From the WSBK Pressoffice
The 2010 HANNspree FIM Superbike World Championship approaches the final stretch this weekend, with the 11th round of the series taking place at the Nürburgring. Only two rounds will remain after the restart of action in Germany - Imola on Sept. 26 and Magny-Cours on Oct. 3.
Located in western Germany, the Nürburgring is one of the most popular circuits for the riders, as it offers a series of challenges along its 5.137km length and a high degree of rider satisfaction if a 'perfect' lap is achieved. Competition in the World Superbike Championship is far from slowing down as the season begins to wind up, as current leader Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia) has Leon Haslam (Suzuki Alstare) 60 points behind him, but with 150 points up for grabs for any rider who wins the final six individual races.
Both of these riders raced at the Nürburgring last year but neither managed to post a podium finish. They have no shortage of immediate competitors who did, however, with championship third place rider Jonathan Rea (HANNspree Ten Kate Honda) winning the second race in '09, Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox) going second in race one and Carlos Checa, now riding for Althea Ducati, third in each German race. Rea is currently third on 243 points, 130 behind the lead. Checa is fourth, on 204 points.
The long summer break during August has been a welcome one for some riders, but with valuable points up for grabs the mass of WSB riders will be keen to get back into full race mode this weekend. Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha Sterilgarda) pushed himself up to fifth in the championship with his first two wins in WSBK racing last time out at Silverstone. He knows his machine can win at Nürburgring, as eventual champion Ben Spies was victorious on the same model of machine in race one last year. Crutchlow's team-mate James Toseland is a two-time World Superbike Champion, but still looking for his first race success in Yamaha colours. He is sixth in the rankings, only nine points behind Crutchlow.
The fight for the last few top 10 places is already at fever pitch, with Haga, Leon Camier (Alitalia Aprilia), Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox), Troy Corser (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) and Sylvain Guintoli (Suzuki Alstare) closely packed together, from seventh to 11th in the rankings. Even from Crutchlow in fifth to Guintoli in 11th, there is a spread of only 37 points, making almost anything possible in the midfield before season's end.
Since the last round in Silverstone, Max Neukirchner (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) has won a race at the IDM Superbike championship. At his home circuit in Germany he will be particularly keen to make a move back up the championship rankings from his current 18th place.
Shane Byrne (Althea Ducati) is a lonely 12th at present, over 50 points clear of Jakub Smrz (PATA B&G Aprilia) and Ruben Xaus (BMW Motorrad Motorsport).
Ducati privateer Luca Scassa (Supersonic Team) is the last rider inside the top 15 so far, but works Kawasaki Racing Team man Tom Sykes wants to be on the march forward at this round. He will, in his turn, have Lorenzo Lanzi pushing hard to get ahead of him on his DFX Corse Ducati.
Sykes has another new team-mate in the KRT squad this time out, Northern Irish rider Ian Lowry, who is standing in for the injured Chris Vermeulen.
Pedercini Kawasaki team-mates Roger Lee Hayden and Matteo Baiocco will be back in the mix in Germany. Replacing Broc Parkes in the Echo CRS Honda team will be Italian WSB debutant Fabrizio Lai.
In World Supersport, Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) now has only one realistic championship challenger, Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) after the accident suffered by Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Motocard.com) at Silverstone. Laverty has scored a fabulous six wins so far, but he is still behind three-time race winner Sofuoglu, by 17 points.
In fourth place ParkinGO Triumph BE-1's Chaz Davies is 43 points ahead of his closest challenger, Gino Rea (Intermoto Czech Honda) who scored his first podium last time round at Silverstone.
Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia STK) carried off the overall FIM Superstock 1000 Cup last time out at Silverstone, but at the home country of his machine's manufacturer he will be out to keep his perfect win record intact.
Jeremy Guarnoni (MRS Racing Yamaha) leads his fellow Frenchman Florian Marino (Ten Kate Junior Racing Honda) by 26 points in Superstock 600, with only these two riders in the final fight for the championship now.
The single make Triumph ParkinGO European Series continues apace in Germany, featuring identical Triumph Street Triple R machines, raced by a mix of experienced and amateur riders. The challenge of the Nürburgring is one that all the riders are eagerly anticipating, especially championship leader Fabrizio Perotti, who could win the title this time out if results go his way. Two rounds remain, at the Nürburgring and then the season finale at Magny-Cours.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
World Superbike battle hits home stretch
Hill leads British Superbike standings
From the Team Suzuki News Service
With a win and a second place at Cadwell Park on Monday, Worx Crescent Suzuki's Tommy Hill has finished the first nine-round stage of the British Superbikes Championship with the lead on points.
In an exciting day's racing Hill, riding his Suzuki GSX-R1000, was on top form and after dominating the first race was challenging for the lead again in the second race when it was red flagged (on the 14th lap). In the first race, rival Josh Brookes had taken the early lead but succumbed to an attack from Hill on the eighth lap. Hill then maintained a constant 1:27-minute lap pace while his rivals withered to take the win by a comfortable 5.116 secs.
In the second race Hill had led for 11 laps and was trailing Brookes by just 0.230 secs. after 13 laps when the race was stopped.
"What a fantastic weekend," Hill said. "In that first race I just felt really-really good, I could have made the jump earlier but I was interested to sit behind Josh to see what he was doing.
"In the second race the pace was so fast, something like two seconds faster than it was last year, and maybe it was that or maybe there was small issue with the rear tire but I had a little bit of chatter to deal with. I still felt comfortable and while Josh had passed me when I made a small mistake on the Mountain I felt comfortable and was setting up to repass him when the red flags came out."
Hill's tally from the nine rounds amounts to 287 points, three more than Brookes and six more than Ryuichi Kiyonari. However, with the Showdown phase now beginning, the championship points taken so far are cast aside. The championship will now be decided over the final three rounds (seven races) between the six highest points scorers so far, known as the Title Fighters.
All the title fighters have their championship point tally put on an initial parity of 500, to which is added only the podium points they've scored thus far (podium points have been awarded as three for a win, two for second and one for third). On this basis Hill steps forward into the Showdown as joint leader with Kiyonari on 525 points apiece.
Race One Results
1. Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki)
2. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) +5.116s
3. Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) +7.092s
4. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +12.522s
5. Michael Rutter (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) +14.623s
6. James Ellison (Swan Honda) +20.822s
7. Yukio Kagayama (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +28.158s
8. Alastair Seeley (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +28.533s
9. Dan Linfoot (Motorpoint Yamaha) +34.523s
10. Stuart Easton (Swan Honda) +34.945s
Race Two Results
1. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda)
2. Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +0.230s
3. Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) +0.888s
4. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +5.071s
5. Michael Rutter (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) +11.719s
6. James Ellison (Swan Honda) +13.178s
7. Yukio Kagayama (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +15.712s
8. Tommy Bridewell (Quay Garage Honda) +21.347s
9. Alastair Seeley (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +24.287s
10. Gary Mason (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +27.446s
Showdown Title Fighters:
=1. Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) 525
=1. Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) 525
3. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) 524
4. Michael Rutter (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) 510
5. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) 509
6. Alastair Seeley (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) 505
Labelle seventh in Indy Pro Singles
Welland, ON's Mike LaBelle rode the Weirbach Racing Honda to a seventh place finish in last Saturday's AMA Pro Singles Flat Track event at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis.
LaBelle did well to transfer from his heat race, as he scored a fifth place finish despite struggling with a flat front tire and a damaged exhaust.
In the main he settled into a battle with James Rispoli and defending Pro Singles champ Brad Baker for fifth. Less than two-tenths of a second separated the trio at the finish, with Rispoli leading Baker and LaBelle across the line.
"Considering the past couple of finishes I have had, I think a seventh place finish is a good day," said LaBelle, who was coming off a pair of 15th place results, in a press release. "My team was also able to take a bad situation and turn it into an awesome day. I will use this seventh place finish as fuel for the fire coming into the Springfield, IL weekend, which is quickly approaching."
The series continues at Springfield this weekend.
JD Beach won the Indianapolis event.
LaBelle's finish moved him up to sixth in the Pro Singles point standings.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Gerloff completes hat trick; Young fifth
From the USGPRU
Photo by Kendrick Kirk
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Garrett Gerloff completed the hat trick at the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix, winning Sunday’s Rev’It Moriwaki MD250H Powered by Honda race as well as taking the win on Saturday and qualifying on pole in Friday’s qualifying session.
Gerloff got off to a strong start to take the lead into the first turn and continued to pull away during the race. As in Saturday’s race, a battle for second place developed immediately between Nick McFadden, Jake Lewis, Ryan Matter and Stefano Mesa.
“I definitely got a better start today,” said Gerloff. “I led into turn one and really tried to put my head down and run away. Jake and Nick stayed with me the first couple of laps. I was getting kind of nervous, but I started to pull away little by little and I was monitoring the gap on my pit board.”
Gerloff continued to run faster laps than the group fighting over second, and his margin of victory was 11.33 secs. at the end of the 11-lap race.
McFadden dropped back early in the race after a poor start.
“I got off to a worse start than I did yesterday, and I just dropped back the first three laps,” said McFadden. “After that, I got in a rhythm, put my head down and caught back up to these guys.”
Matter was the young man on the move, drafting past both McFadden and Lewis, who had held down second for the first seven laps. McFadden was shuffled back to fourth, but not for long.
“I sat there for a couple of laps, then made a move,” said McFadden. “With two laps to go, I figured it was getting to the end of the race and I needed to get up there. I made a pass into turn one and held them both off until the end.”
Lewis was shuffled from second back to fourth place with four laps to go. The difference at the finish between the three riders was a mere .228 secs.
Mesa faded to fifth, then was caught and passed on the last lap by Collingwood, ON's Ben Young. Nick Hansen, Grayson Gerloff and Joe Roberts rounded out the top nine positions.
As on Saturday, there was a six-rider race-long battle over 10th place that ended with Kaleb De Keyrel over Max Flinders, Andre Ochs, Tyler Linders, Lex Hartl and Brandon Altmeyer.
