We have entered the dark days of December. Although there is no racing on tap this weekend, there are plenty of announcements from racing series, teams and drivers during the off season to report.

It's always a good time to show gratitude to the hard working folks who make up the infrastructure who allow us to enjoy our passion. From the series officials, teams, marshals, pr and photographers who travel endlessly during the season to keep the motor running, we offer our thanks.

We also have one last gift left to us by drifting legend Ken Block. His last drift video ‘Electrikhana 2’ was filmed with the Audi S1 Hoonitron in November 2022. Enjoy it below.

For more on your favorite series, visit the home page of SARNIMOTORSPORTS.

Jay Geils Memorial TV Links:

If you have every MotoGP and Formula 1 GP saved on your DVR, now's the time to watch them.

ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAY BREAK!

MOTOGP - Following the announcement last week by the FIM, IRTA and Dorna Sports that they decided not to select the CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team for the 2024 season, they now have the new Aprilia squad lined up. After repeated infractions and breaches of the Participation Agreement affecting the public image of MotoGP, the powers that be made the unusual decision.

On Tuesday in Milan the announcement was made that an American team with NASCAR roots has been chosen to team with Aprilia to campaign the Independent Team entry. Trackhouse Racing will run two Aprilia RS-GPs, ridden by multiple-MotoGP winner No. 88 Miguel Oliveira and No. 25 Raul Fernandez. The full 2024 livery will be revealed early next season but as part of the launch, the team unveiled a symbolic American flag-liveried bike, paying tribute to both previous testing colors used by Nicky Hayden and the motorcycle racing heritage of the USA.

The announcement was made in Milan on Tuesday, with the presentation beamed live around the world. At the launch, Trackhouse founder and owner Justin Marks was joined on stage by Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola, Dorna Sports Chief Sporting Officer Carlos Ezpeleta and Dorna Sports Chief Commercial Officer Dan Rossomondo to talk about the new venture. 

The addition of an American team, representing one of the world’s largest markets, offers an opportunity for both parties to create a new project from the ground up – built on foundations of established success. 

Justin Marks, Trackhouse Racing Founder and Owner: "Joining the MotoGP World Championship is a very exciting moment for our young company. Trackhouse has worked from day one to recognize unique and compelling Motorsport opportunities and being able to expand to a global series like MotoGP is a massive step in scaling the company. We believe deeply in the mission of Dorna and are committed to bringing something new and exciting to the championship while working hard to help grow and amplify this amazing sport to millions of new fans in North America and beyond."

Marks is a former racer who has spent time in various NASCAR series, in Sports Cars with Turner Motorsport and he last competed in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, driving the No. 93 for Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian in the GT Daytona class.

Massimo Rivola, Aprilia Racing CEO: "We are happy and proud to welcome Trackhouse into the Aprilia Racing family. What they have been able to build in a very short time in NASCAR is an extraordinary presentation card, which anticipates the potential of this partnership. This is thanks to Justin Marks and his team, whom I got to know through my long-time friend PJ Rashidi, and with whom we were immediately in sync both in terms of technical ambitions and marketing and communication developments in such an important market as the US. Our commitment will increase significantly, a responsibility we gladly take on because, I am sure, it will allow us to grow even more."

On Sunday, December 3rd, The FIM Awards saw the stars of two wheels descend on Liverpool, England. There, Champions from across different disciplines were rewarded in a celebration of their successes this year.

2023 FIM MotoGP World Champion Francesco Bagnaia celebrated his second premier class title, receiving his FIM medal as he returned to the stage for a second consecutive year. Pecco joins only Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi as riders who have defended the crown in the MotoGP era.

Bagnaia is the first rider to defend the World Title with the number 1 plate since Mick Doohan in 1997-1998. With 18 wins with the Desmosedici GP, Bagnaia is the second most successful rider in the Premier Class with Ducati (1st is Stoner with 23 wins, 2nd Bagnaia with 18 and 3rd Dovizioso with 14). It was the first time in its MotoGP history that Ducati won its second consecutive Riders' World Title. For the Borgo Panigale constructor, this is the third MotoGP Riders' World Title, along with the success achieved in 2007 with Casey Stoner.

