Two Wheels

[Wayne Kerr]

i rode a motorcycle today, in my flip flops. it felt great! vintage honda 550. not a big deal but ever so fun!

 

[wino]

i rode a motorcycle today, in my flip flops. it felt great! vintage honda 550. not a big deal but ever so fun!

and you returned with your flip flops and toe nails intact. well done. At least wear shoes next time.

 

[Wayne Kerr]

and you returned with your flip flops and toe nails intact. well done. At least wear shoes next time.

i will, it was a short trip. top o me toes on the left are a little sore from shifting but it was worth it. 1989, last time on a bike. i need one now.

 

[wino]

i will, it was a short trip. top o me toes on the left are a little sore from shifting but it was worth it. 1989, last time on a bike. i need one now.

I spend a too much time on ebay usa and thats all I got to go on there is heaps of good buys over there. I wouldn't be to hard to get a bargain if you really want to get back on the bikes again.

 

[Wayne Kerr]

I spend a too much time on ebay usa and thats all I got to go on there is heaps of good buys over there. I wouldn't be to hard to get a bargain if you really want to get back on the bikes again.

no its not. i have no excuse really. i know a guy that comes from oz to buy cars, trucks, bikes. ships em back and profits. you can see this car in "kustom kar kulture thread. hes here atm.
http://mateganextremedesigns.blogspot.com/

 

[wino]

Sofuoglu Takes Popular Pole Position At His Home Circuit
WSS, Istanbul Park, Turkey, 14 September 2013
Kawasaki Mahi Racing Team India rider Kenan Sofuoglu took a crowd-pleasing pole position on home ground in the WSS class at the Istanbul Park circuit, with his team-mate Fabien Foret 11th on the grid.

The final qualifying session in the WSS class was held in good weather conditions after earlier rains and it all went even better than initially expected by Sofuoglu, who had to work hard with his team to find an optimal set-up on Saturday.

Kenan held off late pressure from his championship rival Sam Lowes to take final advantage of 0.382 seconds after an intense last three minutes of available track time following the red flag stoppage.

An accident involving 11th place qualifier Fabien Foret saw the red flags come out and Fabien not make the restarted session but he is ready for the race on Sunday, looking to make early progress from the fourth row of the grid.

Florian Marino (Kawasaki Intermoto Ponyexpres) put in a fourth place qualifying performance, with recent podium finisher Kevin Coghlan (Kawasaki DMC-Lorenzini) fifth. A strong Kawasaki presence in the top six grid places was completed by David Salom (Kawasaki Intermoto Ponyexpres). Luca Scassa (Kawasaki Intermoto Ponyexpres) went 15th on the grid and Alexey lvanov (Kawasaki DMC-Lorenzini) 28th.

Kenan Sofuoglu: “It is incredible to be on pole because yesterday I was thinking that Istanbul was the most difficult track I had ever ridden on. It was really difficult to set up the bike and we had some problems with chattering, so it was really hard yesterday. This morning there was an improvement after the team worked really well on the set-up overnight. We did a lot today and step-by-step we improved the bike all the time. In qualification when we put it all together it all worked how we wanted – and it is always difficult to do that. I am very happy for this and I hope we can win the race this weekend. So many friends have come and we expect many spectators on raceday so I hope I can win the race in front of them.”

Fabien Foret: “I tried to perfect my lap time on the softer tyre but we found it hard to use, so I had to go to another tyre choice with a bit less outright grip. We used up a lot of time trying things yesterday and today. Tomorrow I have to make a very good start and pass many riders in the early laps and aim to take a podium finish. I am still learning even after all these years and I know after starting the race in the Nürburgring on the first row it can make a big difference to your race. We will do our best tomorrow and try to get to the front as quickly as possible.”

Sykes Posts Superpole Win Number Seven Of The Year!
WSBK, Istanbul Park, Turkey, 14 September 2013
Championship leader Tom Sykes took his Kawasaki Racing Team Ninja ZX-10R to the Superpole win in Turkey despite this being his first visit to the long and challenging 5.340km Istanbul Park circuit.

Sykes and his Kawasaki crew made set-up improvements to his Ninja ZX-10R overnight and they paid off for Tom on track, even though bad weather earlier in the day lost Tom valuable time at a circuit he had never ridden on before this weekend.

Using the first Superpole session, held in dry conditions, to verify the new set-up Sykes was fastest in the first and last of three Superpole contests, taking a narrow but important advantage of 0.022 seconds over his main championship rival Sylvain Guintoli.

Sykes’ reputation as the modern day Superpole maestro continued this weekend. He scored his seventh pre-race ‘win’ of the year in 11 attempts, took his career Superpole total to 18 and in doing so became the fourth most successful qualifier in the history of SBK racing in his own right. He only needs three more Superpole wins to equal the career total of SBK legend Carl Fogarty, who has 21 pole positions.

KRT rider Loris Baz will not ride this weekend to continue his recovery from injuries sustained at the previous round. Mark Aitchison (Kawasaki Team Pedercini) took 10th spot on the grid with Federico Sandi (Kawasaki Team Pedercini) 11th.

Tom Sykes: “I am happy because this is a circuit I had never been to before and I only got two practice sessions yesterday. I lost two sessions today to the weather so considering all this I am happy. I am fighting a bit of a cold but the changes we made to the bike set-up last night were positive. My crew chief Marcel and all the guys at Kawasaki do a great job and we went in the right direction. We were able to try the adjustments early in Superpole and it was clear to see we had a good direction. We just need to see if we can put this to good use tomorrow. It is funny how it goes because Sylvain Guintoli is right beside me on the grid tomorrow. It seems we have been fighting all season, in qualifying and races, so it looks like it is going the distance!”


