Motourage

Guy Martin completes the Tyco Suzuki lineup for the forthcoming season. The 2011 Ulster Grand Prix Superbike winner and quadruple podium finisher at last year’s Isle of Man TT will partner Manxman Conor Cummins in an all-new line up for the three major International Road Races.

British Superbike Championship rider Alastair Seeley will also join them in a three-pronged attack at the North West 200 in May.

It will be Lincolnshire rider’s second season racing for Moneymore-based TAS Racing and in inimitable Guy Martin style, he explained just why he wanted to remain on GSX-R machinery with Tyco Suzuki.

Guy Martin:
“It’s taken a while, but it was always on the cards. I’m happy to be back with the team for a second year and I love the new Tyco Suzuki colors. Great job. I couldn’t knock last year to be honest; the only thing we didn’t do was win a TT, but hopefully we’ll put that right in June. That’s the box we want to tick. The North West and Ulster GP are great events but it’s a TT win I really want. The team is good enough, the bikes are good enough; and I believe the rider is good enough, so it’s time to go out and win one.”

Philip Neill, Team Manager:
“After all the speculation it’s nice to finally be able to officially announce that Guy Martin will continue to race for TAS in 2012 in the new Tyco Suzuki livery. I think we both knew that it was going to happen. We made a verbal agreement to each other last August at the Ulster Grand Prix, but all the speculation has brought lots of publicity for our sponsors, the team and Suzuki, which is great. But I suppose when Guy gets out of bed these days he gets media coverage.”

“He’s a hard man to pin down with such a busy schedule, but with Conor onboard and now Guy, I think we have a strong team looking ahead to the three internationals. Guy proved last year that he has all the ingredients required to go all out for that TT win in June. It’s eluded him so far, but we’ll work as hard as we can as a team to make it happen.”

“He’s not just the most popular rider in the UK these days, but also very popular outside the sport, which is good for motorcycling in general. Everyone at TAS, Suzuki, Tyco and existing sponsors like Ian Glen from Beacon are delighted to see him stay for a second year. And as I said before, along with Conor and our BSB duo of Seeley and Brookes, I feel it can be a successful season for Tyco Suzuki.”

Team Honda Racing will return to the Australian 600 Supersport category in 2012 with last year’s ASBK 125GP Champion Josh Hook joining the team onboard a Motologic-prepared CBR600RR.

The young rider from Taree in New South Wales has already gained valuable experience in Australia and overseas, having competed in the Red Bull Rookies cup in the USA series two years in a row and competing as a wildcard entry in the IVECO Australian MotoGP 125cc class in both 2010 and 2011.

Excited to be racing with the factory Honda team, Josh believes he is ready for the challenge ahead saying “I am really looking forward to getting on the track on the Honda CBR600RR and I’m very excited to join Team Honda Racing. I know I will learn a lot working with the team as well as from Wayne and Jamie. It is a pretty competitive class so it’s not going to be easy, but I’m confident that we will find a good setup for me in testing and that I will feel comfortable on the bike going into Round 1 at Phillip Island.”

Team Principle, Paul Free is keen to see what the season brings for his expanding team and feels confident that the re-entry into the 600 Supersport class will be a notable one.

Paul Free:
“This is very exciting news for Team Honda Racing. The Motologic-based team has not competed in the 600 Supersport class for a few years now and we are all looking forward to returning to the category with Honda this season. Josh shows great potential and will fit in very well with everyone in the team. He will get his first taste of the CBR600RR soon in our first official test and I am sure he will do well going into the first event.”

Looking forward to Honda’s re-entry into the Supersport class, Tony Hinton, General Manager Honda Motorcycles said “Honda is excited to be re-entering the Supersport class in 2012 and welcoming Josh Hook into Team Honda Racing. Honda has a strong history in Supersport racing both here and on a World Championship level. Josh is a talented rider with fantastic potential and we look forward in helping him develop further, and to the prospect of challenging for the Australian Supersport Championship in 2012.”

Four-time Polish champion Andy Meklau will continue to represent Suzuki GRANDys duo in 2012. Meklau, an Austria native and winner of 25 races in the International Polish Championship last season, will race in the Superstock 1000 class and occasionally Superbike in the Polish and Alpe Adria Championships aboard the new GSX-R1000 L2.

Jacek Grandys – Manager Suzuki GRANDys duo:
“I am very happy that we are working with Andy for another season. His professionalism and experience are invaluable, and working with him is a great pleasure. Again we define the high goals and believe the new 2012 GSX-R1000 will help us to do it.”

