From the World Superbike Championship
TOOELE, UTAH -- Ben Spies (Yamaha World Superbike) will start Sunday's Utah round of the Hannspree FIM Superbike World Championship at Miller Motorsports Park from pole position after powering to a record seventh Superpole in seven races.
The 24-year-old Texan wiped out the old record of six poles on the run set by fellow Texan Doug Polen in 1991. Spies was quickest both in Superpole 2 and Superpole 3 to take the front slot with a time of 1 minute 48.319 seconds.
"It was a good session for us," Spies said. "The last few minutes there were some drops coming down and we were pretty nervous, but we'd worked well since this morning and I stuck to the plan in Superpole. I think we have a good race pace, there are a few guys that have good pace as well so the race should be interesting. Twelve months ago I didn't think I'd be here on pole at Miller in Superbike but it's great."
In Superpole 1 the fastest time of 1:49.261 was set by American Jamie Hacking, who surprised everyone on the Kawasaki World Superbike machine that has so far had a difficult start to the season.
Second and third places on the grid went to the Ten Kate Honda pairing of Spain's Carlos Checa, last year's double race winner, and Ryuichi Kiyonari of Japan, while Italian Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) continued his good feeling with the Miller track with the final front row grid slot.
"Finally this year I'm starting to be in the front group," Checa said. "I feel that the second place is very important to make a good start tomorrow. Overall it looks good, I hope the weather stays dry because at the end of the practice it was a little bit scary, with dark clouds and lightning.
"I don't know what is happening here at Miller. I always have a good feeling with this circuit, it's a good track with a lot of grip so we need to check why we have no grip in the other circuits."
Shane Byrne (Sterilgarda Ducati) proved to be best of the Brits with a good run to sixth, a couple of tenths behind Jakub Smrz on a similar Guandalini 1098 machine. Broc Parkes and Hacking made it a positive day for Kawasaki with seventh and eighth places on the grid.
Max Biaggi's unfortunate feeling with Superpole continued as Friday's provisional pole holder crashed during Superpole 2 and although the Italian managed to get back to the pits he was eliminated and will start from row 4 with the 16th time.
It was also a difficult Superpole for points leader Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox) who had a nasty-looking crash in qualifying from which he came away bruised and battered. Haga was eliminated from the second knock-out phase and will start from row 3 with ninth quickest time.
Spies and Fabrizio, respectively 88 and 85 points behind, may now have a chance to cut the gap Sunday in the two 21-lap races.
Joan Lascorz, 24 years old from Spain, scored his first-ever pole position in the seventh round of the Supersport World Championship at Miller Motorsports Park. This is the seventh time since 1999 a Kawasaki has started from pole, the last time being the Australian Round in 2007, with Fabien Foret on board.
Lascorz's time of 1:51.749 on the Kawasaki Motocard.com ZX-6R was a fraction quicker than Irishman Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda), while points leader Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha World Supersport) qualified third.
Italian Gianluca Nannelli produced a great performance on the ParkinGO 675 machine to give Triumph its first front row position in 2009.
In 27th place (out of 29 starters) can be found Melissa Paris, 26 years old from California, who becomes the first woman to start a Supersport World Championship race, while the 28-year-old Canadian Marie-Joseé Boucher of Montreal failed to qualify her Excel Moto Honda CBR600RR.
Andrew Nelson of Kars, ON will start 28th aboard his Nelson Racing Yamaha YZF-R6.
Superbike Qualifying Times
1. Spies B. (USA) Yamaha YZF-R1 1:48.344
2. Checa C. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 1:48.908
3. Kiyonari R. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR 1:49.243
4. Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1:49.434
5. Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 1:49.658
6. Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 1:49.982
7. Parkes B. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1:51.3288
8. Hacking J. (USA) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1:51.438
9. Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1:49.516
10. Nakano S. (JPN) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1:49.528
11. Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1:49.541
12. Haslam L. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1:49.765
13. Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R1000 K9 1:50.114
14. Nieto F. (ESP) Suzuki GSX-R1000 K9 1:50.488
15. Scassa L. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1:50.987
16. Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1:51.351
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Magnificent seven for Spies
Lorenzo nips Stoner for pole
The fans at Mugello were treated to a great battle in MotoGP qualifying on Saturday afternoon with Fiat Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo upstaging his team-mate Valentino Rossi on the World Champion’s home track, with the Spaniard taking pole and the Italian off the front row.
In brilliant sunshine at the Gran Premio d’Italia Alice four riders fought for pole right at the death with Lorenzo eventually emerging on top, courtesy of a 1:48.987 on the 29th of his 30 laps, beating Casey Stoner by a tight margin (0.021 secs.)
“During the session we had some problems in T4 and we still need to try to improve a bit in that section, but I am fast with both types of tire and in the end I was able to do one very fast lap,” said the Spaniard at the end of the hour-long GP run.
Reflecting on Saturday’s results in general the 22-year-old added, “I feel satisfied with the pole position. It is important to be on the front row and get a good start here. We have good pace on the harder (race) tires and it looks like we will have the chance to fight for the podium and maybe the victory.”
Ducati star Stoner will be satisfied to have placed himself on the front row and given his practice performances should be in contention for victory on Sunday.
“We had a great free practice session this morning despite the crash and I was very comfortable with the bike, so I was optimistic about this afternoon," Stoner said. "Unfortunately as we picked up the pace in the afternoon we found some problems with the front and I couldn’t make the bike turn as I wanted it to. You spend a lot of time on the edge of the tire through the long corners at this circuit and that is where we’re losing time. We’ll see if we can change a couple of things and improve the bike before the warm-up tomorrow."
Just behind Stoner on the grid will be his former team-mate Loris Capirossi who surged to provisional pole in the final minutes on his Rizla Suzuki GSV-R before eventually ending up third.
“It has been a fantastic day today, especially because I was a bit angry yesterday and we had a really good meeting with all the team and decided to change a lot of things on the bike," Capirossi said. "Stuart [Shenton] is so clever because he made the right modifications to the GSV-R and from first thing this morning it was working well. Our target is to always try and do our best, but this front row is a great feeling for us."
Rossi, therefore, sits in the unfamiliar territory of the second row at a circuit where he has won the last seven MotoGP races and he will nonetheless expect to be in the podium fight once again on Sunday. It will be his first non-front row start at Mugello in MotoGP.
An excellent showing from the much improved Randy de Puniet (LCR Honda) saw him qualify as the top Honda representative, with Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Colin Edwards just behind him by a 0.048-sec. fraction.
Repsol Honda’s factory Honda pairing of Andrea Dovizioso and Dani Pedrosa will be disappointed to have qualified on the third row, meanwhile. An off-colour Pedrosa spent much of the session towards the bottom of the timesheet and he will need one of his trademark strong starts in Sunday’s race in order to get amongst the front-runners and stay in touch in the title race.
Toni Elías (San Carlo Honda Gresini) took a tumble when on a fast lap at the end of the practice and had to settle for ninth place, with fellow Honda rider Yuki Takahashi (Scot Racing) completing the top 10.
World Champion Marco Simoncelli had to settle for second place in the 250cc qualifying session at Mugello on Saturday, as he was unable to prevent title rival Álvaro Bautista from taking pole.
Spanish competitor Bautista secured his third pole position start of 2009 with a 1:52.804 on his penultimate lap, which put him just 0.014 secs. ahead of Metis Gilera rider Simoncelli.
Bancaja Aspar rider Bradley Smith set a new pole record in 125cc qualifying at Mugello on Saturday afternoon, his 1:58.134 hot lap beating Lukas Pesek’s record from 2006 by a 0.068-sec. margin.
Sturla Fagerhaug won a perfectly judged race to claim his second victory of the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup season. The 17-year-old Norwegian crossed the line just 0.266 secs. ahead of 16-year-old Czech Jakub Kornfeil after the pair had played cat and mouse over the last laps.
MotoGP Qualifying Results
1. Jorge LORENZO (SPA) Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 1:48.987 (338.983 km/h)
2. Casey STONER (AUS) Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati 1:49.008
3. Loris CAPIROSSI (ITA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1:49.121
4. Valentino ROSSI (ITA) Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 1:49.148
5. Randy DE PUNIET (FRA) LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 1:49.499
6. Colin EDWARDS (USA) Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 1:49.547
7. Andrea DOVIZIOSO (ITA) Repsol Honda Team Honda 1:49.648
8. Dani PEDROSA (SPA) Repsol Honda Team Honda 1:50.073
9. Toni ELIAS (SPA) San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 1:50.078
10. Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN) Scot Racing Team MotoGP Honda 1:50.305
11. Chris VERMEULEN (AUS) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1:50.405
12. Alex DE ANGELIS (RSM) San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 1:50.448
13. Niccolo CANEPA (ITA) Pramac Racing Ducati 1:50.528
14. James TOSELAND (GBR) Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 1:50.537
15. Marco MELANDRI (ITA) Hayate Racing Team Kawasaki 1:50.710
16. Nicky HAYDEN (USA) Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati 1:50.924
17. Mika KALLIO (FIN) Pramac Racing Ducati 1:51.008
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Motorcycle Pictures of the Week - Georgjean and Jared
Here are my Pictures of the Week as displayed on the Motorcycle Views Website. These are taken from the Moto Pic Gallery. See Georgjean with her 1968 BMW R50/2 US. Also see Jared with his 1978 Honda GL1000 Gold Wing. 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.
