BMW S1000RR Ready to Go in Oz & MotoGP Testing in Qatar

The BMW S1000RR will also be campaigned in Australia - as readers of this blog will no doubt already know - in both the Asutralian Superbike Championship and in Australian Formula Xtreme. Craig Coxhell, a privateer champion, will be taking the new machine to the tracks in the ASBK series. And, the Motohansa Laser Exhaust Race Team will be fielding Jeremy Crowe in the Formula Xtreme Championship. For all the information, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yky94eq

We have several reports coming in from the MotoGP preseason test at Qatar. I have already linked you to the team press releases in a previous post and, since there are so many of the other reports, I will simply place links here for you to peruse to find any story you may be looking for...

A little on Lorenzo: http://tinyurl.com/yzpd5w

More on Rossi: http://tinyurl.com/yzwm2o8

Bit about Repsol Honda: http://tinyurl.com/ygez35z

Second day early results: http://tinyurl.com/yj9eb6f

Alex Gobert's Racing Insider & CMRA's Dustin Dominguez

From 'Racing Insider' we get news about Australian Motocross - something we rarely get news of on this continent - American Supercross, Australian Superbike, and MotoGP. In this St. Patrick's Day edition - though it is obviously not as popular in Oz - we get some very good news on the off-road racing world in Australia. The other bits are mostly information you already know, but old Gobert is pretty good at summarizing it all. So, go and take a look...

http://tinyurl.com/ya27dvb

Dustin Dominguez is now an expert road racer using his talents to contest the Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association' s 2010 championship series. He may not be there for long, though, especially after this past weekend. He took his own Kawasaki ZX-6R and a borrowed Suzuki SV650 to seven - yes, 7 - victories at Eagle's Canyon Raceway in Texas. Dominguez was not the only racer having a good weekend, though, so take the link and read about all the other CMRA race results...

http://tinyurl.com/yaqaajv

More Morning Moto News - Alex Gobert's Racing Insider

This week's 'Racing Insider' from our Australian friend Alex Gobert is now available. There are the usual stories on Australian Motocross, which just started its season, Australian off-road motorcycle racing, Australian Superbike, MotoGP, and Moto2 this week. There is some good detail on the Oz MX world as we hear so little about it up here in the US; he has a good story on a young off-road racer, Daniel McCoy; he also goes into some detail on the happenings in MotoGP. Don't miss it, please take the link and have a read!

http://tinyurl.com/yeoxxqz

Wednesday Afternoon Moto News - Racing Insider, GNCC Results & Royal Enfield Demos

We couldn't leave Alex Gobert and his 'Racing Insider' column out of the posting, now could we? In this issue, he looks closely into the Australian and World Superbike Championships and talks about the Phillip Island round. It is a very useful round-up of important bits of news which may have been missed by the big media outlets. Take the link and you will enjoy!

http://tinyurl.com/yak4zw8

The first round of the 2010 Grand National Cross Country Series went off this past weekend at the Westgate River Ranch in Florida. Makita Suzuki's Josh Strang took the victory. Almost 1200 rider from eight different nations arrived for the event. It was an incredible struggle for the participants, so please take the link and read about the proceedings...

http://tinyurl.com/yan7gr9

And, speaking of Florida, Daytona Bike Week is in full swing and you will also have a chance to demo some of the new models from the Royal Enfield line of motorcycles. As the world's oldest motorcycle brand, you should expect to see the history represented in the bike models, but you will also notice all of the modern technology included. For a taste of a marque who has been making motorcycles for more than a century - and still sticks to the simple-is-best mentality - get yourself to a "Royal Enfield Experience" near you!

http://tinyurl.com/y8qpbwm

More Afternoon Moto News - Australian Superbike News

We have a few stories here on the Australian Superbike Championship round this weekend at Phillip Island. Of course, we get to hear from Wayne Maxwell after his huge victory over the many other great riders in the series. He dominated the proceedings on his GAS Honda and now we have it in his own words...

http://tinyurl.com/yl7dqcd

Josh Waters did not have the best weekend. His Suzuki got stuck in third gear during the second race and that caused him to have a weekend 3 - 12 finish. Waters is not deterred, though, and plans on fighting hard to win throughout the rest of the series. Given the fact that he is the current champion, I do believe he has what it takes to grab on to the points lead and take it to the finish line in 2010.

http://tinyurl.com/yloruly

The Ducati Motologic team had a great debut at the Australian Superbike Championship event this past weekend. Rider Jamie Stauffer actually led race 1 for a time - finishing 4th and 2nd, and teammate Jordan Burgess finished 10th and 8th - fantastic for his first race event ever in ASBK. All things considered, the Ducati team did very well at Phillip Island.

