NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Jan. 24, 2024) – Bridgestone Americas (Bridgestone) today announced that the company has been named the “Official Tire of Yamaha Champions Riding School.” The Yamaha Champions Riding School teaches all skill levels and aims to grow the sport of motorcycling through world-class rider education, with state-of-the-art tire technology a critical component of this goal.

Yamaha Champions Riding School offers ChampSchool two-day, on-bike training sessions, which are immersive, in-person training events that take place on tracks across the country. In addition to ChampSchool, Yamaha Champions Riding School also offers ChampGrad for ChampSchool graduates; ChampStreet for a single-day, scaled-down version of ChampSchool; and Champ U, which is an online, video-based curriculum accessible to any rider anywhere in the world.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Yamaha Champions Riding School,” said Jared Williams, General Manager Bridgestone Motorcycle Tire business in the United States and Canada. “This partnership reflects Bridgestone’s dedication to supporting riders with top-tier technology that is perfect for teaching students how to manage grip and ensuring a superior experience on the track.”

Yamaha Champions Riding School in-person schools will now feature tires from Bridgestone’s premium motorcycle tire line, BATTLAX, including the new Bridgestone BATTLAX HYPERSPORT S23, to help riders gain sufficient confidence and comfort while learning and completing each course. The ChampStreet school will feature the flagship tire of the BATTLAX street application line, BATTLAX RACING STREET RS11, to help riders experience a stable and comfortable ride.

“Besides the rider, tires are the single most important component on the motorcycle,” said Nick Ienatsch, Founder and Chief Instructor, Yamaha Champions Riding School. “Our curriculum revolves around managing tire grip in all circumstances and for the longest period time. To properly educate riders, we need a tire partner that can supply world-class products and the latest tire technology data. After extensive research and testing, we approached Bridgestone, and we are ecstatic that they share our vision.”

Announced in October 2023, the Bridgestone BATTLAX HYPERSPORT S23 is a sports radial motorcycle tire for street use that is engineered to meet the requirements of sport riders, featuring increased levels of dry grip performance¹ whether riding on circuits or cornering on mountain roads. The BATTLAX HYPERSPORT S23 turns faster lap times in both wet and dry track conditions^2,3 compared to its predecessor, delivering confident traction in rain or shine. The BATTLAX HYPERSPORT S23 is available in popular sizes as of January 2024.  The BATTLAX RACING STREET RS11 is a sports radial motorcycle tire for street and racing use that is engineered to improve the contact area with the road surface, enhancing cornering grip and stability⁴. The BATTLAX RS11 is the first road-oriented tire to adopt the new V-MS-Belt construction in the rear, which is currently used in Bridgestone’s highest performing race tires⁴.

Since 2014, Yamaha Champions Riding School has taught competition-proven techniques of motorcycle control to any pavement-bound rider with the ultimate goal of promoting safer riding in any condition. Riders can choose to use the school’s motorcycles and riding gear or bring their own. The 2024 ChampSchool class registration is live. To learn more, visit www.champschool.com.

Bridgestone’s partnership with Yamaha Champions Riding School aligns with the “Emotion” and “Ease” values of the Bridgestone E8 Commitment. The Bridgestone E8 Commitment, encompassing eight values all beginning with the letter “E,” solidifies Bridgestone’s dedication to fostering a more sustainable world.

For more company news, visit BridgestoneAmericas.com.

¹ Comparison based on BATTLAX HYPERSPORT S23 (120/70ZR17 and 190/55ZR17) vs. previous generation BATTLAX HYPERSPORT S22 (120/70ZR17 and 190/55ZR17) in internal testing. Results may vary depending on proper tire and vehicle maintenance, surface conditions and riding habits.  

² Comparison based on BATTLAX HYPERSPORT S23 (120/70ZR17 and 190/55ZR17) vs. previous generation BATTLAX HYPERSPORT S22 (120/70ZR17 and 190/55ZR17) in internal testing using a Yamaha YZF-R1 at Autopolis Speedway (2 min 03.4 sec lap time).   

³ Comparison based on BATTLAX HYPERSPORT S23 (120/70ZR17 and 190/55ZR17) vs. previous generation BATTLAX HYPERSPORT S22 (120/70ZR17 and 190/55ZR17) in internal testing using a BMW S1000RR at Bridgestone Proving Ground (1 min 19.8 sec lap time). 

