MORE Afternoon Moto News - Hungary's Balatonring & Jeremy McWilliams

Some Hungarian civic groups have raised concerns about the Balatonring Circuit soon to be built in the nation (for F1 and MotoGP as well as other national race series). Apparently, these groups believe that the public expenditure on this track far exceeds the amount the government should expect from revenues at the facility. Apparently, global accounting firm KPMG produced a feasibility study on Balatonring and it was not made public - they are asking that it is produced so every citizen can see for themselves whether this is a wise investment at this time...Honestly, I do hope they build the track, but they may need more private investment...

http://tinyurl.com/ygkh3yj

Jeremy McWilliams has signed on to ride in the inaugural season of the Harley-Davidson XR1200 Trophy series, which is now a part of the British Superbike Championship. He will be riding for Warr's Harley-Davidson on a bike which barely makes 60 hp. This comes after a great deal of experience with some much more powerful machines - MotoGP, AMA Pro Superbike and Formula Xtreme. It will be a tough road for the 45-year-old racer, but he has the skills to pull it off!

http://tinyurl.com/yg5zbag

Saturday Morning Moto News - MV Agusta F4, Carmelo Ezpeleta & Silverstone

At least one author has now had a chance to throw a leg over the new 2010 MV Agusta F4 - and he found it a brilliant ride! Of course, as it is an MV, but he also said that he feels the bike has developed a more linear character and will be easier to ride by those with less experience for a change. Have a read...

http://tinyurl.com/ydj6o4m

Dorna's top man, Carmelo Ezpeleta has again made the news cycle. This time it is all about Valentino Rossi and his time with Ferrari. Ezpeleta states that the Formula 1 interest in Rossi can only be good for the MotoGP Championship. He has a point as it will most certainly bring a few more fans into the series, not to mention some journalistic attention as well...

http://tinyurl.com/yfzrwee

The head of the circuit-owning British Racing Drivers' Club has said that the new track layout at Silverstone is boring for Formula 1. Silverstone re-designed some of the track for the arrival of MotoGP this year, and some are quite happy with it. However, the consensus in the F1 world is saying a bit different...

http://tinyurl.com/yjj9pqm

Wednesday Evening Moto News - Rossi and His Future

Valentino Rossi has decided to clam up about his future. After so much talking and so many quotes about what he may do once his contract ends at Yamaha, he has decided to stop talking about it with the media to try to stop the confusion. However, we all know better - it will make little difference, especially with the Italian press. At least he has recognized how much press his future is getting and is simply decided to focus on his job - and no one should have a problem with that!

http://tinyurl.com/yhpmo6q

And, More Morning Moto News - Alitalia and MotoGP

The Aprilia World Superbike team has secured sponsorship from Italian airline Alitalia. It was an inside deal, though, as the CEO or Piaggio (who owns Aprilia) is also CEO of Alitalia. However, it is good to see more sponsorship in the motorcycle racing world - there is not near enough money there these days.

http://tinyurl.com/y8foxc5

And, we have a nice piece on Valentino Rossi and his forays into the four-wheeled racing world. Full disclosure - I wrote it! So, please take the link below and go and have a quick read. I enjoyed writing it and I truly believe that Rossi will be in WRC and not F1, unless he encounters something - like tons of money - and changes his mind.

http://tinyurl.com/y9xvklf

Wednesday Morning Moto News - More Dakar, Rossi & Pedrosa

Yes, there are even more post-race Rally Dakar articles available to all who wish to read them. Some contain only the motorcycle racing, but others simply discuss the Dakar from a view towards all participants. So, take a link or two below and catch up on the aftermath of this extreme race for yourself.

http://tinyurl.com/ycb974z

http://tinyurl.com/yk7udxn

http://tinyurl.com/yf8eqbj

Valentino Rossi is already out and testing the Ferrari Formula 1 machine in Spain. The first day it took some time for Rossi to adjust to the car, and to adjust the car to conditions. Either way, Rossi is having fun and enjoying his time with the team, as you would expect. Here is some early news of his time behind the wheel.

http://tinyurl.com/yhq5ltr

And, we have a pre-season interview with the one and only Dani Pedrosa. Here he evaluates his 2009 season performance versus the physical and technical issues he and his team faced that season. Pedrosa also discusses the 2010 MotoGP season what he sees for this coming year.

http://tinyurl.com/yk5m2sg

Saturday Moto News - Ducati's Wrooom Event Produced 3 Winners!

