MotoAmerica’s Anthony Mazziotto and Gus Rodio will make their debut at Brands Hatch next weekend when the Rodio Racing teammates from New Jersey line up in the Pirelli National Junior Superstock and HEL British Junior Supersport classes respectively at the final round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship.
Mazziotto will ride an Affinity Sports Academy Kawasaki ZX-6R in the Pirelli Junior Superstock class having competed in the Twins Cup class in MotoAmerica; meanwhile Rodio will be more familiar onboard a Kawasaki Ninja 400 in the HEL British Junior Supersport class with SymCirrus Motorsport.
Former Motostar champion and Quattro Group British Supersport contender Brandon Paasch will mentor Mazziotto and Rodio using his previous experience.
Mazziotto said: “I haven’t been overseas since 2015/2016, when Brandon and I kicked some butt at Assen and Silverstone in the KTM 390 series. I’m really looking forward to the full BSB experience, having a bit more power with the Kawasaki, and going head-to-head with some new competitors. I’m excited to be racing with Affinity and Leon Haslam and thankful for the opportunity.”
Rodio said: “This is going to be a great experience. I’m really excited to get my first chance to race overseas with British Superbikes. Having Brandon come out with us is pretty cool because he knows the track, and his insight will be valuable. There’s going to be a lot to take in – a new track, new paddock, and even though it’s the same bike, the Pirelli rubber will be different, too. I’ve only been able to watch videos of the track so far, but I’m ready, and racing is racing, so I’ll give the SymCirrus team everything I’ve got.”
The team is working with current Rodio Racing partner luxeStar VIP on this wild-card opportunity. Company owner Scott Rehl has worked with racers in both MotoAmerica and Bennetts BSB, most notably with Paasch during his championship-winning season.
Rehl commented: “I’m excited to once again bring U.S. racers overseas and see how we stack up against the competition. Ever since I helped Brandon race in BSB, it’s been my goal to get more U.S. racers into international series to compete against the best racers beyond MotoAmerica. After Anthony’s and Gus’s excellent results in Twins Cup and Junior Cup, respectively, I am confident that both riders will do well at Brands Hatch.”
The wildcard appearances are also supported by long-time friend and sponsor Lee Watson, who is the owner of Geoscape Solar.
Watson who was born in England and a former racer, added: “It is very cool. Motorcycle racing has always been my passion since I was a kid, and I wanted to give back to the next generation. We are a local company, and Mazziotto and Rodio are local guys, so this is a great way to help out the young talent in New Jersey.”
Photos by Brian J. Nelson.