Jason Primore racing the 73rd Bol d'Or at Magny-Cours this weekend

 

American Dainese racer Jason Pridmore of STAR Motorcycle schools is racing the famous 24 hour Bol d'Or. Photo from today's practice.

For the 2009 AMA Pro Racing season Jason was riding the National Guard Jordan Suzuki 2-up bike, taking guests and media representatives around the tracks.

Video: How fast is Dainese's Yates at New Jersey

OnTheThrottle's Dave Williams goes through Aaron's lines and speeds at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Very fun little video where you can also spot AGV's Neil Hodgson and Dainese's Geoff May and Steve Rapp.

AMA Pro Road Racing at Mid-Ohio 2009

AMA Pro Road Racing celebrated a great weekend of racing at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course with battles to the checkered flag in all 3 classes, both Saturday and Sunday.
Since the beginning of the season, AGV Dainese riders have established their very strong presence in the fields, in American Superbike, Daytona Sportbike and the very disputed youth class, Supersport. All our riders were coming into Mid-Ohio, on the momentum of their good performances at Laguna Seca, especially for Superbike contenders Rockstar Makita suzuki's Blake Young and Jordan Suzuki's Aaron Yates, Daytona Sportbike racer Steve Rapp and Supersport class Russ Wikle and James Rispoli who all had great finish in California, including podium spots for Young and the #23 of Yates.

American Superbike:

Mixed results with an outstanding performance by the fastest man on track this weekend, Aaron Yates who finished second on Saturday, after being slowed down by a lapper during his battle with Factory Yamaha's Josh Hayes. Despite a heavy crash on Friday Blake Young managed to finish in the Top 10 with Dainese teammates National Guard Jordan Suzuki's Geoff may and Corona Extra Honda's Jake Holden.
On this physically demanding track, AGV's Neil Hodgson was still suffering from his previous injury as the Honda rider was suffering from shoulder pain.

 

Sunday saw the return of a very strong Yates who would clock the fastest lap times in the morning warm-up. Racing was strong and intense between Hayes, Bostrom, Hayden and the #23, but Yates fell victim to a crash due to a gear jump in the carrousel. Blake Young took his Rockstar Makita Suzuki to a 4th place finish while Geoff May finished 8th after a race long battle with Matt Mladin, ahead of Corona Extra Honda's Neil Hodgson and his Roland Sands custom-painted AGV GP-Tech.

AMA Pro National Guard American Superbike
Point Standings (after 14 of 20 races):
1. Mladin, 390 points
2. Hayden, 264
3. Bostrom, 246
4. Hayes, 245
5. Pegram, 223
6. Young, 201
7. May, 199
8. Yates, 198
9. Knapp, 127
10. David Anthony, 120
11. Holden, 113
12. Ulrich, 100
13. Hodgson, 94

AMA Pro Daytona Sportbike Presented by AMSOIL:

 

We strongly recommend to watch the races on Speed TV because the Daytona Sportbike races at Mid-Ohio were intense from start to finish. On both days, Steve Rapp battled up-front, taking his Yamaha to a 6th finish, on both days, making it 3 in a row since The Rapper also took 6th at the previous round in Laguna Seca. Steve is now 8th in points in a tie with Honda's Jake Zemke.

Point Standings (after 14 of 20 races):
1. Cardenas, 285 points
2. Eslick, 275
3. Hacking, 241
4. Herrin, 211
5. DiSalvo, 201
6. Peris, 177
7. Davies, 176
8. TIE, Zemke/Steve Rapp, 157
10. Aquino, 155

AMA Pro SuperSport Presented by Shoei:

 

Depsite excellent qualifying by Roadracingworld.com Suzuki's Russ Wikle and a 4th row on the grid for James Rispoli, our AGV Dainese riders were unlucky in the youth class. Russell crashed out while fighting for 4th in the 5th lap and James "The Rocket" Rispoli suffered a low-side crash, while going for 5th with 5 laps to go. not the expected results for our two riders, but a positively good weekend as they once again showed their speeds and potential confirming their strong presence in the class.

SuperSport East Championship Point Standings (after 5 of 9 races):
1. Day, 94 points
2. Leandro Mercado, 81
3. Wikle, 63
4. TIE, Pascarella/Nash, 62
6. Carter, 52
7. Wacker, 51
8. Kyle Wyman, 48
9. TIE, Worrell/Lazo, 43

AMA Pro Racing at Mid-Ohio - Race Day 1

It was a pretty good race day at the Mid-Ohio Sport Cars Course track in Lexington, OH for the AGV Dainese riders. Mid-Ohio is a very fun track set in the beautiful green Ohio countryside, and the racing today, both in Daytona Sportbike and AMA Superbike was excellent. Especially in the superbike race where we saw a train of 9 riders racing it out all race long, all withing 1 second for a while.