At the Wrooom event at the Madonna Di Campiglio ski resort in Italy, there were several fun competitions between the various MotoGP and Formula 1 athletes at the event. First up was a skiing race which was started by (evil dictator) Bernie Ecclestone. In this event, Nicky Hayden, Casey Stoner, Felipe Massa, Fernando Alonso and test driver Giancarlo Fisichella, who won the downhill race, all competed - only one photo on the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yd66nfe

Next, it was on to ice racing in Fiat Panda cars and karts; in the auto race, Felipe Massa took the victory. In the kart race, it was Nicky Hayden who stood atop the podium. It was certainly a fun and entertaining event, but only the Formula 1 and MotoGP teams attended the event, though there were plenty of special guests. It is also nice to know that Massa is fully recovered from that horrible F1 accident last year.

http://tinyurl.com/ydzgxff

http://tinyurl.com/ydsba2d

http://tinyurl.com/ybr9alv

More Friday Morning Moto News - Rossi, Aprilia and Charley Boorman

As if we did not already know this - if you are a fan and you pay attention at all, this is common knowledge - an article is stating that Valentino Rossi would rather race in the World Rally Championship than take a seat in Formula 1. They just keep asking him the same questions over and over again, and it never seems to annoy him. Rossi is a respectful guy and we may yet see him behind the wheel of a WRC car within the next few years.

http://tinyurl.com/ygwaf66

Now on to a quick test of the sweet two-stroke Aprilia RS125. Alex Gobert took a Biaggi replica version out for a roaring ride and found that the little machine is one hell of a fun bike. It is well-made and it looks fantastic in any setting. The bike is good for new riders and old timers at the same time. Of course, in the US it would be a track-only machine, but I still want one!

http://tinyurl.com/yfeospb

Take a ride with Charley Boorman through Africa! He is taking a tour group - with rented BMW R1200GS or 650GS motorcycle from Capetown, South Africa, all the way up to Victoria Falls in Zambia. It is a pricey trip, but everything is provided and you don't have to worry about anything on the trip but having fun and enjoying the exotic scenery! Have a look...

http://tinyurl.com/yzvbf82

A Busy Wednesday Morning - Moto Race News from All Over, Part 4

Valentino Rossi has accepted another offer to drive in a Ferrari Formula 1 machine. He will be testing the Ferrari F2008 at Barcelona during 20 - 21 January 2010. It was promised to him if he picked up the 2009 MotoGP championship, so they are now delivering. Must be nice to get such promises...

http://tinyurl.com/yjjyopt

Further Rossi news involves an Italian sports poll. The poll found that Rossi tops a list of athletes, also containing Michael Schumacher and Sébastien Loeb, as the leading athlete of the decade (of course, we all know that the decade is yet to be over). That is huge as he is placed well above the two mentioned here and another very long list of incredible sports personalities...Go Rossi!

http://tinyurl.com/ydtpzjd

On 17 March 2010, the newly minted FB Corse racing team will be attending the Qatar MotoGP test. They will not make the Sepang test, but they will certainly be ready for Qatar in March. (Some of this was in a previous post about the rider selection.) It appears that FB Corse is sure to compete in the 2010 MotoGP Championship - I hope you will join me in telling them 'Good Luck!'

http://tinyurl.com/yeeyq3r

Marco Simoncelli will not be making nice with Alvaro Bautista or Hector Barbera in the MotoGP paddock this season. Given all of the feuds between them in the 250 World Championship series, he has stated that they are still behaving the same way towards him, so he will return the attitude their way by ignoring them. Sounds a bit childish, but racers have to be competitive and maybe this will help drive Simoncelli harder in MotoGP...

http://tinyurl.com/ychwv8y

Donington Park in Trouble? Yes, Apparently

The track is still dug up in places, £1 million in debt, and it will cost an unknown amount to get the facility up and running again. So, where will Donington Park be in a few weeks? No one knows right now, it's future is up in the air, sadly, and someone needs to step in and take over.

http://tinyurl.com/yk3a3l8

Silverstone Circuit Will Be Altering Layout for 2010

With the Formula 1 and MotoGP series making a stop at the British circuit, the track owners have decided to get to work altering the layout of the track for both events. Whether the changes will be used for the F1 race, we do not know yet, but the changes may, in fact, raise ticket prices at the circuit, unfortunately...

