The Midwest-based team Righteous Racin’ will make a meaningful appearance at road america for the MotoAmerica Twins Cup round held May 29-31. In place of their late captain, the squad has arranged a heartfelt plan: veteran rider Jody Barry will pilot the original Aprilia RS660 that belonged to Ray Hofman. This entry is both a competitive effort and a public remembrance, combining on-track presence with a fundraising component designed to keep Ray’s spirit connected to the paddock community.
Ray’s path to the grid was unconventional and rooted in hands-on Midwestern life. Raised on a small family farm, he gravitated toward anything that moved fast, from agricultural equipment to aircraft and motorcycles. After moving into the drilling business with Sam’s Well Drilling in Randolph, Wisconsin, Ray eventually bought his first motorcycle and committed to racing later in life. He earned a string of wins in ASRA and CCS events before stepping up to the MotoAmerica Twins Cup, first aboard an SV650 and then on the Aprilia RS660, where he achieved a career-best eighth-place finish.
The Road America tribute plan
For the May 29-31 weekend the team has organized a visible memorial campaign that pairs on-track competition with fan participation. Righteous Racin’ teamed with Bison and PopShadow Decals and Wraps to produce two shirts: a limited edition memorial shirt titled “Ride Like Ray” and the standard Righteous Racin’ crew shirt. All proceeds from the memorial shirt—100 percent—will go to the Motor Racing Outreach Association (MROA), a group that provides spiritual and practical support to racing families. Fans who cannot attend Road America are encouraged to purchase a shirt online to contribute to the cause.
The bike, the rider, and the message
The motorcycle chosen for the tribute is the very original RS660 Ray purchased when the model launched. It is the same machine he entrusted to Jody Barry during their first season together, a move that helped produce immediate results and established trust between rider and team. With Barry back aboard, the entry is meant to reflect Ray’s belief in people and in equipment: he often spoke about seeing potential where others did not. The plan emphasizes continuity, honoring Ray’s personal connection to the bike while keeping the team visible in their hometown series.
Team reflections and community impact
Righteous Racin’ members describe Ray as a builder of confidence, someone who pushed the group to improve while remaining generous and upbeat. Crew member Jason Knudsen notes that Ray “saw potential in everything and everyone,” a sentiment the team carries to Road America. Beyond racing, the tribute fosters community through the shirt campaign and the partnership with organizations and suppliers who supported Ray when he raced, including Arai Helmet Americas, LIQUI MOLY, Thrashed Bike Racing, Robem Engineering, and Aprilia USA. The combined effort blends competition with remembrance and charitable giving.
About Righteous Racin’ and Motor Racing Outreach Association
Righteous Racin’ remains a family-rooted operation started by Ray and his wife Brenda, focused on Twins Cup competition aboard Aprilia RS660 machines. The team’s return to Road America is both a sporting commitment and a tribute to a founder whose influence shaped the crew. The beneficiary of the memorial sales, the Motor Racing Outreach Association, provides spiritual support and practical assistance to the racing community and their families, making it a fitting recipient that aligns with Ray’s generous reputation. Together, the bike, the event, and the fundraising effort aim to keep Ray’s legacy active in the paddock he loved.