Results (Top 10)
1. Garrett Gerloff
2. Nick McFadden +11.333
3. Jake Lewis +11.373
4. Ryan Matter +11.561
5. Ben Young +27.998
6. Stefano Mesa +28.579
7. Nick Hansen +31.430
8. Grayson Gerloff +32.363
9. Joe Roberts +34.756
10. Kaleb De Keyrel +52.594
USGPRU racer Lenz killed at Indy
Road racer Peter Lenz of Vancouver, WA died from injuries sustained at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday morning.
The 13-year-old Lenz was competing in the USGPRU Rev'It Moriwaki MD250H Challenge Powered by Honda event and was involved in an accident on the warm-up lap for the second race of the weekend. He was transported to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis where he later died from his injuries.
"USGPRU rider Peter Lenz, age 13, from Vancouver, Wash., suffered traumatic injuries in a crash on the warm-up lap of the USGPRU race Sunday morning at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and succumbed to his injuries," said a statement from USGPRU chief steward Stewart Aitken-Cade, published on roadracingworld.com. "The other rider involved in the incident was not injured.
"USGPRU officials send their deepest sympathies and condolences to the Lenz family."
Although the statement did not name the other rider, provisional results published on the Roadracing World website list Xavier Zayat as also crashing on the warm-up lap for the race.
The Lenz family also released a statement that was published on roadracingworld.com.
"On behalf of the Lenz family, we would like to thank Peter's friends and supporters for all their help throughout the years," the release said. "We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss, but know that Peter is racing even faster in the sky."
Lenz was leading the USGPRU national MD250H standings at the time of his accident. On Saturday he had finished fourth in the opening race of the MD250H doubleheader supporting the MotoGP event at Indianapolis.
"Our hearts go out to the parents, family and friends of Peter Lenz, said a statement from Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation president and CEO Jeff Belskus. "Words cannot adequately express the sadness of our company and our employees about this tragic incident and Peter is in our thoughts and prayers."
Blazusiak perfect; Graffunder seventh
Red Bull KTM rider Taddy Blazusiak took home his third straight EnduroCross win at the Pepsi Coliseum in Indianapolis on Friday and further strengthened his points lead.
Blazusiak started the day well winning his heat race. FMF/KTM rider Mike Brown also had a great beginning taking the win in his heat while fellow Christini/KTM rider Geoff Aaron made it a KTM sweep for heat wins also taking a victory.
The last chance was won by RPM/KTM rider Kevin Rookstool, who barely missed qualifying from the semi and was excited to make it into the main in his final attempt.
At the start of the main event it was Brown who nailed the holeshot followed closely by Blazusiak. Brown made a mistake early in the race which allowed Blazusiak to pass for the lead.
Shortly after Brown made another mistake and let Aaron by. Aaron wasn't able to get far as Brown reeled him back in and regained the second place position. However, the runner up position was short lived once Brown crashed in the log area and damaged his bike. Brown did get restarted but wasn't able to move forward due to the damage to his machine.
Aaron also encountered trouble near the end of the moto when he crashed and bent his shift lever on some rocks and spent the remainder of the race stuck in third gear.
Rookstool capitalized on the leaders' mistakes. He got a poor start but was able to charge forward. He eventually moved his bike into third overall for the night behind runner-up Kyle Redmond and the winner for the third time this year, Blazusiak.
"It feels good to continue my win streak. It is unfortunate that the other riders had such bad luck but I am happy I was able to ride mistake free out front and take the win and increase my lead for the championship," remarked Blazusiak.
The next round is in Everett, WA on Sept. 11.
Overall Results
1. Taddy Blazusiak - KTM
2. Kyle Redmond
3. Kevin Rookstool - KTM
4. Gary Sutherlin
5. Justin Soulè
6. Colton Haaker
7. Cory Graffunder
8. Jamie Lanza
9. Mike Brown - KTM
10. Cody Webb
11. Geoff Aaron - KTM
THE TEAM CANADA MX 300
From TEAM CANADA MX
The 64th annual Motocross of Nations takes place September 26, 2010 in Lakewood, Colorado for only it’s 3rd visit to the U.S. Canada’s Team, MX1 #79 Jeremy Medaglia, MX2 #80 Kaven Benoit and MX3 #81 Kyle Keast are all set to represent Canada at the World’s Premier Motocross Race.
We have always wanted our MXON Team to be “Canada’s Team”. While we need and appreciate the support of the motorcycle business community, we feel it is especially important that our Team be supported by individual motocross enthusiasts throughout Canada. Hence our Team Canada MX 300 program.
Team Canada MX supports the travel expenses of the Riders and Mechanics as well as the cost of transporting their Motorcycles and Canada’s pit presence. The riders and their mechanics participate in the event and represent Canada with no remuneration.
THE 300--- Our Team Canada MX 300 Member program will be the key fundraising effort of Team Canada MX. Individuals and business that contribute a minimum $100 to the Team will become a member of Team Canada MX. As a Team Canada MX member they will receive 2 current Team Canada MX T shirts and a commemorative poster (issued every 5 years, our current poster is from 2004 thru 2008). Team Canada MX members will also receive a Team Picture of the current years team at the event.
Our “PATRON” program supplements “THE 300” and ensures our fundraising goals are achieved.
TEAM CANADA MX PATRON---Become a “PATRON” of Team Canada MX.
Patrons receive 10 current year T shirts and a commemorative poster. They also receive a framed, autographed Team poster. Patrons can be Individuals or Business’s. The donation to become a Patron is $500. Our first patron this year is Schrader’s Motorsport in Saskatoon.
Payments can be made by credit card or cheque made out to MXON Fund and mailed to Team Canada MX, 622794 Motopark Rd., Chatsworth, Ontario, N0H 1G0. For credit card payments call Motopark at 519 794-2434 or email info@motoparkracing.com
Pedrosa dominant in Indy MotoGP
Dani Pedrosa narrowed the gap on MotoGP Championship leader Jorge Lorenzo to 68 points with seven rounds of the 2010 season remaining by winning the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix on Sunday.
It was the Repsol Honda rider’s third win of the campaign, marking the first time he has achieved three wins in a season in the premier class.
With the temperature hitting a draining 35ºC (56ºC track surface) it was a tough 28-lap contest for all involved.
“I’m really happy with this win and it was an especially tough one because of the heat today," Pedrosa said. "I didn’t make the perfect start but I was quite quick through the first few tight corners and stayed close to the leaders. My rhythm was good today and even though [Ben] Spies was strong in front I was able to close him down and make the pass.
“I’m really pleased with the performance of my bike because it was fast on the straights and also was working well in the corners. When I was out in front it was quite hard to stay focused and at the end of the race I was really tired - but I’m very happy because last year I crashed when I could have won and now I have made up for it.”
Starting from the second row Pedrosa was on the pace early on and by lap two he was in second position, as he set his sights on pole holder Spies. On the end of the seventh lap the Spaniard overtook the rookie on the start/finish straight and never relinquished the lead, eventually crossing the line 3.575 secs. clear of Spies.
For the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider second place marked his best result to date and a second podium in what has already been a fantastic debut season. Spies started from pole – the first of his MotoGP career – and his race result capped off a great weekend which also saw him confirmed as a factory Yamaha rider for 2011.
“I'm really happy to have got my best result in MotoGP in front of the American crowd and at a track as famous as Indianapolis,” said the 26-year-old. “I always said I wanted my best result in my home race, so it's mission accomplished.
“After the pole position I got a great start and it felt good to be out front for the first time in MotoGP. But I didn't have the pace for Dani today and he rode a great race. I'm happy because I didn't make too many mistakes when I was out in front and I was consistent for the whole race. When Dani passed me I knew I couldn't follow him, so I let him go and concentrated on keeping a gap to Jorge in third and that's what I achieved.”
Completing the podium was Championship leader Lorenzo who had started from second on the grid but dropped to fifth at the start of the race. That failed to affect his concentration however and he battled his way past Andrea Dovizioso and into third just before the midway point of the race, finishing just over three seconds off Spies as his phenomenal record of having placed in the top two in every race this season was finally broken.
"Of course I shouldn't be disappointed with third place but at the same time I'm not happy with my race today, I didn't ride as well as I could have and I didn't get a good start,” said the 23-year-old Lorenzo. “The conditions were incredibly hard and I simply didn't have the physical strength to push as hard or do the same times I did in practice; it was like a race in Malaysia!
"The track was so slippery and it was very difficult to use the tires as you wanted to, I think honestly I'm quite lucky to have finished third today. The good thing is we took some points and now I have to concentrate on recovering before Misano because we don't have much time."
A complicated weekend for Valentino Rossi (Fiat Yamaha) ended with the reigning World Champion placing fourth in the race, as he won the battle of the Italians with Repsol Honda rider Dovizioso who took fifth.
Nicky Hayden was sixth having started from the front row for the first time in his Ducati career.
Rookies Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Honda Gresini) and Álvaro Bautista (Rizla Suzuki) impressed with seventh and eight places respectively, with Aleix Espargaró (Pramac Racing) and Héctor Barberá (Páginas Amarillas Aspar) completing the top 10.
Loris Capirossi, Hiroshi Aoyama – on his return from injury – and Randy de Puniet were the final three riders to finish the race.
Suffering the disappointment of DNFs were Marco Melandri (lap two) on his 200th Grand Prix start, Casey Stoner, who lost the front end of his Ducati Desmosedici GP10 (lap eight), Colin Edwards who was forced to retire with rear tire issues (lap 17), and Mika Kallio who crashed in turn 10 when he hit a bump on lap 18.
Lorenzo moves onto 251 points with Pedrosa now on 183 in second in the standings. Dovizioso is third on 126, with Stoner now seven points behind in fourth. Rossi remains in fifth while Spies moves up to sixth.
Toni Elías won the Moto2 Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix with a characteristically measured ride on Sunday, taking a third consecutive GP win for the first time in his career as he tightened his grip on the inaugural title.
