Motourage

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

AMA Pro Racing has added USA Raceway in Tucson, Arizona to the 2012 AMA Pro Racing Flat Track Schedule. The event will fill the October 6, 2012 TBA date on the previously-announced 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track schedule.

Arizona’s premier 3/8-mile dirt track, USA Raceway, is a relatively new track. The modern facility, which opened in 2005, normally hosts Late Model Stock Cars and Sprints Cars, but the AMA Pro Grand National Championship has visited Tucson before. In 2007, the facility hosted two Nationals in one weekend.

The Raceway hosted both GNC Singles and GNC Twins rounds in what would be the last races of the year. Jake Johnson, aboard a factory-backed Suzuki, won the first night over teammate JR Schnabel and Bryan Smith on a Honda. The next night, Kenny Coolbeth locked up the number one plate with a second-place finish behind Joe Kopp, with Rich King taking third to make it an all Harley-Davidson podium.

The AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com and the AMA Pro Flat Track Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles will conclude the 2012 season on the west coast, the October 6 date placing the Tucson event on the weekend between California races in Santa Rosa and the finale at Pomona.

2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Schedule:

March 15, 2012
Daytona Flat Track I
Daytona Flat Track, Daytona Beach, Fla.
Short Track

March 16, 2012
Daytona Flat Track II
Daytona Flat Track, Daytona Beach, Fla.
Short Track
Read more…

The indoor ice racing season gets underway on Friday night in Reading, PA, kicking off a double-header weekend. Round 1 of the World Championship ICE Racing Series (Twitter: @ICESPEEDWAY)season is being held at the Sovereign Center Arena in Reading, PA, immediately followed by round 2 at the Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, VA. The action in this winter’s World Championship chase will definitely be fast and furious as it will be contested over just five consecutive weekends in six different cities.

The International Championship Events (ICE )-produced and sanctioned series attracts some of the biggest names in flat track racing as witnessed by its recent World Champions roster in the Manufacturers World Cup Motorcycle Division. Represented on this list are none other than “Showtime” Johnny Murphree, “Smokin” Joe Kopp, Kevin “The Viking” Anderson and three-time Champion – including the past two seasons – “Jammin” Jared Mees. Check out the action when the big boys battle it out on the tight short tracks of the ICE WC Series.

Jared Mees at last-year's ICE Speedway event in Hampton, VA

The second professional racing division featured on the World Championship Tour are the ICE Unlimited Outlaw Quads. The stellar field of four-wheel competitors will be headed up by The First Lady of ICE Racing, 4-time World Champion Mandy Brodil Cervantes racing out of North Carolina. All eyes will be on the “Wild Child” as she tries to “Arrive At 5″ by the season’s conclusion in this rough and tumble previously male dominated sport. Other top pros hoping to win their first World Title are “Sideways” Sammy Wiggins on the Major Event winning Harley-Davidson powered “Thunder Quad”, Chuck Calvert on his one-of-a-kind “Honduki” Quad, “Time Bomb” Dusty Crouch, and the Team Kansas Tornados just to name a few.

Select amateur classes are also open to local riders wishing to give it a go on the ice in front of their hometown fans. Classes offered include everything from Amateur Quads to Studless Scooters with a passenger.

This weekend, for the second consecutive year, the Motourage crew will be making the journey to Hampton, Virginia for the event. Look for exclusive photos and other coverage next week as we recap all the action for our readers. If you’ll be there for the action, let us know, and we’ll drop off some cool Motourage prizes.

36TH ANNUAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ICE RACING SERIES SCHEDULE:
Fri-Jan 6th 7:30 PM – Sovereign Center – Reading, PA
Sat-Jan 7th 7:30PM – Hampton Coliseum – Hampton, VA
Fri-Jan 13th 7:30PM – Budweiser Events Center – Loveland, CO
Sat-Jan 21st 7:30PM – US Cellular Coliseum – Bloomington, IL
Sat-Jan 28th 7:30PM – Glens Falls Civic Center – Glens Falls, NY
Sat-Feb 4th 7:30PM – Cambria War Memorial Arena – Johnstown, PA

The dates and venues for the 2012 Ducati 848 Challenge have now been announced with a calendar incorporating some of the best circuits both in the UK and the European mainland.

The Ducati 848 Challenge will again consist of eight rounds and 16 races, including six British Superbike rounds, as well as the now-traditional two overseas rounds. The series kicks off at the British Superbikes opener at Brands Hatch on April 6 before returning to Assen for a third consecutive year on the May 11. The Championship then makes its first visit to the Snetterton 300 circuit before heading to Misano and the famous World Ducati Week.