For the fourth year in a row and the fifth in its MotoGP history, Ducati won the Constructors' World Championship in the Premier Class by scoring 700 points, 327 ahead of the runner-up. In total, Ducati scored 17 wins with the Desmosedici GP machine, an all-time record in MotoGP. Six Ducati riders won a race in 2023; Francesco Bagnaia, Enea Bastianini, Marco Bezzecchi, Jorge Martín, Fabio Di Giannantonio and Johann Zarco. An all-time record in MotoGP.

There have been 46 consecutive MotoGP races in which at least one Ducati rider has finished in the Top 3 (all Sprint races during the season have also ended with at least one Ducati rider on the podium). For 60 consecutive races, Ducati has had at least one of its bikes on the front row of the grid.

It will be a good two months before riders next take to the track. The Sepang Shakedown is February 1st - 3rd. Three days later the MotoGP Official Test at Sepang runs from February 6th - 8th. the Qatar Official Test is February 19th and 20th. Round 1 of 2024 is the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar on March 10th.

Check out the 2024 FIM MOTOGP ENTRIES.

WORLDSBK - On Monday, December 4th, Toprak Razgatlioglu made his debut on the BMW M 1000 RR at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve. The Turk tested for his new squad for 2024; the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team.

BMW are the third manufacturer Razgatlioglu has ridden for, having made his debut with Kawasaki and spent two seasons on the ZX-10RR for the Kawasaki Puccetti Racing outfit, before switching to the Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK squad from 2020 to 2023; claiming the 2021 title.

Although running was limited, the 2021 Champion reviewed his test, explained the main differences between the Yamaha and BMW machines and where he would like to improve ahead of a second test at Jerez this week as well as sending a message to his rivals. After two days of limited running under his belt, Razgatlioglu explained the differences between his old Yamaha YZF-R1 machine and his new M 1000 RR bike.

Toprak Razgatlioglu: “Today we are riding but not in fully dry conditions. In general, I’m feeling happy because it was a very positive test. I’m feeling like the bike is much better because, on Sunday, I rode the bike for the first time but only 11 laps. Today, we changed something, and the feeling is very good. I had a strange crash at Turn 5. I tried hard braking, the rear came up, went down and after it started sliding a lot. I crashed on the left side but not a big crash. After, I’m riding again to make sure I understand the bike. We did a very good lap time with these track conditions. I enjoyed it. I didn’t do many laps; 19 on Monday and 11 on Sunday. We are learning. This bike, after four years in blue, is completely different. I’m starting to adapt. I felt the front was much better than before and especially the engine braking is unbelievable. We used a different map. Finally I feel the engine brake! Very positive. We need more laps with this bike for the setup because we have many parts, but we don’t have the time to try them. I hope for dry conditions at Jerez to try the other parts.

“The biggest difference is the engine brake is unbelievable and also the other biggest difference is the bike is very fast on the straight. This is good because it’s the first time I’m feeling power. I’m very happy about this. I don’t know about the aero but maybe I’m feeling it on the last corner exit, going uphill. I’m feeling the bike isn’t wheelieing but maybe this is helping; I don’t really understand it. I’m just focused on entering the corner and acceleration. Maybe I need more laps to understand the wings. I think it’s helping through the exit of the last corner. With the Yamaha, I was always trying to have more lean because of the wheelie but with the BMW, I’m not fighting. On the corner exit, I’m feeling power and, after the hill, I’m feeling power still; the bike’s accelerating more. Under braking for Turn 1, I’m also happy now because I start to lean, I feel the engine brake a lot and now it’s a very positive test. I need more laps. I tried my best and explain the bike, explain some problems. We are immediately improving. I need more time.”

Ducati is getting ready to celebrate the victories achieved in the MotoGP, WorldSBK and WorldSSP world championships by inviting all enthusiasts to attend Campioni in Festa.

The Ducati party will take place on Friday, December 15th at the Unipol Arena in Casalecchio di Reno, in the province of Bologna, and will be free to attend. The event will allow all participants to share the 2023 season by celebrating together with the Borgo Panigale team. All of the Ducati World Champions will be in attendance, as well as Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin. For details, click the highlighted link for CAMPIONI IN FESTA 2023. Forza Italia!