Daytona Sportbike:
Our star rider in this class, Steve "The Rapper" Rapp had another great performance, battling all race long with Aprilia's Chaz Davies. Despite being in Davies' wheel most of the race, Steve didn't manage to pass the liter bike and settle for 6th, equaling his Laguna Seca results. Let's keep in mind that this is a class with 41 riders.
AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Presented by AMSOIL - Race 1 Mid-Ohio
1. Danny Eslick (Buell 1125R), 21 laps
2. Josh Herrin (Yam YZF-R6), -2.317 seconds
3. Tommy Aquino (Yam YZF-R6), -2.365
4. Jake Zemke (Hon CBR600RR), -4.744
5. Chaz Davies (Apr RSV1000R), -7.653
6. Steve Rapp (Yam YZF-R6), -8.421
7. Taylor Knapp (Buell 1125R), -18.154
8. Chris Peris (Hon CBR600RR), -18.284
9. Jason DiSalvo (Suz GSX-R600), -20.303
10. Shawn Higbee (Buell 1125R), -39.115
16. Barret Long (Duc 848), -61.727
20. Santiago Villa (Suz GSX-R600), -63.480
26. Russ Wikle (Suz GSX-R600), -97.155

 AMA Superbike:

What a race we got (don't miss the broadcast on Speed TV!). From Superpole where Dainese riders scored 2nd, 3rd, 6th and 10th to today's thrilling race, the fans were treated to some exciting racing.
the first laps saw Yamaha's Josh Hayes and Tommy Hayden lead the pack while Dainese riders Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Blake Young and Jordan Suzuki's aaron Yates were battling it for 4th. Very quickly Young and Yates passed Hayden and pushed towards Hayes. Aaron passed Blake towards the mid-point while behind them Matt Mladin was working his way up the field. With 6 laps to go Aaron Yates was about to make a pass on Josh Hayes when they both got slowed down by a lapper who didn't move out of the way and held Yates back. The #23 charged in the last two laps, trying to catch back the time lost on Hayes but could get there on time before the checkered flag. Josh Hayes won the race 0.183 seconds ahead of the Yates. Exciting race and best results for aaron after two 3rd place finishes at Road America and Laguna Seca.
Blake Young, who had suffered a big crash in qualifiers on Friday, finished in 7th, ahead of National Guard Jordan Suzuki's Geoff May and Corona Extra Honda Jake Holden.
Finishing 11th was AGV's Neil Hodgson who is still not physically 100%, especially on a track like Mid-Ohio where his shoulder is working hard.

AMA Pro National Guard American Superbike Presented by Parts Unlimited - Race 1 Mid-Ohio
1. Josh Hayes (Yam YZF-R1), 21 laps
2. Aaron Yates (Suz GSX-R1000 K9), -0.183 second
3. Mat Mladin (Suz GSX-R1000 K9), -3.055 seconds
4. Ben Bostrom (Yam YZF-R1), -3.251
5. Larry Pegram (Duc 1098R), -5.300
6. Tommy Hayden (Suz GSX-R1000 K9), -6.792
7. Blake Young (Suz GSX-R1000 K9), -7.746
8. Geoff May (Suz GSX-R1000 K9), -16.261
9. Jake Holden (Hon CBR1000RR), -31.205
10. Michael Laverty (Suz GSX-R1000 K9), -22.997
11. Neil Hodgson (Hon CBR1000RR), -31.205
12. Taylor Knapp (Buell 1125RR), -47.247
13. Chris Ulrich (Suz GSX-R1000 K9), -55.379
14. Scott Jensen (Suz GSX-R1000 K8), -80.927
15. Shane Narbonne (Suz GSX-R1000 K8), -81.021
16. Russell Holland (Yam YZF-R1), -81.496
17. Barrett Long (Duc 1098R), -82.090

National Guard Jordan Suzuki racing experience on Fox 6 Milwaukee

Here's a great little video shot by the Fox 6 Milwaukee reporter at Road America during last weekend's AMA Superbike round.

