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oldcunt
Forum Veteran
shhhh torky i near had him fooled ...
whos got top poll pozzy tonight arthur wino ?
good things could of happened bloke but, thats racing.
Statement of the MotoGP Race Direction
Tuesday, 5 April 2011
The FIM will review how the Rossi-Stoner collision in Jerez was handled.
Following the collision between Rossi and Stoner during the MotoGP race of the Spanish Grand Prix on 3 April in Jerez, the Race Direction has decided to organize a hearing with the Clerk of the Course and the Chief Marshal in order to review the incident and to hear the explanation of the officials in charge.
Due to the fact that the final decision of the Race Direction will not affect the result of the race, the hearing will be organized on Thursday 28 April in Estoril, Portugal.
this is a great result for Nicky
Hayden takes first Ducati podium of 2011
Tuesday, 5 April 2011
Nicky Hayden (Ducati Team) claimed third place on the rostrum at the Gran Premio bwin de España and secured the first Ducati podium of the 2011 MotoGP campaign.
After qualifying just outside of the top ten, the American managed to keep his composure in a race full of mishaps in difficult conditions. After a tough battle with fellow American Colin Edwards, the Ducati rider looked on course for a top five finish, until both of his fellow compatriots Edwards and Ben Spies failed to reach the chequered flag. This bumped the man from Kentucky up to third place behind Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa.
After a disappointing ninth place at the opening round of the series in Qatar, Hayden has now rocketed up the Championship standings into fourth place with 23 points, ahead of team mate Valentino Rossi.
“It was a really tough race,” admitted Hayden to motogp.com. “The hardest part was just to stay focused and make no mistakes, as there was zero room for error. Obviously in the rain the race is a lot longer, the track’s changing, the tyres are changing, but you have got to keep pushing.”
Hayden continued: “I would say the rain helped me out, in the dry I wouldn’t have been on the podium, but we’ll take it anyway. I want to say thanks to my team and to everyone who is helping me. Certainly it hasn’t been an easy start to the season, but we’ll enjoy this result. It was a good chunk of points and hopefully we can build on it.”
With the next race in four weeks at Estoril and a Test to follow the GP, Hayden concluded: “We’ve got a month off and it will be a big Test in Portugal, so we’ll just try to keep working and keep pushing. We’ve got a really good team and a good bike. We’ve just got a little something missing with the setting and I’m also not happy with me and the job I’ve done so far. I want to be on the rostrum every race and in the dry when it counts.”
Hayden takes first Ducati podium of 2011
Tuesday, 5 April 2011
Nicky Hayden (Ducati Team) claimed third place on the rostrum at the Gran Premio bwin de España and secured the first Ducati podium of the 2011 MotoGP campaign.
After qualifying just outside of the top ten, the American managed to keep his composure in a race full of mishaps in difficult conditions. After a tough battle with fellow American Colin Edwards, the Ducati rider looked on course for a top five finish, until both of his fellow compatriots Edwards and Ben Spies failed to reach the chequered flag. This bumped the man from Kentucky up to third place behind Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa.
After a disappointing ninth place at the opening round of the series in Qatar, Hayden has now rocketed up the Championship standings into fourth place with 23 points, ahead of team mate Valentino Rossi.
“It was a really tough race,” admitted Hayden to motogp.com. “The hardest part was just to stay focused and make no mistakes, as there was zero room for error. Obviously in the rain the race is a lot longer, the track’s changing, the tyres are changing, but you have got to keep pushing.”
Hayden continued: “I would say the rain helped me out, in the dry I wouldn’t have been on the podium, but we’ll take it anyway. I want to say thanks to my team and to everyone who is helping me. Certainly it hasn’t been an easy start to the season, but we’ll enjoy this result. It was a good chunk of points and hopefully we can build on it.”
With the next race in four weeks at Estoril and a Test to follow the GP, Hayden concluded: “We’ve got a month off and it will be a big Test in Portugal, so we’ll just try to keep working and keep pushing. We’ve got a really good team and a good bike. We’ve just got a little something missing with the setting and I’m also not happy with me and the job I’ve done so far. I want to be on the rostrum every race and in the dry when it counts.”
could be someone to watch out for, if ya follow the OZ riders
Sissis wins wet Red Bull Rookies race two
Sunday, 3 April 2011
Arthur Sissis won his first road race at Jerez on Sunday, claiming victory in the 2nd round of the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup.
The 15 year-old Australian stormed into the lead on the first lap and raced away to dominate the 16 laps in extremely wet and treacherous conditions. Second man home was Saturday's winner, 14 year-old German Philipp Oettl who held off a late challenge from 13 year-old Spaniard Aaron España, getting on the podium in his first Rookies weekend.
