This week in US Powersports racing.
Dunlop Celebrates 2026 MotoAmerica Champions and Record-Setting Performances
Dunlop Motorcycle Tires congratulates the 2026 MotoAmerica champions following a dramatic season finale at New Jersey Motorsports Park. From new lap records on Sportmax Slick tires to a championship showdown in demanding wet conditions, the season showcased the riders, teams and tire support behind American road racing.
As MotoAmerica’s official tire supplier, Dunlop continued its commitment to the series with race tires and trackside service supporting competitors throughout the season. The Sportmax Slick remained central to that effort, helping riders deliver record-setting speed in dry conditions, while Dunlop’s Sportmax Rain tires supported the field when the weather changed.
Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Bobby Fong completed his championship campaign with a determined performance at the September 25–27 finale. Arriving 26 points behind Sean Dylan Kelly, Fong won both Saturday Superbike races to cut the deficit to two points. Fourth place in Sunday’s wet final race secured his first Quad Lock Superbike Championship, finishing the season with 316 points to Kelly’s 305. Mathew Scholtz won the final race for Strack Racing.
“Congratulations to Bobby Fong and every one of this year’s MotoAmerica champions,” said Chad Geer Director, Motorcycle Products & Motorsports. “A championship reflects a full season of preparation, commitment and execution. We’re proud that Dunlop is part of that effort, from the performance of our Sportmax Slick tires to the people supporting riders at the track. The lap records set this year give our team even more motivation to keep developing and improving.”
Dunlop Sportmax Slick tires helped riders rewrite the record books throughout 2026. At multiple races and in varying classes, Dunlop Sportmax Slick tires broke countless lap records.
Behind those results, Dunlop’s trackside crew provided tire mounting, setup guidance and support as teams worked through changing conditions. The wet New Jersey finale put that preparation into focus, with Dunlop Sportmax Rain tires playing a key role in the season’s closing races.
“Our crew works closely with the riders and teams all season, and we take pride in being ready when they need us,” said Cori Maynard, Coordinator of Motorsports Logistics. “A weekend like New Jersey asks a lot of everyone in the paddock. Seeing the season come together and watching these riders celebrate their championships makes the work worthwhile. Congratulations to the champions, and thank you to every team and every member of our Dunlop crew.”
Congratulations to the 2026 MotoAmerica Champions:
- Quad Lock Superbike: Bobby Fong, Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing
- Supersport: Darryn Binder, Celtic/Economy Lube + Tire/Warhorse Ducati
- Superbike Cup: Andrew Lee, Real Steel Honda
- Twins Cup: Hank Vossberg, Robem Engineering
- Mission King Of The Baggers: Hayden Gillim, J&P Cycles/Motul/Vance & Hines Factory Indian
- Mission Super Hooligan: Bryce Kornbau, BPR Racing Yamaha
- Talent Cup: Nathan Gouker, Quarterley Racing
- Royal Enfield Build.Train.Race.: Jasmine Noelle
Darryn Binder secured the Supersport crown in his debut MotoAmerica season and closed the year with a Sunday victory at New Jersey. Nathan Gouker claimed the Talent Cup title with Quarterley Racing, while Gillim, Kornbau, Lee and Noelle completed championship campaigns secured before the final weekend.
For Dunlop, the Twins Cup title carried added significance: Team Dunlop Elite Road Race alumnus Hank Vossberg clinched the championship with Robem Engineering during a weekend sweep at VIR. His progression from the Team Dunlop Elite program to a MotoAmerica championship reflects Dunlop’s commitment to supporting young racers as they advance through the sport.
Dunlop thanks MotoAmerica, the riders, teams and fans for another memorable season and congratulates every champion on earning the number-one plate.
FMF KTM Factory Racing Re-Sign Jason Tino in Multi-Year Agreement
Jason Tino and FMF KTM Factory Racing have agreed to a multi-year extension following a standout 2026 campaign, with Tino earning the American National Enduro Championship’s NE Pro2 Class title and currently sitting third in the Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) XC2 250 Pro standings during his first season with the team.
The 22-year-old joined the official KTM team at the beginning of this season, quickly finding success aboard his KTM 250 XC-F throughout the National Enduro series. Tino recorded six podiums – including two victories – on his way to securing the NE Pro2 Class title with a round to spare last month.
