Motourage

An exciting weekend of World Superbike action from Round 1 at Phillip Island. This weekend was also round 1 of the Motourage Fantasy Riders league.  Suzuki and Ducati – both factory and privateer efforts – came up big in Australia, and the players who picked those teams also came up big.

Here are the results of Round 1 of the Motourage Fantasy Riders league:

1st Swamphole Racing, Noel Nunkovich 46

2nd MinellaSpeed, Dave Minella 45

3rd Team Motorious, Ivan Lo 35

4th East Coast Racing, Brad Boutilier 33

5th Flying Monkeys, Jeff Ritter 29

6th team karbonated, Rebecca Saclolo 27

7th BNG Racing, Bridget Kirkland 27

8th Motherless Goats, Jared Koch 27

9th Dark Energy, Camila Restrepo 27

10th Team Rig, Lee Lilly 27

11th CornerSpeedPhoto, Dan Lo 27

12th Spieswise, A. Van Donselaar 24

13th Pretty.2010Pretty Pretty 16

14th irishlad, Dave Kelly 9

15th Uttley Allstars, Richard Uttley 6

16th JJ’s M1 Super Scooters, Jennifer Jabbusch 6

17th ducatinewstoday.com, Mark Morrison 0

18th Desmodromic Demonoids, Aaron Boyle 0

19th rozlanbgsp, Rozlan Abdullah 0

20th MotoGPNewsBlog, Chris Lykins 0

21st MotoGPBlog, Rob Jones 0

22nd Ow My Freakin’ Ears!, Leigh Berwick 0

Team Suzuki Alstare rider Leon Haslam didn’t chase lap times in today’s first qualifying session for the World Superbike Championship at Phillip Island in Australia, but took the third fastest lap of the day.

The young Briton worked all day trying to find a good race set-up and did not even use any soft tires during the timed session this afternoon, when his best lap was set on race rubber.

His team mate Sylvain Guintoli continued to improve his understanding of his GSX-R1000 Suzuki and finished qualifying with the eighth quickest time.

Spaniard Carlos Checa (Ducati) posted the fastest time in qualifying, with Michel Fabrizio (Ducati) second.

Leon Haslam – 3rd, 1:32.373:
“I am really happy with today because we are well on the way to finding a good set-up for the race on Sunday. We tried all three different tires and now we have good ideas about which one we will use depending on the conditions. I didn’t even use a soft tire this afternoon and my fastest lap was done on ordinary race rubber.

“The differing temperatures have given us different challenges, but I’m pretty confident about the bike’s set-up, unless of course it rains and then we’ll all be in trouble. The track felt a bit slippery and greasy today, because of the hotter temperatures, and the wind was a bit of a problem in turns 1 and 2 and sector 4, but it was the same for everybody and we just had to cope with it. No problems really today, except that I heard from home this morning that my 19-year-old dog had died. He’s had a good, long life, but he will be missed.”

Sylvain Guintoli – 8th, 1:32.902:
“We’ve made a good step forward today – maybe part of it was down to me using my right hand better – and I am really loving riding the bike. We tried many different settings and also did a lot of work on trying to improve the tire life and, like Leon, I did my best lap on normal race rubber.

“At the moment, I am struggling a bit finding problems with the bike and everything is going very well. That’s also down to the hard work put in by the whole team and we are feeling good about our prospects on Sunday. First aim tomorrow morning is getting into Superpole. After that, we’ll see what happens.”

Friday WSB qualifying: 1 Checa (ESP-Ducati) 1:32.155, 2 Fabrizio (ITA-Ducati) 1:32.162, 3 Leon Haslam (GBR-Suzuki Alstare) 1:32.373, 4 Byrne (GBR-Ducati) 1:32.635, 5 Haga (JPN-Ducati) 1:32.703, 6 Biaggi (ITA-Aprilia) 1:32.850. 8 Sylvain Guintoli (FRA-Suzuki Alstare) 1:32.902.