C'mon TOMMY !!! WE NEEDS 2 WINS TO BREAK AWAY FROM THAT BLOODY 'PRILLA





WSBK »
Turkey WSBK: Checa latest to withdraw from Turkish round
13 September 2013

Carlos Checa joins Max Neukirchner, Jonathan Rea and Loris Baz on the sidelines in Turkey after suffering chest and wrist injuries, while Ayrton Badovini is also walking wounded...

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  Turkey WSBK: Checa latest to withdraw from Turkish round
  Carlos Checa has become the fourth full-time rider to withdraw from the Turkish round of the World Superbike Championship after suffering a contusion to the thorax and a possible fractured wrist in a crash during FP1.
  
  With Jonathan Rea and Loris Baz already forced out of the event due to injuries sustained last time out at the Nurburgring, they have already been joined on the sidelines by Max Neukirchner, who suffered a broken hand in an accident during FP1 himself.
  
  Furthermore, with Leon Camier being assessed in hospital with a broken foot and Checa's Alstare Ducati team-mate Ayrton Badovini suffering ligament damage to his ankle, the already slim WSBK grid could face losing as many as six riders this weekend.
  
  For Checa, the fall at the ascending turn two left-hander resulted in a contusion to the upper thorax, while doctors are currently determining whether he has fractured the left scaphoid, or if he has aggravated an injury dating back to 1996.
  
  “I have a lot of pain in the chest area on both the right and left side. I've also hurt my wrist but as there is already a screw there, resulting from an injury that dates back to 1996, it's not yet clear whether I've now fractured it again or not. I obviously cannot ride in this condition; the doctors have advised me to rest up.”
  
  Badovini, meanwhile, was another to come down in FP1, the Italian getting his foot caught up in the Ducati as they came down. Fortunate not to break a bone, Badovini says he is determined to race on despite painful ligament damage.
  
  “We didn't need the crash of course, my foot was trapped between the track and bike but fortunately, thanks to my boot, the damage was limited. I have however stretched all the ligaments in my left ankle and broken a vein, which is the reason for the swelling.
  
  “The doctors tell me that, as long as I rest up today and keep my ankle iced, then I should be a in a position to ride tomorrow - I won't be in great shape of course but I'll do my best."

WSBK »
Turkish WSBK: Fabrizio replaces injured Rea at PATA Honda
11 September 2013

PATA Honda confirms Michel Fabrizio will replace the injured Jonathan Rea ahead of the World Superbike Championship's first visit to Istanbul Park.

• • StumbleUpon
  
  
  Turkish WSBK: Fabrizio replaces injured Rea at PATA Honda
  Michel Fabrizio has been confirmed as Jonathan Rea's substitute for the 11th round of the World Superbike Championship round, held for the first time at Istanbul Park.
  
  The Italian, who is the most experienced WSBK rider on the grid with 203 race starts under his belt, had been tipped to replace the injured Rea after reportedly parting ways with the Red Devils Roma Aprilia team earlier in the week.
  
  With this announcement confirming said speculation, Fabrizio will rejoin the Honda stable he made his WSBK debut with back in 2006 under the privateer DFX banner.
  
  Currently eighth in the WSBK standings having scored in every race this season, four-time race winner Fabrizio is excited about the prospect of joining Leon Haslam in the front-running team.
  
  “I am very happy to come back to the Honda CBR after my earlier experience with the DFX Honda Team. To race with the Ten Kate boys in the Pata Honda team is a real honour for me and, of course, I will do my best to get Jonathan's machine near to the front.
  
  “I would also like to take this opportunity to wish Jonathan a fast recovery from his injury and I would like to thank the whole Honda Superbike team for their hard work to fix the bike in time for me to race in Istanbul.”
  
  Rea broke his femur in a high-speed accident during the previous World Superbike round at the Nurburgring. Subsequently undergoing surgery, the Ulsterman remains optimistic that he will return to action before the end of the season, which concludes on October 18/19/20.
  
  Fabrizio's place at Red Devils Roma Aprilia, meanwhile, will be assumed by former MotoGP race winner and Moto2 champion Toni Elias

WSBK »
Turkey WSBK: Elias: Team had to explain Superpole format to me!
14 September 2013

Toni Elias on Superpole debut: My head technician and the guys had to explain what to do exactly...!

• • StumbleUpon
  
  
  Turkey WSBK: Elias: Team had to explain Superpole format to me!
  Toni Elias says he can take satisfaction from qualifying an excellent fifth for his World Superbike Championship debut at Istanbul Park after needing to have the Superpole format explained to him beforehand.
  
  The GP veteran, making his World Superbike debut this weekend with Red Devils Roma Aprilia, has been a revelation from the word go, shrugging off his relative lack of Superbike knowledge to prove a top five contender from the opening session.
  
  However, having lost crucial track time in the morning due to damp weather conditions, Elias admits he then had to have his team explain the intricacies of Superpole's knockout format. Furthermore, Elias wasn't aware of the soft tyre option until he saw his rivals' lap times come down dramatically compared with free practice.
  
  Despite this, Elias still comfortably qualified for the final phase of Superpole before making the most of the tow from pole sitter Tom Sykes to set a time good enough for the second row in fifth place.
  
  “This morning I wish I had the possibility to use the two sessions to test some new solutions but with the wet track I did not manage to test what I wanted. Then we had to do the Superpole, which is a completely new formula for me. My head technician and the guys had to explain to me what to do exactly.
  
