Aprilia-Powered Norton to Compete at Isle of Man TT

Norton will not be bringing their own V4 to a MotoGP circuit anytime soon; no one has any doubt that they want to, and as soon as they are able. As a stop-gap, and a very good learning experience, they will field a kit Aprilia RSV4 engine - not too different from what the CRT teams have access to - in a Spondon frame in this year's Isle of Man TT. That last connection is interesting as Spondon used to frame many racing Nortons in its previous incarnation. And, Norton's new owner, one Stuart Garner, also happens to own Spondon. It's better to keep the program in-house as much as possible so as to learn everything it is possible to learn when using another marque's engine. In this way, Norton can prepare to create their own future MotoGP CRT engine. Since Norton already has some designs for this, I doubt very much that they will make a duplicate RSV4 engine - they will want their own. Norton has a reputation to protect if they plan to stay connected to their heritage in a meaningful way.

http://tinyurl.com/7xogr79

TT Zero Welcomes Honda via Mugen

The Isle of Man TT has run the TT Zero as part of the race fortnight since it replaced the TTXGP in 2010. Since that time, no major manufacturers have entered their own machinery; partially, at least, this is due to the fact that they do not have much to enter at this point - everything is in development and their cycles require more time since they are trying for mass production and mass acceptance - and somewhat to the need that a big company not get embarrassed on a regular basis by people working out of a glorified garage. This, though, is about to change, even if it is only through an indirect route. An electric motorcycle designed by Honda as a prototype - this is speculated at this time - will be fielded at the 2012 running of the SES TT Zero Race, scheduled for 26 May to 8 June. As more comes out, I'll see if I can post it...until then, have a quick read to back this up:

http://tinyurl.com/7h3ymhp

Guy Martin Driving a RaceCAR?

If I were within 500 miles (805 Km) of this, I would want to be there...however, a high-definition screen sees much more than I could were I actually at the event. (Plus, I do believe computers are giving me eye cancer...) Guy Martin in his first four-wheeled race piloting a Caterham Superlight R300 - an open-wheeled car reminiscent of a early 20th Century racer - is nothing if not historic. It is something one would relate to their grandchildren. Go have a read at this local paper. Oh, and feast your eyes on those chops. Guy Martin and his boat, his bike and his Caterham Superlight.

http://tinyurl.com/6f8ahwn

More News from JC Current...Please CLICK!

There has been an enormous amount of news coming from the world of two wheels lately. It is the end of the racing season, the musical chairs that are professional racing, the beginning of the 2011 models, new gear and accessories - and plenty of shows which bring much of this together in one place. EICMA is running in Milan, Ducati has released their 'fat-boy' Diavel, MV Agusta has shown their new F3 triple, Triumph's new Tiger 800XC and Daytona 675R, Yamaha's Super Tenere, and many more.

I have some stories here which may have slipped past you, or you may simply want to know more. Some are a bit old, but they are still current (pun intended)...please take a look.

2011 Master of the Mountains Schedule

The Middle Kindom Ride - China on BMWs

The New Brammo Enertia Plus

The 2010 Africa Concours d'Elegance in Kenya

The All-New Honda CBR250R Coming to US

The Renard Grand Tourer - Estonian Beauty

Honda's Moto3 Machine - NRS250

BMW R1200GS Triple Black

Chicago's Isle of Man

Gilera GP800 - World's Most Powerful Scooter

dediKato Auction (Ends 8 November 2010)

Nick Nichols Has Shed This Mortal Coil

Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show and Bonhams Auction

Suzuki GZ250 Price Dropped $1000!

Guy Martin to Ride Relentless by TAS Suzuki at 2011 Isle of Man TT

Scott Redding to Ride Suter/BMW MotoGP Machine

2011 FIM Speedway GP and Speedway Cup Schedule

Team Canada Heading to Latin American Championships

AMA Crowns Hillclimb Champions

Well, there are a few more, but that will do for this post. I am also working at the Portland Examiner as well and have at least one published article there...once I get that link, I will post it here too...Until then, please take the above links - every click helps!