⁴ Comparison based on BATTLAX RACING STREET RS11 tire vs. previous generation BATTLAX RACING STREET RS10 in internal testing. Results may vary.

About Bridgestone Americas, Inc.: 

Bridgestone Americas, Inc. is the U.S.-based subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, a global leader in tires and rubber, building on its expertise to provide solutions for safe and sustainable mobility. Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., Bridgestone Americas employs more than 45,000 people across its worldwide operations. Bridgestone offers a diverse product portfolio of premium tires and advanced solutions backed by innovative technologies, improving the way people around the world move, live, work and play.

The post Bridgestone Named Official Tire Of Yamaha Champions Riding School appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

All schedule submissions should include: the name of your school or trackday organization, your schedule (including exact dates, correct track names and locations, and the track layout being used that day, if applicable), and full contact information for consumers.

Schedules submitted will be published in the Calendar section of Roadracing World magazine and the Events calendar section of Roadracingworld.com as soon as possible after they are received.

For trackday and school organizations and schedules to be listed in Roadracing World’s 2024 Trackday Directory annual edition, however, we need your schedule and the following information by February 2, 2024:

School or Trackday Organization Name:

Physical or Mailing Address (Street address, city, state abbreviation, zip code):

Phone Number:

Website Address:

Email Address:

Participant Information (Select one answer for each question):

1. Events Run Rain or Shine: Yes or No

2. Coolant: Antifreeze OK or No Antifreeze Allowed

3. Headlight & Taillight: OK or Tape or Disconnect or Tape and Disconnect

4. Mirrors & Signals: OK or Tape or Remove

5. License Plate: OK or Remove

6. Safety Wire: Some Required or None Required

7. Sidestand: OK or Remove

8. The minimum age to participate is: ?

Please e-mail schedule/calendar and Trackday Directory listing information and/or updates to dswarts@roadracingworld.com.

Even if your 2024 schedule is not finalized, please respond to us and send whatever information you can so that you will not be left out of the Trackday Directory annual. Provisional schedules or dates listed as provisional are allowed.

There is no cost to be listed in Roadracing World’s Trackday Directory annual edition, but we can’t post your information if we don’t receive it in time. As a result, late submissions or incomplete submissions may not be published.

Again, the deadline to submit is February 2, 2024.

If you’ve already submitted your schedule for inclusion in the Calendar section of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology, great! But this is not enough information for an entry in the Trackday Directory. Please submit the participant information requested above to be included in the once-per-year Roadracing World Trackday Directory or call us to do minor updates to the information we published in our last Trackday Directory.

If you have any doubt about what you have or have not sent in or if it was received, please contact us.

Send Photos

As always, we are also requesting trackday organizers and school operators to submit digital photos of their events and groups in action – on and off the track — for possible publication in the 2024 Trackday Directory. This is a great way to publicize your events and spotlight some of your members at no cost to you, but we need you to help us help you.

Digital photos must be in-focus, free from any watermarks or graphics, and high-resolution, which means a minimum of 300 dpi/ppi or 3000 pixels wide at 3 inches. The best way to submit these photos is with a file transfer program like Google Drive, Hightail, or Dropbox, which are free to download and use on a limited basis. Emailing the photos in small batches also works.

Photos must be accompanied by information to be used to write a caption. This includes the name of the track and information in order to credit the photographer, etc. By submitting a photo or photos, you certify that you own the submitted material and that you give us (Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.) permission to publish it in Roadracing World magazine and/or post it on Roadracingworld.com, without paying you (or anybody else) any money.

And racing organizations, if your contact information has changed since last year or you just want to be sure we have your correct information please e-mail it in.

For additional information, e-mail dswarts@roadracingworld.com or call (909) 654-4779.

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APRIL 30 – MAY 1 // VIRGINIA INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY

Acworth, GA – Precision Track Day Presents: Ken Hill Fundamentals Masterclass – Elevating Motorcycle Riding Skills to New Heights

Get ready for an adrenaline-charged ride like no other! Precision Track Day is thrilled to announce & sponsor the Ken Hill Fundamentals Masterclass, a two-day motorcycle riding class that caters to riders of all levels. This exciting event is set to rev up the engines at Virginia International Raceway on April 30 and May 1.

