Friday Night Moto News - Monash University and HART & Jake Zemke

From the southern side of the globe - the relaxed and cool part - we hear that Australia's Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) and Honda Australia Rider Training (HART) are looking for riders (in Oz, obviously) who have been away from riding for five or more years and are just now returning to the sport. They are conducting motorcycle safety research and they will pay you AUS$70 for one hour of your time. Not only do you help your fellow riders, you get money to take another safety course...since you have been away for a while. There are qualifications, so please click the link to learn more...

http://tinyurl.com/yj478q8

As most of you probably know, Jake Zemke just recently wrapped up testing at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. Well, there is much to tell about his time on the National Guard Suzuki GSX-R1000 race weapon. All went rather well, but there is more to do; just take it from the man himself and take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yc9gsta

More Morning Moto News - AMA Pro Racing Test & Marco Lucchinelli

Over at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California, some of the 2010 AMA Pro Racing teams were out practicing and working on setup. Well, Aaron Yates ripped off a screaming run at the track and left the test as the fastest of those running American Superbike machines. He and his team are all running last year's models, but they are not too upset by that as they have over a year worth of extra data to work with. Even Larry Pegram was at the event doing some testing - but all riders complained of being off of their mounts for far too long this winter...

http://tinyurl.com/yh6vml7

Marco Lucchinelli has had a colorful life, to say the least. Lucchinelli was a GP Champion in 1981 and went on to run the Ducati World Superbike team in the late 80's and early 90's. He also was a serious cocaine addict and lived a very party-filled life, with women and alcohol added to that mix. His life story is rather intriguing and it is well worth your time to take the link and have a read about the man and his life...

http://tinyurl.com/yjj8lu7

Friday Has Arrived - Moto News for Your Morning

At an upcoming AMA Pro Racing test at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California, John Hopkins will be testing a Roadracingworld.com Suzuki GSX-R1000; he's been with them before, when he won his two AMA Championships in 2000 and 2001. He may very well end up in the American Superbike (update) class - and we should welcome him back to action. I missed him! The team will like the sponsorship he brings as well. We will see if he is there 2 -3 February 2010.

http://tinyurl.com/ycf6l6p

http://tinyurl.com/ylxllbb (update)

More: http://tinyurl.com/yh5afoe

Looking to see some video footage from the last round of the Indoor Enduro World Cup? Even if you are not, you have found it here. Husaberg has posted a video of their riders at the Italian event for all of us to enjoy. Go ahead and waste a little time this morning enjoying some awesome entertainment.

http://tinyurl.com/ycg72sk

And, just to finish this up with some industry news, we hear that KTM North America has restructured their sales department and dealer relations. These are mostly re-shuffles and people taking on some new responsibilities based on the changing climate with the industry and KTM itself. If you are interested, take the link and get up to date!

http://tinyurl.com/yc8omyz

Ride on the Back of Chris Ulrich's Suzuki GSX-R1000 Race Machine

That's right, you will get to ride two up around Auto Club Speedway in California; all you have to do is donate to the Roadracing World Action Fund - which uses the money to install Airfence at tracks to make them safer for riders. You will get to ride on the back of Ulrich's 185 HP Suzuki GSX-R1000 around the track a few times and at speed. Could be fun...for only a little money. The event will take place 28 - 29 November 2009. Check it out...

http://tinyurl.com/yc5h8gh

Pro Stock Qualifying at Auto Club of Southern California NHRA Finals

GEICO Powersports Suzuki rider Karen Stoffer managed to take the lead by burning a 6.982 second run at the Auto Club event in California, and no one could better that mark. Andrew Hines of H-D pulled the second fastest run, with Larry Cook only one-hundredth of a second behind him. Current points leader Hector Arana only made it to fifth - and Matt Smith, 2007 Champion, was outside the top 12! Sounds like the season could end with a twist!

http://tinyurl.com/yhypl29

45th Annual Auto Club NHRA Finals in Pamona, California

The crowns for all NHRA championships will be presented during 12 - 15 November at the NHRA Finals in Pamona. Pro Stock Motorcycle could see Hector Arana, Eddie Krawiec, or Andrew Hines - even Matt Smith - crowned as 2009 champion at this event. It will be televised on some channels - check your local listings to see if you will be able to see it. Pamona is a historic location for all drag racing events and the final weekend of the 2009 NHRA season will be no different. If you can attend, you must!

http://tinyurl.com/y9cuxbl