Written by Reef Parker, Edited by Vyas Ponnuri
Trackhouse Racing, a Nascar team owned by music artist Pitbull, are announced as RNF Racing’s replacement on the 2024 MotoGP grid.
The North Carolina-based motor group completed a quick swoop in sale for the team, after news broke of RNF Racing, spearheaded by the experienced Razlan Razali, stepping away from the sport before next season.
This came after reports broke out that the main title sponsor, CryptoDATA, had not been paying Dorna due payments through the entirety of last season.
The satellite Aprilia bikes piloted by 2021 Moto2 runner up Raul Fernandez, and five-time MotoGP race winner Miguel Oliveira struggled for consistency through 2023.
Oliveira’s season was marred with injury, his latest coming in the penultimate round of the season in Qatar. A crash on the first lap of the Qatar sprint race spelt the end of his season after he was diagnosed with a broken right scapula.
After a rumoured move between the Portuguese rider and Honda broke down due to a suspected contract clash, a change of environment, yet remaining on the proven to be competitive package of Aprilia will be a welcome change for Oliveira.
On the other hand, 2024 is a huge year for Fernandez. After what some may argue as two underwhelming years as a MotoGP rider, and a slow build up at the start and mid season of 2023, Fernandez began to find his feet towards the end of the year, particularly in his one-lap pace in practice sessions and qualifying. Next season aboard his new Trackhouse racing outfit will be a make-or-break challenge for the fiery Spaniard.
Justin Marks, Trackhouse Racing Founder and Owner, exclaimed at the excitement of joining a host of big names on the MotoGP grid
“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, too proudly welcomed the American outfit into the series:
“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.”
Both Oliviera and Fernandez will certainly relish in the opportunity of a second year aboard the Aprilia, and hope to catapult the stars and stripes of Trackhouse Racing into parc ferme.