Biaggi quickest in Friday Qualifying
From the World Superbike Championship
Max Biaggi powered his Aprilia RSV4 to the top of the timesheets in Friday's opening qualifying run for the World Superbike Championship at Miller Motorsports Park.
The Italian made a late surge towards the end of the one-hour session to edge American Ben Spies (Yamaha World Superbike) off the top slot with a time of 1 minute 49.820 seconds. Spies was just one-tenth away from Biaggi’s time, and the two riders were the only ones to dip under the 1:50 mark around the 4.907km long Utah circuit. Biaggi also looked pretty impressive in top speed as well, his Aprilia clocking almost 307 km/h on the long Miller straight.
Equally impressive was last year’s double race winner Carlos Checa (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) of Spain, who has been quick out of the box since the start of the day, and who led a total of 12 riders in one second, while Czech Republic rider Jakub Smrz on the Guandalini Ducati 1098 headed Italian Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) for fourth.
American Jamie Hacking is standing in well for the injured Makoto Tamada in the Kawasaki World Superbike team, the American grabbing the sixth slot ahead of Britain’s Shane Byrne on the Sterilgarda Ducati 1098 machine.
Yukio Kagayama, quickest in free practice, crashed his Suzuki Alstare GSX-R in qualifying but still managed to notch up eighth place, while points leader Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox) is currently languishing in 11th place.
Still with work to do for the moment are the BMWs of Troy Corser, who had previously gone second in free practice, and Ruben Xaus, in 14th and 17th place respectively.
The FIM Supersport World Championship made its first appearance at Miller Motorsport and for this reason riders and teams had two free practice sessions instead of one so they could get to grips with the Utah circuit.
Quickest time of the day went to Spain’s Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Provec) in 1:53.350, a couple of tenths ahead of Ireland’s Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) and Frenchman Fabien Foret (Yamaha World Supersport). Points leader Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha World Supersport) was quickest in the first session but could only manage sixth in FP2, just behind the Hannspree Ten Kate Honda champion pairing of Kenan Sofuoglu and Andrew Pitt.
Kars, ON's Andrew Nelson was quickest of a trio of Canadians competing in the World Supersport class at Miller, turning the 28th best time of 1:58.742 on his Nelson Racing Yamaha YZF-R6. Despite dropping her time marginally between the morning and afternoon free practice sessions Marie-Josee Boucher slipped from 31st to 32nd on the timesheets with a best of 2:03.799 on her Excel Moto Honda CBR600RR.
“This track is fast. I like that," Boucher said in a Pirelli press release. "I am learning to look up and look far. I am used to the tight, slow tracks of the Canada Superbike series so here I have to remind myself to look far into the turns. I am looking to go much faster tomorrow with the changes we’ve made to the bike.”
Lethbridge, AB racer Ryan Taylor brought up the rear of the 33rd rider Supersport field at 2:07.376, carving just over two seconds from his best morning lap in the afternoon session.
The afternoon session was brought to a halt just before the end due to a crash involving Portugal’s Miguel Praia (Parkalgar Honda), who was immediately taken to the medical centre for checks.
World Superbike Times
1. Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1:49.820
2. Spies B. (USA) Yamaha YZF-R1 1:49.901
3. Checa C. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 1:50.144
4. Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 1:50.282
5. Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1:50.457
6. Hacking J. (USA) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1:50.466
7. Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 1:50.512
8. Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R1000 K9 1:50.556
9. Kiyonari R. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR 1:50.701
10. Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1:50.740
11. Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1:50.755
12. Muggeridge K. (AUS) Suzuki GSX-R1000 K9 1:50.757
13. Parkes B. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1:50.961
14. Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 1:51.002
15. Lavilla G. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 1:51.046
16. Zemke J. (USA) Honda CBR1000RR 1:51.072
Friday, May 29, 2009
Broke Down Suzuki Rider-High-tech Motorcycle.
Here is a Great bike made in Italy. One thing 4 sure the Italians can Design and Motorcycles :-)
This is 1000 cc and have 140 Hp. The engine is a V2,so the sound is just FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!
Drive safe :)
Marius
Posted by Hello
Tough start for Hayden at Mugello
Ducati Marlboro's Nicky Hayden was at a loss to explain events in the opening practice session for the Gran Premio d'Italia Alice, held at a track where he had expected to pick up his season.
The American has no intention, however, of throwing in the towel.
“This is a very different circuit to Le Mans and to be honest I was hoping that coming here, to the track where this bike was born, we would be on the pace," he admitted on Friday. "Unfortunately we’re not and the truth is we’re struggling again – it’s pretty demoralizing because every track we go to at the moment seems to cause us different kinds of problems.
"Here the worst thing is the bumpiness of the surface, which is unsettling a bike that can already be quite unstable. It is hard to change direction when the bike isn’t planted and that’s a big thing here.”
Lorenzo sets pace in Italy
The first MotoGP free practice of the Gran Premio d’Italia Alice weekend went with form on Friday afternoon at Mugello, as the top four riders in the session finished in the same positions they currently occupy in the World Championship standings.
That meant Jorge Lorenzo was the man at the top of the timesheet, his best time of 1:49.870 on the 20th of his 27 laps in the hour long session giving him an early psychological advantage.
"This is a great start but it’s too soon to speak about the race or jump to conclusions, as we’ve only had one practice,” Lorenzo said. “It’s true however that I didn’t have any problems today and I felt very happy for the whole session. Each time we come to a new track we don’t know exactly what to expect because we’re still learning the new Bridgestone tires but at the moment we seem to be fast each time and I feel very comfortable at the moment.
“It’s very hot here, even hotter than in Spain but I am okay with that because we’ve had too much rain and we all need some sunshine. I hope it will continue like this for the weekend because it’s better for everyone.”
Lorenzo was the only rider to go under the 1:50 mark, with his Fiat Yamaha team-mate Valentino Rossi two tenths of a second behind him in second place. Rossi, the king of Mugello, will be out to stop his young colleague from gaining any further championship advantage over the next 48 hours.
In third place Ducati Marlboro’s Casey Stoner kept the Ducatisti happy, his bright red Desmosedici GP9 gleaming in the beautiful Italian sunshine as he lapped 0.274 behind fellow youngster Lorenzo.
Fourth in the championship and making ground on the top three in recent weeks Dani Pedrosa was also fourth in the session with his best time of 1:50.808, putting the Repsol Honda man just under a second behind compatriot and rival Lorenzo, as several riders – including Pedrosa – went close to top speed records for the Italian track.
Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) set the fifth quickest FP1 lap time, with sixth fastest rider Alex de Angelis (San Carlo Honda Gresini) lapping at a similar pace to the American and Pedrosa. De Angelis ran off track at one point at the circuit where he achieved his best result of 2008 in fourth place in his rookie campaign.
Veteran Italian rider Loris Capirossi (Rizla Suzuki) commenced his home GP in seventh place on the timesheet, while Randy de Puniet (LCR Honda) showed his good form again in eighth place.
The top 10 was rounded off by Italian pair Andrea Dovizioso (Repsol Honda) and Marco Melandri (Hayate Racing).
Niccolò Canepa (Pramac Racing) was the only crasher in the session as his home GP commenced in unspectacular fashion, the Ducati rider finishing 14th overall.
The 250cc World Championship leader Álvaro Bautista (Mapfre Aspar) wrapped up FP1 0.244 secs. ahead of closest rival Hiroshi Aoyama (Scot Racing), who also sits second in the point standings.
Friday’s action at Mugello got underway with a familiar figure at the head of the 125cc timesheet in free practice as World Championship leading Spaniard Julián Simón went round quicker than any of his single cylinder rivals.
The Bancaja Aspar rider, who leads the standings by 5.5 points from team-mate Bradley Smith, set the pace with a 1:59.437 lap towards the end of the session.