Another Human Sacrifice for the Isle of Man TT

It is simply part of racing at this time; that is often used to explain a death on any motorcycle race circuit, but the Isle of Man TT has a special place for the people who give their lives to race in this prestigious annual event. The truth of the matter is that those who race motorcycles are risking their lives. Modern safety equipment and even better track design has noticeably reduced the numbers in recent decades - and that is a very good thing for all of us! The TT, however, will always be this way. It is a real roads race which demands the best of the people moving at high speed over its course on motorcycles. Ask anyone out there, though, and you will find not one individual with a 'death wish'. To them, this is life and it sometimes takes that from you. They know the risks and try to be as safe as they can be, but pushing the limit puts you on a fine edge between stable and unstable. This time the price was a 29-year-old man from the U.K. named Matthew Alexander Evans. He crashed while piloting his Honda Fireblade at high speed in the left-hand curves near the Mountain Box. Please see the link for more...

MCN (UK) Blog at 2010 Isle of Man TT

This is a shameless plug, but not for myself...it is for the MCN blog written by Gary Pinchin while he gets to experience the annual madness that is the Isle of Man TT. It is more than just a race, and there are activities for just about everyone there. The population swells, though, so you must be ready for crowds at almost any venue. Simply grab a good place to stay, get your food and alcohol regimen locked in, and then let yourself enjoy every moment...try not to stress. If you are participating, that advice is useless - just ride your own TT! Take a look at this blog and check back often for updates on the linked site.

http://tinyurl.com/3x5xr8d

Norton to Return to Racing! & Pit Pass Radio with Kevin Schwantz

Norton is now working on a 200+ hp rotary engine with which they hope to enter first British Superbike and then World Superbike. They have been developing this concept since last year and are focused on making it to the 2011 Isle of Man TT with it. Great news! It will be very nice to see the Norton name back in modern racing again. Of course, I still like to see them in various vintage racing events...Take the link to learn a bit more.


http://tinyurl.com/ylaspcq


Tonight's Pit Pass Radio show (live tonight - podcast after that) will feature World Champion Kevin Schwantz, representing his Schwantz School motorcycle track\race school. Also featured will be Peter Doyle (former Mat Mladin crew chief), Peter Lenz (125GP racer), Rob Dingman (AMA President), and Ezra Lusk (AMA Supercross Lites Champion). Take the link to learn the details...

http://tinyurl.com/yzcn9j9

AFM Season Opener at Buttonwillow Raceway & Cretu Bound for TT

The AFM Season started this past weekend at Buttonwillow Raceway in California. In the premier Formula Pacific class, Suzuki mounted Michael Earnest of Pacific Track Time took the victory. It was his first win in over 26 years of racing. Suzuki GSX-Rs filled the podium in that class. In Open Superbike, it was the second place finisher in the Formula Pacific class, one Correy Sarros, took the win. In the 750 Superbike and 600 Superbike, it was the YZF-R6 of Lenny Hale across the finish line first in both classes. For the other 25 classes, please take the link...

http://tinyurl.com/yehtq9b

Brandon Cretu, a racer in the WERA series, has been accepted as a Newcomer in the Isle of Man TT - he may be the youngest American ever. He will be riding a Suzuki prepared by Mark Hamilton of Irish Bike Magazine as he did in the 2009 Ulster GP. It is an amazing nod for the young Cretu and a real credit to his ability with a bike. It is going to be a cool TT this year as some six or more marques will have factory supported efforts. I will find a way to watch it! Take the link to see the important details...

http://tinyurl.com/yfbskr5

Isle of Man TT Newcomers & 2010 MV Agusta F4 First Impression

The Isle of Man TT always brings riders form all over the world to race on its Mountain Course. Well, this year will actually be something special and there are several well-known racers who will be taking to the TT for the first time. Some of these riders are multi-time champions, and yet they have never thrown a leg over during TT week. Well, take the link to learn exactly who will be running the 37.73 mile course this summer...

http://tinyurl.com/yaoyzps

The all-new for 2010 MV Agusta F4 may look very similar to its predecessor, but there are several major changes which add up to make this liter-class Italian exotica something more than just a slight upgrade. The handling is better, engine performance more linear and overall control has been tamed somewhat. Still, it is from MV Agusta, so it will always be the beast it is at heart - and for which we all love the F4!

