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

Mladin Gear to Be Acutioned & Some WSBK Portimao Previews

Mat Mladin, long-time AMA Pro Racing Superbike competitor and multi-time champion, will be auctioning off some of his Rockstar Makita Suzuki gear, most items autographed, for the De Coster's Kids Motivational Program charity. The De Coster charity was set up by Bob Sparenberg with the purpose of keeping kids off drugs and other intoxicants and focuses them on getting their lives ready for the future. Take the link to learn more.

http://tinyurl.com/ylcdm8u

The second round of the 2010 World Superbike Championship is soon to be upon us. It will take place at the now very popular Portimao circuit in Portugal. We now have some race previews popping up ahead of the event. First up is Paul Bird Motorsports Kawasaki; Chris Vermeulen is still injured and is hoping to get fit ahead of the event. Tom Sykes is only hoping to improve on his 13th place at the Phillip Island round.

http://tinyurl.com/yz76osn

We also just received news that Makoto Tamada will have a one-off ride on the Reitwagen BMW at the Portimao WSBK round: http://tinyurl.com/yhw6gdm

Monday Afternoon Moto News - Speed Dating!

Yep, it's that time of the week again, Road Racer X's 'Speed Dating' article. This week's birthdays are Bill Lomas, Jamie James, Franco Uncini, Rocky Robinson, Barry Sheene, Mat Mladin, Eddie Lawson, Henry Riles, Dr. Martin Raines, Elmer Trett, Graziano Rossi, and Philip Conrad Vincent. This week also marks the date of the first MotoGP night race in 2008 and the first race of the 800cc era of MotoGP as well. Take the link and get the stories behind the names.

http://tinyurl.com/ylakg8n

MORE Afternoon Moto News - Taylor Knapp & Pit Pass Radio

Taylor Knapp will get the opportunity to ride the Yoshimura Suzuki which Mat Mladin rode to the AMA Championship last year. Knapp did finish in ninth in American Superbike and eleventh in Daytona SportBike last year. The 22-year-old also has the support of Ridersdiscount.com and Yoshimura.

http://tinyurl.com/yjbtacv

Well, it is actually after the fact, but I only just now picked up the link. Anyway, you may download tonight's Pit Pass Radio in MP3 format if you wish, but the show is now over. Tonight's guests are Jason DiSalvo (WSS), Jared Mees (Dirt Track Racer), Dan Krick (Co-owner Fusion Graphixx), Broc Tickle (Supercross Lites), and - finally - PJ Larsen (Supercross Lites). That is in no order of importance you understand...Anyway, get over there and get yourself a copy and listen up!

http://tinyurl.com/ydsc2pw

Now Official: Mat Mladin Not Joining World Superbike in 2010

It came from his Twitter account, and it makes mention that DMG as Obi-Wan? I think he is joking there as it is well-known that he is unhappy with the DMG group. But, it does explicitly say that he will not be in World Superbike anytime soon.

http://tinyurl.com/yacnmcq

Andrew Pitt Takes Final BMW WSBK Seat

It seems that this was the BMW seat which Mat Mladin was vying for, but negotiations did not go as planned. So, Reitwagen has chosen to go with former World Supersport Champion Andrew Pitt for their second rider. Of course, this all comes through German publications and no official press release has been seen yet. However, this seems to be authentic and it is likely that Pitt will ride alongside the first rider they hired, Roland Resch.

http://tinyurl.com/y9ab7yb

Pitt is very happy about getting this ride, so expect some passionate racing in the 2010 season!

http://tinyurl.com/ydzzlnk

Mat Mladin Joining World Superbike Paddock?

Mladin mentioned something on his Twitter account about receiving several offers from World Superbike teams - and making some tough decision. Considering he insisted that he left the DMG/AMA paddock to spend time with his family, I wouldn't think he would be interested. Being in a worldwide series would keep you away from your family for most of the year...

http://tinyurl.com/yg3uho7

This looks more and more likely now. He has been linked to a BMW satellite effort. He didn't retire for his family, he retired because he detests racing under the DMG leadership - and who can blame him?

http://tinyurl.com/ygjdele

http://tinyurl.com/yaak6wj

Another update; this one says that Mladin may test the S1000RR in Australia. It also makes some arguments against his joining of the WSBK paddock.

http://tinyurl.com/ye37dm6

2006 Interview With Mat Mladin - Lost and Found

The interview linked here was supposed to end up on an online radio interview, but all they ended up with is a text document of the interview itself. It took place at Laguna Seca back in July of 2006 in Mladin's motorhome. Read some words from a man with few of them for the press...