Andy Meklau – Superstock 1000:
“I am glad that I will continue co-operation with Jacek and his team. In Poland, I feel at home and I hope it will be another successful year for all the Team. I’m really looking forward to the first tests with new GSX-R 1000 and then racing the Championships.”

Andy Meklau Career History:
2011: Superbike, Superstock 1000, Formula X-Treme Polish Champion, Superbike & Superstock 1000 Austrian Champion, Superbike Alpe Adria Champion.
2010: Superstock 1000 Polish Champion, Superbike Austrian Champion.
2009: Superbike Polish Champion, Superstock 1000 Austrian Champion.
2008: Superbike Austrian Champion, 3rd place: IDM (German Championship) Superbike.
2007: 3rd place IDM (German Championship) Superbike.
2006: 2nd place IDM (German Championship) Superbike.
2005: 2nd place IDM (German Championship) Superbike.
2004: 3rd place IDM (German Championship) Superbike.
2003: 6th place IDM (German Championship) Superbike.
2001: 10th place AMA Superbike (USA Championship).
2000: 13th place: Superbike World Championship.
1999: 2nd place PRO Superbike (German Cup), 11th place Superbike World Championship.
1998: PRO Superbike Champion (German Cup).
1996: Austrian Superbike Champion.
1995: 13th place Superbike World Championship.
1994: 6th place Superbike World Championship.
1993: 1st victory in Superbike World Championship, Grand Prix 500cc.
1992: Austrian Superbike Champion.
1991: Austrian Superbike Champion.
1990: Austrian Superbike Champion.

TAS Racing has signed Manxman Conor Cummins to race Tyco Suzuki machinery during his 2012 international road racing campaign, which is based around the North West 200, Isle of Man TT and Ulster Grand Prix.

The 25-year-old is regarded as one of the sport’s hottest young properties, and despite his high-speed and hugely publicized accident on the Mountain Circuit during the Senior TT in 2010, he is now fighting fit and looking forward to a new chapter in his career.

Cummins will also take in a number of British Superstock rounds throughout the season and hand-picked road races like the Southern 100 for Tyco Suzuki.

Conor Cummins:
“This is the ride I’ve been wanting for three or four years. I’m thrilled to have been given the chance to now ride for a factory-supported team in Tyco Suzuki and to be working with the boys at TAS Racing. I’ve been training hard with gym sessions and out on the pushbike and mountain bike over the winter, so I’m relishing the thought of getting aboard the team’s GSX-R1000 Superbike in testing. I’d say I’m not far off being as fit as I ever was and having been over to the workshop to meet the boys in Northern Ireland and have a look at my bikes. April can’t come quick enough to get racing.”

Philip Neill, Team Manager:
“After months of speculation and negotiations it’s great to finally welcome Conor Cummins to our team for the 2012 international road racing season. It’s fair to say there has been a little bit of pressure to return to a two-rider team on the roads – so once we’d reached that decision, Conor really was the obvious choice. As a person I’ve always been hugely impressed with Conor and his riding skills were evident to all after those blistering lap speeds at the 2010 TT.

“However, probably more impressive is the determination he has shown in his comeback from injury, and for me, that was more than enough to justify a factory-supported ride with us here at Tyco Suzuki. I’ll be looking forward to working with Conor both on and off the track this season, as he has the attitude and personality I was really looking for in a rider.”

Hector Neill, Team Owner:
“It’s no secret the Isle of Man TT is the highlight of the racing season for me, and with that in mind, it was important to have a two-rider lineup. It’s also widely known that my number one desire in racing is to again win the Senior TT trophy. So what better way than to win it with a Manxman onboard.”

Joan Lascorz and Tom Sykes joined forces in the new-look Kawasaki Racing Team World Superbike Championship squad for a first 2012 test at Spain’s Almeria Circuit on January 19-20.

The new initiative of a long winter test ban (brought in by the series organizers this season) has only recently ended and therefore the Almeria sessions gave the whole KRT effort an opportunity to get back together and enjoy some valuable track time with the Ninja ZX-10R.

Sykes left with the best lap time, a 1:34.6”, while Lascorz took a 1:35.1. Overnight temperatures fell to near freezing point, but track conditions once the sun had come up each day were such that the riders and technical staff had a great chance to work through the many setup options on the latest race version of the Ninja ZX-10R.