  “All the other riders have had an amazing start and I was quite concerned about it when I found quite difficult to follow them. Then someone explained me they were using the soft tyre!
  
  “Jokes apart, with very little experience of this bike, I can be really satisfied. I'm trying to understand tyres, bike reaction and everything I need for a perfect set-up. I'm waiting tomorrow full of excitement.”

 

[wino]

no its not. i have no excuse really. i know a guy that comes from oz to buy cars, trucks, bikes. ships em back and profits. you can see this car in "kustom kar kulture thread. hes here atm.
http://mateganextremedesigns.blogspot.com/

good on him there's definatley $$$$$ to be made not just in the US but all over the world you would have to know your market tho.

 

[Wayne Kerr]

good on him there's definatley $$$$$ to be made not just in the US but all over the world you would have to know your market tho.

yeah, and money to invest. which i dont have. matt egan, good bloke, i enjoy it when hes here. funny fucking guy. his mates are down too. all i remember is stephan and jackson. fine blokes. there have been others though...

 

[wino]

MOTOGP »
San Marino MotoGP: Marvellous Marquez blazes trail to pole
14 September 2013

'I'm very happy with this pole position, as we had a really good hot lap' - Marc Marquez

San Marino MotoGP: Marvellous Marquez blazes trail to pole
Repsol Honda's Marc Marquez shattered Casey Stoner's record at Misano to secure the sixth pole start of his rookie season in MotoGP.

Marquez, who leads the world championship by 30 points from team-mate Dani Pedrosa, set a dazzling time of 1m 32.915 seconds to become the first rider to dip under the 1m 33s bracket at the San Marino MotoGP.

He left his title rivals trailing in his wake, taking the top spot by over half-a-second from Jorge Lorenzo as he comfortably toppled Casey Stoner's previous best lap at Misano of 1m 33.138s, set in 2011.

Marquez suffered a minor spill in FP4, but he showed no adverse effects, switching to his second RC213V before blazing a trail en-route to pole.

“I'm very happy with this pole position, as we had a really good hot lap,” he said.

“It's a shame about the small crash that we had in practice this morning, which was completely my fault. I did a stupid mistake!

“When I released the front brake at the very last part, then I moved my finger to open the gas and I touched the front lever a little and lost the front. But the important thing is that I know where I made the mistake.

“In qualifying I felt very comfortable every time on fast laps and was able to put in some quick times. Maybe for one lap the pole distance is a lot, but I do not think it is a real gap for the race.

“Jorge has a very good pace, Valentino [Rossi] will also be tough to beat, because it is his home race and he has been very strong in practice; I'm sure that he will be fast tomorrow, as will Dani [Pedrosa] who had some problems in qualifying.

“The aim is to get a good start, try to ride in the lead group at the front and pick up more world championship points.

“I have a good pace, but I don't think I can go alone at the front. I will see after warm-up and especially how I feel in the race. Then I will make my plan.”

Marquez suffered a dislocated shoulder in warm-up last time at Silverstone, but still nearly beat Lorenzo for victory. Lorenzo has won at Misano for the past two seasons.



MOTOGP »
San Marino MotoGP: 'Struggling' Lorenzo hails 'unbelievable' Marquez lap
14 September 2013

'We are struggling to stop the bike in braking and we have more spinning than normal in acceleration – that that is why the lap time is not great' - Jorge Lorenzo

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  San Marino MotoGP: 'Struggling' Lorenzo hails 'unbelievable' Marquez lap
  Jorge Lorenzo dubbed MotoGP championship leader Marc Marquez's pole lap at Misano as 'unbelievable' after the Factory Yamaha rider again found himself outshone by the rookie title challenger.
  
  Lorenzo, who halted Marquez's winning streak at the previous round at Silverstone, was over half-a-second behind the Repsol Honda star as he sealed second position on the YZR-M1.
  
  The defending world champion had set the pace in Q2 with a lap in 1m 33.797s and although he improved further with a time of 1m 33.428s, Marquez smashed the pole record at the San Marino MotoGP with the first ever sub-1m 33s lap to take the number one spot by 0.513s.
  
  Lorenzo, who is using Yamaha's seamless shift gearbox for the first time, said he found the going tougher than he had anticipated.
  
  “I can be happy with second, but we are quite far from pole. Marc did an unbelievable lap and we couldn't even be close to him. I expected to struggle less this weekend and go faster than last year but I couldn't be faster and I couldn't improve the bike so much,” he said.
  
  “We are struggling to stop the bike in braking and we have more spinning than normal in acceleration – that is why the lap time is not great," added Lorenzo, who is joined on the front row by team-mate Valentino Rossi.
  
  “We will keep trying to change the bike and tomorrow we have the last change in the warm-up. But anyway even with the feeling now we are second with quite good pace and the seamless is good news for us.
  
  “It was a pity not to have it at Indianapolis, Brno and Silverstone, because I think at the moment - maybe we will improve tomorrow - we were more competitive than here. But now is the time to have it and we will try to improve it from this race.
  
  “I will try to make a good start tomorrow and maybe the best strategy is to follow Marc and see how our performance is during the race.”

 

[wino]

yeah, and money to invest. which i dont have. matt egan, good bloke, i enjoy it when hes here. funny fucking guy. his mates are down too. all i remember is stephan and jackson. fine blokes. there have been others though...

yeah i come REAL close to buying a drag bike ( over the top z900 motor and APE and MPE parts ) air shifter, ladder bars spare motor and low 9 et claimed time. Would have been a bargain at 1500 US but I had a big box of stuff coming from the UK for the NSR so I decided not to. Pity cause it would have been fun to have a few runs on the local strips with it, plus the PISS OFF THE NEIGHBOURS noise would have been a bloody winner alone when I was playing with it.

