The famed Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, located just out of Lexington, Ohio, is back on the MotoAmerica championship calendar for the first time in a decade, with everyone chasing Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati’s Josh Herrin over the August 16-18 weekend.
Following on from one of his finest MotoAmerica rides in race two at Laguna Seca in which he withstood mountains of pressure to take the win and 2024 Steel Commander MotoAmerica Superbike Championship points lead, Herrin knows everyone will be eyeing him as the season gets down to the business end with just three rounds and seven races remaining.
Herrin is no stranger to Mid-Ohio and is one of only two riders on the current Superbike grid to have raced and won at the venue, where AMA Superbike Championship action was last seen back in 2014.
However, Herrin knows he and the entire MotoAmerica Superbike field will essentially be starting from scratch with zero previous race data and just two Friday practice sessions to get up to speed before the grid-defining Qualifying 2 session scheduled for 10:20 am EDT on Saturday morning.
Loris Baz comes to Mid-Ohio for the first time in his MotoAmerica Superbike career this weekend on his factory-backed Ducati Panigale V4 R. The French ace, recharged after returning to Europe during the summer break, is feeling at one with the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati following a productive test at New Jersey Motorsports Park and is ready to bring the action around the picturesque 2.25-mile Mid-Ohio venue.
Loris Baz (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati–#76)
“It’s such an iconic place—it’s great MotoAmerica has Mid-Ohio back on the calendar,” Baz said.
“The Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati team and I had a test recently in New Jersey, which got me a little more comfortable on the bike, so I am really looking forward to the last part of the season. I have also been back to my full training regime, so I’m fitter than I have been all season. It’s going to be a great weekend, and I know we’ll be able to show our true potential.”
Josh Herrin (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati–#2)
“Mid-Ohio is one of the great circuits in North America and belongs on the calendar,” Herrin enthused. “I am beyond excited to listen to my V4 R scream around this track! The Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati team and I have clawed our way back from a huge deficit to take over the championship lead, and we now have a great opportunity to win Ducati’s first American Superbike Championship in 30 years. Now, it’s down to business. It’s time to get it!”
The crucial seventh round of the 2024 Steel Commander MotoAmerica Superbike Championship sees on-track action commencing at 9:00 a.m. EDT. Baz and Herrin are scheduled to appear on track for Free Practice 1 at 11:20 a.m. EDT.
Race One will commence at 3:10 p.m. EDT on Saturday, August 17, and Race Two is scheduled for 3:10 p.m. EDT on Sunday, August 18, 2024.
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