MotoGP Practice Times
1. Jorge LORENZO (SPA) Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 1:49.870 (342.422km/h)
2. Valentino ROSSI (ITA) Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 1:50.065
3. Casey STONER (AUS) Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati 1:50.144
4. Dani PEDROSA (SPA) Repsol Honda Team Honda 1:50.808
5. Colin EDWARDS (USA) Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 1:50.891
6. Alex DE ANGELIS (RSM) San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 1:50.898
7. Loris CAPIROSSI (ITA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1:51.007
8. Randy DE PUNIET (FRA) LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 1:51.030
9. Andrea DOVIZIOSO (ITA) Repsol Honda Team Honda 1:51.206
10. Marco MELANDRI (ITA) Hayate Racing Team Kawasaki 1:51.359
11. James TOSELAND (GBR) Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 1:51.401
12. Toni ELIAS (SPA) San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 1:51.823
13. Chris VERMEULEN (AUS) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1:51.994
14. Niccolo CANEPA (ITA) Pramac Racing Ducati 1:52.319
15. Nicky HAYDEN (USA) Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati 1:52.403
16. Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN) Scot Racing Team MotoGP Honda 1:52.607
17. Mika KALLIO (FIN) Pramac Racing Ducati 1:52.619
Advertiser of the Day - Powersports Canada
| STORE HOURS | |
| Monday | 8:00AM - 9:00PM |
| Tuesday | 8:00AM - 9:00PM |
| Wednesday | 8:00AM - 9:00PM |
| Thursday | 8:00AM – 9:00PM |
| Friday | 8:00AM - 9:00PM |
| Saturday | 8:00AM - 6:00PM |
| Sunday | 10:00AM - 5:00PM |
US Speedway series ready to roll
From the American Motorcyclist Association
PICKERINGTON, OH -- The 2009 AMA Racing/USA Speedway National Championship will fire off the line Saturday, June 6, when the series gets underway at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, CA.
An impressive field of racers will battle for the title in this year's three-round championship, which will continue the action at Fast Fridays Motorcycle Speedway in Sacramento, CA, on July 10 and Oct. 2.
Included in that lineup is 1997 Speedway World Champion and seven-time AMA National Champion Greg Hancock. Hancock, who is currently third in the European-based World Speedway Grand Prix Series, lives in Costa Mesa and said he was excited about racing in front of his hometown crowd.
"I started my career here in the Costa Mesa bullring as a junior, and won my first AMA National Championship here in 1995," said Hancock, who is currently tied in championships -- at seven -- with motorcycle speedway legend Mike Bast. "Now I want to be the first American to win an eighth U.S. National Speedway title."
Defending AMA National Champion Billy Janniro, however, said Hancock will have his hands full with the national-caliber field.
"Forget what Hancock says," Janniro said. "I'm winning that No. 1 plate again this year, and nothing's going to stop me."
Janniro won all three rounds in last year's AMA National Championship Series, and has been strong in his early showings this season.
Two-time U.S. Under-21 National Champion Ricky Wells, 17, will be another contender. Wells is returning to the United States after leaving the country to race for the Coventry Bees in the British Elite League earlier this year.
"I can beat those guys," said Wells, who in 2007 at the age of 15 became the youngest winner of the Costa Mesa Fair Derby race. "I'm flying in from England, and I don't plan on losing."
A 22-rider field is expected to compete for the $10,400 cash purse, plus contingencies.
Two wins for Jervis
Victoria, BC's Oliver Jervis managed a pair of class wins in the third round of the WMRRA series in Spokane, WA last weekend.
Jervis rode his Zlock Racing 'SVZR' to victories in W Superbike and GP Twins. In the former event he overcame a poor start to move into second by the end of the opening lap and eventually assume the lead.
"In the process I managed to pull a 1:33.9 on the SVZR, which actually surprised me as I had talked to [team owner] Dan [Zlock] earlier and even said I didn't think I could do a 33. Now he'll expect those every lap," Jervis joked.
His run to victory in GP Twins was considerably easier, as Jervis grabbed the lead in turn two on the opening lap and was never challenged from there.
Jervis also managed a runner-up finish in 600 Superbike, which was delayed twice by red flags. He spent the race battlling with traditional rivals Eli Edwards and Mike Sullivan, but while he was able to get ahead of Sullivan he couldn't find a way around Edwards.
Jervis just missed getting onto the podium in all four of his races, as he lost third spot in 600 SuperSport to Aaron Guinn near the end of the race and Jervis had to settle for fourth.
Moto Morini Scrambler now in Red and White
Moto Morini have now released their 1200cc Scrambler in a new red and white colour scheme, together with new accessories.
The factory accessories available are black steel grills to protect the front headlight (£138.00) and alloy skid plate that covers the exhaust down pipe (£287.50), both of which reinforce the bike’s purposeful appearance. Completing the period competition image is a plastic race number holder (in white or black), supplied with steel fitting kit for £86.25.
Ride safe.
Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://inter-bike.blogspot.com/
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/
Isle of Man TT Special 50p Coin
Honda (UK) and the Isle of Man Treasury have officially launched a special 50 pence circulatory coin to commemorate Honda’s 50th anniversary of world championship racing - with the first coin struck by Honda road racer and 14-times TT winner, John McGuinness.
This new coin - available on the Isle of Man from the start of this year’s TT on 1 June - depicts Honda’s multi winning TT rider John McGuinness on a CBR1000RR Fireblade from his record breaking lap in 2007, above the dates 1959 – 2009. The design also contains the 2009 Isle of Man TT logo as well as the Honda Wing logo, highlighting the close association between the two organisations.
Ride safe.
Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://inter-bike.blogspot.com/
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Two podiums for Lajoie
From Nadine Lajoie
Nadine Lajoie had a win and a third place result in WERA action at Miller Motorsports Park last weekend.
Despite being new to the circuit she claimed victory in the Womens Super Stock race. In a wet 600cc event she started eighth on her Catalyst Reaction/CoolCollegeBars Honda CBR600RR but made an excellent start to run third by corner one, and she held that spot throughout the race.
Lajoie also scored a fifth place finish in 750cc Super Stock and 10th in 600cc Superbike. These results were particularly noteworthy as the track was dring throughout those events but with the races so close together, and no one to help her in the pits, she was unabe to switch her Honda onto dry tires.
Unable to find a team to join in the six-hour endurance race she assisted Team Chicago in the pits and the squad managed a third-place finish.
“The whole weekend at Miller Motorsport was very thrilling for me," she said. "To run on a circuit where the best come to race is a dream come true. I have to do it again next year."
Lacombe and Daigle split
SHANNONVILLE ON -- Heavy cold arctic winds greeted fans and racers alike as the RACE SuperSeries hosted round two on May 16-17. Sunday’s sunny skies did little to warm the frigid temperatures but at least dried off Shannonville’s 4.03km Long Track.
In the Pro 6 Cycle/ Dunlop Pro Superbike contest, national competitor Kevin Lacombe made a tune-up stop at Shannonville before the first Parts Canada Superbike event. Lacombe, aboard the Team Toyota/Yamaha Canada-sponsored Yamaha R1 chose to skip Saturday’s wet qualifying sessions but remained unhampered by a midfield start position.
While Yamaha mounted Andrew Nelson and reigning champ Karl Daigle wrestled it out up front, Lacombe displaced GoLo Racing’s Frank Trombino, who had himself displaced Honda Powerhouse Dealers/ Prostar Motorsports' Jodi Christie. By the midway point of the contest Lacombe made a brilliant move on the high speed back straight to get past Daigle and place a wheel into second to challenge Nelson.
With the checkered flag poised for the finish, Lacombe made good on his threat and dove into the lead for the win. Base Energy Drinks/ Nelson Racing-sponsored Nelson had to settle for the runner-up spot while Daigle took the final step of the podium. Trombino held on for fourth while Christie rounded off the top five.
Number one plate holder Daigle put his Perusse Kawasaki into the early lead in the Parts Canada Pro 600 Sportbike event and never looked back. The youngster held a commanding lead for all eight laps of the final and won the race with a healthy 9.623-second lead on his nearest competitor, Christie, who suffered a horrendous crash in the morning warm-up sessions, bravely remounted and rode hard to finish a strong second.
Christie had a race long battle with Yamaha mounted Nelson. The two exchanged positions on almost every lap until the final when Christie edged ahead of Nelson, who had to settle for the final step of the podium.
In fourth was Excel Honda-mounted Marie Josee Boucher who again had a strong race to finish just ahead of fifth place rider Jean Paquet.
For the second round now, the most exciting action took place in the Acme Slate Amateur Superbike class, where this time Bill Sheilds had a brilliant race for the win. Not to be outdone last round’s winner, Yamaha-mounted Efram Ellenbogen had another superb performance to gain second.
Both riders started well back in the pack of the 26-rider field, but steadily moved forward until the final lap of the race when leader Aaron Kennedy went off track. Sheilds got by new race leader Alain Lefebvre to take first, dragging Ellenbogen behind him to take a well-earned second place finish. Lefebvre had to settle for the final step of the podium.
In what was almost a carbon copy of the Am Superbike race, Shields and Ellenbogen teamed up to finish one-two in the Rush Racing Amateur 600 class. Shields got off to a good start aboard his Yamaha but Ellenbogen rounded the first corner back in 11th place. With another dramatic push through the field, he climbed his way back up to the rear tire of Shields in time to watch his teammate take the checkered.