 

[Wayne Kerr]

lol @ pissing off the neighbors! one day....

 

[wino]

lol @ pissing off the neighbors! one day....

7am start 10pm cut off by law. fuck'em. i doubt they can tell the difference between a mower and a bike anyway.

 

[wino]

A Trio of Indelible Images from 2013
by dean adams
Friday, September 13, 2013
Hours turn into days, days into months, months into years. Significant yet not obvious details are naturally lost to time in this never-ending process. Was Michael Doohan fastest in Friday morning WSBK practice at Oran Park in 1988? Was John Cooper the first man to drag knee when he beat Ago at Mallory in '71?

Before these three slip into the oblivion of time:

• March 13, COTA: Marc Marquez slips on his leathers and shows he has the capability and talent to become one of the true legends of roadracing when he destroys all opposition at the first test at Circuit of the Americas. His capability and talent are met with the supreme engineering opportunity of HRC.

• Aug 31, Silverstone: Jorge Lorenzo's past success at Silverstone and his ability to lower the lap record by over a second should have made his path in qualifying a relatively easy one. Lorenzo set fast time and seemed to think he had pole. Only Marc Marquez, in his rookie MotoGP season, went faster than Lorenzo. And then for all his prowess, Lorenzo had no answer. The image? When the reigning world champ got off his M1 in victory circle after qualifying at Silverstone he looked like a Marine just off the plane from Afghanistan, someone who had witnessed the truest thing. Lorenzo was able to win the Silverstone GP on Sunday, but his eyes after qualifying were dilated with reality.

September 13, Misano: It only lasted a few corners but Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez were about to "explore the studio space" in the final minutes of second practice today at Misano. Marquez was already fastest in the session but he was still going fast, and Rossi followed just behind him. Marquez wasn't pulling away as Rossi--at one of his home tracks--looked more 2008 on the Yamaha than 2013. Valentino, at 34, did a great job of staying with Marquez and it was building into 'okay, lets go'. A slow CRT rider slowed their fun, and the duel was abandoned, to the disappointment of everyone watching.
And then comes the image: afterward, slowing to return for the pit garage, Rossi reached down with his left hand and patted the side of the Yamaha like a jockey would a horse after a fast lap. "Good girl ..."

ENDS

guess who wont be riding a Ducati super next year

Hayden Not Getting Updated Ducati Chassis
by staff
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Nick Hayden has been the ultimate company man for Ducati since joining the team in 2009.

He has pounded out thousands of testing miles. He has suffered through numerous developmental dead ends. He has seen the passage of one technical regime and a change in hands of ownership. He endured the hoopla of having Valentino Rossi as a teammate on an Italian team for two years.

Through all of it, Hayden never put tire tracks on his employers' backs. He never trashed his bosses.

So it was understandable last weekend at Misano that Hayden's diplomatic veneer finally cracked after five years after he learned Ducati management would not let him race the same upgraded GP13 as teammate Andrea Dovizioso in the Grand Prix of San Marino or the rest of the season or even test the bike Monday. The revised bike features a new chassis.

Ducati told Hayden it lacked the parts to build two versions of the bike. So Dovi gets the new frame because he is staying with the team in 2014. Hayden's contract was not renewed past this season.

"It is a bit frustrating because all along I was supposed to test the new bike, but now that is not happening," Hayden said to English media. "There is nothing to test for me with this bike. I don't know what is left to try on this bike.

"They say they don't have the material, but it is a little bit touchy because all the time I was led to believe I would be testing it, and I found out on Thursday they don't have the parts. Dovi has switched, and it hasn't made a big difference, but I won't be trying it or at all this season. I'd ridden the first version of the new bike, and I wasn't completely happy with it but it seems like with the latest one they have made a step with it.

It's part and parcel of MotoGP racing that a rider who is not returning to the team the next season will not see any of the new test parts. For example, Cal Crutchlow will get every bit a 2013 M1 this season, but it is doubtful that he will see the new seamless transmission, and anything else that Yamaha deems "2014-ish". It's the way factory MotoGP teams work--unless it's a championship situation then you don't let the guy leaving see your best stuff.

Hayden shed no further light on his 2014 racing destination last weekend at Misano other than saying he was very impressed with Aprilia's racing headquarters during a recent visit and Aspar Martinez's team.

ENDS



Moto2 Rider Rivas Banned For Two Races
by staff
Monday, September 16, 2013
The FIM banned Moto2 newcomer Dani Rivas from the Grands Prix of Aragon on Sept. 29 and Malaysia on Oct. 13 after it ruled the Spaniard was responsible for a crash during morning warm-up earlier this month at Silverstone that injured Rivas and competitor Steven Odendaal.

Rivas was making angry gestures while looking at another rider at the end of the warm-up and crashed into the rear of Odendaal, who was preparing to make a practice start. Both riders were injured, with Rivas suffering a broken collarbone, concussion and damage to his ribs and vertebrae. Avintia Blusens newcomer Rivas was scheduled to miss Misano due to his injuries, so the FIM decided to start his ban at the next event.

There are some eerie similarities to this crash and the wreck when Marc Marquez slammed into the back of Ratthapark Wilairot at end of practice at the 2011 Australian Grand Prix. Then-Moto2 golden child Marquez was only assessed a time penalty, which caused him to start last on the grid.

