Boulder Motor Sports and Shane Turpin to Race at MMP World Superbike

Miller Motorsports Park hosts a round of the FIM World Superbike Championship during 26 to 28 May 2012, and many of the world's best motorcycle racers will melt rubber in pursuit of winning - or at least finishing in the points - on the Utah circuit. Alongside them will be a name well-known to US fans of AMA Pro Racing, riding a Boulder Motor Sports Ducati 1198R will be Shane Turpin. You may also know him from the Yamaha Champions School, where he instructs, or from his many Championships accumulated from his time in the MRA series in Colorado, or for him riding for Segway / MotoCzysz in the TTXGP (see photo above). Please get in touch with him and wish him well! He could use a few sponsors...


http://tinyurl.com/csbafjr

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

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

Road Racer X's Speed Dating & Morais Filling In for Parkes

For this week of March we have a number of important dates in the weekly Road Racer X Speed Dating column. Celebrating birthdays this week are Danny Webb, Andrea Dovizioso, Roberto Rolfo, Al Ludington, Steve McQueen, Keiichi Kitagawa, Raffaele De Rosa, Harald Eckl, Chris Walker, Burt Munro, Sebastien Charpentier, Toni Elias, Christian Sarron, Bill Bagnall, and Katsuaki Fujuwara. Unfortunately, it is also the anniversary of the death of Mike Hailwood...Please take the link to learn more...

http://tinyurl.com/yfh76yc

In the World Superbike Championship series, Echo CRS Honda rider Broc Parkes sustained a broken leg in a preseason training injury and had to give up his seat to Josh Brookes at Phillip Island. For the Portimao round (and, quite possibly for Valencia as well), the faster Sheridan Morais will be substituting for Parkes on the Honda. Morais has been able to out-ride Parkes before, so this may be the beginning of something or just a quick trip to the majors for Morais...

http://tinyurl.com/yh6pmnt

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

AMA Taking Applications for Utah WSBK & AMA California Hillclimb

That's right, the AMA is taking applications for qualified racers to take a wild-card position at the Miller Motorsports Park round of the 2010 World Superbike Championship. The event will take place over 29 - 31 May 2010 in Utah. The deadline is 23 April 2010, so get yours in soon! The AMA will choose two riders each for World Superbike and World Supersport, with Infront Motorsports choosing two more for Superbike and 10 more for Supersport. For the details, please see the press release after the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yhwyhep

The AMA California Championship Hillclimb starts this weekend at the Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area - that's this Saturday and Sunday at the off-road park, which is near the town of Tracy. The details are about all you will find after the link, but you get all you need there too.

http://tinyurl.com/yjvmpoh

Just Lovely! Ducati Teams with Edelweiss - Ducati Travel Experience World

The Ducati Travel Experience World (DTEW) is premiering at just the right time. The 2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200 is debuting to the world all over and Ducati decided to hook up with Edelweiss Bike Travel to create a special tour series using that lovely machine (I hate to admit it, but I desire one myself...). There are four tours which cover parts of Africa, Australia, Europe and the Western USA. Just take the link as you do owe it to yourself to see how the other half lives...it would be sweet if I could sell my kidneys!

http://tinyurl.com/yjgzbtd

Ducati NA Offers Class with Polen & New Ducati Ambassador Scott McGregor

Ducati North America is offering riders who purchase a 2009 or 2010 Ducati sportbike a chance to ride with World Superbike Champion Doug Polen at his Doug Polen 1-on-1 Riders School at one of twelve US circuits. It's a very good promotion as this will give you a chance to get the most out of your brand new Italian motorcycle. Plus, Polen is a very nice and down-to-earth guy who knows how to ride very, very well. If you pick the new 848 Dark, you also get a limited edition Swiss watch. For more, please take the link...

http://tinyurl.com/y9ybecr

In Australia, a rather popular male model and actor has become the next Ducati Ambassador. Scott McGregor went to Ducati City to pick up his 2010 Streetfighter on Monday, 15 March. He will ride the bike all over Melbourne and appear at many events with the motorcycle. Goof for him!

