Trackhouse Racing, owned by Justin Marks, is gearing up for a stimulating ride in the MotoGP World Championship. They are stepping into the shoes left by the RNF Racing team after they bowed out at the end of the 2023 season. The American outfit pulled the curtains back on their 2024 plans on January 26, at a glitzy event in Los Angeles. The spotlight wasn’t just on their star riders Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez, but also on the brains and brawn working their magic behind the scenes.
Sticking with last year’s dynamic duo, Oliveira and Fernandez, Justin Marks’s Trackhouse Racing is aiming high. They’re not just content with keeping these two in the saddle, they’re pushing to upgrade their rides to factory-spec RS-GP bikes, moving away from the older models.
Trackhouse Racing’s new MotoGP livery becomes the ‘star’ of the show
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The team under Justin Marks’ wing has just pulled the wraps off a patriotic Stars and Stripes theme for their 2024 MotoGP machines, with their partnership with the Italian dairy giant – Sterilgarda, shining bright. They’re setting up shop in Aprilia’s home base in Noale, a place with a rich history in the racing world’s junior leagues. The new design is a fresh change on the concept livery they teased last month, paying homage to the star-spangled bike Nicky Hayden, a MotoGP legend, once rode.
But where did this all start? When RNF found themselves on the outs with MotoGP for not playing by the rules, Trackhouse was quick to jump into the MotoGP fray, with whispers of a Moto3 venture too. Despite plans for a 2025 debut, they hit the gas and made a 2024 entry happen, picking up where RNF left off.
RNF, helmed by Razlan Razali, found itself in hot water with MotoGP’s top brass at Dorna Sports, getting the boot for a series. The last straw was their main sponsor, CryptoDATA, dropping the ball on paying up for various championship and supplier bills.
Justin Marks’ team has now joined the ranks of Gresini, Ducati’s main squad, and VR46, who’ve all shown off their 2024 colors in the past week. But as they gear up for their MotoGP venture, there’s a cloud hanging over them. Even with a NASCAR star like Shane Van Gisbergen in their corner, they’re heading into the season with a bit of baggage in the form of a penalty. It’s an uphill start, but they’re ready to take on the challenge.
Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez, who were seen tearing up the tracks on last year’s Aprilias under the RNF banner, are making the leap alongside the Aprilia supply deal to Trackhouse. Oliveira is all set to ride a top-tier 2024 Aprilia RS-GP straight out of the gate, while Fernandez, the greenhorn of the duo, will kick things off on a seasoned bike, with plans to get him on fresher wheels as the season progresses.
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However, before they even hit the starting line in Qatar on March 10, Trackhouse finds themselves a step back due to a tangle Oliveira got into last November at the Qatar GP, which left him with a long lap penalty to serve. With an injury sidelining him for the last few races of 2023, this penalty is hitching a ride into the new season.
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Their first race on home soil will be a spectacle to behold as they debut at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, marking their territory at the Americas GP during the April 12-14 weekend, which is the fourth round on the MotoGP calendar.
But the fans are not worried about any of those things as of now. They are simply drooling over the livery that has gotten the attention of the enthusiasts positively.
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The MotoGP fanbase is completely smitten with the fresh aesthetics
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One enthusiast, after laying eyes on the bikes, was hit with a wave of nostalgia, remarking, “It actually gives me pre prima Pramac vibes….” Meanwhile, another fan couldn’t help but gush over the new style, declaring, “Best livery in modern moto gp.”
Someone chimed in with sheer excitement, “OMG, I’M IN LOVE “ while another fan was so moved they were on the brink of diving into the MotoGP fandom headfirst, all thanks to Trackhouse: “I am about to become a @motogp fan supporting @trackhousemotogp drivers. The bike designs are top-notch, like their NASCAR Cup counterparts. Well done @realmarksjustin !.”
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The praise didn’t stop there, with comments pouring in like, “The livery is 🔥,” “Modern MotoGP top❤️,” “Nice livery 😍😍,” and “Surely much better than RNF livery.” Did you like the new livery as much as the fans did on X?