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

Joel Morris & Ben Grindrod Get Rides in BSB Superstock

Joel Morris had to sit out most of last season as he did not have a ride in any race series. This season, though, he has landed a chance to ride for the Buildbase team in the 2010 BSB National Superstock 600 Championship. It was his friend Adam Jenkinson who landed him the position. However, Morris could use some more sponsors, so take the link and see if you can help out!

http://tinyurl.com/yze638p

Ben Grindrod, a student in Business & Management Studies, has also secured a ride in the 2010 BSB Superstock 600 series. He will be riding for Seton Interceptor Team on a Yamaha YZF-R6. Grindrod's claim to fame at this early stage in his career is his Gold Medal in the 2009 MRO Junior Stock Sport Championships. He is a gifted young racer who has his whole career in front of him...can't wait to see how he does in 2010!

http://tinyurl.com/yj5r7xg

Brock's Offers WERA Contingency & Aprilia RSV-4R versus Yamaha YZF-R1

Brock's Performance, supplier of BST carbon-fiber wheels for Japanese sportbikes in the US, is offering some US$37,200 in contingency money for the WERA series. Supported classes are WERA's National Challenge, National Endurance and the huge Sportsman series. You need to take the link to see the details as there are some important notes...

http://tinyurl.com/yfollqv

Motorcyclist has put up a comparison of two of the most praised liter-class bikes in the industry - the 2010 Aprilia RSV-4R and the Yamaha YZF-R1. Both machines (even the 'low-end' Aprilia) have some of the most advanced, race-developed technology that the sport has ever seen. Both machines are also very track-focused bikes but are also not so hard to live with on the streets. Want to know how it turned out? Take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/ygqtxy2

Pit Pass Radio Has Zemke and Herrin & Knutsford Honda Sponsors Thundersprint

Jake Zemke and Josh Herrin will both be interviewed tonight on Pit Pass Radio. They will also have Paul Whibley, Johnny Lewis and Johnny Jump. You can either catch it tonight at 20:00 as it is broadcast for the first time or you can head to their website afterwards and download the podcast and listen to it any time you want to do so. Take the link to get the links...

http://tinyurl.com/y85ec3x

Knutsford Honda, a rather influential dealer in the UK, will again be the title sponsor for this year's Thundersprint race in Northwich during 8 - 9 May 2010. The dealer has had a great deal of success at the event and is more than happy to be a part of it again this year. Thundersprint is growing larger and larger and has gained an importance felt throughout Europe. The 2010 event will be the best yet!

http://tinyurl.com/yjj8egu

Thursday Evening Moto News - Leslie Porterfield in Daytona & Mist Suzuki Needs Sponsors!

Leslie Porterfield, the world's fastest woman, will be interviewing both Chris Carr and Dennis Manning - rider and owner of the world's fastest motorcycle - at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Breakfast during Daytona Bike Week in Florida. Porterfield is perhaps the best person to take on this position as she knows speed very well and she has a great way with words. Tickets are still available to the 5 March 2010 event, so grab them while you can!


http://tinyurl.com/ygtulyb

A small Isle of Dogs team - Mist Suzuki - is facing a terrible issue as their main sponsor is 'reviewing' the contract. That means no money for the British Superbike Championship season opener at Brands Hatch in early April, and he may not see any at all. The team is short due to the economy and needs help. If you know someone local to them or in the UK looking to sponsor - at least a little - a BSB team - which gets a huge audience - then give them a quick call!

http://tinyurl.com/yaru26y

MORE Afternoon Moto News - MotoGP at Sepang, Chris Vermeulen & Bridgestone

The MotoGP teams are now back in Malaysia at the Sepang circuit for more pre-season testing. The first day is reserved for test riders, but Honda and Ducati decided to wait until tomorrow and just run with their actual racers. For what little detail there is, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/y9mrhfz

Chris Vermuelen is already saying the he likes the World Superbike experience more than what he had in MotoGP. We have heard him say this before, and he does have a great reason for his opinion as it is one which many other fans agree with now. Just look at all the manufacturers and riders in the series...2010 will most certainly be a great year for WSBK!

http://tinyurl.com/yeq7rek

Bridgestone is already working out whether they will try again to become the spec tire for the MotoGP Championship beyond 2011. They are the tire supplier up to the end of that year, but there is no word on how well the series is working for them. It is expensive and Bridgestone has already dropped out as the sole tire used in Formula 1 (at the end of this year), so they may pull out of the motorcycle version as well...

