From amasuperbike.com
Benny Solis captured the inaugural Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup on Sunday at Laguna Seca with a fifth-place ride. Solis was victorious in four races during an impressive debut season on the national scene to claim the coveted title for the hemisphere's top up-and-coming young riders.
While Solis won the crown, his primary rivals, Leandro Mercado and Hayden Gillim, got the better of him on this day. Mercado ran out front throughout the once red-flagged event, quickly pulling huge gaps and then surviving late charges by second-place finisher Jake Gagne in each leg.
Gillim, meanwhile, closed out his year with a spectacular final corner maneuver in which he overtook both Austin Dehaven and Solis to claim the final spot on the podium. The move was clutch indeed as without it he would have been displaced from second in the final points tally by Mercado.
New champion Solis said, "Last year when we went to the tryouts, it was like a dream come true to make it to the second day. I was aiming for the top 10 in the championship but then after getting pole at Barber, I thought maybe I had a chance at this. Every since then my confidence has been boosted up and I've been trying to do my best all year."
Race winner Mercado of Argentina commented, "I worked through the whole week to have a good weekend. Everything went as planned. I got a good time in qualifying and won the pole, and then I got a really good start. After the red flag, I wanted to get another good start and I did. It was an awesome race and I'm really, really happy."
Tomas Puerta came home in sixth, just fractions of a second behind Gillim, Dehaven, and Solis.
Jesse Stevens came home in seventh with Burlington, ON's Emerson Connor, Joey Pascarella, and Bryce Prince rounding out the top 10.
Solis ended the year with 167 points. Gillim ranked second at 158, followed closely by Mercado at 156.
Connor finished the year in eighth place with 68 points.
The top ten Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup stars have one more race yet this season as they'll again challenge the best riders the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup has to offer in the second leg of the Red Bull Riders Cup at the 2008 MotoGP finale in Valencia, Spain.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Zemke finishes season in style
From amasuperbike.com
Erion Honda's Jake Zemke put the finishing touches on his first-career title season with a spectacular Formula Xtreme victory on Saturday afternoon at Laguna Seca.
Zemke was embroiled in a ferocious battle with teammate Josh Hayes, the '06 and '07 FX champion, for much of the race as they traded the top position dramatically and repeatedly.
Ultimately, Zemke made some shrewd moves through traffic and clocked some very quick times late in the race, allowing him to just break the Mississippian's challenge. He grabbed the checkered flag with just over a second in hand following the 17-lap contest.
The recently-crowned champ said, "When Josh came by I thought, 'well, you better pick up the pace and get going.' It was a great race. I think that was the race a lot of people wanted to see all year long that for whatever reasons throughout the year... We should have had some great races like this but it wasn't working out. One of us would have a bad start or something would happen. But it was a lot of fun. We made quite a few mistakes and we were both pushing extremely hard. It was a lot of fun."
Hayes, who rebounded from a disappointing start of the year to finish second in the season's point's tally, said, "There is no better way to disgrace a pole position than to get the start that I got. It was bad. But, fortunately, I was pretty relaxed... I was worried Jake would just be absolutely gone, but I was able to relax and pick my spots and make passes that I knew I could make stick."
Attack Kawasaki's Steve Rapp snapped Team M4 EMGO Suzuki's Martin Cardenas' run of three-straight podiums following another thrilling showdown, as Rapp just managed to fend off the Colombian's assault on the position on the final lap.
The third was Rapp's fourth podium result of the 2008 FX campaign and cemented his third-place ranking in the championship. "I couldn't see who was behind me until the last lap when Martin put a move on me in turn five. To be honest with you, I really had no intentions of going for the podium because of my thumb and being injured and everything. My goal was to finish third in the championship... My pit board was +0 for 17 laps and that put a little pressure on me."
Rapp's teammate, Chaz Davies, contested third as part of a three-man group until just after half-distance when Cardenas, his former 250GP teammate, displaced him and the Welshman fell off the podium pace. He ended up a safe fifth.
LeoVince Foremost Insurance Ducati's Larry Pegram was sixth, followed by Graves-backed Michael Beck and Cardenas' teammate, Cory West. Rockwall Honda's Aaron Gobert and Motion Pro Yamaha's Tony Meiring completed the race's top 10.
Erion Honda's Jake Zemke put the finishing touches on his first-career title season with a spectacular Formula Xtreme victory on Saturday afternoon at Laguna Seca.
Zemke was embroiled in a ferocious battle with teammate Josh Hayes, the '06 and '07 FX champion, for much of the race as they traded the top position dramatically and repeatedly.
Ultimately, Zemke made some shrewd moves through traffic and clocked some very quick times late in the race, allowing him to just break the Mississippian's challenge. He grabbed the checkered flag with just over a second in hand following the 17-lap contest.
The recently-crowned champ said, "When Josh came by I thought, 'well, you better pick up the pace and get going.' It was a great race. I think that was the race a lot of people wanted to see all year long that for whatever reasons throughout the year... We should have had some great races like this but it wasn't working out. One of us would have a bad start or something would happen. But it was a lot of fun. We made quite a few mistakes and we were both pushing extremely hard. It was a lot of fun."
Hayes, who rebounded from a disappointing start of the year to finish second in the season's point's tally, said, "There is no better way to disgrace a pole position than to get the start that I got. It was bad. But, fortunately, I was pretty relaxed... I was worried Jake would just be absolutely gone, but I was able to relax and pick my spots and make passes that I knew I could make stick."
Attack Kawasaki's Steve Rapp snapped Team M4 EMGO Suzuki's Martin Cardenas' run of three-straight podiums following another thrilling showdown, as Rapp just managed to fend off the Colombian's assault on the position on the final lap.
The third was Rapp's fourth podium result of the 2008 FX campaign and cemented his third-place ranking in the championship. "I couldn't see who was behind me until the last lap when Martin put a move on me in turn five. To be honest with you, I really had no intentions of going for the podium because of my thumb and being injured and everything. My goal was to finish third in the championship... My pit board was +0 for 17 laps and that put a little pressure on me."
Rapp's teammate, Chaz Davies, contested third as part of a three-man group until just after half-distance when Cardenas, his former 250GP teammate, displaced him and the Welshman fell off the podium pace. He ended up a safe fifth.
LeoVince Foremost Insurance Ducati's Larry Pegram was sixth, followed by Graves-backed Michael Beck and Cardenas' teammate, Cory West. Rockwall Honda's Aaron Gobert and Motion Pro Yamaha's Tony Meiring completed the race's top 10.
Yates scores fifth win
From amasuperbike.com
Jordan Suzuki's Aaron Yates completed his tremendous 2008 AMA Superstock Championship campaign in perfect fashion, winning the season finale at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca last weekend going away from pole. The win was the Georgian's fifth in 10 races this season, and he never finished lower than second in any race.
Team M4 EMGO Suzuki's Blake Young added a runner-up result to his earlier Supersport victory to close out his '08 season on a high. Young edged Yates' teammate, Geoff May, to the checkered flag, but the Georgian's third was enough to secure a Jordan Suzuki 1-2 in the final championship standings.
The Superstock race was actually split up into two legs, with the first half being run prior to the Supersport and Superbike finales, and the conclusion run at the end of the day due to live television considerations.
The race was red-flagged when Corona Honda's Jake Holden crashed out first at speed in turn six shortly after taking the position away from Young. Holden was transported to Participant medical center in Turn 11 for observation (and later released).
Team ESP's Chris Peris finished fourth just ahead of Millennium Technologies/KWS Motorsports' Ben Thompson.
Foot & Leg Healthcare's Ryan Elleby took sixth with Race Tech-backed David Anthony, Team Roadracingworld.com Suzuki's Robertino Pietri, Lee's Cycle's Jeremy Toye, and HALOF Racing's Hawk Mazzotta completing the top 10.
Yates' final points tally was 348, followed by May (284) and Holden (269). Young finished fourth at 265 with Peris winning out in a tight fight for fifth at 211.
Jordan Suzuki's Aaron Yates completed his tremendous 2008 AMA Superstock Championship campaign in perfect fashion, winning the season finale at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca last weekend going away from pole. The win was the Georgian's fifth in 10 races this season, and he never finished lower than second in any race.
Team M4 EMGO Suzuki's Blake Young added a runner-up result to his earlier Supersport victory to close out his '08 season on a high. Young edged Yates' teammate, Geoff May, to the checkered flag, but the Georgian's third was enough to secure a Jordan Suzuki 1-2 in the final championship standings.
The Superstock race was actually split up into two legs, with the first half being run prior to the Supersport and Superbike finales, and the conclusion run at the end of the day due to live television considerations.
The race was red-flagged when Corona Honda's Jake Holden crashed out first at speed in turn six shortly after taking the position away from Young. Holden was transported to Participant medical center in Turn 11 for observation (and later released).
Team ESP's Chris Peris finished fourth just ahead of Millennium Technologies/KWS Motorsports' Ben Thompson.
Foot & Leg Healthcare's Ryan Elleby took sixth with Race Tech-backed David Anthony, Team Roadracingworld.com Suzuki's Robertino Pietri, Lee's Cycle's Jeremy Toye, and HALOF Racing's Hawk Mazzotta completing the top 10.
Yates' final points tally was 348, followed by May (284) and Holden (269). Young finished fourth at 265 with Peris winning out in a tight fight for fifth at 211.
Bostrom clinches Supersport title
From amasuperbike.com
Sunday's Pro Honda Oils Supersport finale at Laguna Seca was a dramatic and historic affair. Team M4 EMGO Suzuki's Blake Young earned the first Supersport win of his career, leading home Graves Motorsports Yamaha's Ben Bostrom, who claimed the 2008 (and possibly final) class championship.
Young sat in second behind teammate Martin Cardenas as the laps wound down. The Colombian made a small mistake on the final lap, spinning up the hill and allowing Young to pull alongside as they competed to be the one to give Suzuki its first Supersport win since Ben Spies was triumphant at Infineon Raceway way back in 2004. The two stayed together and touched knees heading into the following corner, forcing Cardenas wide and ultimately into the dirt in a heartbreaking effort that was oh-so close to becoming his first-career AMA win.
The victory made for a terrific 21st birthday present for the Wisconsin native. "My first podium in the Supersport class feels really good and it feels even better to be a win.
"We put our heads down and raced real hard. Hats off to Martin Cardenas, my teammate, he rode really hard. We ended up getting together there and he went off the track. It was an unfortunate situation because he deserved to win as much as I did. We were just out there racing really hard. With that said, I've got to dedicate this first win to my guys at M4 EMGO Suzuki."
Bostrom rode quick and clean. He pressured Young to the flag but didn't make any rash maneuvers with the championship on the line. He ultimately finished second, just 0.231 seconds behind the victor.
"When you have the bike that I've had all season, it really makes for a fun season," Bostrom said. "I was really, really inspired and that's where I'm at right now. It's going to be a long five months of winter. Let me tell you, I just want to get back on the track."
Bostrom's teammate, Josh Herrin, inherited the final spot on the podium after Cardenas was knocked out of contention, winning a spirited battle for the spot with Attack Kawasaki's Chaz Davies. Cardenas came back to finish ninth.
Earlier in the contest, a Nicky Moore crash brought the race to a momentary halt while working lap 10. Up until that point Cardenas had controlled from majority of the race from the front, taking the lead from polesitter Bostrom on lap three and holding it until the red flag.
The former 250GP star got another of his trademark terrific launches from the second row and then showed the speed to run at the front.
He wasn't having any luck opening a gap, however, as Bostrom and his teammate, Herrin, as well as Cardenas' teammate, Young, formed a four-bike freight train up until the stoppage.
Erion Honda's Josh Hayes was at the tail end of the group as well until bowing out with a mechanical problem on lap 7, ending his bid for a third straight Supersport win to close the season. He did manage to make the restart, however, rejoining the fray a couple laps in arrears.