http://tinyurl.com/yadsble

More Confusion Over Donington Park's Future

It seems that Bernie Ecclestone may be open to signing an agreement with a new leaseholder at Donington Park to put the British Formula 1 Grand Prix back at the track. However, nothing has been signed and nothing promised. The real question is what will happen to motorcycle racing at the track if they cannot get a cash-cow like F1 to stop in and race? No one knows at this point - even the Ron Haslam Race School is up in the air now. All of this has also left the new work being done to the track on hold - so, there is dirt and holes everywhere around the circuit and it is not yet fit to race upon.

http://tinyurl.com/y8wq6y2

Norton's Stuart Garner Defends Donington Park Boss

Simon Gillett is seen by many to be the reason that Donington Park has run into administration. However, Garner has stepped forward to defend him - and with good reason. He sees the slander towards Gillett as disingenuous, and believes that he should be praised for doing whatever he could to work with the Formula 1 tyrant - and all around nasty person (I can say that here because this is my blog) - Bernie Ecclestone. Too true, Garner! Thanks for standing up!

http://tinyurl.com/y9qcygb

John Surtees Drives Through Chunnel in Electric Car

John Surtees, a legend in racing and the only person win both Formula 1 and Motorcycle Grand Prix championships. Well, yesterday he also become the first person to drive an all-electric vehicle through the Channel Tunnel - also called the Chunnel. He drove a Ginetta G50 EV during the 37th annual Beaujolais Burlington Run, which happened to also fall on the 15th anniversary of the Chunnel opening.

http://tinyurl.com/yzn6pap

Valentino Rossi Cleared for Another Ferrari F1 Ride

This will be his third test with the Italian exotic car manufacturer. The test will happen in January of 2010, though I have no confirmation of where it will take place (likely Italy). It was Ferrari boss Luca Montezemolo who granted the nine time world champion the test. It fuels even more the rumors that Rossi will take some time in F1...

http://tinyurl.com/y88cc6t

MotoGP 2010 Dates Could be Altered Dramatically

It seems that there are a few conflicts with Formula 1 events next season which may require Dorna to change several race dates in 2010. There is a rumor that Silverstone may switch dates with Laguna Seca; Misano may be moved as it is in conflict with the Italian F1 race at Monza. All of this is just speculation at this point, but you might have to change your 2010 MotoGP travel plans...stay tuned.

http://tinyurl.com/yjhh9ky

Bridgestone Withdraws from Formula 1 - Should Not Affect MotoGP

Well, at least it will not cause any problems until 2011 when the contract between Bridgestone and MotoGP will be up for renewal. Things are changing - the economy is still in tatters - and Bridgestone is adjusting to the realities of their industry.

http://tinyurl.com/yln5kc2

Tom Wheatcroft - Owner of British Track Donington Park - Has Died

Very sad news, but Mr. Wheatcroft had a great run! At the age of 87 he ran into a long and tough illness which brought him down. He passed away peacefully at home on the morning of 31 October 2009. Wheatcroft worked very hard to get the Donington Circuit re-opened after World War II, and manged to create a fantastic venue which was even selected as the best motorcycle road racing circuit in the world! His contributions to racing of all kinds was enormous and he will be greatly missed...

http://tinyurl.com/yh7wnf5

Another Great Story - Australian Racer Ken Kavanagh

He had a storied career in world championship motorcycle racing starting almost immediately after his 1951 debut. He started on a Norton works team, but had his greatest success riding for Moto Guzzi as he won the 1956 Isle of Man Junior TT on that marque. Towards the end of his career, he even went into Formula 1 auto racing, but did not do well due to the huge expense. He was a fantastic racer and went head-to-head with the best of his time...it's a good read.

http://tinyurl.com/yknzhe7

Australian Jason Crump Thanks Formula 1 Racer Mark Webber

It turns out that Crump and Webber - who won the Brazilian F1 GP this past weekend - are very good friends; so when Crump injured his left arm, Webber sent a doctor to help Crump in Poland. That's friendship!

http://tinyurl.com/ylppksw

Schumacher is Back at the Track - On His Motorcycle!

Multiple F1 world champion, Michael Schumacher is back in the saddle, the motorcycle saddle that is.

According to German Motorsport-Magazin , he has been spotted in France training on his Honda motorcycle. He had been out of circulation for a while after a nasty crash, but nothing seems to deter the Formula One champ from riding a motorcycle, as any real motorcycle rider would.

He is training to rejoin the German IDM championships.

Source in German: http://tinyurl.com/mk4caj