http://tinyurl.com/ydqozah

MORE Afternoon Moto News - Lorenzo Lanzi & Suzuki Alstare WSBK

Lorenzo Lanzi is returning to World Superbike with the DFX Corse Ducati team and the Ducati 1098R. He has a long history with the series, and has won three races in the series during his career. Lanzi did ride for the team in ten races in 2009, but his best was an eleventh place. He is hoping to get better than he was his first time in the series...here's hoping he does well!

http://tinyurl.com/y9xvbwy

More good sponsorship news - this time from World Superbike. Suzuki Alstare has signed with Estonian beer company Viru - it is bottled in Italy by Buscaldi Group, which has a previous relationship with the team. The new livery is actually rather nice. However, a name that is one letter short of virus? I hope it's very good beer!

http://tinyurl.com/yfpvpok

MORE Morning Moto News - Marco Simoncelli gets Sponsored & Racing Insider

Italian denim clothing brand Rifle has signed MotoGP rookie Marco Simoncelli. Rifle will sponsor the young Italian's efforts in the MotoGP World Championship through the 2010 season. They will also produce a special line of branded products called 'Supersic' which will bear Simoncelli's signature. Nice!

http://tinyurl.com/yaqjpmu

From Down Under, we get this week's edition of Racing Insider by Alex Gobert. As usual, he dishes on the various big events dealing with motorcycle racing worldwide. He covers the Australian Superbike series, World Superbike, MotoGP, AMA Supercross and Australian Motocross. Most of the stories you may have already heard, but it is worth a quick read to catch the things we missed...

http://tinyurl.com/yd9veu3

Wednesday Morning Moto News - Leon Camier, MIST Suzuki & Steve Plater

Only because the story has somehow become syndicated I will post it here. Apparently, Leon Camier is quite happy with the new Aprilia WSBK livery. He is very excited at the opportunity to ride in the World Superbike Championship. For more, take the link...though, you know most of it already.

http://tinyurl.com/yekdu3k

British Superbike team MIST Suzuki may not be ready for the 2010 season opener at Brands Hatch, 3 - 5 April. The bikes they will be running are doing quite well, and the team is as ready as they can be to tackle the championship. However, they are having serious sponsorship issues - as many are - and may not have everything they need in order to start the season, including the all important rider...check it out:

http://tinyurl.com/y9r29c9

New news is coming to us about Steve Plater and his run at the North West 200 road race. Plater will contest five different races at the event; two Supersport, two Superbike and, now, one Superstock race as well. He will be riding for the HM Plant Honda team for the event.

http://tinyurl.com/yckrnhy

More Morning Moto News - Gruppo Campari, Chris Vermeulen, Bradley Smith & Scott Redding

Gruppo Campari - owners of the Cinzano brand - has signed with Dorna to continue their sponsorship until the 2013 season. As you probably know, as you are watching MotoGP, you will often see the Cinzano billboards all over the track - this agreement is why. However, Cinzano will be replaced with new leading brand Aperol. Sponsorship is very important in racing and this is good news!

http://tinyurl.com/y8rg7rf

Chris Vermeulen has a tough task ahead of him in the World Superbike Championship; he has to bring Kawasaki back to the podium in that series. Vermeulen has had some up and down times, but he is always a racer's racer and is actually looking forward to the work he has to do in 2010. For more on the monumental season he has in front of him, take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yj4upac

British racers Bradley Smith and Scott Redding are on their way to Barcelona for the World Championship practice. Redding is taking his first turn aboard his new Marc VDS Moto2 machine and Smith is returning to the 125cc machine from Bancaja Aprilia. These are the first tests of the season for those classes and it should provide some great information for riders, teams and fans alike!

http://tinyurl.com/yhr42ku

Monday Afternoon Moto News - Luca Scassa & Guy Martin

Italian rider Luca Scassa has now joined with the Supersonic Ducati team to ride in his second year of the World Superbike Championship. Scassa rode for Kawasaki in 2009 WSBK, but only pulled in a 29th overall position. Given his ability with Italian machines (he has raced for MV Agusta previously), he should be able to improve on his 2009 numbers in 2010!

http://tinyurl.com/yldu6m8

Guy Martin and Wilson-Craig-Racing have signed on to use LeoVince racing exhausts for their assault on the various 'real roads' and other races they will compete in during 2010. The Isle of Man TT, though, is probably Martin's direct concern and the LeoVince bits they used in 2009 did very well for the team. As is well-known, Martin is a very hands-on type of guy, so this decision is most certainly one which he approves of.