Hayes' teammate and championship runner-up, Jake Zemke, finished fifth, ahead of Team M4 EMGO Suzuki's Cory West, Graves Yamaha-backed Tommy Aquino, and Safety First Suzuki's Bobby Fong. Graves-backed Michael Beck rounded out the top 10 behind Cardenas.
Bostrom ended the year with 361 points to Zemke's 330. Hayes took third place in the title race, followed by Young and Herrin.
Sunday's Pro Honda Oils Supersport finale at Laguna Seca was a dramatic and historic affair. Team M4 EMGO Suzuki's Blake Young earned the first Supersport win of his career, leading home Graves Motorsports Yamaha's Ben Bostrom, who claimed the 2008 (and possibly final) class championship.
Young sat in second behind teammate Martin Cardenas as the laps wound down. The Colombian made a small mistake on the final lap, spinning up the hill and allowing Young to pull alongside as they competed to be the one to give Suzuki its first Supersport win since Ben Spies was triumphant at Infineon Raceway way back in 2004. The two stayed together and touched knees heading into the following corner, forcing Cardenas wide and ultimately into the dirt in a heartbreaking effort that was oh-so close to becoming his first-career AMA win.
The victory made for a terrific 21st birthday present for the Wisconsin native. "My first podium in the Supersport class feels really good and it feels even better to be a win.
"We put our heads down and raced real hard. Hats off to Martin Cardenas, my teammate, he rode really hard. We ended up getting together there and he went off the track. It was an unfortunate situation because he deserved to win as much as I did. We were just out there racing really hard. With that said, I've got to dedicate this first win to my guys at M4 EMGO Suzuki."
Bostrom rode quick and clean. He pressured Young to the flag but didn't make any rash maneuvers with the championship on the line. He ultimately finished second, just 0.231 seconds behind the victor.
"When you have the bike that I've had all season, it really makes for a fun season," Bostrom said. "I was really, really inspired and that's where I'm at right now. It's going to be a long five months of winter. Let me tell you, I just want to get back on the track."
Bostrom's teammate, Josh Herrin, inherited the final spot on the podium after Cardenas was knocked out of contention, winning a spirited battle for the spot with Attack Kawasaki's Chaz Davies. Cardenas came back to finish ninth.
Earlier in the contest, a Nicky Moore crash brought the race to a momentary halt while working lap 10. Up until that point Cardenas had controlled from majority of the race from the front, taking the lead from polesitter Bostrom on lap three and holding it until the red flag.
The former 250GP star got another of his trademark terrific launches from the second row and then showed the speed to run at the front.
He wasn't having any luck opening a gap, however, as Bostrom and his teammate, Herrin, as well as Cardenas' teammate, Young, formed a four-bike freight train up until the stoppage.
Erion Honda's Josh Hayes was at the tail end of the group as well until bowing out with a mechanical problem on lap 7, ending his bid for a third straight Supersport win to close the season. He did manage to make the restart, however, rejoining the fray a couple laps in arrears.
Hayes' teammate and championship runner-up, Jake Zemke, finished fifth, ahead of Team M4 EMGO Suzuki's Cory West, Graves Yamaha-backed Tommy Aquino, and Safety First Suzuki's Bobby Fong. Graves-backed Michael Beck rounded out the top 10 behind Cardenas.
Bostrom ended the year with 361 points to Zemke's 330. Hayes took third place in the title race, followed by Young and Herrin.
Mladin wins Superbike finale
From amasuperbike.com
Mat Mladin concluded the current era of AMA Superbike competition with a convincing victory at Laguna Seca on Sunday afternoon. While far from a nail-biting dogfight to the checkered flag, his conquering ride was perhaps a fitting finale with a series overhaul due in 2009.
After all, the Rockstar Makita Yoshimura Suzuki ace is the leading race winner (72) and pole sitter (55) in series history, and he upped his tally in both categories last weekend. The Australian also orchestrated yet another inch-perfect, lopsided victory from pole as he'd done so many times over the years.
The contest was also an appropriate final chapter to the great rivalry between Mladin and teammate Ben Spies. The two have proven to be almost perfectly matched adversaries, but somewhat surprisingly, they rarely duked it out on the track. One rider typically tore off from the start with the other failing to recover from a less than ideal launch. Such was the case again Sunday, as three-time class champion Spies suffered a poor start and spent the early laps dicing up past the likes of Yamaha USA's Eric Bostrom, American Honda's Neil Hodgson and Miguel DuHamel, and finally third works Suzuki rider Tommy Hayden.
Once Spies had made his way up to second, Mladin had already cleared off, so the champ picked up yet another top-two result as he's done with unprecedented frequency during his historic four-year run in the AMA Superbike class.
Mladin took the checkered flag with a 12.581-second margin of victory at the conclusion of the 28-lap race.
"It was a good race for us," Mladin said. "Obviously we had a good start and put our heads down and put in some good laps. I understand it's Ben's last race here so I certainly wanted to send him off with a win. I tried hard and it's good to get the win here at Laguna, a track he does very well at. We maybe got this place sorted out finally, after 13 years."
Runner-up Spies remarked, "We made a lot of passes so it was pretty fun. I just didn't get off the line that great. By the time we got into second, I could see the pace he was running, and the gap we had -- I'm not superhuman so there is no way that was going to happen. We just made it out Sunday farewell cruise. It was a good race and I had a lot of thoughts. I actually had a lot of fun riding out there. I'm looking forward to everything that's coming up."
Hayden did his part in the sendoff as well, claiming his ninth podium of the season and underlining the factory Suzuki team's overwhelming dominance in recent years.
Hayden passed Jordan Suzuki's Aaron Yates with two laps to go when the Georgian slowed as he struggled with a broken footpeg. Yates managed to hold on for fourth.
Hodgson completed the top five on his American Honda CBR1000RR, followed by Bostrom and DuHamel and Bostrom's teammate, Jason DiSalvo.
Monster Energy Kawasaki sub Jordan Szoke aced Team ESP's Chris Peris in the final corner to steal away ninth.
Spies finished the 2008 AMA Superbike Championship campaign with 652 points to secure his third consecutive title victory. The Texan is widely tipped to be headed overseas next season with an announcement expected in a matter of days.
Mladin finished as the runner-up at 557 followed by DiSalvo, a distant third with 463 points.
Mat Mladin concluded the current era of AMA Superbike competition with a convincing victory at Laguna Seca on Sunday afternoon. While far from a nail-biting dogfight to the checkered flag, his conquering ride was perhaps a fitting finale with a series overhaul due in 2009.
After all, the Rockstar Makita Yoshimura Suzuki ace is the leading race winner (72) and pole sitter (55) in series history, and he upped his tally in both categories last weekend. The Australian also orchestrated yet another inch-perfect, lopsided victory from pole as he'd done so many times over the years.
The contest was also an appropriate final chapter to the great rivalry between Mladin and teammate Ben Spies. The two have proven to be almost perfectly matched adversaries, but somewhat surprisingly, they rarely duked it out on the track. One rider typically tore off from the start with the other failing to recover from a less than ideal launch. Such was the case again Sunday, as three-time class champion Spies suffered a poor start and spent the early laps dicing up past the likes of Yamaha USA's Eric Bostrom, American Honda's Neil Hodgson and Miguel DuHamel, and finally third works Suzuki rider Tommy Hayden.
Once Spies had made his way up to second, Mladin had already cleared off, so the champ picked up yet another top-two result as he's done with unprecedented frequency during his historic four-year run in the AMA Superbike class.
Mladin took the checkered flag with a 12.581-second margin of victory at the conclusion of the 28-lap race.
"It was a good race for us," Mladin said. "Obviously we had a good start and put our heads down and put in some good laps. I understand it's Ben's last race here so I certainly wanted to send him off with a win. I tried hard and it's good to get the win here at Laguna, a track he does very well at. We maybe got this place sorted out finally, after 13 years."
Runner-up Spies remarked, "We made a lot of passes so it was pretty fun. I just didn't get off the line that great. By the time we got into second, I could see the pace he was running, and the gap we had -- I'm not superhuman so there is no way that was going to happen. We just made it out Sunday farewell cruise. It was a good race and I had a lot of thoughts. I actually had a lot of fun riding out there. I'm looking forward to everything that's coming up."
Hayden did his part in the sendoff as well, claiming his ninth podium of the season and underlining the factory Suzuki team's overwhelming dominance in recent years.
Hayden passed Jordan Suzuki's Aaron Yates with two laps to go when the Georgian slowed as he struggled with a broken footpeg. Yates managed to hold on for fourth.
Hodgson completed the top five on his American Honda CBR1000RR, followed by Bostrom and DuHamel and Bostrom's teammate, Jason DiSalvo.
Monster Energy Kawasaki sub Jordan Szoke aced Team ESP's Chris Peris in the final corner to steal away ninth.
Spies finished the 2008 AMA Superbike Championship campaign with 652 points to secure his third consecutive title victory. The Texan is widely tipped to be headed overseas next season with an announcement expected in a matter of days.
Mladin finished as the runner-up at 557 followed by DiSalvo, a distant third with 463 points.
Knight clinches GNCC title
From David Knight Results Service
David Knight is the 2008 US Grand National Cross Country champion. Winning the prestigious title for the second year running Knight secured the GNCC crown in style by winning the 11th round of the championship - The Unadilla GNCC in New Berlin, NY last weekend, bringing his total number of wins this season to seven. Knight joins Finn Juha Salminen as a consecutive two-time winner of the US GNCC series.
Although aware that he stood a mathematical chance of winning the title at The Unadilla GNCC Knight was focused on just one thing come the start of the XC1 Pro class race – surviving the horrendously muddy conditions. With a torrential downpour one-hour prior to the start of the race the Unadilla track soon turned into a muddy mess.
Making a mid-pack start Knight spent the first lap working his way towards the front of the XC1 Pro class but was forced to pit for fresh gloves and goggles at the end of the first lap. Soon back out front the two-time World Enduro Champion steadily started to open up a gap between himself and his nearest rivals.
Winning the race wasn’t going to be enough for Knight to secure the ’08 title, but when on lap five New Zealand’s Paul Whibley, his closest championship rival, ran out of fuel the title was secured. Claiming an eventual four-and-a-half minute winning margin Knight topped the podium ahead of his teammate Nate Kanney with Suzuki’s Jimmy Jarrett in third.
“It’s a great feeling to have won my second US GNCC title," Knight said. "I have to thank my mechanic Scotty, all my sponsors, and the entire KTM Off Road Team for their support and hard work this year. We’ve had some great races, some disappointing races, but to finally win the title is amazing.
"I feel bad for Paul Whibley though. He’s ridden really well all year so to see him run out of fuel here, which handed me the championship, isn’t how I hoped things would end. I’ve also had some disappointing races this year, but despite the horrible conditions here everything went really well."
David Knight is the 2008 US Grand National Cross Country champion. Winning the prestigious title for the second year running Knight secured the GNCC crown in style by winning the 11th round of the championship - The Unadilla GNCC in New Berlin, NY last weekend, bringing his total number of wins this season to seven. Knight joins Finn Juha Salminen as a consecutive two-time winner of the US GNCC series.
Although aware that he stood a mathematical chance of winning the title at The Unadilla GNCC Knight was focused on just one thing come the start of the XC1 Pro class race – surviving the horrendously muddy conditions. With a torrential downpour one-hour prior to the start of the race the Unadilla track soon turned into a muddy mess.
Making a mid-pack start Knight spent the first lap working his way towards the front of the XC1 Pro class but was forced to pit for fresh gloves and goggles at the end of the first lap. Soon back out front the two-time World Enduro Champion steadily started to open up a gap between himself and his nearest rivals.
