MotoAmerica Superbike Cup rider “Super” Carl Soltisz and his Super Carl 57 Rider Development team had quite a weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The Minnesota-based Michigan native was named the latest recipient of the VIP Superfan Privateer Support Program, and the timing couldn’t have been better.
Nearly 200 VIPs packed the Pavilion Suite daily, boosting the new program to a record-breaking weekend. Through donations, limited-edition MotoAmerica VIP hat sales, and an auction of Scott Odell’s artwork, the initiative raised $6,030 for Soltisz. This included a 5-gallon fuel drum donation from VP Racing Fuels, marking the program’s largest single-rider haul since its March launch at Daytona International Speedway. At the season’s midpoint, the new initiative has raised more than $15,000 for privateers.
A few VIPs went above and beyond: CeCe Saimo, Elijah Williams and Craig Simonian each made major contributions and walked away with signed memorabilia for their generosity. Thanks also go to the guest speakers who took a few minutes to sign VIP hats, helping push the fundraising total even higher.
Soltisz races a Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP in the Superbike Cup category which runs alongside the Superbike class on track, but scores its own standings — essentially a championship within a championship.
He’s currently sitting second in Superbike Cup points after putting his Honda on the box with a P3 finish in Race 1 at Laguna Seca, and the momentum keeps building.
It’s a big turnaround from last season, when an injury sidelined Soltisz for most of the year and forced him to put his race bike up for sale in order to cover medical bills. Back in action for 2026, he’ll put this support to good use — including getting himself and the team across the country to the next round at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, July 31 – August 2.
The following quote is from Superbike Cup competitor Carl Soltisz:
“I am so incredibly grateful to Scott Odell, VP Racing Fuels and all the VIP Superfans for their generous donations. Receiving this check was a huge surprise, and it means the world to me to receive this support. It’s always a challenge trying to pull together the funding needed to compete in MotoAmerica, and this contribution eases that burden in a big way. I want to give a massive thank you to everyone who chipped in, and especially to ‘Slicer’ Ron Heben for creating the Privateer Support program. After the injury I had last year, this is just the boost I needed. I am going to give everything I have to make all of you proud this season. Thank you all again so, so much for helping me chase my dream.”
