 27-career podium finishes.

Little Known Fact: Stefano is originally from Colombia. He’s served as a guest instructor for Cornerspin. Suffered a serious head injury as a child when his father crashed on the street with Stefano on the back. He had to stay off motorcycles for four years as he recovered.

MotoAmerica Stats

Wins: 4 (1 in Supersport, 1 in Stock 1000, 2 in SuperSport East)

Podiums: 27 (7 in Supersport, 11 in Stock 1000, 9 in SuperSport East)

Career Highlights:

2022 – Raced a limited MotoAmerica Supersport schedule, yet still managed to score two podium finishes with a second at New Jersey Motorsports Park and third at Barber. Ranked 10th in Supersport. Also raced select MotoAmerica Stock 1000 races and earned six top-five finishes. His best Stock 1000 result was fourth (three times). Ranked seventh in Stock 1000. Raced for his own MESA37 Racing squad aboard Kawasakis. 2021 – Finished sixth in the 2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship with one race win and five total podium finishes on his MESA37 Racing Kawasaki. 2020 – In MotoAmerica Stock 1000, raced a Mesa37Racing Kawasaki and finished ranked fifth on the strength of nine top-five finishes, including podiums (seconds) in two rounds. Raced a couple of rounds of MotoAmerica Superbike and scored a pair of 11th-place finishes. Finished 10th in Superbike Cup. 2019 – Raced in MotoAmerica Stock 1000. Took victory in round four at Road America. Finished second ranked and was on the podium in all but two rounds of the 11-race series. Raced a Mesa37Racing Kawasaki ZX-10R. 2018–2016 – Focused on club racing events. 2015 – Raced a limited schedule of MotoAmerica Superbike. Ranked 11th. Scored three top-10 finishes with a best result of fifth in round five at Road Atlanta. Raced a Turbo Turtle Racing Honda CBR1000RR. 2014 – Signed with DMS Racing to race a Kawasaki ZX-10R in AMA Pro Superbike. He finished the first two rounds with a best result of 10th, but then the team dropped out of racing. Based on that one weekend he finished 21st in the Superbike point standings. 2013 – Raced AMA Supersport East and won the opening race at Daytona. Finished third in the standings with three podiums in all racing for Motosport.com/RSRacecraft Yamaha. 2012 – Scored his first pro victory when he won the AMA Pro Supersport East race at Road America. In all he earned five podium finishes and was ranked fourth. Raced for Kneedraggers.com Yamaha. 2011 – Raced a Ducati 848 for Desmomaniacs/Ducati Miami in AMA Pro Supersport East. Earned his first career podium (second) in the opening round at Daytona. Finished seventh in the final standings. 2010 – Debut season in pro racing. Contested selected races in AMA Pro Supersport East. Finished 15th with four top-10 finishes. Best result was a fifth at Barber Motorsports Park.

#40 Sean Dylan Kelly

Florida’s Sean Dylan Kelly returns to Team Hammer for a third year in 2021.  SDK finished second in the 2020 Supersport Championship, having scored consistent podium finishes along with five Supersport class victories in 2020. Kelly enters 2021 with an abundance of momentum gained from a dominating pole position performance and strong second place finish in the 79th running of the legendary Daytona 200 recently at Daytona International Speedway. Before launching his MotoAmerica career as a 16 year old in 2019, Sean already had multiple seasons of international competition to his credit, including the last three as a full-time participant in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup.

Little Known Fact: As a kid Sean wanted to become a go-kart racer, but the day they went to try it out, the track would not let him drive because he was too young. There was a motorcycle shop next door, so his dad got him on a bike instead and his career path was set. He began mini-bike racing when he was six.

 

MotoAmerica Stats
Wins: 9
Podiums: 25

 

Career Highlights:

2020 – Kelly finished runner up in MotoAmerica Supersport, where he scored five race victories and a total of 16 podium finishes in the 18-race series. Raced for M4 ECSTAR Suzuki on a Suzuki GSX-R600. 2019 – Kelly made an impressive MotoAmerica debut with the M4 ECSTAR Suzuki squad earning a Supersport podium in his first race at Road Atlanta. Finished the year ranked fourth in Supersport, highlighted by a clean sweep of both rounds at PittRace, marking his first and second MotoAmerica wins. In all he earned seven podium finishes. Ended the year with a bonus being invited to make his Moto2 World Championship debut with the American Racing Team at Valencia, filling in for Spaniard Iker Lecuona, who raced in the MotoGP that weekend. After qualifying 27th, Kelly crashed early in the race, but it was a great experience for him. Early in the season Kelly, then 16, became the youngest rider to earn pole position for the Daytona 200 and then finished a close second in the red-flag-interrupted race. 2018 – Won the ASRA Team Challenge race during Race of Champions at Daytona, placed 10th in Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Championship (best race finish was 6th at Assen). 2017 – Finished 17th in Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Championship (best race finish was 7th – twice). 2016 – Placed 22nd in Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup (best race finish was 13th). 2015 – Finished runner up in KTM RC Cup World Final (1 win, 2 podiums), won the Mexican KTM RC Cup Championship.

