Late to The News...and BUSY!

This one only came to my attention at the start of this week, unfortunately. I have had one rather notable week, to be fair to all involved. Run in with the police...for not having an operator's license...but I do have a valid driver's license which does not expire until next year...impounded vehicle...and, of course, it's going to cost me in the $$$$ range. However, there is light for this one. It seems that I have a valid case to plead - poverty. This is factual. But, oddly enough, had I lied to the good officer, I would have only incurred a minor ticket. Moreover, it was a dumb mistake and I made the safest move. Eh, we will see...cities are hungry for $$$$ right now just like the rest of us.

Good news, though, I have a real JOB now in my favorite industry...more later.

Enough about me...This is about the new FIM Speedway GP World Champion: American, and all around good man, Greg Hancock! He claimed it a few weeks ago now, but I just cannot ignore this and leave it off of this blog. Hancock is not only a fierce competitor with a heart that burns nitro-methane, he is also my age ;^)

It's sad that almost no one here in the USA knows who he is...

Congratulations Greg! Someday I'll see you out there...

Please read: http://tinyurl.com/3n8d62w

And, any readers, please at least share the linked article...his home nation should know this story!

Rizla Suzuki Unveils Livery, MSF Promotes Gladden & Sommerset Rebels Meet Complete

There is not a lot beyond a photo, but the Rizla Suzuki MotoGP team has now shown us what their Suzuki GSV-R will look like for the 2010 season. Riders Loris Capirossi and Alvaro Bautista will look good riding one of these...And, I almost forgot, Troy Lee Designs was at the helm of this design!

http://tinyurl.com/yzfwvku

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (USA) has promoted Robert Gladden to be their General Manager. Gladden was the MSF Director, Program Administration, before he was promoted from within. He will now report to MSF President Tim Buche and will have much more responsibility. To read up on some Gladden history, please take the link. He has had an intriguing path to the top.

http://tinyurl.com/ylyu6ny

The Somerset Rebels Speedway meet coming up a week from today is now fully set. After Suyfutdinov's confirmation a few days ago, we now get news that his fellow countryman Roman Povazhny will be joining the event as well. That means that the weekend is fully set and ready to go. If you can get to this meeting, you will not be disappointed - you will have one hell of an evening!

http://tinyurl.com/ykcwm9j

Wednesday Afternoon Moto News - Emil Sayfutdinov & SMT Honda

Emil Sayfutdinov will be joining the Somerset Rebels speedway meeting which takes place at the Oak Tree Arena on 19 March 2010. Sayfutdinov set the world on fire in last year's FIM Speedway GP series; he came from the amateur ranks and just blew away the competition in many of the season's rounds. In fact, just about every weekend had a chance for the young Russian to win. This 10th anniversary meet will be well attended and should be one of the best speedway meets this year!

http://tinyurl.com/yd5bzor

SMT Honda has now added a sponsor to their new team, Sorrymate.com. We read just a week ago about them hiring former British Supermoto star Christian Iddon and planning to contest the British Superbike Championship this year. Given their experiences in 2009, with the crap economy forcing them to field three different riders, we can all hope that 2010 is a much better year for the team!

http://tinyurl.com/yde6qjk

Monday Night Moto News - Leigh Adams to Join Speedway Broadcast

Former FIM Speedway star Leigh Adams just announced his retirement early this year. Now we hear that Adams will be spending time in the announcing booth with the Sky Sports broadcast team during the 2010 FIM Speedway Grand Prix season. Having him on the team should add to the knowledge from which they draw their commentar. It could be a very good move...

http://tinyurl.com/yaydlz3

Early Morning Moto News? Tomasz Gollob Wants to Race!

And, why the heck not!?! He should be able to race and ride for as long as he wants - we all know this as we have all thought, at least once or twice, that we will never stop riding unless it stops being fun. That is not likely to happen. Gollob wants to keep riding in the FIM Speedway Grand Prix series for at least nine more years - he does his life in ten year plans and he just started. Third place in 2008, second place in 2009, and we will see where he ends up in 2010. He should be on path for that title, finally! If everything holds together, I hope he is still in it at 50, if he is happy to do so. Again, a message of Good Luck to the Polish rider, and let this be the last season we hear, "the best rider without a championship."

http://tinyurl.com/ygz56t2

Wednesday Morning Moto News - MV Agusta 800/3 & Jason Crump

The rumored three-cylinder (sometimes referred to as the F3) from MV Agusta has been delayed. The bike is 95% complete and will be around 800cc, instead of the expected 675, and can lap a track only a second off a liter-class racer. It was expected to be sold starting late this year or early in 2011, but it will now be put on hold until the company is finally sold by Harley-Davidson.

http://tinyurl.com/yd3xwbh

FIM Speedway Grand Prix Champion Jason Crump will be traveling to England for the Somerset Speedway's 10 Year Anniversary Meeting on 19 March 2010. Given the fact that he will not be participating full-time in the British Speedway series this year, this will be one of only a few chances for British fans to see Crump race. Get your tickets soon!