WORLDSBK 2024 CALENDAR:

23rd – 25th February: Phillip Island, Australia

22nd – 24th March: Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Spain

19th – 21st April: TT Circuit Assen, the Netherlands

14th – 16th June: Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli”, Italy

12th – 14th July: Donington Park, United Kingdom

19th – 21st July: Autodrom Most, Czech Republic

9th – 11st August: Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, Portugal

23rd – 25th August: Balaton Park Circuit, Hungary*

6th – 8th September: Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, France

20th – 22nd September: Cremona Circuit, Italy*

27th – 29th September: MotorLand Aragon, Spain

11th – 13th October: Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto

*subject to homologation

MOTOAMERICA - MotoAmerica has announced changes to its Mission Mini Cup By Motul Championship for the 2024 season, including a regional qualifying series followed by a National Final at Road America in August. It's a way into competition for aspiring youngsters and a pathway towards grooming American riders for a future in the sport.

The series will feature a four-race Mission Mini Cup By Motul East Coast Series in 2024. Aside from crowning an East Coast Champion, each event will act as qualifying races for the National Final that will be held at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, August 9th - 11th.

The East Coast Series races will be held at Bushnell Motorsports Park in Bushnell, Florida (March 29th - 30th), Anderson Race Park in Palmetto, Florida (April 12th -13th), Carolina Motorsports Park in Kershaw, South Carolina (May 17th - 18th) and Pittsburgh International Race Complex in Wampum, Pennsylvania (May 24th - 25th).

Those wanting to compete in the National Finals without qualifying through the Qualifier Series can do so but they will start with a points deficit in the National Finals.

The series will still feature the three stock classes for entry level racers: Stock 60, Stock 110 and Stock 125. In addition to the schedule changes, the rules package has also been updated with the GP160 and GP190 classes now open to additional manufacturers. Also, there will also be a Street GP class that will cater to Honda Groms, Kawasaki Z125s and the like.

“The 2023 season was the first year I was involved in the program,” said Mini Cup Manager Cory Texter. “We’ve learned a lot of things that will lead to improvements for 2024. We want to make it simple for young racers and their parents to get involved by making it easy for them to come out and race. Our aim is to expand the base of Mini Cup racing throughout the country and to get everyone to Road America in August for a National Championship final. We’re thankful that our sponsors are enthusiastic about this new direction and we’re really looking forward to getting the season under way.”

MotoAmerica announced a new partner today. Lyndall Brakes will make its debut as an official partner of the MotoAmerica Championship in 2024. Family owned and operated since 1998, Lyndall Brakes has been innovating high energy braking systems for V-twin motorcycles. They also offer performance products for Harley-Davidsons, Indians, and Polaris, including wheels, rotors, chain kits, conversion kits, titanium fasteners, and more made in the USA products.

“We’re pumped to have Lyndall Brakes onboard as an official partner for the coming season,” said Lance Bryson, MotoAmerica’s Director of Sponsorship. “Lyndall Brakes has been making quality products for over 25 years and they really like what they’ve seen with our Mission King Of The Baggers and also our Mission Super Hooligan National Championship class. There are two important elements to racing, horsepower and brakes and Lyndall takes care of the braking part.”

The 2024 MotoAmerica season begins with the 82nd running of the Daytona 200, a non-points-paying Supersport race that will take place at Daytona International Speedway, March 7th - 9th.

2024 MOTOAMERICA CALENDAR

Follow the link to make a donation to the ROADRACING WORLD ACTION FUND.

FORMULA 1 - On Tuesday, December 5th Formula 1 announced the six venues that will host F1 Sprint events during the 2024 season.

Brazil is set to host its fourth Sprint weekend, with Austria to host its third, Austin and Qatar return for a second year, and China and Miami join the line-up for the first time.

Since its introduction in 2021, the Sprint format has had a positive impact on audience figures, especially on Friday compared to regular practice sessions, and has provided promoters and fans with extra competitive on-track action at the six events.

During discussions at the F1 Commission meeting in November, there was overall support for an update to the Sprint Format for 2024 to further rationalize the weekend by separating Sprint activities from those for the Grand Prix.

The Sporting Advisory Committee will work through specific details, particularly regarding timing and parc ferme regulations, for a final proposal to be presented to the F1 Commission for the first meeting of 2024. Following that meeting, any potential changes to the Sprint format will be announced.

Dennis made his Formula E debut with Andretti in 2021, ahead of Season 7, quickly showcasing his skills with two wins and challenging for the title in what was one of the most successful rookie seasons to-date. In addition to his Formula E success, Dennis serves as a development driver for the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team and is also a BMW Factory driver. Dennis will join new teammate Norman Nato as well as the recently announced Reserve and Development Driver Zane Maloney

Jake Dennis: “I began my Formula E journey with Andretti, and I'm excited to continue working with the team that has supported my career in this series. I’ve got immense respect for this team, and it will be an honor to continue as a driver for Andretti Global.

