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 - BMW @ MCN Show & Mark Gardiner

BMW is quite pleased to be announcing that they will have their concept and new motorcycle models at the MCN London Motorcycle Show, which is coming up 4 - 7 February 2010. They have put out a press release with a list of bikes they will bring, and what else they will have going on at the show. If you are attending, you will want to read this link...

http://tinyurl.com/ycdumc7

Mark Gardiner has given us yet another inside look at racing. In the RoadRacer X column, 'AGV Backmarker', he covers the strange goings-on with the Triumph World Supersport teams. He delves into the situation with Jason DiSalvo and Gary McCoy. It was an interesting soap opera which left McCoy without a seat, and DiSalvo taking his place - both were completely ignorant of the machinations going on at the time. It is well worth a read - especially if you are interested in the politics of motorcycle road racing.

http://tinyurl.com/yhka7hp

Some Moto Entertainment for Your Thursday Afternoon

First up is a writer that I have actually met and I am currently reading his book "Riding Man". Mark Gardiner takes a trip to Catalina Island right off the California coast. He takes a trip back in time while on the island to relive the glory days of the Catalina Grand Prix, which was born of an attempt to have an Isle of Man TT race in the US. It's a great trip - and Gardiner is a good writer - so take the link and wonder at what it was like to race on that island 50 years ago!

http://tinyurl.com/ycbsqeu

Next up we have a new DVD entitled Let's Riiide which is a documentary about riding a motorcycle in California - they say it should have been produced by the California Tourism Board. It will make you want to drop everything and ride to the West Coast, so beware! It's over three hours of great riding.

http://tinyurl.com/y9amjzb

Riding Men Book Tour Running Around the Left Coast

The Riding Men are Mark Gardiner and Ed Milich - and the left coast is the West Coast, just so you know. They will begin their tour in San Francisco on 11 December 2009 and will continue north through Portland and Seattle, Washington. They are both promoting new books - which we should all read - and will be signing copies for waiting fans. Don't miss it, I won't!

http://tinyurl.com/ybfb9b8

Nice AGV Backmarker at Road Racer X Magazine

I had to post this one because it is a really good article. There are some misses, sure, but not much. Mark Gardiner writes a good piece which includes the things he is "thankful for." It is great that he mentions the AMA's efforts in trying to raise awareness of the distracted driver issue, which cannot be mentioned enough anywhere - and a really good reason that the electric motorcycle industry is doing so well now. The short bit about getting his US Green Card and the Department of Homeland Security was interesting, but I think he actually left out the more absurd parts of his experience. On this Thanksgiving Day (in the US), remember that there are some things which all of us are actually grateful for in this life.

http://tinyurl.com/yfgupqb

Another Trip to Jay Leno's Garage

Mark Gardiner took his AGV Backmarker column to Jay Leno's Garage and had the opportunity to ride a historic '31 Henderson. A very good read and even more insight into the mind of one of the greatest collectors on the planet.

http://tinyurl.com/n7mgat