The team will now take their optimum material and set-up data to the awesome Phillip Island circuit in Australia for two separate test sessions before the opening race weekend of the season. The first of 14 rounds will take place there February 24-26.

Tom Sykes: “It went very well because we arrived at another kind of circuit compared to the ones we have tested at before and the bike worked well straight away. After a big winter lay off it only took me ten laps to go faster than I have ever been at Almeria. I was happy with that. After that it was a case of testing some small items we had requested from KHI. It was consistently around 15 degrees [Celsius] in terms of track temperature and the sun was shining, so we could not ask for any more in January. The track was in good condition as well, just a bit dusty off line.”

Joan Lascorz: “We tested everything. It was cold in the mornings at Almeria but the track conditions were good and it was sunny each day, but there was some snow in the mountains around the track. This is the last test before we go to Australia so we decided the final direction of the machine set-up to take there and, in general, for the rest of the season. Tom and I have very a different machine set-up now but it is just to suit our different riding styles. The most important thing is that the difference between the fastest riders and the others in the races is that they get the tires to last for the whole race distance. This is the most important thing.”

Josh Waters

Josh Waters and Ben Attard have been signed to spearhead Team Suzuki’s Australian Superbike Championship  (ASBK) challenge this year aboard the Phil Tainton Racing-prepared 2012 model Suzuki GSX-R1000.

Waters and Attard will make up the team’s two-rider factory squad in the Superbike ranks aboard the highly-anticipated and updated GSX-R1000. After finishing fifth in the ASBK series last year despite contesting a limited schedule due to international commitments, 2009 champion Waters will enter this year’s series as a clear title contender as he competes in the entire series once again.

“Last year was great with the overseas opportunities, but it was difficult without having the carrot of the championship hanging in front of me at the end of the year,” 24-year-old Waters explained. “This year we’ll try hard and hopefully keep the ball rolling from the final three rounds of 2011.

“I’m really looking forward to riding the new 2012 GSX-R1000; having a new bike to race will be great, so it’s an exciting time as we prepare for the year ahead. Training-wise, I’ve been doing a lot of work with my brothers and will be ready for round one next month.”

Attard showed great promise in taking out the Supersport class of the Australian Endurance Championship for Team Suzuki alongside Brodie Waters and Mitchell Carr in December. After finishing eighth in the ASBK series with multiple podiums last year, he’s now been selected to join Team Suzuki on a full time basis.

“I’m excited that this opportunity has finally come because I’ve been working so hard to get it,” Attard, 31, said. “To be in the top team in Australia and riding the best bike out there is exactly where I hoped to be. I’ve been training hard to get my fitness where it should be, so I just can’t wait to get racing. Read more…

Celtic Racing has announced that it has signed 2011 AMA Pro Racing SuperSport champion James Rispoli and has entered into new partnership with Orient Express Racing, a New York based performance aftermarket motorcycle parts supplier. The team, named Celtic-Orient Express Racing will participate in the 2012 AMA SuperSport class.

James “The Rocket” Rispoli captured two titles in 2011 – the AMA Pro SuperSport overall title and the SuperSport East Division championship – and earned the Young Gun Award for the best 16-21 year old road racer in America. Rispoli celebrated two wins, at Barber Motorsports Park and New Jersey Motorsports Park, and he earned six podium finishes, finishing off the rostrum only once.

“I am really excited to be working with Barry Gilsenan and the Celtic Racing team,” said Rispoli. “They’re known for working with young talent and helping to bring out the best in them. This is an opportunity of a lifetime and will be an awesome learning year for me. I now have the experienced crew and backing I need to excel and really put everything I have into each ride. I want to thank Barry and all the sponsors for this incredible opportunity; I can’t wait for the first test.”

“James put on an impressive display winning the championship in 2011, and I am very happy to have signed him for this year,” said team owner Barry Gilsenan. “He is young, talented and has a bright future in the sport. We look forward to working with James to defend his championship. I am also delighted to announce our continued association with Orient Express, who has been a loyal supporter of our team for many years. This year Orient Express has stepped up their support to become a co-title sponsor and I thank them for that. With the signing of Corey Alexander and the National Guard Fairhills Group program, Celtic has the strongest team it has ever had.”