#45 Cameron Petersen

The Spanish-born Cameron Petersen is coming off a strong season in MotoAmerica Superbike, racing Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha to third in the 2022 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship. Along the way he earned 10 podium visits and won rounds at Road America and Barber Motorsports Park

Petersen, who comes from a family of Zimbabwean motorcycle racers, tasted success for the first time in 2020 when he won the MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Championship with Altus Motorsports Suzuki. It was an amazing season for Petersen, who overcame issues to eventually win a class leading eight races to secure the Stock 1000 title.

His 2020 success led to a ride with Suzuki in the Superbike class and he took full advantage of the opportunity, winning a race in the season finale at Barber Motorsports Park and finishing on the podium a total of five times. He also earned a career-first MotoAmerica Superbike pole position – again at Barber Motorsports Park, a track he calls his favorite in the world.

The 2023 season marks the ninth season racing in America for Petersen, who was a South African Supersport National Championship in 2013. His father Robbie raced in America in the 1980s and ‘90s. Both his dad and uncle Dave had Grand Prix experience.

Little Known Fact: Growing up in the warm-weather environs of Zimbabwe and South Africa, Petersen had no clue how brutal American winters can be. When he first signed to race in America and he landed at the airport, it was during a record cold snap and it was -17 degrees. Petersen was wearing shorts and a tank top when he walked off the plane.

MotoAmerica Stats
Wins: 12 (3 in Superbike, 8 in Stock 1000, 1 in Supersport)
Podiums: 30 (15 in Superbike, 11 in Stock 1000, 4 in Supersport)

Career Highlights:

2022 – Raced for Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing in MotoAmerica Superbike and finished third in the championship. Scored 10 podium finishes including earning victories at Road America and Barber Motorsports Park. He was just one of four riders to win a MotoAmerica Superbike race in 2022. 2021 – Finished third in the 2021 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship on an M4 ECSTAR Suzuki with his first-career Superbike victory and five total podiums. 2020 – Scored the MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Championship, clinching the title at the Indianapolis round. He won a series-leading eight races in 12 rounds on the Altus Motorsports Suzuki. He was on the podium in 11 of those rounds. Won the pole at all but one round of the Stock 1000 series. It marked his first MotoAmerica Championship after six years of competing in the series.  Petersen also raced several rounds of MotoAmerica Superbike and finished eighth in that series with a best finish of fifth, which he accomplished twice. That was good enough to earn him the Superbike Cup, awarded to the top stock machine in the Superbike class. 2019 – Raced for Omega Moto Yamaha in MotoAmerica Superbike. His best result was a sixth, which he did four times. Finished ranked ninth. 2018 – Raced MotoAmerica Superbike for Genuine Broaster Chicken Honda. Best finish was fifth in the first leg at New Jersey. Finished ranked 12th. 2017 – Raced for Fly Racing/Motul/ADR Motorsport Kawasaki and finished fifth in Superstock 1000 and 11th in the Superbike class at the Austin round before making the difficult decision to exit the series due to putting too much financial strain on his family. 2016 – Raced for M4 Sportbike TrackGear.com Suzuki in MotoAmerica Supersport. Won on a wet track in the April New Jersey event. Scored a total of three podiums en route to finishing fourth in the series. 2015 – Made his MotoAmerica debut racing Supersport for the RoadRace Factory Yamaha squad. Scored five top-five finishes, with a best result of second in leg one at New Jersey. 2013 – Won the South African Supersport National Championship.

#47 Justin Miest

Justin Miest is entering his third season in MotoAmerica competition. While his focus was on Stock 1000 last season, Justin turned in a strong performance in MotoAmerica Superbike race one at Road America, where he scored 10th in the rain.