http://tinyurl.com/ykb2d8m

Monday Evening Moto News - Isle of Man and TTXGP & Nicki Pedersen

The Isle of Man Government has finally issued a statement about their decision to run their own zero emissions motorcycle race instead of Azhar Hussain's TTXGP. The officials cite problems with finances and scheduling as the issues which forced their hand. Of course, the TTXGP denies this and says that the Isle of Man Government is not being honest and open. The story continues...

http://tinyurl.com/yhpjyzo

Another Speedway Champion, one Nicki Pedersen, who you should know, is getting ready to assault the paddock in the 2010 FIM series. He lost his crown last year to Australian Jason Crump, and only managed to finish in sixth overall. Pedersen has the goal to regain his position on top. Hopefully it will have a similar broadcast arrangement (or better) that we were all lucky to see last season.

http://tinyurl.com/yayeb22

PR: Sunday Night Moto News Extra - Tai Woffinden & Thunderbolt™

Thunderbolt™ is now sponsoring Tai Woffinden, English Speedway ace and rider in his very first year of participation in the FIM Speedway Grand Prix Championship in 2010. He is an incredible talent and he certainly deserves to get some support in his ventures. So, great news from a great company - Thunderbolt™ - and a future champion in Tai Woffinden. That's good news to end an evening with...

http://tinyurl.com/y9fsvf6

Friday Night Extra Extra - Leigh Adams to Retire from Speedway

Leigh Adams is now only 38 years-old and is actually a legend in the Speedway Grand Prix paddock - at least in the minds of many fans of the sport. He has ridden for both the Swindon Robins and the Polish Leszno and retired from the Grand Prix series last year. He will do a 'farewell' tour of sorts and will get to race in both of his old stadiums in 2010. Then, it is back to Australia for Adams, and some time with his family. He'll probably pop up here and there...but, we will see.

http://tinyurl.com/yej2fg6

Monday Morning Moto News - Husaberg, Jesse Jones & Somerset Rebels

The International Indoor Enduro World Cup season is already over; it only had four rounds. Husaberg's man in the show, Joakim Ljunggren, pulled home a sixth position finish at the final round in Barcelona, Spain, which gave him a third overall for the entire 2010 season. That is the highest a rookie in the series has ever posted previously - look out as Ljunggren is on his way to a championship or more...

http://tinyurl.com/ylmp76v

Jones - not James - and his first name is Jesse. He is also the youngest ever British motorcycle racing champion. He was crowned last year in the MRO Superteen Championship at the age of 12. This kid could be beginning one hell of a career...keep an eye on 'em!

http://tinyurl.com/yfey7du

The night before the British Speedway Grand Prix kicks of in Cardiff on 10 July 2010, but the night before will have even more action. On 9 July, the Somerset Rebels will host the 2010 Premier League Pairs Championship at Oak Tree Arena. This makes it two nights of incredible racing like no other - remember that Speedway bikes don't really have brakes - and should be fun for the entire family.

http://tinyurl.com/yj3t7h5

Friday Night Moto News - Security & Chris Holder

Out of Florida comes this press release from IturanUSA, a producer of GPS locating devices for various vehicles. They have now, officially, launched their Rideit system for motorcycles. It is made of the toughest materials and is guaranteed to never fail, basically. They even monitor their own service, which is unique. Check it out - it may help you get your bike back someday!

http://tinyurl.com/ye43pb4

Australian Chris Holder has become the 2010 Australian Solo Speedway. It was a tight race, not to mention that Holder entered the final event four points behind first place rider Troy Batchelor. Holder will go on to compete in the 2010 FIM Speedway Grand Prix season. He is a rather highly ranked competitor, so Jason Crump had better watch out...

http://tinyurl.com/ycfj5wa

New Year's Eve Moto Racing News from Around the World

We have some rather interesting race news coming to us here, so let's start.

First, over in Australia, we hear that FIM Speedway GP Champion Jason Crump and well-known homeboy Tai Woffinden will be participating in the Ben Fund Bonanza at the Rye House track. The event will take place on 14 March 2010 and should not be missed.

http://tinyurl.com/yehbdzx

Troy Corser - currently riding the BMW S1000RR in the World Superbike Championship - wants one more crown before he retires from the series. It's not as if this is impossible for the former champion; he has the speed and he may just have the bike for 2010. Stay tuned and pay attention...

http://tinyurl.com/ydy7e24

And, finally, we have a nice video and some photos of the Mavizen TTX02 electric motorcycle ahead of the new TTXGP race series for 2010. The team has been testing the new machine and has made some changes to make it run better in the new multi-lap format. Take a look at the machine before you see it on your TV next year.

http://tinyurl.com/ycpdzbq

Monday Morning News from Around the Moto World

This is the first Monday beyond Christmas; some of you are working, and some of you are on holiday. Either way, we all like to know what is going on in the world of motorcycles...

