AMA Pro Racing hires Steve Morehead as Flat Track Operations Manager

February 7th, 2010 cranialooze No comments

AMA Pro Racing has announced the hiring of Steve Morehead as AMA Pro Flat Track Operations Manager.

Steve_Morehead01During a successful racing career, Morehead was known as the “Findlay Flyer,” and was one of the leading AMA Pro Grand National Championship racers from the mid-1970s through the 1990s. In all, Morehead won a total of 23 AMA Nationals during his 26-year professional racing career. He finished ranked in the top-10 17 times. Morehead was a fan favorite and was one of the oldest riders on the AMA Pro circuit when he retired.

At the beginning of the 2000 season, Morehead accepted a position as Professional Flat Track Operations Manager for the American Motorcycle Association.  Morehead’s expertise on and off the race track has helped bring dirt-track racing to an even higher level. During the 2009 season, Morehead worked part time as the AMA Pro Racing Flat Track referee.

“Steve’s full-time employment and his 35 years of flat track experience will be a huge asset in the continued growth and development of AMA Pro Flat Track,” said Mike Kidd, AMA Pro Racing Director of Flat Track.

AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines.  Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.

Round 3 Report from Castrol Power 1 Superbike Road Race Championships 2010

February 4th, 2010 cranialooze No comments

Round 3 Report from Castrol Power 1 Superbike Road Race Championships 2010
by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com

Lap records fell in every class at Round 3 of the 2010 Castrol Power1 Superbike Championships at Levels Raceway Timaru last Sunday. The racing was witnessed by a large crowd of spectators; the largest seem at a motorcycle meeting at the South Canterbury circuit in years. Lap records were set and then broken in every class throughout the weekend. Official lap records at Timaru are now as follows:

Superbike: Andrew Stroud, Suzuki, 1.03.598
600SP: Nick Cole, Kawasaki, 1.04.809
F3: Jason Easton, Aprilia, 1.08.501
650 Pro-twin: Geoff Booth, Suzuki, 1.09.771
125GP: Alastair Hoogenboezem, Honda, 1.08.396
Sidecars: Steve Bron/Dennis Simonsen, Suzuki LCR, 1.11.512
Street Stock: Johnny Small, Suzuki, 1.17.891
Motard: Leighton Selfe, Honda, 1.12.606
Clubmans: Mark Taylor, Ducati, 1.10.781

James Smith Leads Nick Cole and John Ross during their titanic dual in the 600SP class at Timaru. Photo by Championship Digital.

Christchurch’s James Smith has double the reason to celebrate after the third round of five in this season’s New Zealand Superbike Championships on Sunday.

The 30-year-old printer is the only rider to tackle two classes this season and he’s surprising even himself by standing on the podium in both of them.

At round three of the series at Levels Raceway, near Timaru, on Sunday, the Suzuki star finished 2-1 in his two 600cc sports production class outings, sharing the day’s overall honors with Hamilton’s Nick Cole (Kawasaki) and maintaining his six-point advantage at the top of the standings.

>> Continued…

Categories: Race Results Tags: , ,

Pre-order your copy of Racers Story

February 4th, 2010 cranialooze No comments

European racing champion Can Akkaya’s best-selling German-language book Racers-Story…25 Seconds will soon be available in English. You can reserve your copy today simply by sending an email to order@racers-story.com. No payment is necessary until the book becomes available.

Learn More about Racers-Story…25 Seconds HERE, and learn more about Can’s California Superbike-Coach school HERE.

Can03

Categories: Notes Tags: ,

Alvaro Bautista: “2009 was a Strange Season.”

February 3rd, 2010 cranialooze No comments

Originally written in German by Maximilian Kroiss and translated very poorly by Dave

Spain’s Alvaro Bautista is convinced his move to the 800cc class came at the right time.

Since Suzuki has no satellite squads, Alvaro Bautista will start immediately with a factory ride in MotoGP

Since Suzuki has no satellite squads, Alvaro Bautista will start immediately with a factory ride in MotoGP

After three less-than-successful attempts at a 250cc world title, 2006 125cc champion Alvaro Bautista is making his move to MotoGP’s Rizla Suzuki factory team. Before the season starts; however, the 25-year-old, eight-time 250cc race winner and his MotoGP classmates head to the highly anticipated pre-season test at Sepang.

