Aprilia-Powered Norton to Compete at Isle of Man TT

Norton will not be bringing their own V4 to a MotoGP circuit anytime soon; no one has any doubt that they want to, and as soon as they are able. As a stop-gap, and a very good learning experience, they will field a kit Aprilia RSV4 engine - not too different from what the CRT teams have access to - in a Spondon frame in this year's Isle of Man TT. That last connection is interesting as Spondon used to frame many racing Nortons in its previous incarnation. And, Norton's new owner, one Stuart Garner, also happens to own Spondon. It's better to keep the program in-house as much as possible so as to learn everything it is possible to learn when using another marque's engine. In this way, Norton can prepare to create their own future MotoGP CRT engine. Since Norton already has some designs for this, I doubt very much that they will make a duplicate RSV4 engine - they will want their own. Norton has a reputation to protect if they plan to stay connected to their heritage in a meaningful way.

http://tinyurl.com/7xogr79

Watsonian Squire Ltd - 100 Years in the British Motorcycle Industry

One-hundred years is a long time or any company, but it is an especially important anniversary for a company whose work is in the British motorcycle industry. Many great companies have come and gone - and come again, for some of them - and they have left many great bikes behind them. But, one which has been there through just about all of it is Watsonian Squire Ltd. They have also made a name for themselves within a certain set of accolytes.

Watsonian Squire Ltd is the company known for producing the historic and classic looking sidecar rigs used in the world-renowned Harry Potter movies, so you have probably seen their work. They also have made specials for the likes of Ewan McGreggor and the Two Fat Ladies, world-famous TV chefs. This was all accomplished by a small, 12-person operation based in a small British town. For a little more and a look at some of their work, take the link:

http://tinyurl.com/7qtvlec

Maria Costello Dominates Vintage Racing in America

This is late, again...no excuses, but a significant list of reasons.

Maria Costello receives the MBE from Prince Charles

Maria Costello took the AHRMA by storm at two events - Barber Motorsports Park and Daytona. The first is the annual Barber Vintage Festival where Costello took two wins and one second place, and the next was a round at the Daytona Speedway where she picked up two more wins. This was a second trip across the Pond for the talented racer as she was invited here last year, too. Chance are, she will be here again...I only hope I get to see her race.

For a brief story from a local (in the U.K.) newspaper, take the link below:

http://tinyurl.com/67whrpd

More details to be found here: http://costelloracing.blogspot.com/

Number 52 Hangs 'Em Up: James Toseland has Retired

A few hours late with this one...

Unfortunately, due to injury, James Toseland has decided to retire from motorcycle racing. The Englishman, and two time World Superbike Champion, injured his wrist at a test in Spain back in March. The joint was hurt again at the recent Nurburgring round of WSBK and, after investigating and discussing the matter with medical professionals, decided it was safest for him to walk away from the sport he loves at the tender age of 30.

I do hate to see him go as he was always one of the most fun to watch and listen to, but he needs to do what is best for him and his family. We all wish Toseland well in all of his future endeavors!

http://tinyurl.com/3bk5s7y

Bradley Smith to Remain in Moto2...Instead of MotoGP!

It really takes a level of maturity rarely seen in people his age (especially motorcycle racers) to hold yourself out of the premier racing level in order to continue developing your skill set. MotoGP is the goal of everyone in Grand Prix racing, but Smith is being smart and biding his time until he feels he is ready - genius!

http://tinyurl.com/3pof7na

Another Human Sacrifice for the Isle of Man TT

It is simply part of racing at this time; that is often used to explain a death on any motorcycle race circuit, but the Isle of Man TT has a special place for the people who give their lives to race in this prestigious annual event. The truth of the matter is that those who race motorcycles are risking their lives. Modern safety equipment and even better track design has noticeably reduced the numbers in recent decades - and that is a very good thing for all of us! The TT, however, will always be this way. It is a real roads race which demands the best of the people moving at high speed over its course on motorcycles. Ask anyone out there, though, and you will find not one individual with a 'death wish'. To them, this is life and it sometimes takes that from you. They know the risks and try to be as safe as they can be, but pushing the limit puts you on a fine edge between stable and unstable. This time the price was a 29-year-old man from the U.K. named Matthew Alexander Evans. He crashed while piloting his Honda Fireblade at high speed in the left-hand curves near the Mountain Box. Please see the link for more...

MCN (UK) Blog at 2010 Isle of Man TT

This is a shameless plug, but not for myself...it is for the MCN blog written by Gary Pinchin while he gets to experience the annual madness that is the Isle of Man TT. It is more than just a race, and there are activities for just about everyone there. The population swells, though, so you must be ready for crowds at almost any venue. Simply grab a good place to stay, get your food and alcohol regimen locked in, and then let yourself enjoy every moment...try not to stress. If you are participating, that advice is useless - just ride your own TT! Take a look at this blog and check back often for updates on the linked site.

http://tinyurl.com/3x5xr8d

Easton Crashes Hard at Cadwell Park Test & MotoGP in HD, Finally!