Skip Dowling of Orient Express stated, “We are pleased to again be working with Celtic Racing and especially excited to support two talented, up-and-coming young racers for 2012. These riders impressed us with their professionalism and success both on and off the track. We’re glad to be able to support the team with some of the best components on the planet. Being associated with the Army National Guard is an honor we will not take lightly and will strive to be worthy representatives.”

Superbike-Coach Corp. has announced a revised schedule for its 2012 schools and track days

3/9 Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA
5/28 Laguna Seca, Monterey, CA
5/12 California Speedway, Fontana, CA
6/18-19 Thunderhill Raceway, Willows, CA
7/21-22 Oregon Raceway Park, Grass Valley, OR
8/4-5 Buttonwillow Raceway, Buttonwillow, CA
11/24-25 Buttonwillow Raceway, Buttonwillow, CA

For more information, contact Superbike-Coach Corp.
Mailing Address: 8554 Patrickswell Ct, Elk Grove, CA 95624
Phone Number: 916-712-1817
Website: www.superbike-coach.com
Email: info@superbike-coach.com

Bike Prep/Information
Rain or Shine: Yes
Coolant: No Antifreeze
Headlight & Taillight: Tape
Mirrors & Signals: Remove
License Plate: OK
Safety Wire: None Required
Sidestand: OK
Minimum age to participate: 13

Yamaha Factory Racing rider Jorge Lorenzo kicked off 2012 on Wednesday with a visit to New Delhi, India. The MotoGP star was in India for a personal appearance at the 2012 Auto Expo to meet racing fans and the national Indian media. Lorenzo also took time in the afternoon to visit the Budh International Circuit, a potential newcomer to the MotoGP calendar in the not-too-distant future. After a lap of the circuit aboard a Yamaha R15 in full Yamaha Factory Racing leathers Lorenzo met with a selected few new R15 owners before holding a short press conference at the track.

The Yamaha rider will now fly on to Indonesia to be joined by teammate Ben Spies for two days of PR activities in Jakarta on January 14-15. The trip will be hosted by Yamaha Motor Kenkana Indonesia  (Semakin di Depan), a main sponsor of Yamaha’s Factory Racing MotoGP Team .

“It’s been great to visit the Budh circuit,” said Lorenzo. “The track is very modern and wide. I think it is quite prepared and ready to be on the calendar. I believe it will be exciting to ride with many overtaking opportunities. The Indian people I have met have been very kind and gentle, I would like to see more of India in the future with more time; we didn’t get to see so much in just two days here. Now I’m very excited to go to Jakarta to see all my Indonesian fans there.”

The FIM has released the provisional roster for the 2012 MotoGP season, which starts on April 8 at the Losail International Circuit near Doha in the Arabian state of Qatar. For the fifth season, the MotoGP calendar will kick off under the desert lights with the Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar.

1 CASEY STONER AUS – HONDA TEAM, HONDA
4 ANDREA DOVIZIOSO ITA – YAMAHA TECH 3, YAMAHA
5 COLIN EDWARDS USA – FORWARD RACING, SUTER*
6 STEFAN BRADL GER – LCR HONDA MotoGP, HONDA
8 HECTOR BARBERA SPA – PRAMAC RACING TEAM, DUCATI
9 DANILO PETRUCCI ITA – IODA RACING PROJECT, IODA*
11 BEN SPIES USA – YAMAHA FACTORY RACING, YAMAHA
13 ANTHONY WEST AUS – SPEED MASTER, ART*
14 RANDY DE PUNIET FRA – ASPAR TEAM MotoGP, ART*
17 KAREL ABRAHAM CZE – CARDION AB MOTORACING, DUCATI
19 ALVARO BAUTISTA SPA – HONDA GRESINI, HONDA
20 ALEIX ESPARGARO SPA – ASPAR TEAM MotoGP, ART*
22 IVAN SILVA SPA – BQR, BQR-FTR*
26 DANI PEDROSA SPA – HONDA TEAM, HONDA
35 CAL CRUTCHLOW GBR – YAMAHA TECH 3, YAMAHA
46 VALENTINO ROSSI ITA – DUCATI TEAM, DUCATI
51 MICHELE PIRRO ITA – HONDA GRESINI, FTR*
68 YONNY HERNANDEZ COL – BQR, BQR-FTR*
69 NICKY HAYDEN USA – DUCATI TEAM, DUCATI
77 JAMES ELLISON GBR – PAUL BIRD RACING, ART*
99 JORGE LORENZO SPA – YAMAHA FACTORY RACING, YAMAHA

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