http://tinyurl.com/y9y6bzt

MotoGP Qatar Test Team Press Releases & Maria Costello Returns

From each team after every MotoGP event of just about any kind, you will get a press release from each team letting the world know how well the team did and details on the happenings during the event. For the MotoGP test yesterday at Qatar we now have these from each team. If you take the link below today, you will get to see a list of every team's reports. If you click on it tomorrow, you will likely see the PR from today, so go there now if you want to look up Thursday's team press releases.

http://tinyurl.com/yznyogq

Maria Costello has not really been gone, but the fact remains that she is returning to the Isle of Man TT in 2010. She will be riding a BMW S1000RR, supplied by the factory and thus becoming part of their effort to capture some wins at the TT. Given the performance of the new BMW, Costello may have a chance to become an even faster 'fastest woman on the TT'!

http://tinyurl.com/ygk7u7q

Ducati Returns to Isle of Man TT & Suzuki GSX R R32

Ducati has made it official, the factory will be returning to the Isle of Man TT with full support for Michael Rutter and his BSB team. Rutter will use Ducati motorcycles in four of five races he plans on challenging. It has only been about seven years since Ducati was last on the Island, but motorcycle technology has changed a great deal in those years. It will be another good reason to attend the event...if you are able!

http://tinyurl.com/yb52h7w

Harry Altena is a big fan of his VW R32 cage and he also operates a custom bike shop. Well, those two added up to the Suzuki GSX R R32, a custom Suzuki GSX-R1000 which has been matched to the car, believe it or not. The wheels look very much the same and the single-sided swingarm is actually an interesting piece. To understand the project, though, you really need to see it. So, please take the link...

http://tinyurl.com/ybc9ovj

Friday Afternoon Moto News - BMW Motorrad, NZ WSBK & Duke Video

BMW Motorrad has won Motorcycle of the Year 2010 in a readers' poll taken by MOTORRAD, a German (?) motorcycle magazine. BMW won all five of the categories in which it was listed - that means five different models of BMW motorcycles beat out every other machine with which they competed for ratings. It is an amazing result and one which has never occurred before. For which models won what, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/y9osu5s

That's right, you read it correctly; it looks like the World Superbike Championship will be making an appearance in New Zealand in 2012. The rumors seem to have come from the new agreement with Phillip Island (contracted until 2014), and the Hampton Down circuit is where it may happen. It's all up in the air now, but it just might become a reality!

http://tinyurl.com/ye2re8r

Duke Video has released a special DVD set for a good price - it is three volumes of the Isle of Man TT 2009 On Bike Laps. It has 12 laps of the TT circuit and is longer than four hours! Fans of the event can see it first-hand from the point of view of some very famous TT riders from numerous cameras placed on their machines. This is not all there is on this DVD set, though. You know where to go for the rest...

http://tinyurl.com/yd9svbw

More Afternoon Moto News - Leon Haslam, Brian McCormack & Olie Linsdell and James Edmeades Enter TT

Yep, it's Leon Haslam speaking again! As you know well by now, Haslam will be riding for Alstare Suzuki in the World Superbike Championship. He truly sees this as his best chance to grab the WSBK title - he has the team, the bike and is in great shape this year. 2010 might just be his year...but there are so many very good racers in that paddock with him.

http://tinyurl.com/ykvqrem

2008 Irish Superbike Champion Brian McCormack will be making his TT debut this year at the Isle of Man annual race event. He was going to compete last year, but his team split with him and he lost his ride. This time he will be competing in all five individual classes...

http://tinyurl.com/ycre3rp

And, in more Isle of Man TT news, a Moto2 bike and a KTM RC8R will be entered in the proceedings. The Moto2 machine comes from the same shop which built the Moto2 frame for Alex Debon's machine in that series; British rider Olie Linsdell will ride the machine. The KTM will be entered in three different classes and will be ridden by James Edmeades. For all the details, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/ya3d486

More Evening Moto News - Troy Corser & Swedish Electric Motorcycle

Troy Corser will be riding a BMW S1000RR in this coming weekend's World Superbike race at Phillip Island. You might think that he will have a sizable advantage given this is his home track, but you might be wrong. It seems that the Ducati team had a much better practice at the track and Corser had some issues...Take the link and learn why we might as well consider him at a slight disadvantage.