This time Kennedy finished the race in third while Lefebvre took fourth.
In Bike Pro/ Coventry Motocorp Thunder action it was Derek Vammus aboard his 1098 Ducati with a narrow margin victory over Steve “Doc” Walker riding a BMW. Rob Busby continues to impress and didn’t disappoint fans with another win in Orion Motorsports/ Pirelli SV650 Cup action.
In Pro Honda Oils Women’s Cup Challenge action, Vanessa Gareau continued on a torrid pace with a big Expert win ahead of second place finisher Josee Bouchard. In the Novice division it was Roxanne Gravelle in first.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Calgary racer makes his point
Finishing 20th probably never felt so good as it did for Dave Stokowski in the opening round of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship last Sunday.
On his first visit to Calabogie Motorsports Park the Calgary racer overcame a late start to his weekend and the challenges of learning the 5.05km, 20-turn track to score a single series point in the feature race aboard his Blackfoot Motosports/Canadian Kawasaki Motors/Kawasaki ZX-10R.
Although he has been racing for 10 years, the 28-year-old Stokowski really made a name for himself in last year's Parts Canada Superbike round at his home track of Race City Motorsports Park, where he qualified an impressive eighth and finished ninth.
This year he is planning an assault on the HJC Pro Rookie of the Year award, making the single point he earned at Calabogie all the more precious, especially as he was almost left out of the race.
Stokowski's troubles began when he was about a day late arriving at the track after a long cross-country haul from the opening round of the Western Canadian Championships in Mission, BC. He showed up on Friday morning, having missed Thursday afternoon testing. He then had to deal with adapting a kit wiring harness for his 2009 ZX-10R and correcting a rear brake issue. As a result he missed both Friday practice sessions and didn't hit the track until Saturday morning qualifying.
That unfortunately was about the worst time for Stokowski to begin unravelling the intricacies of the Calabogie long track, the longest and most technical circuit on the series schedule.
"It's not the kind of place you want to stick your neck out," he explained. "There are a lot of blind corners. Like in turn three, you have the bike tipped over before you even see the turn. I can honestly say it's more challenging than any place I've ever raced at."
Stokowski ended the session with a time of two minutes, 18.264 seconds, slowest among the 28 competitors and a good two and a half seconds off the pace of the next slowest bike. Series officials were reluctant to allow Stokowski to start the feature, but he redeemed himself on Sunday morning by getting down to a 2:14.053 in the warm-up.
He didn't exactly light things up in the race, but he at least proved he belonged in the field and things are looking up for the remainder of the series. For one thing his bike is staying out east and he is flying to the races, so the travel issues at round one shouldn't be a concern.
"Given the circumstances, 20th was about all that could be expected," he admitted. "Over the course of the weekend I probably did a total of 25 or 30 laps on the track. I felt terrible about what happened on Saturday. That's not like me at all."
Stowkowski is even considering flying in to Montreal to compete in this weekend's regional at Circuit ICAR in preparation for the second round of the Parts Canada Superbike series June 12-14.
"If I'm going to do this I want to do it properly," he said.
Ducati vs. Spies in Salt Lake
From the World Superbike Championship
TOOELE, UTAH - The Hannspree FIM Superbike World Championship heads for the US this weekend for the seventh round, which takes place close to Salt Lake City in the state of Utah. The venue is Miller Motorsports Park, about half an hour away from the state capital, on the Interstate highway road that leads to the famous Bonneville Salt Flats.
The circuit, inaugurated in 2006, welcomes the Superbike teams and riders for the second time and on this occasion they will be accompanied by their World Supersport colleagues, who get the chance to race on what is considered to be the best circuit in North America.
The track is unusual in that it can be used by cars, bikes and karts and has various configurations. This weekend's races will be held on the 4.907km version, with a total of 15 curves. The circuit itself is rather flat but has several key areas where rider ability comes into play. Last year's races were totally dominated by Carlos Checa (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda), who set pole position, new fastest lap and a double win.
The races at Kyalami two weeks ago highlighted in no uncertain way the fact that Ducati Xerox men and machines are currently the ones to beat. Thanks to a double win in South Africa, Noriyuki Haga stretched his lead at the top of the points table, and his closest rival can now be found on the other side of the pit garage, in Michel Fabrizio, who moved into second place.
The Japanese rider goes to Miller above all to wipe out the bad memories of his race last year, when he broke his right collarbone in practice. This accident didn't prevent him from racing however and it was only sheer determination that took him to sixth in the second race after crashing out of the first.
After two DNFs for Troy Bayliss, the best Ducati rider was in fact Fabrizio, who stepped onto the podium twice. The young Italian from Rome will be aiming to put one over his Japanese team-mate this weekend in the hope of keeping his title chances very much alive.
The two Ducati men however will not have things their own way at Miller, especially because the Utah circuit looks to be particularly favourable to the four-cylinder machines. It is also the home track for Ben Spies (Yamaha World Superbike), who will not only be aiming to make amends for his DNF at Kyalami, but also to beat off the foreign invasion on home ground.
Last year the Texan dominated the AMA championship race from his friend Jamie Hacking, who will be taking the place of the still convalescing Makoto Tamada in the Kawasaki team, and who is also an expert at this track. Spies can rightly be considered as the man to beat, and hopefully his weekend will be free of the technical problems that have hampered his title ambitions.
And still on the subject of American riders, John Hopkins (Stiggy Racing Honda) is not yet ready for battle and his place will once again be taken by Jake Zemke.
In the wake of their domination in 2008, Honda will be looking for a similar result this time around. The form of Leon Haslam (Stiggy Racing) confirms the British rider as one of the revelations of the season, and then the podium in South Africa of young British talent Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate), the first in his career, has taken the Japanese manufacturer back amongst the front-runners.
For the moment Checa is missing from the top slots, but the Spanish rider aims to capitalize on his good form in South Africa to kick-start his championship on a track where he triumphed last year.
Currently without their star rider and leader Max Neukirchner, runner-up in race two in 2008, Suzuki Alstare puts its faith in Fonsi Nieto once again following his return to SBK in South Africa. The Spanish rider knows Miller and now he has got to grips with the 2009 machine, he will be looking for a top 10 placement, just like his team-mate Yukio Kagayama.
The US track will be totally new for Aprilia and BMW, but both Max Biaggi and Troy Corser, back in action at Miller, as well as Ruben Xaus know the track well so this could help the Italian and German machines get quickly up to speed.
In South Africa the four-cylinder Italian bike had a few problems but picked up an overall positive result, with Shinya Nakano finally competitive.
As for BMW, it wants to turn over a new leaf after a double zero result in South Africa, and surely the return of Corser to the team will help redress morale in this so far difficult rookie season for the German squad.
After failing to obtain a permanent ride for this season, Miller will also see a return to action for Lorenzo Lanzi. The Italian will replace Regis Laconi, who was seriously injured at Kyalami. Lanzi will race the DFX Ducati left free for the time being by the French rider.
Supersport appears on the Miller event schedule for the first time, and therefore everyone will start on equal footing, except for Kenan Sofuoglu who took part in last year's Superbike race.
The two riders most in form are points leader Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha World Supersport) and Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda), winners respectively of two and three races. They are the favourites for Miller but all eyes will also be on the two champions in the championship-winning Ten Kate Honda team, Andrew Pitt and Sofuoglu, who won't be abdicating their titles easily.
Possible outsiders include Anthony West (Stiggy Racing Honda), Fabien Foret (Yamaha World Supersport), Spain's Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Provec) and Triumph riders Garry McCoy and Gianluca Nannelli.
Meanwhile the Supersport race will see, for the first time ever, two women entered for a round of the world championship, American Melissa Paris (Yamaha) and Canada's Marie-José Boucher (Honda).
COHV applauds Government investment
TORONTO, ON – The Canadian Off-Highway Vehicle Distributors Council (COHV) as a member of the National Trails Coalition (NTC) wants trail groups across Canada to know that the application forms and guidelines to access the Government of Canada’s $25 million investment in recreational trails is now available on the National Trails Coalition website www.ntc-canada.ca or www.cns-canada.ca.
“New trail infrastructure provides a safe venue for a variety of trail users and creates local economic development opportunities, particularly in rural and northern Canada,” stated Bob Ramsay, President of the COHV. “The NTC believes that trail users and volunteer trail builders/managers can achieve much more by working collaboratively and the announced $25 million in federal funding will significantly increase the level of trail building in the coming year.”
The responsible use of off-highway vehicles (OHVs) is of great interest to the COHV, its member manufacturers such as Arctic Cat, BRP (Can-Am), Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Polaris, Suzuki, Yamaha, their distributors and the not-for-profit ATV and off-road motorcycle rider federations that have developed across the country.