Winning the race wasn’t going to be enough for Knight to secure the ’08 title, but when on lap five New Zealand’s Paul Whibley, his closest championship rival, ran out of fuel the title was secured. Claiming an eventual four-and-a-half minute winning margin Knight topped the podium ahead of his teammate Nate Kanney with Suzuki’s Jimmy Jarrett in third.
“It’s a great feeling to have won my second US GNCC title," Knight said. "I have to thank my mechanic Scotty, all my sponsors, and the entire KTM Off Road Team for their support and hard work this year. We’ve had some great races, some disappointing races, but to finally win the title is amazing.
"I feel bad for Paul Whibley though. He’s ridden really well all year so to see him run out of fuel here, which handed me the championship, isn’t how I hoped things would end. I’ve also had some disappointing races this year, but despite the horrible conditions here everything went really well."
Kawasaki Recalls 2008-2009 Vulcan Models for Gas Tank Leak
Kawasaki has issued a recall of certain 2008 Vulcan VN900C8F and VN900D8F and 2009 Vulcan VN900B9F and VN900B9FL motorcycles.
Fuel can leak from between the tank filler neck and the fuel cap gasket. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.
604 units are affected.
Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.
Fuel can leak from between the tank filler neck and the fuel cap gasket. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.
604 units are affected.
Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.
Sven & Olie
Since my last post was about the change of seasons, hot and cold, and since Joker made the comment that we all talk funny here in the Midwest, this joke could not be more fitting.
Sven and Ole join an outlaw motorcycle club, and get drunker than skunks. They die in a motorcycle accident and go to Hell.
The Devil observes that they are really enjoying themselves.
He says to them 'Doesn't the heat and smoke bother you?'
Ole replies, 'Vell, ya know, ve're from nordern Minnesooota, da land of
snow an ice, an ve're yust happy fer a chance ta varm up a little bit, ya
know.'
The devil decides that these two aren't miserable enough and turns up the
heat even more. When he returns to the room of the two guys from Minnesota ,
the devil finds them in light jackets and hats, grilling Walleye and
drinking beer. The devil is astonished and exclaims, 'Everyone down here is
in misery, and you two seem to be enjoying yourselves?'
Sven replies, 'Vell, ya know, ve don't git too much varm veather up dere
at da Falls, so ve've yust got ta haff a fish fry vhen da veather's dis
nice.'
The devil is absolutely furious. He can hardly see straight. Finally he
comes up with the answer. The two guys love the heat because they have been
cold all their lives. The devil decides to turn all the heat off in Hell.
The next morning, the temperature is 60 below zero, icicles are hanging
everywhere, and people are shivering so bad that they are unable to wail,
moan or gnash their teeth. The devil smiles and heads for the room with Ole
and Sven. He gets there and finds them back in their parkas, bomber hats,
and mittens. They are jumping up and down, cheering, yelling and screaming
like mad men.
The devil is dumbfounded, 'I don't understand, when I turn up the heat
you're happy. Now its freezing cold and you're still happy. What is wrong
with you two?'
They both look at the devil in surprise and say, 'Vell, don't ya know, if
hell iss froze over, dat must mean da Vikings von da Super Bowl!
Limited Edition Honda FireBlade
Steve Brogan celebrates his British Superstock Championship title win with a parade lap on the new limited CBR1000RR Fireblade
Honda (UK) has unveiled a limited edition yellow CBR1000RR Fireblade to celebrate Steve Brogan’s British Superstock Championship title win with the HM Plant Honda team.
Ride safe.
Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Limited edition Suzuki GSX-R's
Close-up of 1000 graphics
The GSX-R1000 Cameron Donald Replica
The GSX-R600 Bruce Anstey Replica
Suzuki GB have announced the release of two limited edition GSX-R replica's to celebrate the Suzuki Rentless by TAS Team victories at the 2008 Isle of Man TT races.
They are the Suzuki GSX-R1000 Cameron Donald replica and the Suzuki GSX-R600 Bruce Anstey replica.
Ride safe.
Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Monday, September 29, 2008
New Royal Enfield Bullet Electra EFI
Royal Enfield have announced details of their new Bullet Electra EFI with it's new lean, green, euro 3 compliant, unit construction engine. Power is up at 27.5 BHP in standard form with 41.3 Nm of torque at 4000rpm.
With low fuel consumption and now with reduced emissions it becomes an even more greener transport choice. The new Electra EFI will be at the NEC Bike Show (28th November – 7th December).
Ride safe.
Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Rossi clinches sixth title
From motogp.com
With his eighth victory of the 2008 season, Valentino Rossi sealed his sixth MotoGP World Championship title at the A-Style Grand Prix of Japan on Sunday. The Fiat Yamaha rider proved unstoppable at Twin Ring Motegi as he relegated outgoing champion Casey Stoner to second place in the 24-lap race.
"It´s difficult to compare titles, but this one definitely feels great," Rossi said. "I feel very good, because the battle was very tough this year, especially with Stoner and [Dani] Pedrosa. It has been a long season with a lot of hard races.
"In my career I have been lucky and have won some hard championships – like the first with Yamaha in 2004 - but this one I maybe tried to put more effort in outside of the races to try and win. I have to thank everyone at Yamaha for their efforts this year, the M1 has been very fast and we have worked very hard every weekend. Today was a great battle and a great race, and to win the championship with a race win is fantastic."
Rossi had started from the second row of the grid, and looked to be on the back foot when Stoner took the holeshot and attempted to break away. The top three in the standings, Rossi, Stoner and Dani Pedrosa became embroiled in an early battle for supremacy, narrowed down to a duel on lap five courtesy of a hard overtaking move by Stoner on his Spanish rival. The Ducati rider apologized for the pass, which took place on the run-up to the bridge section of the circuit, but still upped the pace in the ensuing laps –with Rossi hot on his tail.
The definitive pass for Rossi came on lap 14, and the Italian was able to do what he had done in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004: clinch the MotoGP World Championship with a race victory.
Stoner, a valiant foe for his successor over the course of the year, returned to the podium after three races off the rostrum. While it was not enough to prevent Rossi from confirming the title, it still marked his first top three finish in Japan in the premier class.
"At the beginning of the race everything felt quite good; I made mistake on a cold tire at the start and needed laps to warm up the tire," Stoner said. "The lap times were fast and I was comfortable at that pace, but didn´t have enough force after a while to change the direction of bike with my physical condition.
"Valentino went past and I started to lose a little ground, I thought that I could stay behind him for a while, and about three quarters of the way through I didn´t give up, but dropped the pace a little. When I picked it back up I did some reasonable lap times, but just made a little mistake and that was it, race over again."
The battle for the final podium place came down to two Spanish stars, with Pedrosa chased down by poleman Jorge Lorenzo. The Repsol Honda rider was put under pressure by the Fiat Yamaha rookie, and the two rivals clipped wheels on the final lap. Neither hit the asphalt, but Lorenzo was left without the chance of maintaining his run of top three finishes.
Nicky Hayden and Loris Capirossi rounded off the top six, with the experienced Italian unable to repeat his winning ways of the past three years at Motegi.
Colin Edwards, Shinya Nakano and John Hopkins also featured in the top 10, with the only crash of the race coming from Rizla Suzuki wildcard Kousuke Akiyoshi.
Race Results
1. V. ROSSI ITA (Fiat Yamaha Team) 43:09.599
2. C. STONER AUS (Ducati Marlboro Team) +1.943
3. D. PEDROSA SPA (Repsol Honda Team) +4.866
4. J. LORENZO SPA (Fiat Yamaha Team) +6.165
5. N. HAYDEN USA (Repsol Honda Team) +24.593
6. L. CAPIROSSI ITA (Rizla Suzuki MotoGP) +25.685
7. C. EDWARDS USA (Tech 3 Yamaha) +25.918
8. S. NAKANO JPN (San Carlo Honda Gresini) +26.003
9. A. DOVIZIOSO ITA (JiR Team Scot MotoGP) +26.219
10. J. HOPKINS USA (Kawasaki Racing Team) +37.131
11. J. TOSELAND GBR (Tech 3 Yamaha) +37.574
12. R. DE PUNIET FRA (LCR Honda MotoGP) +38.020
13. M. MELANDRI ITA (Ducati Marlboro Team) +39.768
14. S. GUINTOLI FRA (Alice Team) +45.846
15. A. WEST AUS (Kawasaki Racing Team) +55.748
16. T. ELIAS SPA (Alice Team) +59.320
17. A. DE ANGELIS RSM (San Carlo Honda Gresini) +1:12.398
Not classified
C. VERMEULEN AUS (Rizla Suzuki MotoGP) 8 Lap
Not finished 1st lap
K. AKIYOSHI JPN (Rizla Suzuki MotoGP)
Point Standings
1. Valentino ROSSI (Fiat Yamaha Team) 312
2. Casey STONER (Ducati Marlboro Team) 220
3. Dani PEDROSA (Repsol Honda Team) 209
4. Jorge LORENZO (Fiat Yamaha Team) 169
5. Andrea DOVIZIOSO (JiR Team Scot MotoGP) 136
6. Colin EDWARDS (Tech 3 Yamaha) 118
7. Chris VERMEULEN (Rizla Suzuki MotoGP) 117
8. Nicky HAYDEN (Repsol Honda Team) 115
9. Loris CAPIROSSI (Rizla Suzuki MotoGP) 96
10. Shinya NAKANO (San Carlo Honda Gresini) 95
11. James TOSELAND (Tech 3 Yamaha) 90
12. Toni ELIAS (Alice Team) 86
13. Sylvain GUINTOLI (Alice Team) 58
14. Alex DE ANGELIS (San Carlo Honda Gresini) 55
15. Marco MELANDRI (Ducati Marlboro Team) 51
16. John HOPKINS (Kawasaki Racing Team) 47
17. Randy DE PUNIET (LCR Honda MotoGP) 47
18. Anthony WEST (Kawasaki Racing Team) 42
19. Ben SPIES (Rizla Suzuki MotoGP) 20
20. Jamie HACKING (Kawasaki Racing Team) 5
21. Tadayuki OKADA (Repsol Honda Team) 2
With his eighth victory of the 2008 season, Valentino Rossi sealed his sixth MotoGP World Championship title at the A-Style Grand Prix of Japan on Sunday. The Fiat Yamaha rider proved unstoppable at Twin Ring Motegi as he relegated outgoing champion Casey Stoner to second place in the 24-lap race.
"It´s difficult to compare titles, but this one definitely feels great," Rossi said. "I feel very good, because the battle was very tough this year, especially with Stoner and [Dani] Pedrosa. It has been a long season with a lot of hard races.
"In my career I have been lucky and have won some hard championships – like the first with Yamaha in 2004 - but this one I maybe tried to put more effort in outside of the races to try and win. I have to thank everyone at Yamaha for their efforts this year, the M1 has been very fast and we have worked very hard every weekend. Today was a great battle and a great race, and to win the championship with a race win is fantastic."
Rossi had started from the second row of the grid, and looked to be on the back foot when Stoner took the holeshot and attempted to break away. The top three in the standings, Rossi, Stoner and Dani Pedrosa became embroiled in an early battle for supremacy, narrowed down to a duel on lap five courtesy of a hard overtaking move by Stoner on his Spanish rival. The Ducati rider apologized for the pass, which took place on the run-up to the bridge section of the circuit, but still upped the pace in the ensuing laps –with Rossi hot on his tail.
The definitive pass for Rossi came on lap 14, and the Italian was able to do what he had done in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004: clinch the MotoGP World Championship with a race victory.
Stoner, a valiant foe for his successor over the course of the year, returned to the podium after three races off the rostrum. While it was not enough to prevent Rossi from confirming the title, it still marked his first top three finish in Japan in the premier class.
"At the beginning of the race everything felt quite good; I made mistake on a cold tire at the start and needed laps to warm up the tire," Stoner said. "The lap times were fast and I was comfortable at that pace, but didn´t have enough force after a while to change the direction of bike with my physical condition.