After a day of intermittent rain the track was wet and cold making it a bit of a guessing game for the 25 Rookies as all of practice and the first race at Jerez had been dry. The pre-season test at Estoril had been wet and Sissis took advantage of that and his speedway background to take liberties with the grip in the early laps.
It was Alan Techer who got the best start from the front row but the 16 year-old Frenchman was immediately under pressure from 14 year-old Italian Lorenzo Baldassarri who came off the 2nd row. Neither had the answer to Sissis though, who from row 3 had the lead before the end of lap one. Once in front he never seemed to look back. “I just went for it and once I got in front watched out for the pit board and as I could see the gap was getting bigger I was happy,” said Sissis. “Later on in the race the track started drying out a bit so I was trying a few different things, pushing harder going into the corners and I found I could go a bit quicker. I've not got any experience road racing in the rain and I don't know if I can do the same thing in the dry but I'm going to try and be at the front in Estoril.”
Oettl's second place added to Saturday's win put him ahead in the Cup points but again it was not easy. “I didn't make a great start so I had some work to do to get into 2nd place. I pushed as hard as I could but Arthur was just too fast today there was nothing I could do to catch him. I just kept my rhythm and then in the closing laps I knew that Aaron España was catching and I pushed again, putting in the fastest lap on the last lap so I am happy with that and the points.”
The pace set by España as he charged through the field from 15th on the grid and 18th at the end of lap one was sensational. At times he was well over a second quicker than anyone on the track. Half way through the 16 lap race he was on the tail of the battle for 3rd headed by Techer and 14 year-old German Florian Alt that also included Baldassarri and 17 year-old Czech Tomas Vavrous. The five of them set about a superb tussle that was not helping them close the gap on 2nd placed Oettl but was certainly entertaining.
It all came unglued on lap 10 when Alt, Vavrous and Baldassarri crashed together. A lap later Techer went down handing 3rd to España. The young Spaniard had been so quick catching that group but struggled to get through them. Now he had a clear road again and set his sights on Oettl. At first he seemed quick enough to catch the German but Saturday's winner picked up the pace and held on. “I am very happy with 3rd,” said España. “It was a great race, a lot of fun and I enjoyed fighting through after my bad start. I could see Oettl ahead at the end but on the last lap I knew it was not really possible to catch him and I didn't want to do anything silly.”
Pole man Brad Binder had a disastrous day, he did not get off the line well and struggled to find his rhythm in the tricky conditions. He slipped as low as 16th on lap 6 before climbing back. Going onto the last lap he was 6th. “I could see I was catching 5th (Joakim Niemi, 16 year-old Finn). I tried to get past him coming back to the start and finish but he shut the door on me. I then tried to get the drive on him but high-sided,” said the disappointed 15 year-old South African.
Alan Techer's great ride ended on lap 11 when he crashed out of 3rd. “I had trouble with my visor misting up right from the start and on that lap I was so unsighted I clipped the kerb on the inside and down I went.”
After an almost incident free first half of the race the drying track generated a string of disasters so there were only 13 finishers from 25 starters including last man home Josep Garcia, the 14 year-old Spanish motocrosser, who had slid off at the last corner but remounted to cross the line.
Malaysian 14 year-old Hafiq Azmi retired with a technical problem but the other 11 DNFs were accidents. Fortunately there were few injuries though Florian Alt sustained a nasty injury to the ring finger of his right hand. Javier Orellana, the 13 year-old Briton has a broken left collarbone and 14 year-old Spaniard Xavier Pinsach also has an injured right collarbone which is not believed to be broken.
It will not be easy for them all to be fit for the 3rd race of the season on April 30th in Estoril, Portugal. No such worries for Philipp Oettl who heads the Cup chase with 45 points followed by Sissis on 35 and España on 24 after two of the 14 race series.
Sissis wins wet Red Bull Rookies race two
Sunday, 3 April 2011
Arthur Sissis won his first road race at Jerez on Sunday, claiming victory in the 2nd round of the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup.
The 15 year-old Australian stormed into the lead on the first lap and raced away to dominate the 16 laps in extremely wet and treacherous conditions. Second man home was Saturday's winner, 14 year-old German Philipp Oettl who held off a late challenge from 13 year-old Spaniard Aaron España, getting on the podium in his first Rookies weekend.
After a day of intermittent rain the track was wet and cold making it a bit of a guessing game for the 25 Rookies as all of practice and the first race at Jerez had been dry. The pre-season test at Estoril had been wet and Sissis took advantage of that and his speedway background to take liberties with the grip in the early laps.
