Motourage

Team Suzuki Alstare riders Leon Haslam and Sylvain Guintoli continued to work on finding the best set-up for their GSX-R1000 K10 Suzukis instead of chasing lap times today and ended the two-day World Superbike test at Phillip Island in Australia in 7th and 15th respectively.

Strong winds buffeted the 4.445 kilometer circuit and most riders took things cautiously, especially in the afternoon. Ducatis filled the top four places at the finish with Michel Fabrizio the fastest, with a time of 1:31.650. Second was Shane Byrne, with Jakub Smrz third and Carlos Checa fourth.

Alstare Suzuki's Sylvain Guintoli

Sylvain Guintoli: 147 laps (two days) 15th – 1:32.869:
“Today we did a lot of work on getting the bike working well with race rubber and didn’t concentrate of chasing lap times. I had a small get-off at the tight hairpin after Lukey Heights, but there was no damage to me or the bike. It happened when I lost the front end when I pushed a bit too hard on a tire that I didn’t really like – and now I like it less!

“I have had no problems with jet-lag or tiredness today, but I felt that I just couldn’t find my good rhythm. This sometimes happens to me when we test for a lot of time, like today when the two sessions lasted two and a half hours each. In a normal race weekend, practice lasts an hour and race is about 45 minutes and I always manage to find a good rhythm without a problem, so maybe the sessions today were a bit too long for me. But, we’ve done a lot of good work and now I am looking forward to next Friday and the start of the race weekend.”

Leon Haslam: 142 laps (two days) 7th – 1:32.279:
“I am not so happy with the final result, regarding lap times, but overall I am happy with all the work we’ve done and the things we found out and this will help us go in the right direction.

“Today we started with the two bikes set up differently and I preferred some things on one bike and some things on the other bike, so the mechanics will now try and put the best bits of both on one bike and that’s what I will start with during first practice next Friday. We spent quite a lot of time today trying out race tires, so that we will be in a good position next week, but that meant that we didn’t really go for a very quick lap time.

“I am not worried about the guys ahead of me today, because I know that things will be very different come the race next weekend. That’s more important than lap times today. I feel good about our prospects – and that’s the main thing.”

Overall results (two days): 1 Fabrizio (ITA-Ducati) 1:31.650, 2 Byrne (GBR-Ducati) 1:31.652, 3 Smrz (CZE-Ducati) 1:31.680, 4 Checa (ESP-Ducati) 1:31.959, 5 Rea (GBR-Honda) 1:32.175, 6 Haga (JPN-Ducati) 1:32.247, 7 Leon Haslam (GBR-Suzuki Alstare) 1:32.279. 15 Sylvain Guintoli (FRA-Suzuki Alstare) 1:32.869.

[SPEED Press Release]

DAYTONA BEACH, FL (February 19, 2010) – AMA Pro Racing and Daytona International Speedway are pleased to announce the Daytona Short Track National will air in high-definition Sunday, March 7th on SPEED at 6 p.m. ET.

Back-to-back Daytona Short Track Nationals will kick off the 2010 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship at the new DAYTONA® Flat Track on March 3rd and 4th. After traditionally being staged at Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium, the events now have a new home on a quarter-mile lime rock dirt track located in the West Lot outside NASCAR Turns 1 and 2.

The one hour show will feature highlights from March 3rd with coverage of the March 4th race.  The Daytona Short Track Nationals have a tradition as two of the most difficult nationals of the year just to make the main events, as over 300 entries are expected over the two days. Speed will capture the excitement and thrills of handle bar to handle bar action on the ultra fast quarter-mile track.

Henry Wiles will make his first appearance of the year carrying the No. 1 plate on his Kawasaki 450 after winning the 2009 AMA Pro Grand National Expert Singles division. Defending Pro Singles National Champion Brad Baker will make his debut on a Honda 450 carrying the No. 1 in the Pro Singles National.

“We are thrilled that our season opener on the new DAYTONA® Flat Track will be on SPEED,” AMA Pro Racing Director of Flat Track, Mike Kidd said. “This is a great opportunity for our fans, riders, teams and sponsors to showcase one of the most exciting forms of motorcycle racing in the country.”

SPEED™ is the nation’s first and foremost cable television network dedicated to motor sports and the passion for everything automotive. From racing to restoration, motorcycles to movies, SPEED delivers quality programming from the track to the garage. Now available in more than 79 million homes in North America, SPEED is among the fastest-growing sports cable networks in the country and, the home to NASCAR on SPEED and an industry leader in interactive TV, video on demand, mobile initiatives and broadband services. For more information, please visit SPEEDtv.com, the online motor sports authority.

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.

