Trackhouse Racing joins MotoGP grid in 2024 as RNF’s replacement, becoming new Aprilia satellite outfit.
2024 will see a new team land in MotoGP: Trackhouse Racing. Trackhouse have already enjoyed impressive success in the NASCAR Cup series, and now the American team will take their racing ambition onto two wheels as they join MotoGP as an Independent Team, partnered with Aprilia to run their RS-GP MotoGP prototypes.
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 Chief Commercial Officer Dan Rossomondo to talk about the new venture.
Trackhouse Racing will run two Aprilia RS-GPs, ridden by multiple-MotoGP winner #88 Miguel Oliveira and rising talent #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 colours used by Nicky Hayden and to the incredible motorcycle racing heritage of the USA.
Adding to that heritage and writing a new chapter, with a new approach, is a key goal for Trackhouse and one MotoGP shares. The addition of an American team, representing one of the world’s largest markets, offers a wealth of opportunity for both parties to create an exciting 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.”
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.”
Here’s full stream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YK7e5hJZ1KE
Settlement between CryptoData, RNF and MotoGP –
The year 2023 marked a transition period for the RNF team. From the outset, DORNA and CryptoDATA established clear objectives, which, for CryptoDATA, culminated in an agreement in which CryptoDATA undertook control of the business side of the RNF team and became the majority shareholder.
CryptoDATA successfully achieved their set objectives, ensuring that the RNF Team was able to successfully navigate through the challenging moments it was facing. DORNA, IRTA and RNF have been able to amicably solve their differences that arose in the last part of the 2023 Season. Although the RNF Team will not participate in the 2024 season of MotoGP, DORNA and IRTA wish the best of success to RNF and CryptoDATA in their commercial ventures.
The Championship recognizes and appreciates CryptoDATA’s technological prowess and innovative capabilities, hoping that in the future we can continue collaborating and creating synergy between our organizations.
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO DORNA: “We appreciate the involvement CryptoDATA has had in MotoGP. During our collaboration, CryptoDATA had a contribution in MotoGP with an impact on various fronts. Besides being the title sponsor for the Austrian GP, CryptoDATA became the majority shareholder of and helped RNF to overcome tough moments in a very short timeline.”
Bogdan Maruntis, Co-Founder of CryptoDATA and Head of Global Strategy: “The objective of CryptoDATA was never to be involved in the sporting side of the RNF team because this is not our field of activity. Nevertheless, we saw an opportunity to get a deeper involvement in the motorsports realm and decided to help the RNF Team to overcome their situation.
“It has been a great journey and we appreciate the collaboration of all the paddock community. Currently CryptoDATA has fulfilled its proposed objectives in terms of business and marketing in MotoGP and will focus on our main purpose in the technology industry. We will remain MotoGP fans and will collaborate as much as possible with the Championship.”
[Note: The story is as per press release]