First, a nice little video from the FIM Speedway Grand Prix round in Copenhagen this past June 2009. It's an incredible display even if the video is not high-quality. Take a look:

http://tinyurl.com/yb37usq

Now we have further news on the Donington Park fiasco. It has returned to the Wheatcroft family after the 150-year deal with Donington Ventures Leisure Limited failed to sell. The economy is certainly part of the problem, but there are other issues with the track itself. We all hope that someone will come in and rescue this historic British circuit.

http://tinyurl.com/ydlwuub

Here is an article on the least reliable motorcycles in the industry, and I bet you will not like what you see. The author based the placement on the number of recalls for each brand. Given this measuring stick, Harley-Davidson / Buell have the worst initial quality; Ducati is right after them (after all, they are the H-D of Italy); and, oddly enough, BMW is in third worst position...take a look.

http://tinyurl.com/yaugo6j

An interesting look at 'mystery bikes' of the past and present. Actually, they are home-built prototypes or concept motorcycles which we have seen pop up on a regular basis. Some are rather in need of some paint or something to pretty them up, but others are well-done and complete. Just pay a visit and see what you think.

http://tinyurl.com/ydzzl7s

FIM Speedway Grand Prix 2009 Season Review

Very nice! Jason Crump, Greg Hancock - funny that he is not mentioned here even though he was also named AMA Racing Athlete of the Year - and Emil Sayfutdinov, the incredible new talent in 2009, all made for a fantastic season in FIM Speedway GP. It was sad for some, though, as many suffered serious setbacks during the season. Here's to hoping that 2010 will be an even better year for the series! I know I will be watching.

http://tinyurl.com/yc6rts3

Fast Rising FIM Speedway GP Star - Genetic?

The 17 year-old Taylor Poole, who is the son of legendary Speedway star Mick Poole, is back home in Australia after doing serious practice and race time in England. He is hoping to get picked-up by a team or grab some sponsorship and go to the FIM series. Jason Crump, current champion and Australian, is giving the youngster support. It's a good story...and, hopefully, there will be more of it to come.

http://tinyurl.com/yjl2ufq

The Johnnie Hoskins Plate Meeting at Newcastle Showground Speedway

This Speedway event took place last Friday in Australia, and the article is very focused on a local racer (from Newcastle). Sam Masters did quite well by taking the A Final against some much more experienced riders in his home round. It sounds like an interesting event and would have been nice to see...Well, take the link and get a taste of what we both missed.

http://tinyurl.com/ybbfvdw

AMA Motorcyclists of the Year + Racing Athlete of the Year

Two big stories in one post (and a small one at bottom). First of all, the American Motorcyclist Association named kids who ride motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) as Motorcyclists of the Year. This was due to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) working out the details on the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), which ultimately banned youth motorcycles and ATVs. CPSC has pushed enforcement on those vehicles out two years, but the state can decide to prosecute if they wish. It's still complex, but they have made progress and a bill should soon make it to President Obama's desk very soon!

http://tinyurl.com/yh8y28t

And, in the news from the AMA Racing Championship Banquet, my favorite Speedway star, Greg Hancock took the AMA Racing Athlete of the Year award! He is such a hard core racer, he really deserved it. There were several other awards presented, though, so please take the link - I simply cannot write everything here.

http://tinyurl.com/ygz27nv

In other news - not what I call a good story, so I just threw it here anyway. Dal Smilie, former chairman of the AMA's board of directors, has had his criminal trial postponed until 12 January 2010. Since he has paid back most (if not all) of the money to the AMA, this just seems ridiculous...but, that is only my opinion.

http://tinyurl.com/yg4db7e

Ipswich Witches British Speedway Team Signs Scott Nicholls and Danny King for 2010

For the 2010 British Speedway Championship, the Ipswich Witches have signed Nicholls and King to carry their banner. As to whether they will ride in the FIM series, we will have to wait. Nicholls has already captured the British crown 5 times - not to mention the various other championships he has won - and will be more than ready for 2010 after racing in some rounds of the FIM Speedway GP. King has several honors of his own and has also raced in the FIM class, so Ipswich looks to be ready to win in 2010!

http://tinyurl.com/yjpt5wd

PR: FIM Inks Deal with Perform to Develop Broadband Video Website

From an press release form the FIM, we hear that they have signed an agreement to work with tech firm Perform to create a website which will feature video from all FIM events. Those videos will be high-quality and a broadband connection will be required to watch them since they will be very large. The FIM has over ten years of videos which will also be put on the site. It will have both live and VOD services...

http://tinyurl.com/yf79r3e

FIM Speedway GP to Use Noise-Reducing Silencers in Birmingham Round

In order to save the series' round at Birmingham, U.K., the organizers have decided to ask the teams to place silencers on their machines to keep the noise level down a bit. That will allow them to continue to run the Speedway GP event at the location for the foreseeable future. Of course, new British wildcard riders Freddie Lindgren, Chris Harris, and Tai Woffinden are very happy to hear that they will still have an event close to home...

http://tinyurl.com/y8zsp5n