Meanwhile, the FIM dropped the hammer on Rivas, ignoring the penalty points system it devised to punish riders this season. Rivas has scored zero points this season, so suspicions of selective punishment - making an example of a rider who isn't contending for a title like Marquez in 2011 - certainly abound.

ENDS

 

[wino]

Oh . . . .ok

 

[wino]

Suzuki completes three-day test at Misano

Thursday, 19 September 2013
With the rest of the MotoGP™ teams having departed Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli on Monday evening, Suzuki stayed on to complete a further two days of running at the Adriatic venue.


At the end of Wednesday, Suzuki reported a ‘positive’ conclusion to proceedings, having evaluated several new factory components including a new chassis, new engine specifications and revised electronics plus a newly-styled cowling. Randy de Puniet and Nobuatsu Aoki completed more than 200 laps of Misano, collecting valuable data ahead of their next test at Mugello next week.

‘The new engine specifications, revised for more torque - and coupled with new electronics for better traction control and engine braking - were tested. The new chassis, that was elected by the Team to further develop at last month's Motegi Test in Japan, was also evaluated and developed further along with a new-style cowling designed for a better overall top speed,’ a Suzuki press release explains.

“It has been an intensive three-day test, but I think we have done a good job,” commented Suzuki MotoGP Test Team Manager Davide Brivio. “This is the first round of our 'Italian Testing Campaign' which includes Mugello next week. We have had a chance to visit another new circuit for our machine and we can continue to get good information for our development. It is very positive that the new items that arrived from Japan have all had positive points and benefits.

“We have made positive improvements on settings; and especially in the electronics area, which will drive our future development. Randy did many laps on the last day and that was very important to make progress. We now look forward to next week's Mugello test on September 24th and 25th (Tuesday and Wednesday) to work on any further issues and find further solutions.”

The team initially experienced issues in the form of low rear grip levels under braking, but did garner much data as track temperatures fluctuated between 22 and 37 degrees amid both dry and wet conditions. Aoki did the majority of testing work on a wet Tuesday, but the best lap time came on the final day with 1’34.882 being posted; for the record, this compares with Saturday’s pole position time of 1’32.915 set by championship leader Marc Marquez for Repsol Honda Team.

“I'm pleased because we have improved our bike throughout this test,” added de Puniet, who readapted to the Suzuki machine from his usual Power Electronics Aspar ART. “The rear grip has improved and so has the braking stability. We also worked a lot on traction control to adjust to the new engine specifications and I found a better throttle connection and improvement. We also kept a good pace with used tyres, which is very important, and we have also greatly-improved the turning.

“Now it is important to go to Mugello, where we can continue to work on any weak points and try to improve there as well. I'm interested to see how the 'wheeling control and engine brake' will work there as there are few interesting points for that, but having the Mugello test so close keeps up in the pace and momentum with the Suzuki MotoGP Test Team programme and development.”

As the Mugello test ends on Wednesday of next week, de Puniet will the head directly to Aragon in order to contest the 14th round of the season on his CRT machine.


MOTOGP »
65 riders sign-up 2014 Moto2, Moto3
18 September 2013

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• 

• StumbleUpon

65 riders sign-up 2014 Moto2, Moto3
Teams wishing to enter next year's Moto2 or Moto3 World Championship submitted their requests last Friday at the San Marino Grand Prix.

One again, the number of applications greatly exceeded the number of vacant places on the grid.

During the Misano event, all applications were considered by the Selection Committee which comprises of delegates from IRTA and Dorna.

Provisional offers to participate have now been made to:

- 20 Moto2 teams with a total of 33 riders.
- 17 Moto3 teams with a total of 32 riders.

Those teams provisionally accepted now have until Friday 11th October, coinciding with the opening day of practice for the Malaysian Grand Prix, to lodge a security deposit in order to guarantee their entry and to reconfirm details of proposed riders.

An additional selection meeting will then take place at Sepang as an opportunity to review the applications and, in particular, to consider the proposed riders; further details on the 2014 entries will be made available after that meeting.


MOTOGP »
New compound Bridgestone rear receives green light
19 September 2013

'The feedback from this experimental slick was very positive and we will now analyse the data we acquired from the test' - Shinji Aoki

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• 

• StumbleUpon

New compound Bridgestone rear receives green light
Bridgestone Motorsport Tyre Development Manager Shinji Aoki is keen to push ahead with the introduction of a new hard compound rear slick following a successful test at Misano.

The new rubber met with high praise from the factory MotoGP riders, who tested the tyre during the official post-race test at Misano in San Marino on Monday.

Bridgestone introduced the new compound in order to improve edge grip – an issue that Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa in particular appeared to struggle with at the weekend.

Lower temperatures on race day and reports of poor tarmac grip levels from the riders resulted in most of the grid choosing softer rear slick front and rear compounds for the race, with only seven of the 24 starters selecting the harder front slick option.

Aoki said: “The experimental rear slick we brought was a new specification of hard compound rear slick which we developed to improve the grip on the edge of the tyre.

“In order to enhance the edge grip of the hard rear slick, we tried a new structure at the edge portion of the tyre.

“The feedback from this experimental slick was very positive and we will now analyse the data we acquired from the test, after which we will liaise with Dorna, FIM and the teams about where and when we can introduce this new rear slick option.”

 

[wino]

Alpinestars celebrates half a century of success

Alpinestars celebrates 50 years of motorsport success

Thursday, 19 September 2013
Founded in 1963, Alpinestars marked 50 years of protection, performance, innovation and style on the night of Sunday 8th September at a special star-studded party in the heart of the world’s fashion capital, Milan.