“The 2009 season was extremely difficult for me,” said the new Suzuki factory rider. “I was pretty confident at the start of the season.  Positive results came right away, and I felt very comfortable with my machine. But the crash at Assen cost us important points, and I was unable to come back as a result.”

As the season progressed, Bautista found himself faltering in practice and qualifying as well as during the races. “In some races, I had to risk even more [to get to the front] because the other riders had qualified so well.”  For the last four grands prix, Bautista mounted a final attack.  ”When we arrived in Portugal in early October after the long break, I prepared myself to go on the offensive,” says the young man from Talavera de la Reina, near the Spanish capital of Madrid.

“I did very well in Estoril, Sepang and Phillip Island – races where I like the circuits very much – but the technical malfunction in Portugal probably thwarted my last chance to win the title,” continues Bautista. “I was very annoyed because I was very fast the entire weekend in Estoril.  After that race, there was only one option for me: I would have to win all remaining races. But in the next race I wanted too much. After the slip in Australia, I still finished tenth, but by the Sepang race, I knew my season was over. The 2009 season was very strange for me! ”

In both of the past two seasons, Bautista finished second in the points standings, first to Marco Simoncelli in 2008 and then to Hiroshi Aoyama last year.  ”Even at the start of the 2008 season, I was fixated on winning the championship,” he says “Although the opening few races of the season went disastrously [with a series of crashes and mechanical failures], in the closing races, I stood on the podium.” (Alvaro’s podium streak lasted from Catalunya to Malaysia, but he was already too far back in the points race to catch Simoncelli).

“In 2009, we thought if we approach the season calmly and regularly finish near the top, nothing should really go wrong. But at mid-season, the conditions had changed. Sometimes it was really hard for us to fight for the win, since we had come with the bike noticeably in trouble and I lacked the confidence I had at the beginning of the season. I also lacked confidence in the bike, especially since we were having problems getting it set up correctly. ”

The reasons for the set-up problems, Bautista believes, were the constant changes within his mechanical crew. “Every year in the 250cc class, I had a different crew,” he said.  ”In 2007, I worked with my team from previous years, but before the 2008 season my team was completely changed and again at the beginning of last season. It’s not necessary to have every team member back again, but it takes some time before everything begins to come together. ”

Bautista became accustomed to the Suzuki during testing at Estoril

Bautista became accustomed to the Suzuki during testing at Estoril

Bautista is full of emotional turns, but he quickly cheers up when asked about his first impressions with the factory Suzuki GSV-R after the tests last November in Valencia and Estoril. “I am very happy about my move to MotoGP.  It’s exactly the right time for me. Riding the current generation of MotoGP machine is comparatively easier than the 250cc. At first go I had a good feel for the machine. Also, turning into the corners is much easier than with a 250 motorcycle. ”

The Iberian is most impressed with the bike’s traction control. “Even in the 250s, we had electronic riding aids. But, compared to MotoGP, that system offered little help. When you rolled the throttle, the bike would slide wildly. The MotoGP bike almost runs by itself; it’s just unbelievable: Twist the throttle and ‘wrrrrrr,’ the bike takes full control on the exit! ”

If you have any corrections or comments about my translation capabilities (that means you, David Emmett), please include them in the Comments section. Thanks.

Join the Motourage Fantasy Riders Race League.

February 2nd, 2010 cranialooze No comments

fantasy_riders_banner

Join the Motourage Fantasy Riders Race League.

It’s simple. Just visit FantasyRiders.com and Create a New Team.

Once you have a team name, login and password, go to Join Personal League.

The league number is 80033, and – if needed – the password is veryfast.

There’s plenty of time to choose your riders, but make sure your picks are locked in by Feb 26 as no more changes will be allowed until after the first round.

As always, we’ll have a really cool prize for the league winner at the end of the season.

Good Luck!