It was Alan Techer who got the best start from the front row but the 16 year-old Frenchman was immediately under pressure from 14 year-old Italian Lorenzo Baldassarri who came off the 2nd row. Neither had the answer to Sissis though, who from row 3 had the lead before the end of lap one. Once in front he never seemed to look back. “I just went for it and once I got in front watched out for the pit board and as I could see the gap was getting bigger I was happy,” said Sissis. “Later on in the race the track started drying out a bit so I was trying a few different things, pushing harder going into the corners and I found I could go a bit quicker. I've not got any experience road racing in the rain and I don't know if I can do the same thing in the dry but I'm going to try and be at the front in Estoril.”
Oettl's second place added to Saturday's win put him ahead in the Cup points but again it was not easy. “I didn't make a great start so I had some work to do to get into 2nd place. I pushed as hard as I could but Arthur was just too fast today there was nothing I could do to catch him. I just kept my rhythm and then in the closing laps I knew that Aaron España was catching and I pushed again, putting in the fastest lap on the last lap so I am happy with that and the points.”
The pace set by España as he charged through the field from 15th on the grid and 18th at the end of lap one was sensational. At times he was well over a second quicker than anyone on the track. Half way through the 16 lap race he was on the tail of the battle for 3rd headed by Techer and 14 year-old German Florian Alt that also included Baldassarri and 17 year-old Czech Tomas Vavrous. The five of them set about a superb tussle that was not helping them close the gap on 2nd placed Oettl but was certainly entertaining.
It all came unglued on lap 10 when Alt, Vavrous and Baldassarri crashed together. A lap later Techer went down handing 3rd to España. The young Spaniard had been so quick catching that group but struggled to get through them. Now he had a clear road again and set his sights on Oettl. At first he seemed quick enough to catch the German but Saturday's winner picked up the pace and held on. “I am very happy with 3rd,” said España. “It was a great race, a lot of fun and I enjoyed fighting through after my bad start. I could see Oettl ahead at the end but on the last lap I knew it was not really possible to catch him and I didn't want to do anything silly.”
Pole man Brad Binder had a disastrous day, he did not get off the line well and struggled to find his rhythm in the tricky conditions. He slipped as low as 16th on lap 6 before climbing back. Going onto the last lap he was 6th. “I could see I was catching 5th (Joakim Niemi, 16 year-old Finn). I tried to get past him coming back to the start and finish but he shut the door on me. I then tried to get the drive on him but high-sided,” said the disappointed 15 year-old South African.
Alan Techer's great ride ended on lap 11 when he crashed out of 3rd. “I had trouble with my visor misting up right from the start and on that lap I was so unsighted I clipped the kerb on the inside and down I went.”
After an almost incident free first half of the race the drying track generated a string of disasters so there were only 13 finishers from 25 starters including last man home Josep Garcia, the 14 year-old Spanish motocrosser, who had slid off at the last corner but remounted to cross the line.
Malaysian 14 year-old Hafiq Azmi retired with a technical problem but the other 11 DNFs were accidents. Fortunately there were few injuries though Florian Alt sustained a nasty injury to the ring finger of his right hand. Javier Orellana, the 13 year-old Briton has a broken left collarbone and 14 year-old Spaniard Xavier Pinsach also has an injured right collarbone which is not believed to be broken.
It will not be easy for them all to be fit for the 3rd race of the season on April 30th in Estoril, Portugal. No such worries for Philipp Oettl who heads the Cup chase with 45 points followed by Sissis on 35 and España on 24 after two of the 14 race series.
MotoGP 2012 application process revealed
Wednesday, 6 April 2011
With the increase to a 1,000cc engine capacity part of the new Technical Regulations being introduced for the 2012 season, the deadline for entries to be submitted has been made public.
As the MotoGP class commences its battle for the final 800cc World Championship in 2011, the timescale for the deadline of entries for the 2012 campaign has been made public.
Considerable interest has been expressed by prospective teams in the new format 1,000cc engine capacity MotoGP class to be introduced in 2012, and the FIM, Dorna and IRTA have now produced an agreed timetable for the selection of teams for next season.
A provisional list of teams will be published following the Monster Energy Grand Prix de France in mid-May. The process will start however with a deadline of Friday 29th April, by which time any teams interested in participating must make it known by registering to receive more information. Teams considered eligible for the class will then be sent a prospectus which will contain the conditions of participation.
Teams still wishing to participate will then be required to submit a formal application by Friday 13th May, which must be supported by detailed information on their project requested in the prospectus. Applications will be reviewed at the Le Mans round and teams notified as to whether their entry has been accepted, rejected or is pending. The provisional list of entries for the 2012 MotoGP World Championship will then be published.