Guest stars came from every corner of the motorsport world; racers past and present and notable industry personalities, as well as a host of TV celebrities and fashion writers, joined company founder Sante Mazzarolo and current CEO Gabriele Mazzarolo to celebrate the landmark occasion.

Amongst the many former luminaries in attendance were legendary, multiple World Motocross Champion Roger DeCoster, three-time Grand Prix Motorcycling World Champion Kenny Roberts, five-time Grand Prix Motorcycling World Champion Mick Doohan, multiple Grand Prix winner Randy Mamola and the multi-discipline star Jean-Michel Bayle.

Many current racing stars were also present, including reigning MotoGP™ World Champion Jorge Lorenzo, his great rival Dani Pedrosa; Dakar Rally legends Marc Coma and Nani Roma; stars of Superbikes Carlos Checa, Chaz Davies and Eugene Laverty, together with ‘king’ of the Isle of Man TT John McGuinness.

From the world of car racing; Red Bull Racing’s Mark Webber, fresh from his podium finish in the Italian Formula 1 Grand Prix earlier in the day at Monza, was joined by fellow F1 driver, Sauber’s rising star, Nico Hulkenburg. They were surrounded by world-class drivers from top level international championships, all with a long-standing relationship Alpinestars in common.

Guests were treated to a specially commissioned museum charting the company’s 50 years of class leading innovation and product development, as well as a Hall of Fame display of Championship winning products, used by many of the stars in attendance. Alpinestars also launched a commemorative book, packed with images and anecdotes, describing a uniquely rich and successful story in the world of motorsports, motorcycling, cycling and action sports.

While motorsports was widely represented, the world of fashion and entertainment was also out in force. Italian TV personalities Elisabetta Canalis and Maddalena Corvaglia, both motorcycle riding fans, were amongst a host of fashion industry personalities who have become devotees of the Alpinestars brand.

Presiding over the unique mix of personalities on the guest list Sante Mazzarolo, who founded Alpinestars half a century ago, together with his son, Gabriele, who is steering the brand into its next 50 years also enjoyed the gathering of family, friends and associates who came from all parts of the globe to mark a unique heritage and look forward to a continuing legacy.





Kevin Schwantz on Marquez and Rossi

Friday, 20 September 2013
With just five races remaining in the 2013 MotoGP™ season, the tension is building in the championship battle. Exactly 20 years ago, Kevin Schwantz was to become World Champion. He shares his thoughts on new title contender Marc Marquez, as well as a master of past years in the form of Valentino Rossi.


In 1993, Schwantz would become the United States’ last premier class title winner for seven years. Two decades on, the Texan talks of MotoGP™’s latest star from Spain.

“I watched pre-season testing and he had good speed from the get-go,” Schwantz says of Repsol Honda Team’s Marquez, speaking in the Keeping Track podcast run by the Tissot Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

“But I wasn’t sure if he’d have the race finesse because, although the bikes are a little easier to ride than the old 500cc bikes, they are still not easy to race. So for him to jump on the bike and then, by the time they got to Austin, to win that race in a convincing fashion…and if he had not made the mistake at Mugello he would have probably finished second and would now perhaps have a 50-point championship lead.

“He riders that thing on the ragged edge. He crashes on a Sunday morning like he did at Silverstone and Misano, but he bounces well! He is only 20 years old and nothing scares him.”

However, Schwantz does believe Marquez could be beatable in 2013.

“I think Jorge (Lorenzo) has the race craft to keep pressuring Marc,” the Texan continues. “He has to keep the pressure on in practice and qualifying, too. I think he is the only one who could do it and beat Marc. Or Marc could do it himself…”

Moving on to discuss Rossi, who clinched every MotoGP™ title between 2001 and 2005 as well as those of 2008 and 2009, the 49-year-old feels that something is still lacking for the seven-time premier class World Champion.

“I said at the start of the season that I thought he would win races this year,” Schwantz continues, “but what I thought he was going to find hardest would be figuring out how to go with the same pace as the other guys from early on. Then he made a good start at Misano in the early laps and was right behind Lorenzo, before Marquez got in front of him and he drifted back to fourth.

“I think there is just something a little bit missing with Vale now. If he could get a little bit more confidence with the motorcycle and in himself, then he could get with those guys at the start of the races and stay with them. That’s where the race should be won or lost. I think he’s still got the speed, we’ve seen that later in races - he’s still as fast as anybody.”

With a quintet of Grands Prix remaining in 2013, Marquez heads up the World Championship and has done so since the first half of July. Rossi (Yamaha Factory Racing) sits fourth overall, 84 points in arrears of the debutant.

 

[wino]

WSBK »
USA WSBK: Blake Young to replace injured Camier
18 September 2013

"It was a surprise to get the call, but it will be great to go back to Laguna Seca, especially on a World Superbike" - Blake Young.

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  USA WSBK: Blake Young to replace injured Camier
  Fixi Crescent Suzuki has announced that AMA Superbike star Blake Young will replace the injured Leon Camier for the US WSBK round at Laguna Seca.
  
  Young, who turns 26 on September 20th, has finished as runner-up in the AMA series for the last two-years with Suzuki, but was left without a ride for 2013.
  
  Instead Young has made wild-card appearances for Attack Performance in the three US-based MotoGP rounds - finishing 21st in Texas - and will now aim to exploit local knowledge during WSBK's first Laguna Seca event since 2004.
  
  "I'm really excited at the prospect of riding for Fixi Crescent Suzuki and I can't wait to ride the bike. It was a surprise to get the call, but it will be great to go back to Laguna Seca, especially on a World Superbike - it's a bit like a dream come true for me and made even better that it's a Suzuki," said Young.
  