Swan Honda rider, and British Superbike Championship favorite, Stuart Easton went down in a rather nasty way while testing for the 2010 season at Cadwell Park. He was airlifted to the hospital where they are going to do some exploratory surgery around his knee. So far it looks like he will be OK, but they want to be sure everything is in fine order before they let him get back on the track...

http://tinyurl.com/ye7jz3t

MotoGP has finally entered into the 21st century by way of broadcasting the races in Hi-Definition! Some races have already been filmed in HD, but those were not broadcast to the public. In 2010, all MotoGP races will be available in HD and will be initially broadcast in HD, though your provider may not send full HD signals to your TV. Check with your local MotoGP broadcast channel to see if you will get the full experience!

http://tinyurl.com/ye8p9x2

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

Interesting Op-Ed on MotoGP

This is not the usual 'news' fare here. This is an opinion piece - 'serious journalism' as stated in the column - from MotorcycleUSA online from Frank Melling. If you have ever heard of Thundersprint, you know one of the more interesting components of our sport today, and you know what Melling is responsible for. In this piece he speaks from his own side where MotoGP may go towards in the coming years, or where it might go if he were to make the rules. It is worth a read...check it out. There is more to it than what I can write here...

http://tinyurl.com/yddpg4j

2010 Suzuki GSX1250F in Action & The Bakker Grizzly Allround

The 2010 Suzuki (Bandit) GSX1250F should be at a dealer near you soon. It is a true bargain sport-touring mount which has many features of higher priced bikes in its class, but at an astounding discount. The folks over at MCN (UK) took the bike out on the road and recorded it for your pleasure. So, take the link and have a look at this very updated offering from Suzuki...

http://tinyurl.com/ydwbjjs

The Bakker Grizzly Allround is something to see, and that is just about all you get from the linked post. It is based on a GSX-R1000 engine but has the capabilities of a BMW GS machine. At 160 HP it even puts the 2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200F to shame on the road, but it also costs a bit more than that Italian beastie. Nico Bakker is always pushing the limits and his Grizzly Allround is certainly a credit to his talent with metal!

http://tinyurl.com/ycngo4b

Deeley HD Ready to Race & Motorpoint Yamaha BSB Team Debut

Deeley Harley-Davidson, long a supporter of motorcycle racing, will continue to race in the Canadian Superbike Championship. Their Ruthless Racing team will be racing both Buells and H-D XR1200 machines in the Canadian Sports Twin, Pro Superbike and Pro Sport Bike classes. There is more to this press release, so please take the link and read on through...

http://tinyurl.com/yzdjchb

The British Superbike Championship team Motorpoint Yamaha will be doing their team unveiling this coming Friday (26 March 2010) at their UK HQ in Derby. Neil Hodgson, Dan Linfoot and Niall Mackenzie will all be on hand at the introduction - and, entry is free and open to the public. For all the hot details, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yjntc6y

AFM Season Opener at Buttonwillow Raceway & Cretu Bound for TT

The AFM Season started this past weekend at Buttonwillow Raceway in California. In the premier Formula Pacific class, Suzuki mounted Michael Earnest of Pacific Track Time took the victory. It was his first win in over 26 years of racing. Suzuki GSX-Rs filled the podium in that class. In Open Superbike, it was the second place finisher in the Formula Pacific class, one Correy Sarros, took the win. In the 750 Superbike and 600 Superbike, it was the YZF-R6 of Lenny Hale across the finish line first in both classes. For the other 25 classes, please take the link...

http://tinyurl.com/yehtq9b

Brandon Cretu, a racer in the WERA series, has been accepted as a Newcomer in the Isle of Man TT - he may be the youngest American ever. He will be riding a Suzuki prepared by Mark Hamilton of Irish Bike Magazine as he did in the 2009 Ulster GP. It is an amazing nod for the young Cretu and a real credit to his ability with a bike. It is going to be a cool TT this year as some six or more marques will have factory supported efforts. I will find a way to watch it! Take the link to see the important details...

http://tinyurl.com/yfbskr5

Isle of Man TT Newcomers & 2010 MV Agusta F4 First Impression

The Isle of Man TT always brings riders form all over the world to race on its Mountain Course. Well, this year will actually be something special and there are several well-known racers who will be taking to the TT for the first time. Some of these riders are multi-time champions, and yet they have never thrown a leg over during TT week. Well, take the link to learn exactly who will be running the 37.73 mile course this summer...

http://tinyurl.com/yaoyzps

The all-new for 2010 MV Agusta F4 may look very similar to its predecessor, but there are several major changes which add up to make this liter-class Italian exotica something more than just a slight upgrade. The handling is better, engine performance more linear and overall control has been tamed somewhat. Still, it is from MV Agusta, so it will always be the beast it is at heart - and for which we all love the F4!

