More Afternoon Moto News - Ryan Farquhar & Claudio Domenicali

Ryan Farquhar was interviews by the Crash.net website about his work in the 2009 Irish road race season. He participated in just about every event held on Irish soil for his class and managed to bring home 60 race victories! That's a new record which eclipsed Joey Dunlop's total. Farquhar also won the 2009 Duke Road Rankings title - his fourth. His toughest race last year, though, was the Southern 100. To hear it in his own words, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yzvmybh

MCN (UK) has gained an exclusive interview with Ducati man Claudio Domenicali about the Multistrada's new active suspension and other neat features. It is a short piece, but rather educational. The new Multistrada 1200 is the most advanced bike Ducati has yet released...can't wait to demo one!

http://tinyurl.com/yzstda2

More Wednesday Moto News from Just About Everywhere, Part 3

Even more news...

Ducati is returning to the Australian Superbike Championship in 2010! This is big news as they will also be teaming up with Motologic Racing for their team effort in the series. No riders have yet to be announced, but it is believed that former ASBK Champion Jamie Stauffer will be on the team.

http://tinyurl.com/yzt68l7

http://tinyurl.com/yhagurl

Alistair Seeley has announced his attempt on the 'flying five' at the North West 200 this year. If he does it, he will equal the results of Phillip McCallen. The race is set to go off in May, so he has some time to prepare. Seeley will ride a Suzuki in two Superbike, two Supersport and the Superstock races during the event. It will be fun to watch him!

http://tinyurl.com/yfrgc6d

Next is a special from Alex Gobert in Australia, the first 2010 edition of "Racing Insider". There is news here for the US Supercross, Australian Motocross, Australian and World Superbike; all of it is about the Australian participants in each of these series. So, go and read about what to expect in 2010.

http://tinyurl.com/yb67ywx

Irish Road Racing Personalities Calendar Now Available

Great photographer Stephen Davison has produced another Irish Road Race calendar; this is the eighth year and they are only getting more popular. Racers featured are Cameron Donald, Michael Dunlop, Conor Cummins, Michael Rutter, Keith Amor, William Dunlop, Guy Martin, Ian Hutchinson, John McGuinness, Ryan Farquhar, Gary Johnson and Steve Plater. There is even a great shot of the Macau GP. Plus, each of the photos can be pulled from the calendar and framed...don't miss the opportunity and make sure to get one for me!

http://tinyurl.com/yke8pux

Irish Racing Ace Michael 'Micko' Sweeney Moving Up

Sweeny won the Irish Southern Centre Championship in 2009 after only four years of road racing - a great feat for a 27-year-old truck driver. Now he and his team are moving up to race in many more events in 2010 - he even has a new sponsor and will be running two Yamahas. His team may even get to compete in the BSB Superstock if all goes well...

http://tinyurl.com/ykfg7at

Irish TT Racer - Walter Rusk - Blonde Bombshell

Supposedly, the town of Ulster still remembers Walter Rusk. I hope that is true. He raced in several 'real roads' races - of course, those were the only races in many locations - during the 1930's right up until World War II. He raced for the likes of Norton, AJS, Sunbeam, and Velocette. He died while in training to become a Royal Air Force pilot...ending this amazing life way too early.

http://tinyurl.com/yda33o6

Relentless Suzuki Is Taking Alistair Seeley to British Superbike

Relentless Suzuki will maintain the same team which brought Seeley the 2009 BSB Superstock 1000 championship, but they will be competing in British Superbikes in 2010. He did run a BSB Evo spec Suzuki in the last two rounds of the BSB Championship in 2009, and finished in the top ten. So, he has already seen much of the competition and believes he is ready to compete at that level.

http://tinyurl.com/yhauzgx

MSS Colchester Kawasaki Signs Ryan Ryan Farquhar

Farquhar is a double TT winner and the Irish Motorcyclist of the Year - he has even beaten Joey Dunlop’s amazing total of 119 Irish national race wins. MSS Colchester is quite happy to have him in their garage, and they will be campaigning the Isle of Mon TT, Northwest 200, and Ulster Grand Prix 'real roads' races. This was all announced at the Carole Nash show at the NEC.