“A country as dependent on tourism as is the Republic of San Marino can gain important benefits from large, international sporting events like [the MotoGP Championship],” said San Marino Secretary of Tourism and Sport, Fabio Berardi.  The Most Serene Republic of San Marino (its official name) Office of State for Tourism held a press conference to announce the small country’s continuing partnership with WTR that will see its teams contest MogoGP’s 125cc and Moto2 classes

Now in its seventh consecutive season, the WTR San Marino Team will be managed by Loris Castellucci. Frenchman Johan Zarco – the 2007 MotoGP Red Bull Rookies Cup champion – will pilot the team’s 125 Aprilia, as he did last year when he finished in 20^th position as a class rookie.  Fellow countryman Valentin Debise makes his move from the 250 CIP Honda team to lead WTR San Marino’s Moto2 charge.

Team Suzuki Alstare has signed an agreement with a new sponsor, Viru, for the 2010 World Superbike Championship.
Viru is an Estonian beer and is distributed by the Italian company Biscaldi Group, with whom Alstare has worked with on many SBK operations in recent years.

Viru is a fresh-tasting 5% Pilsner beer and is produced in a unique octahedral shaped bottle, whose design is said to be based on the famous churches and towers of old Tallin, Estonia’s capital. The beer is made from highest-quality barley from the pure grain fields of Lithuania and hops from the Czech Republic in the university town of Tartu.

Viru is a premium quality beer and perfectly fits the dynamic image of Team Suzuki Alstare.

Pietro Biscaldi from the Biscaldi Group said: “We are very happy to be involved with Team Suzuki Alstare because they are such an important team in the Superbike World Championship. We are looking forward to supporting them and fighting for the title this year.”

Team Suzuki Alstare is also happy to announce that Dark Dog will continue to be onboard this year, alongside their other current long- standing technical partners. All are optimistic about the season ahead, particularly after the superb performances of Leon Haslam and Sylvain Guintoli in this year’s tests. Both Leon Haslam and Sylvain Guintoli are already fired up about their prospects this year and will be going all- out for the title right from the first race of the year.

Former AMA road racer and 2004 Superstock champion Aaron Gobert returns to his native Australia in 2010, riding in the ASBK Supersport class on a Yamaha YZF-R6. The 2010 season will be the first time Gobert will race competitively in his home country since winning the Australian 250cc Production Championship in 2010.

“I’m excited to be coming back to race in Australia and also to be riding an R6 again, which I’ve had a lot of success on in the past,” he said. “It’s been almost 10 years since I’ve raced a full season here, so it will be good to get on track and get the season started.”

Goberts return aboard a Vern Graham Yamaha R6 will take place on Feb 26-28 at Victoria’s Phillip Island Circuit

North West 200 organizers are this year seeking to operate a Thursday daytime practice session on May 13th in a bid to further improve safety at Ireland’s top outdoor sporting event.  It is anticipated that roads will close after the morning rush hour at 9.30am and re-open at 3pm. There will be no change to the Tuesday practice session with roads closing at 5pm and re-opening by 9.30pm as per last year.

Since December, North West 200 personnel have been consulting with key organizations, residents and business people in the Coleraine area and a letter explaining the background to the concept was distributed last week to residents located round the 9 mile circuit.

The North West 200 course map

Relentless International North West 200 in association with Black Horse Race Director Mervyn Whyte MBE, explained the reasons behind the changes: “Our NW200 management team is proud of the event’s ongoing growth and development but are mindful that safety must always be our top priority. The new daytime practice on Thursday will replicate Race Day conditions such as road temperatures, setting sun and timing, so enabling riders to become very familiar with course layout. The daytime practice also addresses the problem in previous years of lack of practice time for competitors and allows us, for the first time, to run all classes separately. We believe altering the time of the traditional Thursday practice session will dramatically improve overall safety at the event.”

“Whilst star riders compete in the North West 200 year on year, the race continues to expand and attract new riders and it is vital we offer these competitors a safe and secure practice session to build up competition speeds which are timed in excess of 150 mph.  Lack of practice time has been a major concern with riders and with these new sessions we hope to facilitate them and ensure riders gain as much experience of the conditions and roads prior to Race Day.”

Organizers have called on local people who live or work along the course who anticipate that they will need to leave or gain access to their homes during Thursday practice on 13th May to contact the NW200 Race Office by 30th April by email, telephone or by post. Email info@northwest200.org, post a letter to NW200 Race Office, Sandel Village, Knocklyn Road, Coleraine, BT52 1WW or telephone 028 7035 5800.

Mervyn Whyte paid tribute to all residents and businesses close to the circuit thanking them for their patience, tolerance and good-humored support and urged everyone to support the new daytime practice session. “As always we try to minimize inconvenience as much as possible and we do appreciate the support we receive from local people. The North West 200 generates £8 million for the local economy, stimulates tourism and presents extremely positive images of the North Coast region and Northern Ireland in general to potential visitors worldwide.”

Backing  NW200 organizers’ decision to implement a daytime practice session eight times NW200 winner Steve Plater said, “Seasoned riders will be more relaxed and less likely to make mistakes whilst rookie riders will have additional time on their own to get to know the course during daylight hours. I believe it’s a very professional approach and provides a much safer competitor environment.”