Fox 6 Milwaukee National Guard Jordan Racing Experience

Press-Release: MICHAEL JORDAN MOTORSPORTS RETURNS TO ACTION AT ROAD AMERICA

CHICAGO, IL (June 3, 2009) – Michael Jordan Motorsports will hit the track for Round 6 of the AMA Pro Racing series this weekend at Road America. The Elkhart Lake, WI track is the unofficial '”home” circuit of the MJM #23 Jordan Suzuki and #54 National Guard Jordan Suzuki teams, which are based out of East Troy, WI. Boasting the longest straightaway of any track on the 2009 calendar, Road America is a scenic and exciting venue on which to showcase the power of the teams’ GSX-R 1000s and will offer fans exciting racing in the American Superbike class.

Action begins on June 5 with Practice and Qualifying and continues through June 7 with feature

American Superbike races taking place on both Saturday and Sunday.

Jordan Suzuki #23

Aaron Yates and the #23 Jordan Suzuki squad come off a mixed finish in Round 5 at Infineon Raceway and look to set the tone this weekend at Road America. Finishing a strong fourth in Race 1 at Infineon after a season-high second in Round 3, Yates and his 2009 Suzuki GSX-R have proven they have the pace to run up front. Supported by his Richie Alexander and Karl Steyrer-led crew, Yates brings his considerable experience to the fast Elkhart Lake track and will be looking for the podium once again. Yates is currently in seventh place in the Championship standings with 116 points.

“This weekend is going to be a bit different after Barber and Infineon,” said Yates. “Those tracks are both on the tighter end of the spectrum and now we are heading into the fast Road America track. I should be good. It's an old school raceway and it will give us a chance to show how quick our Jordan Suzuki GSX-R 1000 is.”

National Guard Jordan Suzuki #54

Geoff May and the #54 National Guard Jordan Suzuki team faced some tough competition at the last round. Looking to rebound this weekend at Road America, May and the #54 team are eager to get back to work and get back into the top three of the Championship. Known for his incredible lean angles and love for fast corners, May will be undoubtedly on pace this weekend The National Guard Jordan Suzuki team currently sits fifth in the Championship with 143 Championship points. “I'm ready to get back on the bike,” said May. “Sure, an extra weekend off is nice, but we had a tough one at Infineon and that makes me want to just get right back out there racing. Road America is a really fast track and it's our home round. I can't wait to get my National Guard Jordan Suzuki opened up on Friday.”

ABOUT MICHAEL JORDAN MOTORSPORTS:

Legendary NBA star Michael Jordan formed Michael Jordan Motorsports in 2004 as a result of his passion for motorcycle racing. His mission is to bring a new level of excellence and style to the motorcycle racing industry. For more information on MJM, please visit www.23race.com – www.twitter.com/23race - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Michael-Jordan-Motorsports/51748732097

ABOUT THE NATIONAL GUARD:

The National Guard is the oldest component of the Armed Forces of the United States and one of the nation's longest enduring institutions. The National Guard operates in all 50 states, four territories (Puerto Rico, Guam, Samoa and the Virgin Islands) and the District of Columbia. For more information, visit the National Guard's Web site at www.NationalGuard.com

Michael Jordan Motorsports is proud to partner with: Jordan Brand (a division of Nike), American Suzuki, Upper Deck, Hanes, Gatorade, National Guard, Bazzaz Performance, LeoVince Exhaust, ELF Moto Lubricants, MMI - Motorcycle Mechanics Institute, Vortex Racing Components, Dainese Leathers, AGV Helmets, Oakley, Gemini Technology Systems, Ancra Tiedowns, Attack Race Bodies, Attack Performance, Chicken Hawk Racing Tire Warmers, DID Chains, Factory Pro Dyno, NGK Spark Plugs, Performance Friction Brake Pads, Roclun International, STAR Motorcycle School, Zero Gravity Windscreens, Sunoco Race Fuels, Vicci Apparel, with transportation provided by Eastside Trucking.

AGV Protects Jordan’s Skull

From DealerNews' blog:

Michael Jordan showed up at last weekend’s fifth round of the AMA Superbike series at Infineon Raceway to support his team, as is usual for the motorcycle fan.
Michael Jordan

Jordan, after watching qualifications on Friday, jumped on a bike (a Ducati Multistrada) and went for a ride in the beautiful countryside of Sonoma protected with an AGV Stealth helmet.

The helmet on Jordan’s bean was one of the many helmets from the National Guard Jordan Suzuki Racing Experience: the 2-Up program sponsored by Dainese and AGV.

