Wednesday Afternoon Moto News - RFK, Sturgis and TTXGP

A new press release from the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation's Ride for Kids lets us know that even the tough economy did not keep the generous spirit of motorcyclists from doing what they do best - earning money for the cause. In 2009, the charity raised over US$4.4 million. They have also added another event for 2010. To learn more, click the link.

http://tinyurl.com/ygcvozg

The Sturgis Rally will turn 70 years old in 2010 and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame is getting ready for the celebration. So, take the link and learn about what to expect if you are heading to the event in 2010.

http://tinyurl.com/yl5otw6

There is news that another team has signed up to ride in the 2010 TTXGP series - 666 Road Racing Limited. They will be campaigning a Mavizen TTX02 eSuperbike with co-founder Nick Potts piloting the machine. They have even provided a video for your viewing pleasure.

http://tinyurl.com/y8rmxza

New Year's Eve Moto Racing News from Around the World

We have some rather interesting race news coming to us here, so let's start.

First, over in Australia, we hear that FIM Speedway GP Champion Jason Crump and well-known homeboy Tai Woffinden will be participating in the Ben Fund Bonanza at the Rye House track. The event will take place on 14 March 2010 and should not be missed.

http://tinyurl.com/yehbdzx

Troy Corser - currently riding the BMW S1000RR in the World Superbike Championship - wants one more crown before he retires from the series. It's not as if this is impossible for the former champion; he has the speed and he may just have the bike for 2010. Stay tuned and pay attention...

http://tinyurl.com/ydy7e24

And, finally, we have a nice video and some photos of the Mavizen TTX02 electric motorcycle ahead of the new TTXGP race series for 2010. The team has been testing the new machine and has made some changes to make it run better in the new multi-lap format. Take a look at the machine before you see it on your TV next year.

http://tinyurl.com/ycpdzbq

ZERO Motorcycles Joins With TTXGP eGrandPrix Series

Well, at least I expected to hear something about this - I just interviewed Saiki and he mentioned that something like this was coming - and now we all have! Zero will join the eGrandPrix series in 2010. The series is part of the TTXGP series and will run the first event in the US (yes, believe it or not) at Infineon Raceway in California. It is believed that Zero will use the frame and fairing of the Mavizen TTX02 (based on the KTM RC8R) with Zero's own batteries and motor. Looks like the TTXGP has one-upped the new FIM e-Power series. There will be many more announcements coming soon - stay tuned!

http://tinyurl.com/yh58ydf

More information on the current commitments to the TTXGP series:

http://tinyurl.com/yzqbje9

Why We Should Be Thankful the FIM Split from TTXGP

Well, the reasoning in this article is very good and makes sense. However, we still have not seen Azhar Hussain have any issues related to his participation in the TTXGP and his Mavizen electric motorcycle. It is easy to see that a conflict of interest could arise in that situation, though. So, maybe it is better that the FIM created their own series for racing e-motorcycles. Honestly, though, the racing in this class has only just begun, so no one really knows where it will go...I bet it does very well!

http://tinyurl.com/yznpsbz

Here it is! The Mavizen TTX02 Has Been Unveiled at SEMA

It turns out that the major manufacturer which Azhar Hussain is working with is KTM! I had thought it might be the Piaggio Group - one of their companies - but it turns out he went to Austria. If you look at the photo for even a short period of time, you will easily see this machine is derived from the KTM RC8. It looks sleek and sweet, especially for an electric motorcycle. I can imagine that the handling will also be on par with the RC8 since it uses the frame and suspension of that machine. However, there is much more to this machine than what is on the surface; it is a fully wi-fi enabled race machine which you can tune with a so-equipped laptop. And, the price is not that bad - £25,000 complete and race-ready! Only 50 will be built, so take the link and look into the future...

http://tinyurl.com/yz4m3aq

Even more details! http://tinyurl.com/yfu6gb5