The next step in the process will be the lodging of a security deposit with IRTA, which needs to be made by Friday 3rd June, following which a final list of accepted teams for the 2012 MotoGP World Championship will be published.
Wednesday, 6 April 2011
With the increase to a 1,000cc engine capacity part of the new Technical Regulations being introduced for the 2012 season, the deadline for entries to be submitted has been made public.
As the MotoGP class commences its battle for the final 800cc World Championship in 2011, the timescale for the deadline of entries for the 2012 campaign has been made public.
Considerable interest has been expressed by prospective teams in the new format 1,000cc engine capacity MotoGP class to be introduced in 2012, and the FIM, Dorna and IRTA have now produced an agreed timetable for the selection of teams for next season.
A provisional list of teams will be published following the Monster Energy Grand Prix de France in mid-May. The process will start however with a deadline of Friday 29th April, by which time any teams interested in participating must make it known by registering to receive more information. Teams considered eligible for the class will then be sent a prospectus which will contain the conditions of participation.
Teams still wishing to participate will then be required to submit a formal application by Friday 13th May, which must be supported by detailed information on their project requested in the prospectus. Applications will be reviewed at the Le Mans round and teams notified as to whether their entry has been accepted, rejected or is pending. The provisional list of entries for the 2012 MotoGP World Championship will then be published.
The next step in the process will be the lodging of a security deposit with IRTA, which needs to be made by Friday 3rd June, following which a final list of accepted teams for the 2012 MotoGP World Championship will be published.
Cecchinelli explains new Moto3 class regulations
Thursday, 7 April 2011
With the recent publication of the Technical Regulations for the new four-stroke 250cc category to be introduced in 2012, motogp.com asked the MotoGP Director of Technology to outline the main points of the class which will replace the 125cc
Corrado Cecchinelli, MotoGP Director of Technology, spoke to motogp.com about the new Moto3 category, following the announcement of the Technical Regulations for the class which will commence next year. In the attached video, Cecchinelli gives an overview of the characteristics of the new 250cc four-stroke machines, the purpose of their replacement of the 125cc bikes, his expectations of the impact on the World Championship in terms of both the quality of racing and development of technology, as well as the financial benefits that will be felt from the launch of the Moto3 machinery.
Cecchinelli said, “The main reason for this concept is having something more in line with the present times, because for the majority in the real world, nobody is interested in two-stroke engines. They are rarely used now. The second thing is that we believe with the number of limits in the regulations, it will be a very cheap bike and engine to make, buy and maintain for the race, therefore this should open the doors to more riders and ensure fairer racing. I think it will bring a better and more modern image to the sport, but more than that, it will become in line with the following categories. It will be more suitable to become the first step for a rider/team from the base level to MotoGP racing.”
”The engine will be a prototype engine and it will be 250cc. It will be a single engine, fuel injected and it will contribute to saving costs and improving reliability. The machine will be considered together with the rider, as in the present 125cc series. It will weigh 148 kilos, the difference to what we have with the current 125cc, will be more than we expected from the engine itself. This is in line with what I had said earlier about making it more of a championship where they can progress onto MotoGP, this is because the advantage for very light riders will be reduced, as well as the disadvantage for heavier riders will also be reduced. It will be a more interesting challenge technically, because it will be the type of engine that is better known today by everyone and closer to what everybody is actually using. There will be many more engines in the race compared to the present 125cc category, as we’ll have many different brands which will be interesting for the fans.”
Share, What is that?
Thursday, 7 April 2011
With the recent publication of the Technical Regulations for the new four-stroke 250cc category to be introduced in 2012, motogp.com asked the MotoGP Director of Technology to outline the main points of the class which will replace the 125cc
Corrado Cecchinelli, MotoGP Director of Technology, spoke to motogp.com about the new Moto3 category, following the announcement of the Technical Regulations for the class which will commence next year. In the attached video, Cecchinelli gives an overview of the characteristics of the new 250cc four-stroke machines, the purpose of their replacement of the 125cc bikes, his expectations of the impact on the World Championship in terms of both the quality of racing and development of technology, as well as the financial benefits that will be felt from the launch of the Moto3 machinery.
Cecchinelli said, “The main reason for this concept is having something more in line with the present times, because for the majority in the real world, nobody is interested in two-stroke engines. They are rarely used now. The second thing is that we believe with the number of limits in the regulations, it will be a very cheap bike and engine to make, buy and maintain for the race, therefore this should open the doors to more riders and ensure fairer racing. I think it will bring a better and more modern image to the sport, but more than that, it will become in line with the following categories. It will be more suitable to become the first step for a rider/team from the base level to MotoGP racing.”