Crutchlow and Toseland make progress at Phillip Island

Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike riders Cal Crutchlow and James Toseland made a purposeful start to the first race weekend of the season today at the Phillip Island circuit. The riders faced a day of serious heat with track temperatures hitting 45°C. Having now solved the chatter issues that dominated the test last week, both Crutchlow and Toseland spent both the practice and qualifying sessions exploring the limits of the 2010 bike. With significant power increases across the rev range through off-season engine development, this was the first real opportunity for the riders to experience the changes and work on the set up of their bikes in advance of race day.

The high track temperatures drastically reduced grip on the track surface, causing Toseland to lose the back end of his R1 in turn 11, becoming one of seven riders to fall in the session. He was unhurt and came back out on his second bike.

One of the developments of the bike for 2010 include a lighter carbon fuel tank, this was changed to the heavier 2009 tank for today’s sessions, seeming to help eliminate the chatter issue.

Cal Crutchlow, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team (10th 1’33.038)
“I think we’ve worked hard and got rid of the chatter problem. The 2009 parts that we’ve used seem to have helped us in that way. The tank and the seat unit seemed to have stopped the chatter now. If you look at our times, although we’re not initially fastest straight away we’ve got consistency across the sessions. We’ve got some more areas to work on and I’m looking forward to making the bike even better tomorrow. We’ve got a good direction to work in, it was just a little unfortunate that the track temperature was so hot today. Even so we were still doing the same times as Ben’s race pace from last year. Hopefully it will cool off over the next couple of days and work better for us.”

James Toseland, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team (13th 1’33.422)
“Unfortunately had a big crash today coming out of the penultimate corner which didn’t help things. I did go back out on the other bike but had a pain in my hand so came in as I wanted to make sure it was ok. We’re definitely making improvements, we’ve just had a lot to do in one day to work through the package. We’re only a bit over a second off pole now so we’ll focus down and keep moving forward tomorrow.”

Massimo Meregalli, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team Manager
“Today we rode two practice sessions without chattering which is a very good improvement, so now the riders have to find the limits of the 2010 bike. Last weekend they couldn’t as the chatter held them back. Looking at this as the first day I think we’ve improved quite a lot. Unfortunately James crashed but he is fine, so we will see what they can both do tomorrow.”

Circuit Length: 4445
Weather: Hot
Lap Record: 1’32.402 (Troy Bayliss, 01/01/2006)
Fastest Lap Ever: 1’31.069 (Ben Spies, 01/03/2009)
Last Year’s Winner: Ben Spies

2010 WSB Australia – Phillip Island 26/02/2010
Qualifying 1

Well, I guess we can’t complain. The nice racing fans (?) over at SPEED have found it in their hearts to postpone the 35th re-runs of Pinks All-Out and Pimp My Ride to bring us some coverage of the AMA Pro Road Racing Series round 1 from Daytona.  The – um – excitement kicks off on Friday, March 5 with live coverage of the Daytona 200, which – as Ralph Shaheen will tell you – is “the most prestigious motorcycle race in the world.” And, although it will be dark outside and this will be live coverage, listen for Ralph to remind you about 100 times that this race is taking place “under the lights.”

On Saturday evening, set your DVRs to record the Supercross event and Superbike race 1 and 2 (which will be on a two-day delay). Finally, the weekend winds down with AMA Flat Track action from the new 1/4 mile Daytona short Track. It’s great for flat track fans to actually be able to see a race on TV, but don’t get used to the coverage, as AMA Flat Track will only be available on MavTV for the remainder of the season.

The ongoing coverage failure by SPEED makes one wonder if they’re in cahoots with the folks over at DMG to completely kill American road racing…

Daytona Bike Week broadcast schedule (subject to change):

March 5
· Daytona Sportbike Daytona 200, 9 p.m. ET

March 6
· Daytona Supercross, 8 p.m. ET
· American Superbike Race 1, 10:30 p.m. ET
· American Superbike Race 2, 11:30 p.m. ET

March 7
· AMA Grand National Flat Track, 6 p.m. ET

AMA Pro Racing announced today that the AMA Pro SuperSport Top Guns division will begin accepting pre-entries for the 2010 AMA Pro Road Racing season following the opening round of competition during the Daytona 200 event week, March 3rd -5th at the world famous Daytona International Speedway.  Entries for the Daytona round will be accepted at Registration March 2nd (11 a.m. – 5 p.m.) and March 3rd (7 a.m. – 12 Noon).