The 2-Up program, during which all riders participating are protected head-to-toe with Dainese leathers, gloves, boots and AGV helmets, provides an exclusive on-track experience for members of the media and other selected guests at each round of the AMA National Guard Pro Racing Superbike Series.

AMA Superbike raced against weather at Barber

The weather could have not been worse at Barber, in Birmingham, Al, this Sunday. numerous tornado alerts along with heavy downpours disturbed the racing program. The day's three races were delayed by two hours and each race was shortened five laps from its scheduled distance as a band of severe thunderstorms passed through the area bringing tornado warnings in the early afternoon.

Seventh win in a row for Mladin in the AMA Pro American Superbike race where AGV Dainese riders had up and downs.
Unfortunately Blake Young, who was very fast in the morning warm-up, tangled with Yamaha's Josh Hayes and crashed, resulting in a left-hand fingers injury that needed a quick surgery (wishing Blake a prompt recovery). After the full-course caution and subsequent restart Jordan Suzuki's Aaron Yates took his #23 GSXR-1000 and Dainese leathers to a very well deserved 2nd place finish, 2.741 seconds behind Mat Mladin.

Aaron Yates said “It’s great to be on the podium again, it’s been a while. This weekend has been up and down for us. We only got the 2009 Jordan Suzuki GSX-R1000 a few weeks ago and we’re still getting it sorted out. But I’m feeling pretty good about the bike, and it’s running pretty good. It just feels great to get back up on the podium and show how hard the Jordan Suzuki guys are working.”

On a mostly dry track, National Guard Jordan Suzuki's Geoff May scored another very good Top 5 finish reinforcing his 3rd overall in the point standings.

AMA Pro National Guard American Superbike Presented by Parts Unlimited - May 3rd, 2009
2nd. Aaron Yates (Suz GSX-R1000K9)
5th. Geoff May (Suz GSX-R1000K9)
11th. Chris Ulrich (Suz GSX-R1000K9)
20th. Barrett Long (Duc 1098R), -81.179
21st. Shane Narbonne (Suz GSX-R1000K8)

Championship Point Standings (after 7 of 21 races):
3rd. May, 122 points
4th. Young, 114
7th. Yates, 98
13th. Ulrich, 53
16th. Neil Hodgson, 25
17th. Long, 23

AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Championship Presented by AMSOIL - May 3rd, 2009
9th. Russ Wikle (Suz GSX-R600)
14th. Steve Rapp (Yam YZF-R6)
33rd. Santiago Villa (Suz GSX-R600)
36th. Barrett Long (Yam YZF-R6)

Championship Point Standings (after 7 of 20 races):
8th. Rapp, 67 points
14th. Long, 40

Another great podium finish for Roadracingworld.com's Russ Wikle who's sitting 3rd overall, 1 points behind Leandro Mercado.

AMA Pro SuperSport Championship Presented by Shoei - May 3rd, 2009
2nd. Russ Wikle (Suz GSX-R600)

Championship Point Standings (after 3 of 9 races):
3rd. Russ Wikle, 48 points
14th. Long, 40

Barber AMA Superbike - Day 1: AGV Dainese riders

It's a very wet weekend at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Al, for the AMA American Superbike this year. Here are the results from Saturdays races for the AGV Dainese riders.

AMA Pro National Guard American Superbike Presented by Parts Unlimited
2. Blake Young (Suz GSX-R1000K9), -1.928 seconds
7. Geoff May (Suz GSX-R1000K9), -8.032
10. Aaron Yates (Suz GSX-R1000K9), -32.979, jump start/ride-through penalty
14. Chris Ulrich (Suz GSX-R1000K9), -48.341
15. Barrett Long (Duc 1098R), -81.179
23. Shane Narbonne (Suz GSX-R1000K8), -1 lap, 59.537

Championship Point Standings (after 6 of 21 races):
3. Young, 114
4. May, 106
8. Yates, 73
13. Ulrich, 43
16. Neil Hodgson, 25
17. Long, 22

AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Championship Presented by AMSOIL
6. Steve Rapp (Yam YZF-R6), -13.947
16. Barrett Long (Yam YZF-R6), -39.808
22. Russ Wikle (Suz GSX-R600), -60.781
24. Santiago Villa (Suz GSX-R600), -85.913
Championship Point Standings (after 6 of 20 races):
9. Rapp, 60
13. Long, 40

Take a Dainese ride through Birmingham, Alabama

Geoff May and the mayor of Birmingham, Alabama take a two-up ride through the streets of downtown on the No. 54 National Guard Jordan Suzuki GSX-1000R. The team will run in this weekend's AMA Pro Racing event at Barber Motorsports Park.