http://tinyurl.com/yjhlshm

Sunday Afternoon Moto News - ASBK Round One Results

It was not only the teams of WSBK who took to the Phillip Island circuit this weekend, the 2010 Australian Superbike Championship also kicked off this weekend. It was certainly a good race weekend, but only one rider walked away with the win in both races, GAS Honda's Wayne Maxwell. He took the victory over Bryan Staring and Josh Waters in race one, and got by Jamie Stauffer and Staring to take first in race two. For all the details, please take one of the links below.

http://tinyurl.com/yjvqd7c

http://tinyurl.com/yz7kcwj

More Afternoon Moto News - ASBK Qualifying & Interviews

In today's qualifying for the Australian Superbike Championship round at Phillip Island this weekend, GAS Honda's Wayne Maxwell took the pole. He fought hard against Motologic Ducati's Jamie Stauffer and Suzuki's Josh Waters. The times were so close, though, that they all might as well have qualified together. So, expect the first lap of the race to be very interesting as these three vie for the lead...

http://tinyurl.com/yaza4hh

There are many more stories on the race this weekend, but most of them are very similar. However, they all have a slightly different perspective. Plus, there is information on the other support class qualifications - something we rarely get to see in international reports. So, take some of the links below and get your news about the qualifying and the start of the race.

http://tinyurl.com/yguvmub

http://tinyurl.com/yzmwgtn

And, how about some video interviews with the top riders in the ASBK Championship? Well, take this link and have a view: http://tinyurl.com/yjkf859

MORE Afternoon Moto News - Buildbase Kawasaki, ASBK & Full Throttle Sports

Buildbase Kawasaki has finished their testing in Spain in preparation for the 2010 British Superbike Championship, with riders John Laverty and Adam Jenkinson getting their first laps aboard the Kawasaki ZX-10R bikes they will be riding in the series. The time was organized by their suspension provider and was extremely useful for the new teammates. Wait and see if it helps them challenge for the title.

http://tinyurl.com/ycwbn2s

The 2010 Australian Superbike Championship will also be staring this weekend at Phillip Island - along with the WSBK season. To get an idea of the first day proceedings, the following link will give you some extreme detail as they list out the various happenings in a time-delineated format - thus showing you minute by minute what was happening at the circuit. If I find more previews, I will post them here.

http://tinyurl.com/ydxxj84

Waters is on top as of now: http://tinyurl.com/yete5nn

In further ASBK news, we hear that one team has added a sponsor to their teams. Cougar Bourbon has signed on with Full Throttle Sports to sponsor both the ASBK team and the Australian MX Championship. This is big as it is rare to find a sponsor so ready to support an entire team's operations. The livery has already been drawn up and is ready to be put on both their Honda Fireblade ASBK machine and their CRF450R MX machine. For all the details, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yenjamk

More Afternoon Moto News - Racing Insider & More NW200 Participants

From our friend Alex Gobert in Australia comes this week's Racing Insider. As usual, he covers the big motorcycle racing series - WSBK, ASBK, MotoGP, AMA Superbike, Aussie Motocross and AMA Supercross. The news is big given the fact that in two days the racing season will begin for Australian and World Superbike...you should be getting ready!

http://tinyurl.com/yd8tc86

MSS Colchester Kawasaki will be supporting three Northern Irish riders in the North West 200 event this coming May. Riders entered will be Ryan Farquhar and Stephen Thompson on ZX-10Rs and Jamie Hamilton on a ZX-6R. Considering the importance of this race, it is nice to see even more riders and teams joining the competition.

http://tinyurl.com/ygkbajx

Thursday Morning Moto News - 2012 MotoGP Rules, Ross Gurd & KTM Australia

The FIM has confirmed the rule changes for MotoGP which go into effect for the 2012 season. The engine displacement will increase and privateer teams will have special allowances versus the factory teams. There is not much more hear than you already know, but it is now official.

http://tinyurl.com/yk37xeo

Ross Gurd has paid his dues, and then some, in motorcycle racing. He has been racing for 15 years - motocross, road racing, speedway and enduro - and is ready to reap some results in the 2010 Australian Superstock 600 Championship. He will need more support to finish the season, but it is starting to look good for the Australian.

http://tinyurl.com/yjlrdkx

KTM's Australian Superbike Championship team is going on a huge KTM dealership tour where fans can meet the members of the team. Racers Shannon Johnson and Chris Trounson will be on hand at each event; and their fully-liveried KTM 1190 RC8 R race bikes will also be in attendance. For all the details, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/ylqx6lq

