NASCAR Team Trackhouse Racing to Enter MotoGP Grid in 2024
Trackhouse Racing, a frontrunner in NASCAR, will be joining the MotoGP grid in 2024, taking over the satellite Aprilia spaces left by the collapsed Cryptodata RNF Racing team. Led by team boss Justin Marks, the new MotoGP squad will bring a considerable technical boost and will be based in Aprilia's racing department in Noale.
Trackhouse Racing's Entry into MotoGP
Trackhouse Racing, the NASCAR frontrunners, will officially enter the MotoGP grid in 2024. This move comes after the satellite Aprilia spaces were vacated by the now-collapsed Cryptodata RNF Racing team. The team aims to establish itself in the world of two-wheeled racing and bring a considerable technical boost to Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez in 2024.
The new MotoGP squad will be led by team boss Justin Marks and will be run on a day-to-day basis by ex-Alpinestars figures PJ Rashidi and Jeremy Appleton. Their European operations will be based out of Aprilia's racing department in Noale. This strategic move signifies their serious intention to compete in MotoGP.
Motivation to Enter MotoGP
Justin Marks, the team boss of Trackhouse Racing, expressed his motivation to enter MotoGP. Marks stated that he is a student of the game and loves experiencing all forms of motorsports. After attending a European MotoGP race, Marks was completely blown away and couldn't help but think about entering MotoGP.
Being an entrepreneur and a business owner, Marks started learning about the series, its business model, and engaging with different manufacturers and riders. This led to his thoughts about what an entry in MotoGP would look like. His enthusiasm and love for the sport have prompted him to make this strategic move of entering the world of two-wheeled racing.
Expanding to Become a Full Aprilia Partner
Trackhouse Racing aims to expand beyond running a satellite team. They want to become a full Aprilia partner, similar to Pramac's partnership with Ducati or Tech3's links to the KTM group. This expansion will likely result in one of the team's riders receiving 2024-spec machinery next year, with plans for a full two-bike factory expansion in 2025.
The team's goal is not only to contribute on-track but also to make a significant commercial impact. Building on their success in NASCAR, Trackhouse Racing has engaged new audiences through partnerships with international music superstar Pitbull and innovative projects like Project91. Their entry into MotoGP is expected to further solidify their presence in the motorsports industry.
Resolution with Former Team and MotoGP Organizers
The space for Trackhouse Racing to enter the MotoGP grid became available after Dorna voided its contract with the CryptoData-owned RNF team due to repeated infractions and breaches of the Participation Agreement affecting the public image of MotoGP. Despite initial threats of legal action, an amicable agreement has been reached between RNF and MotoGP organizers.
The amicable agreement involves RNF and former team principal Razlan Razali essentially being bought out for millions of Euros. Dorna, along with the International Race Team Association (IRTA), wishes RNF and CryptoDATA success in their commercial ventures despite not participating in the 2024 MotoGP season.