"Valentino went past and I started to lose a little ground, I thought that I could stay behind him for a while, and about three quarters of the way through I didn´t give up, but dropped the pace a little. When I picked it back up I did some reasonable lap times, but just made a little mistake and that was it, race over again."
The battle for the final podium place came down to two Spanish stars, with Pedrosa chased down by poleman Jorge Lorenzo. The Repsol Honda rider was put under pressure by the Fiat Yamaha rookie, and the two rivals clipped wheels on the final lap. Neither hit the asphalt, but Lorenzo was left without the chance of maintaining his run of top three finishes.
Nicky Hayden and Loris Capirossi rounded off the top six, with the experienced Italian unable to repeat his winning ways of the past three years at Motegi.
Colin Edwards, Shinya Nakano and John Hopkins also featured in the top 10, with the only crash of the race coming from Rizla Suzuki wildcard Kousuke Akiyoshi.
Race Results
1. V. ROSSI ITA (Fiat Yamaha Team) 43:09.599
2. C. STONER AUS (Ducati Marlboro Team) +1.943
3. D. PEDROSA SPA (Repsol Honda Team) +4.866
4. J. LORENZO SPA (Fiat Yamaha Team) +6.165
5. N. HAYDEN USA (Repsol Honda Team) +24.593
6. L. CAPIROSSI ITA (Rizla Suzuki MotoGP) +25.685
7. C. EDWARDS USA (Tech 3 Yamaha) +25.918
8. S. NAKANO JPN (San Carlo Honda Gresini) +26.003
9. A. DOVIZIOSO ITA (JiR Team Scot MotoGP) +26.219
10. J. HOPKINS USA (Kawasaki Racing Team) +37.131
11. J. TOSELAND GBR (Tech 3 Yamaha) +37.574
12. R. DE PUNIET FRA (LCR Honda MotoGP) +38.020
13. M. MELANDRI ITA (Ducati Marlboro Team) +39.768
14. S. GUINTOLI FRA (Alice Team) +45.846
15. A. WEST AUS (Kawasaki Racing Team) +55.748
16. T. ELIAS SPA (Alice Team) +59.320
17. A. DE ANGELIS RSM (San Carlo Honda Gresini) +1:12.398
Not classified
C. VERMEULEN AUS (Rizla Suzuki MotoGP) 8 Lap
Not finished 1st lap
K. AKIYOSHI JPN (Rizla Suzuki MotoGP)
Point Standings
1. Valentino ROSSI (Fiat Yamaha Team) 312
2. Casey STONER (Ducati Marlboro Team) 220
3. Dani PEDROSA (Repsol Honda Team) 209
4. Jorge LORENZO (Fiat Yamaha Team) 169
5. Andrea DOVIZIOSO (JiR Team Scot MotoGP) 136
6. Colin EDWARDS (Tech 3 Yamaha) 118
7. Chris VERMEULEN (Rizla Suzuki MotoGP) 117
8. Nicky HAYDEN (Repsol Honda Team) 115
9. Loris CAPIROSSI (Rizla Suzuki MotoGP) 96
10. Shinya NAKANO (San Carlo Honda Gresini) 95
11. James TOSELAND (Tech 3 Yamaha) 90
12. Toni ELIAS (Alice Team) 86
13. Sylvain GUINTOLI (Alice Team) 58
14. Alex DE ANGELIS (San Carlo Honda Gresini) 55
15. Marco MELANDRI (Ducati Marlboro Team) 51
16. John HOPKINS (Kawasaki Racing Team) 47
17. Randy DE PUNIET (LCR Honda MotoGP) 47
18. Anthony WEST (Kawasaki Racing Team) 42
19. Ben SPIES (Rizla Suzuki MotoGP) 20
20. Jamie HACKING (Kawasaki Racing Team) 5
21. Tadayuki OKADA (Repsol Honda Team) 2
Season's of change, and a place I call my home
As I was out riding yesterday, I felt as though I was once again where I belonged. That place I call my home is Minnesota on two wheels.With the cool crispness of the late September fall air rushing at me, I noted the fall colors starting to fire. After many years here, I know that this is only the beginning of the colorful splendor fall will bring. I belong on two wheels, as much as the sun belongs in the sky. I belong in Minnesota, as much as the fish belong in the water. I need to feel the season's of change. I need to bear witness on the beauty these season's of change bring with it each and every year. There is such beauty in all of the four seasons. Spring brings lush green colors as far as the eye can see. Summer brings warmer riding, and good times I'll never forget with friends and family out at the cabin. But Autumn brings mixed feeling for me. It is to me the most beautiful time of the year. It brings an awesome color show with the turning of the leaves. It is to me the most spectacular time to ride and enjoy the views Mother Nature paints for us. It brings milder riding temperatures, but also brings the end of my riding season. Granted, winter is the one season out of the year we cannot ride motorcycles, but I figure it to be a trade off for the one summer season in warmer climates that it is too hot to bear riding comfortably. The upside is that the white snow brings such a clean beauty that I could not live without. It brings Christmas into the right light for me as well. I grew up in Minnesota, and could not imagine life without this wonderful place I call my home.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Motorcycle Pictures of the Week - Bob
Here are my Pictures of the Week as displayed on the Motorcycle Views Website. These are taken from the Moto Pic Gallery.See Bob with his prize-winning 1982 Honda CB900 Custom. For details, see Motorcycle Pictures of the Week.
If you'd like to see your bike as Picture of the Week, submit a picture of you and your bike along with a description of the bike.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Daytona 200 going under the lights
From Daytona International Speedway
DAYTONA BEACH, FL – Two significant changes will highlight the 2009 Daytona 200 Week By Honda schedule.
The 68th Daytona 200 By Honda, the prestigious season-opening event to the AMA Pro Racing season and the most historic motorcycle event in America, will be held under the lights for the first time on Friday night, March 6. The Daytona 200 By Honda was previously held on Saturday afternoon.
Another significant change to the 2009 Daytona 200 Week By Honda schedule is the Daytona Supercross By Honda, America’s toughest and most demanding Supercross event, will now be held on Saturday night, March 7.
The Daytona Supercross, which was previously held on Friday night, will now be contested on a traditional Saturday similar to all AMA Supercross events on the schedule.
“The Daytona 200 By Honda has evolved throughout the years from the beach, to the Speedway and now under the lights,” Daytona International Speedway president Robin Braig said. “Moving the Daytona 200 By Honda under the lights will add to the uniqueness of this historic event and enhance the festival atmosphere. Night racing in motorsports, especially at Daytona, is widely popular among the fans and these changes to the schedule will help us continue to grow our motorcycle events at ‘The World Center of Racing.’”
The Daytona 200 By Honda was first held back in 1937 on the beach and moved to Daytona International Speedway in 1961. The race was traditionally scheduled on a Sunday afternoon until 2004 when the event was moved to Saturday afternoon.
SPEED Channel will televise the Daytona 200 By Honda live and will also broadcast the Daytona Supercross By Honda.
The remainder of the Daytona 200 Week By Honda schedule will remain consistent as year’s past and will include events such as the AMA Flat Track Championship races at Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium on Wednesday night, March 4 and Thursday night, March 5 respectively; AHMRMA Vintage races on Monday, March 2 and Tuesday, March 3; and on Feb. 27-March 1, SunTrust MOTO-ST Series, Championship Cup Series and American Sportbike Racing Association practice, qualifying and racing.
Ticket information for any of the Daytona 200 Week By Honda events are available online at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.
DAYTONA BEACH, FL – Two significant changes will highlight the 2009 Daytona 200 Week By Honda schedule.
The 68th Daytona 200 By Honda, the prestigious season-opening event to the AMA Pro Racing season and the most historic motorcycle event in America, will be held under the lights for the first time on Friday night, March 6. The Daytona 200 By Honda was previously held on Saturday afternoon.
Another significant change to the 2009 Daytona 200 Week By Honda schedule is the Daytona Supercross By Honda, America’s toughest and most demanding Supercross event, will now be held on Saturday night, March 7.
The Daytona Supercross, which was previously held on Friday night, will now be contested on a traditional Saturday similar to all AMA Supercross events on the schedule.
“The Daytona 200 By Honda has evolved throughout the years from the beach, to the Speedway and now under the lights,” Daytona International Speedway president Robin Braig said. “Moving the Daytona 200 By Honda under the lights will add to the uniqueness of this historic event and enhance the festival atmosphere. Night racing in motorsports, especially at Daytona, is widely popular among the fans and these changes to the schedule will help us continue to grow our motorcycle events at ‘The World Center of Racing.’”
The Daytona 200 By Honda was first held back in 1937 on the beach and moved to Daytona International Speedway in 1961. The race was traditionally scheduled on a Sunday afternoon until 2004 when the event was moved to Saturday afternoon.
SPEED Channel will televise the Daytona 200 By Honda live and will also broadcast the Daytona Supercross By Honda.
The remainder of the Daytona 200 Week By Honda schedule will remain consistent as year’s past and will include events such as the AMA Flat Track Championship races at Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium on Wednesday night, March 4 and Thursday night, March 5 respectively; AHMRMA Vintage races on Monday, March 2 and Tuesday, March 3; and on Feb. 27-March 1, SunTrust MOTO-ST Series, Championship Cup Series and American Sportbike Racing Association practice, qualifying and racing.
Ticket information for any of the Daytona 200 Week By Honda events are available online at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.
Stoner quickest at Motegi
From motogp.com
He may be facing an uphill struggle in his quest to keep his World Championship hopes alive, but more could not have been asked of Casey Stoner on Friday in Motegi. The Ducati rider recorded the quickest time of the day in the combined Free Practice standings for the A-Style Grand Prix of Japan, with a 1:48.121 lap of the track at which he reached the pinnacle of MotoGP achievement in 2007.
Stoner was seven-hundredths of a second faster than the only other rider with the chance to deny Valentino Rossi a sixth premier class title, Repsol Honda´s Dani Pedrosa. The Spaniard had experienced a difficult morning on a damp track as he adjusted his Motegi setup to Bridgestone tires, but was on fine form during the afternoon run.
Pedrosa´s pace and teammate Nicky Hayden´s morning times will be a positive boost for Honda, who have not had a home winner at Motegi since Makoto Tamada´s 2004 triumph.
Title favourite Rossi was also on the pace on Friday, just under four-tenths of a second slower than Stoner´s quickest lap. The Fiat Yamaha rider had expressed interest in how Michelin-shod riders would fare on-track this weekend in the Thursday press conference, but he formed part of an all-Bridgestone top three on day one.
The Fiat Yamaha rider made it three different factories in the top trio, with the news emerging that he will test the 2009 M1 on Monday –perhaps with his sixth MotoGP World Championship already confirmed.
Andrea Dovizioso was the highest placing satellite rider in fourth, and also the fastest man on Michelin rubber in the afternoon run. He formed part of an extremely tightly packed group of riders separated by under a tenth of a second, including race winner from the past three visits to Motegi Loris Capirossi, Alice Team´s Sylvain Guintoli and 2006 World Champion Hayden, the most mercurial rider on track in the first practice session.
Marco Melandri took the second Ducati Desmosedici GP8 round in the eighth quickest time of the day, placing ahead of 2007 podium finishers Toni Elias and Randy de Puniet in the top 10.
He may be facing an uphill struggle in his quest to keep his World Championship hopes alive, but more could not have been asked of Casey Stoner on Friday in Motegi. The Ducati rider recorded the quickest time of the day in the combined Free Practice standings for the A-Style Grand Prix of Japan, with a 1:48.121 lap of the track at which he reached the pinnacle of MotoGP achievement in 2007.
Stoner was seven-hundredths of a second faster than the only other rider with the chance to deny Valentino Rossi a sixth premier class title, Repsol Honda´s Dani Pedrosa. The Spaniard had experienced a difficult morning on a damp track as he adjusted his Motegi setup to Bridgestone tires, but was on fine form during the afternoon run.