COHV works closely with the national All-Terrain Quad Council of Canada (AQCC), the national Motorcyclists Confederation of Canada (MCC) and provincial ATV and off-road motorcycle rider federations to develop and expand core values through initiatives that offer solutions to concerns related to respecting private landowner properties, responsible environmental practices and rider safety and training.
“Our vision and that of our rider clubs and federations is one of a comprehensive linked, multi-use trail network developed through partnerships with all stakeholders,” commented Ramsay. “With health and physical fitness being top of mind for most families and for the health care system in Canada, we believe this is a great opportunity for all stakeholders to prove that being out on the trails, whether through non-motorized or motorized recreational use, is not only fun but contributes to individual and family well-being.”
The Canadian Off-Highway Vehicle Distributors Council (COHV), originally founded in 1984 is the national not-for-profit trade association that represents the responsible interests of manufacturers and distributors of all-terrain vehicles and off-road motorcycles in Canada. Together, over three million Canadians ride an ATV or off-road motorcycle on a regular basis each year. Find out more at: www.cohv.ca.
Advertiser of the Day - Deals Gap
Welcome to The Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort located 1 mile south of the TN/NC state line, also known as The Dragon. This site is dedicated with providing you with everything you need to have a great trip in and around our region.Please take some time to surf our site, and see everything that this beautiful region has to offer. We are open late February through November and have all the amenities needed for a comfortable stay in the area. Located at the heart of all the action, the Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort is located at the south end of the famous Dragon, home to 318 turns in 11 miles of scenic and twisty US 129. With no distractions, the Dragon winds its way up and over the mountains of Tennessee into North Carolina and is the gateway for all NC has to offer. Like the land that time forgot, you will not find any driveways, gas stations, subdivisions or mini malls. In place of all the hustle and bustle of big city life, you will find many scenic and beautiful places to stop and take time to soak in all the natural beauty. Many people have come for a visit here and moved here not long after!
Without a doubt, you will have one of the best motorcycling experiences one could have, whether you are cruising on your Harley or looking to make faster passes on your sport bike.
Motorcycle Videos
If you love biking you will love these videos,they are up to 10 minutes long :-)
Have a great weekend and drive safely :-)
Regards
Marius
Generali and Ducati together in MotoGP
From Ducati Racing
BOLOGNA, ITALY – On the eve of the Italian Grand Prix at the Mugello circuit, Generali and Ducati have announced an important partnership marking the debut of the Generali Lion logo in the MotoGP motorcycle World Championship, through the support of the red team from Borgo Panigale.
The two companies have signed a three-year agreement naming the Generali Group, one of the largest European insurance providers active in more than 60 countries, as a Ducati official sponsor. The Generali logo will appear on the Desmosedici GP9 bikes and the leathers of World Champions Casey Stoner and Nicky Hayden.
“The MotoGP World Championship is an ideal sponsorship context which perfectly matches with the international scope of the Generali Group," said Giovanni Perissinotto, Generali Chief Executive Officer. "This agreement brings together two major Italian companies which, over the years, have been demonstrating a strong capacity for innovation that made them successful international players.”
“We are proud of this important partnership with Generali," said Gabriele Del Torchio, Ducati Motor Holding Chief Executive Officer, "an agreement which confirms the great value which can be brought worldwide by the cooperation between two outstanding Italian brands which will actively promote ‘Made in Italy’ all over the world. We hope this will be the beginning of a long and fruitful cooperation, confirming once again the credibility and highly professional skills of our technicians and employees”.
During this year’s season, Generali will also be present at a number of MotoGP circuits and will be the title sponsor of the Valencia Grand Prix on Nov. 8.
Rights advocate gets Hall of Fame nod
From the American Motorcyclist Association
PICKERINGTON, OH -- The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced another member of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2009: Mona Ehnes, a long-time champion of off-highway motorcyclists' rights. Ehnes will be among the motorcycling heroes honoured at the 2009 induction ceremony at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas this Dec. 5.
"Mona Ehnes is one of motorcycling's most dedicated rights activists," said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. "She not only embodies the spirit of advocacy but also possesses the even rarer fortitude to act on her convictions. I'm thrilled that our voters are honouring Mona and her accomplishments by giving her a well-deserved place in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame."
Ehnes charged into the fight for motorcyclists' rights in 1967, when controversial legislation was introduced that would have restricted off-highway vehicle (OHV) riding opportunities in her home state of Montana. Ehnes has been at the front lines of the OHV rights battle ever since, as a founding member of both the Great Falls Trail Bike Riders Association and the Montana Trail Vehicle Association. She remains both an active advocate and off-highway motorcyclist today, and serves as executive assistant to the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council.
"I've been a member of the AMA for some time, and I've always supported the AMA Museum, so this is such an honour," Ehnes said. "I've been involved with motorcycles and motorcycling since the '60s. Dirt biking is my life. If somebody is willing to give me this kind of recognition, then I hope that it inspires other riders who love dirt biking as much as I do to get out and get involved."
Ehnes added that one of the most significant lessons she's learned in her four decades of service to the OHV community is that it's necessary to tailor the OHV-access message to a non-riding audience.
"The most important thing we need to realize is that when you advocate for our rights, you're almost always talking to non-motorcycle people," she said. "You're talking to agency people who have no idea about the sport at all. They don't know the type of joy you get from riding. They do not realize that this is a family sport."
The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum honours individuals who have made lasting contributions to protecting and promoting the motorcycle lifestyle. Its members include those who have excelled in racing, road- and off-road riding, pushed the envelope in motorcycle design, engineering and safety, and championed the rights of riders in both the halls of government and the court of public opinion.
The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Committee includes 11 members in addition to the chairman. There are 10 committees, each representing a different aspect of motorcycling. Five represent various racing disciplines, and five represent non-racing interests.
Sons of Anarchy Pictures
Ride safe.
Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://inter-bike.blogspot.com/
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Rossi aims for more Mugello success
It’s one of the most eagerly-awaited rounds on the MotoGP calendar, and this season there is a title battle equally as breathtaking as the Mugello scenery. The Gran Premio d’Italia Alice takes place this weekend to mark the fifth race of the 2009 season, with the top three riders in the premier class separated by just a single point.
Leading the World Championship for the second time in the present campaign, Jorge Lorenzo has 66 points to his name after a blistering start to the year. Victories in Japan and, most recently, France have been the standout results for the Fiat Yamaha rider since the beginning of the season, with a further visit to the podium making up the rest of his total.
Only a crash in Jerez has blotted his copybook thus far, something rectified at Le Mans, and the Spaniard is keen to make amends for his 2008 DNF at Mugello with another sterling result.
Trailing teammate Lorenzo by one point, Valentino Rossi’s record at Mugello speaks for itself. Victory at the last seven MotoGP visits to the Italian track give the reigning World Champion an incomparable pedigree at a single circuit. Rossi has won in all conditions and on a variety of machinery at Mugello, but a win is never a done deal with the high talent level in MotoGP.
The six-time premier class titlist is gunning for his 99th triumph and, most importantly, the leadership of the classification in front of his home fans. If any further motivation were needed, Rossi arrives in Italy following a last place finish at Le Mans.
Adopted by a section of the Italian crowd as one of their own, Casey Stoner is level on points with Rossi in a tightly-packed top three. Like his rival, Stoner also finished off the podium in France, meaning that no rider has stepped onto the rostrum at every race in 2009.
A win in Mugello would not only be a huge psychological advantage for the Australian, but would also bring delight to Ducati and their fans at the Italian factory’s home race. Stoner has taken a second place and qualified on pole position in the past two visits to Mugello.
Rapidly catching the leading group, Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa is building confidence and fitness with every race. He chased down teammate Andrea Dovizioso for a third consecutive podium at the last round, and has been one of the few riders to give Rossi problems at the scene of this weekend’s race in recent years. He is currently nine points behind leader Lorenzo in the classification.
In some respects, fifth-placed Marco Melandri is the surprise package of 2009 so far. Riding an under-developed Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR for the Hayate Racing team, the Italian took an unexpected podium at Le Mans in the flag-to-flag MotoGP race.
However, despite his setbacks in recent years Melandri’s talent has never been in doubt, and the former MotoGP World Championship runner-up will be out to show as much at his home Grand Prix. He is currently level on points with fellow local rider Dovizioso in the standings.
The Gran Premio d’Italia Alice is also a home round for Rizla Suzuki’s Loris Capirossi and Pramac Racing rookie Niccolò Canepa, who both have extensive experience of the Mugello track. Capirossi’s laps have come over the course of 18 race visits in his World Championship career –including a MotoGP victory in 2000 - while Canepa was a frequent visitor to the circuit last year as Ducati’s official test rider.
Only 17 riders will participate in the first Friday practice session for the Gran Premio d’Italia Alice, as Sete Gibernau will sit out the event after fracturing his collarbone at Le Mans.
