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A Champion in the Making: Audrey Larson's Triumphant Debut

A Memorable First Win at Millbridge Speedway

Seven-year-old Audrey Larson, daughter of NASCAR Cup Series competitor Kyle Larson, recently celebrated her inaugural career triumph. The young racer secured her first victory in an Outlaw Kart event held at Millbridge Speedway in North Carolina, marking a special moment in her budding racing journey. This win occurred during her twelfth appearance of the season at the tight sixth-mile oval, contributing to her impressive total of twenty-one starts this year across various venues including Sweet Springs Motorsports Complex, I-44 Speedway Park, Cycleland Speedway, and Port City Raceway.

Proud Fatherhood: Kyle Larson's Emotional Reaction

Kyle Larson, a formidable presence on the racing circuit, shared his profound joy and pride in witnessing his daughter's achievement. Recalling the emotional significance of a first win, he likened Audrey's success to that of her older brother, Owen, whose initial victory he also attended. Larson noted Audrey's inherent competitive drive and dedication, observing her focus on reviewing race footage, utilizing simulators, and consistently practicing, traits he recognizes in himself. He described a heartwarming moment when Audrey became tearful during her post-race interviews, deeply moved by her accomplishment. Kyle admitted that he narrowly avoided shedding tears himself, caught up in the powerful emotions of the occasion.

Balancing Ambition with Enjoyment in Junior Racing

Despite the evident talent and passion his children display for racing, Kyle Larson emphasizes the importance of keeping the experience enjoyable and preventing burnout. He carefully manages their racing schedules, noting Audrey's participation in around 30 races annually and Owen's in the mid-50s. While these numbers might seem substantial, Larson points out they are modest compared to other young racers, like Brexton, who competes in hundreds of events each year. This measured approach ensures that his children continue to build cherished memories and develop their skills without undue pressure, fostering a love for the sport that he hopes will endure.

Yamaha's new V4 MotoGP machine made its eagerly anticipated public debut during the San Marino Grand Prix practice sessions, delivering a mix of promising signs and areas for further development. The initial outing showcased the bike's raw potential, particularly in addressing long-standing rear grip issues, despite a brief technical setback and a minor incident on track.

Yamaha's V4 MotoGP Prototype Shines in San Marino Practice Debut

At the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, on a vibrant Friday afternoon, the new V4-powered Yamaha M1, piloted by test rider Augusto Fernandez, officially unveiled its capabilities to the world. Despite finishing 19th on the leaderboard, the raw pace displayed by Fernandez on what was essentially a brand-new prototype offered a compelling glimpse into Yamaha's future direction. During the initial practice session, the predominantly blue M1 immediately impressed, with Fernandez lapping within a second of the top time. A brief interruption occurred when a faulty sensor caused an automatic shutdown, forcing him to switch to a backup bike. Nevertheless, Fernandez quickly rejoined, concluding the session just under a second slower than factory rider Fabio Quartararo, who secured a commendable second place. The V4 M1's performance was also notably close to Alex Rins and within half a second of the Pramac duo, Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira, signaling its competitive potential.

Later in the day, Fernandez continued to gather valuable data, completing an additional 20 laps before a low-speed fall at Turn 2 prematurely ended his session. Despite the incident, the 27-year-old rider found plenty of positives, particularly after narrowing the gap to Quartararo to six-tenths of a second on soft rear tires. Even Quartararo, who expressed dissatisfaction with his inline-four M1's unpredictable behavior, acknowledged Fernandez's impressive speed on the V4 prototype. Fernandez himself expressed satisfaction, emphasizing that the new V4 had significantly improved rear grip, a persistent weakness in previous Yamaha models. However, he also underscored the ongoing need for development, noting that certain aspects of the current M1 still offered superior performance. He highlighted the challenges of conducting precise time attacks during testing due to varying track conditions and tire limitations, which made the V4's strong performance in a real practice session even more significant.

Looking ahead, Yamaha anticipates gathering more definitive performance data from the V4 M1 during the sprint and the main Grand Prix race on Sunday, especially concerning its behavior in close quarters with other bikes. Further evaluations are planned for the Malaysian Grand Prix in October, allowing Yamaha to assess the bike's performance in hot weather conditions and continue its ambitious journey back to the forefront of MotoGP competition.