The Gresini Racing rider now leads the overall standings by 67 points after 10 rounds, having topped the podium ahead of pole man Julián Simón (Mapfre Aspar) and Scott Redding (Marc VDS Racing Team).
Elías and Simón became involved in a duel for top spot with Redding watching from third as he kept tabs on the duo, and six laps from the end Elías made a superb overtake round the outside of Simón to assume the lead. He held that to the end, eventually crossing the line just over four-tenths of a second ahead of his compatriot.
Redding took his first Moto2 podium as he crossed in third, just under four seconds behind Simón having been strong throughout the weekend, with Andrea Iannone (Fimmco Speed Up) fourth having started from way back on the seventh row.
Simone Corsi completed the top five having made an admirable recovery from the back of the grid.
Sergio Gadea (Tenerife 40 Pons), Thomas Lüthi (Interwetten Moriwaki), Gabor Talmacsi (Fimmco Speed Up), wild card Jason DiSalvo (GP Tech) and Anthony West (MZ Racing) completed the top 10.
Iannone remains second in the standings, with Lüthi and Simón level on 108 points in third and fourth.
Roger Lee Hayden finished 17th on his American Honda-backed, Erion-prepared Moriwaki.
Nico Terol’s first consecutive GP wins came with victory at Indianapolis on Sunday as the Bancaja Aspar rider won the 125cc contest, his third of the season and on the same track he won his first World Championship race in 2008.
Terol eventually crossed the line 4.995 secs. clear of Sandro Cortese (Avant Mitsubishi Ajo), with Pol Espargaró (Tuenti Racing) completing the podium in what was a typically eventful 125cc race.
Marc Márquez (Red Bull Ajo Motorsport) looked to be pulling away to a dominant victory in the early part of the race and on lap seven he set a new lap record and was soon over 2.5 secs. clear of Terol. However, a crash at turn 10 with 15 laps remaining saw Márquez scrambling back onto his Derbi and he returned to the race in 14th place, as Terol assumed first position.
Terol’s win was the 20th successive 125cc victory for Spanish riders, and moved him into second in the overall standings on 168 points, with Márquez on 172. Espargaró is third on 167 points.
MotoGP Race Results
1. Dani PEDROSA (SPA) Repsol Honda 47:31.615
2. Ben SPIES (USA) Monster Tech 3 Yamaha +3.575
3. Jorge LORENZO (SPA) Fiat Yamaha +6.812
4. Valentino ROSSI (ITA) Fiat Yamaha +12.633
5. Andrea DOVIZIOSO (ITA) Repsol Honda +21.885
6. Nicky HAYDEN (USA) Ducati +35.138
7. Marco SIMONCELLI (ITA) San Carlo Gresini Honda +36.740
8. Alvaro BAUTISTA (SPA) Rizla Suzuki +36.825
9. Aleix ESPARGARO (SPA) Pramac Ducati +44.905
10. Hector BARBERA (SPA) Paginas Amarillas Aspar Ducati +51.368
11. Loris CAPIROSSI (ITA) Rizla Suzuki +55.386
12. Hiroshi AOYAMA (JPN) Interwetten Honda +57.903
13. Randy DE PUNIET (FRA) LCR Honda +1:04.139
Not Classified
Mika KALLIO (FIN) Pramac Ducati +10 Laps
Colin EDWARDS (USA) Monster Tech 3 Yamaha +12 Laps
Casey STONER (AUS) Ducati +21 Laps
Marco MELANDRI (ITA) San Carlo Gresini Honda +26 Laps
MotoGP Point Standings
1. Jorge LORENZO (Yamaha) 251
2. Dani PEDROSA (Honda) 183
3. Andrea DOVIZIOSO (Honda) 126
4. Casey STONER (Ducati) 119
5. Valentino ROSSI (Yamaha) 114
6. Ben SPIES (Yamaha) 110
7. Nicky HAYDEN (Ducati) 109
8. Randy DE PUNIET (Honda) 78
9. Marco SIMONCELLI (Honda) 63
10. Marco MELANDRI (Honda) 61
11. Colin EDWARDS (Yamaha) 57
12. Hector BARBERA (Ducati) 54
13. Loris CAPIROSSI (Suzuki) 41
14. Aleix ESPARGARO (Ducati) 39
15. Alvaro BAUTISTA (Suzuki) 33
16. Mika KALLIO (Ducati) 31
17. Hiroshi AOYAMA (Honda) 22
18. Alex DE ANGELIS (Honda) 11
19. Roger Lee HAYDEN (Honda) 5
20. Kousuke AKIYOSHI (Honda) 4
21. Wataru YOSHIKAWA (Yamaha) 1
Spies claims first MotoGP pole
Ben Spies will start a MotoGP race from pole position for the first time on Sunday at Indianapolis after the rookie laid down a fantastic hot lap in qualifying on Saturday.
The Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rookie posted a best time of 1:40.105 on his 26th of 28 laps, delighting the home crowd and enjoying another highlight in what has already been an eventful weekend following confirmation of his factory ride for 2011.
“This is a great feeling for me to get my first MotoGP pole position and for it to come in front of the American crowd and here at Indianapolis with all the history makes it even more special,” said a delighted Spies. “And I'm glad for the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team too. This team helped catapult me into this position and I've been trying to give as much for them as I can, even though I'll be moving to Yamaha's factory team next year.
“I've got to say I really put it on the line this afternoon. I'd come so close at Brno a couple of weeks ago to getting my first pole position and I really wanted to finish the job on home soil. There was no way coming into this weekend that I thought this result was possible. But I've been able to do it and now I'm going to concentrate on getting a good start and giving it everything in the race. I'd love a podium and my best result at home but I'm not going to get ahead of myself. But right now I'll certainly enjoy today.”
Spies was 0.220 secs. quicker than Championship leader and last year’s race winner Jorge Lorenzo, who took his Fiat Yamaha M1 machine round in the second fastest time, and there was further joy for the American fans as Nicky Hayden took his first Ducati front-row place with third.
Lorenzo was happy with second in Saturday’s qualifying session as he maintained his record of having qualified on the front row for every race so far this season.
Given the soaring temperatures which saw the track measurement rise to over 50ºC and therefore affect grip, Lorenzo was content with a central spot on the front row.
"This was a really difficult session because it was so hot and the track was very slippery and bumpy, it was hard to know what to expect,” said Lorenzo. “Luckily we managed a good lap and I'm happy with second place, Ben's lap was amazing so well done to him.”
Hayden was smiling after taking his first front-row start with Ducati. The 29-year-old, who had led the session at one stage, was just 0.231 secs. off top spot.
"I finally got my first front row with Ducati - it only took a year and a half,” quipped Hayden. “We're really happy for it though especially because it's so important for tomorrow's race.
“If I want to be running up front tomorrow I have to be there from the start and I told Juan [Martinez, crew chief] before the session that we were due a front row and today was the day to get it. We found a decent setting on race tires and when we put the soft compound in the jump was so big it felt like the kind of qualifying tires we used to have.”
Andrea Dovizioso had held top spot briefly and his best time of 1:40.559 placed him fourth on the starting grid, with his Repsol Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa fifth at just under eight-hundredths further back.
Casey Stoner, who had been fastest in both practice sessions, could only qualify in sixth as he lapped 0.559 secs. off the pace of Spies on his Ducati Desmosedici GP10.
The third row will be headed up by Valentino Rossi (Fiat Yamaha) and the Italian was left frustrated but uninjured when he fell at turn six with little over five minutes to go – his second fall of the day following an earlier one in practice.
Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Honda Gresini) also had a crash in the final stages of the session but managed to secure eighth place, equalling his best qualification so far this season, with Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) and Loris Capirossi (Rizla Suzuki) completing the top 10.
Hiroshi Aoyama (Interwetten Honda MotoGP Team) was 13th in his first QP since returning from injury, while Aleix Espargaró (Pramac Racing) had a fall at turn 13 and eventually qualified in 14th.
MotoGP Qualifying Results
1. Ben SPIES (USA) Monster Tech 3 Yamaha 1:40.105
2. Jorge LORENZO (SPA) Fiat Yamaha 1:40.325
3. Nicky HAYDEN (USA) Ducati 1:40.336
4. Andrea DOVIZIOSO (ITA) Repsol Honda 1:40.559
5. Dani PEDROSA (SPA) Repsol Honda 1:40.637
6. Casey STONER (AUS) Ducati 1:40.664
7. Valentino ROSSI (ITA) Fiat Yamaha 1:41.005
8. Marco SIMONCELLI (ITA) San Carlo Gresini Honda 1:41.092
9. Colin EDWARDS (USA) Monster Tech 3 Yamaha 1:41.232
10. Loris CAPIROSSI (ITA) Rizla Suzuki 1:41.512
11. Alvaro BAUTISTA (SPA) Rizla Suzuki 1:41.534
12. Marco MELANDRI (ITA) San Carlo Gresini Honda 1:41.623
13. Hiroshi AOYAMA (JPN) Interwetten Honda 1:41.631
14. Aleix ESPARGARO (SPA) Pramac Ducati 1:41.649
15. Mika KALLIO (FIN) Pramac Ducati 1:41.856
16. Hector BARBERA (SPA) Paginas Amarillas Aspar Ducati 1:41.896
17. Randy DE PUNIET (FRA) LCR Honda 1:41.923
Hayden with Ducati for two more years
From Ducati Press
Ducati has announced a renewed contract with Nicky Hayden that will see the American rider stay with the Italian factory's MotoGP effort for a further two years. His signature completes a new look of the Ducati Marlboro Team line-up for 2011, which will see the 29-year-old line up alongside Valentino Rossi.
“We are really pleased that Nicky will be staying with us for the next two years," said Filippo Preziosi, Ducati Corse director. "It is no secret that he is a rider who never gives up, his whole racing history shows it. As a person his tenacity is an example for us all because he shows us that nothing is impossible if you truly believe. His progress since arriving at Ducati has been impressive and I am sure this trend will continue in the future.
