Road Racer X's Speed Dating & Morais Filling In for Parkes

For this week of March we have a number of important dates in the weekly Road Racer X Speed Dating column. Celebrating birthdays this week are Danny Webb, Andrea Dovizioso, Roberto Rolfo, Al Ludington, Steve McQueen, Keiichi Kitagawa, Raffaele De Rosa, Harald Eckl, Chris Walker, Burt Munro, Sebastien Charpentier, Toni Elias, Christian Sarron, Bill Bagnall, and Katsuaki Fujuwara. Unfortunately, it is also the anniversary of the death of Mike Hailwood...Please take the link to learn more...

http://tinyurl.com/yfh76yc

In the World Superbike Championship series, Echo CRS Honda rider Broc Parkes sustained a broken leg in a preseason training injury and had to give up his seat to Josh Brookes at Phillip Island. For the Portimao round (and, quite possibly for Valencia as well), the faster Sheridan Morais will be substituting for Parkes on the Honda. Morais has been able to out-ride Parkes before, so this may be the beginning of something or just a quick trip to the majors for Morais...

http://tinyurl.com/yh6pmnt

Wednesday Evening Moto News - Huntington Concours, Freddie Spencer & Paris Dainese Exhibit

Don't forget about the Huntington Beach Concours d'Elegance this coming weekend in California. I have been over it here before, so I don't want to bore you (just do not forget that Burt Munro's Indian will be on display). Just take the link to get the details and show up if you can make it - after all, the price is not that bad for what you get to see!

http://tinyurl.com/yl9sybs

Speaking of historic motorcycles, Freddie Spencer is selling two of his championship winning race bikes through dealers RMD Motors. It seems that there are some financial issues and he needs the money more than the historic motorcycles. The 1983 Honda NS500 triple and the 1985 Honda NSR250 twin are on offer, so take the link and learn more. If you have a seriously large bank account go ahead and buy them!

http://tinyurl.com/yzousyt

Dainese recently opened an exhibit at the Cite des Sciences in Paris, France, which shows the history of body protection. It is full of leathers and other protective gear from many of history's greatest motorcycle racers. It is not only about Dainese as they also have many displays focused on road safety. The exhibit is called 'A Toute Epreuve: New Technologies for Protecting the Human Form' and runs until 8 August 2010. Get yourself to Paris tout de suite!

http://tinyurl.com/y9nfyms

Quick Post: Photos from Burt Munro Challenge in New Zealand

These just popped up on the web and I though you, dear readers, may be interested in seeing them. The Burt Munro Challenge is being held in Invercargill in New Zealand this weekend. Have a look at the event through the eyes of a press photographer...

http://tinyurl.com/ykq3s4a

Early Reports from Invercargill Burt Munro Challenge

First we hear of a club out of Auckland, Deus ex Machina. They love to make custom builds and have created some very interesting designs. Mostly, they fill their showroom with 1970's era motorcycles which they then tweak and twist into a rather individual piece of art. At the Burt Munro Challenge, the team will do their best to win each and every event - but, their primary goal will be to have fun!

http://tinyurl.com/y8f4qeo

Next, an interesting person showed up at the event in Invercargill - an almost perfect double for Burt Munro himself. Sandy Begbie, who has been riding motorcycles for most of his 80 years, also brought along his wife and three daughters. Many other riders also came into town in preparation for the events this weekend.

http://tinyurl.com/ydkeq3f

Another dedicated racer will compete in the Formula 3 event on a GSX-R450: http://tinyurl.com/yg9srfs

Invercargill to Host Burt Munro Challenge in New Zealand

Starting on 26 November 2009, in the New Zealand city of Invercargill, is the Burt Munro Challenge. Most of the celebrations will be held in and around the Ascot Park Hotel. Aaron Slight and New Zealand (seven-time) champion Andrew Stroud will be on hand to speak at the hotel, and Slight will take riders to learn racing techniques at Teretonga. Stroud will be bringing one of the very rare Britten V1000 with him to the event. Much more is scheduled, so take the link to learn further details...

http://tinyurl.com/ych6lsn

http://tinyurl.com/yjbt6qx

San Luis Obispo, California to Host "The SLO Classic Motorcycle Rally"

An amazing show is planned for 8 - 11 October 2009 in SLO, California, and is organized by the Central Coast Classic Motorcycle Club (CCCMC). The CCCMC is a well-regarded club and they have used their connections to bring in some awesome motorcycle personalities and several very historic motorcycles. Burt Munro's custom 1920 Indian Scout, which he ran at the Bonneville Salt Flats to win several records, will be in attendance along with the present owner. Don Emde will also ride along with participants and tell some stories of his racing career...it will be a very full weekend! Make sure to stop by if you are able...

http://tinyurl.com/yblxnhn