http://tinyurl.com/ybv2t6r

MotoGP Qatar Test Approach, Silverstone Visit Guide & Leon Haslam Interview

That's right! It's the last preseason test for MotoGP and it will be held in Qatar during 18 - 19 March 2010. Who will come out ahead - well, doubtless it will be Rossi - but who will fill in behind him? Only the test will give us the answers. For more about it, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yz4dezf

If you have ever wanted to attend a race at the historic Silverstone circuit in the UK, we now have a way to find a good hotel near the track. The Silverstone Accommodation Guide has just launched and it is now available for you to find a place to lay your head. Check it out...

http://tinyurl.com/yetlgr7

It's a relatively short interview with the World Superbike Championship Alstare Suzuki rider Leon Haslam, but it is a good one. This is even more important when you consider that he is sitting at the top of the overall points standings as of the first race at Phillip Island - the man is on fire! So, what does he think of the win, of the season ahead and his team's chances? Well, take the link to find out!

http://tinyurl.com/ydz69zz

Reports from British Superbike Testing & James Toseland

The British Superbike Championship teams are mostly all in Cartagena, Spain, preparing for the 2010 season. This past week has seen many BSB riders running hard around the Spanish track in an effort to perfect bike settings and see what the machines are capable of. This time it seems that Swan Honda was the dominant force; Stuart Easton and James Ellison took the top two slots on the final standings. However, it appears that, un-officially, Tommy Hill broke the lap record at the track. For all the details please take one of the following links.

http://tinyurl.com/yzxrqbx

http://tinyurl.com/yz5e58w

Triumph: http://tinyurl.com/ycheej6

Yukio Kagayama was in PAIN: http://tinyurl.com/y8jgkd6

Also, we get a video interview with the returning World Superbike rider James Toseland. As you know, he was sent to WSBK from MotoGP after they gave his seat at Tech 3 Yamaha to Ben Spies. Well, now Toseland is in the WSBK paddock again and riding a Yamaha. To see what is in his mind at this point in his season, please take the link and see a video interview with the Superbike ace.

http://tinyurl.com/ygu5qu7

Thursday Morning Moto News - Vesrah Suzuki, Leon Haslam & Jorge Lorenzo

Vesrah Suzuki had a decent Daytona experience - well, at least rider Cory West as Jeff Wood was the victim of an unfortunate competitors engine oil which forced him to retire. West, though, took sixth place in the Daytona 200 after only having about a week to get ready for the event. They now have three times as much time to get ready for the next round...do you see a championship in their future?

http://tinyurl.com/yekwvb6

Leon Haslam, of the World Superbike series, says that the next event will be much tougher on all riders. Given that this was the first real race of the season in WSBK, there were teething problems for all teams as they adjusted to their new organizations and bikes. That means that by the next event, many teams will have things dialed in better. Look for it all to heat up even more as 2010 continues...

http://tinyurl.com/yev6j66

New rumors say that Jorge Lorenzo will be in good enough shape to participate in the final MotoGP pre-season test in Qatar next weekend (18 - 19 March 2010). Lorenzo and his team will use the time on the track to see how well his injuries have healed, thus telling them how well he can handle his race machine, the YZR-M1. Only some time on the track will allow them to judge it properly. This is good news as he was expected to miss this test entirely...

http://tinyurl.com/ybfxm2x

More Afternoon Moto News - Amy O'Mara, Leon Camier & NZ Novice Wins on Aprilia

Amy O'Mara is the only woman competing full-time in the Australian Superbike Championship and this year she will be supported by the Warringah Mall Eagles Angels, a group which raises awareness for breast cancer. This season will see her remain on a Yamaha and compete in both the Superstock 600 class and the Australian Formula Xtreme Championship. She will be rather busy in 2010!

http://tinyurl.com/ybf8qjj

Leon Camier is quite pleased with the way the Aprilia factory team is treating him despite rumors that he is the second man on the team behind Max Biaggi. Camier states that he has been given the same parts and knowledge as Biaggi and is moving along in the right direction. Plus, the 2010 season for him is about learning the circuits and getting familiar with his team and the World Superbike series itself.