http://tinyurl.com/yl9bnje

Suzuki's Champions Tour Coming to an International Motorcycle Show Near You

That's right, Suzuki won six major championships in 2009 in the US. To show thanks for all of the fan support, Suzuki will be starting the Champions Tour. It will be included in the Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows (IMS) as it tours the country. Included will be at least five pieces of racing mecha - Dungey's RM-Z250, a replica of Mat Mladin's bike, and more. All you have to do to catch the tour is visit the IMS when it comes to your town...

http://tinyurl.com/yeekyus

First Ride: Mat Mladin's 2009 AMA Superbike Championship Suzuki GSX-R1000

Two Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbikes - twisted and tuned into the way Mat Mladin rides a racebike. However, they did put softer fork springs in (read the story), but it was otherwise the exact setup Mladin used at the final round in New Jersey. It was apparently a real handful on the track - and only five laps were allowed on each machine. It's a neat story...

http://tinyurl.com/yzqerac

Remember the 1993 Kawasaki World Superbike Championship?

Scott Russell certainly does remember it! He won the only World Superbike Championship that Kawasaki has ever won back in 1993. His team consisted of Peter Doyle, Gary Medley, Rich Doan and Reg O'Rourke. Doyle went on to work with Kawasaki Australia, but the others went on to work with AMA Champion Mat Mladin. It was a fun reunion and I wonder what was said between these legendary motorcycle road race teammates...

http://tinyurl.com/ykzt5y2

The 2009 Suzuki GSX-R1000 (K9) World Beater?

I wouldn't go that far as it does seem that Yamaha has been dominating many motorcycle racing series, but the Suzuki has certainly been successful as well. Just ask Mat Mladin or even the recently posted Sylvain Guintoli - who was injured for much of the BSB Championship this year - what they think of the Suzuki superbike...

http://tinyurl.com/yhoczwg

What Will Happen With AMA/DMG Pro Racing in 2010?

Well, that is the US64,000 question, isn't it? Honda has pulled out, Mladin has retired, no TV rights have been agreed to yet and we have only a few riders under contract for next year's series...Looks like DMG really messed this up. Someone, please tell them that motorcycle racing is not NASCAR!

http://tinyurl.com/nd88cv

AMA American Superbike Results from New Jersey Motorsports Park

Here are - late - results from the Sunday American Superbike race at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Mat Mladin was not able to win either of his final races in AMA. It doesn't matter much, though, as he still has the 2009 championship! Yamaha's Josh Hayes was the main beneficiary of this weekend's action in the Superbike class.

http://tinyurl.com/me55oy

Qualifying for AMA Pro Racing at NJMP Results

Mat Mladin will start from the pole in his final race in AMA ever. And, Jason DiSalvo will be leading the Daytona SportBike race on Sunday. As for Moto-GT, the Yamaha of Westby Racing will lead the pack.

http://tinyurl.com/ocp2qe

Even more information and some interviews: http://tinyurl.com/lhejkc

NJMP Last Race for Mat Mladin...

Mat Mladin is happy to be leaving the current AMA Pro Racing group behind. With the switch to new ownership last year, he has been unhappy with the way they are running the series - he is not alone! Mladin will take his final Championship trophy and go back to Australia. How long do you think he will stay away from racing???

http://tinyurl.com/mu6kwp

New Jersey Motorsports Park Hosts End of Season AMA Race

In Millville, New Jersey is NJMP - it has already hosted a few auto race series - and it will host the final AMA Pro Racing race event of the 2009 season. This will be Mat Mladin's final race as an AMA racer. It all goes of next weekend, 4 through 6 September 2009, so don't miss it!

http://tinyurl.com/lsvfnl

Mladin Wins Seventh Championship!

He is set to retire at the end of this season, but he will go out on top. Mat Mladin managed to secure his 7th AMA Superbike title - a new record - at VIR this past weekend.

http://tinyurl.com/qlo2rv

His Final Trip to VIR, Mat Mladin Interview

Today's AMA Pro race at Virginia International Raceway will be Mat Mladin's final official ride of the track; he will be retiring at the end of this season from the AMA Pro series...

http://tinyurl.com/lqe7eh

This Just In - Mat Mladin Retires from Racing!

I could go into the details of this; or, talk about my own experiences meeting the man at Laguna and talking about the weather (of course). I will leave it up to the other blog who actually wrote a very interesting story:

http://tinyurl.com/mzhv2j