MORE Morning Moto News - Marco Simoncelli gets Sponsored & Racing Insider

Italian denim clothing brand Rifle has signed MotoGP rookie Marco Simoncelli. Rifle will sponsor the young Italian's efforts in the MotoGP World Championship through the 2010 season. They will also produce a special line of branded products called 'Supersic' which will bear Simoncelli's signature. Nice!

http://tinyurl.com/yaqjpmu

From Down Under, we get this week's edition of Racing Insider by Alex Gobert. As usual, he dishes on the various big events dealing with motorcycle racing worldwide. He covers the Australian Superbike series, World Superbike, MotoGP, AMA Supercross and Australian Motocross. Most of the stories you may have already heard, but it is worth a quick read to catch the things we missed...

http://tinyurl.com/yd9veu3

Tuesday Morning Moto News - Phillip Island, Leon Camier & Rossi's B-Day

Coming up during 26 - 28 February 2010 at Phillip Island will be the big show - Australian and World Superbike Championship races. That is 13 races over three days with plenty of local talent out to prove themselves against the best in both Australia and the world. Get your preview after the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yh5uxb5

Road Racer X managed to sit down with WSBK Aprilia man Leon Camier and ask him some questions on the upcoming season. Camier is favored to do very well in the series in 2010 - he is a BSB Champion and he is on one of the fastest bikes in the paddock - plus he has Max Biaggi as a teammate. So, what does he think so far? Well, take the link and you will learn!

http://tinyurl.com/yhp2qq4

That's right, today is Valentino Rossi's birthday! He turns the ripe old age of 31. It is hard to believe that he accomplished so much in his first 30 years on this planet - and we were there with him for nearly half that time. Get an idea of just how great Rossi is - as a racer, anyway - by taking the link. Happy Birthday Rossi!

http://tinyurl.com/ycfvdzb

More Morning Moto News - AMA Pro Racing, FB Corse & Ducati Motologic

AMA Pro Racing (part and parcel of the Daytona Motorsports Group) has now hired a Race Director - David McGrath. He has over 25 years of experience with motorcycle road racing; he was a racer, team manager and then went on to work with many motorcycle-related companies. McGrath is well-positioned for the new job and we hope that he brings some consistency and stability to the sport...and, maybe, cleans up some of the current mess.

http://tinyurl.com/yd8u74q

Future MotoGP competitor FB Corse has released the three-cylinder MotoGP machine which they hope to use in the series. It is called the FB01 and was designed and built by Italian company Oral Engineering. They do not yet know if they will be able to contest any of the 2010 events, but we should find out as testing continues.

http://tinyurl.com/ykgyx7c

The Australian Superbike Championship bound Ducati Motologic team unveiled their new livery and their new rider, Jordan Burgess, at Phillip Island this past Monday. Jamie Stauffer will also be racing with the team and he was also present for the testing. This is the first time that both riders have tested together. Where will they end up at season's end? No one can even remotely guess at this point...take the link and see for yourself.

http://tinyurl.com/ykotnqu

MORE Morning Moto News - MIC and Kids & ASBK - Scott Charlton

The Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) has created a video letter which you can forward to your Congressional representatives. The subject is the CPSIA and how it has taken away the right of our younger brothers and sisters, as well as sons and daughters, to ride an appropriate-sized motorcycle or ATV. The only way to change the effects of the CPSIA is to get Congress to make a change - and they need to do it fast! So, get on over to the site and send your letter.

http://tinyurl.com/y8nsl8x

Racers Edge Performance Suzuki has made their testing debut with rider Scott Charlton at the Phillip Island circuit a few days ago. Charlton is doing very well so far, keeping his times very close to the larger and better financed teams in the Australian Superbike Championship. Plus, he has been able to get used to this new-to-him machine very quickly. I wonder if Charlton will be able to hang at the front...we don't have too long to wait to find out!

http://tinyurl.com/yfmbktn

Just a Quick Note - ASBK Entry Deadline Extended

The Australian Superbike Championship deadline for entries into the first race weekend at Phillip Island has been extended. You now have until 15 February 2010 to get your entry information into IEG and Motorcycling Australia. For all of the detailed information, please click the link below.

http://tinyurl.com/ydyykfm

Friday Afternoon Moto News - ASBK x2 & WSBK

The Australian Superbike Championship has signed on a new naming rights sponsor - Viking Group, an Australian transport, logistics and related services company. Everyone seems happy with the deal, including the organizer of the events, International Entertainment Group.

http://tinyurl.com/yjupp8t

From Alex Gobert comes an article stating that current Australian Supersport Champion Bryan Staring could make a dramatic return to Honda for 2010. It is a rather confusing string of events which have led to this revelation, but it does have to do with Yamaha leaving ASBK to compete in the FX series. Well worth a read...