Little Known Fact: Justin started riding dirt bikes when he was five. Justin is one of the rare road racers who says he doesn’t mind racing in the rain. Grew up riding dirt bikes with his dad and uncle. As an adult he began riding track days, which inspired him to get deeper into road racing. Since he grew up on dirt bikes Chad Reed and Ricky Carmichael were his heroes as a kid. Is a CNC machinist. Held the CRA track record at Brainerd International Raceway.

 

MotoAmerica Stats

Wins: Podiums:

 

Career Highlights:

2022 – Earned a solid 10th-place finish in MotoAmerica Superbike in the rain at Road America. That was Justin’s top MotoAmerica result to that point in his career. That single points-paying result put him 27th in the final Superbike standings. Finished eighth in the Superbike Cup standings for riders racing their Stock 1000 bikes in Superbike. He was second among Stock 1000 riders in Road America Superbike race one. Scored points in two rounds of MotoAmerica Stock 1000 with a best finish of 12th at his home race at Brainerd. Ranked 31st in the point standings. Raced a Nielsen Racing Kawasaki ZX-10R. 2021 – Raced just a couple of rounds of MotoAmerica Stock 1000 and scored a best finish of 14th at Brainerd. Ranked 41st in Stock 1000.

#48 Joseph Giannotto

Joseph Giannotto has been a part-time pro rider since 2014. He broke through to earn the first top-10 ranking in his career by finishing ninth in MotoAmerica Stock 1000 in 2020. Last year he participated in just one MotoAmerica event at Barber Motorsports Park.

Little Known Fact: A multi-time club racing champion, Joseph raced part-time in the pro ranks his entire racing career except for 2021 when he contested nearly a full season.

MotoAmerica Stats
Wins:
Podiums:

Career Highlights:

2022 – Raced at Barber Motorsports Park on a Luie Zendejas Racing BMW and finished 20th in one of the Superbike races and DNF’d in Stock 1000. 2021 – Finished 13th in MotoAmerica Stock 1000 racing a Limitless Racing Kawasaki. Scored a pair of top-10 finishes with a season best of seventh at Barber. 2020 – Finished ninth in MotoAmerica Stock 1000. Scored six top-10 finishes. Best finish was seventh (twice). Raced a Limitless Racing Kawasaki ZX-10RR. 2019 – Finished 20th in MotoAmerica Supersport on a limited schedule. Scored one top-10 finish (ninth) in round three at VIR. Raced a Limitless Racing Yamaha R6. 2018 – Ranked 19th in MotoAmerica Supersport. Raced selected rounds earned two top-10 finishes (ninths). Raced a Limitless Racing Yamaha R6. 2017 – Finished 22nd in MotoAmerica Supersport running a limited schedule. Top result was 12th (twice). Limitless Racing Yamaha R6. 2016 – Raced just a few rounds of MotoAmerica Supersport on his Limitless Racing Yamaha R6. Finished the year ranked 32nd. Lone points-paying finish was 12th at round five in New Jersey. 2015 – Finished 16th in MotoAmerica Superstock 600. Best finish was 11th (three times). 2014 – Raced select rounds of AMA Pro Supersport. Best result was 14th (twice). Finished the year ranked 32nd. Raced a Limitless Racing Yamaha R6.

#50 Bobby Fong

Bobby Fong shifted gears last season and raced a Roland Sands Indian in the King of the Baggers Championship. He earned immediate success by scoring a pair of podiums, including a victory in his first year in the series.

Fong has a long and storied career in professional road racing. He won the 2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship while riding for M4 ECSTAR Suzuki and was rewarded with a spot on the team’s Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike in 2020. And he made the most of it, finishing third in the championship and was one of just three riders to win a race. Fong ended up winning three Superbike races in 2020 and stood on the podium eight times. In 2021 he scored three Superbike podiums.

Little Known Fact: Bobby Fong is second on the all-time MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 win list with 10 victories – one behind leader Jake Gagne. Fong is tied for second with Mathew Scholtz.

MotoAmerica Stats
Wins: 20 (1 in King of Baggers, 10 in Superstock 1000, 6 in Supersport, 3 in Superbike)
Podiums: 58 (2 in King of Baggers, 6 in Daytona SportBike, 21 in Superstock 1000, 18 in Supersport, 11 in Superbike)

Career Highlights:

2022 – Raced a Roland Sands Design Indian Challenger in King of Baggers. Won the Brainerd round of the series and scored a third in Daytona Race Two. Finished fifth in Bagger Series. 2021 – Bobby Fong finished fifth in the 2021 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship on his M4 ECSTAR Suzuki with three podiums. 2020 – Finished third in the 2020 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship with three wins and eight podium finishes. 2019 – Won the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship with six wins and 14 podiums in 17 races. 2018 – Ended the season ranked 11th in the Superbike Championship riding a Genuine Broaster Chicken-backed Honda. 2017 – Finished third in the Superstock 1000 Championship with six victories. 2016 – Finished second in the Superstock 1000 Championship with four wins and nine podium finishes. 2015 – Ended the season ranked sixth in the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship on a Latus Triumph with four podium finishes. 2014 – Ended up 12th in the AMA Daytona SportBike Championship. 2013 – Competed on a Triumph and finished ninth in the Ama Daytona SportBike Series. 2012 – Ended up eighth in the Daytona Sportbike Series on a Meen Motorsports Yamaha. Also competed in select rounds of the Harley-Davidson Series. 2010 – Won his first-career AMA Daytona SportBike race at VIR and ended the season eighth in the championship. 2009 – Finished 14th in the AMA Daytona SportBike Championship after racing select rounds. 2008 – Raced in both AMA Supersport and Formula Xtreme on Safety First Suzukis. 2007 – Contested both AMA Supersport and Formula Xtreme. 2006 – Made his AMA Pro debut at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca and won two AFM Championships. 2005 – Won the AFM 250 Supermoto USA Championship.

#54 Richie Escalante

Richie Escalante moved to MotoAmerica Superbike after an illustrious four seasons in MotoAmerica Supersport competition. The 2022 season saw the hard-charging Escalante flash in his rookie Superbike campaign as he transitioned to the Suzuki GSX-R1000R before injuries slowed him down.

“This off-season, I took some time to fully recover from my Brainerd crash and now I am fully fit. I am ready to test and get ready for the long season and really happy about how things are shaping up,” said the 27-year-old.

The popular Escalante became the first Mexican to win an AMA National Road Racing Championship when he wrapped up the 2020 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship riding for HONOS Kawasaki. Escalante won a remarkable 13 rounds in the 18-round championship, clinching the title with two races remaining. 

He will again be aboard the Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki in the Superbike class in 2023.

Little Known Fact: “Richie” is a nickname. Escalante’s actual first name is Ricardo. Richie’s dad Pablo was a multi-time Latin American Road Racing Champion. Richie’s brother Pablo, Jr. was also a road racer.

MotoAmerica Stats
Wins: 20 (16 Supersport, 4 Superstock 600)
Podiums: 41 (24 Supersport, 17 Superstock 600)

Career Highlights:

2022 – Raced for Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki in MotoAmerica Superbike. Finished ninth in the Superbike Championship with five top-five finishes. Best result was fourth which he accomplished in both legs at Laguna Seca. 2021 – Finished second in the 2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship riding for HONOS Kawasaki. Won three races along the way to bring his career total to 16 in the class as he graduates to the Superbike ranks for 2022. 2020 – Won the 2020 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship riding for HONOS Kawasaki. Earned his first career MotoAmerica Supersport victory in the opening round at Road America and continued to win a series-leading 13 rounds in the 18-race series. Scored a total of 16 podium finishes. Clinched the title with two races remaining. 2019 – Finished fifth in the Supersport standings with six podium finishes, including a season high best of second at VIR and in the season finale at Barber Motorsports Park. Rode for 2 Wheel Legal – Hudson Motorcycles on a Yamaha R6. 2018 – Ranked 6th in Supersport, including a pair of podium finishes (thirds) at VIR and New Jersey. Raced for Quicksilver/Hudson Motorcycles on a Yamaha R6. 2017 – Sat out of racing due to lack of funding. 2016 – Finished runner-up in the MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Championship, winning three rounds of the series. Earned nine podium finishes in Superstock 600. Also finished 10th in the MotoAmerica Supersport standings by way of his Superstock 600 results. The two classes race simultaneously. His best Supersport result was fourth in race 1 at Road America. Raced for HB Racing/Meen Yamaha. 2015 – Finished second in the MotoAmerica Superstock 600 class. Won race two at VIR. Had eight Superstock 600 class podiums. Raced for Escalante Racing on a Yamaha R6. 2014 – Finished 11th in the AMA Pro Supersport class. His best finish was 6th (twice, Barber and New Jersey). Rode for Escalante Racing on a Yamaha R6. Also won the Mexican 600cc National Championship. 2013 – Raced in Mexico. 2012 – Raced in the FIM CEV Repsol Moto2 Championship in Spain and finished 16th, with a best result of eighth.