Pedrosa´s pace and teammate Nicky Hayden´s morning times will be a positive boost for Honda, who have not had a home winner at Motegi since Makoto Tamada´s 2004 triumph.
Title favourite Rossi was also on the pace on Friday, just under four-tenths of a second slower than Stoner´s quickest lap. The Fiat Yamaha rider had expressed interest in how Michelin-shod riders would fare on-track this weekend in the Thursday press conference, but he formed part of an all-Bridgestone top three on day one.
The Fiat Yamaha rider made it three different factories in the top trio, with the news emerging that he will test the 2009 M1 on Monday –perhaps with his sixth MotoGP World Championship already confirmed.
Andrea Dovizioso was the highest placing satellite rider in fourth, and also the fastest man on Michelin rubber in the afternoon run. He formed part of an extremely tightly packed group of riders separated by under a tenth of a second, including race winner from the past three visits to Motegi Loris Capirossi, Alice Team´s Sylvain Guintoli and 2006 World Champion Hayden, the most mercurial rider on track in the first practice session.
Marco Melandri took the second Ducati Desmosedici GP8 round in the eighth quickest time of the day, placing ahead of 2007 podium finishers Toni Elias and Randy de Puniet in the top 10.
Takahashi steps up to MotoGP
From motogp.com
With Andrea Dovizioso departing for Repsol Honda and former team boss Gianluca Montiron heading for pastures new at the end of the season, Yuki Takahashi will move up from the 250cc class to ride for a new-look, Cirano Mularoni-headed Scot Racing outfit next season.
At a press conference announcing the plans on Friday at the A-Style Grand Prix of Japan, Takahashi told motogp.com, "I am very happy because it has been my dream for a long time to get into MotoGP. I have been working with the team since 2005 and after three years I have got my MotoGP ticket. But it has not just been my work, Honda have helped, my team have helped and so have our sponsors, so I want to say thank you to them all."
Bad luck with injuries has hampered Takahashi in his World Championship progress in recent seasons, but a consistent season in 2008 has earned him a chance to prove himself at the top level next year.
Mularoni stated, "I am proud to announce the debut of Yuki in MotoGP riding the Honda RC212V after four season in the 250 class. This year Yuki has proven himself as a mature rider and he deserves to take the step up. The team is highly motivated to continue alongside Honda for many years to come striving for success. I hope next year with Yuki we can repeat the results of Andrea this season. It is a big day for us."
With Andrea Dovizioso departing for Repsol Honda and former team boss Gianluca Montiron heading for pastures new at the end of the season, Yuki Takahashi will move up from the 250cc class to ride for a new-look, Cirano Mularoni-headed Scot Racing outfit next season.
At a press conference announcing the plans on Friday at the A-Style Grand Prix of Japan, Takahashi told motogp.com, "I am very happy because it has been my dream for a long time to get into MotoGP. I have been working with the team since 2005 and after three years I have got my MotoGP ticket. But it has not just been my work, Honda have helped, my team have helped and so have our sponsors, so I want to say thank you to them all."
Bad luck with injuries has hampered Takahashi in his World Championship progress in recent seasons, but a consistent season in 2008 has earned him a chance to prove himself at the top level next year.
Mularoni stated, "I am proud to announce the debut of Yuki in MotoGP riding the Honda RC212V after four season in the 250 class. This year Yuki has proven himself as a mature rider and he deserves to take the step up. The team is highly motivated to continue alongside Honda for many years to come striving for success. I hope next year with Yuki we can repeat the results of Andrea this season. It is a big day for us."
Dovizioso to join Repsol Honda
From Repsol Honda
Former 125 World Champion Andrea Dovizioso is to join the Repsol Honda Team for the 2009 MotoGP World Championship. The Italian will join Spaniard Dani Pedrosa in Honda’s official HRC squad, riding full-factory RC212V machinery.
“I am very pleased to announce that Andrea Dovizioso will join the Repsol Honda factory team for the 2009 MotoGP season, racing alongside Dani Pedrosa,” said HRC president Masumi Hamane. “Andrea has raced Honda machines throughout his career and with great success in all categories of grand prix racing. He has a 125cc world title to his credit and several very successful seasons in the 250cc class. We believe Andrea is now ready to accept the challenge that awaits him in 2009.”
Dovizioso is delighted with the news, which comes in the closing stages of his rookie MotoGP season.
“I have raced Honda machines in grands prix for seven years because I have always wanted to be in the official HRC team,” he said. “Now I have the opportunity to join Repsol Honda, so this is a dream come true for me, I am very happy.
"This year I have ridden my rookie season for the JiR Scot satellite Honda team. So far it has been a good year, I am fifth in the championship, but most importantly I have already gained a lot of experience on a MotoGP bike. I think that riding one season with a satellite team before joining the HRC team is the best way forward."
Dovizioso is riding a perfect curve of a race career. In 2001 he won the 125 European Championship, then moved to GPs the following year, winning the 2004 125 World Championship aboard an RS125. He graduated to 250s in 2005, twice taking runner-up spot aboard an RS250RW before joining MotoGP this year.
Dovizioso has impressed throughout the 2008 season, his intelligent approach to racing paying dividends with some fine rides, including three top four finishes (at Losail, Catalunya and Laguna Seca) aboard his JiR Scot Team RC212V.
Former 125 World Champion Andrea Dovizioso is to join the Repsol Honda Team for the 2009 MotoGP World Championship. The Italian will join Spaniard Dani Pedrosa in Honda’s official HRC squad, riding full-factory RC212V machinery.
“I am very pleased to announce that Andrea Dovizioso will join the Repsol Honda factory team for the 2009 MotoGP season, racing alongside Dani Pedrosa,” said HRC president Masumi Hamane. “Andrea has raced Honda machines throughout his career and with great success in all categories of grand prix racing. He has a 125cc world title to his credit and several very successful seasons in the 250cc class. We believe Andrea is now ready to accept the challenge that awaits him in 2009.”
Dovizioso is delighted with the news, which comes in the closing stages of his rookie MotoGP season.
“I have raced Honda machines in grands prix for seven years because I have always wanted to be in the official HRC team,” he said. “Now I have the opportunity to join Repsol Honda, so this is a dream come true for me, I am very happy.
"This year I have ridden my rookie season for the JiR Scot satellite Honda team. So far it has been a good year, I am fifth in the championship, but most importantly I have already gained a lot of experience on a MotoGP bike. I think that riding one season with a satellite team before joining the HRC team is the best way forward."
Dovizioso is riding a perfect curve of a race career. In 2001 he won the 125 European Championship, then moved to GPs the following year, winning the 2004 125 World Championship aboard an RS125. He graduated to 250s in 2005, twice taking runner-up spot aboard an RS250RW before joining MotoGP this year.
Dovizioso has impressed throughout the 2008 season, his intelligent approach to racing paying dividends with some fine rides, including three top four finishes (at Losail, Catalunya and Laguna Seca) aboard his JiR Scot Team RC212V.
The Grab-it Pack version 1.5 review
Due to feedback and reviews customers have been providing, including myself, the GRAB-IT PACK has been upgraded. There is now a more durable version called the Grab-it Pack 1.5 Which features: Heavier material than before, better stitching, a metal zipper on the top pocket vs. the old plastic one, and I think the buckles are even more heavy gauge than on the old version. The newer version also has a longer waist and leg strap option (currently on RIGHT SIDE MODEL ONLY).
The newer version 1.5 has definitely changed for the better, and has lived up to what I expected. It looks and feels like the old version, and still holds the same amount of stuff, and unless you load it up with heavy things, you don't even realize it's on. It is lightweight, easily adjustable, and comfortable to wear (all day long). I took it out for a spin the other day on a long motorcycle ride. I forgot it was even there. The back side that touches you isn't like leather or vinyl, it is a soft material so you won't get sweat soaked, or chaffed. Oh, and guys, it also looks like a black gun holster so when you wear it you don't look like a complete dork with a man purse.
I own both the old and new versions of the Grab-it Pack myself, and have used both for comparison purposes. I must say, I'm even more thrilled with the newer version than I was with the original. I'd recommend it to everyone.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Szoke gets U.S. Kawasaki ride
From Canadian Kawasaki Motors
Monster Energy Kawasaki's road race team will give Canadian Kawasaki rider Jordan Szoke a special opportunity to ride with the US factory team during the series finale at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, CA this weekend.
Szoke will be contesting the AMA Superbike class, filling in for Monster Energy Kawasaki team rider Roger Hayden. Hayden will miss the final event due to a shoulder injury sustained at the last round at Road Atlanta.
"I've raced many AMA events before, but this opportunity is special since it will be my first time under the US factory Kawasaki tent," said Szoke. "I'm really excited and I hope that I can make Kawasaki proud."
Monster Energy Kawasaki's road race team will give Canadian Kawasaki rider Jordan Szoke a special opportunity to ride with the US factory team during the series finale at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, CA this weekend.
Szoke will be contesting the AMA Superbike class, filling in for Monster Energy Kawasaki team rider Roger Hayden. Hayden will miss the final event due to a shoulder injury sustained at the last round at Road Atlanta.
"I've raced many AMA events before, but this opportunity is special since it will be my first time under the US factory Kawasaki tent," said Szoke. "I'm really excited and I hope that I can make Kawasaki proud."
Suzuki launches new models in Paris today.
Today in Paris Suzuki launched the new Suzuki GSX-R1000 K9, together with the new Suzuki Gladius and Suzuki Intruder 1500 models. Read more about them on www.inter-bike.co.uk here.
Ride safe.
Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Ducati Monster 1100 breaks cover!
Hot off the press we have pictures of Ducati's new Monster 1100.
It's first public showing will be at the at the International Motorcycle Show in Cologne (INTERMOT Hall 8) starting form the 8th October.
Fuller details of the new Ducati Monster 1100, Ducati Monster 1100S are available on www.inter-bike.co.uk here.
Ride safe.
Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Morgan fundraiser in Calgary
From CMRC Racing
As a result of the unfortunate accident to Blair Morgan at last Saturday's Montreal Supercross, this weekend's SledNecks 11 premier party in Calgary has been made a Blair Morgan fundraiser. Door charges and any other donations collected will be given to Blair and his recovery efforts.
Slednecks team riders Cody Borchers, Paul Thacker and Brett Turcotte will be there supporting, signing autographs and auctioning of some goodies for additional fundraising.
The Slednecks 11 Premier/Blair Morgan Fundraiser is this Saturday night at the Snatch Rock n Roll Lounge, located at 24-7400 Macleod Trail S. Calgary, Alberta.
As a result of the unfortunate accident to Blair Morgan at last Saturday's Montreal Supercross, this weekend's SledNecks 11 premier party in Calgary has been made a Blair Morgan fundraiser. Door charges and any other donations collected will be given to Blair and his recovery efforts.
Slednecks team riders Cody Borchers, Paul Thacker and Brett Turcotte will be there supporting, signing autographs and auctioning of some goodies for additional fundraising.
The Slednecks 11 Premier/Blair Morgan Fundraiser is this Saturday night at the Snatch Rock n Roll Lounge, located at 24-7400 Macleod Trail S. Calgary, Alberta.
BMW signs Corser for Superbike
From BMW Motorrad
BMW has announced that Australian Troy Corser has signed to ride the all new BMW S1000RR in next year’s Superbike World Championship.
The former double Superbike World Champion has agreed terms for two years and ends months of speculation as to who will join Spaniard Ruben Xaus in BMW’s debut in the Superbike World Championship next season.
Corser won the Superbike World Championship in 1996, becoming the youngest rider ever to do so in the process, and then again in 2005. He has been runner-up in the WSBK championship once and third place on three occasions. To date he has taken part in over 300 races, been on the podium 126 times, and his 42 pole positions have earned him the nickname of “Mr Superpole”.
