MotoAmerica Posted February 17, 2016 Report Share Posted February 17, 2016 Photo courtesy of HB Racing "Racing in America will be very special to me because my dad has so much history here," Dakota Mamola said. "It’s the part of his career I know the least about. I can’t wait to engage with all the American fans and hear the stories about my dad's career while making some of my own." Dakota Mamola will compete in the 2016 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Championship aboard an HB Racing Meen Yamaha YZF-R6. Son of AMA Hall of Famer Randy Mamola, Dakota, who last raced in the 2014 FIM/CEV Moto2 European Championship, seeks to win an AMA title of his own in the MotoAmerica Superstock 600 series. Meen Motorsports owner Ameen Sajjadi: "When I first found out that Dakota Mamola was looking to be in the MotoAmerica paddock, I knew Wayne [Rainey], Chuck [Aksland], and the rest of the MotoAmerica crew had done an excellent job over the last year making our series attractive to top talent around the world. Thus I cannot be happier than to welcome Dakota to the Meen Team family, joining HB Racing powered by Meen Motorsports for the 2016 season. "Whenever you hear a name like Mamola, you immediately think of top-level results and a world-class rider. But I had to meet with Dakota myself to fully understand his passion for where he wanted to be in his racing career. I must say that from our first meeting, he showed me how much this opportunity would mean to him and his future. Both of us have one goal: winning. We also both understand that racing is difficult and all the parts of the formula must be in line for everyone to succeed, and that's the podium-worthy formula we are striving to achieve this year. "This is shaping up to be a extremely exciting year for me and my Meen Team, and I look forward to our first of many tests and getting Dakota familiar with his new bike and his new teammates." HB Racing owner Humberto Baca: "I am very proud to have former Spanish CEV Moto2 competitor Dakota Mamola join HB Racing powered by Meen Motorsports to contest the MotoAmerica Superstock 600 championship. Teaming up alongside up-and-coming Mexican racer Richie Escalante, the duo look to make a world-class mark on the American racing series. "I know that with Ameen's knowledge and guidance, HB Racing can really provide Dakota with a top-level bike and team to excel in this new racing platform. He will be a force to be reckoned with." Dakota Mamola, HB Racing powered by Meen Motorsports rider: "When I first met with Ameen Sajjadi, owner of Meen Motorsports, I knew it could work. Although he is young for a team owner, he has a ton of experience, and there was also no doubt about his passion and enthusiasm. We are on the same page when it comes to our goals, and I look forward to achieving them together with HB Racing. "I am truly confident going into this MotoAmerica season. I am in the best shape ever and all the parts are there with Meen Motorsports and HB Racing to make this a great year. I know it won’t be easy and there are going to be many challenges with a new team, new tracks, new series, new competition, and new country. But here's the deal: I’m looking forward to every one of those new challenges. "A big thanks to Ameen Sajjadi and Humberto Baca for the opportunity to work with them for 2016. I also want to thank Alpinestars and Arai Helmets for their continued support. Their commitment to producing the very best in safety equipment gives me great confidence on track or on the streets. To say that I’m excited about racing in the 2016 MotoAmerica season would be a huge understatement. I am so ready to ride my 2016 Yamaha YZF-R6 HB Racing Meen machine! Our first test is February 17 and 18 at Thunderhill Raceway Park. Game on, 2016!" Randy Mamola, 1978 AMA 250cc GP champion, 13-time 500cc GP winner: "When the idea of Dakota racing in America was presented to us last year, Dakota and I didn’t really give it much thought. Yet as time went on, with the encouragement from Kenny and Kurtis Roberts, we went to the 2015 Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca round of MotoAmerica to take a closer look and meet with Wayne Rainey and Chuck Aksland. "It was there I heard, 'Mamola coming back to race in America? Are you kidding? That would be huge!' That’s when I got excited, as it sounded good to hear and, more importantly, started to felt right. With Dakota having the final decision and saying, 'MotoAmerica, I’m all in,' we began to look for a team with the right fit. "From our first meeting with Ameen Sajjadi, we recognized a strong parallel in our intentions and goals topped off with great passion, enthusiasm, and professionalism. I would like to thank Ameen and Humberto Baca of HB Racing for believing in Dakota and making it possible for him to compete in MotoAmerica with the proper platform. "I’m very excited about the whole thing. I am also totally onboard with what Wayne and Chuck are doing to revive road racing in America. This is where I started a life-long career and it’s time to pay it forward for the young guns. Although I will not be able to attend every race, it looks like I will be at six MotoAmerica races between the MotoGP events and I look forward to meeting everyone. See you all in Texas!" MotoAmerica President and three-time 500cc World Champion Wayne Rainey: "I first raced against Randy when I was 15 years old at the Stockton Mile in 1975. Then we raced against each other in the world championship, so I guess you could say we’ve come full circle with the Mamola name back in AMA racing with MotoAmerica. We are excited to have Dakota here and we look forward to seeing him have the same success as Randy." View the full article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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