MotoAmerica Racer Bobby Fong Is Ready For His Moment

Bobby Fong #50, “Fonger” as he is sometimes referred to in the paddock, has turned this season in MotoAmerica’s Superbike class into one of the most exciting in recent memory. The close competition between himself, Cameron Beaubier #6, and Josh Herrin #1 is anything but new. Going back to their early teens, they competed in Mini Moto at Prairie City in Folsom, California and at dirt tracks like the Lodi Cycle Bowl. These three seasoned California riders and their dedication to racing have made them local favorites with old and new fans. On the track they are fierce competitors, battling from the green to the checkered flags. When they are off the track, they are friendly, helpful to younger riders, and maintain a professionalism that MotoAmerica riders are known for.

Opening lap at COTA on Saturday 9/13. Photo by Nickless Photos.

September 26^th-28^th in New Jersey, one of these three talented riders will wear the number 1 plate next season. As the points currently stand, after 27 races, Bobby is in the lead with 314, Cameron second with 306, and Josh third with 292. It’s anyone’s guess who will claim the 2025 championship, with only three 20-lap races to go and 75 points up for grabs. Currently, Bobby has five 1st place finishes, Cameron has five, and Josh six. If somehow there is a tie in points, these stats become very important in determining who will clinch the Superbike title. Will the “Fong Factor” come into play in New Jersey? If Bobby can win 3 in a row like his stretch in mid-July through mid-August where he won 5 consecutive races, he will have earned 389 points for Attack Performance Yamaha in his first season with the team. The lap-by-lap consistency at COTA illustrates the fine line between Bobby, Cameron, and Josh. Geoff and I photographed the races from the tower, 251 feet above the track, where we had a bird’s eye view of the action in Turns 13 through 17.

From the COTA tower, looking down on turn 13. Beaubier leading, Herrin on his tail, Fong in hot pursuit. Photo by Nickless Photos.

Not too many years ago, Bobby’s racing future was in doubt. He had been a frequent top-10 finisher for several teams in several race classes over his career, even winning class titles in AMA AFM and Supersport, but found himself delivering pizzas around his home town of Stockton, California following the 2018 Superbike season. Bobby got a team seat and found his pace again for 2019, winning the MotoAmerica Supersport championship that year. He returned to Superbike in 2020, and has consistently been a top challenger and finisher. We have photographed Bobby since 2016, and he has ridden a variety of motorcycles including Triumph, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, Harley-Davidson, and Indian. To call Bobby a “hard core” racer would be quite accurate.

Bobby through the Nickless lens over the years- on a Kawasaki battling Geoff May, 2016; At the Ridge on a Suzuki, 2021; Front straight at COTA on a Yamaha, 2023. Photos by Nickless Photos.

“Bobby is a moto warrior,” editor Rob stated. “He’s fought his way to the top, struggled against huge odds, battled back from injuries and setbacks, and now sits atop the points going into the final round. The few times I’ve had to chance to chat with him over the years, there’s a steel in his resolve, a determination in his voice, a single-minded focus in his eyes. This is Bobby’s moment, right now.” We couldn’t agree more.

Bobby and his younger brother Jonathan at the Lodi Cycle Bowl. Photo by Nickless Photos.

Bobby has upset the “balance of power” in MotoAm Superbike this year, previously dominated by multi-championship riders Beaubier, Herrin, and Fong teammate Jake Gagne. The outlier is leading the championship going into the final round. Bobby’s love for his wife Sydney, his family and their support of him as a rider is the “Fong Factor” in his motivation. When he’s not racing, Bobby helps his younger brother Jonathan to develop his skills as a new dirt track racer at the Lodi Cycle Bowl, as well as helping coach other younger and newer racers. Whatever combination of Bobby’s riding ability, experience, drive, passion, friendships and family, we’re sure that he’ll put on a great show for the fans in the season ender at New Jersey!

Barb Nickless
*Photos by Geoff & Barb Nickless