"I am delighted that Troy is joining our team and that our jigsaw is now complete," said Berti Hauser, director of BMW Motorrad Motorsport. "He was in our minds from the start and I am very happy because I believe he and Ruben are the best combination of riders for our new challenge.
"Troy has told me that is excited about helping us develop the bike and be part of the project from the start. He also said that he would like to be the first rider in WSBK history to win the title with three different manufacturers and that he is physically and mentally ready make that his target."
Troy is married to Sam and they have two children, Kalani Gray (5) and Kelissa Illiana-Rose (3). Troy was born in Wollongong, Australia but he and the family are now Monaco residents.
BMW has announced that Australian Troy Corser has signed to ride the all new BMW S1000RR in next year’s Superbike World Championship.
The former double Superbike World Champion has agreed terms for two years and ends months of speculation as to who will join Spaniard Ruben Xaus in BMW’s debut in the Superbike World Championship next season.
Corser won the Superbike World Championship in 1996, becoming the youngest rider ever to do so in the process, and then again in 2005. He has been runner-up in the WSBK championship once and third place on three occasions. To date he has taken part in over 300 races, been on the podium 126 times, and his 42 pole positions have earned him the nickname of “Mr Superpole”.
"I am delighted that Troy is joining our team and that our jigsaw is now complete," said Berti Hauser, director of BMW Motorrad Motorsport. "He was in our minds from the start and I am very happy because I believe he and Ruben are the best combination of riders for our new challenge.
"Troy has told me that is excited about helping us develop the bike and be part of the project from the start. He also said that he would like to be the first rider in WSBK history to win the title with three different manufacturers and that he is physically and mentally ready make that his target."
Troy is married to Sam and they have two children, Kalani Gray (5) and Kelissa Illiana-Rose (3). Troy was born in Wollongong, Australia but he and the family are now Monaco residents.
New VMAX and YZF-R1 at 2008 NEC Bike Show
Yamaha has announced it will be showing the new Yamaha VMAX and the new YZF-R1 at this year's Carole Nash International Motorcycle and Scooter Show at the Birmingham NEC from 28th November to 7th December.
Yamaha say "The new YZF-R1 features amazing new technology developed by Valentino Rossi’s Moto GP squad, whilst the legendary VMAX makes a welcome return with massive torque and power."
Ride safe.
Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://inter-bike.blogspot.com/
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/
Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://inter-bike.blogspot.com/
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
End of competition career for Morgan
From CMRC Racing
STOUFFVILLE, ON -- It has been confirmed by doctors that the back injuries Blair Morgan sustained during a practice session accident for the Montreal Supercross on Saturday have resulted in permanent paralysis for the multi-time motocross and snowcross champion.
The accident, which occurred on a jump, caused Morgan's middle back vertebrae to separate and sever his spinal cord.
The 33-year-old Morgan underwent emergency surgery at the Montreal General Hospital and has been progressing well since. According to his physician Morgan is paralyzed from the chest down. The Prince Albert, SK native is expected to be transferred to a facility in Saskatoon within the next week, where he will focus on recovering and working closely with physiotherapists.
“We are deeply saddened and concerned with the recent injury to our pro racer and personal friend, Blair Morgan, last weekend in Montreal. Blair has been part of the Blackfoot Family for the last 10 years and has always been the true professional, both on and off the track,” said Team Yamaha Blackfoot Racing's Jason Mitchell. “He has a huge fan base and following wherever he competed and was a role model for all the young riders in both dirt and snow.
"We know that Blair is a fighter and if anyone can work his way through this new path in life it will be him.”
Morgan's crash has sent shockwaves through both the motocross and snowcross world, where his absence on the race track will be missed in the coming years. In addition to winning eight national Canadian motocross championships, Morgan won numerous world titles, including a record five WinterX Games gold medals, in snowcross competition.
“Like everyone else, we have been severely affected and deeply saddened by Blair Morgan's accident and subsequent career-ending injury. This turn of events cannot be described as anything less than a tragic loss for the sport of motocross in Canada and international snowcross racing,” said CMRC president Mark Stallybrass. “Blair has been a great ambassador for the sport of motocross, and has always conducted himself in a positive and professional manner at CMRC nationals for over a decade. Our thoughts and sympathy are with Blair and his family."
STOUFFVILLE, ON -- It has been confirmed by doctors that the back injuries Blair Morgan sustained during a practice session accident for the Montreal Supercross on Saturday have resulted in permanent paralysis for the multi-time motocross and snowcross champion.
The accident, which occurred on a jump, caused Morgan's middle back vertebrae to separate and sever his spinal cord.
The 33-year-old Morgan underwent emergency surgery at the Montreal General Hospital and has been progressing well since. According to his physician Morgan is paralyzed from the chest down. The Prince Albert, SK native is expected to be transferred to a facility in Saskatoon within the next week, where he will focus on recovering and working closely with physiotherapists.
“We are deeply saddened and concerned with the recent injury to our pro racer and personal friend, Blair Morgan, last weekend in Montreal. Blair has been part of the Blackfoot Family for the last 10 years and has always been the true professional, both on and off the track,” said Team Yamaha Blackfoot Racing's Jason Mitchell. “He has a huge fan base and following wherever he competed and was a role model for all the young riders in both dirt and snow.
"We know that Blair is a fighter and if anyone can work his way through this new path in life it will be him.”
Morgan's crash has sent shockwaves through both the motocross and snowcross world, where his absence on the race track will be missed in the coming years. In addition to winning eight national Canadian motocross championships, Morgan won numerous world titles, including a record five WinterX Games gold medals, in snowcross competition.
“Like everyone else, we have been severely affected and deeply saddened by Blair Morgan's accident and subsequent career-ending injury. This turn of events cannot be described as anything less than a tragic loss for the sport of motocross in Canada and international snowcross racing,” said CMRC president Mark Stallybrass. “Blair has been a great ambassador for the sport of motocross, and has always conducted himself in a positive and professional manner at CMRC nationals for over a decade. Our thoughts and sympathy are with Blair and his family."
Jenks takes Corduroy Enduro
By Suzanne Howie
The 55th anniversary running of the Corduroy Enduro last weekend could be considered a mixed success.
While day one was seen as a great adventure for many, even the riders who got lost, the second day was trouble all around. More riders were lost, there were problems at the gas stops and time issues. All in all, however, when asked after the race if they would return again next year, many riders said they would consider coming back.
Robbie Jenks placed first overall on both days. He was followed by Brian Wojnarowski and Aan Randt on day one, and Patrick Beaule and Wojnarowski on the second day.
Hosted by the WEC and a small army of volunteers, the Corduroy Enduro was off to a great start on Saturday morning. The sky was clear blue, with only a few fluffy white clouds; certainly a change from the rain and gloom of Parry Sound.
Riders left in waves of three, every 60 seconds, for close to an hour, proving just how popular the event was.
While some riders struggled with the mud holes in the transfer sections, and others found Green Mountain a difficult climb (they climbed up both sides), the general consensus was that it was a well run day, and most of the riders found the event if not fun, challenging in a good way.
Now, there were two negative things to come out of an otherwise positive day. CMA Hare Scramble points leader, and favourite in the E2 class, Jake Stapleton, injured his wrist. While rumours abounded Saturday night that it was a fracture, Stapleton said it was nothing so serious.
The other negative came from a wrong turn. Riders on the 11th minute took a wrong turn on Saturday’s start and ended up riding a large portion of Sunday’s route. The trio of wayward riders eventually realized their mistake and doubled back, but by the time they arrived at the first test they were almost two hours late.
Saturday Results (from Corduroy website):
1 – Robbie Jenks (E3) – 3680 pts
2 – Brian Wojnarowski (E2) – 3701 pts
3 – Alan Randt (EV) – 3793 pts
4 – Guillane Provonost (E2) – 3859 pts
5 – Allan Lachapelle (E1) – 3988 pts
6 – Jonathan Ryan (E1) – 4223
7 – Denis Libersaw (EV) – 4272
8 – Chris Donald (EV) – 4522
9 – Tom Irwin (EV) – 4568
10 – Joseph Volpe (E1) – 4572
Sunday didn’t go so smoothly, as there were more riders lost, and lots of downed bikes due to high water and mud levels. In some sections of trail riders had no choice but to venture into mud holes of unknown depth and hope for the best. More than one bike sucked in water and was done for the day, and many hare scramble riders will be spending the next two weeks cleaning mud out of their motors and making repairs for Wheatley.
One rider, E1 Pro rider Torin Linton, even spent an hour and 45 minutes pushing his bike through the muddy trails after it sucked in mud and watered out approximately 13km into the race.
The biggest disaster of Sunday, however, had to be the gas truck not showing up to Gas Stop #2. Now, given the length of this race, and that riders were pushing themselves and their machines just to keep time, for the gas truck to not show was very distressing to the participants who were depending on it.
However, with only a few minor injuries and no serious destruction, Sunday can be called a draw.
Sunday Results (from Corduroy website):
1 – Robbie Jenks (E3) – 3428
2 – Patrick Beaule (E3) – 3463
3 – Brian Wojnarowski (E2) – 3652
4 – Kevin Cockayne (EJ) – 3929
5 – Chris Donald (EV) – 3954
6 – Alan Randt (EV) – 3985
7 – Tyler Linton – (E2) – 3985
8 – Jonathan Ryan (E1) – 3990
9 – Therry Lacombe (E2) – 4133
10 – Denis Libersaw (EV) – 4187
The 55th anniversary running of the Corduroy Enduro last weekend could be considered a mixed success.
While day one was seen as a great adventure for many, even the riders who got lost, the second day was trouble all around. More riders were lost, there were problems at the gas stops and time issues. All in all, however, when asked after the race if they would return again next year, many riders said they would consider coming back.
Robbie Jenks placed first overall on both days. He was followed by Brian Wojnarowski and Aan Randt on day one, and Patrick Beaule and Wojnarowski on the second day.
Hosted by the WEC and a small army of volunteers, the Corduroy Enduro was off to a great start on Saturday morning. The sky was clear blue, with only a few fluffy white clouds; certainly a change from the rain and gloom of Parry Sound.
Riders left in waves of three, every 60 seconds, for close to an hour, proving just how popular the event was.
While some riders struggled with the mud holes in the transfer sections, and others found Green Mountain a difficult climb (they climbed up both sides), the general consensus was that it was a well run day, and most of the riders found the event if not fun, challenging in a good way.
Now, there were two negative things to come out of an otherwise positive day. CMA Hare Scramble points leader, and favourite in the E2 class, Jake Stapleton, injured his wrist. While rumours abounded Saturday night that it was a fracture, Stapleton said it was nothing so serious.
The other negative came from a wrong turn. Riders on the 11th minute took a wrong turn on Saturday’s start and ended up riding a large portion of Sunday’s route. The trio of wayward riders eventually realized their mistake and doubled back, but by the time they arrived at the first test they were almost two hours late.
Saturday Results (from Corduroy website):
1 – Robbie Jenks (E3) – 3680 pts
2 – Brian Wojnarowski (E2) – 3701 pts
3 – Alan Randt (EV) – 3793 pts
4 – Guillane Provonost (E2) – 3859 pts
5 – Allan Lachapelle (E1) – 3988 pts
6 – Jonathan Ryan (E1) – 4223
7 – Denis Libersaw (EV) – 4272
8 – Chris Donald (EV) – 4522
9 – Tom Irwin (EV) – 4568
10 – Joseph Volpe (E1) – 4572
Sunday didn’t go so smoothly, as there were more riders lost, and lots of downed bikes due to high water and mud levels. In some sections of trail riders had no choice but to venture into mud holes of unknown depth and hope for the best. More than one bike sucked in water and was done for the day, and many hare scramble riders will be spending the next two weeks cleaning mud out of their motors and making repairs for Wheatley.