"Nicky is also a special rider because of his attention to every detail and for him having Valentino as his team-mate means a huge contribution towards the development of an even more competitive motorcycle. I think it is these characteristics that have won the hearts of all the Ducatisti and that is the reason why a Ducati is the bike for him right now.”
Hayden, who over the past two seasons has won over the Ducatisti with his positive and determined attitude, currently lies sixth in the MotoGP World Championship standings.
"I am very proud to be signing for Ducati again," Hayden said. "Last year I felt like I rode for Ducati but now I really feel as if I am a Ducati rider. The team, sponsors and Ducati fans have really taken me in and supported me a lot and I really hope to pay them back with the results they deserve.
"Next year I'll be teamed with some guy named Rossi who knows a little something about bikes! We're going to have a strong squad - I won't predict results but I have no doubt this team will have some real passion, real worth ethic and a lot of fun. It is the start of a new era at Ducati and it is an honour for me to be a part of it."
Gerloff wins, Young 10th at Indy
From the USGPRU
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Garrett Gerloff took the lead on the second lap and never looked back, taking a convincing win in the Rev'It Moriwaki MD250H Powered by Honda race on a sunny Saturday afternoon at the 2010 Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix.
Starting from pole, Gerloff was beat to turn one by Jake Lewis with Peter Lenz in pursuit. Gerloff went past Lenz and set out after Lewis, who led the first lap. Gerloff went past on lap two and immediately pulled out a lead that grew each lap.
“I was a little worried,” said Gerloff. “Peter got around me after I ran off the track a little bit. I passed Peter and caught back up to Jake, just trying to keep focused. I tried to pull away and not have as much pressure at the end if he was right behind me.”
Lewis tried valiantly to hang with Gerloff, going half a second faster than he had qualified, but to no avail.
“I was trying to hang on and pushing it to the limit, but he was just going really good today,” said Lewis. “Halfway through the race I looked back and saw Nick [McFadden] and Peter right there, and I was like ‘Gosh, I didn’t know they were still there’, so I started pushing even harder. Towards the end of the race, my foot started slipping off the peg and I made some silly mistakes and they caught right up. Nick passed me after the finish, it was close but that was good.”
McFadden was able to go with the lead group at the start, and passed Lenz on lap four. Lenz latched on and pushed McFadden to the end, both riders turning their fastest laps on the last lap as they saw they were closing on Lewis.
“I was just trying to catch up after getting a bad start,” McFadden said. “Stefano Mesa passed me going off the back straightaway, and I got separated from him and Peter a pretty good ways. I just put my head down and tried to catch up. After I caught Stefano and got past Peter, I could see we were reeling in Jake. About halfway through the race, Peter showed me a wheel and I just outbroke him and kept my head down.”
Stefano Mesa held on to finish fifth, four seconds ahead of Ryan Matter, who finished four seconds ahead of Joe Roberts in seventh place.
Grayson Gerloff won a race-long battle over eighth place ahead of Nick Hansen, Collingwood, ON's Ben Young, Andre Ochs and Austin Medrano, with the five riders nose-to-tail throughout the race.
Results (Top 10)
1. Garrett Gerloff
2. Jake Lewis +12.397
3. Nick McFadden +12.603
4. Peter Lenz +12.649
5. Stefano Mesa +26.861
6. Ryan Matter +30.745
7. Joe Roberts +34.756
8. Grayson Gerloff +44.491
9. Nick Hansen +44.801
10. Ben Young +45.331
Aspar Team to continue with Ducati
The Aspar Team has announced that it will continue to contest the MotoGP World Championship with Ducati next season, having recently agreed a new deal at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
The Spanish team will extend the relationship it has already established with the Borgo Panigale manufacturer, which has given its unconditional support to the project headed by Jorge Martínez 'Aspar' since it began.
The commitment of both parties has ensured that Héctor Barberá has been able to make an impressive start to his rookie season in the premier class.
The recent announcement that Valentino Rossi has signed with Ducati gives the Aspar Team extra satisfaction and motivation, given that the technical expertise of the Italian superstar combined with the experience of Filippo Preziosi, creator of the Ducati Desmosedici - the MotoGP title-winning bike in 2007 - can make it an even more competitive package.
The next objective for the Aspar Team is to extend the deal with Ducati into 2012 and Martínez is already in negotiations with the team's sponsors to expand to two riders.
“I am very happy to extend our contract with Ducati for another season,” said Martínez. “Ever since we crossed paths everybody in Borgo Panigale has been completely committed to our project and the relationship is magnificent so it is an honour for us to extend it.
“Aside from this we have the news that Valentino Rossi has signed for Ducati. The Desmosedici is already one of the best bikes on the grid and I'm sure that with his input it will be even better and more manageable. His collaboration will benefit us a lot because I am sure we will have the same bike."
Stoner opens Indy action on top
Casey Stoner started the weekend fastest at Indianapolis with a best lap of 1:40.884 in the first practice on Friday, the only rider in the hour-long session to get under the 1:41 mark.
Having not raced in last year’s Indy round due to illness Stoner spent the initial part of the hour guiding himself round the circuit and reacquainting himself with its layout.
"For the first two laps I didn't remember anything about the track from two years ago but after that it all came back pretty quickly,” said the 24-year-old. “This is quite a unique circuit because of the different types of surface and the amount of bumps out there so we had to improvise a little today because it's not easy to pick the right line.”
The Australian was running with the new front fork on his Desmosedici GP10 which he tested at Brno, and the result appeared to be more than positive as he enjoyed solid control over his machine.
“We made a good start but I'm sure everybody will work things out better tomorrow and close the gap,” he stated. “Having said that this is a good situation to be in on the first day and for the first time in a while we feel there is potential to improve.
"We tried the new front fork today that we tested in Brno and it felt good, although this is not the kind of circuit where you can really push so it's hard to say if it improved the package."
Last year’s race winner Jorge Lorenzo was quick throughout the practice and led until 15 minutes from the end, his best time of 1:41.109 eventually leaving him 0.225 secs. off Stoner as the Fiat Yamaha rider prepared to try and stretch his 77-point Championship lead this weekend.
"I rode really well today and improved a lot during the practice. The rear was sliding a lot, maybe because the temperature is so high; it's a lot hotter than last year,” said the 23-year-old. “I think the level between the top riders here is more or less the same and everyone is looking very strong.”
Nicky Hayden, keen to impress his home crowd, got off to a positive start as he set the third best time but inside the final 15 minutes he went down at turn 13, a worrying moment for the Ducati Team rider as he protected the left wrist he injured at Brno. The American escaped further damage to his arm despite landing on it, and was back out on track as he held onto third spot at just over half a second off his team-mate.
"At the start of the session I was feeling really good and I was going quite fast on a hard tire,” said Hayden. “When we put the soft tire in I felt even better and maybe got a little too excited because that's when I made a mistake. I was off line a little but I didn't force it, I just let it go because it's only first practice but 'bam'! I was down immediately. It was a bummer because my suspension guy had come up with some settings that were working really good and I really liked the feel.
“At least I didn't do any more damage to the wrist - all I got was a friction burn on my arm from digging it in trying to save the wrist."
Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa, who was in fast form at last year’s Indy meeting, was fourth quickest as he led his factory RC212V around in a best time of 1:41.421. That placed the Spaniard four-hundredths of a second ahead of reigning World Champion Valentino Rossi, who was fifth on his Fiat Yamaha M1.
The American presence was enforced by Colin Edwards as the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider went sixth fastest, with Andrea Dovizioso (Repsol Honda) and another home favourite Ben Spies in the top eight.
Rookie Spies had a crash with six minutes remaining but walked away unharmed having been the final rider to get within a second of Stoner, on the day his ride with the factory Yamaha team for 2011 was announced.
The top 10 in the session was completed by Aleix Espargaró (Pramac Racing) and Marco Melandri (San Carlo Honda Gresini Team), with Hiroshi Aoyama (Interwetten Honda MotoGP) 16th on his return to competitive action after nine weeks out injured.
Scott Redding’s 22nd and final lap of the first Moto2 practice at Indianapolis on Friday placed the 17-year-old Brit at the top of the timesheet. An effort of 1:46.728 left the Marc VDS Racing Team rider 15-thousandths of a second ahead of Championship leader Toni Elías in a confidence-boosting start to his weekend.
Gresini Racing man Elías beat title rival Andrea Iannone (Fimmco Speed Up) to second by 0.125 secs. as the duo completed the top three, with Simone Corsi (JiR Moto2) just under two-hundredths back in fourth spot and also the final rider to duck under 1:47.
MotoGP Practice Results
1. Casey STONER (AUS) Ducati 1:40.884
2. Jorge LORENZO (SPA) Fiat Yamaha 1:41.109
3. Nicky HAYDEN (USA) Ducati 1:41.405
4. Dani PEDROSA (SPA) Repsol Honda 1:41.421
5. Valentino ROSSI (ITA) Fiat Yamaha 1:41.623
6. Colin EDWARDS (USA) Monster Tech 3 Yamaha 1:41.664
7. Andrea DOVIZIOSO (ITA) Repsol Honda 1:41.683
8. Ben SPIES (USA) Monster Tech 3 Yamaha 1:41.722
9. Aleix ESPARGARO (SPA) Pramac Ducati 1:41.992
10. Marco MELANDRI (ITA) San Carlo Gresini Honda 1:42.147
11. Marco SIMONCELLI (ITA) San Carlo Gresini Honda 1:42.268
12. Hector BARBERA (SPA) Paginas Amarillas Aspar Ducati 1:42.368
13. Mika KALLIO (FIN) Pramac Ducati 1:42.600
14. Alvaro BAUTISTA (SPA) Rizla Suzuki 1:42.696
15. Loris CAPIROSSI (ITA) Rizla Suzuki 1:42.790
16. Hiroshi AOYAMA (JPN) Interwetten Honda 1:42.874
17. Randy DE PUNIET (FRA) LCR Honda 1:42.987
Extra dates for Mid-Ohio School
From TrueSports
MURRIETA, CA – For a second time this year, KTM North America and The Mid-Ohio School have added dates to the ‘Arrive and Ride’ program, offering new KTM Race_Orange Track Day Experience dates on Oct. 4-5 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
The initial four scheduled dates, along with an added session on July 8 all sold out quickly earlier this year. Motorcyclists will have two more opportunities near the end of the riding season in the Midwest. There are 55 spots available on Monday, Oct. 4 and 50 during the Tuesday, Oct. 5 program. Spots in the two new dates are available for order now at www.midohioschool.com or by calling 877-793-TMOS (8667).