http://tinyurl.com/yc8qkxw

Dion Sellers is not a professional - or, even amateur - road racer, but he still managed to beat the best that New Zealand had at a local Formula 1 race! He had no interest until he watched a race last month. His friend convinced him to take his brand new Aprilia RSV-4 to the track for a fun day; he did so well that he decided to race the next day. His bone-stock RSV-4 managed to take out bikes worth more than twice as much which have been modified heavily to race. It was a big surprise, to say the least!

http://tinyurl.com/y8jtgj7

Monday Morning Moto News - Camier Auction, Simon Andrews & Spanish Tests

Leon Camier is making the best out of a nasty situation...well, a problem he had last weekend as he crashed his factory Aprilia RSV-4 during Superpole qualifying at Phillip Island. Camier is auctioning off the screen from the bike with all proceeds going to Sport Relief. He is hoping that something bad for him can turn in to something good for someone else...not a bad plan...

http://tinyurl.com/yj338q7

Simon Andrews has finally faced sentencing in his case involving his 24 October 2009 early morning crash. Since there was no evidence of 'drink-driving', he was not sentenced under that statute. Instead, he was instructed to pay a fine and had some penalty points added to his license. But, the judge was rather sure that Andrews should have been given a harsher sentence, but he had not evidence to do so...

http://tinyurl.com/ylh4bev

The bevy of Bristish Superbike Championship teams testing at Cartagena, Spain, over the last few days has finally wrapped things up and some reports are coming in. I may have posted about one or two of these before, but these should be fresh stories on the subject. Take a look...

Rob Mac Racing/Motorpoint Yamaha: http://tinyurl.com/ygb7wck

Worx Crescent Suzuki: http://tinyurl.com/yhuttts

Saturday Morning Moto News - MV Agusta 0% & Aprilia Cheating(?)

MV Agusta UK has a deal you cannot pass up. Purchase any new model of the MV Agusta Brutale - 990R or 1090RR - and you will get either 0, 2, or 3 % interest! Take the link to learn the rest of the details and then get to your MV dealer ASAP!

http://tinyurl.com/yjabuj3

In the most recent round of the World Superbike Championship at Phillip Island, the Aprilia factory team chose to test out some gear-driven cams versus the stock machines chain-driven cams. This is allowed in the rules, but certain conditions must be met first. This will probably not cost Aprilia points, but a decision may force them to race with chain-driven cams like on the streetgoing version of the bike.

http://tinyurl.com/ygsqh6v

Friday Afternoon Moto News - BMW Motorrad, NZ WSBK & Duke Video

BMW Motorrad has won Motorcycle of the Year 2010 in a readers' poll taken by MOTORRAD, a German (?) motorcycle magazine. BMW won all five of the categories in which it was listed - that means five different models of BMW motorcycles beat out every other machine with which they competed for ratings. It is an amazing result and one which has never occurred before. For which models won what, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/y9osu5s

That's right, you read it correctly; it looks like the World Superbike Championship will be making an appearance in New Zealand in 2012. The rumors seem to have come from the new agreement with Phillip Island (contracted until 2014), and the Hampton Down circuit is where it may happen. It's all up in the air now, but it just might become a reality!

http://tinyurl.com/ye2re8r

Duke Video has released a special DVD set for a good price - it is three volumes of the Isle of Man TT 2009 On Bike Laps. It has 12 laps of the TT circuit and is longer than four hours! Fans of the event can see it first-hand from the point of view of some very famous TT riders from numerous cameras placed on their machines. This is not all there is on this DVD set, though. You know where to go for the rest...

http://tinyurl.com/yd9svbw

Thursday Morning Moto News - Gary Mason, Volunteers for WSBK & Monster Energy

MSS Colchester Kawasaki rider Gary Mason has been using some unusual techniques to get ready for the 2010 British Superbike Championship season. Mason took the Privateer crown last year, but this year he will be a full-on Superbike racer. He wants to be ready for it, so he is getting himself healthy. For more, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yad7tcl

This is just a short post as it is a request for volunteers to help out with the 2010 World Superbike round at Miller Motorsports Park in Utah. Take the link for the contact information if you are willing to lend a hand!