The race itself takes place on Sunday, with practice and qualifying on the two days prior.
Edie snags three wins
From the Alberta Mini Roadracing Association
CALGARY, AB -- Round one of the six-round AMRA national series commenced in Calgary after an emergency change of venue due to predictions of spring blizzard-like conditions at Stratotech Park in central Alberta. Despite the last minute locale change almost 100 class entries competed at this national event sponsored by Midwest Motosports Canada Ltd.
After the enforced Canadian winter hiatus, race day opened with beautiful warm Alberta weather. The first class on the line was the Spec Supersport class, predicted to be dominated by Bodhi Edie and his PMP Honda Powerhouse dealer sponsored CBR125R. A valiant effort was displayed by AMRA President and Youth Mentor Jay Fox, but Edie quickly pulled away from the group. After two heats overall results saw Saskatchewan Mini Roadracing Associations (SMRA) Edie in first, followed by AMRA's Fox and SMRA President Emil Peev.
Formula Thunder was dominated by AMRA's KJ Gamblin from Sherwood Park, AB. AMRA Vice President Robbie Haynes was excited to be on the grid with his protégé and nephew Cody Conrad. Conrad's lap times were only a half second behind his uncle's after the first heat. Two heats and overall results saw 15-year-old Gamblin pull an early lead in the '09 point series followed by 11-year-old Conrad in second and Haynes in third.
In the first Formula 80 heat Edie, Fox, Rob Ross, Ian McWhirter, Jay Baloch and Haynes freight trained around the 1100m track. Edie led the first seven laps, closely followed by McWhirter and Fox. Lap five caught Haynes "daydreaming" coming out of corner one, the highest speed corner at Varsity Chrysler Speed Park and he crashed. McWhirter took over the lead for laps eight through 11 but on the final lap Edie lined up McWhirter, came in underneath and smoothly pulled away into the final two corners to secure the lead.
Heat two of the Formula 80 class was very similar to the morning's competition, with Edie schooling all who attempted to usurp him. Overall results found Edie with an early point lead followed by Fox, Ross and 14-year-old Emerson Lefurgey.
McWhirter leads the Motard Class, which ran in combination with the Formula GP class.
Haynes will be out for round two of the series with a fractured collarbone, but should be healed for round three at the end of June in Calgary.
Formula Pocketbike was dominated by '08 Pocketbike 40cc Provincial and National Class Champion Chris Mah. Twins Daniel and Pierre Pelletier fended off International competitor Chris Mooney from Dublin, Ireland to finish second and third, respectively. Class Sponsor Brendon Schmidt from Grinn and Barrett Motosports maintained an extreme spectator's viewpoint to finish in fifth place, promising a stronger finish in the upcoming rounds.
The Canadian Powersports Group-sponsored 'Thumper' class ran with the 17" Thunder class. Defending National Thunder Champion Jay Fox, with pole, got his patented holeshot and led a train consisting of Gamblin, Ian McWhirter, Matt Bagshaw, Jay Baloch and Rob Ross until the later moments of the race. On lap seven Bagshaw came in underneath Fox in the hairpin, charging out to remain in the lead for the final few laps of the heat. Fellow competitors followed Bagshaw through the hairpin leaving Fox to finish in fourth overall.
Thunder standings at the end of the day saw Bagshaw with Gold, Gamblin with a Silver and Baloch with Bronze. Thumper standings saw champion McWhirter with Gold and Stuart Pullen with Silver.
Round two of the Canadian National Mini Roadracing Series will take place June 13-14 at 3 Flags Motorsports Park in Regina hosted by the Prairie Sport Riders Association.
Results
Formula 80: Bodhi Edie, Warman Sask, Jay Fox, Calgary Alberta, Rob Ross, Calgary Alberta
Motard: Ian McWhirter, Calgary Alberta
Thunder: Matt Bagshaw, Calgary Alberta, KJ Gamblin, Edmonton Alberta, Jay Baloch, Calgary Alberta
Formula Thumper: Patrice Lambert, Edmonton Alberta
Thumper: Ian McWhirter Calgary AB, Stuart Pullen, Calgary Alberta
Formula Thunder: KJ Gamblin, Edmonton Ab, Cody Conrad, Calgary AB, Rob Haynes, Calgary Ab
Spec Supersport: Bodhi Edie, Warman Sask, Jay Fox, Calgary AB, Emil Peev, Saskatoon Sask
Under 21 Spec: Bodhi Edie, Warman Sask, Matt Bagshaw, Calgary Alberta, Emil Peev, Saskatoon Sask
Formula under 21: Emil Peev, Saskatoon SK, Emerson Lefurgey, Calgary Ab, Cody Conrad, Calgary Ab
Spec Over 21: Rob Ross, Calgary Alberta, Jay Fox, Calgary, AB, Ian McWhirter, Calgary Alberta
Formula Over 21: Jay Fox, Calgary, AB, Rob Ross, Calgary Alberta, Ian McWhirter, Calgary Alberta
Pocket Bike Open: Christopher Mah, Edmonton, Daniel Pelletier, Edmonton, Pierre Pelletier, Edmonton
Pocket Bike 40cc: Christopher Mah, Edmonton, Daniel Pelletier, Edmonton, Pierre Pelletier, Edmonton
Big weekend for Mountain Toys team
From Mountain Toys Racing
CALGARY, AB - Mike Zottmann, Matt Schmidt and Tom Bodrovics of Mountain Toys Racing proved that they will be the team to beat after a dominating first round of the CMRA series in Calgary May 16-17, picking up five, first place finishes between the three riders.
Zottmann, three-time CMRA Open Superbike Champion took an early lead in the Heavyweight Expert class aboard his GSX-R1000 and continued the trend by finishing the race ahead of the field by a dominating margin. In the Open Superbike race Zottmann not only won, but set a new CMRA lap record of 1:16:770 around the 2.0-mile Race City road course.
“We are very pleased with Mikey's performance this weekend and once again, he has proved he wants another Superbike title," the team said.
Schmidt, the defending Middleweight Expert and Middleweight Superbike Champion was back in form as well, winning both the Middleweight Expert and Middleweight Superbike races despite sustaining a concussion and shoulder injury the weekend before in Mission. Schmidt led both races aboard his GSX-R600 from start to finish, pulling a huge gap between the rest of the Middleweight field.
“I’m really happy with my results today because I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to maintain race pace with my shoulder injury," said Schmidt.
Bodrovics, Mountain Toys' AM 600 rider proved he to was up to the challenge as well, finishing first in the Middleweight AM class and setting a new personal best lap time of 1:23:295. Bodrovics also finished a solid fifth in the Middleweight Superbike race.
Mountain Toys Racing would like to thank Suzuki Canada, Factory Outlet Trailers, Classic Auto graphics, Image Auto body,The RoadHouse,Ultimate K9 Bodyguards, Importations Thibault, Pirelli, Lockhart Phillips, Pilot Leathers, Suomy, Ogio, Hot bodies, Dirty Kustoms, Galfer, APE Race Parts, Vortex, Rockwell Time, Oakley and One Track Mind.
BMW R 1200 GS Special Edition
These packages include ABS, Automatic Stability Control (ASC) and Tyre Pressure Control, Enduro Electronic Suspension Adjustment (ESA II), heated handlebar grips, an on-board computer, chrome exhaust pipe and LED indicators.
Some package!
The R 1200 GS SE is built to order at a cost of just £11,400 OTR. BMW Motorrad dealers are taking orders now, with the first bikes being delivered to customers in July 2009.
Ride safe.
Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://inter-bike.blogspot.com/
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/
Monday, May 25, 2009
Close calls for Anstey in Ireland
From Team Suzuki
Relentless Suzuki by TAS Racing recorded a triple podium at the 80th anniversary International North West 200 and the team's success was capped with yet another victory for the 2009 GSX-R1000 in the Superstock class with Alastair Seeley.
In the opening Superbike race Kiwi Bruce Anstey was justifiably frustrated when the race was red flagged due to an on track incident as he had been stalking eventual winner Steve Plater and was planning an attack on the final lap. Anstey was credited with second place and the team's first podium of the day with Cameron Donald fourth.
In the Supersport race Anstey swapped positions at the head of the field, again with Plater, and although Anstey briefly held the lead on the final lap, the road racing specialist had to settle for second behind Plater at the chequered flag with Michael Dunlop third.
The Superstock race was another red flag affair, but this time due to the inclement weather conditions with Relentless Suzuki's Seeley taking the victory and another top step on the 2009 GSX-R1000. Donald narrowly missed out on a podium in fourth place.
The event was abandoned late in the day on safety grounds prior to the second Superbike race, but all in all it was a successful event for Relentless Suzuki.
