American Kensei Matsudaira to Represent USA at FIM Speedway World Championship SGP4 Race at Malilla, Sweden
Japanese-American road racer Kensei Matsudaira will make his international speedway racing debut on July 15, 2023 at the FIM Speedway GP of Sweden – Malilla. Kensei, age 12, was selected to represent the US in the FIM Speedway World Championship in the launch of the SGP4 youth category on a new entry-level world championship bike for 11 to 13 year old racers. 18 riders from around the world have been invited to race in this special one-time event at one of World Speedway’s most famous venues.
“I’ve always wanted to race speedway in Europe, so I’m very excited to have this opportunity to race at a FIM Speedway World Championship race,” Kensei said. “I’m proud to represent the US and American speedway, and hoping to do as well as I can to make Team USA Speedway proud.”
Team USA Speedway manager Steve Evans added, “Kensei is an outstanding motorcyclist in so many disciplines. He has more speedway experience and success than anyone else in his age group and is the current 150cc Youth National Champion. The new SGP4 category is huge for the sport and American Speedway and might be just what we need to help elevate the USA back to the top. We wish Kensei well and know with his international racing experience he will make the most of this fantastic opportunity.”
Kensei is an accomplished international road racer but is also well accomplished in speedway which he has been racing since the age of 4. After dozens of race wins including an undefeated season in the pee wee class, Kensei moved up to the Junior Speedway 150cc class at age 7 and immediately became a national title contender. In 2022 Kensei became the AMA Speedway Youth 150 National Champion.
In road racing, Kensei is a three-time MotoAmerica Mini Cup by Motul Champion, taking the 110cc and 160cc crowns in 2021 and the Ohvale GP-2 190cc crown in 2022. He is the first FIM MiniGP World Series North America champion, and has also been racing at the national level in Spain since 2019. He is the 2022 RFME Copa de España de MiniVelocidad vice champion in the Spanish national Moto5 category. Kensei is currently racing full time in Spain in the 2023 RFME ESBK (Campeonato de España de Superbike) Moto4 championship where he sits 8th in points with one podium finish so far this season.
Kensei and his family would like to thank all of their sponsors for their support this year:
Nox#27 Racing Team, Evike.com, Evike Europe, HJC Helmets, Dave Designs, Almassera El Teular, OrangeCat Racing, Iconic Motorbikes, Bison Track, Moto Tecnica, Karen E. Ott Photography, BSP Racing, American Racing Team & Academy, The Starting Grid, TJ Corse, VNM Sport, NLAB Studio, California Superbike School, MadLabs Minimoto, Hans King, 73 Moto Parts, D.I.D Chain, Galfer USA, Bickle Racing, Yoshimura R&D, Vortex Racing, Suspension Matters, Moto Survival School, Live 100 Moto, TechSpec, Landers Racing, Boyko Racing, Mini Moto Alliance
