Saturday Morning Moto News - BMW S1000RR, Jonathan Rea & More MotoGP and Moto2 Rules

Would you like to see the 2010 BMW S1000RR valvetrain going at full tilt? The engine will rev up to 14,200RPM - a huge number when you really think about it. Well, if you would like to see this amazing bit of technology in action, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yb8vllo

Jonathan Rea has his sights firmly set for MotoGP. Even though the young Northern Irishman will fight it out this season on the World Superbike stage, his ultimate goal is to race in the Grand Prix series. His Ten Kate Honda team will certainly do whatever it takes to keep him on top this season, so he might get that chance after all.

http://tinyurl.com/yhjxvkt

The FIM has released an even more detailed explanation about the new rules for the 2010 MotoGP and Moto2 series. They have had to make updates due to some technology issues as well as problems with understanding the spec-engine rule in Moto2. There are many changes, so do yourself a favor and take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yzagam8

More Morning Moto News - Simon Andrews, Parrish Bullish on Brits & Riders for Health

MSS Colchester Kawasaki top rider Simon Andrews could be in some serious trouble. Andrews has admitted to three separate driving offenses which could lead him to time in prison and/or they may take away his driving license. He has pleaded guilty...and it may cost him his 2010 BSB season - idiot!

http://tinyurl.com/y9wttt4

Well-known motorcycle World Champion and journalist Steve Parrish has said that 2010 will be the year of Britain in the motorcycle racing series of the world. He expects James Toseland to get a fire under his rear and to take the WSBK paddock by storm; however, he sees Jonathan Rea as the heir apparent for the World Championship. No matter how it all goes down, British participation is heading in the right direction for him!

http://tinyurl.com/ye3pac4

The BBC has kindly placed a documentary film about the Riders for Health charity online for all to watch. The documentary is from a program called "Alvin's Guide to Good Business" and you can access it from a link after the link below. They do wonderful work and the video is worth watching!

http://tinyurl.com/ye4gry6

More Morning Moto News - Triumph USA, Speed Dating & Rizla Suzuki

Triumph North America has a CEO who started on the Triumph production line at the age of 15 and worked his way to the top - and, he seems to be a good leader as well. Mark Kennedy has led the North American division through these hard economic times and actually managed to grab some market share during the downturn. Kennedy has learned quite a bit about the company coming from the bottom up, and he is putting it to use in keeping Triumph in the black.

http://tinyurl.com/ykyo8wr

The weekly 'Speed Dating' column from Road Racer X is now available. This week we see the birthdays of Fabrizio Pirovano, Gaston Rahier, Jonathan (Johnny) Rea, Jose Luis Cardoso, Brendan Roberts, Juan Bautista Borja, Piergiorgio Bontempi, Jimmy Moore. It is also the 46th anniversary of Grand Prix motorcycle racing in the US - 1964 was the first year that the World Championship came to the shores of the US. Check it out...

http://tinyurl.com/yku2vvu

Suzuki's MotoGP team has signed another two year deal with Imperial Tobacco Limited (ITL) which will allow the team to run the Rizla livery until the end of 2011. Given the dearth of sponsorships these days, this is again more good news for motorcycle racing!

http://tinyurl.com/yblvdu6

Saturday Afternoon Moto News - Brittown DVD & WSBK Practice Day 2

A DVD chronicling part of the life of vintage Norton racer and mechanic Jeff "Meatball" Tulinius from his homebase, his Hell On Wheels shop in Anaheim, California. The film is called "Brittown" and it covers his time racing a BSA and just being himself. There is a video preview after the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yfny4e4

We now have some more reports from the World Superbike Championship testing taking place at Portimao in Portugal. Jonathan Rea was the fastest on this day, but it was a wet session - good for testing, though. Leon Haslam, yesterday's leader, was close to Rea in second. There is plenty more for the teams to do, so expect yet another leader tomorrow.

http://tinyurl.com/ylzy6xf

http://tinyurl.com/yghj74u

http://tinyurl.com/yzt5e6l - From Haga and Fabrizio

More Morning Moto News - Sweepstakes, Leon Haslam & Capirex

Over at the U.K. newspaper, the Mirror, is having a sweepstakes where you could win a Leon Camier autographed Pirelli British Superbike Championship book. All you have to do is join some panel of theirs and you are automatically entered...easy as pie!

