TTXGP Begins at Infineon Raceway Today!

Sorry this is so late, but the inaugural TTXGP race for the 2010 season will begin today at Infineon Raceway in California. The series will have 13 rounds and will end with a huge Grand Finale event in Spain. It is a historic weekend for all motorcycle racing - this is the first ever global electric racing series! You may be able to catch some of the action on your local motorsports TV channel if you cannot get to the track...check your local schedule. In the meantime, take the link below to learn more.

http://tinyurl.com/397dhpu

TTXGP Changes Racing & Hungarian MotoGP in Doubt

The Azhar Hussain series, the TTXGP, will be a race to own series. Yes, it sounds a bit odd as it is a new way to handle racing management. Each team will earn shares in the TTXGP series as the race and the teams are all involved in the rule making and racing decisions. This is called Trust.eGrandPrix.Org (TEO) and it is all Hussain's idea. It's a very good plan for keeping your series relevant and I would hope it would encourage more teams to join up. For your details, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yevykc4

The Balatonring circuit in Hungary may never get finished now after a huge Hungarian bank has refused to give the operating group any more funding. This all went down on Friday and the principals involved said the bank refused due to some problems found while doing due diligence...This could mean a huge delay, or the end, of top-level racing in the nation of Hungary...

http://tinyurl.com/yevpp2h

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 - West Coast Moto Jam, USGPRU & Andrew Short

The motorcycle racing weekend at California's Infineon Raceway has been re-named the West Coast Moto Jam. The event will take place when AMA Pro Racing and the TTXGP host their races at the track. The whole thing goes off 14 - 16 May 2010, so don't miss it!


http://tinyurl.com/yht6boy

The USGPRU has announced that they are raising the value of the race purse for the 2010 season. They are doing this to encourage more people to participate in the series. With the economy only slowly recovering, they needed to do something to keep the competitors interested in participating. It should go a long way to improve the racing and should help to bring in the crowds!

http://tinyurl.com/yhzt699

Honda's Andrew Short was injured in the AMA Supercross event this past weekend in San Diego. This brings us to some four (or five) top riders who are sitting out at this point in the season due to some rather nasty injuries. However, in this article, we hear from Short about his injury - how, why, etc. - and when he expects to return to racing.

http://tinyurl.com/yzxf5oq

Wednesday Afternoon Moto News - SWIGS.COM Pro Racing & Ilmor Viper 152

SWIGS.COM Pro Racing's Chip Yates has been working hard on his TTXGP project machine - his team has been working just as hard and they have even signed on some more sponsors. The team is on track to meet their performance goals; it looks like they may be able to produce an electric racing motorcycle which will lap as quickly as a Suzuki GSX-R600. The ePower, TT Zero and TTXGP confusion is not helping, though. Good interview...

http://tinyurl.com/yfdmfbc

The Ilmor and Viper Motorcycles joint venture has been merrily plugging along and they have finally released some information on their 152-cubic inch V-twin engine - it has been built and is running just fine! That is good news for the group as they prepare to launch the new custom cruiser engine on the worldwide market. They have even been able to hook it up to a dyno, but have not released any number yet. The first machine to sport the Viper Motorcycles-Ilmor V-Twin will be the Diamondback Super Cruiser, which is scheduled to be sold in the second half of 2010.

http://tinyurl.com/yhzn9lw

Monday Evening Moto News - Isle of Man and TTXGP & Nicki Pedersen

The Isle of Man Government has finally issued a statement about their decision to run their own zero emissions motorcycle race instead of Azhar Hussain's TTXGP. The officials cite problems with finances and scheduling as the issues which forced their hand. Of course, the TTXGP denies this and says that the Isle of Man Government is not being honest and open. The story continues...

http://tinyurl.com/yhpjyzo

Another Speedway Champion, one Nicki Pedersen, who you should know, is getting ready to assault the paddock in the 2010 FIM series. He lost his crown last year to Australian Jason Crump, and only managed to finish in sixth overall. Pedersen has the goal to regain his position on top. Hopefully it will have a similar broadcast arrangement (or better) that we were all lucky to see last season.

http://tinyurl.com/yayeb22

Monday Afternoon Moto News - Jason DiSalvo, Industry Gossip & TTXGP

This past weekend, Jason DiSalvo decided to go outside and get some training done. Where it gets interesting is when you consider that he lives in New York state - and they have snow on the ground! He went out with his playbike (a dirt machine) and threw some snow around in process of getting himself in race shape for the Triumph team with which he will contend the 2010 World Supersport Championship season.

http://tinyurl.com/yh7jrek

In industry gossip ,we get word that KTM is going to produce their 125cc concept machines which were present at the Milan EICMA Show just last year. They will be built in India and will be sold globally. There are plenty of other rumors - some we have already heard and some which are new. There is a great part on the future of a four-wheeled leaning motorcycle (ala Yamaha Tesseract)So, please do not forget to take the link and have a good read!

http://tinyurl.com/yd39w78

And, finally, there is news that Road America, of Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, will be hosting the final event of the TTXGP’s eGrandPrix North American Championship. It is certainly nice to see another round added to this series as the Isle of Man TT organizers shuttered that round recently. If only it will help gain some notoriety for the organizers and participants alike.

http://tinyurl.com/yzqz6aq

More Afternoon Moto News - TTXGP Out of Isle of Man! David Bettencourt RIP & Norton, New

The TT Zero event, which just happens to be run by the ACU, is displacing the Isle of Man round of the TTXGP. There is a great deal of information after the link, so you should probably just go there to read the details. But, it just gets really sad when money and politics (which are everywhere) start to make our sport more complicated and harder to deal with. This move by the Isle of Man Tourism people is simply idiotic. I hope that the TTXGP sues them!