The curriculum follows Ken Hill’s Order of the Sport, which sets the stage for this thrilling event, teaching the six fundamentals of motorcycle riding and the top-notch techniques used by world-renowned riders.  

The modular step-by-step approach is designed to turn you into a faster, safer, and more confident rider, whether you cruise the streets or get your thrills at the racetrack. 

Ken’s approach embraces holistic rider development and includes training both on and off the bike, combining theoretical instruction of key concepts and techniques with on-track drills to develop mental, physical, and technical mastery.

The Ken Hill Masterclass splits its time between classroom and on-track sessions. In the classroom, Ken Hill himself will guide you comprehensively through the sport’s core principles, covering everything from (1) Bike Placement, (2) Vision and Focus, (3) Motor Controls, (4) Brake Adjustability, (5) Turn-In Point and Turn-In Rate, and (6) Body Position and Body Timing. You’ll receive comprehensive printed materials for each topic. 

Plus, we will dive into the world of electronics and data, learning to collect and analyze video and GPS speed data. Then, take your newfound knowledge to the track for exhilarating sessions and practice drills, all with the support of expert instructors.

With just 15-20 riders per group, you’ll get personalized attention tailored to your riding goals. But hurry, registration is limited to max 40 students, so secure your spot early!

Precision Track Day’s Ken Hill Masterclass guarantees an unforgettable and transformative experience for motorcycle enthusiasts. Whether you’re a novice rider or a seasoned pro, this Masterclass will elevate your riding skills to new heights.

Don’t wait – join us for this groundbreaking event on the east coast and become a better, safer and confident rider!

For pricing information or to reserve your spot, go to www.precisiontrackday.org. 

DAY HIGHLIGHTS:

– 4:1 student to instructor ratio

– Small groups for Novice/Low Intermediate and High Intermediate/Advanced riders

– 45-minute sessions alternating between classroom and on-track

– Comprehensive printed materials for classroom workshops

– Catered lunches on both days

– Motorcycle rentals available

ABOUT KEN HILL

Ken Hill raced motorcycles for over 20 years before making the switch to professional coaching. Over the last 15 years, he has produced and worked with numerous national championship-winning riders, including JD Beach and Hayden Gillim. He first started coaching at the Freddie Spencer High Performance Riding School from 2003-2008, then served as lead instructor for its successor, the Yamaha Champions Riding School, until 2015. He also led and developed the curriculum for the Rick Development Camp for aspiring championship racers, served as head coach and crew chief for the Rickdiculous racing team at MotoAmerica, and directed riding programs and schools for track day organizers and riders across the country. Currently, he runs the MotoAmerica Supersport program for CJ LaRoche, and continues to work with other riders, drivers, and track day providers through his private company, Ken Hill Coaching. Online, you can find his work and educational resources by listening to his podcast or subscribing to his Substack: Motorsports Coaching.

ABOUT PRECISION TRACK DAYS

Founded in 2023, Precision Track Days strives to establish itself as a premier provider of motorcycle track day experiences. With a focus on quality, safety, and rider development, we strive to offer the best possible experience for motorsport enthusiasts across the country.

At Precision Track Days, our commitment to delivering a high-quality, safe, fun and enjoyable experience remains our top priority. Our 2024 events will continue to feature professional instruction from renowned riders in the sport, comprehensive safety protocols, and a supportive environment suitable for riders of all skill levels.

Let’s REVUP with Precision!!!

The post Precision Track Days Hosting Ken Hill Masterclass At VIR appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

The California Superbike School (CSS) is making a return to the Madras International Circuit in Chennai, India. Having been a regular presence at the 12-turn, 2.3-mile circuit since 2009, the school is holding two 3-day weekend events January 26-28 and February 2-4.

Lead Instructor Dylan Code shared his thoughts on the upcoming events, saying, “Typically, we bring together our international coaches from the UK, USA, Australia, Poland, and Greece for the India events. Visiting India is a far out experience for our coaches, providing a change of pace. The track is fun and in good condition but probably the best part is the Indian students. They come with enthusiasm and eagerness that’s off the charts, and that amps us up, too. We don’t just get wealthy riders showing up. There is an emerging middle class there and also a program in place to provide school seats to riders who would otherwise not be able to afford the training.”