  "I'm now ready to get out on the bike and try to do some good things on the world stage and see what happens from there. I want to thank all the people that have made this happen and it's never good when a rider gets injured, so I want to wish Leon all the best for a quick and full recovery, It will be great to ride his bike and hopefully I can do well on it for him and the team."
  
  Young has been drafted in to replace Camier following the Englishman's huge accident in Turkey last weekend that left him needing surgery on seven broken bones in his right foot. He is now recovering from the injury and is aiming to be fit for the final round of the season at Jerez.
  
  “We are happy to have secured Blake for the Laguna Seca round for the Fixi Crescent Suzuki team, he has excellent knowledge of the circuit and also knows how to win on a Suzuki GSX-R and we think he'll adapt to WSB quickly," said team manager Paul Denning.
  
  "It is never an easy job having to replace one of your riders due to injury, but we are sure Blake will do a good job for us at Laguna and the whole team is looking forward to welcoming him and we hope to have a smooth and successful weekend. We'll certainly do all we can to help him be competitive and to get the best possible result.”
  
  Young will get his first taste of the Crescent GSX-R1000 in Friday morning practice at Laguna Seca on September 27.

WSBK »
Carlos Checa to miss rest of 2013 WSBK season
17 September 2013

"Istanbul crash more serious than I thought, hip fracture... I can't finish the season" - Carlos Checa.

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  Carlos Checa to miss rest of 2013 WSBK season
  Carlos Checa has announced that he will miss the remainder of the 2013 World Superbike season, due to injuries suffered in last weekend's inaugural Turkish round.
  
  The former world champion fell heavily from his Alstare Ducati during FP1 at the Istanbul Park circuit, with chest and wrist injuries initially diagnosed.
  
  However on Tuesday afternoon, Checa posted on Twitter (@CarlosCheca7): "Istanbul crash more serious than I thought, hip fracture. Tomorrow morning dr will apply a surgery intervention, I can't finish the season."
  
  Checa had joined Max Neukirchner, Jonathan Rea, Leon Camier and Loris Baz on the sidelines in Turkey. Team-mate Ayrton Badovini was also riding injured and missed the second race.
  
  Checa's announcement brings an early conclusion to what has been an otherwise dismal season, the Spaniard struggling to bring the new Ducati 1199 Panigale up to front-running pace since its introduction at the start of the year.
  
  Coupled to a series of injuries suffered over the course of the year, rumours about Checa's future have been rife in recent weeks.
  
  Considered almost certain to be leaving Ducati at the end of the season, this announcement potentially signals a premature end to Checa's four-year relationship with the Italian manufacturer.
  
  Checa's options for 2014 appear to rest with a potential deal to join the Spanish-run Kawasaki factory team, or return to Althea Racing - with whom he won the 2011 title - should it get the nod to lead MV Agusta's proposed return to World Superbikes.
  
  However, if no deal is forthcoming, 40-year-old Checa, who has suffered a series of injuries in 2013, is also rumoured to be considering leaving the sport altogether.

WSBK »
USA WSBK: Canepa replaces injured Checa at Alstare Ducati
19 September 2013

'I'm really pleased to have this opportunity. Racing at Laguna Seca with the factory Ducati is really something incredible' - Niccolo Canepa

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  USA WSBK: Canepa replaces injured Checa at Alstare Ducati
  Ducati Superstock contender Niccolo Canepa will replace Carlos Checa in the Alstare Racing team at the next World Superbike round at Laguna Seca in the USA.
  
  Checa has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after fracturing his pelvis at Istanbul Park in Turkey.
  
  The Spaniard underwent surgery yesterday but although the operation was a success, doctors expect the recovery process to take up to three months.
  
  Canepa, who joins Ayrton Badovini in the team, last raced at Laguna Seca in 2009 on a Ducati in MotoGP.
  
  With no Superstock race at the famous American venue, Canepa has been granted the chance to ride the factory Ducati.
  
  “I'm really pleased to have this opportunity. Racing at Laguna Seca with the factory Ducati is really something incredible,” he said.
  
  “I'm feeling confident because Laguna should suit the Ducati well and it also happens to be one of my favourite tracks.
  
  “I thank my team manager Marco Barnabo of the Barni Racing Team for allowing me to do this once again, Ducati's SBK project manager Ernesto Marinelli and Ducati Alstare team manager Francis Batta for giving me the opportunity, and my managers Silvia Mangione and Silvia Borella from SG Agency for their hard work and belief in me,” he added.
  
  “It will be a busy month for me and I'll try to make the most of it, also with an eye on next year. I would also like to wish Carlos a speedy recovery.”
  
  Badovini, meanwhile – who injured his left ankle in a fall at Istanbul Park – will be making his debut at Laguna Seca, which hosts round 12 of the championship.
  
  “My physical condition is improving day after day. My ankle is no longer swollen but the hematoma is still there of course,” said Badovini.
  
  “I'm really excited to go to Laguna as it's a track I've never seen before and it should be fantastic.
  
  “There'll be a lot for us to learn but, seeing as there are few straight sections, it might also be a track where we can take some strong results.
  
  “It's also useful, seeing as I probably won't be 100% physically speaking, that we will do one race on the Saturday and the other on Sunday. I'm feeling pretty confident.”
  
  Laguna Seca last hosted a World Superbike round in 2004

 

[McM]

Thanks wino! You keep me up to date in moto business!

 

[wino]

Thanks wino! You keep me up to date in moto business!

no worries bloke it's the only job they'll let me do around here.