In GNCC, the New Jersey native has been a regular front-runner in the XC2 250 Pro division, taking back-to-back wins at Rounds 5 and 6, while achieving a further five podium finishes to date. With three rounds remaining, Tino sits third in the standings and just 23 points from the series lead.
With the collaboration between Tino and FMF KTM Factory Racing already delivering strong results in their first year together, the pair are READY TO RACE into the next chapter in 2027 and beyond.
Jason Tino: “I am honored to extend my partnership with the FMF KTM Factory Racing Team into the future! My aspiration to be a part of this team has been a lifelong dream. To continue this journey with such a remarkable group of individuals who dedicate immense effort to our shared goal is truly surreal. Our objective is to achieve victory, and I am just getting started.”
Tim Weigand, FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Manager: “We’re really excited to have Jason Tino back with the team. He has a lot of natural speed, determination, and a strong work ethic. He’s a young rider with a lot of potential, and we’re looking forward to watching him take that next step, run up front, and continue to fight for championships in 2027.”
RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING SIGNS RYDER DIFRANCESCO AND DAXTON BENNICK
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing has signed Ryder DiFrancesco and Daxton Bennick ahead of the 2027 SMX World Championship season, joining an expanded four-rider 250 program alongside Julien Beaumer and Sacha Coenen.
The new-look roster will compete aboard KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION machinery across the AMA Supercross Championship, Pro Motocross Championship, and SMX Finals post-season, further strengthening KTM’s READY TO RACE commitment to the next generation of 250 class talent.
DiFrancesco, 21, joins Red Bull KTM Factory Racing following a breakout 2026 season, finishing runner-up in the 250SMX World Championship, fifth in 250MX, and fourth in the 250SX Western Division standings. The Californian earned his first-career 250SX podium at Anaheim 1 and carried that momentum into the outdoors and playoffs with a collection of podium results, firmly establishing himself as a title challenger into the future.
Ryder DiFrancesco: “I’m super-excited to be joining Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. It’s been one of the top-tier teams in the paddock since I can remember, so it’s going to be a cool feeling being on the orange bike in 2027 – it only grows the confidence in myself and the team. The next thing to do now is to go out there and win. I’m excited, and the season can’t come soon enough.”
Bennick, 20, is another exciting addition to the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing effort after a strong 2026 campaign that saw him claim third in the 250SX East standings and secure his first 250SMX podium at SMX Playoff 1 in Columbus. The North Carolina native has continued to progress through the professional ranks since his highly-successful amateur career as part of the KTM Orange Brigade and will enter 2027 targeting title success.
Daxton Bennick:“I’m so excited to be on the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team next year. It’s always been a dream of mine, so it’s a super-cool and surreal moment for me. There are a lot of familiar faces on the team and also some new ones, and I think we’re going to make a really good combination and go after the championships – I’m ready to get to work.”
The arrival of DiFrancesco and Bennick coincides with a significant expansion of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s 250 program, which will also feature Beaumer and incoming Belgian standout Coenen. Beaumer, 20, will return for his fourth season with the team after recently extending his contract through 2027 and beyond, while 19-year-old Coenen arrives from the MX2 World Championship following a Grand Prix campaign that saw him finish third in the 2026 standings.
Nathan Ramsey, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 250 Team Manager: “What an incredible opportunity to be a part of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing for 2027 and beyond. I will be managing the 250 race team, alongside of Ian and his crew on the 450 side. I believe this expansion and structure for the complete Red Bull KTM program is very strong and I look forward to having an unbelievable season. I couldn’t be happier to add Dax and Ryder to the team! They both had very strong seasons in 2026 and should absolutely be in the championship conversation in 2027. Dax and Ryder alongside Juju and Sacha make up a very young and extremely strong Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 250 effort for 2027! I am honored to be a part of this group moving forward and can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
Ian Harrison, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 Team Manager:“We are incredibly excited to introduce our strengthened Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 250 program, which will debut in 2027 with a four-rider lineup equipped with KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION machinery. KTM has enjoyed significant success in the category for many years, and this next step further underlines the brand’s READY TO RACE commitment into the future.”
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s expanded 250 program will make its competitive debut at the opening round of the 2027 AMA Supercross Championship in Anaheim, California, on January 9, marking an exciting renewed chapter for the Austrian manufacturer’s presence in U.S. competition alongside its factory 450 team of reigning SMX World Champion Jorge Prado and new recruit Lucas Coenen.