Havier Beltran, HM Plant Honda team manager added, “This is great news for the Relentless International North West 200 in association with Black Horse. Moving practice to during the day will give the competitors more time on the track and it’s an important step forward for the event.”

After a massive learning curve in 2009 whilst competing in their inaugural British SuperBike season MIST Suzuki continued to develop their Suzuki GSXR1000 over the Winter months. The preparation for the 2010 season resulted in a vastly improved machine with over 200 hp at the rear wheel coupled with a significantly improved electronics and suspension package.

Longtime MIST Suzuki Rider Matt Bond retired halfway through the 2009 BSB season

Plans for 2010 began in early November with promising talks with both sponsors and potential riders alike. As time moved on an agreement was reached with a top level sponsor and plans continued with a view to hiring an established rider, someone of the calibre of former race winner Chris Walker for example, and other experienced staff who could help take the team to the next level.

In the past week the team has learned that the company that had agreed to support the sponsor’s new business venture would be reviewing their partnership which means that by the time any money is available, if at all, it will be too late to allow everything to be ready in time for the start of the season.

It is with regret that MIST Suzuki find themselves in a difficult position with such a short time before pre-season testing is due to begin. Every effort is being made to secure the necessary funding to compete in the British SuperBike class this season and hire a rider capable or proving what the team can do. In addition there is potentially the option to run a second rider in the new SuperBike Evo class should the opportunity arise.

International Entertainment Group (IEG), in conjunction with the Northern Territory government launched the 2010 Viking Group Australian Superbike Series at Hidden Valley race circuit in Darwin on Monday.

In attendance was Chief Minister Paul Henderson, 2009 Australian Superbike Champions Josh Waters and Jamie Stauffer and IEG Managing Director Yarrive Konsky, amongst other guests.

The Chief Minister, HON Mr. Paul Henderson said, “The NT Government is thrilled to have the return of the Superbikes after at least a ten-year absence. There will be over 700 associated personnel making their way to Hidden Valley to participate in the biggest motorcycle event in the NT this year, bringing an increase to tourism and the local economy.” The Chief Minister emphasized the importance to local economy and that hosting the Superbikes is likely to bring approximately $2m (AU) into the local community through additional tourism.

Yarrive Konsky was equally excited to be bringing the Superbikes to Hidden Valley. “We have been working with NT Major Events for the past five months in preparing for the return of Superbikes. We will bring over 120 competitors (in five categories) as part of approximately 700 overall associated personnel to Hidden Valley for the inaugural race.”

“IEG have record entry numbers for all categories this year, three new Manufacturers on board (Ducati, Aprilia and KTM), and a new circuit proving that the series continues to grow from strength to strength. “

Josh Waters, riding for Team Joe Rocket Suzuki and reining 2009 Australian Superbike Champion demonstrated a few laps of the circuit on a standard road bike said “I am really looking forward to coming to a new circuit in Hidden Valley this year. The track is very fast with a good fast flowing section in the back of the circuit. It will be great to show the locals what Superbikes is about!”

Jamie Stauffer, riding for the new Team Motologic Ducati, is looking forward to the new project with Ducati this year. Jamie said, “It’s good to see new circuits coming on board and I am really looking forward to racing here in April. The circuit will provide some very close racing.”

Both riders were extremely buoyant about the new circuit and looking for to April 08th when the Superbikes hit Darwin for round 2 of the Viking Group Australian Superbike series. There was plenty of banter from both Josh and Jamie throughout the day on who would perform best here in April. So let’s see how the talking goes on the track starting at Phillip Island in 10 days time!

The first race of the season commences at Phillip Island on 26 – 28 February and the Hidden Valley Round will be Round 2 on 08 – 11 April.

Treasure Racing attended Winton Motor Raceway in Northern Victoria recently to continue its bike testing to increase its knowledge of the new LCR Chassis adjustments in preparation for the 2010 FIM World Championship. The main purpose of the day was to focus on suspension.

The Treasure Racing LCR Suzuki of Adam Treasure and Darren Dewhurst

The Winton racetrack has become quite a bit bumpier in the years since Adam or Darren last rode at the track in 2006. The bumpy track created an environment to test the suspension adjustments allowing Adam to focus on obtaining the perfect balance between low impact ripples while still maintaining composure over the harder hitting bumps for the LCR.

Pilot Adam Treasure and passenger Darren Dewhurst at Winton

The day started out slow with each test session becoming quicker as adjustments were made. The Sidecar lap record at this track was set by Stacey Sellar at 1:30.088 in 2006, Adam and Darren managed to go out in their last session and lap consistently in the mid to low 1:30’s until the final lap when the boys posted a new un-official lap record of 1:29.63.

Thanks must go to Mick DeWith and Justin Sheppard for their help throughout the day. We would like to take this opportunity to announce that Treasure Racing now has it’s own official Website. We can be found at  www.treasureracing.com Thanks to our Website designer and Host Bradley Brown for all of his help and input.

Feel free to drop into our website and sign on to the forum and comments page to keep up to date with our achievements throughout 2010.

Adam & Darren

Treasure Racing

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