#60 Carl Soltisz

Carl Soltisz is entering his 10th season of pro road racing. In 2021 he earned a top-10 ranking for the first time by finishing a solid ninth in MotoAmerica Supersport. Last season he just missed that mark by finishing 11th in the series. Last season he raced a Suzuki marking the first time in his pro career he raced a brand other than Yamaha.

Little Known Fact: Unlike many pro road racers who started racing at a young age, Carl didn’t have the opportunity to start racing until the age of 19. He earned the name “Super Carl” during his successful club racing days. Carl has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and two master’s degrees in engineering/business administration.

MotoAmerica Stats
Wins:
Podiums:

Career Highlights:

2022 – Ranked 11th in MotoAmerica Supersport with 10 top-10 finishes. Best result was seventh (at The Ridge and Brainerd). Raced an InfinityFallProtection.com/Disrupt Suzuki GSX-R750. 2021 – Earned 12 top-10 Supersport finishes. That more than doubled his career total of top-10 results. Ended the year ranked ninth in the series. His best result was a seventh at Brainerd. Raced a Disrupt Racing Yamaha R6. 2020 – Earned four top-10 MotoAmerica Supersport finishes racing select rounds. Best was 7th in race one at Road America. Ranked 15th. Raced his own Super C Racing Yamaha YZF-R6. 2019 – Scored a 13th-place MotoAmerica Supersport finish in race one at Road America. Ranked 31st. Raced his own Super C Racing Yamaha YZF-R6. 2018 – Earned a 14th-place MotoAmerica Supersport finish in race one at Road America. Ranked 29th. Raced a TSE Racing Yamaha YZF-R6. 2017 – Raced the Road America and Pitt Race rounds of MotoAmerica Superstock 600. Best finish was eighth in round five at Road America. Ranked 23rd in the series. 2016 – Raced the Road America round of MotoAmerica Superstock 600 and finished eighth in race 1, DNF in race 2. Ranked 26th in Superstock 600. Raced a Trackside Suspension & Engineering Yamaha YZF-R6. 2015 – Raced to a fifth-place finish at the Road America round of MotoAmerica Superstock 600. Ranked 26th based on that single appearance. Raced a Super C Racing Yamaha YZF-R6. 2014 – Made pro road racing debut in AMA Pro Supersport. Ranked 22nd in the final standings and scored a season-best of eighth at Mid-Ohio. Raced a Super C Racing/Moto-D Racing Yamaha YZF-R6.

#72 Steven Shakespeare

British-born Steven Shakespeare emerged from CMRA club racing and began his MotoAmerica career in 2019 when he raced in both Stock 1000 and Twins Cup. He found that the Stock 1000 machine better-suited his riding style, so he focused on that class starting in 2020.

Little Known Fact: Steven is originally from London, England. In his day job, Steven sells precious metal-based retirement accounts. He is married and is a father of two daughters.

MotoAmerica Stats
Wins:
Podiums: 

Career Highlights:

2022 – Raced MotoAmerica Stock 1000 part time and earned a best result of 14th at The Ridge. Ranked 37th in the series. Raced a 3D Motorsports Yamaha. 2021 – Scored championship points in three Stock 1000 rounds, best finish was 14th at Ridge. Ranked 35th. Raced an AGVSPORT MonkeyMoto Yamaha YZF-R1. 2020 – Ranked 18th in MotoAmerica Stock 1000. Scored championship points in six rounds. Best finish was an 11th at round eight in New Jersey. Also finished 16th in MotoAmerica Superbike Cup. Raced a MonkeyMoto AGVSPORT Yamaha YZF-R1. 2019 – Scored a championship point with a 15th-place finish in MotoAmerica Stock 1000 in round 10 at Barber. Ranked 44th in the series. Ranked 25th in Twins Cup. Best result was an 11th in round seven at Sonoma. Raced an AGVSport/Monkey Moto Yamaha R1 in Stock 1000 and an AGVSport/Monkey Moto Ducati Monster 797 in Twins Cup.

#76 Loris Baz

Loris Baz becomes the latest top-notch international racer to make his way to MotoAmerica.  Baz follows in a long tradition of former GP and World Superbike riders to take on the challenge of racing in America.  The Frenchman hopes to follow in the footsteps of past World Championship standouts like Toni Elias, Neil Hodgson, Mat Mladin and Alessandro Gramigni to name a few, who found success in America after racing internationally.

Baz takes over one of the best seats in all of MotoAmerica racing, riding for Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati, a proven squad who, last year, helped give Ducati its first MotoAmerica/AMA Superbike victory in 10 years.