One rider, E1 Pro rider Torin Linton, even spent an hour and 45 minutes pushing his bike through the muddy trails after it sucked in mud and watered out approximately 13km into the race.
The biggest disaster of Sunday, however, had to be the gas truck not showing up to Gas Stop #2. Now, given the length of this race, and that riders were pushing themselves and their machines just to keep time, for the gas truck to not show was very distressing to the participants who were depending on it.
However, with only a few minor injuries and no serious destruction, Sunday can be called a draw.
Sunday Results (from Corduroy website):
1 – Robbie Jenks (E3) – 3428
2 – Patrick Beaule (E3) – 3463
3 – Brian Wojnarowski (E2) – 3652
4 – Kevin Cockayne (EJ) – 3929
5 – Chris Donald (EV) – 3954
6 – Alan Randt (EV) – 3985
7 – Tyler Linton – (E2) – 3985
8 – Jonathan Ryan (E1) – 3990
9 – Therry Lacombe (E2) – 4133
10 – Denis Libersaw (EV) – 4187
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Yamaha signs Crutchlow for World Supersport
From Yamaha Racing
The Yamaha World Supersport team has signed British Superbike rider Cal Crutchlow to partner Frenchman Fabien Foret for the 2009 World Supersport Championship. The 22-year-old British rider is highly competitive and is no stranger to championship success.
In the current British Superbike Championship Crutchlow has scored a respectable 10 podiums, including two wins and three pole position starts. He is fourth in the standings on 265 points, chasing third place fellow Brit Tom Sykes, who also steps up to Yamaha next year as he joins the World Superbike team.
Crutchlow’s career has been nurtured by Yamaha from the start. It was through The Virgin Mobile Yamaha R6 Cup that he first had the opportunity to showcase his talents, taking second place in the 2003 competition. He moved on to race in the British Supersport Championship, finishing 10th in 2004, third in 2005 and winning the championship in 2006.
"I’m really looking forward to the experience," Crutchlow said. "To go into what is in my eyes the top team in the World Supersport paddock and have the opportunity to challenge for a world title with Yamaha is very exciting. I’m really looking forward to next season."
Added Yamaha World Supersport team manager Wilco Zeelenberg, "We’ve been talking to many strong riders over the last couple of months and have been following Cal’s progress this year in The British Superbike Championship, he’s really impressed us. We’re convinced that his riding style will suit our YZF-R6 very well.
"He’s a very good Supersport rider. We know that coming from Superbikes to Supersport riders don’t have any issues with speed. The 2009 championship will be tough again and we have seen him prove on track that he is happy to get in the middle of the pack and fight for the win."
The Yamaha World Supersport team has signed British Superbike rider Cal Crutchlow to partner Frenchman Fabien Foret for the 2009 World Supersport Championship. The 22-year-old British rider is highly competitive and is no stranger to championship success.
In the current British Superbike Championship Crutchlow has scored a respectable 10 podiums, including two wins and three pole position starts. He is fourth in the standings on 265 points, chasing third place fellow Brit Tom Sykes, who also steps up to Yamaha next year as he joins the World Superbike team.
Crutchlow’s career has been nurtured by Yamaha from the start. It was through The Virgin Mobile Yamaha R6 Cup that he first had the opportunity to showcase his talents, taking second place in the 2003 competition. He moved on to race in the British Supersport Championship, finishing 10th in 2004, third in 2005 and winning the championship in 2006.
"I’m really looking forward to the experience," Crutchlow said. "To go into what is in my eyes the top team in the World Supersport paddock and have the opportunity to challenge for a world title with Yamaha is very exciting. I’m really looking forward to next season."
Added Yamaha World Supersport team manager Wilco Zeelenberg, "We’ve been talking to many strong riders over the last couple of months and have been following Cal’s progress this year in The British Superbike Championship, he’s really impressed us. We’re convinced that his riding style will suit our YZF-R6 very well.
"He’s a very good Supersport rider. We know that coming from Superbikes to Supersport riders don’t have any issues with speed. The 2009 championship will be tough again and we have seen him prove on track that he is happy to get in the middle of the pack and fight for the win."
New development team announced
From Toolee Motorsports
HAMILTON, ON -- Lee Kuhn Jr. Motorsports would like to announce the formation of its new team for 2009 and beyond, Toolee Motorsports.
The team will consist of 20-year-old Lee Kuhn Jr. of Hamilton, ON, 14-year-old Leah Vignale of Ottawa and 12-year-old Eden Oshell of Toronto. The team will concentrate on the integration and advancement of new, young riders into road racing to help guarantee the future of the sport in years to come. Team coach/manager will be Hamilton’s Lee Kuhn Sr.
Lee Jr. will be challenging for championships in both the RACE Regional and Parts Canada Superbike SV Cup Challenge Series in 2009 on his Toolee Motorsports/Sturgess Cycle Suzuki SV650S. He will also be running select WERA and CCS events in the United States.
In his first year of full-size bike racing Lee Jr. placed second in the Honda CBR125R Challenge national series and is the CBR Cup national lap record holder at Shannonville Motorsports Park. He is also a nine-time Canadian Mini GP Champion and multiple track record holder.
Vignale will be making her racing debut in the 2009 CBR Challenge Cup National Series and at RACE Regional events in Shannonville, ON aboard her Toolee Motorsports/Sturgess Cycle Honda CBR125R.
Oshell will be a development rider for Toolee Motorsports in 2009 and beyond. He will continue to race Mini GP where he is already a two-time Canadian Champion in his first two years of racing. He will also be racing his Toolee Motorsports/Honda NSR 50 and advancing his riding skills on his new Roland Reidman-supplied Honda RS125.
Team sponsors include Sturgess Cycle Ltd. Suzuki-Honda, Spyke, Arai, House of Kolor, Industrial Cryogenics Enterprises Ltd., Dreamsports Performance and Car Audio, Highside Health Care, Bass Pro Shops, Pug Performance Gear, BMS France, GP Bikes, Classic Signs, MPHD Developments LTD., The Morton Foundation, G&D Enterprises, Tsunamibike and series sponsors Parts Canada, Pirelli, Arrow, Elka, Mimic, Honda, Suzuki and Dynojet.
More details can be found at http://www.tooleemotorsports.com/.
HAMILTON, ON -- Lee Kuhn Jr. Motorsports would like to announce the formation of its new team for 2009 and beyond, Toolee Motorsports.
The team will consist of 20-year-old Lee Kuhn Jr. of Hamilton, ON, 14-year-old Leah Vignale of Ottawa and 12-year-old Eden Oshell of Toronto. The team will concentrate on the integration and advancement of new, young riders into road racing to help guarantee the future of the sport in years to come. Team coach/manager will be Hamilton’s Lee Kuhn Sr.
Lee Jr. will be challenging for championships in both the RACE Regional and Parts Canada Superbike SV Cup Challenge Series in 2009 on his Toolee Motorsports/Sturgess Cycle Suzuki SV650S. He will also be running select WERA and CCS events in the United States.
In his first year of full-size bike racing Lee Jr. placed second in the Honda CBR125R Challenge national series and is the CBR Cup national lap record holder at Shannonville Motorsports Park. He is also a nine-time Canadian Mini GP Champion and multiple track record holder.
Vignale will be making her racing debut in the 2009 CBR Challenge Cup National Series and at RACE Regional events in Shannonville, ON aboard her Toolee Motorsports/Sturgess Cycle Honda CBR125R.
Oshell will be a development rider for Toolee Motorsports in 2009 and beyond. He will continue to race Mini GP where he is already a two-time Canadian Champion in his first two years of racing. He will also be racing his Toolee Motorsports/Honda NSR 50 and advancing his riding skills on his new Roland Reidman-supplied Honda RS125.
Team sponsors include Sturgess Cycle Ltd. Suzuki-Honda, Spyke, Arai, House of Kolor, Industrial Cryogenics Enterprises Ltd., Dreamsports Performance and Car Audio, Highside Health Care, Bass Pro Shops, Pug Performance Gear, BMS France, GP Bikes, Classic Signs, MPHD Developments LTD., The Morton Foundation, G&D Enterprises, Tsunamibike and series sponsors Parts Canada, Pirelli, Arrow, Elka, Mimic, Honda, Suzuki and Dynojet.
More details can be found at http://www.tooleemotorsports.com/.
Allen repeats as Destroyer champ
From Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada
EDMONTON, AB -- Under sunny skies and crisp weather, Castrol Raceway in Edmonton saw the Western and Eastern V-Rod Destroyer teams reunite to hold their final rounds of the season on Sept. 13-14. The Canadian Motorcycle Drag Racing Association All Bike Drag Series was presented by Drag Specialties/Parts Canada and the Harley-Davidson Retailers of Alberta.
Qualifying on Saturday for the Western V-Rod Destroyer races put Nick Allen from Redline Harley-Davidson into good standing as the fastest qualifier, with an elapsed time of 9.476, while reaching a speed of 139.01 mph.
In the meantime, Mike Duncan, racing for Kitchener Harley-Davidson, was the fastest qualifier for the Eastern V-Rod Destroyer races, with an ET of 9.593 and a speed of 136.3 mph.
In eliminations, Allen was the winner of the Western Screamin’ Eagle V-Rod Destroyer Series. His ET recorded as 9.640, with a speed of 136.28 mph.
Shaun Rude from Harley-Davidson Grande Prairie was the runner-up; however, Shaun red-lighted in the final round of eliminations.
In the Eastern eliminations, Duncan proved his tenacity and won the Eastern Screamin’ Eagle V-Rod Destroyer Series by achieving an impressive ET of 9.644 and speed of 134.20 mph. He was rivaled by Dave Bispo from Rocky’s Harley-Davidson/Buell, who reached a runner-up position with an ET of 9.743 and a speed of 132.46 mph.
Lyle Newton was the winner of the Screamin’ Eagle Top Fuel Series, covering the strip in 7.626 seconds at 180.72 mph, and Mike Scott was the runner-up with a time of 8.004 seconds and a speed of 156.22 mph.
The battle for the 2008 Destroyer Championship was held between Allen from the West and Duncan from the East. Defending last year’s title, Allen maintained his winning ways and became the 2008 Screamin’ Eagle V-Rod Destroyer Series National title holder, covering the strip in 9.590 seconds at a speed of 137.36 mph.
Year-End Results
Screamin’ Eagle V-Rod Destroyer Series (West)
1) Nick Allen from Redline Harley-Davidson – 828
2) Clint Rabb from Kane’s Motorcycle Shop – 577
3) Rick Adams from Gasoline Alley Harley-Davidson – 554
4) Shaun Rude from Harley-Davidson Grande Prairie – 491
5) Daryl Phillips from Gasoline Alley Harley-Davidson – 425
6) Dave Toth from Kane’s Motorcycle Shop – 406
7) Ken Trommel – 397
8) Kelly McCuaig from Harley-Davidson of Prince George – 319
9) Grant Price from Gasoline Alley Harley-Davidson – 269
10) Dan Harkin from Rocky’s Harley-Davidson – 261
11) Cindy Bouteiller from Gasoline Alley Harley-Davidson – 261
Screamin’ Eagle V-Rod Destroyer Series (East)
1) Mike Duncan from Kitchener Harley-Davidson – 486
2) Dave Bispo from Rocky’s Harley-Davidson – 421
3) Pete Thomson from Rocky’s Harley-Davidson – 404
4) Chris Fox from Fox Harley-Davidson – 221
5) Dan Harkin from Rocky’s Harley-Davidson – 216
6) Clint Rabb from Kane’s Motorcycle Shop – 96
7) Dave Toth from Kane’s Motorcycle Shop – 55
8) Tiami Trosky – 54
9) Dale Sweeney – 30
EDMONTON, AB -- Under sunny skies and crisp weather, Castrol Raceway in Edmonton saw the Western and Eastern V-Rod Destroyer teams reunite to hold their final rounds of the season on Sept. 13-14. The Canadian Motorcycle Drag Racing Association All Bike Drag Series was presented by Drag Specialties/Parts Canada and the Harley-Davidson Retailers of Alberta.