"I'm a little disappointed that the final Superbike race didn't run as I really fancied my chances, but it's been a good weekend for Relentless Suzuki," Anstey said. "Three podiums is good exposure for the team but I would have liked that top step. I was a bit unlucky in both the first Superbike and Supersport races but that's road racing, although I'm in a good frame of mind now for the Isle of Man TT."
Team principal Philip Neill was invited to inspect the circuit with a number of other team managers prior to the abandonment of the meeting, and although he believes his riders and machinery were up to the task, he also feels Clerk of Course Mervyn Whyte's decision to abandon the meeting was the correct decision.
International North West 200 Results
Superbike Race 1
1. Steve Plater - 8min 45.964; 2. Bruce Anstey (Relentless Suzuki) - 8:46.603; 3. John McGuinness - 8:47.983; 4. Cameron Donald (Relentless Suzuki) 8:48.452
Superstock Race
1. Alastair Seeley (Relentless Suzuki) - 8min 50.296; 2. Ryan Farquhar - 8:51.195; 3. Keith Amor - 8:54.098; 4. Cameron Donald (Relentless Suzuki) 8:54.538
Supersport Race 1
1. Steve Plater - 18min 16.091; 2. Bruce Anstey (Relentless Suzuki) - 18:16.606; 3. Michael Dunlop - 18:18.723
Canada's Vaillancourt to join Motorcycle Hall of Fame
From the American Motorcyclist Association
PICKERINGTON, OH -- The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced another member of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2009: Gilles Vaillancourt, a pioneer in modern motorcycle suspension development. Vaillancourt will be among the motorcycling heroes honoured at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas this Dec. 5.
"There are key periods in the history of motorcycling where major leaps forward helped bring us to where we are today, and in the off-road world the suspension revolution of the 1970s certainly qualifies as one of those eras," said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. "Gilles Vaillancourt and his company, Works Performance, were not just along for the ride during that period. They were among the few in the rider's seat, pushing the technology and the sport of motorcycling forward."
In the early 1970s, Vaillancourt began developing off-road motorcycle shocks that featured a revolutionary multi-stage damping system. Motocross and desert racers began using his shocks with great results, and soon racers in all disciplines of motorcycling started adopting them. Works Performance now makes custom shocks for dirt bikes, all-terrain vehicles, street bikes and cruisers. The company also has expanded into other areas and builds suspension for airplane, photographic and military applications, among others.
Vaillancourt started in motorcycling at a young age, working at a local motorcycle shop in Quebec after school.
"In the winter, the shop effectively was shut down, so we spent a lot of time rebuilding the trade-ins, and that's how I got involved in working on motorcycles," Vaillancourt said. "After immigrating to the U.S. in 1960, I worked as a motorcycle mechanic and as a foreman on a printing press. Then, in the early 1970s, I got involved in modifying existing shock absorbers. That's how it all started... It's been a long ride. I've been very fortunate to have some good experiences in the sport and meet some very terrific guys who I count as friends these days. I'm really honoured that somebody would recognize what I've done in this industry."
Surprise win for Schouten
CALABOGIE, ON – Vicki Schouten was an unsuspecting winner of the second round of the Pro Honda Oils Women’s Cup at Calabogie Motorsports Park on Sunday.
The racer from Richmond, ON finished second on the road aboard her Kawasaki ZX-6R but was promoted to first place when Genevieve Lesieur was disqualified for using illegal Pirellis on her Suzuki GSX-R600.
Lesieur, who was also running in the national Pro classes, made a last minute decision to start at the back of the Women’s Cup grid but used tires that, while acceptable in the Pro classes were not eligible for Women’s Cup action. This is not the first time a racer running in multiple classes has been caught out.
The DQ wasted a great ride by Lesieur, who went from 13th to second in one lap and was onto Schouten’s tail by the midway point of the eight-lap race. She took a couple of looks inside Schouten into turn one before finally making her move in turn five with two laps to go.
“She had tried it the lap before,” explained Schouten, who had started from pole. “I wasn’t expecting Gigi to be running the race so I had scrubbed tires on, because I didn’t think I’d have to go that fast. The tires were gone by halfway and the bike was sliding everywhere.”
Natalie Catherine Provost qualified second but dropped to fifth on the opening lap before working her way up to third on the road on her Honda CBR600RR. She was 18.960 secs. behind Schouten at the finish, which with Lesieur’s disqualification gave the Kawasaki rider the Tirox Won Bigtime Award for the largest margin of victory of the day at Calabogie.
Karen Grujic was third in the final results on her Kawasaki ZX-6R ahead of the returning Shawna Aron, who came out of retirement to race her Yamaha YZF-R6. Vanessa Gareau Dominguez rounded out the official top five on her Suzuki GSX-R600 despite a five-second jump start penalty.
Race Results
1. Vicki Schouten, Richmond, ON, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 19:29.416
2. Natalie Catherin Provost, Laval, QC, Honda CBR600RR, +18.960
3. Karen Grujic, Cambridge, ON, Kawasaki ZX-6R, +28.373
4. Shawna Aron, Halton Hills, ON, Yamaha YZF-R6, +31.323
5. Vanessa Gareau Dominguez, Hudson, QC, Suzuki GSX-R600, +37.885*
6. Roxanne Gravelle, Gatineau, QC, Yamaha YZF-R6, +58.393
7. Josee Bouchard, Ottawa, ON, Yamaha YZF-R6, +1:11.009
8. Kana Matsumoto, Aurora, ON, Suzuki SV650, +1:48.831
9. Maude Labrosse-Legris, Fassett, QC, Yamaha YZF-R6, +1 lap
10. Sara-Clode Carriere, Gatineau, QC, Suzuki SV650, +1 lap
11. Samantha Goyer, Ottawa, ON, Yamaha YZF-R6, +1 lap*
12. Anissa Burachynsky, Brampton, ON, Kawasaki ZX-6R, +1 lap
DQ. Genevieve Lesieur, Quebec City, QC, Suzuki GSX-R600, Incorrect Tires
* -- Includes five-second jump start penalty
Fastest Lap: 2:11.646 by Vicki Schouten on lap 6
Margin of Victory: 18.960 secs.
Busby and Nickerson race to wins
CALABOGIE, ON – Rob Busby continued his mastery of the Suzuki SV650 National Cup while Steven Nickerson won a wild Honda CBR125R Challenge opener at the first round of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship at Calabogie Motorsports Park on Sunday.
Busby, who would probably have won the national title by now if he ran a full schedule, led all seven laps of the red flag shortened SV Cup race, finishing 4.486 secs. ahead of Jody Greening. Philippe Masse finished third.
“This was the first time I was on new tires all weekend,” said Busby. “I just kept checking on Jody to make sure the gap was OK.”
Busby nailed the holeshot on the first start, but on the second lap the red flag came out for a crash between Lee Kuhn and Joe Rodrigues, which left one of the bikes in a dangerous position.
Undeterred Busby got the holeshot a second time (“I like the start, I think I’m 9/10 on getting holeshots”) and after three laps of being shadowed by Greening managed to break away.
“I had a couple of false shifts,” the runner-up admitted. “Once he broke away and I saw I had a big gap behind I just settled in.”
Masse battled with local ace Dan Henri for the final podium spot.
“There was no way I was finishing fourth,” Masse grinned. “I was getting the champagne.”
Steve Grujic rounded out the top five finishers.
The Honda CBR125R Challenge served up a typically exciting battle with the top three –
Nickerson, Bohdi Edie and Karl Robitaille – swapping positions constantly over the eight-lap race.
The trio dove three-wide into the first time on the final lap, with Nickerson finally getting in front for good in turn six. He then held on to beat Edie by 0.115 secs. with Robitaille just a further 0.011 secs. behind.
“My goal was to get a good start and get away,” said the 14-year-old Nickerson. “But they were right on me all the way.”
Ryan Roche ran a lonely race to fourth.
RACE’s Chris Chapelle outduelled SpeedTV host Greg White for victory in the celebrity contest. Inside Motorcycles’ own Don Empey sportingly hung back in third despite his obvious pace…
SV Cup Results
1. Rob Busby, Brantford, ON, Suzuki SV650, 15:45.304
2. Jody Greening, Burlington, ON, Suzuki SV650, +4.486
3. Philippe Masse, St-Dominique, QC, Suzuki SV650, +8.940
4. Dan Henri, Ottawa, ON, Suzuki SV650, +9.401
5. Steve Grujic, Cambridge, ON, Suzuki SV650, +29.140
6. Chris Dopke, Cambridge, ON, Suzuki SV650, +33.781
7. Brent Strong, Mississauga, ON, Suzuki SV650, +37.281
8. Jeremie Hade Precourt, Granby, QC, Suzuki SV650, +37.988
9. Raphael Archambault, St-Colomban, QC, Suzuki SV650, +38.530*
10. Nicky Poon, London, ON, Suzuki SV650, +39.796
11. Steve Greene, Kitchener, ON, Suzuki SV650, +50.672
12. Kana Matsumoto, Aurora, ON, Suzuki SV650, +1:11.507
Did Not Finish
Rob Cousineau, Aurora, ON, Suzuki SV650, 5 laps
David Mongrain, St-Jerome, QC, Suzuki SV650, 1 lap
Jordan Cardozo, Newmarket, ON, Suzuki SV650, 0 laps
Did Not Start
Lee Kuhn, Hamilton, ON, Suzuki SV650, Accident on First Start
Joe Rodrigues, Weston, ON, Suzuki SV650, Accident on First Start
Sara-Clode Carriere, Gatineau, QC, Suzuki SV650
* -- Includes five-second jump start penalty
Fastest Lap: 2:14.078 by Rob Busby on lap 3
Margin of Victory: 4.486 secs.