As a youth Baz began racing in motocross but found quick success when he gave road racing a try.  He took one of the most diverse paths to the world championship level, racing the European Championships (he won the European Superstock 600 Championship in 2008 when he was just 15), the British Superbike Championship and FIM Superstock 1000 Championship before debuting in the Superbike World Championship in 2012.

Baz comes to MotoAmerica with an impressive resume – a two-time race winner in World Superbike, he also has three full seasons of MotoGP under his belt.

Little Known Fact:  Baz skipped the normal path to MotoGP of stair-stepping from 125cc GP, 250cc GP and then to the premier class, because when it was time to race 125s he was already too tall to fit on those diminutive machines.

 

MotoAmerica Stats
Wins:
Podiums:

 

Career Highlights:

2020 – Raced for Ten Kate Racing Yamaha in the Superbike World Championship where he scored four podiums and earned the fastest lap in the final leg at Magny-Cours.  Was 8th in the final WSBK standing.  2019 – Raced the second half of the season for Ten Kate Racing Yamaha in the Superbike World Championship.  He earned five top-five race finishes.  Finished 10th in the final WSBK standings.  2018 – Raced for the Gulf Althea BMW Racing Team in the Superbike World Championship.  He scored 13 top-10 finishes with a best of sixth in Portugal and Argentina.  Finished 11th in the final standings.  Was a wildcard for the Red Bull KTM MotoGP squad for the British Grand Prix and qualified 18th, but at Silverstone the race was cancelled due to heavy rain.  2017 – Raced a Ducati for Reale Avintia Racing in MotoGP.  Scored four top-10 finishes, with an 8th in the Dutch TT his best and was 18th in the final standings.  2016 – Raced MotoGP for Avintia Racing Ducati.  Earned two top-five finishes with a best of fourth at Brno.  Was 20th in the final MotoGP standings.  2015 – Debut MotoGP season.  Raced for Yamaha Forward Racing.  Scored an excellent fourth at Misano to record his lone top-10 result.  Finished the season ranked 17th.  2014 – The final of his three seasons in World Superbike with the factory Kawasaki team.  Earned a career best nine podium finishes, two poles and a fastest lap, but failed to score a victory for the first time in his World Superbike career.  Finished the season ranked fifth.  2013 – Raced World Superbike with the factory Kawasaki team.  Won a round at Silverstone and scored another podium at Assen.  An injury caused him to miss the final ten rounds of the series and he finished ranked 8th.  2012 – Debut season in World Superbike with the factory Kawasaki team.  Started the year in the FIM Superstock 1000 Championship, but was called on to replace seriously injured Joan Lascorz.  Baz earned three podium results, including his first World Superbike victory at Silverstone.  2011 – Raced partial season in the British Superbike Championship on a  Yamaha.  best result was a fourth at the Croft Circuit.  Also raced a couple of rounds of the FIM Superstock 1000 Cup.  2010 – Raced FIM Superstock 1000 Cup and select rounds of the British Superbike Championship.  Earned a podium finish (3rd) in a FIM Superstock 1000 event a Portimao and finished eighth in the final standings.  2009 – Earned seven top-10 finishes in FIM Superstock 1000 and finished eighth in the championship.  2008 – Won the European Superstock 600 Championship riding a Yamaha.

#78 Benjamin Smith

Benjamin Smith made a steady progression up the ranks in MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup, winning that championship in just his second full season of racing. It was a big jump to MotoAmerica Supersport in 2018. In 2020 he broke through to earn his first top-10 ranking in the class. That progress continued in 2021 when Benjamin moved up to finish fifth in Supersport and earned his first podiums in the class. Then last season his upward trend finishing fourth in Supersport with a pair of podium finishes along the way.

Little Known Fact:  Benjamin’s racing heroes are Casey Stoner and Ben Spies. Played for his high school soccer team. Benjamin’s dad was a club road racer, and he got Benjamin started by racing minibikes on a go-kart track at New Jersey Motorsports Park.