“With The Mid-Ohio School’s help we were able to add another pair of dates this fall to meet the high demand for the ‘Arrive and Ride’ Race_Orange program and it’s an excellent way to cap off the peak riding season at a great facility,” said John Hinz, Product Line Manager at KTM North America.
This event is unique as KTM preps and provides motorcycles for each participant. Models available include the KTM 1190 RC8 R, 1190 RC8, 990 SMR and 690 Duke. The cost is $275 (US), which includes use of the KTM motorcycle, fuel, tires and track day fee.
The program serves two purposes: Not only does it provide an opportunity for riders to get on track without the need to transport their bikes to Mid-Ohio, but it also gives them a chance to ride the latest lineup of KTM street bikes.
Riders of all skill levels are welcome and will be split into three groups riding in four 20-minute sessions throughout the day. This event is open to novice, intermediate and advanced riders.
KTM has been the official motorcycle of The Mid-Ohio School since 2008.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Ducati pulls plug on Superbike
From the WSBK Pressoffice
Infront Motor Sports has learnt with disappointment of Ducati’s decision not to participate with a factory team in the 2011 FIM Superbike World Championship.
The Borgo Panigale manufacturer has built a large part of its history and reputation on the back of its wins in the world championship for production-based bikes, in which it has taken part since the very start and in which it has obtained 16 Manufacturers’ and 13 Riders’ titles with its strictly twin-cylinder production models.
As recently as last year Ducati was fighting for the championship title right down to the final round of the season at Portimao, proving the outright competitiveness of its flagship model, the 1198, and demonstrating the extremely well-balanced nature of the current technical regulations.
“We are disappointed and also a bit surprised at Ducati’s decision,” declared Paolo Flammini, CEO of Infront Motor Sports, “especially since we have been asked numerous times for a change in the regulations to bring about a better balancing of twin-cylinder 1200cc machines towards the four-cylinder 1000cc bikes, but it must be mentioned that last year, without the presence of a phenomenal Ben Spies, the Ducati 1198 would have dominated the championship with Haga and Fabrizio, and it is therefore difficult for us today to comprehend this decision, which of course we must respect.
"Moreover the FIM Superbike World Championship can today boast the participation of six manufacturers in addition to Ducati, with Aprilia, BMW, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha and is therefore obliged to maintain a total balance in the regulations, without privileging one or other manufacturer in particular.
"We are however pleased that Ducati has confirmed its technical support for private teams that will be competing with its models in the 2011 championship and that the development of its new generation of hypersport bikes, in both homologated and Superbike race versions, will continue.”
Spies to join factory Yamaha team
From Yamaha Racing
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd has announced that current Yamaha Tech 3 rider Ben Spies will move to the factory team for the 2011 MotoGP season.
The 26-year-old American, who won the World Superbike Championship with Yamaha in 2009, is enjoying an impressive first season in MotoGP. He is currently the leading rookie and the top satellite rider, lying seventh in the championship.
“We’re delighted that Ben will join the Factory Team for next season,” said Lin Jarvis, Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing. “Ben has shown great promise in his first 10 MotoGP races. He has learnt rapidly and recorded strong results, including a well-deserved podium finish at Silverstone – impressive for someone in their first full season.
“We believe that Ben will be a future title contender and that he will be a good fit with our team. His mission next year will be to continue learning, consistently challenge for podium places and try to win some races.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Herve Poncharal and the Tech 3 Team for taking care of Ben this season and for giving him such good training for the years ahead. I hope that he will repay them by getting some more podium results in the second half of this season and helping them to secure top satellite team status at the end of this year.”
Spies added, "My first year in MotoGP has been a great learning curve and for that I have to thank Herve Poncharal, all the team at Tech 3 and especially my American mechanics who have stuck by me throughout this great journey so far. Having previously been to only four of the 10 tracks to date, I have to be pleased with where I am and with having achieved my first podium so soon.
"I'm especially pleased that Yamaha have recognized the potential in me and given me the opportunity to step up to the factory team so early in my GP career. I believe that by working closely with the Yamaha staff and my mechanics we will be able to help develop the M1 and make the next step of challenging for regular podiums, followed by future championships."
Report confirms riding health benefits
TORONTO, ON – The Canadian Off-Highway Vehicle Distributors Council (COHV) and its funding partners the All-Terrain Quad Council of Canada (AQCC), the Motorcyclist Confederation of Canada (MCC) and the government of Nova Scotia have received the first of four reports from York University, confirming that riding all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and off-road motorcycles (ORMs) is good for your body and soul.
Jamie F. Burr, Veronica K. Jamnik, Jim A. Shaw and Professor Norman Gledhill at York University’s Physical Activity and Chronic Disease Unit, Faculty of Health conducted the study. The purpose of the research -- to characterize the physiological demands of recreational off-road vehicle (ORV) riding under typical ORV riding conditions using habitual recreation ORV riders.
Study analysis of exercise intensity during riding revealed “approximately 14 percent of an ATV ride and 38 percent of an ORM ride are within the intensity range required to achieve changes in aerobic fitness. Riding on a representative course also led to muscular fatigue, particularly in the upper body.”
“On the basis of the measured metabolic demands, evidence of muscular strength requirements, and the associated caloric expenditures with off-road vehicle riding, this alternative form of activity conforms to the recommended physical activity guidelines and can be effective for achieving beneficial changes in health and fitness,” Burr concluded. “Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) riding is similar in aerobic demand to many other recreational, self-paced, sporting activities such as golf, rock climbing and alpine skiing.”
“COHV and its partners were pleased to learn that this first report confirms what ORV riders already know -- that being out on the trails is not only fun but contributes to individual and family well-being and physical fitness,” stated Bob Ramsay President of the MMIC.
“This ground breaking, first ever comprehensive, scientific probe of the fitness and health benefits of ATV and ORM recreational riding proves that riding creates sufficient opportunity to stimulate changes in aerobic fitness and falls within the physical activity guidelines of both Health Canada and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).”
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Graffunder survives XTINCTION
From Husaberg
The inaugural edition of XTINCTION, Canada’s First Extreme Hard Enduro, is in the books and proved to be an event ready to accommodate world class competition.
Starting with a gnarly two-hour qualifier through the Alberta Badlands, competitors were faced with extreme challenges fit to expire several of them. As if the course the Corner Grass Racing Team (CGRT) had prepared was not already enough of a challenge, Mother Nature came calling with a steady downpour, making the course nearly impassable.
Thirty competitors were able to complete the qualifying session and were fortunate enough to be greeted with sunny skies for the XTINCTION Showdown. They were tasked with another two hours in the saddle.
Canadian off-road phenom Cory Graffunder and American rival Kyle Redmond put on a spectacular show and battled to the end, with Graffunder squeaking out the win and taking home a healthy part of the $5000 purse.
Shane Cuthbertson of CGRT aboard his Husaberg FX 450 qualified second behind Graffunder but got his bike tangled up in one of the plastic fences in the first lap of the main race after a good start and lost precious time and positions. After he got going again he put his head down and stormed through the field but the top was already out of reach so he had to settle for sixth position.
CGRT young gun Cole Dobovich (16) made a great debut in Extreme Enduro racing on his FX 450, considering he usually doesn't get to ride long and steep up- and downhills in his home area, and finished a respectable 22nd.
Xtinction Official Results
1) Cory Graffunder (Husqvarna)
2) Kyle Redmond (KTM)
3) Jason Schrage (Honda)
4) Julien Cerny (KTM)
5) Geoff Nelson (KTM)
6) Shane Cuthbertson (Husaberg)
7) Ben Rego (Yamaha)
8) Paul Petrin (KTM)
9) Noel Bolso (KTM)
10) Jared Thomas (KTM)
Hatton teams up with 'Bikefest 2010'
DUNCAN, BC -- Don Hatton, Dakar Rally racer and owner of Duncan Motorsports, has joined forces with the Cowichan Exhibition as the new venue for the annual Ride for The Way and 'Bikefest 2010' fundraiser for Cowichan United Way.
The event, which launched in 2009, is sure to be a real crowd-pleaser for Cowichan Exhibition visitors, and if last year is anything to go by, should bring several hundred bikes and riders together all raising money to support those in need in the community.
The event is on Sunday, Sept. 12 and kicks off with a Pancake Breakfast from 8:00am to 9:30am. Then riders and passengers will take a scenic tour of the Cowichan Region, touring up through Crofton and Chemainus, to Cedar, through to Yellowpoint and then back down the highway to The Cowichan Exhibition Grounds for a BBQ lunch and plenty of time left over to enjoy all the attractions of the Cowichan Exhibition.
As well as an opportunity to meet Hatton and hear some of his daring exploits in The Dakar Rally, there will be vintage motorcycles and a Trials demonstration.
Participants are asked to pay $35 to take part in the Ride for The Way, which includes entrance to the Exhibition, pancake breakfast, event ride with Poker Run, and BBQ lunch.
Early registration is encouraged. In fact the first 100 people to pre-register will receive a free t-shirt to commemorate the event.
To register online go to http://cowichanunitedway.wordpress.com/bikefest-2010 or call Duncan Motorsports at 1-866-746-2453.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Aoyama cleared for MotoGP return
Hiroshi Aoyama’s nine-week injury lay-off will come to an end at Indianapolis this weekend as the Japanese rider climbs back on board his Interwetten Honda RC212V machine, his first competitive ride since June 20.