The second half of the season is equally enticing as the Championship heads to Oulton Park and Donington Park for the first time, with Cadwell Park sandwiched in between before the end of season finale at Ducati UK’s home circuit, Silverstone on the September 29-30.

The 2012 Calendar gives Ducati 848 Challenge riders a fantastic selection of circuits with three World Championship circuits in the UK but also the two away rounds at Assen held during the Ducati Club Races, Europe’s biggest amateur race meeting followed by a trip to Misano during the biannual Ducati festival, World Ducati Week attended by 60,000 passionate Ducatisti.

The Ducati 848 Challenge heads into its third year, firmly established amongst race fans as one of the premier one-make series seen on UK circuits. 2011 saw some incredibly close and exciting racing and 2012 promises to see more of the same. Again the winner of the Championship will receive an 848EVO while second prize will consist of a full set of Ducati riding gear and third prize a set of Ducati leathers.

Neil Hodgson takes over the reins of Series Ambassador and will be present to mentor some of the younger riders as well as offer advice to those more experienced competitors.
April 7-9: Brands Hatch Indy (BSB)
May 11-13: Assen TT (DCN
May 25-27: Snetterton 300 (BSB)
June 22-24: Misano (WDW)
July 6-8: Oulton Park (BSB)
August 25-27: Cadwell Park (BSB)
September 7-9: Donington Park GP (BSB)
September 28-30: Silverstone GP (BSB)

International Entertainment Group (IEG), official promoter of the Australian Superbike Champinship, has released the dates for the 2012 Victorian Road Race Championships (VRRC).

The VRRC will be contested in three rounds, beginning at Broadford State Motorcycle Complex on March 24-25. Round two will also be held at Broadford, from July 7-8, and the final round will be held at the Phillip Island Circuit from October 6-7.

Pole Position Travel has added the Isle of Man TT to its growing list of motorcycle racing VIP tours. The travel package will include four days of TT action with the option to add days to the beginning and end of the official tour.

Included in the package will be top hotel options, Platinum VIP Senior Race Day hospitality, the team experience, a private guided track tour, many special guests including Irish road racing superstar Ryan Farquhar plus other exciting experiences yet to be announced. The Isle of Man TT VIP package is limited to 10 participants and two top Pole Position Travel guides, making this tour a true VIP experience.

The Motourage crew toured with Pole Position Travel for the 2011 MotoGP Italian Grand Prix in Mugello, so we can speak from experience when we say there is no better deal – and no more exciting experience – than a VIP package with Pole Position Travel.

For more information and to book your reservations today, check out the PPT IOMTT package details.

The QBE Australian Superbike Championship will be contested in seven rounds within four states in 2012 with the World Superbike round at Phillip Island serving as the season opener from February 24-26. Combined class grids will see Superbike/Prostock and Supersport/Superstock competitors race together in addition to the first round of the all-new 250 Production class.

Darwin’s Hidden Valley Raceway will host round 2 from April 20-22, with a full complement of feature and support classes. The first 2+4 event for the season will be held at Perth’s Barbagallo Raceway on May 4-6; the return prompted by extremely positive responses from V8 Supercars and the West Australian fans, and the second 2+4 event will follow, with the ASBK joining V8 Supercars at Phillip Island from May 18-20.

The remaining three rounds will be standalone, featuring Superbike, Supersport, Prostock, Superstock, 250 Production, Superlites and Supermoto. These rounds will be held at Queensland Raceway (June 1-3), Phillip Island (August 17-19) and Queensland Raceway (September 14-16).

The 250 Production and Superlites classes will contest an additional round, incorporated with the staging of the Victorian Road Race Championships.

2012 QBE Australian Superbike Championships calendar

Rd 1. 24-26 Feb 12, Phillip Island, WSBK, (SBK/PST, SSP/SST, SPR)
Rd 2. 20-22 Apr 12, Hidden Valley, SA, (SBK/PST, SSP, SST, SLT)
Rd 3. 4-6 May 12, Barbagallo, V8, (SBK)
Rd 4. 18-20 May 12, Phillip Island, V8, (SBK/PST)
Rd 5. 1-3 Jun 12, QLD Raceway, SA, (SBK/PST, SSP, SST, SLT, SPR, SMO)
Rd 6. 17-19 Aug 12, Phillip Island, SA, (SBK/PST, SSP, SST, SLT, SPR, SMO)
Rd 7. 14-16 Sep 12, QLD Raceway, SA, (SBK/PST, SSP, SST, SLT, SPR, SMO)

SA – Standalone round/ V8 – V8 Supercars round/ WSBK – World Superbike round

With the 30-day AMA Pro Racing test ban going into effect next week, this weekend, July 30-31 marks the final opportunity for AMA racers wishing to practice at New Jersey Motorsports Park’s Thunderbolt Course without a starting penalty.