MotoAmerica Stats
Wins: 5 (KTM RC Cup)
Podiums: 17 (13 in KTM RC Cup, 4 in Supersport)

Career Highlights:

2022 – Finished fourth in MotoAmerica Supersport and scored two podiums finishes (thirds). Raced a North East Cycle Outlet Racing Yamaha YZF-R6. 2021 – Broke through to the upper echelon of MotoAmerica Supersport racers when he scored two podium finishes (VIR and Road America) in the class. Ranked fifth. Raced a Yamaha R6 sponsored by North East Cycle Outlet Racing. 2020 – Finished ninth in MotoAmerica Supersport with three top-five results. Best finish was fourth in the season finale at Laguna Seca. Raced for North East Cycle Outlet Racing on a Yamaha R6. 2019 – Raced MotoAmerica Supersport with Team Norris Racing on a Yamaha R6. Finished 16th in the series. Earned two top-10 finishes. Best result was seventh at round 12 at PittRace. 2018 – First season in MotoAmerica Supersport. Raced with Team Norris Racing on a Suzuki GSX-R600. Ranked 18th in the series with a season best of 10th at round eight in Utah. 2017 – Won the MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Championship. Won five rounds of the series. Finished on the podium (13 times) in all but one race he finished. Raced in the KTM RC Cup World Final at Jerez, Spain and finished 14th in both legs. 2016 – Raced KTM RC Cup and finished eighth. Earned his first-career podium (third) in round 14 at his home track in New Jersey. 2015 – Debut in MotoAmerica in the KTM RC Cup season finale in New Jersey. Finished fourth in his debut and that earned him 20th in the final standings. Raced for his own Smith Racing team.

#88 Max Flinders

Max Flinders enters his 11th season of professional road racing in 2023. He’s been a consistent finisher in MotoAmerica Superbike since 2018 despite racing on a small independent team.

Little Known Fact: Born in Burton-On-Trent, England, he started racing in England on the grass track circuit and eventually found his way to the United States when his dad accepted a job offer with NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.

MotoAmerica Stats
Wins:
Podiums:

Career Highlights:

2022 – Scored Superbike championship points in 10 rounds. Best result was 11th at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Finished the season ranked 17th in the series. Raced a Thrashed Bike Racing Yamaha R1. 2021 – Finished 21st in MotoAmerica Superbike. Scored championship points in 10 rounds. Best result was 13th (four times). Raced a Thrashed Bike Racing Yamaha. 2020 – Overcame injuries from a training crash on a motocross bike to finish ranked 13th in MotoAmerica Superbike scoring three top-10 finishes. Best result was ninth (twice – round two at Road America and round five at Road Atlanta.) Rode a Thrashed Bike Racing Yamaha. 2019 – Finished 12th in MotoAmerica Superbike with eight top-10 finishes. Top result was sixth in race one at Sonoma. Raced a Thrashed Bike Racing Yamaha. 2018 – Ranked 13th in MotoAmerica Superbike with four top-10 finishes. Best result was ninth (twice – rounds 17 and 18 at New Jersey.) Raced a Thrashed Bike Racing Yamaha. 2017 – Finished seventh in MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 with 16 top-10 results. Top result was fifth in race two at Road Atlanta. Also scored points in MotoAmerica Superbike where he finished 18th in the final standings. Best Superbike result was 11th in race one at Barber. Rode a Thrashed Bike Racing Yamaha. 2016 – Contested MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 on a Thrashed Bike Racing Yamaha. Finished eighth in the Superstock 1000 with 15 top-10 finishes in the 18-race series. Best finish was seventh at round 11 at Barber. Also scored points in four rounds of MotoAmerica Superbike and was ranked 27th in the championship. 2015 – Finished 12th in MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 with five top-10 results. Top result was seventh (three times). Rode a Thrashed Bike Racing Yamaha. 2014 – Raced AMA Pro Supersport and finished ranked 36th in the series. Best result was 11th in round nine at New Jersey. Raced a Friendly Powersport Yamaha R6. 2013 – Finished 24th in AMA Pro Supersport East. Top result was 13th at series round eight at Mid-Ohio. Raced a Friendly Powersports Yamaha R6.

#94 Danilo Lewis

Danilo Lewis raced both MotoAmerica Stock 1000 and Superbike on his Tecfil Racing BMW. Won the Superbike Cup title the competition for Stock 1000 riders who race in Superbike. Scored top-10 finishes in both Stock 1000 and Superbike.

Little Known Fact: Was a two-time national champion in Brazilian Superbike.