http://tinyurl.com/yzda38g

Thursday Morning Moto News - Air Asia Deal, BMW Dealers & Simon Andrews

Air Asia's founder, Tony Fernandes, is hopeful that the sponsorship deal with the British Grand Prix and his sponsorship of Muhammad Zulfahmi Khairuddin in the 125GP class will lead to great things. Fernandes is seeing his company improve and get better and the idea behind his sponsorship of the racing world is that it will bring more attention to his low-cost airline. Here's hoping it works out great as it would benefit everyone touched by the deal and many more...


http://tinyurl.com/ya7y5s5

Get this - even though the economy is still in bad shape, BMW Motorrad managed to open eight (8) new dealerships in the USA. All of them have been opened in the last five months. Given that their sales figures have shown that they have been the least hit by this recession in the industry, it does make some sense. They want to be there when things start getting better again...and that is not bad business.

http://tinyurl.com/yayxoh4

BSB star Simon Andrews will be commuting by bus to each of the rounds in that series. It seems that he has run afoul of the law; he managed three driving offences which led him to have his driver's license revoked. He may also spend up to six months in jail! For more, take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yexafkt

More Morning Moto News - BMW Canada & Moto Rapido Ducati

BMW Motorrad Canada has signed Rush HD as a sponsor for their two rider team in the Canadian Superbike Championship. The deal comes as good news in this economic environment and will help BMW to field a very strong team. Francis Martin and Michael Ferreira, the two riders, have the weight of the factory and their new sponsor on their backs as they compete in the 2010 series...it won't be easy, but I am certain that they will enjoy the challenge.

http://tinyurl.com/y8mhz3k

Moto Rapido Ducati has finally finished assembling their team for the assault on the BSB Superstock 1000 Championship. Youngster Leon Hunt has signed an agreement to race alongside Scott Smart on the Ducati team. Smart, of course, will contest the Superbike Evo class on a similar machine. For the quotes, take the link.
http://tinyurl.com/ycahcra

http://tinyurl.com/yehschc

More Morning Moto News - Chris Vermeulen, Ducati MotoGP & Air Asia Sponsorship

Chris Vermeulen is having trouble getting his Kawasaki World Superbike machine to agree with him. At the most recent WSBK tests he has been a bit off the pace, but no one is worried. Kawasaki does not expect as much as Vermeulen expects of himself, but that sure won't stop Vermeulen from pushing hard to finish high in the order. Again, the 2010 WSBK series will be very entertaining!

http://tinyurl.com/ybrkp8t

The Desmosedici GP10 has a host of changes from the 2009 model; Ducati is looking to get their edge back and take the 2010 title - as you would expect. Casey Stoner did well on the machine at the Sepang test, finishing second to Rossi. But, Nicky Hayden struggled a bit and only finished as high as eighth. But, the bike is better than last year's, or so the riders say, and that means something as it is they who must race it.

http://tinyurl.com/y8t3qyl

And, in even better news, Air Asia has signed on with Dorna to be the title sponsor at the British Grand Prix. That event will be held at the Silverstone Circuit 18 - 20 June 2010. Since they already sponsor some riders in the paddock, this is a natural fit. Let's hope it continues...

http://tinyurl.com/ykqr9as

More Morning Moto News - Rossi and Lorenzo, Freixenet & More About Sepang Practice

MotoGP Fiat Yamaha riders Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi took some time after their testing in Malaysia to stop in Thailand. They visited the Yamaha Riders Club and visited with and answered the questions of a select group of lucky riders. It was certainly an event not to be missed if you live in that nation!

http://tinyurl.com/yaobqna

Freixenet and Dorna have decided to continue their partnership. Freixenet will continue to provide the cava at each of the MotoGP events through 2011. It's always good news when a huge sponsor like this stays the course.

http://tinyurl.com/ycwdxrk

First up in the practice category is the unbelievable early performance of Ben Spies at the Malaysian test. He was on fire and managed to be in the top-five overall. That bodes very well for his freshman year in the MotoGP paddock.

http://tinyurl.com/yb8ds93

Loris Capirossi had a great test in Malaysia and he is quite happy with the testing he and his team completed. They have made some definite progress and it did show last weekend. As for Alvaro Bautista, he also made great progress in getting used to his new race weapon. Suzuki seems ready to compete, but only time will tell.

http://tinyurl.com/ybcwa43

PR: Sunday Night Moto News Extra - Tai Woffinden & Thunderbolt™

Thunderbolt™ is now sponsoring Tai Woffinden, English Speedway ace and rider in his very first year of participation in the FIM Speedway Grand Prix Championship in 2010. He is an incredible talent and he certainly deserves to get some support in his ventures. So, great news from a great company - Thunderbolt™ - and a future champion in Tai Woffinden. That's good news to end an evening with...