http://tinyurl.com/yf8x2fl

On the first day of the Portimao World Superbike test, Leon Haslam has topped the time sheets at the track. Of course, they are not all there looking for fast times, most are chasing setup demons and trying to figure out how to tune their race machines for the team riders. But, it does show that Haslam is putting in his effort to win the 2010 series title. Jonathan Rea was in second place on the day...

http://tinyurl.com/yj4s7cn

World Supersport times at the same test: http://tinyurl.com/ybqod4f

Loris Capirossi has been in the news a great deal these last few days. He must have had an interview day or two recently. Anyway, Capirossi is quite happy to know that the MotoGP engine limit will move to 1000c.c. soon. In fact, he said he would be the 'happiest person on earth' if the powers-that-be were to move the date of this rule change forward to 2011. Can't blame him...

http://tinyurl.com/yfu79jd

Shane Byrne Looking Forward to Battle of the Brits in WSBK

So far, there will be seven British riders on the World Superbike circuits in 2010 who have factory rides - that's a large contingent. Byrne is happy to see so many of his fellow countrymen on the grid and is relishing the challenge of it as soon as the season begins. Again, 2010 will be a great year for motorcycle racing!

http://tinyurl.com/yaq2nf5

Leon Haslam Fastest at Valencia Testing - Wrap-Up of Event

Haslam managed to pull his Alstare Suzuki around the Valencia track faster than anyone else testing there. Of course, this is only testing and not everyone there was working for outright lap times - there is plenty to do on the new machines that does not include watching the clock...First debrief linked below:

http://tinyurl.com/yhjlntk

World Superbike (and Moto2) Testing at Valencia This Week

Starting on Wednesday, riders from World Superbike, World Supersport and Moto2 will descend on the Valencia track for some testing in preparation for 2010. So far, it seems that only Honda, Suzuki, Aprilia and Yamaha will be present with their WSBK riders.

http://tinyurl.com/ygnhols

Even more news on the testing at Valencia: http://tinyurl.com/yeac47z

Testing in progress: http://tinyurl.com/ye24ddj

James Toseland had a bad moment - he crashed his R1 while testing - but he has recovered and is continuing to test: http://tinyurl.com/ye22627

In the end, Crutchlow and Toseland had a good test: http://tinyurl.com/yfmw7qr

Ultimate Superbike Test Ride in Portugal at Portimao

This writer from MotorcycleUSA online was fortunate enough to get invited to this unbelievable test in Portugal presented by the rights holders to World Superbike, Infront Sports. The author seems to have an attitude to match his skill level, but he does a good job of describing what it is like to ride these WSBK machines: Troy Corser's BMW S1000RR, Fabrizio's Ducati 1098F09, Rea's Honda CBR1000RR, Tamada's Kawasaki ZX-10R, Spies' Yamaha YZF-R1, Kagayama's Suzuki GSX-R1000, and Biaggi's Aprilia RSV-4. That is a full day's worth of testing, eh? Lucky guy...

http://tinyurl.com/yjkzgvj

Rea Preparing for Tough 2010 Season in World Superbike

Jonathan Rea may be young, but he is not without a deep understanding of the challenge ahead. In the 2010 World Superbike paddock, there will be many qualified riders who have a real chance at winning almost every time they race. So, he is working hard to get ready for the next season with his team, Ten Kate Honda, with which he did very well in 2009. Expect 2010 to be a season of surprises...

http://tinyurl.com/yzn3zdw

Very Nice Detailed Story of Kings of Wanneroo 2009 in Australia

The Kings of Waneroo has seen a great deal of press in the U.K. and it is not wonder. Some of the best racers from there, Ireland and Australia all got together for a one weekend racing series for the second time. It went very well as many spectators attended just to see some of the greats which don't get Down Under all that often. As we now know Jonathan Rea won the overall event for 2009. The real question asked here, though, is if there will be another one in 2010.

http://tinyurl.com/ycrlftb

Kings of Wanneroo Event Photos and Winner

Well, I have yet to find a decent article on the results of the Kings of Wanneroo event in Australia this weekend, so I am posting a link to a forum where there are some photos and the announcement that Jonathan Rea has put Shannon Johnson in his place by taking the event's overall win. If I get more, I will post it!