http://tinyurl.com/ygsc5fs

There are four Australians who will be competing in the World Superbike Championship, and the season starts in only a few weeks. Troy Corser, Chris Vermeulen, Andrew Pitt and Broc Parkes. It is odd to hear such news, though, as I would expect a much larger contingent from Down Under. But, there are Australians in motorcycle racing series all over the planet - maybe that's enough for them...it certainly would be for nations much larger than Australia.

http://tinyurl.com/ykrfog2

Even More Moto News - David Paton & Racing Insider

David Paton has signed on to race in the Scottish Championship along with the BSB Superstock 1000 class in 2010. He was lucky as he now has BMW support for his efforts in each series. They will be using the all-new S1000RR to compete in all races - and they are extremely excited about their chances. Again, another rider to watch in 2010.

http://tinyurl.com/yzec2dl

That is right - it is another edition of Alex Gobert's Racing Insider. As per usual, ASBK, WSBK, MotoGP, AMA Supercross and Australian Motocross are covered. There are some very interesting happenings in the ASBK series for 2010. And, you probably want to catch up on some of the inside word in MotoGP. If so, take the link and get ready for a glorious year of racing!

http://tinyurl.com/ylyrtao

Wednesday Morning Moto News - Speedway, SMR & Yamaha in Australia

This coming March, the Somerset Rebels will of course be holding their 10th Anniversary event at Oak Tree Arena. Well, we now have word of the first two racers to sign up for the Speedway fun. That would be Hans Andersen and ex-Rebel Mark Lemon, who will both be taking their incredible skill sets to the track during the Friday 19 March event. For the details, take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yba2qeh

Shaun Muir Racing (SMR) has just announced that they have a new partner to help them field their British Superbike Championship team - Swan, who makes rolling papers (similar to Rizla), will be their chief sponsor for 2010. Stuart Easton has already signed on for this season, and they are looking for a second rider...Good Luck Swan Honda!

http://tinyurl.com/yd285so

Yamaha has finally explained why they will not be putting a factory-supported team into the Australian Superbike Championship. They have also confirmed that they will be running in the Australian Formula Xtreme Championship instead. For all the details, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/ylg73fz

Even More Morning News - Brett Smith, Robbie Bugden & Phillip Island

Brett Smith, former president of S&S Cycle, who make those better V-Twin engines that end up in many worldwide customs, has moved on to Baja Motorsports. In fact, he is in China now touring their production facilities to get up to speed on the company itself. With Smith in charge, big things could happen for the Chinese motorcycle industry in the United States. Of course, he does have some work to do!

http://tinyurl.com/yeodb5d

Well, Robbie Bugden is not giving up on the NZ Superbike title - but, we knew he wouldn't. He is going for two outright wins at the event this weekend at Levels Raceway. After he is through with NZ, he will be moving over into the Australian Superbike Championship. This man keeps himself busy!

http://tinyurl.com/ydscxj8

Two stories on Phillip Island today. The first is about the Australian Superbike Championship practice at the circuit, which started yesterday and will continue through today. The first day saw Suzuki-mounted Josh Waters take the fastest lap.

http://tinyurl.com/y9svsks

The next Phillip Island story is about just how busy it will be next month. During 26 - 28 February 2010, both World Superbike and Australian Superbike will take to the track over the course of three days. That will mean several races and many more practices. It is an incredible deal, so get your tickets very soon if you haven't already.

http://tinyurl.com/yevqp3t

And, of course, let's not forget Alex Gobert's piece on the Australian racing contingent in World Superbike this season. It is rather informative: http://tinyurl.com/yhafxl9

Additionally, meet your favorite racers at the Phillip Island World Superbike Championship races. Just check the schedule on the other side of this link: http://tinyurl.com/ygg3lh7

And, More Morning Moto News - Yamaha & ASBK & Social Media in Canada

Apparently, Yamaha will also be leaving the Australian Superbike Championship to pursue a title in the 2010 Australian Formula Xtreme Championship. They will be taking some of their riders with them, but not all. This leaves on Suzuki as a full factory effort in the series, with others being 'supported by' some manufacturers. It is getting very thin there, but I bet the racing is much more interesting now that it is mostly a privateer effort. Still, the lack of money will not be good for ASBK.

http://tinyurl.com/yk8yjlr

Yes, this is a post about Twitter, Facebook and the rest of the 'social media' world. But, this is specifically geared towards the motorcycle industry and everyone involved. In fact, this article will even help you figure out the best way for you to exploit the social media world. By exploit, I mean use to your heart's content to keep yourself up to date on the latest happenings in the industry and beyond, in many cases. You will likely find enough to create your own account, if you do not already have one.

http://tinyurl.com/ye5vgjb