Mark Rozema, of Markbilt Racebikes, will be offering trackside suspension tuning at NJMP Thunderbolt in conjunction with motorcycle trackday provider Absolute Cycle Experience. In addition to their normallyscheduled, four-group, seven-sessions-per-group trackday, Absolute will also host a $150 open test and tune session for licensed racers from 5-6:30 pm on both days. To register, contact Absolute Cycle Experience at 877-382-9800 or visit their website.

About Markbilt Racebikes:
Markbilt Racebikes is a factory-authorized, regional Öhlins Suspension Tuning Center, servicing all brands of suspension. Founded in 1998 by racer and motorcycle enthusiast, Mark Rozema, Markbilt Racebikes is a full service race shop, featuring CNC manufacturing capabilities, welding, fabrication, engine & chassis shop and fully featured Superflow chassis dynamometer and tuning center. Markbilt has had the honor of working with many talented riders, winning over 100 regional and national championships; in every class from 125GP to the prestigious AMA Daytona 200. Markbilt currently supports racers Eric Stump and Miles Thornton in the AMA Pro Racing MotorcycleSuperStore.com SuperSport championship.

By now everyone has heard (and many opinions have been voiced) about AMA Pro Racing cancelling the Suzuki White Lightning Nationals at VIRginia International Raceway. Motourage has made the call to fans to head to Alton anyway that weekend to support local businesses, and now VIR has filled the vacancy with an exciting weekend for race fans and wannabe racers . VIRginia International Raceway will present a full three-day schedule of two-wheeled action, with the Northeast Sportbike Association (NESBA) on the North Course and the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) competing on the South Course.

NESBA, the Northeast Sportbike Association, is a non-profit, volunteer-run organization, formed in 1996 by sportbike enthusiasts and former racers who understand and appreciate the difference between riding fast and riding well. Its purpose is to get sportbikers on the track – where they can ride to their fullest potential without the limitations, distractions and hazards of the street. The program operates on the premise “Ride Fast, Ride Safe” and the belief that riders can and should do both – in a structured environment, without the free-for-all mentality of the street or the dogfight mentality of racing. With close to 200 track days this year, NESBA is the largest single sportbike track day organization in the country. Whether you’re a street rider or a racer, NESBA can help you become a more experienced, more skilled, more confident sportbiker. Grab your helmet and let’s ride! For more information, visit www.nesba.com.

AHRMA – If you are crazy about old competition motorcycles – whether road racers, flat trackers, motocrossers, trials iron or woods bikes – then you have certainly come to the right place. That’s what the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association is all about, Fun on Old Wheels. AHRMA is a celebration of the competition motorcycles of yesterday, as well as the legendary riders who made history aboard these machines. Where possible, AHRMA rounds out this historic experience by recreating the types of race courses these machines were used on. In particular, motocross tracks and observed trials sections both have changed dramatically since these motorcycles were new, but AHRMA steps back to the way it was “back then.” We make sure racing takes place in an environment that is safe, fair and friendly. AHRMA is the largest vintage-racing group in North America and quite possibly the biggest in the world. Our roots extend back to efforts to organize vintage road racing during the late 1970s in the Northeast. For additional information visit our website: www.ahrma.org.

An eventful off-season shuffle will see a host of familiar faces piloting new rides when the 2011 Viking Group Australian Superbike Championships get underway at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit this week. Sharing the track with World Superbikes for their traditional opening round, the Aussie stars of the Superbike/Prostock, Supersport and Superstock classes are set to scrap to the last lap for points in a pair of races each.

While the Superbike class is stacked full of seasoned campaigners, all eyes will be on the #17 Team Suzuki GSX-R1000 of Troy Herfoss who enters his rookie season in the 1000cc class. With just two full seasons of road racing behind him, the 24-year-old from Goulburn in NSW is already showing the attributes of a future world champion. Despite his success – Troy was crowned Australian Supersport Champion in 2010 – Herfoss is determined to remain grounded in his approach to this new challenge.