-Dave

Motourage Video of the Day: Geoff May is Looking for a Ride

February 2nd, 2010 cranialooze No comments
Dave from Motourage helps Geoff May celebrate his 2008 Superstock race win in front of the hometown crowd at Road Atlanta

Dave from Motourage helps Geoff May celebrate his 2008 Superstock race win in front of the hometown crowd at Road Atlanta

Yesterday, Jordan Motorsports Suzuki issued a news release announcing their 2010 lineup. Jordan regular Aaron Yates will return to command his #23 GSX-R1000 in the AMA American Superbike class, but – a surprise to many – the number-two rider for the Jordan team will be 2008 AMA Formula Xtreme champion and former Erion Racing Honda Daytona Sportbike rider, Pasa Robles, California’s Jake Zemke. Although we here at Motourage are, admittedly, big fans of Jake, this announcement leaves us – and many others – wondering what the heck happened to Geoff May. Piloting the #54 National Guard Suzuki, May stood on the box three times during the 2009 season and finished eighth in points, one position behind Jordan teammate Aaron Yates. The previous season, after moving from M4 EMGO Suzuki (now Team Hammer) to the Jordan team, he took the Superstock runner-up spot behind Yates and finished in 10th position in Superbikes, again one spot behind his teammate.

Even Superbike Planet’s rumor mill is silent on the May situation, and nothing has come from the Jordan camp. So, we’re left to assume that the Georgia native is looking for a job for the 2010 season. Our Motourage Video of the Day only reinforces those assumptions. This video was posted on YouTube in early December and hints at just that: Geoff May is looking for a ride.

BSB News – MSS Colchester Kawasaki gears up for busiest racing season ever

February 2nd, 2010 cranialooze No comments

MSS Colchester Kawasaki are busy putting together plans for an intense racing season with new riders, sponsors, high-technology and a focused development schedule as they attack British Superbike (BSB), National Superstock and the Isle of Man TT.

The Essex-based team stepped up a level in 2009 with their riders regularly running at the sharp end of the pack resulting in a creditable BSB series finish of sixth and seventh. Star rider Simon Andrews lead races, finished on the podium and would have had an even stronger Championship position had it not been for injury.

For the 2010 season, Andrews will again spearhead the team, backed up by Privateers Cup winner Gary Mason, while the squad will also run a professional effort in the fiercely competitive Metzeler National Superstock Championship, having signed up Howie Mainwaring.

MSS Colchester Kawasaki hopes all the pieces have finally come together for 2010

MSS Colchester Kawasaki hopes all the pieces have finally come together for 2010

Away from the short circuits, the team will run a fourth Kawasaki ZX-10R in the varied roads circuits of the Isle of Man TT, Ulster GP and NW200 utilizing the talents of roads specialist Ryan Farquhar.

During the winter, the team have picked up two state-of-the-art electronics packages, which have been developed by the Kawasaki World Superbike outfit of Paul Bird Motorsport. The Magneti Marelli Marvel system handles all on-board electronics to tackle both data collection and system management, with a myriad of datalogging and fine tuning options available. The electronics systems have been installed and the technicians have acquainted themselves with the technology, the team now track time to hone their set up.

Winter testing is scheduled to start on the 9th March at Guadix in Spain, which will give the team the opportunity to explore the new electronics for the first time.

>> Continued…

Results from round 3 of the New Zealand Superbike Championships

February 2nd, 2010 cranialooze No comments

While we in the U.S. were freezing our dupas off this weekend, they were racing in New Zealand. Round 3 of the New Zealand Superbike Championships were at the Timaru International Motor Raceway on Jan 30 and 31.

Results from selected races are as follows. Stay tuned for more NZSBK race reports

Superbike Race 1:
Andrew Stroud
Robbie Bugden
Craig Shirriffs (New Lap Record 1.03.788)
James Smith
Hayden Fitzgerald

Superbike Race 2:
Robie Bugden
Andrew Stroud
Craig Shirriffs
Hayden Fitzgerald
James Smith

125GP Race 1:
Eric Oliver-Maxwell
Gordon Hastings
Adam McCutcheon
Jaden Hassan
Colin Hastings

125GP Race 2:
Alistair Hoogenboezem
Jared Hassan
Eric Oliver-Maxwell
Avalon Biddle