 

[wino]

WSBK »
Turkey WSBK: Double winner Laverty ‘on the lookout for a new job’
15 September 2013

Eugene Laverty: 'Strange feeling though to win both races and to be on the lookout for a new job...'

Turkey WSBK: Double winner Laverty ‘on the lookout for a new job’
On the day he picked up a dominant double victory at Istanbul Park, Eugene Laverty has seemingly revealed that he won't be continuing with Aprilia in WSBKnext season after suggesting he is 'looking for a new job'.

The Irishman has been the subject of speculation in recent weeks regarding his whereabouts for 2014.

And with numerous sources claiming that Marco Melandri is Aprilia-bound for 2014, Laverty's tweet suggests he could be forced to make way for the Italian.

“DOUBLE VICTORY!! So pleased to win both races here in Istanbul to put us back into the title fight. Strange feeling though to win both races and to be on the lookout for a new job. Anyone out there need a fast employee for 2014?”

Aprilia is yet to confirm its firm plans for the 2014 motorcycling season, with rumours suggesting they will respond to forthcoming regulation changes by stepping back from their full scale factory support of the World Superbike team in favour of setting up a 'de facto' works-backed satellite team, as Ducati did with Althea Racing in 2011.

Aprilia are also planning a more concerted MotoGP effort with Aspar, which Nicky Hayden is tipped to headline - but Laverty is also being mentioned as a potential 2014 Aspar rider. Michael Laverty, Eugene's brother, races inMotoGP for PBM.

Laverty's message comes as his double win in Turkey hauls him back into WSBK title contention, 26 points behind Tom Sykes and now ahead of Melandri.


WSBK »
USA WSBK: Allerton to make Laguna Seca wild-card outing
21 September 2013

Australian Superbike front runner Glen Allerton return to the World Superbike Championship for a wild-card outing at Laguna Seca.

USA WSBK: Allerton to make Laguna Seca wild-card outing
Australian Superbike Championship front runner Glen Allerton has confirmed he will be heading Stateside for a wild-card appearance in the World Superbike Championship event at Laguna Seca.

The Australian, currently classified third in the ASBK standings, competed at the World Superbike opener at Phillip Island earlier in the season, scoring a best finish of 12th position.

Now Allerton has announced that he will resume battle with the WSBK regulars by joining the series for its return to Laguna Seca, the former ASBK champion lining up on the Next-Gen BMW S1000RR.

He won't be the only rider entering Laguna Seca as a wild-card, however, with American racers Roger Lee Hayden and Danny Eslick set to make a one-off appearance, while Blake Young and Niccolo Canepa are among the less familiar faces deputising to injured riders in the United States too.


WSBK »
USA WSBK: Roger Lee Hayden, Eslick set for Laguna wild-cards
21 September 2013

Roger Lee Hayden and Danny Eslick are set to make a wild-card appearance at the Laguna Seca round of the World Superbike Championship.

USA WSBK: Roger Lee Hayden, Eslick set for Laguna wild-cards
Local interest in the World Superbike Championship's return to Laguna Seca is set to be bolstered by the planned appearance of Roger Lee Hayden and Danny Eslick as wild-cards.

Competing in the domestic AMA Superbike series under former NBA star Michael Jordan's eponymous team, Hayden and Eslick are currently classified fourth and fifth respectively ahead of the final round, which will be held on theWSBK support bill.

With the opportunity to get some additional mileage in, Michael Jordan Motorsports has subsequently entered the pair on their Suzuki GSX-R1000s into the World Superbike Championship race.

They will join fellow American racer and former AMA rival Blake Young, who has been called up to replace the injured Leon Camier at Fixi Crescent Suzuki, while Australian racer Glen Allerton has also signed up for a wild-card appearance on the Next-Gen BMW S1000RR.

The weekend will herald a return to WSBK competition for Hayden – younger brother MotoGP rider Nicky -, who completed a full season with Pedercini Kawasaki in 2010, though it will be a debut WSBK appearance for Eslick.



Italian Scassa to cover for Abraham

Saturday, 21 September 2013
Italy's Luca Scassa will stand in for Karel Abraham at Cardion AB Motoracing for the upcoming Gran Premio Iveco de Aragón. Until now, Scassa has competed in the WSS championship for the Czech Kawasaki Intermoto Ponyexpress team.


Karel Abraham, Team Manager of Cardion AB Motoracing:

"Luca has ridden more than 50 races in WSBK and he has enough experiences to run on the MotoGP™ bike and to jump to the championship. It was important for us to find a rider who can manage so specific a machine as the MotoGP™ bike is and who knows the circuits on which the next five races will take place. The first race waiting for us is next weekend in Aragon, where Luca achieved this year´s best result in WSS. Our aim is to get him feeling comfortable with the bike and try to improve the lap times step-by-step over the weekend, then we will decide if we will continue together over the remaining races."

Luca Scassa – rider profile

Now 30 years of age, Scassa started his career in 1999. He became the 2003 champion of Superstock 600 in Italy, then changing to the Superstock class. In 2007 he began a 'superbike' era in the American AMA Championship and raced in the World Superbike Championship in 2009 and 2010, the first season for Kawasaki and the second for Ducati. He achieved his best of seventh position twice. Luca returned to WSS in 2011, winning the first two races of the season. After a series of problems, he ended the championship in the fifth place with three wins and four podium finishes to his name. After one year in the British Superbike Championship, Luca turned back to WSS, joining Kawasaki Intermoto Ponyexpress. He sits on sixth overall with 74 points, two races from the end of the season.