http://tinyurl.com/y9fsvf6

Sunday Morning Moto News - Gulf Bike Expo, AMA Team Sponsorship & Husaberg

Over in the UAE, the Gulf Bike Festival started last Thursday and Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA Vice President and President of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE), also announced two more motorcycle models which will be sold in the Gulf Coast nation this year. They presented models from BMW, Kawasaki and Honda, which have never been sold in the UAE previously. The show goes through the weekend and will attract thousands of attendees.

http://tinyurl.com/ykpxq8p

Two AMA Pro Racing teams have just signed sponsorship deals this past week. First up is Crozier Roberson Motorsports has signed with DNA Beverage Corp for the 2010 season. They will field two Duacti 848 bikes in the DMG/AMA Pro Racing Daytona SportBike class. In American Superbike, the Jordan Motorsports team has signed another agreement to use Chicken Hawk Racing products in their garage.

http://tinyurl.com/yz7m9qm

Husaberg's riders in the 6th annual Hell's Gate event in Italy - the toughest one-day extreme off-road event in the world - took on some heavy competition. Xavi Galindo and Alessandro Botturi rode in the main event for the Husaberg Factory team, with Galindo finishing in sixth and Botturi crashed hard and could not finish. Another Husaberg rider, Erich Brandauer, managed to come home in 29th position.

http://tinyurl.com/yzdfc2c

More Afternoon Moto News - Rossi in India & Yamaha Motor Japan and Australia

Valentino Rossi was in India a few weeks ago to attend a local show and tour around the Indian Yamaha dealers to spur more interest in their machines. While he was there, he took time to speak with John Abraham - a HUGE Indian celebrity - and even signed a book for him. The two spoke with each other about motorcycle safety and how to improve it in India. With the momentum provided by the high-profile meeting, they may actually get a message through to the Indian riding public!

http://tinyurl.com/ykvujv5

Some more from Rossi about the test and a bit about his future plans: http://tinyurl.com/y9d9zym

Yamaha Motor Company is asking some 800 employees to voluntarily retire - thus removing some 7% of their workforce in Japan. This comes on the heels of several reports of financial issues at the company. Hopefully, they will do right by the workers they are asking to retire and give them an excellent severance package!

http://tinyurl.com/ycfyy56

Even with the financial issues, Yamaha in Australia knows that you have to spend some money to make alot of money. The manufacturer will continue to support the Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) and has signed again, but with some help from Motorcycling Australia. The AORC series is growing year over year and this will only help its stability.

http://tinyurl.com/y8tvlsj

Friday Afternoon Moto News - ASBK x2 & WSBK

The Australian Superbike Championship has signed on a new naming rights sponsor - Viking Group, an Australian transport, logistics and related services company. Everyone seems happy with the deal, including the organizer of the events, International Entertainment Group.

http://tinyurl.com/yjupp8t

From Alex Gobert comes an article stating that current Australian Supersport Champion Bryan Staring could make a dramatic return to Honda for 2010. It is a rather confusing string of events which have led to this revelation, but it does have to do with Yamaha leaving ASBK to compete in the FX series. Well worth a read...

http://tinyurl.com/ygsc5fs

There are four Australians who will be competing in the World Superbike Championship, and the season starts in only a few weeks. Troy Corser, Chris Vermeulen, Andrew Pitt and Broc Parkes. It is odd to hear such news, though, as I would expect a much larger contingent from Down Under. But, there are Australians in motorcycle racing series all over the planet - maybe that's enough for them...it certainly would be for nations much larger than Australia.

http://tinyurl.com/ykrfog2

And, More Morning News - LeoVince USA, UK M/C Industry & China Eyes Mission

LeoVince USA has announced their global sponsorship program and the teams that they will support for the 2010 motorcycle racing season. The list is rather long and includes such series as MotoGP, Moto2, World Superbike and many others. For the full details, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yaytcd7

If you have been reading up on your U.K. cycle news, you have probably heard that the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI) is trying to get some help from the government. They would like something similar to Britain's 'cash for clunkers' program (which was similar to the US scheme) for motorcycles. Also, some environmental subsidies would be very useful to them. Given the suffering of that industry in a place like the U.K. where it is so important, I am hopeful that their government officials will find some way to assist...

http://tinyurl.com/yb67nxp

Zongshen Power Machinery, a Chinese motorcycle manufacturer, is looking towards Mission Motors in San Francisco to aid them in developing electrical engine systems. There is an agreement already signed which will have them trading tech and knowledge and may even lead to a Chinese electric motorcycle start-up. Wow, once the Chinese start building them, they will get very inexpensive everywhere. Let's just hope the quality does not suffer in the brands we already know and love.

http://tinyurl.com/ylz7gbv