Code also mentioned CSS’s international activities, stating, “During the off-season in the USA, we take the opportunity to visit our foreign branches in Australia and Asia. We recently did schools in Taiwan and will return to the Philippines in April. For those interested in the idea of ‘running away with the circus,’ we are always looking for riders willing to put in the hard work and time to train as a professional coach with us.”

The post California Superbike School Returning To India appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

Olympia, Wa. Jan 11, 2024 – Track Time Track Days and Instruction, the Pacific Northwest’s premier motorcycle track day provider, is thrilled to announce the addition of motorcycle road racing professionals, Kayla Yaakov and Benjamin Smith, as guest instructors for the 2024 track day season. Their expertise and passion for racing and coaching will undoubtedly enhance the experience for Track Time customers, providing valuable insights and guidance on the track.

Kayla, known for her most recent achievements in MotoAmerica Junior Cup and Twins Cup classes, expresses gratitude to her new team, Rahal Ducati Moto for their continuous support. Kayla states, “I will be racing a Ducati V2 Panigale in the MotoAmerica Supersport class and I look forward to bringing the knowledge gained from my experiences to benefit customers at Track Time Track Days.”

Benjamin Smith, a seasoned professional in MotoAmerica, extends his appreciation to Flo4Law Racing for their support this year. Benjamin states. “I will be racing a Yamaha R1 in the Stock 1000 and Superbike classes in 2024 and I am excited to contribute my expertise to enhance the learning journey of participants at Track Time Track Days.

Alan Schwen, Owner of Track Time, is proud to be bringing Kayla Yaakov and Benjamin Smith to Track Time Events. Schwen states, “We believe their presence will elevate the overall experience for our participants, and we’re excited to see the positive impact on our track day community.”

Booking Information: Participants can now book a track day experience, one-on-one instruction, and rent a track-prepped motorcycle directly on the Track Time website at www.tracktime.bike. If you have more questions, give Track Time a call at 360-559-1400.

About Track Time Track Days and Instruction: Track Time Track Days and Instruction is the Pacific Northwest’s premier motorcycle track day provider, offering high-quality motorcycle instruction and track day experiences. With a commitment to excellence, the organization aims to empower enthusiasts to improve their riding skills and enjoy the thrill of the track in a safe and supportive environment.

The post Track Time Track Days Signs Smith, Yaakov As Guest Instructors appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

On the surface, it may seem that the new Precision Track Days organization is simply filling a gap in the market previously occupied by the now-closed Track Day Winner. In reality, however, Precision Track Days co-owners Fahad Khan and Rafael “Rafi” Pacheco say they have a fresh approach to track days in the eastern United States.

Pacheco, a racer, motorcycle service shop owner, and industry veteran for 10 years, was a major part of Track Day Winner track days. He helped run the events and provided trackside tire sales and service, among other things. So, Pacheco brought with him hands-on operational knowledge of the track day business.

Khan, on the other hand, is an IT professional and entrepreneur who is new to motorcycling and track day riding. But with this background, Khan has been able to look at the track day business from a different view.

“From my perspective, if you look at the rider lifecycle of a track day rider it’s three to four years before they jump into racing or before an unfortunate accident happens and they just completely abandon it,” said Khan. “So, the goal is we really want to focus and be very welcoming to the newcomers to the track, especially the Novice and the new Intermediates, and keep them coming back.

“Our goal is to keep the groups small. Keep them between 20-25 riders max. Make sure there is plenty of quality, open track time and people are more tightly grouped together [by skill level] in each of their riding groups. Our goal is to make sure people don’t give up and don’t drop out of the Novice and new Intermediate stages.”

To accomplish this Precision Track Days has gone from the somewhat traditional structure of three rider groups – A/Novice, B/Intermediate, and C/Expert – getting one 20-minute session each hour to four rider groups – A/Novice, B-/Intermediate, B+/Intermediate, and C/Expert – each getting one 15-minute session each hour.