”The engine will be a prototype engine and it will be 250cc. It will be a single engine, fuel injected and it will contribute to saving costs and improving reliability. The machine will be considered together with the rider, as in the present 125cc series. It will weigh 148 kilos, the difference to what we have with the current 125cc, will be more than we expected from the engine itself. This is in line with what I had said earlier about making it more of a championship where they can progress onto MotoGP, this is because the advantage for very light riders will be reduced, as well as the disadvantage for heavier riders will also be reduced. It will be a more interesting challenge technically, because it will be the type of engine that is better known today by everyone and closer to what everybody is actually using. There will be many more engines in the race compared to the present 125cc category, as we’ll have many different brands which will be interesting for the fans.”
Share, What is that?
Texas lands MotoGP from 2013
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
Ten-year deal signed for new Circuit of the Americas™ in Austin includes the three classes of the MotoGP World Championship.
Dorna Sports, S.L., 3FourTexasMGP, LLC and Full Throttle Productions, LP are pleased to announce the historic signing of a ten-year contract bringing MotoGP to the new Circuit of the Americas™ facility in Austin, Texas, from 2013.
This agreement includes the three categories of the World Championship; the MotoGP class - the pinnacle of motorcycling - Moto2 and Moto3.
The addition of a ten-year MotoGP deal is coupled with the already scheduled ten-year deal to host the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™, for which the Circuit of the Americas™ in Austin, Texas is currently under construction.
Mr. Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports, S.L. said: “We are delighted to be adding the Circuit of the Americas™ to the MotoGP calendar. It’s an honour to expand our Championship to Texas, which has a rich history of producing World Championship riders. We have had a wonderful and special relationship with Kevin (Schwantz) for 20 years and often talked about a mutual dream of increasing the popularity of MotoGP in the U.S. and raising our already successful worldwide profile. Now, with what Tavo Hellmund (Managing Partner of Full Throttle Productions) is doing in Austin, we have realised that situation and are looking forward to this new venture together. The ten-year agreement is a sign of our confidence and commitment to the future success of MotoGP racing in Austin.”
“For me this is a dream come true, that the MotoGP World Championship will be in my home state of Texas. I am such a believer in the sport and know how popular motorcycling is in Texas. I am sure that this will be a resounding long term success,” stated Mr. Kevin Schwantz, Manager of 3FourTexas MGP and LLC, and the 1993 FIM MotoGP World Champion.
Mr. Hellmund, who has worked hard to bring MotoGP to Texas, stated: “We are extremely pleased to add the best motorcycle World Championship to our annual schedule. This is a fantastic opportunity for the State of Texas and this region and I believe it is the first time in American Motorsports history that both the car and motorbike World Championships are held at the same facility annually. We are very proud of becoming the United States international facility for motorsports.”
“Kevin and I have been close friends for a long time and I enjoy a great relationship with Carmelo. I respect so much what they (Dorna) and the FIM have done for MotoGP globally. It’s going to be great for the State, the product is fantastic and you never know, we may even have a reigning Texan in Ben Spies as World Champion for our first event… that would be icing on the cake” concluded Mr. Hellmund.
Construction of the new facility is progressing well and is scheduled for completion sometime in mid 2012, in time for the first Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™.
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
Ten-year deal signed for new Circuit of the Americas™ in Austin includes the three classes of the MotoGP World Championship.
Dorna Sports, S.L., 3FourTexasMGP, LLC and Full Throttle Productions, LP are pleased to announce the historic signing of a ten-year contract bringing MotoGP to the new Circuit of the Americas™ facility in Austin, Texas, from 2013.
This agreement includes the three categories of the World Championship; the MotoGP class - the pinnacle of motorcycling - Moto2 and Moto3.
The addition of a ten-year MotoGP deal is coupled with the already scheduled ten-year deal to host the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™, for which the Circuit of the Americas™ in Austin, Texas is currently under construction.
Mr. Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports, S.L. said: “We are delighted to be adding the Circuit of the Americas™ to the MotoGP calendar. It’s an honour to expand our Championship to Texas, which has a rich history of producing World Championship riders. We have had a wonderful and special relationship with Kevin (Schwantz) for 20 years and often talked about a mutual dream of increasing the popularity of MotoGP in the U.S. and raising our already successful worldwide profile. Now, with what Tavo Hellmund (Managing Partner of Full Throttle Productions) is doing in Austin, we have realised that situation and are looking forward to this new venture together. The ten-year agreement is a sign of our confidence and commitment to the future success of MotoGP racing in Austin.”