http://tinyurl.com/yzw3q22

Better coverage: http://tinyurl.com/yjysdvn

http://tinyurl.com/yzvvb7h

Andrew Pitt and Conor Cummins had a great weekend: http://tinyurl.com/ykvup45

Shannon Johnson Tops Kings of Wanneroo Practice in Australia

Aussie and KTM rider Johnson took the top spot in practice with his RC8R by lapping a full half-second ahead of the rest of the field. In second is British rider Jonathan Rea, with Australian Cameron Keevers leading U.K. rider Jeremy McWilliams in fourth. Rea was a bit worried as his race bike only arrived at the Perth track just before the practice started. This is only the first outing for the amazing assortment of some of the world's best riders, so we only have a bit of a clue as to what will happen during the rest of the weekend.

http://tinyurl.com/y88ncww

http://tinyurl.com/yjtvtqd

Racers Depart for Kings of Wanneroo event in Perth, Australia

A huge list of U.K. racers are heading off to Australia for the Kings of Wanneroo race. Alastair Seeley, Ian Lougher, Conor Cummins, Keith Amor, Ryan Farquhar have already left and are flying there now. Jonathan Rea, Jeremy McWilliams, Andrew Pitt, Guy Martin, and Simon Andrews will all be at the Barbagallo Circuit shortly after the other group. It will be an all-star event for the Perth crowd. I certainly hope someone televises it since I cannot travel there...

http://tinyurl.com/ykex9qu

First Qualifying Practice at Portimao WSBK Round - Supersport Results

Actually, this link has all results from Friday's practice at Portimao. We have Superbike, Supersport, Superstock 1000 and Superstock 600 results here along with several team reports from the first day of the World Superbike Championship finale in Portugal this weekend...I wish I had this link yesterday.

http://tinyurl.com/yl38zen

First Qualifying Practice at Portimao World Superbike Round

As Spies only made seventh in the first practice, this is an improvement for him; he managed third in this the first qualifying practice for Superpole. Haga actually moved from second down to ninth! Jakub Smrz dropped one spot to second after Jonathan Rea turned in a scorching lap on board his Ten Kate Honda. Tomorrow's qualifying will certainly be interesting...

http://tinyurl.com/yjtwgf8

Belfast Telegraph Sports Awards Nominations Open

This paper will award the best sportsman - based on reader voting and some nominations - from Northern Island. For motorcycle race fans, the choices will be Jonathan Rea, Alastair Seeley, Eugene Laverty and Ryan Farquhar. If you live in the circulation area for this paper, head on over to the website and cast your vote!

http://tinyurl.com/yjb7alj

2009 Portimao World Superbike Championship Round Preview

Will it be Haga or Spies? Who can win the weekend in Portugal? Well, the advantage rests with Haga, but he and Spies both have about the same knowledge of the track, so it could be anyone's race. Of course, there are spoilers as well - Fabrizio is a certain front-runner, Max Biaggi is riding well on an almost completely-sorted Aprilia, and Jonathan Rea is always ready to take a win or push someone off of the podium. It will be a race weekend worth watching!

http://tinyurl.com/ykmddkv

http://tinyurl.com/yzrzmld

http://tinyurl.com/yg5wtx5 - link will be updated periodically

And, another article asking the question, can Noriyuki Haga win the World Championship title? Well, yes he can!

http://tinyurl.com/yh8o9fe

World Superbike Magny-Cours Superpole Results

Ben Spies managed to come back and take the Superpole qualifying by storm at the Magny-Cours track in France. His nearest rival in the qualifying run, Jonathan Rea, was almost a half-second behind him. What this means for today's races...well, we will see. However, just FYI, Haga qualified back in 5th place...should prove interesting!

http://tinyurl.com/yckuepa

Friday at Magny-Cours World Superbike Round

News, news , news; we just can't get enough of it. So, for your reading pleasure here are notes from Friday's practice runs at the Magny-Cours circuit where the 14th and penultimate round of the World Superbike Championship is being held this weekend.

http://tinyurl.com/yfzs8wa

http://tinyurl.com/yhvruoe

http://tinyurl.com/yjgjxvq