http://tinyurl.com/yfy38vy

Guy Martin Signs With Wilson Craig’s Honda Team

Martin will basically run his own team with the deal he has been given. He will decide which bike to race and where to race it - though, as usual, he will be racing mostly in 'real roads' events such as the Scarborough, Southern 100, and the Isle of Man TT. He will have both a Superbike and a Supersport machine - both Honda, of course, and they will be prepared to his liking. A great deal for a racing legend!

http://tinyurl.com/y9d9kgo

Interesting Irish-Italian-American Custom Bobber

It is, in fact, an oxymoron - a stretched bobber - and why would someone in Ireland build it? Well, just like the mountain - because Don Cronin of C+C Choppers wanted to, simple as that. It is unique and a bit puzzling, but I kind of like it for some reason...maybe it's the Moto Morini 500 engine?

http://tinyurl.com/ylmc3uv

2009 Kings of Wanneroo in Perth - Irish and U.K. Contingent

Several top racers from all over the U.K. and Ireland will be attending the Kings of Wanneroo in Australia. The event will take place just outside of Perth at Barbagallo Raceway during 6 - 8 November 2009 and will feature 12 solo racers and a sidecar outfit from the two islands up north. Expect some great action as racers such as Guy Martin, Ryan Farquhar, Ian Lougher, and more, will be representing their home countries...

http://tinyurl.com/yhgfpxe

The Irish National Rally - for Classic Motorcycles

This rally has just about all the makings of an adventure, a true test of your spirit. Though I am a bit late in posting this one, it is certainly a worthwhile story. The Irish National Rally brings classic motorcycle fans from around the world to ride the vast - and unbelievably beautiful - expanses of the Emerald Isle. Please, take the link and have a read...

http://tinyurl.com/l6qz8w

Book Launch: "Flying Finn" to be Launched in Ireland

The latest Stephen Davison book, The Flying Finn, will be launched at two special events in Ireland. The book is a tribute to the late great Martin Finnegan, and the release of the book is set to coincide with two special 'Martin Finnegan Days'. If only I lived on the other side of the Atlantic...

http://tinyurl.com/nfw8cl

Tribute to the Late Martin Finnegan in Ireland

Road racing star Martin Finnegan, who died while racing at Tandragee in 2008, will be remembered at two special celebrations next month.

Bikes raced by the Lusk rider will be on display alongside memorabilia and photos from through Finnegan’s career. Renowned road racing photographer Stephen Davison, a close friend of Finnegan will also be present, signing copies of his new book, Flying Finn, a celebration of Finnegan’s life and career.

The first special event will be held on Saturday, October 3, at St MacCullin's Round Tower Centre in Lusk village, running from 11am to 5pm.

The second will be held on Sunday, October 11, in the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre in Ballymoney, running from 1pm until 5pm.

On both days a full line up of Finnegan’s racing bikes – the Round Tower Suzuki, the Danfay Yamaha, the recently acquired Vitrans Honda, the Klaffi Honda, the JMF Yamaha and the beautiful MV Agusta F4 – will be on display, courtesy of the Martin Finnegan Supporters’ Club.

There will also be a display of mini moto machines painted in the same livery. Alongside the bikes will be a photographic display of many of the highlights and behind-the-scenes moments from the racer’s spectacular career. Members of the Finnegan family will also be in attendance and it is hoped former racing rivals will be present as well.

I picked this up from here: http://tinyurl.com/n5npvc

1927 Scott 486cc Squirrel Goes Up for Auction in Ireland

The very rare machine will be auctioned off in Ireland next Saturday. As they are so extremely sought after, they expect it to sell - in 'barn-find' condition - for some 3500 Euro!

http://tinyurl.com/n3mxj4

Irish Riders Come to US to Raise Money for Charity

The Irish 66ers will be coming to the US to ride the historic Route 66 from Chicago to California in order to raise money for Ireland's Temple Street Children's Hospital. Every two years they make the trip across the ocean and have managed to raise over 1.5 Million Euro!

http://tinyurl.com/mgoltr

Ireland Airport Gets Motorcycle 'Taxi' Service - Using the Yamaha FJR1300A

Put this one in the travel section under "Ireland - Transport" in your mobile's address book. Starting today, and running from 7AM to 7PM Monday through Friday, you can hire a Yamaha FJR with rider to take you anywhere in the greater Dublin (Ireland) area from Dublin's Airport. Just don't actually call it a 'taxi', it is Airbike.

http://tinyurl.com/qfumo8