New team. New approach. New chapter. MotoGP™ welcomes a fresh presence to the grid for 2024
In 2024, MotoGP™ will witness the arrival of a fresh team, Trackhouse Racing. Having achieved notable success in the NASCAR Cup series, the American team is set to extend its racing aspirations to two wheels by joining MotoGP™ as an Independent Team. They have formed a partnership with Aprilia to field their RS-GP MotoGP™ prototypes.
The announcement unfolded in Milan on Tuesday, with the live broadcast reaching audiences worldwide. During the unveiling event, Trackhouse’s founder and owner, Justin Marks, shared the stage with Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola, Dorna Sports Chief Sporting Officer Carlos Ezpeleta, and Dorna Sports Chief Commercial Officer Dan Rossomondo to discuss this exciting new venture.
Trackhouse Racing is set to field two Aprilia RS-GPs in the upcoming MotoGP™ season, with the bikes being piloted by the multiple-MotoGP™ winner, #88 Miguel Oliveira, and the emerging talent, #25 Raul Fernandez. While the complete livery for the 2024 season is scheduled to be unveiled early next season, the team presented a symbolic bike adorned with the American flag during the launch event. This design serves as a tribute to the testing colors previously employed by Nicky Hayden and celebrates the rich heritage of motorcycle racing in the USA.
Contributing to that rich heritage and crafting a fresh narrative with a novel approach is a primary objective for Trackhouse. This aligns seamlessly with the aspirations of MotoGP™. The inclusion of an American team, representing one of the globe’s largest markets, presents abundant opportunities for both entities to embark on an exhilarating new venture. This venture is envisioned to be constructed from the ground up, firmly rooted in the pillars 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.”
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.”
Carlos Ezpeleta, Dorna Sports Chief Sporting Officer: “We’re super happy to welcome Trackhouse to MotoGP. We know this new team is a perfect fit for our sport: they’ve already shown they know how to win and arrive with a great personality. In the most competitive era the sport has ever seen, it’s even more vital than ever to have strong Independent Teams on the grid with solid projects. Trackhouse working with Aprilia, who will offer extensive support, is a really exciting prospect too. The RS-GP is a winning motorcycle and the combination of the bike, factory and Trackhouse’s approach with this team is something super exciting for MotoGP fans everywhere. We can’t wait to see Trackhouse come racing with us.”
Dan Rossomondo, Dorna Sports Chief Commercial Officer: “Trackhouse coming to MotoGP is great news. They get it – the racing success, which they’ve had plenty of already – and the marketing and promotion that comes with running a top level motorsport team. That combination of operational excellence, paired with their expertise off-track, is a standard we want throughout MotoGP. We know Trackhouse’s influence will be positive and an ally for our business objectives.”
Official MotoGP Press Release