After a lengthy rehabilitation process to recover from the fractured vertebra he sustained at Silverstone in Round 5, the 2009 250cc World Champion tested his comfort on the bike at the Brno test last week.
Sufficiently pleased with how the day at the Czech track went Aoyama was then given the okay by his medical team on Monday to ride at Indianapolis.
"I am so happy that I am finally coming back,” said Aoyama. “I had another X-Ray and the doctor confirmed that my broken vertebra looks good and did not change its shape, which is essential at this stage of the injury. I got the okay to ride in Indianapolis and I can't wait to get back on my bike.
“Of course I want to be fast but first I have to gain my confidence and feeling with the bike once more, then I can concentrate on being fast. It will not be easy to ride with the group again after such a long time away, but step by step I will get there as I regain the strength I had at the start of the season.
"I missed six races, which is a lot, and I have to see how I can cope with the situation after such a long time and how I can cope with the pain level.”
Szoke claims CMA Trials title
By John Hopkins
Jordan Szoke retained his CMA National Trials championship with a third and a second place finish in the final two rounds of the season in Tweed, ON and Arden, ON, respectively, last weekend.
The Tweed round on Saturday was held on a 10-section, four-loop course in the backyard of Dave Cordy. The last time an event had been run at the venue was for a World Championship round.
Riding a Raga GasGas 300 he had uncrated only a week before the event, the recently crowned Parts Canada Superbike and Pro Sport Bike national road racing champion gave up a number of points on the first two loops, leaving him third for the day.
“I was riding really well today and I love my new motorcycle, although unfortunately we had some mechanical problems that kept us out of it today," said Szoke in a press release.
Large staircases and huge rock walls welcomed the Expert CMA competitors Sunday morning at the spectacular 400-acre home of Dave Southam in Arden.
“This area is just awesome,” said Szoke of the course, which consisted of 10 carefully laid out sections in a three-loop event. “It’s really tough, but that’s just the way I like it.”
Szoke was leading the event after the second loop, just a few points ahead of his closest competitor, Will Duggan of Victoria, BC. But the Brantford, ON rider gave up a few extra points in the third loop and finished the event in second place, still good enough to claim his second straight CMA National Trials title ahead of his good friend Jonathan English and Duggan.
“What an amazing year for us,” the 31-year-old Szoke said. “To earn not only a perfect season and a National Championship in Superbike, a National Championship in Sportbike and to follow it up with another National Trials Championship is just a dream come true. Special thanks to Dave Fair of GasGas Pacific for his support throughout the 2010 season."
Ducati Island returns to Indy
From Ducati North America
CUPERTINO, CA - Ducati North America has announced the return of its popular 'Ducati Island' to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend.
This year marks the third time the Ducati experience visits the legendary Indiana circuit. Located between turns one and two of the track, Ducati Island is open to all motorcycle enthusiasts.
On the Island, Ducatisti and race fans will experience special exhibits, partner vendors, autograph sessions, the legendary Ducati Fashion Show and much more. Ducati owners who display their current Ducati registration or proof of insurance and photo ID will receive extra benefits such as Ducati parking, gear check and hospitality.
The Ducati Adventure Area tells the story of Ducati's more rugged adventure models, such as the Multistrada 1200 and Hypermotard. On display will be the Pikes Peak-winning Multistrada 1200 and Hypermotard 1100, along with the road-going counterparts.
A silent auction will be held on Ducati Island to benefit the Make A Wish Foundation. Auction items will include a Streetfighter Gear Pack, Oakley Glasses, PUMA Gear Set, Ducati helmet signed by the Ducati All-Stars, Segafredo Coffee Set, Ducati Metal Sign Werks, Moto USA Subscription, High Performance Gear set, featuring Spider Grips, AltRider, Carbon Spider, Pit Bull and Race Tech, and Performance Gear Set featuring Axle Nut, K&N, Spider Grips, Pit Bull and Dumonde Tech.
Ducati Performance experience is a display of everything performance and customization, from custom bikes to the Monster Art 'Logomania' body panels.
Ducati MotoGP riders will get together for numerous Island autograph sessions, including Nicky Hayden, Casey Stoner and more.
The Ducati service area will host a variety of fun activities, including Master Check Challenges, seminars and suspension setup by Ohlins suspension techs.
For more information please visit www.ducatiusa.com.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Remy and MotoCzysz branch out
From Remy International Inc.
PENDLETON, IN -- Remy International, Inc. has announced that its subsidiary, Remy Electric Motors, LLC, has entered into an agreement with MotoCzysz LLC to bring a revolutionary, new generation electric drive system to market.
The unique drive system leverages Remy's patented High Voltage Hairpin (HVH) electric motor technology and patent-pending cooling and integration technology from MotoCzysz. The resulting breakthrough is a "complete electric drive system" optimized to elicit and manage the full performance benefit of the powerful Remy motor. The new integrated D1g1tal Dr1ve is the first of its kind of a new classification of complete electric drive solutions. Its compact size, originating from motorcycle racing and winning performance, are expected to provide a remarkable efficiency advantage to automobile and other vehicle manufacturers.
MotoCzysz is an internationally recognized design and engineering firm. Today, the company focuses primarily on electric drive systems and electric vehicles.
"I believe electric drives are the purest and best solution to propel the majority of automobiles around the world. The D1g1tal Dr1ve was designed specifically with that vision in mind. Our partnership with Remy Electric Motors will allow us to deliver a modern, simpler, evolved replacement for the 100-year-old gas engine. Remy is a powerhouse in electric motor design and manufacturing and our first choice for a partner in this emerging sector," said Michael Czysz, Founder and CEO of MotoCzysz. "Our mutual goal is for the D1g1tal Dr1ve to deliver the highest performance, greatest efficiency and most integrated packaging solution available for companies needing electric drive solutions."
Remy, a leading global manufacturer, remanufacturer and distributor of light duty starters and alternators and Delco Remy brand heavy-duty systems, also manufactures electric motors for hybrid and electric vehicles.
Remy CEO John Weber said, "MotoCzysz proved their ability to optimize a Remy motor with their astounding test results and win in the TT Zero electric motorcycle race on the Isle of Man this year. Integrating that same groundbreaking engineering with the patented Remy HVH motor is a win for our electric automotive and light duty commercial customers. Remy and MotoCzysz have the experience and technology to make this remarkable propulsion system the new industry standard for electric automobiles."
The new D1g1tal Dr1ve combines high performance and efficiency in the smallest, most integrated solution available. The system was originally designed to fit a motorcycle frame. When applied to automobiles, this weight and size advantage, coupled with disproportionately high performance, will leapfrog other systems and provide OEMs, integrators and converters unheard of efficiencies.
In typical electric vehicles, various components from a variety of vendors are assembled and then connected together via wires. The D1g1tal Dr1ve system optimizes and matches all high-voltage components in a single housing. The highly integrated system is packaged as a "super axle" located between the two drive wheels, delivering torque with unprecedented efficiency and compactness. Additionally the D1g1tal Dr1ve's nearly wireless solution provides additional overall safety for the vehicle.
The first D1g1tal Dr1ve utilizing a liquid-cooled Remy internal permanent magnet (IPM) motor will create class-leading torque (250ft/lbs) and 100kW (135hp) of power at 93 percent efficiency, measured at the rotor. Future models will extend the D1g1tal Dr1ve range to include an even more powerful drive as well as a smaller, more compact option. Remy and MotoCzysz will make the D1g1tal Dr1ve unit available in the second quarter of 2011.
Remarkable Lorenzo leads road to Indy
The 2010 MotoGP season continues its march with round 11 of 18 taking place in Indianapolis this weekend, and all eyes will once more be on Jorge Lorenzo as the Fiat Yamaha rider aims to maintain his phenomenal form this season.
Victory last time out at Brno made the Spaniard only the third premier class rider in history to have placed inside the top two in all 10 opening races of a season, and few would bet against him extending his win count this season to eight at a track he was victorious on last season.
With a 77-point advantage over Dani Pedrosa in the standings the Repsol Honda man will be eager not only to halt his rival’s run, but also to make up for last year’s Indy outing. Pedrosa dominated the weekend and started from pole, but crashed early in the race and eventually placed 10th.
Fresh from second place in the Czech Republic he will be targeting a third win of the season, which would be a first treble of premier class wins in one year for the 24-year-old.
Casey Stoner’s consistent podium finishing over the past five rounds has lifted the Ducati Team rider to third overall, and still in search of a first win of the season the Australian will also be looking to make up for last year’s absence from this race due to illness. He will also be expecting a front-end improvement on his Desmosedici after testing new forks at Brno.
Just four points behind him in the standings is Andrea Dovizioso, and the Repsol Honda man will want a solid result after his first DNF of 2010 in the last round. The Italian has finished fifth and fourth in his two rides at Indy, and will expect to go one better in the battle for third with Stoner.
Reigning World Champion Valentino Rossi continues to go from strength to strength as he regains full fitness, and has winning form on the track from 2008.
Two points off the Italian in the standings is his prospective team-mate for 2011, Ducati’s Nicky Hayden. The American – still in search of a first podium of the campaign – will be desperate for a strong home display and will hope the injured left hand he sustained in Brno does not hinder those aspirations.
Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rookie Ben Spies will have identical aims to compatriot Hayden on home soil, while Randy de Puniet’s incredible return to action at Brno just four weeks after a broken leg will take its next step as the LCR Honda rider attempts to regain the highest privateer honour.
Italian Marco Melandri (San Carlo Honda Gresini) and another proud American Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) complete the top 10 as it stands.
Rookies Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Honda Gresini), Héctor Barberá (Páginas Amarillas Aspar) and Álvaro Bautista (Rizla Suzuki) will all want positive first premier class runs at the circuit, while those with previous Indy experience in Loris Capirossi (Rizla Suzuki) and Pramac Racing pair Aleix Espargaró and Mika Kallio will look to pull on their knowledge in search of good results.