“For me this is a dream come true, that the MotoGP World Championship will be in my home state of Texas. I am such a believer in the sport and know how popular motorcycling is in Texas. I am sure that this will be a resounding long term success,” stated Mr. Kevin Schwantz, Manager of 3FourTexas MGP and LLC, and the 1993 FIM MotoGP World Champion.
Mr. Hellmund, who has worked hard to bring MotoGP to Texas, stated: “We are extremely pleased to add the best motorcycle World Championship to our annual schedule. This is a fantastic opportunity for the State of Texas and this region and I believe it is the first time in American Motorsports history that both the car and motorbike World Championships are held at the same facility annually. We are very proud of becoming the United States international facility for motorsports.”
“Kevin and I have been close friends for a long time and I enjoy a great relationship with Carmelo. I respect so much what they (Dorna) and the FIM have done for MotoGP globally. It’s going to be great for the State, the product is fantastic and you never know, we may even have a reigning Texan in Ben Spies as World Champion for our first event… that would be icing on the cake” concluded Mr. Hellmund.
Construction of the new facility is progressing well and is scheduled for completion sometime in mid 2012, in time for the first Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™.
i was going to post that!
sorry bud, this is the track they are still making or have made ? perhaps your inabilty to sleep might assist in some pics, then I can circle them here for the lads.
Schwantz: Texas GP offers “exciting prospect”
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
The former 500cc World Champion has been a key figure in the signing of a ten-year deal to bring MotoGP to his home state from 2013, and discussed his enthusiasm at the announcement of the news.
Following news on Tuesday of the addition of the Circuit of the Americas™ in Austin, Texas, to the MotoGP calendar from 2013, Kevin Schwantz spoke to motogp.com about the ten-year deal to bring the World Championship to his home state.
Discussing the new facility, which is currently under construction and is due for completion in mid-2012, the 1993 500cc World Champion’s enthusiasm was evident at the prospect of the new event.
“Having watched the development of this facility I am genuinely excited about it, and I think it’s going to be highly attractive,” Schwantz told motogp.com. “From a rider’s perspective, which is how I look at things, I think it’s going to be a great track. It’ll be really challenging, it’s going to be safe and it’s going to be a nice, long lap. As a rider you will have to work to be able to put good laps together in order to be able to stay at the front of the race. There are a lot of good things and for me it’s a very exciting prospect.”
The input of Schwantz has been central to helping develop the circuit as one suitable for motorcycle racing, as he continued to explain: “One of my good friends here in Texas, Tavo Hellmund, is the one who put this whole project together. He is one of the three owners of the facility and when talking with him about it he was speaking about F1 – I was thinking that from a safety perspective we needed to make sure we didn’t do anything that would alienate us from bringing bikes here.”
“When they got into the design process of it I got fairly hands on. I don’t do a lot of work on the project day-to-day, but I sat in on quite a few meetings with the guys from the design group to make sure that we leave enough run-off for bikes, that it is safe enough for motorcycles, and hopefully that’ll be something that everybody notices.”
The importance of a long-term vision for the GP will, in Schwantz’s opinion, aid the raising of MotoGP’s profile further in the US.
“It’s all about the riders. If they like and love the place and feel it’s safe, they will be the biggest advocates of it and will talk about it and like racing here, and that’s what will attract the people here,” he said. “We want to try and make the profile of MotoGP here in America just like it is in Spain and Italy. We want it to be one of the top two or three forms of sports over here.”
“As riders we also know how excited people can be about racing. We want to be able to put everything in place to make it an event that everybody wants to come to, and one which you simply can’t afford to miss. From a logistical standpoint we are going to have a track that’s less than 10 miles from the state capital, with the airport being halfway between the city and the track. There are a lot of things that have been really thought through that will make it that much more enjoyable for the fans and a greater fan experience.”
Schwantz’s work in aiding the promotion of the new event will continue in the lead-up to the debut GP in 2013. “It’s exactly what I’ve been doing in the past at any opportunity I’ve had, with both Laguna Seca and Indianapolis. If I’m needed to do anything while all the MotoGP guys are off racing and there’s help needed with the publicity I’m hands on and am happy to do it,” he said.
“What I want to do is to try and get our sport the recognition it deserves. Laguna Seca has Wayne Rainey, Eddie Lawson and all those guys out there in California, and I do help there on occasions when I can, and it’ll be the same thing here in Texas. Home is close by, and I hope to be able to help promote everything that happens at the facility with motorsports in mind.”
Aside from the GP the new circuit, which will be the only “Grade 1” facility in the US, will also provide Schwantz with an ideal site to host his successful Riding School at.