Qualifying on Saturday for the Western V-Rod Destroyer races put Nick Allen from Redline Harley-Davidson into good standing as the fastest qualifier, with an elapsed time of 9.476, while reaching a speed of 139.01 mph.
In the meantime, Mike Duncan, racing for Kitchener Harley-Davidson, was the fastest qualifier for the Eastern V-Rod Destroyer races, with an ET of 9.593 and a speed of 136.3 mph.
In eliminations, Allen was the winner of the Western Screamin’ Eagle V-Rod Destroyer Series. His ET recorded as 9.640, with a speed of 136.28 mph.
Shaun Rude from Harley-Davidson Grande Prairie was the runner-up; however, Shaun red-lighted in the final round of eliminations.
In the Eastern eliminations, Duncan proved his tenacity and won the Eastern Screamin’ Eagle V-Rod Destroyer Series by achieving an impressive ET of 9.644 and speed of 134.20 mph. He was rivaled by Dave Bispo from Rocky’s Harley-Davidson/Buell, who reached a runner-up position with an ET of 9.743 and a speed of 132.46 mph.
Lyle Newton was the winner of the Screamin’ Eagle Top Fuel Series, covering the strip in 7.626 seconds at 180.72 mph, and Mike Scott was the runner-up with a time of 8.004 seconds and a speed of 156.22 mph.
The battle for the 2008 Destroyer Championship was held between Allen from the West and Duncan from the East. Defending last year’s title, Allen maintained his winning ways and became the 2008 Screamin’ Eagle V-Rod Destroyer Series National title holder, covering the strip in 9.590 seconds at a speed of 137.36 mph.
Year-End Results
Screamin’ Eagle V-Rod Destroyer Series (West)
1) Nick Allen from Redline Harley-Davidson – 828
2) Clint Rabb from Kane’s Motorcycle Shop – 577
3) Rick Adams from Gasoline Alley Harley-Davidson – 554
4) Shaun Rude from Harley-Davidson Grande Prairie – 491
5) Daryl Phillips from Gasoline Alley Harley-Davidson – 425
6) Dave Toth from Kane’s Motorcycle Shop – 406
7) Ken Trommel – 397
8) Kelly McCuaig from Harley-Davidson of Prince George – 319
9) Grant Price from Gasoline Alley Harley-Davidson – 269
10) Dan Harkin from Rocky’s Harley-Davidson – 261
11) Cindy Bouteiller from Gasoline Alley Harley-Davidson – 261
Screamin’ Eagle V-Rod Destroyer Series (East)
1) Mike Duncan from Kitchener Harley-Davidson – 486
2) Dave Bispo from Rocky’s Harley-Davidson – 421
3) Pete Thomson from Rocky’s Harley-Davidson – 404
4) Chris Fox from Fox Harley-Davidson – 221
5) Dan Harkin from Rocky’s Harley-Davidson – 216
6) Clint Rabb from Kane’s Motorcycle Shop – 96
7) Dave Toth from Kane’s Motorcycle Shop – 55
8) Tiami Trosky – 54
9) Dale Sweeney – 30
Morgan improving after crash
From Dan Paris & Blackfoot Yamaha
Canadian Motocross and snocross star Blair Morgan suffered a substantial injury due to a crash while practicing for last weekend's Montreal Supercross at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal.
During Saturday afternoon practice he sustained substantial injuries to his middle back. A surgery was performed and went well, however it was soon discovered that as a result of the vertebrae separating from each other on impact, Blair’s spinal cord was severed, leaving him with paralysis from his middle back down.
He was taken off the ventilator soon after surgery and has been progressing well since. On Monday afternoon he was moved out of ICU to the orthopaedic floor and arrangements are now being made for his transfer closer to home.
He is resting now and he is focused on recovering and working closely with the physiotherapists.
Special thanks to everyone for their well wishes.
Canadian Motocross and snocross star Blair Morgan suffered a substantial injury due to a crash while practicing for last weekend's Montreal Supercross at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal.
During Saturday afternoon practice he sustained substantial injuries to his middle back. A surgery was performed and went well, however it was soon discovered that as a result of the vertebrae separating from each other on impact, Blair’s spinal cord was severed, leaving him with paralysis from his middle back down.
He was taken off the ventilator soon after surgery and has been progressing well since. On Monday afternoon he was moved out of ICU to the orthopaedic floor and arrangements are now being made for his transfer closer to home.
He is resting now and he is focused on recovering and working closely with the physiotherapists.
Special thanks to everyone for their well wishes.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Rossi eyes title clincher
From motogp.com
As the MotoGP World Championship enters the home stretch of flyaway races before its finale in Valencia, Twin Ring Motegi will host the 15th event of 2008 this Sunday, for the A-Style Grand Prix of Japan.
The 2008 title winner could potentially be crowned at this latest 800cc showdown and, in an about turn from this time last season, it is Valentino Rossi who has the chance of confirming the World Championship in Japan at the expense of Casey Stoner.
Arriving at Motegi with an 87-point advantage, with the honour of being the winner of the most premier class races in history and on a four-race winning streak, Rossi needs only to finish fourth in Japan to clinch his sixth MotoGP trophy.
That does not mean that all is said and done, however. Last year Rossi conceded the title in discreet fashion in the MotoGP race, dropping down to 13th with a mechanical problem in a situation that permitted Stoner the luxury of not having to push for higher than sixth.
Rossi has only won once before at Motegi, onboard a 500cc Honda back in 2001. This year he can even afford a maiden victory in Japan for Stoner, whose return to Japan could see him conceding the title almost a year to the day after winning it.
Stoner may only have the slimmest of chances to prevent Rossi from experiencing his sixth MotoGP title, but he is still in the driving seat for the runner-up spot in the 2008 season. The Ducati rider has a seven-point advantage over Repsol Honda´s Dani Pedrosa, who is currently on a run of five races without a podium – the longest of his Grand Prix career since his first top three in 2001.
One rider who has stepped onto the rostrum in recent weeks is Jorge Lorenzo, Rossi´s Fiat Yamaha teammate. The Spaniard has regained confidence lost after a series of crashes to take two front rows and podiums in as many races, making him a dark horse for the runner-up spot and giving some breathing space in the Rookie of the Year battle.
Lorenzo´s perennial rival and fellow debutant Andrea Dovizioso finished on the podium at last year´s 250cc race in Japan, setting the fastest lap of the contest in the process. The future of his JiR Team Scot outfit, and as a result his own destination for 2009, is set to be announced at Motegi.
With their own teams for next season already established, Chris Vermeulen, Colin Edwards and Nicky Hayden are separated by just 13 points in their quest for a top six finish in 2008. Whilst the former duo have renewed their contracts with Japanese factories Suzuki and Yamaha, respectively, a move from Honda to Ducati for Hayden at the end of the year has been recently confirmed.
Home rider Shinya Nakano and Alice Team´s Toni Elias complete the top 10 in the category, ahead of Motegi race winner for the last three years Loris Capirossi.
As the MotoGP World Championship enters the home stretch of flyaway races before its finale in Valencia, Twin Ring Motegi will host the 15th event of 2008 this Sunday, for the A-Style Grand Prix of Japan.
The 2008 title winner could potentially be crowned at this latest 800cc showdown and, in an about turn from this time last season, it is Valentino Rossi who has the chance of confirming the World Championship in Japan at the expense of Casey Stoner.
Arriving at Motegi with an 87-point advantage, with the honour of being the winner of the most premier class races in history and on a four-race winning streak, Rossi needs only to finish fourth in Japan to clinch his sixth MotoGP trophy.
That does not mean that all is said and done, however. Last year Rossi conceded the title in discreet fashion in the MotoGP race, dropping down to 13th with a mechanical problem in a situation that permitted Stoner the luxury of not having to push for higher than sixth.
Rossi has only won once before at Motegi, onboard a 500cc Honda back in 2001. This year he can even afford a maiden victory in Japan for Stoner, whose return to Japan could see him conceding the title almost a year to the day after winning it.
Stoner may only have the slimmest of chances to prevent Rossi from experiencing his sixth MotoGP title, but he is still in the driving seat for the runner-up spot in the 2008 season. The Ducati rider has a seven-point advantage over Repsol Honda´s Dani Pedrosa, who is currently on a run of five races without a podium – the longest of his Grand Prix career since his first top three in 2001.
One rider who has stepped onto the rostrum in recent weeks is Jorge Lorenzo, Rossi´s Fiat Yamaha teammate. The Spaniard has regained confidence lost after a series of crashes to take two front rows and podiums in as many races, making him a dark horse for the runner-up spot and giving some breathing space in the Rookie of the Year battle.
Lorenzo´s perennial rival and fellow debutant Andrea Dovizioso finished on the podium at last year´s 250cc race in Japan, setting the fastest lap of the contest in the process. The future of his JiR Team Scot outfit, and as a result his own destination for 2009, is set to be announced at Motegi.
With their own teams for next season already established, Chris Vermeulen, Colin Edwards and Nicky Hayden are separated by just 13 points in their quest for a top six finish in 2008. Whilst the former duo have renewed their contracts with Japanese factories Suzuki and Yamaha, respectively, a move from Honda to Ducati for Hayden at the end of the year has been recently confirmed.
Home rider Shinya Nakano and Alice Team´s Toni Elias complete the top 10 in the category, ahead of Motegi race winner for the last three years Loris Capirossi.
Suzuki Skywave 2008
The rim Behind stayed originalSuzuki Skywave 2008view Suzuki Skywave 2008 this not there is one that is special. But tried to pay close attention to the wheel behind him, slipped disc brakes on the left of the wheel. Trus, what was the intensity? “Kalau with the disc behind in the rim made by (usually from the rim of the car, red) that has been normal. But put on the disc in the rim of the
Kawasaki UK announces its 2009 model line-up
Kawasaki UK has now announced its 2009 motorcycle line up and we've got some pic's of next years' models for you to look at now.
2009 Kawasaki ER-6n
The 2009 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R has changes to engine and chassis for enhanced controllability.
2009 Kawasaki ER-6f
The 2009 Kawasaki ER-6f engine gets a number of tweaks that offer smoother low-mid response and a quicker-revving character, plus Ninja supersport styling.
The Kawasaki Z series, the Z1000 and z750 get two-tone paint-jobs for 2009.
2009 Kawasaki ER-6n
TheKawasaki ER-6n gets sharper more aggressive bodywork for 2009.
2009 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R
2009 Kawasaki ER-6f
The 2009 Kawasaki ER-6f engine gets a number of tweaks that offer smoother low-mid response and a quicker-revving character, plus Ninja supersport styling.
2009 Kawasaki Z series
The Kawasaki Z series, the Z1000 and z750 get two-tone paint-jobs for 2009.
Ride safe.
Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
2008 Fall Flood Run Pictures
The 2008 Fall Flood Run benefiting the Gillette Children's Hospital was a huge success. The beautiful weather brought out a gazillion bikes.
The early fall weather was absolutely gorgeous. It was in the mid to high seventies by afternoon, and that's all the hotter it got. We biker's couldn't have asked for a better day for riding. As you can see the fall colors are just starting. It made for some spectacular scenery. You should see these areas in about a month or so when all the fall colors are in complete bloom. It is amazing!
Anyway, I'll let the pictures do the rest of the talking as for how great of a day this was.
The early fall weather was absolutely gorgeous. It was in the mid to high seventies by afternoon, and that's all the hotter it got. We biker's couldn't have asked for a better day for riding. As you can see the fall colors are just starting. It made for some spectacular scenery. You should see these areas in about a month or so when all the fall colors are in complete bloom. It is amazing!
Anyway, I'll let the pictures do the rest of the talking as for how great of a day this was.
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