http://tinyurl.com/yzocjr8

A new team has committed to racing in the Isle of Man TT Zero race on 9 June 2010. The team is known as the Swedish Electric Racing Team (SERT) and they have purchased a former Stiggy Racing Honda CBR600RR to use as the chassis for their entry. Chris Palmer will be riding their bike and he has plenty of experience; he has three wins and four podiums since his debut on the Isle in 1990.

http://tinyurl.com/yhesaat

Friday Afternoon Moto News - MotoCzysz Returns to Isle of Man & Noriyuki Haga

MotoCzysz is not worried about the Isle of Man issue between the TTXGP series and the local TT Zero race. In fact, they simply want to race their new 2010 E1pc electric motorcycle in the event this summer. The bike is 90% new, according to Michael Czysz, and is anything but a tame and quiet motorcycle. They are going for the 100 mph top speed prize as well as the win. For all the details, please take the link.


http://tinyurl.com/yhrsuex

Noriyuki Haga has now said that he thinks 2010 will be his toughest year yet in World Superbike. That is because he has a slew of former champions and several national champions now in the series as his competitors. Plus, he has many of the same tough adversaries from 2009. Haga has his work cut out for him...the man deserves a Championship!

http://tinyurl.com/ye3ch8u

Thursday Afternoon Moto News - The Electric Confusion & PINK AMA Supercross

Mark Gardiner has done a great job of covering the stink between the TTXGP and the Isle of Man - with their TT Zero race. As you may already know, the Isle of Man race organizers switched away from Azhar Hussain's race series, the TTXGP, to their own version which they call the TT Zero. There is a great deal which went on behind the scenes when this decision was made. For some of that knowledge and to get some history on the whole affair, take the link to the two part article...it is worth your time!

http://tinyurl.com/yfovtr6

Well, we read that the Kawasaki 24-hour charity ride for the Cure was a success; we also heard that the AMA Supercross race held the next day was also used to bring in some money in the fight against Breast Cancer - they raised over US$27,000! Well, there is also an auction for various autographed goods from your favorite racer. Just take the link to learn the details. Susan G. Komen is loving this, and they are most grateful!

http://tinyurl.com/yeuzhlw

More Morning Moto News - Isle of Man TT & Moto2 Test

A minister in the Isle of Man government, John Shimmin, is upset that he was mislead into splitting the TTXGP from the Isle of Man TT event. Shimmin did want the island to become a leader in zero-emissions racing, so he helped with the first TTXGP. He just cannot understand why the original deal fell apart after only one year...I bet it has to do with finances - everyone wants a part of the future!

http://tinyurl.com/yhdveg9

Shoya Tomizawa, on the Technomag-CIP Suter MMX bike, was fastest on the first day of the Moto2 test at Catalunya, Spain. Roby Rolfo managed to dislocate his shoulder in a fall, which will have him out for four weeks and he will miss the next Moto2 test at Valencia. Jules Cluzel and Yonny Hernandez were second and third on the day. For all the details, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yhdt9xw

More Afternoon Moto News - Electric Motorcycle Racers & Pegram Racing Club

As you might expect, electric motorcycle racers simply want to face the best of the competition. With the strange competition between the three major players in organizing the races, it looks like some teams will never meet on the track, and that is not good for the sport. The questions abound and most are covered after the link...

http://tinyurl.com/ykpw9a4

With the upcoming AMA Pro Racing season getting even nearer, Larry Pegram has come up with another way to gain some sponsorship money has created the Pegram Racing Club. With support from Foremost Insurance and Ducati NA, Pegram has been able to build a successful team around the Ducati 1098R - he won 3 races last year and finished fourth overall. With the Club, which is only limited to 10 people, the members will get a first-hand experience with American motorcycle racing...take the link for more information.

http://tinyurl.com/ylx6czb

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

Monday Evening Moto News - Isle of Man TT Bookend Events

The usual pre- and post-TT events have been announced from the Isle of Man. As usual, the Pre-TT Classic will be held on 28, 29 & 31 May 2010 at the Billown circuit. After the TT will be the Post-TT Road Races; that is held 12 June 2010. Also, right after the Pre-TT will be the Open Air Concours d'Elegance Racing Machines in Castletown Square, which is never to be missed if you are there and like to look upon vintage machines. There is much more information on this, so take the link and take it all in...

http://tinyurl.com/ykpbban