"The GEN3 era is an exciting time for us with the relationship with Porsche supplying the powertrain, which I won the championship with last season. I'm super motivated for next year and feel certain that with the dedication, teamwork and investment I've seen over the past three years in the team that we'll be able to fight for more wins and success in the future.”

The 2023/24 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship begins in Mexico City on Saturday, January 13th. Season 10 features new races in Shanghai and Tokyo, with returns to Diriyah, Hyderabad, São Paulo, Berlin, Monaco, Portland, London plus Misano in Italy.

FIA Sports Cars - Although LMP2 entries will still take part in the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans, the class will no longer participate in the full season of the FIA World Endurance Championship.

On Monday, December 4th, the European Le Mans Series announced their 2024 entries and guess where most of those LMP2 teams landed? Over half of the grid, 22 in total, will be entries in the two LMP2 classes, the largest gathering of LMP2 cars outside of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The Le Mans Prototype entry has been further enhanced by 10 LMP3 cars and 11 cars are entered for the brand new LMGT3 class, with Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche represented. All told there will be 43 entries in the ELMS for 2024.

With ELMS becoming the home of LMP2 from 2024 onwards, the number of entries for the category has been increased from 7 to 14 cars, with reigning champions Algarve Pro Racing back to defend their hard-won title. 2023 champion Alex Lynn will be joined by Olli Caldwell and Matthias Kaiser in the No. 25 Oreca-Gibson.

2020 ELMS Champions United Autosports will run two cars in the LMP2 category with former ELMS Drivers' champion Filipe Albuquerque in the No. 23 Oreca, and 2022 Asian Le Mans Series champion Ben Hanley will be in the No. 22 machine.

2023 LMP3 Champion Alejandro Garcia will move up to LMP2 next season with COOL Racing, the Swiss team running a two-car entry in the top class. Garcia will be in the No 47 Oreca and 2022 ELMS LMP3 Champion Malthe Jakobsen in the No. 37 entry.

A Le Mans winner returns to the ELMS grid, with Will Stevens joining Nielsen Racing next season alongside Nicolas Pino in the No. 27 Oreca.

Inter Europol Competition will also run two cars in LMP2 in 2024, with 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans LMP2 winner Jakub Smiechowski returning to the ELMS in the No. 34 entry alongside Jonathan Aberdein and former Formula 2 driver Clément Novalak. 2022 Michelin Le Mans Cup LMP3 Champion Tom Dillmann joins the team in the No. 43 Oreca alongside Vladislav Lomko and Sebastian Alvarez.

2019 ELMS Champions IDEC Sport returns with a single car entry with Paul Lafargue to head the driver line-up.

Panis Racing and Duqueine Team will also return with a single car entry each in LMP2 with Manuel Maldonado returning for Panis Racing and reigning LMP2 Drivers' Champion James Allen racing for Duqueine Team in 2024.

Iron Lynx-Proton will enter a single car for Jonas Ried. 2021 Driver's Champion Robert Kubica will head the line up in the No. 14 AO by TF Oreca-Gibson, while British team Vector Sport will make their ELMS debut in 2023 with Gabriel Aubry and Ryan Cullen.

In the LMP2 Pro/Am category, AF Corse will return to defend their 2023 title with Driver Champions François Perrodo and Matthieu Vaxiviere also returning. Race winner Alessio Rovera will also join his teammates for the 2024 ELMS season.

Algarve Pro Racing will run a car in the Pro/Am category for Greek driver Kriton Lendoudis, who will be joined by 24 Hours of Le Mans LMP2 winner Richard Bradley.

United Autosports will also run a car in the Pro/Am category alongside their two LMP2 entries, with Oliver Jarvis joining Andrew Meyrick and Daniel Schneider.

Another team running a Pro/Am car alongside their LMP2 entry is Nielsen Racing, with former ELMS LMP2 Pro/Am and LMP3 champion John Falb being joined by 2021 Michelin Le Mans Cup LMP3 Champion Colin Noble.

DKR Engineering, Proton Competition and Team Virage will each run one car, while the Richard Mille name returns to the ELMS with a single entry for the Richard Mille by TDS.

