Round 01
/
08 Aug
Calgary, Canada
McMahon Stadium
McMahon Stadium
Speaking in an exclusive Unfiltered interview with Kristen Beat, Ware opened up about the evolution of his World Supercross program, the signing of multi-time champion Cooper Webb, and the vision that continues to drive one of motorsport’s most diverse racing organisations.
For Ware, the excitement surrounding the upcoming season, which kicks off at the Canadian GP in Calgary on 8th August, is impossible to hide after announcing his team for the up coming season. “I’m just super excited,” he said. “The series has grown fantastically. The competition level is at the very top of motorsports.”
That growth has allowed World Supercross to attract elite talent, and for Ware, securing Webb was the result of years of groundwork. Timing, rider availability, and the overlap with American racing schedules have historically made rider recruitment difficult, but Ware and his management team remained patient.
Now, the reward is one of the biggest names in Supercross joining the squad on a multi-year deal. “Cooper will be the cornerstone of a really good team,” Ware explained.
The signing carries extra meaning because both Ware and Webb have North Carolina roots. Ware has followed Webb’s career since his amateur days and sees a strong connection beyond racing.
“He’s just a cool dude that can drive the heck out of a motorcycle,” Ware said. “You’ve got a guy like Cooper Webb riding for your team — that’s kind of the end of the day, right?”
Webb headlines an impressive roster that also includes Justin Hill, while Cody Schock, and Dennis Simonsson return for another season and Ware believes the depth of the lineup is critical in a championship format that rewards complete team performance.
“Shock and Simonsson are going to pull their weight,” he said. “Justin Hill should be on the podium. We finally have put together the whole scenario.”
You can’t give up in this business. There are always uphill battles. Our goal is to be world champions. That’s what we’re here to do.
The attraction of World Supercross
Ware’s emphasis on the team championship reflects one of the key reasons he was initially drawn to World Supercross. Unlike many domestic championships, the championship’s structure gives organisations long-term stability and allows teams to build sustainable racing operations.
“I liked it from a business standpoint because it’s a franchise system that allows you to have a cornerstone to build from,” Ware explained. “That got my attention immediately.”
The global nature of the championship was another major attraction. Ware remembers the first conversations he had about joining the series and being intrigued by the idea of taking his racing operation around the world. “Racing all over the world? I was all over it,” he said.
For someone already operating programs across NASCAR, flat track, and other forms of motorsport, adding World Supercross was not a simple decision. But Ware believed the championship offered something unique for both sponsors and fans.
“We need to have a story to tell every week,” he explained. “Sponsors love podium shots and exciting moments. We race something almost year-round, and World Supercross became a huge part of that.”
Ware’s passion for two-wheeled motorsport
Ware’s passion for motorcycles dates back decades. Before becoming a successful team owner, he raced motocross himself, competing in legendary venues like the Houston Astrodome and New Orleans Superdome. That background continues to shape the way he approaches rider relationships today.
“I wanted to be a professional motocrosser,” Ware said. “I wasn’t good enough to make it, but I understand what these riders go through and what opportunities mean to them.”
That rider-first mentality has influenced how Rick Ware Racing structures its program. Rather than forcing riders onto unfamiliar equipment, Ware focuses on giving athletes machinery they are comfortable with.
The team has worked closely with established partners to ensure riders enter World Supercross on bikes they already trust and understand.
“To me it’s better for the riders,” Ware explained. “Motocross riders are some of the most underpaid athletes in the world considering the risks they take.”
Ware also believes Webb’s arrival will elevate the entire organisation beyond race results alone. A rider of Webb’s stature naturally attracts mechanics, sponsors, and additional talent while helping strengthen the team culture.
“It attracts everybody,” Ware said. “That’s what happens when you bring in a rider like Cooper.”
The team’s North Carolina headquarters is also expected to become a focal point for the program moving forward. Webb’s bikes and mechanics will operate from the facility, creating a closer connection between the riders, the team, and visiting sponsors.
“It’s going to be a different interaction,” Ware said. “People can stop by and see Coop working on his bike.”
The goal is to finish top of the championship
Despite the optimism, Ware remains realistic about the challenges ahead. Injuries are always a major factor in Supercross, and he knows no amount of preparation guarantees success. Still, expectations inside the team are high.
“If we don’t win the championship, I’m going to be very disappointed,” he admitted. “We’ve put the effort together now.”
That confidence comes from years of persistence. Rick Ware Racing has experienced highs and lows across every category it competes in, but Ware believes the organisation’s strength lies in refusing to quit when things become difficult.
“You can’t give up in this business,” he said. “There are always uphill battles. Our goal is to be world champions,” he said. “That’s what we’re here to do.”
As the countdown to the 2026 World Supercross Championship continues, Rick Ware Racing enters the season carrying not only championship ambitions, but the belief that the team’s biggest chapter may still be ahead.