“I see a lot of people who come in, do two or three track days, they become faster, they immediately go into Intermediate, and then they are scared s–tless because they don’t know how to pass or they don’t know how to be passed,” said Khan. “One of the biggest goals with creating the second Intermediate group was to teach them how to pass, to teach them the etiquette that they need to grow more progressively.”

Their focus on customer service goes beyond simply adding another group, though. Khan created a very professional website for Precision Track Days that provides new and experienced riders with a lot of information they need prior to their track day, from clear pricing (including early sign-up discounts and bundle deals) to refund policies to the benefits of becoming a member to other important things participants need to know. And not only can riders book and pay for their track day on the website, they can also sign their liability release waiver online, eliminating the long wait in line at the track entrance each morning.

While their arrive-and-ride rental programs are done in conjunction with outside vendors, Precision Track Days takes pride in doing everything else in-house.

“Not only do we focus on quality track time, we also focus on providing tire service and making parts and gear available,” said Pacheco. “When you have too many vendors you start losing consistency. Owning our tire service within the org we guarantee we will always have someone doing tire service for our events, and we don’t have to rely on third parties like most orgs do.”

It may sound like Precision Track Days has been doing this for a long time, but the truth is the new organization just held its first event in December 2023 at Jennings GP. And by all accounts, the event went well.

“It went above expectations,” said Pacheco. “We know where we’re coming from. We are a new org in this small niche market with only so many riders and many good organizations out there. So, when a new group comes in the bar is pretty high. So, we busted our asses getting everything ready, making sure everything was up to date. We double, triple, quadruple-checked all the systems.

“The riders who were there told us it was a pretty quick process, that they enjoyed the emails with waivers, that they enjoyed how quickly we got them through tech, that they enjoyed the time they had on track, that they enjoyed having four groups, which was a small gamble for us because around this area it hasn’t been tried.”

Precision Track Days has 20 total track days scheduled at six different tracks in 2024 and hopes to add more dates as they become available through the year and into 2025. For more information, visit www.precisiontrackday.org.

The post New Group Starts Holding Track Days In The Southeast appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

The post A Final Goodbye From Roger Lyle’s Motorcycle Xcitement Track Days & Road Racing School appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SC3 V4 tires are designed for street and track use without the need for tire warmers, and they’re the highest-performing street-legal tire line Pirelli has. Utilizing technology derived directly from the Superbike World Championship, riders can feel the performance whether on the street or at a track day. Available from Pirelli road racing tire vendors, with prices starting at $320 per set.

Metzeler Racetec TD Slick tires are designed for track riders and club-level racers who want the advantages of running slicks without having to use tire warmers or change suspension settings. They’re available from moto-garage.com with prices starting at $317 a set.

The post Holiday Gift Guide: Pirelli & Metzeler Tires appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

BLACK+GRAY’s line of heavy-duty hangers for leathers and riding suits are rated to support more than 150 pounds of gear, and can be adjusted to match shoulder width. They’re designed to help maintain the garment’s shape and aid more complete drying after use by supporting and opening the garment to air. Six versions are available, with optional clips to support individual pants and gloves as well as jackets, and without clips to support one-piece suits or jackets. Prices range from $44.50 to $118.00 from www.blackandgray.com/hangers and can also be ordered by phone at (800) 724-2193.

The post Holiday Gift Guide: BLACK+GRAY Hi-Per Hanger appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

Woodcraft Technologies has goodies to spoil any racer (or yourself) this holiday season and into the start of 2024. MotoAmerica-approved hand guards are available individually or as a set in seven vibrant colors. The easily replaceable plastic guards help prevent accidental lever contact and also help protect hands and levers during a crash. They retail for $179.99 per set. Woodcraft’s Wide Coverage Toe Guard is an affordable way to help protect toes (and other parts) with a unique design developed to leave a minimum gap between the guard and the chain and a tapered face to deflect body parts away from the rear sprocket. It retails for $49.99. Woodcraft Technologies also offers gift cards starting at $50.00. Contact www.woodcraft-cfm.com to order from Woodcraft Technologies, Dept. 105, Baldwinville Rd. Winchendon, MA 01475, (978) 297-2977.

The post Holiday Gift Guide: Woodcraft Hand And Toe Guards appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.