Earlier this week, Ducati North America announced that it will be competing in the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship and the Daytona 200 in 2022. The manufacturer partnered with the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York outfit and has signed local superstar Josh Herrin as their rider.
Recently, MotoAmerica revised the rules for its supersport class, allowing larger twin and triple cylinder motorcycles to compete in a class that currently houses mainly 600cc inline-fours. This has allowed Ducati to enter the championship with the Panigale V2.
Additionally, Ducati will also be entering the Daytona 200, which will also be under the sanctioning of the AMA (American Motorcyclist Association) and MotoAmerica. Ducati mentions in its press release that it’s been relatively successful on the Daytona International Speedway, with Jason DiSalvo claiming the 200 victory in 2011 on a Ducati 848 when the race was run under the Daytona Sportbike rules.
As we mentioned above, piloting the 2022 Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York Panigale V2 will be Josh Herrin. For those of you unfamiliar with his accomplishments, the 31-year-old has raced in AMA Superbike, Stock 1000, the 2010 Daytona 200 Champion, and even had a brief stint in Moto2. Herrin is one of the most talented riders in the US and has a substantial social media following for his hardcore riding style.
Bobby Shek, Team Principle at Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York, said, “It’s very exciting for us to be back in the Supersport class. We’ve put in a lot of years in the class and we know what it takes to run up the front, so we expect nothing less in MotoAmerica and the Daytona 200 with the new Ducati Panigale V2.”
“We’re also extremely excited to have signed Josh Herrin. Josh brings a wealth of knowledge, having raced a variety of motorcycles and he’s a former Superbike and Daytona 200 champion, so it’s a win-win for both of us. It’s great to welcome Josh to the Ducati family and for us to benefit from all his years of competitive racing in the Supersport category.”
Josh Herrin also commented on the occasion saying, “I spoke with Bobby (Shek) at the end of the 2021 season and when I was informed of the chance to ride the Panigale V2 in the new Supersport category, it was exactly what I was looking for.”
“I’ve always had so much fun in Supersport, and that’s what I want for 2022. When I have fun on the bike, that’s when I go well. That’s been a key to my success in the past and I think we’re on the right track to replicate that next year.”
“To join the Ducati family is a big thing for me. It’s a brand I’ve always admired and to be part of this new project with the Panigale V2, bringing Ducati back into AMA/MotoAmerica Supersport competition, is really exciting. I’ll be out riding a Panigale V2 on the street over the coming months to get a feel for it and I’m looking forward to engaging with the American Ducatisti wherever we go across the country.”
The first race for the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York Ducati Panigale V2 will be the 2022 Daytona 200 at Daytona International Speedway on March 12, 2022.