Having ridden at the Brno test for the first time in two months Hiroshi Aoyama (Interwetten Honda MotoGP Team) could make his return to action, but is waiting to make a decision. In the case the Japanese rookie does not Alex de Angelis will continue as his stand-in on the satellite RC212V.
After a fourth win of the campaign at Brno stretched his lead at the top of the Moto2 standings to 55 points, Toni Elías will attempt to make it three victories in a row for the first time in his World Championship career at Indianapolis this weekend.
The Spaniard of the Gresini Racing team is well placed at the summit of the Championship, but has a rider more than capable of closing the gap on his tail in the shape of Andrea Iannone. The Italian of the Fimmco Speed Up team has displayed his blistering pace on numerous occasions this season and finished third behind Elías in the previous round, a result that pushed him into second position in the overall standings.
Iannone will however have to consider the threat of Thomas Lüthi (Interwetten Moriwaki) who will be determined to regain second spot having finished 11th at Brno.
The American presence on the grid will be trebled as joining regular rider Kenny Noyes (Jack&Jones by Antonio Banderas) will be Jason di Salvo (GP Tech) riding an FTR chassis. Roger Lee Hayden (American Honda) will also be riding as a wild card on a Moriwaki, having competed in the premier class at Laguna Seca just five weeks earlier as a stand-in for de Puniet.
The race for the 2010 125cc title took another twist at Brno where Marc Márquez dislocated a shoulder in practice and then bravely rode to seventh, while Nico Terol announced his return to action – and the Championship fight – with a win in his first race back from injury.
Red Bull Ajo Motorsport rider Márquez saw his title lead cut to 15 points as Pol Espargaró (Tuenti Racing) placed second in the Czech Republic, and the Spaniard will have his sights firmly set on victory at Indianapolis, especially at it is the track where he secured his first ever World Championship win last year.
Terol’s win at Brno pulled him back into the contest and the Bancaja Aspar rider looked very strong in his first race back after fracturing vertebrae at Catalunya. Bradley Smith is still maintaining contact with the leading group, but the British rider knows he needs a first win of 2010 to ensure his title hopes stay alive.
Hayden Grand Marshall at Indy Mile
From The Promotion Company / Family Events
INDIANAPOLIS, IN -- Nicky Hayden will be the Grand Marshall of the Lucas Oil Indy Mile AMA Pro K&N Grand National Championship Series event on Saturday, Aug. 28.
Hayden, in Indianapolis to ride his Ducati in the RedBull Indianapolis GP at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, will travel across town to the legendary Indy Mile at the Indiana State Fairgrounds to meet the thousands of dirt-track fans who will gather to watch the 'Crown Jewel' of flat track motorcycle racing.
Hayden, 29, from nearby Owensboro, KY is known worldwide as the 'Kentucky Kid.' Hayden achieved early career success on the dirt tracks of America. He is currently in his eighth season in the internationally acclaimed MotoGP World Championship riding for Ducati. He made history when he won the world championship in MotoGP in just his fourth season in 2006.
At the Lucas Oil Indy Mile, Hayden will find highly competitive Ducati brethren. In May a Ducati-powered machine ridden by Joe Kopp won its first flat track mile ending 17 years of Grand National Twins domination by Harley-Davidson. The Lloyd Brothers Motorsports Ducati Flat Track Project first brought the Italian engine to the Lucas Oil Indy Mile in 2009 with Larry Pegram aboard. With Nicky Hayden’s appearance, Ducati has extra incentive to repeat the Joe Kopp triumph and go for a Grand National Twins win.
The announcement of Hayden becoming the Lucas Oil Indy Mile Grand Marshall is made in honour of his outstanding motorcycle racing career. Riding since three years old, racing since five and winning 15 amateur titles, Nicky made motorcycle racing his professional career in 1997. It was at the Indy Mile in 1999 when he picked up the prestigious Ricky Graham Rookie of the Year award from the AMA Pro Grand National series. That year he was also named the AMA/Speedvision Athlete of the Year for his remarkably successful season competing in three different AMA classes. With a limited dirt track racing career, Nicky has won a total of six Grand National Championship races on Short Track, TT and Half-Mile race tracks.
“We’re honoured to have a U.S. and World Champion such as Nicky Hayden serve as Grand Marshal," said Mike Moore, president of The Promotion Company-Family Events, producers of the Lucas Oil Indy Mile. “It’s a fitting tribute Nicky’s many accomplishments, especially here at the legendary Lucas Oil Indy Mile where he was first honoured as a rookie."
Advance Discount tickets are available at The Indiana State Fairgrounds Box Office, any Ticketmaster location, www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling 1-800-745-3000. For additional ticket information and web links, please visit www.IndyMile.com.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Superbike series resumes on TSN
From Professional Motorsports Productions
TORONTO, ON – The Parts Canada Superbike Championship returns to TSN HD and TSN this Tuesday, August 24 with Episode Four of the eight-show season.
This week’s hour-long telecast premieres at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time and is the first of two shows covering the action from Mosport International Raceway in Bowmanville, ON July 10-11.
Race action will cover round four of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship, Pro Sport Bike Championship and Amateur Sport Bike Championship as Jordan Szoke and Raphael Archambault aim to continue their perfect seasons in the Pro and Amateur classes, respectively.
Additionally, there will be a rider feature with radX HD / BMW Motorrad Canada’s Michael Ferreira, pilot of the BMW S1000RR, and a technical feature on the Kawasaki ZX-6R with Richard Winter of the Competition Systems Kawasaki Race Team.
The track feature will highlight Jordan Szoke of the Waznie Racing / BMC Ciclo Werks / DeWildt Honda Powerhouse team.
Enjoy all the action from one of motor racing’s most storied venues as the best road racers in Canada tackle Mosport’s undulating 3.9km, 10-turn circuit.
This episode of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship is sponsored by Canadian Kawasaki Motors, Honda Canada and BMW Motorrad Canada.
The show will also air on TSN2. Please check local listings for exact broadcast times, rebroadcast times and any last minute changes to the schedule.
Entries opening soon for Turn 2 finale
From Turn 2 Sportbike School
CALABOGIE, ON - Turn 2 Sportbike School has announced the finalized class structure and schedule for the Turn 2 Moto Club GP Labour Day race weekend presented by Kahuna Powersports. This event is being held at Calabogie Motorsports Park from Sept. 3-5.
This will be the final event for Turn 2 in the 2010 season. One lucky Moto Club member will go home with the Grand Prize of a 2010 Kawasaki Ninja 250R, full NEXO road-race gear, and many other exciting prizes.
The weekend's main race will feature the Superbike class, with primary focus on bikes with 1000cc or greater engine displacement, but will also be open to bikes with smaller engine displacements with unlimited modifications. Qualifying lap times of under 2:20.00 taken from Saturday's heat race will determine Sunday's final grid placement. Prizes for the top three finishers will include up to $3,000 worth of Controlled Riding Group (CRG) track time in 2011.
The Supersport class will be limited to bikes with 750cc or smaller engine displacement with unlimited modifications. Qualifying lap times of under 2:30.00 taken from Saturday's heat race will determine Sunday's final grid placement. Prizes for the top three finishers will include up to $3,000 worth of CRG track time in 2011.
For inspiring new racers, there will be a Mock Race featuring three sub-classes: greater than 751cc, 750cc or smaller, and also 400cc or smaller. Qualifying lap times will be determined after Saturday's CRG 2 and CRG 3 sessions. Prizes for the top three in each of these classes will include a one-day ARC class at any level to be used in the 2011 season.
And last but not least, a Best Lap non-race will be open to all Controlled Riding Group 1 participants.
"This has been a phenomenal season for us," said Turn 2 president George Budacki. "The sole intent of our race weekend is for pure fun in a club environment, and a great way to give back to the numerous Turn 2 Moto Club members and racing enthusiasts who've supported us in the 2010 season."
On Friday, Sept. 3 the school will operate as a normal Turn 2 event with Advanced Riding Course (ARC) and CRG classes available all day at special discount pricing. Racers will be able to practice in the CRG 3 group with coaching available from Turn 2's Professional Superbike Instructors.
On Saturday Turn 2 will operate as normal ARC and CRG days with the exception of dedicated classes for both Superbike and Supersport practice in the morning and Heat Races in the afternoon.
On Sunday there will be CRG 1-3 groups with no ARC sessions available. The format for Superbike and Supersport classes will mirror Saturday's structure, with a Final 25 minute Superbike race scheduled for 2:00 pm, and the Final 25 minute Supersport race scheduled for 3:20 pm.
Following Sunday's on-track activities will be an awards ceremony at 5:30 pm, where Turn 2 staff will present prizes to all winners from the weekend. Turn 2 Moto Club members who have worked hard all season in the Super Lap TT Series will finally get the chance to win the Grand Prize draw of a 2010 Kawasaki Ninja 250R and full Nexo gear and accessories. The winner MUST be present to accept the Grand Prize.
Early-bird pre-registration opens Wednesday, Aug. 25 at 9:00 am (Eastern Time) and closes on Friday, Aug. 27 at 9:00 pm (ET). Early-birds will enjoy discounted entry fees for SUPERBIKE and SUPERSPORT classes, as well as grid positions for the Saturday Heat Race which will be assigned on a FIRST COME FIRST SERVE basis.
For complete details on the class structures, weekend schedule and entry fees please visit Turn 2 online at www.turn2.ca.
Christie survives Virginia heat
By John Hopkins
Jodi Christie picked up 13th and 12th place finishes in the AMA Pro Daytona SportBike event at Virginia International Raceway Aug. 14-15, his first experience of American professional racing.
The Jodi Christie Racing / Durham Honda Powerhouse-backed rider spent a great deal of time adjusting to the spec Dunlop tires used in the AMA series (as opposed to the Canadian Pirellis), according to a team press release. The Keene, ON rider also had to deal with extremely hot temperature of around 40 degrees Celsius.