125GP Race 3:
Eric Oliver-Maxwell
Gordon Hastings
Adam McCutcheon
Jaden Hassan
Colin Hastings
Glen Orwin
Angela Buunk

Sidecar Race 1:
Stephen Bron/ DennisSimosen (New Lap Record 1:11.512)
Dave Annan/ Warwicks Demmocks
Peter Goodwin/ Pion Weedon
Graeme Harris/Colin Grace
Bill Newton/ Paul Bolton
Brent Hall / Phil Tomkins

Sidecar Race 2:
Stephen Bron/ DennisSimosen
Dave Annan/ Warwicks Demmocks
Peter Goodwin/ Pion Weedon
Graeme Harris
Bill Newton/ Paul Bolton
Brent Hall / Phil Tomkins

Sidecar Race 3:
Stephen Bron/ DennisSimosen
Peter Goodwin/ Pion Weedon
Dave Annan/ Warwicks Demmocks
Bill Newton/ Paul Bolton
Brent Hall / Trevor Stokes

600SP Race 1:
Nick Cole (New Lap Record 1.05.320)
James Smith
John Ross
Glen Skachill
Karl Morgan
Dennis Charlett

600SP Race 2:
James Smith
Nick Cole
John Ross
Karl Morgan
Jay Lawrence
Dennis Charlett

Other Timaru lap records set this weekend:
Geoff Booth 650 Pro Twin 1.09.711
Jason Easton F3 1.08.609
Jaden Hassan 125GP 1.09.294

Current Timaru lap records: UPDATED 31/1/2010
Superbike: Andrew Stroud    1.03.598
600SP: Nick Cole                    1.04.809
F3: Jason Easton                    1.08.501
650 Pro-twin: Geoff Booth      1.09.771
125GP: Alastair Hoogenboezem  1.08.396
Sidecar: Steve Bron/Dennis Simonsen 1.11.512
Street Stock:  Johnny Small   1.17.891
Motards: Leighton Selfe  1.12.606
Clubmans: Mark Taylor  1.10.781

Parts Canada Superbike Championship Twin Sports National class replaces the SV650 Cup for 2010

February 2nd, 2010 cranialooze No comments

Parts_Canada_Superbike_Logo
The Parts Canada Superbike Championship will adopt a new class for two-cylinder machines for the 2010 national motorcycle road racing season.  This new category will replace the long-running and popular SV650 Cup class, and – according to series organizers Professional Motorsports Productions – Twin Sports will use the Suzuki SV model as the benchmark for performance in the new division.

Drawing on recent Canadian,  American Thunder and Suzuki SV650 Cup class rules, the following overall guidelines will be in place for the new Twin Sports division, slated to debut at the opening 2010 Parts Canada Superbike National round at ICAR, Mirabel, Quebec on May 30.  The overall standard of preparation and modification permitted for Twin Sports will match the current Sport Bike class standards.  Twin Sports class entries will be production-based, sports-oriented twin-cylinder machines.

Two basic categories of twin cylinder, four-stroke powered street-based bikes will be allowed:

1.  Liquid-cooled, maximum 800cc displacement, with a maximum power output of 80 as measured on the official series Dynojet Dyno.  Minimum wet weight post race is 360 pounds.

2.  Air-cooled, open displacement, with a maximum power output of 95 as measured on the official series Dynojet Dyno.  Minimum weight post race is 385 pounds.

Suzuki SV650

Suzuki SV650

The liquid-cooled machinery expected to compete includes Suzuki’s SV650, several Kawasaki models including the 650cc Ninja, BMW’s F800 vertical twin, Korean manufacturer Hyosung’s GT650 model line and the new Hyosung powered Fischer MRX650. Anticipated air-cooled entries include Ducati’s Sports 1000 and Monster models, Harley-Davidson’s new XR1200, BMW R models and a variety of Buell XB model push-rod equipped twins.

Kawasaki Ninja 650

Kawasaki Ninja 650

Liquid-cooled, open class twin cylinder racers from the 2008 Canadian Thunder Feature class will not be allowed to compete.  This rules out the 749/848 and large Ducati models, BMW’s HP2 Sport and the Buell 1125R.