“Having to travel only 20 minutes for my school to a site that’s a world class facility will be ideal,” he commented. “From the very beginning I knew what the facility would be like and for us something that hosts a World Championship level event and something close by here in Texas will be excellent.”
Three Points Of Attack At Assen
WSBK, Assen, Netherlands, 12 April 2011
All three official Kawasaki riders will be challenging at Assen, as Chris Vermeulen joins his fellow regulars Joan Lascorz and Tom Sykes for what should be his first full race weekend of the season.
Despite being so early in its overall development programme, the Ninja ZX-10R has already proved its worth as a serious contender in the hands of Sykes and Lascorz, after only two rounds of a 13-round season have been completed. The push for top finishing positions continues apace with everyone involved in the Kawasaki effort energised by the front row qualifying performance of Sykes at the previous Donington round, followed by a strong top five race result from WSBK rookie rider Lascorz in the second contest of the day.
Assen is a firm favourite with the vast majority of riders but for Lascorz it will be another new challenge, as he has not ridden a Superbike before at the classic venue in the north of the Netherlands. He has lots of happy memories of racing there on Supersport machinery, however, which fills him with hopes of two strong results as he continues to recover full strength around his injured right shoulder and arm.
For Vermeulen Assen is almost a second home track when you consider his family connections to the Netherlands while Sykes is not only a fan of the track layout itself, he should be able to count on support from a good number of fans from Britain as many UK bikers make an annual pilgrimage to Assen for the WSBK race weekend.
In readiness for the Assen round both Chris and Tom undertook shakedown tests at the Brands Hatch circuit on Tuesday 12 April, all of which went according to plan. Now the entire team heads to round three in confident mood that all possible preparations have been made to take on their latest challenge.
The supported Pedercini Team Kawasaki squad will also arrive at Assen with their usual pair of Superbike riders, Roberto Rolfo and Mark Aitchison, but they have even more combined confidence after Rolfo beat the opposition at the opening Misano round of the Italian Superbike Championship (CIV) last weekend, while riding the all-new Ninja ZX-10R.
Tom Sykes: “I am looking forward to Assen partly because Donington was a bit unfortunate for me, but there were a lot of positives to take away about the ability of the new Ninja ZX-10R. I really enjoy racing at the Assen circuit and we were not too shabby on the older model last year. I never got to sample the real old Assen layout, but judging by the sections that remain the full old circuit would have been interesting to ride. But to be honest most circuits on the WSBK calendar are fun to ride, especially with this new bike that is able to work at each circuit. It is pleasing to ride. As long as the bike works at every track I am happy to ride at every track, but Assen is still one of my favourites.”
Joan Lascorz: “The result of Donington was good for my motivation and for Kawasaki to see that we are heading in a good way. Is nice to ride with people like Biaggi, Rea, Haslam, Xaus and others, so I learned a lot. I'm not at 100% yet physically but even with this we were able to make a good race in England. I'm better than I was in Australia and in Assen I will be better than I was in Donington. I like Assen, and used to made good races there in the past in WSS. We will see in WSBK how we can manage. Since Donington I have ridden some Supermotard with my chief engineer Pere Riba, which was very funny. We also tested with a 600 in a small circuit just to keep up my race fitness a little. Kawasaki is working so hard all the time so I hope to have a good weekend in the Netherlands.”
Chris Vermeulen: “My impressions of the new bike are all positive. Kawasaki has done an amazing job with it and I am just excited to look at the development of this bike, even thought it is in the early stages. I think the biggest difference on the new model comes from the chassis, the balance and the character the bike has in turning. Also the electronics are a big step forward. The engine feels smoother even thought it is more powerful, and the whole bike is what we need to compete.”
Roberto Rolfo: “My win in the Italian Superbike series at Misano boosted both my morale, and that of the team, because we were finally able to see the fruit of the work we had put in at Phillip Island and Donington. At Misano we found a good set-up for my Ninja and so we’ll go from there this weekend at Assen. I really like the track, as it is very technical and hard work. I’m confident and hope to do well in Sunday’s races, for my team and for all my fans.”
Mark Aitchison: “At Donington we collected a lot of valuable data that will enable us to refine our bike setting and hopefully make me more comfortable on the bike throughout the upcoming weekend. So really the goal for Assen in the first two days of practice and qualifying is to regain the feeling that I had with the bike in Phillip Island. Once I get this sensation back, I can really start to push for better lap times and look for some race consistency.”
WSBK, Assen, Netherlands, 12 April 2011
All three official Kawasaki riders will be challenging at Assen, as Chris Vermeulen joins his fellow regulars Joan Lascorz and Tom Sykes for what should be his first full race weekend of the season.
