Young superstar racer takes on MotoAmerica’s Superbike Speedfest
MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION) On your marks, get set, GO!
After almost 2 years without fans, Monterey County's WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca welcomes spectators to MotoAmerica this weekend for their Superbike Speedfest.
Among the youngest racers is Rocco Landers, who is one of the most winning motorcycle racers ever. This season alone, he has stood on the podium four times. This weekend, Landers will be racing in the Supersport class against a field of much older and more experienced racers.
"You know, it's kind of a dangerous sport, but there's a lot of dangerous sports out there," said Stoney Landers, Rocco's father. "I think whatever the kid gravitates towards, then that's your job to support him. So I'm fine if he's fine."
Rocco has been racing since he was 4 years old and riding longer than he can even remember. He broke many records racing in the Junior classes, but 2021 is his first season running with the big shots. Several news sources have referred to him as a "prodigy."
"There's a lot of work behind that prodigy," Stoney said. "He's been obsessed with it from the beginning, and I think that definitely contributed towards him. I mean, he loves to do what he does."
This track is known for it's tight curves. It’s called the corkscrew and racers have to get really close to the ground on the turns.
"First practice closer, I thought I'd be hoping to shave some more seconds off and get up there and qualify," Rocco said. "That's only corner of this track that I like. And that's what this is. This has been a difficult track for me, but I've always done pretty well here. First time on this bike here, but."
Rocco came in fifth and sixth in the first and second Supersport races this weekend. Finishing the the competition with 104 points in fourth place, three points under Samuel Lochoff.
In addition to the five classes of racing – HONOS Superbikes, Supersport, Stock 100, Twins Cup and SuperbikeTrackGear.com Junior Cup – there was also the Mission King of the Baggers, which local Frankie Garcia raced on Sunday afternoon.