BMW F800

BMW F800

PMP’s Technical Director, Peter Hoogeveen, confirmed that the SV Cup’s level of performance is the target for the new division.  “We will keep a close eye on the results both on track and in Tech.,” explains Hoogeveen. “At mid-season we will review the data, to see if any tweaks need to be made to the class standards in our 2010 Rule Book, and make those adjustments.  We want to be sure that costs are well controlled in the new twins division.”

Hyosung GT650

Hyosung GT650

As with all Canadian National classes, the Twin Sports category will race with Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa DOT race tires.  2010 Twin Sports competitors will be allowed six tires per race, and eight for double header weekends.  These totals do not include rain tires.

Harley-Davidson XR1200

Harley-Davidson XR1200

Both Pro and Amateur licensed competitors are allowed to compete in Twin Sports.  Pro licensed Twin Sports riders are not allowed compete in the Superbike Feature during a National weekend.

ASBK teams test at Phillip Island

January 29th, 2010 cranialooze No comments

The 2010 Australian Superbike Championship year roared into life at Phillip Island yesterday with day one of the official Australian Superbike Teams Test. A fresh new year was met with exciting new sounds, as the European brands unleashed their new machines on the Phillip Island circuit.

On hand for the test was the championship winning Factory Suzuki squad, plus all new teams from KTM, Ducati, Aprilia and Triumph. Privateer Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha and Suzuki also turned out to take a few laps.

“It’s fantastic to see such a wide range of bikes and manufactures,” said Ben Williams, ASBK Events Manager. “From the factory set ups to very professional privateer teams, we have a massive range of Japanese and European brands here today. It’s a true representation of the sports bike market here in Australia and a very exiting development for ASBK in 2010.”

A pinnacle focus of the test was the teams’ first runs on the all-new Dunlop control tires. The Dunlop D211GP RACER for Superbikes & Superstock A&B, and the Dunlop SPORTMAX GP-A for Supersport & Superstock C&D. Both tires proved to be quickly up to pace in early testing with lap times of 1.35.3 and 1.39.4 respectively.

On hand for the test was Dunlop’s National Motorsport & Motorcycle Coordinator, Stewart Corser, to provide support to the teams.
“At this early stage we are very happy with the lap times and durability. We are getting great rider feedback already, and with more laps and bike development we are quickly seeing times fall. This tire has shown great wear rates even up to 50 laps on the front and 40 on the rear. We are very proud to be the Official Tire Supplier for ASBK 2010 and even more importantly to be able to do so with an affordable range of high performance racing tires.”

Shannon Johnson opens it up on the new KTM 1190 RC8R

Shannon Johnson opens it up on the new KTM 1190 RC8R

A stand-out feature of the test was the awesome sound and impressive looks of the all new KTM machine ridden by Shannon Johnson and Chris Trounson. The 2010 KTM 1190 RC8R has now been in the hands of the KTM team for only four weeks and is already quickly on the pace. Its imposing body shape and unmistakable engine sound will no doubt be a stand out on the track in 2010.

“I’m very excited that the team and I have been able to find a successful setting so quickly in this first official test day on the KTM 1190 RC8R,” said Shannon Johnson, KTM Factory Superbike Rider.” We are concentrating on getting to know the new Dunlop control tire which I must say is surprising good. Based on this early set up performance we are happy to see our times are very close to the quickest times here at the ABSK test. We still have a lot of work ahead but with my fantastic crew and great support from KTM, I believe from round 1 we will be right on the pace for the championship.”

Unofficial times indicate that Superbikes will again be a hotly contested championship The top-six riders for the session were:

Josh Waters – Suzuki – 1:35.2
Wayne Maxwell – Honda – 1:35.4
Shannon Johnson – KTM – 1:35.4
Glenn Allerton – Honda – 1:35.4
Shawn Giles – Suzuki – 1:36.1
Jamie Stauffer – Ducati – 1:36.4

Day two of testing is shaping up to be another busy day with fine weather on the Island, a number of industry media in attendance and an unexpected test ride for the 2005 Australian Superbike Champion Josh Brookes.