The new class within a class, AMA Pro SuperSport Top Guns will feature riders with a current Expert License from a recognized motorcycle road racing organization and enables regional competitors to race alongside the SuperSport Young Guns, which are young riders aged 16 to 21 that compete for an East and West Regional Championships, culminating with a season-ending Young Guns Shootout.

It is anticipated that many local riders will enjoy the ability to race and showcase their talents during an AMA Pro Racing weekend and this will add more local interest to the events during the ten race AMA Pro Road Racing season.  The SuperSport Top Gun riders compete for individual event prize monies and will be invited to participate in their own season-ending Top Guns Shootout.

Any interested riders must have a current AMA Pro Basic Membership, show proof of a current Expert status license with an approved Road Racing organization and present a Photo ID to registration at each and every event.  Interested minors must have the minor’s release section signed by both parents.

Rules packages, entry forms, eligible equipment lists and additional important procedural information on the entry and registration process can be accessed via the AMA Pro Racing website, www.amaproracing.com under the AMA Pro Road Racing Competitor Information Section.

It feels great to be able to post some real racing schedules for the first time in a long time.  We’ve been (not so) patiently waiting all winter long, and racing season is finally here. The next week brings us round one of the FIM World Superbike Championship and the Australian Superbike Championship, both happening at Phillip Island. Also, AMA Pro Road Racing returns to Daytona for the Daytona Sportbike class’s Daytona 200, as well as American Superbike, Supersport and AMA Flat Track. With the uncertainty that the US economy brings as well as the ongoing DMG fiasco, Daytona will be the first chance for many of us to take a peek into what 2010 has in store for American motorcycle racing.

Here’s what’s going on in the upcoming week:

At the Track

February 26-28
FIM Superbike World Championship Rd #1
Phillip Island Circuit, Victoria, Australia

February 26-28
Viking Group Australian Superbike Championship Rd #1
Phillip Island Circuit, Victoria, Australia

February 27-28
Castrol Power 1 New Zealand Superbike Championship Rd #4
Manfeild Park, Feilding, New Zealand

February 27
XIIR – Extreme International Ice Racing
The Aud, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

March 3-4
AMA Pro Racing Flat Track Grand National Championship Rd #1-2
Daytona International Speedway Short Track, Daytona Beach, Florida, USA

March 3-5
AMA Pro Road Racing Rd #1
Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Florida, USA

On TV

Sunday, February 28
Superbike World Championship Rd #1
Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia
SPEED
3:00pm-4:00pm (Same Day Delay) -Race 1
4:00pm-5:00pm (Same Day Delay) -Race 2

Friday, March 5
AMA Pro Road Racing – Daytona 200
Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL, USA
SPEED
9:00pm-11:30pm (Live)

*The Official Motourage Daytona 200 Drinking Game: Drink every time Ralph Shaheen says “Under the lights.” You’ll be falling down by lap three.

AMA Pro Racing is proud to announce Airfence brand inflatable soft barriers will be deployed for the 2010 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship, beginning with the Daytona Short Track Nationals on March 3-4, 2010.

Due to concerns for rider safety, the Illinois Motorcycle Dealers Association (IMDA) has agreed to donate its fleet of 30-foot sections of Airfence inflatable soft barrier to the Roadracing World Action Fund (RWAF), which will assign a total of 46 sections to AMA Pro Racing for deployment exclusively at flat track racing events.

In 2005, the IMDA purchased 30 sections of Airfence with a grant received from Ford Motor Company, and donations to the RWAF by fans, racers and sponsors funded the purchase of 16 additional sections. Those 46 sections have been deployed by IMDA at flat track events, mostly in the Midwest.

Tommra Kiesow, Director of the IMDA said, “We are proud to be able to donate such an important asset to the sport of flat track racing, with the help of the RWAF. We are confident AMA Pro Racing will handle the Airfence with expert care and get many more years of use.”