Larry P. Langford, Mayor of Birmingham, AL, rides Dainese

Today in the streets of Birmingham, Alabama, National Guard Jordan Suzuki's Geoff May gave a thrill ride to Mayor Larry Langford. Under motorcycle police escort, the VIP two-up ride, took to the street in this memorable occasion.

Needless to say that the ride was made easier for Mayor Langford thanks to the extreme comfort of his Dainese leathers and AGV helmet ;-)

National Guard Jordan Suzuki Geoff May - Fontana video

Another great vid' from the lads at OnTheThrottle

MICHAEL JORDAN MOTORSPORTS ON THE ROSTRUM FOR BOTH RACES AT ROAD ATLANTA

MICHAEL JORDAN MOTORSPORTS ON THE ROSTRUM FOR BOTH RACES AT ROAD ATLANTA

BRASELTON, GA – Michael Jordan Motorsports riders Geoff May and Aaron Yates put in impressive performances this weekend during AMA Pro Racing's Round 3 of the American Superbike Championship at Road Atlanta in Braselton, GA. May earned double podium finishes in the races, while Yates enjoyed one top five finish and picked up valuable Championship points. The riders competed at Road Atlanta on their 2008-spec Suzuki GSX-R 1000s. The bikes will now be retired and May and Yates will race on brand new 2009 GSX-Rs for the remainder of the season.

Geoff May, National Guard Jordan Suzuki No. 54 May, of nearby Gainesville, took third place in both Saturday and Sunday's American Superbike races. He has now visited the rostrum in three of the five races he’s competed in this season and sits third overall in the Championship with 92 points.

3rd PLACE, SATURDAY RACE 1 – In Race 1 May found himself down in position six (P6) by the midway point of the race, after starting on the front row. However by continuing to apply pressure and drawing on his high fitness level, May moved himself forward during the later stages of the race and put his National Guard Jordan Suzuki on the box at the checkered flag.

"I just stayed motivated," said May, who raced in front of a large contingent of local family and friends. "I just stayed patient and every time somebody made a mistake, I just picked him off."

3rd PLACE, SUNDAY RACE 2 – In Race 2 May had a huge moment on the start that resulted in not one, but two, massive wheelies off the line. Finishing the first lap in 10th position, the Georgia rider made an inspired ride to the front and joined the frantic seven rider battle for second place. May methodically moved through this intense pack and soon found himself in a battle for second place with Factory Suzuki's Blake Young. At the line, it was Young in second with May third, just a scant .2 seconds behind for his second podium of the weekend.

"I was afraid I was going to get run over at the start," said May. "I just put my head down again and we had the bike set up good for the end of the race. I've been trying to really work hard on the end of the race, on the last half, on worn-out tires. I start getting faster and faster and faster and put in my fastest laps, usually, in the last couple laps."

Aaron Yates, Jordan Suzuki No. 23
Road Atlanta fan favorite and Milledgeville, GA resident Aaron Yates had a solid weekend at the Braselton circuit, culminating in a top five finish in Sunday's contest. Yates heads into Round 4 in eighth place in Championship points with 62.

6th PLACE, SATURDAY RACE 1 – Starting from eighth position on the grid, Yates moved forward through the tough American Superbike field and soon found himself in a tussle with the Factory Yamaha of Josh Hayes. Yates and Hayes dueled throughout the 50 mile contest with Yates crossing the line a mere .02 seconds behind Hayes, finishing in sixth position.

“We only had 10 minutes of practice this morning and that really put a damper on my setup for the race,” said Yates. “It was a good battle today with Josh and my Jordan Suzuki 1000 has what it takes to run up front.”

5th PLACE, SUNDAY RACE 2 – In Sunday's Race 2 Yates was embroiled in a seven rider battle for second position for much of the race. At the back of this group after the first lap, local hero Yates continued to move forward as the race progressed. At the line, Yates put his Suzuki GSXR firmly inside the top five and recorded the second fastest lap of the race while doing so.

“Considering I didn't get the start I would have liked I'm fairly happy to get a top five finish out of the weekend, after just missing it in yesterday's race,” said Yates. “We got my 2008 GSX-R1000 working well this morning and it was a good, fast group of guys for most of the race battling for that second spot. I would like to have been further up and know my crew and GSX-R can do it. We have our 2009 Suzukis coming for Barber and I'm ready to get up on the box.”