"He had a bad crash on Friday pushing the front hard into high speed corner three," said his Dad Gary in the team report, "and another that ended poorly on Saturday morning that seemed to shake his confidence in the tire."
Riding his second bike Christie took 13th in the first race of the weekend and followed that up with a 12th on Sunday.
"We had hoped for a top 10 finish, and were close with the times," Gary Christie added. "More time on the tire and the Thursday practice that was cancelled held us back for the weekend. He did well with only a 50 minute practice session to learn the track and try and nail a setup before having to qualify Friday afternoon."
The team hopes to take in the AMA season finale at Barber Motorsports Park in Alablama Sept. 24-26.
In the meantime, the 18-year-old Christie has been testing a Honda CBR1000RR for use in Canada, and plans are for him to make his debut on the bike in the RACE SuperSeries at Shannonville Motorsport Park before the end of the year.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Fogi Racing ready for Indy
Fogi Racing has announced its riders for the upcoming Red Bull Indianapolis MotoGP at the famous brickyard circuit Aug. 27-29.
Jason Disalvo will pilot the Fogi Racing FTR machine in the ultra competitive Moto2 class. GPTech (US FTR distributor) and FTR will be looking after Disalvo over the weekend in ensuring the bike is set up and fully prepped for him to race.
Along with the Moto2 class, Fogi Racing is competing in the Moriwaki MD250GP class doubleheader. The team will have four riders on the grid with Scottish/Canadian Ben Young, America’s Nick Hansen and Xavier Zayat and young Englishman Max Flanders, who recently moved over to the States from the UK. All riders are under 17 years old.
“The whole Fogi team are very excited about the weekend," said crew chief Scott Young. "It is a great opportunity for our young riders to shine and for Jason Disalvo to be riding our Moto2 machine caps off the event for us."
Team owner Angus Borland added, “with Jason on board and our four riders on the Moriwakis, the Fogi team must have the most machines entered in the MotoGP for the weekend."
Coma conquers Sertoes Rally
KTM's Spanish rider Marc Coma was in fine form on the final day to take overall victory in this year's Sertões International Rally.
Coma, a KTM factory rider and multiple winner of the notorious Dakar Rally took his first Sertões title with an overall winning margin of 17 minutes 25.50 seconds.
Coma coasted home in comfort in the final of the 10 stages to finish eighth and seal the overall win after traveling from Sobral to Fortaleza. He won three stages and apart from the final day was always among the top three in the daily reckoning.
Brazilian Felipe Zanol came second and Poland's KTM rider Kuba Przygonski was overall third.
"The rally was quite long," Coma said. "Now is the time to enjoy the victory. Sertões has very particular characteristics not found anywhere else in the world. The first stages were very difficult for me because I use a slightly larger bike for the demands of this type of rally."
Coma said it was a shame that his close rival Ze Helio (five-time winner of the Sertões Rally) had problems that took him out of contention for the final title when he failed to finish Stage Three after he hit a rock and punctured an oil intercooler.
"I had to ride very concentrated, not making mistakes and always with the goal of finishing the special among the top three. It was particularly important for me to win here because it is the title that was missing from my collection," the Spanish rider concluded.
Coma competed on the KTM 690 EXC, the farewell rally for him on this bike.
Results
1. Marc Coma, France, KTM
2. Felipe Zanol, Brazil, Honda
3. Kuba Przygonski, Poland, KTM
4. David Casteu, France, Sherco
5. Dario Lopez de Souza, Brazil, Honda
6. Jacek Czachor, Poland, KTM
Friday, August 20, 2010
Street wins Rally Mongolia
American Rally ace Jonah Street dominated eight days and 3,700km of Rally Mongolia navigation racing, taking four-out-of-seven individual stage victories and maintaining more than a three-hour advantage over the nearest bike competitor at the finish.
Street raced a borrowed Yamaha WR450.
With his victory, Street becomes the first American to win the Rally Mongolia and adds a sixth continent to his "where-I've-raced" record.
It was on short notice that Street even decided to enter the 2010 Rally Mongolia. But with persistent influence from his Rally Pan Am teammate and friend Mike Shirley (finishing 14th overall, eighth in the bike classification in his first rally) and the dedication of his faithful sponsors, Street fully committed and signed up a few weeks before the beginning of the event.
Shirley and Street were the first Americans to race Rally Mongolia.
Canada was well represented in the race as well. Rounding out the North American three-pack was Newfoundland's Mike Buhler. After falling short of getting to Mongolia last year, Buhler made it happen in 2010 and finished his first rally safely, notching 24th overall and earning 14th place in the bike class in his rookie effort.
Buhler has been documenting his Rally Dreams series on www.ridetherock.com.
Podium for Lajoie at Willow Springs
By John Hopkins
Montreal's Nadine Lajoie took a third place finish in Formula 2 action at the Willow Springs Motorcycle Club round at Willow Springs Raceway in Rosamond, CA last weekend.
Despite scorching temperatures in the 40-degrees Celsius range at the desert track, Lajoie also took her Xsura Honda CBR600RR to fifth place in Formula 40 Lightweight and eighth in 600 Modified Production.
Her next action is scheduled for Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA on Sept. 5.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Mixed results for Jervis
Victoria, BC's Oliver Jervis endured a mixed weekend of results in the sixth round of the Washington Motorcycle Road Racing Association season at Pacific Raceways in Kent, WA last weekend.
The Zlock Kawasaki rider managed a best finish of second in the 600 Supersport race but crashed out of 600 Superbike and placed fourth in Formula Ultra.
In 600 Supersport Jervis was third off the line on his Kawasaki ZX-6R but managed to pass Aaron Gwin on the opening lap. From there he pressured race leader Eli Edwards but was unable to find a way by and settled for the runner-up result.
After making some changes to the ZX-6R overnight Jervis had an encouraging start to the following day's 600 Superbike race as he grabbed the lead. His glory was short-lived however and he lowsided in turn nine.
"The bike fared quite well with what was mostly cosmetic damage," Jervis said. "All I'm suffering from is a sore left foot and a bruised ego, as I've somehow managed to not crash a bike in over three seasons."
For the Formula Ultra event Jervis was back on the Zlock Kawasaki ZX-10R however a poor start left him near the bottom end of the top 10 and he was only able to make his way back up to fourth by the finish.
Top 10s for Szoke in Virginia
By John Hopkins
Jordan Szoke scored a pair of 10th place finishes at the AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike event at Virginia International Raceway last weekend.
Fresh off of clinching his fifth straight Parts Canada Superbike Championship, the 31-year-old from Brantford, ON found himself thrown in at the deep end at VIR, as cancellation of Thursday practice left him with just one 50-minute session on Friday to set up his Waznie Racing / BMC Ciclo Werks / DeWildt Honda Powerhouse Honda CBR1000RR and adapt to the Dunlop control tires used by the AMA series.
“Getting your bike set up perfectly is so important for us,” said Szoke, who raced at VIR in AMA action in 2003. “We don’t have the luxury of electronics to help during the race, so if I don’t get it just right, fatigue can play a major role when the tire starts to go off.”
Szoke turned in his best qualifying lap in the second of the two sessions, held on Saturday morning, giving him a spot on the third row of the grid for the pair of 23-lap races.
He got an excellent start in Saturday's race but faded in the second half to a 10th place finish, a victim of tire wear and feeling the effects of the extreme heat.
“I can get the fast laps out there,” he explained. “What we’re struggling with is consistent lap times. After 23 laps without any electronics it’s tough to wrestle a superbike around for that long. Nailing the set up is crucial for us to be successful. Luckily we have a ton of help from the guys at K-Tech Suspension to get it just right.”
Szoke turned the seventh best time in Sunday morning's warm-up session and decided to use a soft rear Dunlop for the race, hoping to get another good launch and run with the frontrunners as long as possible.
Unfortunately, at the start of the afternoon race he found himself bunched in and had to settle for another 10th place finish.
“I feel like we are so close,” said Szoke. “I am really starting to get used to the Dunlop tires and finding out how they work. I want to continue to compete in the remainder of the 2010 AMA season, but we will have to see if financially we can make it happen.”
With some more support, Szoke is hoping to take part in the next round of the AMA series at New Jersey Motorsports Park Sept. 3-5.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Yamaha pleased with engine evolution
Davide Brivio gave a positive report of the official MotoGP test at Brno, which took place on Monday, and even though the day’s activities were cut short by rain the Team Manager for Valentino Rossi at Fiat Yamaha said that the rolling out of a new evolution of the M1 engine had proved positive.
“Yamaha will now prepare it to be used for the last race (of the season),” said Brivio. “This test was also important to understand the problems we had in the race on Sunday, when we weren’t fast enough. We worked on a setting and we found something by the end of the morning, and this can be a good base for the next few races.”
The team had intended to further experiment with that setting as well as a new front tire for Bridgestone, but the weather affected those plans.
“It was not enough (time), but better than nothing because we needed to clear up what happened on Sunday,” added Brivio of the few hours on track.
The official news on Sunday of Rossi’s departure after seven seasons and four World Championships was also touched on by Brivio, who looked back memorably on the partnership without losing focus on the remainder of the 2010 campaign.
“It’s a pity Yamaha and Valentino will be separated next year but we still have eight races to go so we will try to do the best job we can, and to see if we can win some races in order to finish this fantastic relationship as best as possible. It’s sad, but that’s life,” said the Italian before continuing to discuss the magnitude of Rossi’s impact on the history of the Japanese factory.
“It was very important because when Valentino arrived in Yamaha we hadn’t scored any podiums in the factory team the season before, and suddenly we won the Championship in 2004 at the first attempt,” he said. “We then won everything we could in 2005 so it was very important because he gave very good feedback to the engineers to help develop the bike, and of course the Yamaha engineers were very good at responding to his requests and at preparing the solutions for his problems.
“It was especially fantastic at the beginning because it was a dramatic change from our performances. We didn’t win for 12 years and then suddenly with Valentino we became dominant in MotoGP.”