http://tinyurl.com/ycvgcyk

Monster Energy - well known energy drink producer - has teamed up with Dorna, rights holder to MotoGP, to sponsor the Le Mans round of the MotoGP Championship. Monster will be the official naming rights holder to the French Grand Prix for the next two years now. For the details, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/ydrw929

Wednesday Afternoon Moto News - Racing Insider, GNCC Results & Royal Enfield Demos

We couldn't leave Alex Gobert and his 'Racing Insider' column out of the posting, now could we? In this issue, he looks closely into the Australian and World Superbike Championships and talks about the Phillip Island round. It is a very useful round-up of important bits of news which may have been missed by the big media outlets. Take the link and you will enjoy!

http://tinyurl.com/yak4zw8

The first round of the 2010 Grand National Cross Country Series went off this past weekend at the Westgate River Ranch in Florida. Makita Suzuki's Josh Strang took the victory. Almost 1200 rider from eight different nations arrived for the event. It was an incredible struggle for the participants, so please take the link and read about the proceedings...

http://tinyurl.com/yan7gr9

And, speaking of Florida, Daytona Bike Week is in full swing and you will also have a chance to demo some of the new models from the Royal Enfield line of motorcycles. As the world's oldest motorcycle brand, you should expect to see the history represented in the bike models, but you will also notice all of the modern technology included. For a taste of a marque who has been making motorcycles for more than a century - and still sticks to the simple-is-best mentality - get yourself to a "Royal Enfield Experience" near you!

http://tinyurl.com/y8qpbwm

More Morning Moto News - Phillip Island WSBK and World Supersport

The World Superbike race this past weekend at Phillip Island was a success story for some British riders, many of whom have also competed in the British Superbike Championships over the last several years. Of course, Leon Haslam, this weekend's double winner, was once in the BSB series, but now he is firmly ahead of all WSBK riders after one round. He did win the first race by the slimmest margin in WSBK history, but that means little as he still takes the 25 points with him to the next round...

http://tinyurl.com/yzk5apu

One area of WSBK which often gets overlooked in the headline stories around the world is the World Supersport series which is one of the WSBK support classes. This past weekend at Phillip Island, there Eugene Laverty schooled the field after the re-start and has taken the early lead. He had some issues in practice and qualifying trying to keep up with some seemingly faster riders, but that did not stop him from taking the checkered flag!

http://tinyurl.com/yf2kkg3

Monday Morning Moto News - 2010 Aprilia Dorsoduro & Aprilia WSBK Team

We have already heard the rumors and seen the photos of the new 2010 Aprilia Dorsoduro Factory model, but this is the first riding impression of the standard model for 2010 that I have seen. So, take the link and see what the base model Dorsoduro can do with its 750cc engine and very Italian design!

http://tinyurl.com/yep92tt

Now that we have probably all seen the results of the World Superbike race over the weekend at Phillip Island, let's take a look at the new Aprilia WSBK team's fortunes over the race event and see what this means for their future. As you probably saw in the race, they still have some work to do to get the RSV-4 setup to the liking of both Biaggi and Camier. For all the details, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/y8fkbou

http://tinyurl.com/ygm394m

Sunday Morning Moto News - Early Daytona Returns & WSBK Results from Phillip Island

Bike Week has kicked off in Daytona, Florida, this weekend and the first results have come back from the Michelin Team Challenge. It seems that an Australian rider, Aussie Dave Anthony, brought home first place in the GTO class with his Suzuki GSX-R1000 (I think). For the results of the GTU and GT Lites class, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yb2km4h

That's right, the World Superbike Championship round at Phillip Island is over, and we have several posts which detail the events in Australia and tell us who ended up where when the checkered flag was dropped at the end of both races. In race one, the finish was Haslam, Fabrizio and Haga; in race two, it was Checa, Haslam and then Fabrizio. As you can see, Ducati and Suzuki had great weekends. Aprilia had a good outing, but not a perfect race. For all the details, please take the links below.

Race 1: http://tinyurl.com/yd4mxod

Race 2: http://tinyurl.com/y9ogyce

Both Races: http://tinyurl.com/ycp6xkr

Both Races: http://tinyurl.com/y8m4jov

Aprilia's Races: http://tinyurl.com/yaer9tj