Assen is a firm favourite with the vast majority of riders but for Lascorz it will be another new challenge, as he has not ridden a Superbike before at the classic venue in the north of the Netherlands. He has lots of happy memories of racing there on Supersport machinery, however, which fills him with hopes of two strong results as he continues to recover full strength around his injured right shoulder and arm.
For Vermeulen Assen is almost a second home track when you consider his family connections to the Netherlands while Sykes is not only a fan of the track layout itself, he should be able to count on support from a good number of fans from Britain as many UK bikers make an annual pilgrimage to Assen for the WSBK race weekend.
In readiness for the Assen round both Chris and Tom undertook shakedown tests at the Brands Hatch circuit on Tuesday 12 April, all of which went according to plan. Now the entire team heads to round three in confident mood that all possible preparations have been made to take on their latest challenge.
The supported Pedercini Team Kawasaki squad will also arrive at Assen with their usual pair of Superbike riders, Roberto Rolfo and Mark Aitchison, but they have even more combined confidence after Rolfo beat the opposition at the opening Misano round of the Italian Superbike Championship (CIV) last weekend, while riding the all-new Ninja ZX-10R.
Tom Sykes: “I am looking forward to Assen partly because Donington was a bit unfortunate for me, but there were a lot of positives to take away about the ability of the new Ninja ZX-10R. I really enjoy racing at the Assen circuit and we were not too shabby on the older model last year. I never got to sample the real old Assen layout, but judging by the sections that remain the full old circuit would have been interesting to ride. But to be honest most circuits on the WSBK calendar are fun to ride, especially with this new bike that is able to work at each circuit. It is pleasing to ride. As long as the bike works at every track I am happy to ride at every track, but Assen is still one of my favourites.”
Joan Lascorz: “The result of Donington was good for my motivation and for Kawasaki to see that we are heading in a good way. Is nice to ride with people like Biaggi, Rea, Haslam, Xaus and others, so I learned a lot. I'm not at 100% yet physically but even with this we were able to make a good race in England. I'm better than I was in Australia and in Assen I will be better than I was in Donington. I like Assen, and used to made good races there in the past in WSS. We will see in WSBK how we can manage. Since Donington I have ridden some Supermotard with my chief engineer Pere Riba, which was very funny. We also tested with a 600 in a small circuit just to keep up my race fitness a little. Kawasaki is working so hard all the time so I hope to have a good weekend in the Netherlands.”
Chris Vermeulen: “My impressions of the new bike are all positive. Kawasaki has done an amazing job with it and I am just excited to look at the development of this bike, even thought it is in the early stages. I think the biggest difference on the new model comes from the chassis, the balance and the character the bike has in turning. Also the electronics are a big step forward. The engine feels smoother even thought it is more powerful, and the whole bike is what we need to compete.”
Roberto Rolfo: “My win in the Italian Superbike series at Misano boosted both my morale, and that of the team, because we were finally able to see the fruit of the work we had put in at Phillip Island and Donington. At Misano we found a good set-up for my Ninja and so we’ll go from there this weekend at Assen. I really like the track, as it is very technical and hard work. I’m confident and hope to do well in Sunday’s races, for my team and for all my fans.”
Mark Aitchison: “At Donington we collected a lot of valuable data that will enable us to refine our bike setting and hopefully make me more comfortable on the bike throughout the upcoming weekend. So really the goal for Assen in the first two days of practice and qualifying is to regain the feeling that I had with the bike in Phillip Island. Once I get this sensation back, I can really start to push for better lap times and look for some race consistency.”
Smrz holds off all-Italian attack
Friday, 15 April 2011 15:50
An excellent fifth place was notched up by Kawasaki Racing Team man Tom Sykes, with early front-runners Troy Corser and Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) next up in sixth and seventh. The two Irishmen, Eugene Laverty (Yamaha World Superbike Team) and Jonathan Rea (Castrol Honda) were next up, while points leader Carlos Checa (Althea Racing Ducati) was uncharacteristically down in eleventh slot.
1. J. Smrz
1'36.058
2. M. Biaggi
1'36.287
3. M. Melandri
1'36.494
4. M. Fabrizio
1'36.550
5. T. Sykes
1'36.747
6. T. Corser
1'36.876
7. L. Haslam
1'36.989
8. E. Laverty
1'37.024
9. J. Rea
1'37.063
10. N. Haga
1'37.106
SUPERSPORT
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just a quick ride
you gotta see this!
those are trials bikes. ( not trails.) you should see these guys in the forest. wrong thread i know, but check out this guy
wino, feel free to have this moved.
wino, feel free to have this moved.
yea man thats cool!. not really wrong thread,it is two wheels,right?
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