In LMP3, COOL Racing will defend their back-to-back LMP3 titles, with the No. 17 Ligier-Nissan being crewed in 2024 by Portuguese drivers Manuel Espirito Santo and Miguel Cristóvão and Swiss driver Cédric Oltramare.

2023 Vice Champions Eurointernational also return, the Italian team returning with an unchanged driver line up of Matthew Richard Bell and Adam Ali, who ended the 2023 season with a win in Portimão.

4 Hours of Le Castellet LMP3 winners Jacques Wolff, Antoine Doquin and Jean-Ludovic Foubert return for another attempt at the title with Swiss team Racing Spirit of Léman.

WTM by Rinaldi Racing also returns with an unchanged line up of 4 Hours of Algarve winners Torsten Kratz, Leo Weiss and Oscar Tunjo.

Spanish driver Belén Garcia will compete for 2021 LMP3 Championship winning team DKR Engineering in 2024, while reigning Michelin Le Mans Cup LMP3 Champion Julien Gerbi will move up to the ELMS with Team Virage.

RLR MSport will field two cars in the 2024 ELMS with James Dayson and Horst Felbermayr Jr in the No. 5 and No. 15 Ligiers respectively, while French outfit Ultimate also return after claiming two podiums in 2023.

Inter Europol Competition completes the LMP3 entry with a single car entry for Kai Askey, Pedro Perino and Alexander Bukhantsov.

the 4 Hours of Barcelona kicks off the 2024 ELMS season. The official pre-season test is April 9th, also at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

IMSA WTSC - On Wednesday, a four-day test for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship began at Daytona International Speedway. Wayne Taylor Racing joins together with Andretti Global to form WTRAndretti and expand their Acura GTP program to two cars in 2024. It was their first day yesterday and one of their drivers is none other than former F1 World Champion Jenson Button.

Jenson Button: "It’s very complex, as every driver says. It’s understanding what’s happening when – from when you hit the brakes to when you are at full throat at the exit and there’s so much happening. It’s understanding that and reading that and balancing the car. I worked to a point where I was balancing the car well, and I loved it.”

Sixteen cars and 50 drivers in the two prototype classes – GTP and LMP2 participated in Wednesday’s opening day. All four classes, including GTD and GTD PRO, were on track today, with Friday and Saturday reserved for the GT classes.

The event is the only IMSA-sanctioned test until teams return to Daytona on January 19th - 21st for the Roar Before the Rolex 24, the last opportunity to prepare for the season-opening Rolex 24 at Daytona, January 27th - 28th.

For WTRAndretti, who are adding a second GTP car and a new GTD entry to its stable, there's a lot to accomplish at the 3.56-mile circuit. Filipe Albuquerque and Ricky Taylor return to the No. 10 Acura ARX-06 as the full-season drivers for 2024, joined in the five IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup races by Brendon Hartley and in the Rolex 24 by 2022 Indy 500 winner Marcus Ericsson. The team’s new sister GTP car – the No. 40 ARX-06 – features Jordan Taylor and Louis Deletraz, with IndyCar driver Colton Herta joining for endurance races and Button for the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

Filipe Albuquerque: “It’s like a new team. There are so many more people with two (GTP) cars. I don’t recognize most of them. It’s kind of crazy. Now we have like eight drivers on the team. It’s interesting because we have such a good bonding already on the first day.” 

Jordan Taylor is returning to his father’s team for the first time since 2019, (while away he drove for Corvette during his hiatus from the family team). Four years ago the top prototype was the Daytona Prototype international (DPi). The changes, he says, are astonishing. 

Jordan Taylor: “Last time I was here, we had one car and maybe 20 people. Now it’s two cars in prototypes and one car in GTD. A million new faces, new people to work with and a lot of drivers on the team. A lot of people to get to know and learn from. It’s been a great transition back to prototypes.”  

In GTD, WTRAndretti will field the No. 45 Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2 with Kyle Marcelli and Danny Formal as the full-season drivers. They will be joined by Graham Doyle, who was a two-time champion in Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America. He is in for the Michelin Endurance Cup races and Ashton Harrison at Daytona.

Graham Doyle: “It’s a dream come true for me. I’ve been wanting this since I was a little boy… I love (GTDs).”

The 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship opens January 19th - 21st at Daytona International Speedway with the annual Roar Before The Rolex 24, followed on January 25th - 28th by the Rolex 24 At Daytona. Get tickets for the ROLEX 24 AT DAYTONA.