SV Cup Points
1. Rob Busby, Suzuki, 56
2. Jody Greening, Suzuki, 44
3. Philippe Masse, Suzuki, 40
4. Dan Henri, Suzuki, 33
5. Steve Grujic, Suzuki, 29
6. Chris Dopke, Suzuki, 27
7. Brent Strong, Suzuki, 25
8. Jeremie Hade Precourt, Suzuki, 23
9. Raphael Archambault, Suzuki, 21
10. Nicky Poon, Suzuki, 19
11. Steve Greene, Suzuki, 17
12. Kana Matsumoto, Suzuki, 15
Honda CBR Challenge Results
1. Steven Nickerson, Hamilton, ON, Honda CBR125R, 22:42.952
2. Bodhi Edie, Warman, SK, Honda CBR125R, +0.115
3. Karl Robitaille, Ste-Julie, QC, Honda CBR125R, +0.126
4. Ryan Roche, Pickering, ON, Honda CBR125R, +1:01.712
5. Chris Chapelle, Belleville, ON, Honda CBR125R, +1:39.864*
6. Greg White, Raleigh, NC, Honda CBR125R, +1:40.202*
7. Don Empey, Plainfield, ON, Honda CBR125R, +1:54.701*
8. Nicole Pilkington, Blackstock, ON, Honda CBR125R, +2:42.012
9. Leah Vignale, Kemptville, ON, Honda CBR125R, +2:43.109
* -- Ineligible for championship points
Fastest Lap: 2:48.425 by Karl Robitaille on lap 5
Margin of Victory: 0.115 secs.
Honda CBR Challenge Points
1. Steven Nickerson, Honda, 56
2. Bodhi Edie, Honda, 45
3. Karl Robitaille, Honda, 39
4. Ryan Roche, Honda, 33
5. Nicole Pilkington, Honda, 29
6. Leah Vignale, Honda, 27
Matechuk draws first blood
CALABOGIE, ON – Cochrane, AB’s Cody Matechuk was victorious in his debut in the Armour Bodies Amateur Sport Bike class at the opening round of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship at Calabogie Motorsports Park on Sunday.
Matechuk rode his Suzuki Dealers / Acceleration Racing / Suzuki GSX-R600 to a 5.661-sec. victory over the BnE Racing / Yamaha YZF-R6 ridden by Efram Ellenbogen. Ellenbogen actually crossed the line in third, but the man who finished ahead of him, Sebastien Tremblay was penalized five seconds for a jump start. Tremblay instead dropped to third on his A. Perusse Kawasaki ZX-6R.
Buoyed by the support of family and friends Ellenbogen, a former resident of nearby Ottawa, claimed pole position for the 10-lap race. Matechuk got the holeshot, however, and Tremblay led at the end of the first lap.
Ellenbogen ended the opening lap in fourth but worked his way up to grab the lead in Temptation – the corner at the end of the backstraight – on lap three. He stayed there for four laps, but a sticking throttle forced him to drop back.
Matechuk regained the lead on lap eight and turned the fastest lap of the race, a 2:07.239 on the penultimate tour as he edged clear to the win.
“I had a good start but in the last turn of the first lap I had a big moment and I had to work my way back up,” Matechuk said. “It was a tough race.”
Ellenbogen had the consolation of picking up the two-point bonus for leading the most laps.
“The throttle starting sticking open,” he explained. “I tried to hang on but I just couldn’t. I had an OK start, but I’m proud of my move at Temptation [to take the lead].”
Tremblay had qualified third and admitted to being nervous at the start, leading to his jump.
“It was my first time on this bike,” said the Longueuil, QC rider.
Ellenbogen’s BnE Yamaha teammate Billy Shields had qualified fourth but dropped back to seventh in the early laps before working his way back to fourth at the finish. He passed the Envy Rides / Yamaha of Joey McRae two laps from the end.
McRae took a solid fifth in his return to national competition after being seriously hurt at Calabogie last year.
Vicki Schouten was sixth on the Kahuna Kawasaki / Kawasaki ZX-6R with a strong ride at her home event.
Race Results
1. Cody Matechuk, Cochrane, AB, Suzuki GSX-R600, 21:31.433
2. Efram Ellenbogen, Belleville, ON, Yamaha YZF-R6, +5.661
3. Sebastien Tremblay, Longueuil, QC, Kawasaki ZX-6R, +5.856*
4. Billy Shields, Unionville, ON, Yamaha YZF-R6, +14.305
5. Joey McRae, Orangeville, ON, Yamaha YZF-R6, +14.548
6. Vicki Schouten, Richmond, ON, Kawasaki ZX-6R, +17.973
7. Alain Lefebvre, Rouyn-Noranda, QC, Suzuki GSX-R600, +22.004
8. Jason Thoms, Manotick, ON, Kawasaki ZX-6R, +46.043
9. Rahul Dua, Brampton, ON, Suzuki GSX-R600, +1:09.123
10. Aubrey Bailey, Parry Sound, ON, Honda CBR600RR, +1:09.249
11. Brent Vandenbroek, Corunna, ON, Kawasaki ZX-6R, +1:23.695
12. Natalie C. Provost, Laval, QC, Honda CBR600RR, +1:26.328
13. Harvey Renaud, Orleans, ON, Kawasaki ZX-6R, +1:32.954
14. Christian LaBrecque, Quebec City, QC, Yamaha YZF-R6, +1:35.863
15. Ted Kuehn, Kingston, ON, Kawasaki ZX-6R, +1:36.173
16. Guy Lagace, Levis, QC, Honda CBR600RR, +1:36.329
17. Clarke La Prairie, Kanata, ON, Kawasaki ZX-6R, +1:36.674
18. Dominic Goudreault, St-Lambert, QC, Yamaha YZF-R6, +1:36.677
19. Jean-Sebastien Perreault, Becancour, QC, Kawasaki ZX-6R, +1:40.103
20. Vanessa Gareau-Dominguez, Hudson, QC, Suzuki GSX-R600, +1:40.780
21. Roxanne Gravelle, Gatineau, QC, Yamaha YZF-R6, +2:09.334
22. Daniel-Eric Ouimet, Lasalle, QC, Suzuki GSX-R600, +2:14.823
23. David Cote, Acton Vale, QC, Suzuki GSX-R600, +2:15.964
Did Not Finish
Jeffrey Dion, Granby, QC, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 3 laps
Sylvain Dery, St-Colomban, QC, Yamaha YZF-R6, 0 laps/Accident
Stephane Beaupre, Quebec City, QC, Yamaha YZF-R6, 0 laps/Accident
Did Not Start
Josee Bouchard, Ottawa, ON, Yamaha YZF-R6
Shane Poon, Bowmanville, ON, BMW F800S
Sebastien Migneault, St-Tite, QC, Yamaha YZF-R6
Corey Lascelle, Calabogie, ON, Kawasaki ZX-6R, -
* -- Includes five-second jump start penalty
Fastest Lap: 2:07.239 by Cody Matechuk on lap 9
Margin of Victory: 5.661 secs.
Point Standings
1. Efram Ellenbogen, Yamaha, 48
2. Cody Matechuk, Suzuki, 53
3. Sebastien Tremblay, Kawasaki, 39
4. Billy Shields, Yamaha, 33
5. Joey McRae, Yamaha, 29
6. Vicki Schouten, Kawasaki, 27
7. Alain Lefebvre, Suzuki, 25
8. Jason Thoms, Kawasaki, 23
9. Rahul Dua, Suzuki, 21
10. Aubrey Bailey, Honda, 19
11. Brent Vandenbroek, Kawasaki, 17
12. Natalie-Catherine Provost, Honda, 15
13. Harvey Renaud, Kawasaki, 13
14. Christian LaBrecque, Yamaha, 12
15. Ted Keuhn, Kawasaki, 10
16. Guy Lagace, Honda, 8
17. Clarke La Prairie, Kawasaki, 6
18. Dominic Goudreault, Yamaha, 4
19. Jean-Sebastien Perreault, Kawasaki, 2
20. Vanessa Gareau-Dominguez, Suzuki, 1