Airfence in use at the Springfield Mile

Airfence inflatable soft barriers are designed and manufactured by Airfence Safety Systems (Australia) Pty. Ltd. and used extensively in motorcycle racing to help protect riders from hitting hard walls or objects as the result of a crash.

“When I first heard the Airfence was going to be available, I thought ‘Wow.’ I know from my experience as a board member of the Roadracing World Action Fund the logistical and financial commitment it takes to deploy Airfence at races on the Grand National Championship is no easy task,” said Chris Carr, seven-time AMA Pro Grand National Champion. “I applaud the IMDA and AMA Pro Racing’s proactive approach to rider safety.”

Mike Kidd, AMA Pro Racing Director of Flat Track said, “The IMDA has done a great job providing Airfence to their mile races and other events which needed extra protection. I am glad we can now extend that same safety protection to all our half-mile and mile events along with selected short track and TT races.”

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.

We’re planning on producing some Motourage Tour 2010 T-Shirts, highlighting the events where the Motourage group will have a presence this summer (So far the list is WSBK at Miller, MotoGP at Indy and AMA at VIR with more TBD).  So, we’re asking readers to submit their favorite motorcycle racing quotes to be used on the back of the shirts.

We’re looking for famous or semi-famous racers or anyone close to the racing world; managers, techs, crew chiefs, promoters, media, etc.

Just post your suggested quote and to whom it’s credited in the comments section.  If your suggestion is selected for use on the Motourage T-Shirt, you’ll receive a free T-Shirt and some other neat little prize that we find lying around.

Stroud can’t afford to relax

by Andy McGechan www.BikesportNZ.com

With just four races to go to decide where the national superbike title heads this season, it is not the time to back off and play it safe.  Quite the contrary, as championship leader Andrew Stroud (Brother Suzuki) would tell you.

Robbie Bugden leads Andrew Stroud and Craig Shirriffs. Photo by Andrew Bright, Championship Digital

The Hamilton rider is just 13 points in front of defending champion Robbie Bugden (Triple R Suzuki) at the top of the superbike standings and he’ll be pushing hard for more wins at the series’ penultimate event, the fourth round of five in this season’s Castrol Power 1 New Zealand Superbike Championships at Manfeild this weekend.
“I’m not far enough in front to be relaxing just yet,” said the 42-year-old Stroud, determined to win back the title he last held in 2006.

Stroud knows Australia’s Budgen is a fierce adversary. The Brisbane rider is used to winning races – having won the New Zealand title for the past three seasons – although he hasn’t had it all his own way in 2010. There are two races for the superbike class at Manfeild on Sunday and a further two at the final round at Hampton Downs, near Meremere, to wrap up the series
“If I finish behind Robbie in these final four races, he’ll be leading the championship at the end … I know I can’t afford to let that happen,” said Stroud.

Meanwhile, Christchurch rider James Smith is on target for double celebration as he sits in a podium position in two classes, third overall in the superbikes class and on the top step in the 600cc Sports Production class. The 30-year-old printer shared the day’s overall honours with Hamilton’s Nick Cole (Kawasaki) at the previous round at Levels Raceway, just outside Timaru, last month and was therefore able to maintain his six-point advantage at the top of the standings. But, like Bugden, Cole is not a rival to be taken lightly. Cole has actually won more races in the 600cc class than Smith. Cole has won four of the six races thus far but a DNF thanks to a broken drive chain at round two has proved very costly in the Waikato man’s drive to nail down his first championship.

Foxton’s Jason Easton (Aprilia Tigcraft) is within just 11 points of defending champion Glen Williams (Suzuki), of Palmerston North, in the Formula Three class, while Dannevirke’s Geoff Booth (Suzuki) continues to lead the 650 Pro Twins class, albeit now by just three points from Christchurch’s James Hoogenboezem. Meanwhile, Hoogenboezem’s bother, Alastair (Honda), is still the man to beat in the 125GP class, a massive 69 points in front of Auckland teenager Jaden Hassan (Yamaha).

In the sidecars class, Wanganui men Stephen Bron and Dennis Simonsen (Suzuki) comfortably lead from Canterbury pair Dave Annan and Warwicks Demmocks (Suzuki).