MotoAmerica Stats
Wins:
Podiums: 1 (Stock 1000)

Career Highlights:

2022 – Finished 10th in MotoAmerica Stock 1000 on the strength of seven top-10 finishes. Best result was fourth at Brainerd. Raced a Tecfil Racing BMW S 1000 RR. Also raced Superbike and won the Superbike Cup Championship for rider who race their Stock 1000 in the Superbike class. Scored points in 12 Superbike races. Best Superbike finish was ninth at Road America. 2021 – Earned five top-five Stock 1000 results en route to finishing eighth in the championship. Best finishes were fourth at Ridge and New Jersey. Ranked 16th in MotoAmerica Superbike. Scored a pair of top-10 Superbike finishes, including a season best of eighth at Road Atlanta. Was the fifth-ranked rider in Superbike Cup, recognizing riders who race Stock 1000 machines in Superbike. Raced a Team Procomps BMW S 1000 RR. 2020 – Raced the Procomps Racing Team BMW S 1000 RR in MotoAmerica Stock 1000. Ranked eighth on the strength of nine top-10 finishes. He also finished fourth in the MotoAmerica Superbike Cup standings. Earned a Stock 1000 podium finish (third) in the series finale at Laguna Seca. Finished ranked 14th in MotoAmerica Superbike. Scored three top-10 finishes. Best result was ninth in round 15 of the series in Indianapolis.

#96 Brandon Paasch

Brandon Paasch stamped his name in the history books by becoming a back-to-back Daytona 200 winner last year riding for TOBC Racing Triumph. He then went on to turn in a solid performance in Stock 1000 riding for Altus Motorsports on a Suzuki, scoring four podiums on his way to finishing the series ranked fourth. He also earned a couple of top-10 MotoAmerica Superbike finishes and was second ranked in the Superbike Cup standings.

Little Known Fact: Brandon calls Aleix Espargaro his racing hero. Says his favorite track is Oulton Park in England.

MotoAmerica Stats
Wins: 6 (KTM RC Cup)
Podiums: 33 (4 in Stock 1000, 16 in KTM RC Cup, 13 in Supersport)

Career Highlights:

2022 – Won his second successive Daytona 200 – this one by just .007 of a second – aboard a TOBC Racing Triumph. Finished fourth in MotoAmerica Stock 1000 riding a Suzuki GSX-R1000R for Altus Motorsports. Earned four podium finishes with a second at Brainerd his high mark. Also raced Superbike and finished 15th in that series with a pair of top-10 results. Best Superbike finish was ninth at Brainerd. Was runner up in Superbike Cup, for riders racing their Stock 1000 machines in Superbike. 2021 – Raced for Dynavolt Triumph in the British Supersport Championship. Won the Daytona 200. 2020 – Finished third in MotoAmerica Supersport racing for the HONOS Kawasaki squad. Scored 13 podium finishes. 2019 – British MotoStar (Moto3) Champion with 7 wins and 14 podiums in the 18-race series. Raced Moto3 at the British MotoGP round and finished 29th. Raced CEV Moto2 European Championship round at Valencia and finished 12th. 2018 – Ranked fifth in the British MotoStar National Championship. 2017 – Ranked 12th in MotoAmerica Supersport running a limited schedule with a best finish of fourth at Road Atlanta (race 2). Also raced in FIM/CEV Moto3 Junior World Championship at Aragon, becoming the first American to qualify in the series. Raced the Assen round of the British MotoStar (Moto3) Championship and earned 7th and 11th place finishes. Raced four rounds of the British Superstock 600 Championship with a best finish of 14th. 2016 – Motoamerica KTM RC Cup Champion with 6 wins and 14 podiums. Took third in the KTM RC Cup World Final. 2015 – Ranked 10th in the MotoAmerica KTM 390 Series after racing in select rounds. Earned two podiums with a runner-up in Utah his top result. Also raced Moriwaki Junior Cup in Europe and USGPRU Moto3 in America.

#103 Alex Arango

Alex Arango is entering his fourth season in MotoAmerica competition, but 2023 will be his first year racing full time.

Little Known Fact: Alex owns a sportbike motorcycle shop called TopPro Motorsports in Coral Springs, Florida, and helps riders get involved in road racing by allowing them to ride their own machine, or rental bikes, on the track to get a feel for the sport without a huge financial commitment. Alex has a tattoo of Valentino Rossi on his arm. Alex says during his rare downtime, he loves spending time with his family. Motocross riding and bicycle riding with his wife are his favorite forms of training.

 

MotoAmerica Stats

Wins:

Podiums:

 

Career Highlights:

2022 – Raced three rounds of MotoAmerica Stock 1000, best result was 16th at Road Atlanta. Raced the Barber round of Twins Cup and finished 16th on an Aprilia. 2021 – Best Stock 1000 result was 11th at Barber on a Top Pro Motorsports BMW. 2020 – Made his MotoAmerica debut at Barber and finished 21st in Stock 1000 race one on a BMW.