Category: Motorcycle Racing

From Absent to Front Runner: Jody Barry Talks About His Return to MotoAmerica Competition

"Fast" Mike MarinoLeave a comment

After a three year absence from the MotoAmerica paddock, I wasn’t sure if I’d see Jody Barry take part in a pro road race again. The last time I’d seen Lake in the Hills, Ill., resident in a MotoAmerica paddock was the New Jersey Motorsports Park round in 2017. ... Though his comeback season aboard the Righteous Racing Aprilia RS 660 this year has been marked by both victory and near-tragedy, just seeing a talented young rider like Barry find a way to restart his pro road racing career is refreshing -- especially for fans who remember pro road racing's darkest days about a decade ago.

Stars, Stripes, and MotoGP: What the Opening at Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Really Means for American Riders

"Fast" Mike MarinoLeave a comment

The American motorcycle road racing press has been whipped up into a frenzy since news of Jonas Folger's unexpected departure from the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 MotoGP team broke last week. Several of my colleagues in the MotoAmerica press corps., including Lance Oliver at RevZilla (https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/will-a-us-rider-get-an-unexpected-shot-at-motogp), and Dave Swarts from Roadracing World (http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/motogp-who-will-monster-yamaha-tech-3-choose-to-replace-jonas-folger-in-2018/) have penned articles about the possibility of an American rider taking Folger's place… Continue reading Stars, Stripes, and MotoGP: What the Opening at Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Really Means for American Riders

Day Summary: MotoAmerica NJMP 2017, Saturday

"Fast" Mike MarinoLeave a comment

The day's action stated just before noon with Superpole to determine the grid the weekend's Motul Superbike and Bazzazz Superstock 1000 races. The session ended with Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing's Roger Lee Hayden on the pole. Hayden set a blistering 1:20.378 on his flying lap to edge out Monster Energy/Yamalube/Yamaha Factory Racing's Josh Hayes by just over two-tenths of a second. Rounding out the front row… Continue reading Day Summary: MotoAmerica NJMP 2017, Saturday

MotoAmerica Road America 2017: Saturday Summary

"Fast" Mike MarinoLeave a comment

The weather at Road America today reflected the mood of the paddock. The day progressed from the darkness and dreariness of a memorial to the brightness of carrying on how our fallen hero would want us to. A steady rain started and stopped several times during morning practices and qualifying before the memorial activities began… Continue reading MotoAmerica Road America 2017: Saturday Summary

Day Summary: MotoAmerica VIR 2017 — Sunday

"Fast" Mike MarinoLeave a comment

Sunday's MotoAmerica action from VIRginia International Raceway (VIR) was tame compared to Saturday's bar-banging drama. That said, there was plenty of on-track action in all three racing classes. The sun was out all day and conditions were much warmer and drier than either Friday or Saturday. Unfortunately, the hot conditions made the track greasy, and the… Continue reading Day Summary: MotoAmerica VIR 2017 — Sunday

Day Summary: MotoAmerica VIR 2017 — Saturday

"Fast" Mike MarinoLeave a comment

Saturday's MotoAmerica action at VIRginia International Raceway could be re-named "bump day." While the racing in all three MotoAmerica classes features close battles, all three races were defined by multiple incidents of riders banging bars to the point where one or more of them left the racing surface. Banging bars can be a sign of… Continue reading Day Summary: MotoAmerica VIR 2017 — Saturday

Day Summary: MotoAmerica VIR 2017 — Friday

"Fast" Mike MarinoLeave a comment

After an eventful drive that started at 4am this morning, the Two Wheel Power Hour has now made its presence known in the MotoAmerica paddock for the first time this season. Because I wanted to get my credentials on Friday I left Youngstown plenty early at 4am....or so I thought. The trip was uneventful until I… Continue reading Day Summary: MotoAmerica VIR 2017 — Friday

2017 MotoGP Season Preview

"Fast" Mike MarinoLeave a comment

Introduction  Usually when I am writing a MotoGP season preview, I am talking about two or three riders who are expected to dominate the championship, and everyone else is about a mile behind the leaders. Usually I am writing about how MotoGP's reliance of laboratory bikes makes for less exciting racing than World Superbike. Usually,… Continue reading 2017 MotoGP Season Preview

2017 World Superbike Season Preview

"Fast" Mike MarinoLeave a comment

Introduction It is that time of year again. Riding season is right around the corner in the northeast U.S., the days are getting longer, and the professional motorcycle road racing season is revving up down under. While we are a little under a month away from the MotoGP season beginning, and two months from MotoAmerica… Continue reading 2017 World Superbike Season Preview

American Motorcyclist Magazine Full Interview

"Fast" Mike MarinoLeave a comment

Back in August, I was asked by American Motorcyclist Magazine Managing Editor Jim Witters for a interview concerning my involvement in the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA)'s EAGLES program. American Motorcyclist is the official magazine of the AMA, and I was delighted to see it highlighting the AMA's political advocacy program. The motorcycling lifestyle is under… Continue reading American Motorcyclist Magazine Full Interview