http://tinyurl.com/ycbw8nq

David Bettencourt has died while fighting leukemia and awaiting a bone marrow transplant. David's father, Dick, founded Bettencourt Honda over 65 years ago, and the name is a big part of the motorcycling culture. The dealership has sponsored hundreds of racers in its time. David was a championship-level dirt track and ice racer and will be remembered as a good friend to many people.

http://tinyurl.com/ydhfvx4

Nort0n, the new Norton that is, will be at the MCN Motorcycle Show in London. Honestly, did you expect any different? Of course Norton will be there!

http://tinyurl.com/ya7kceh

More Morning Moto News - Hopper, Mark Neale & Ben Spies

More news comes to us about John Hopkins and his dual role in 2010 with both the FB Corse MotoGP outfit and the M4 Suzuki AMA Pro Racing team. It seems that both options are a possibility - he may ride in two series this year. The FB Corse team, though, will only participate in select MotoGP rounds, but M4 will contest the entire American Superbike season. For more, take the link...

http://tinyurl.com/yf22uvd

More Hopper news: http://tinyurl.com/yd2gd89

Mark Neale is at it again! Remember the documentaries Faster and The Doctor, The Tornado and the Kentucky Kid? Well, he has now made on about last year's Isle of Man TTXGP race with the electric motorcycles - it is called, appropriately, Charge. Take the link and learn more...

http://tinyurl.com/yzqcrtd

It seems that Ben Spies will be one of the heaviest riders on the MotoGP circuit in 2010. He has given serious thought to losing some weight, but he also had some great success at Valencia while being at his current weight. Given how fit he is, I have to think that his weight is only a minor concern for his team, so nothing important to think about there...he is very talented and his size will not change that.

http://tinyurl.com/yz4pqh3

Thursday Morning Moto Race News - MotoGP, CRP and BSB

It seems that Dorna and Carmelo Ezpeleta has said that he is open to moving up the date of the 1000c.c. engine change for MotoGP by a year. He has stated that he would not fight against such a move, but he believes that all interested parties would probably want to stick with the 2012 date. It does show some flexibility in a place where there is usually little...

http://tinyurl.com/yl2hcu3

Italian firm CRP has finally released their eCRP 1.0 electric race motorcycle to the public. As you would imagine, coming from an Italian company, it is rather strikingly beautiful. The machine will run with two Agni motors which link to a single shaft, and, like the Mavizen TTX02, it has a touch-panel control system in place with wireless built in. It was designed specifically for racing in the 2010 TTXGP series. The units should start shipping around late March or early April.

http://tinyurl.com/yecefcz

Michael Laverty is looking for a championship in the 2010 British Superbike Championship. He will continue to ride for the Relentless Suzuki squad with teammate Alastair Seeley. If he can get it done this year, it will be Suzuki's first title in the BSB series since 2004. Expect Laverty to put on a real show.

http://tinyurl.com/yakx33h

Don't leave out Seeley! He is also a very good racer and will be with an incredible team - Relentless Suzuki - on a great bike - Suzuki GSX-R1000 - in 2010.

http://tinyurl.com/yd4ndq6

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

TTXGP Opens Rules to Crowdsourcing for 2011 Season

So, yes, it is ahead of the curve a bit as 2011 is another year in the future, but the news is about now. The man behind the TTXGP, Azhar Hussain, has put the rules online in Wiki format. The idea is to develop rules and regulations by soliciting experts, competitors and the involved companies' ideas for the future of the series. Attorney Harry Mallin will be acting as chief moderator just to be sure that everything is covered. This is a first for a series with worldwide participation, and may be a first in all of motorcycle racing.

http://tinyurl.com/ykuhgwz

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

Monday Afternoon Moto News from Around the World

This afternoon is a bit less crazy than this morning, which means that it is very quiet now. Hopefully, this is because many people in the motorcycle industry are at home with their families!

First up here is the Road Racer X round-up of birthdays and other important events in motorcycle history. We have birthdays for Jurgen van den Goodbergh, William S. Harley, Sergio Gadea, Alex Gramigni, Jordan Szoke, Kenny Roberts, Phil Read, SpeedTV (yes, the TV network), Luis d’Antin, Kel Carruthers, Shoichiro Irimajiri. And, the death of Cal Rayborn in 1973. There are some huge birthdays on that list, so go and take a look.

http://tinyurl.com/yagmakr

And, we are being teased by an Indian company on the release of their new electric motorcycle. Tork India, who finished in third place Open Class in the 2009 TTXGP, have placed a photo on their Facebook page with a covered motorcycle - and not much more.

http://tinyurl.com/ydnyhqp

If there is more news, I will put it up later this evening. Otherwise, I will write here again tomorrow morning.

Preview of Electric Motorcycle Racing in 2010 - TTXGP & eGrandPrix

Yep, it is almost 2010 - in fact, it is only a few weeks away. So, are you ready for the electric motorcycle racing in the new year? If not, take the link below and get all of the information you need on these new road race series. This is the beginning of something huge which we will all be seeing more of in the future, so get yourself ready!

http://tinyurl.com/yehtabw

Electric Motorcycles - Here to Stay?

A nice opinion piece on the coming of electric motorcycles and what the future of them may be. The author has some good points, but some of them are easy to dispute. In either case, it is worth reading just to see yet another perspective on this quickly expanding niche in the motorcycle industry. Just do not expect the article to cover your views on the subject, it doesn't match mine.

http://tinyurl.com/y8hzqtf

Summary of FIM Rule Changes for 2010

We have already read most of these here as the changes have been reported one or two at a time over the last several weeks. Now, though, we have a nice summary of those changes and some of the effects we have already seen from them. So, take the link and educate yourself before the 2010 season begins!

http://tinyurl.com/yd9zx4l