Troy Herfoss is poised to make an impact with his jump from 600s to liter bikes

“Moving from the Superport to the Superbike was a big unknown for me,” explained Herfoss. “Until I started testing the new bike, I’d never actually ridden a 1,000. I’m feeling comfortable on the bike and it probably fits me better than the 600 did which is a good sign. My immediate goals are to finish every race; achieving these I hope to enter the final round with a mathematical chance of fighting for the title. Race wins would be good but consistency is what will build a championship campaign.”

The experience and racecraft of Team Honda Racing’s Jamie Stauffer will make him one of Herfoss’ closest title threats. The Kurri Kurri-based rider strung together two near-perfect seasons from 2006-2007, emerging champion on both occasions. His results in seasons past have been uncharacteristic, and he is sure to be back to full strength on the proven package of the Paul Free-engineered Honda CBR1000RR.

“Our tests have all been positive and I already feel right at home on the bike,” said Stauffer. “The team will be strong in 2011 and if I can put in top, consistent finishes then I feel I can be in the running at the end of the season. Wayne [Maxwell] and I have never raced in a team together, but we get along really well. We are both competing to win the championship of course, but above all we are part of a team and we share information readily. Our bike set-up is actually not that different so the process works well.”

The move of 2010 runner-up Maxwell to the factory Honda effort opened up the competitive Demolition Plus GAS Honda Racing seat which will be occupied by 2003 Australian Superbike Champion Craig Coxhell. Coxhell and his CJC Racing team campaigned a successful season aboard a Prostock-spec BMW S 1000 R in 2010, but plans to race the bike in Superbike trim in 2011 stalled. A chance phone call from GAS Honda owner Geoff Winzer resurrected Coxhell’s 2011 ambitions and he is hopeful of factoring in the championship fight.

“We had been working on a deal to race the BMW in the Superbike class but the sponsorship dollars dried up,” said Coxhell. “I was fortunate enough to receive a call from Geoff (Winzer) and the offer to race the Demolition Plus GAS Honda. I won a Superbike privateer title with the team in 2009 so it is good to be back on board and racing a bike that I know has the potential to win races. Last week’s test was my first opportunity to ride the bike, so it was more about finding my feet than anything. The team has changed their suspension setup and after a bit of work I was feeling comfortable.  The opportunity to run a full season on a Superbike has provided a real motivation boost. I’ve been training hard and feel the most fit and focused that I have in quite a few years.”

Like the Superbikes, there will be no #1 plate holder in the Supersport field, and a hungry pack is waiting to lay claim. The battle between Suzuki’s Brodie Waters and Triumph’s Christian Casella looks set to resume, and a number of new faces to the class look set to buy in.

Yamaha returns to the Australian Supersport Championship in factory capacity, fielding Kevin Curtain and Rick Olson on the successful R6.

Nick Waters, brother of Brodie and 2009 Superbike champion Josh, makes the move up from Superstock and will be competitive on a Suzuki GSX-R600.

A total of 23 riders will contest the Supersport races this weekend. In the Superstock ranks (formerly Superstock 600), an incredible 43 entrants will be vying for position.

Action gets underway on Thursday, February 24 as the full ASBK field rolls out for their first practice sessions of the event. The exciting Superpole qualifying format will separate the Superbike/Prostock field’s top-eight qualifiers for a one-lap dash and shot at pole position. The top-four Supersport qualifiers will contest their own Superpole session to determine the front row for the weekend’s races.

Round 1 of 8, Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit

Qualifying format:
Superbike/Prostock* – 2 x 20 min qualifying, top 8 qualifiers to Superpole
Supersport – 2 x 20 min qualifying, top 4 qualifiers to Superpole
Superstock** – 2 x 20 min qualifying

Race format:
Superbike/Prostock* – 2 x 12-lap races
Supersport – 2 x 12-lap races
Superstock** – 2 x 8-lap races

2010 winners:
Superbike – Wayne Maxwell (Honda)
Prostock* – Ben Attard (Ducati)
Supersport – Troy Herfoss (Suzuki)
Superstock** – Carew Dickinson (Yamaha)

Lap record:
Superbike – Wayne Maxwell, 1:32.316
Prostock* – Ben Attard, 1:36.493
Supersport – Bryan Staring, 1:35.200
Superstock** – Aaron Morris, 1:39.837

Circuit length: 4.445km