http://tinyurl.com/y9y6bzt

Maxxis Signs New Deal for British Motocross & Ducati Frameless Patent

Maxxis Tires has signed on to continue their title sponsorship of the ACU British Motocross Championship for three more years. Apparently, the deal is working very well for both the tire manufacturer and the ACU, so it will continue and will likely even become a larger series in the next few years. It's a match made in England!

http://tinyurl.com/ygpcd35


This story has been making the rounds of the moto-press for a few weeks, but we finally have a story which includes the patent information. This is all about the frameless motorcycle patent which was recently field by Ducati. It is a little different from Honda's similar design - of which the VFR1200F is an example - yet it still seems to accomplish the same thing - bolting the front and rear sections of the bike directly onto the engine. Take the link and have a close look at the details...

http://tinyurl.com/yhtdlxq

British Superbike Rider News

The British Superbike Championship season begins in a few weeks - over the Easter weekend - and many teams have been in Spain testing. If you have been reading the reports you will know that just about every rider in the series was at the Gaudix circuit over this past weekend. This past week had the BSB riders rounding the turns at Brands Hatch in yet another preseason test. Well, there are still stories coming in from the test, so I will post some of them here for you to read at your leisure...

Neil Hodgson survives a terrible crash in California - just about a year ago - to come back to race again. Hodgson is an incredible competitor and will not back down from a challenge. Well, this year's challenge is the BSB season: http://tinyurl.com/yfslbcj

Brands Hatch was useful for Quay Garage's Tommy Bridewell: http://tinyurl.com/ygprvof

Michael Rutter and Riders Ducati: http://tinyurl.com/yzlvyfk

MotoGP Qatar Test Team Press Releases & Maria Costello Returns

From each team after every MotoGP event of just about any kind, you will get a press release from each team letting the world know how well the team did and details on the happenings during the event. For the MotoGP test yesterday at Qatar we now have these from each team. If you take the link below today, you will get to see a list of every team's reports. If you click on it tomorrow, you will likely see the PR from today, so go there now if you want to look up Thursday's team press releases.

http://tinyurl.com/yznyogq

Maria Costello has not really been gone, but the fact remains that she is returning to the Isle of Man TT in 2010. She will be riding a BMW S1000RR, supplied by the factory and thus becoming part of their effort to capture some wins at the TT. Given the performance of the new BMW, Costello may have a chance to become an even faster 'fastest woman on the TT'!

http://tinyurl.com/ygk7u7q

MV Agusta Target of a Berlusconi? & BSB Test at Brands Hatch

MV Agusta, as you surely know by now, is up for sale from current owners Harley-Davidson - the marque having some of the worst financial issues in the industry currently - and a group of Italian investors is interested in taking ownership. It turns out that one of those investors in the brother of the Italian Prime Minister; his name is Paolo Berlusconi. Burlusconi already owns one Italian marque, Garelli...

http://tinyurl.com/yg9or3r

The British Superbike Championship will begin in just a few weeks time during the Easter weekend. For now, though, the teams were out at Brands Hatch doing some testing this week. There is not a great deal of detail available as of yet, so take the link below to get an introduction. If I do find more BSB testing information, I will post it here.

http://tinyurl.com/ylso5az

PR from GNS Racing (Supersport): http://tinyurl.com/yfamlmg

PR from Quay Garage (Superbike): http://tinyurl.com/yf23wpt

Charley Boorman Tours & 30th Bristol Classic Show

Charley Boorman is touring the UK theatres with a one-man show based on his adventures throughout the world. Given the success of "Long Way Down", "Long Way 'Round" and "By Any Means", this show promises to be very entertaining and even educational. He is already about a third of the way through his 30-date tour and is enjoying every minute. For all the details - and there are plenty - please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yecydx2

The 30th Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show was back in late February. If you made the show in Somerset, England, then you know how many lovely classic and rare motorcycles were on display there. The historic show always brings in the crowds and this year was no exception. It is a huge show which resides in four exhibit halls and lasts two days. For what you missed if you could not make it, please take the link and have a look at some beautiful bikes on display.

http://tinyurl.com/ycttept

S1000RR Boosts BMW Sales & BMW Looks for GS Owners

Almost the entire motorcycle industry in the US is now in a very deep depression, but BMW is not mired in that mess. The BMW S1000RR has since arrived in the States and is selling incredibly well. This has really improved sales for BMW here and it continues to go well for the German marque. The S1000RR is a revolutionary machine, so it is not that surprising as there are still people with money out there...they are just very careful about what they spend their money on. The S1000RR is worth it!

http://tinyurl.com/y8gmkx8

The BMW GS motorcycles are made to go anywhere you want to take them - and they often do. In the UK, a new race series has come about called the BMW Motorrad GS Trophy UK Qualifier. This will put riders through a severely tough course with the three top riders progressing to the International GS Trophy Finals in November of this year. BMW Motorrad UK, Simon Pavey and the BMW Off-Road Skills School have worked together for this purpose. For all the details - and a better description - please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/y9lt2lo