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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
TTXGP Changes Racing & Hungarian MotoGP in Doubt
Sullivan Family Racing NHRA Pro Stock Results from Gainesville
Katie Sullivan did not fare too well in today's NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida. She had a tough day in the first qualifying round. However, Sullivan and her team will be working to improve the shift action on their Suzuki for tomorrow's racing. I do hope she is able to jump into the running at the top - after all, it's a great story and one which we will remember...
http://tinyurl.com/y9o8qkr
A Swedish Dealer Finds Honda NR750 and RC30 in Crates!
It's true, but very hard to believe...A Honda dealership in Sweden found two unknown crates lurking in the back of their storage area. It turns out that they had their hands on - never un-crated and in perfect showroom condition - a NR750 oval-piston and a hand-built RC30. The video after the link shows the dealer prep work being done. As far as anyone knows, they will be put on the showroom floor as exhibits. Too bad, those things need to be ridden!
http://tinyurl.com/y9w5trc
Yamaha and DC Branded Bikes & Yamaha Details the 2010 FZ8
Dr. Gregory Frazier Sets Up a KLX250 for Adventure Touring
We have all read Dr. Frazier's articles on his travels and on a huge variety of other topics - most relating to health - and I can say that I have enjoyed every bit of it. He needed a motorcycle which he could take to Alaska and head off onto the roads which are almost never traveled - and it had to be light enough to be carried in some areas. Dr. Frazier's choice for a reasonable mount is a Kawasaki KLX250 and this is how he managed to get it prepared...and then rode it across the northern frontier.
http://tinyurl.com/yl78cdl
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
Rizla Suzuki Unveils Livery, MSF Promotes Gladden & Sommerset Rebels Meet Complete
There is not a lot beyond a photo, but the Rizla Suzuki MotoGP team has now shown us what their Suzuki GSV-R will look like for the 2010 season. Riders Loris Capirossi and Alvaro Bautista will look good riding one of these...And, I almost forgot, Troy Lee Designs was at the helm of this design!
http://tinyurl.com/yzfwvku
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (USA) has promoted Robert Gladden to be their General Manager. Gladden was the MSF Director, Program Administration, before he was promoted from within. He will now report to MSF President Tim Buche and will have much more responsibility. To read up on some Gladden history, please take the link. He has had an intriguing path to the top.
http://tinyurl.com/ylyu6ny
The Somerset Rebels Speedway meet coming up a week from today is now fully set. After Suyfutdinov's confirmation a few days ago, we now get news that his fellow countryman Roman Povazhny will be joining the event as well. That means that the weekend is fully set and ready to go. If you can get to this meeting, you will not be disappointed - you will have one hell of an evening!
http://tinyurl.com/ykcwm9j
Graves Motorsport Takes on WERA & MIC Announces Election Results
Graves Motorsports, Yamaha's team inside the AMA Pro Racing ranks, is also taking on the WERA with rider Benny Solis and a host of support programs. Many racers have used Graves parts over the lats 20 years of their existence, and many more will be using them this year in the WERA Championship. You will even find several former AMA racers in the WERA paddock, so take in a round - you will not be disappointed.
http://tinyurl.com/yavldkj
The Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) has released the results of the election for their 2010 board of directors. The standard way they do this is to elect three of them one year and then the other three the next year, and they serve a two year term. Take the link to learn the details as the article does a better job of it than I would here.
http://tinyurl.com/ya2jkwv
Thursday Afternoon Moto News - R&G Racing and BMW & Triumph 20th Anniversary
Crash protection specialists R&G Racing will be providing the crash protection for Keith Code's California Superbike School's BMW S1000RR machines. Each of the bikes will be outfitted with just about every piece of protection you can get from R&G for the S1000RR. It's a press release, so feel free to take the link and have a read.
http://tinyurl.com/yahzje4
Well, it's the 20th anniversary of the re-born Triumph on 18 September 2010 and it will be celebrated in proper style at Mallory Park. The call it Triumph Live and tickets are already on sale. They will also open the doors of the Triumph factory, which is only eight miles (~13 Km) away from the circuit. Also, bring some money as they will have a huge 'megastore' of Triumph gear and accessories at discount prices. Take the link to learn more.
http://tinyurl.com/yaxvpfy
More Morning Moto News - Alex Gobert's Racing Insider
This week's 'Racing Insider' from our Australian friend Alex Gobert is now available. There are the usual stories on Australian Motocross, which just started its season, Australian off-road motorcycle racing, Australian Superbike, MotoGP, and Moto2 this week. There is some good detail on the Oz MX world as we hear so little about it up here in the US; he has a good story on a young off-road racer, Daniel McCoy; he also goes into some detail on the happenings in MotoGP. Don't miss it, please take the link and have a read!
http://tinyurl.com/yeoxxqz
More Morning Moto News - Zero and Sheheen & BSB Testing
Zero Motorcycles has just announced that they have signed Ralph Sheheen as spokesperson for their line of electric motorcycles. You all know Sheheen from the SPEED Channel, or at least you should as he hosts just about every motorcycle competition on the TV station. He will join them immediately and will join them on their multi-city promotional tour which begins on 20 March 2010 in Washington D.C. For all the details, don't forget to take the link.
http://tinyurl.com/y9lkyyu
Josh Brookes has taken the lead at the pre-season British Superbike Championship testing at Gaudix. The Spanish circuit saw him take the unofficial lead away from Stuart Easton and Tommy Hill with his HM Plant Honda. The testing is certainly adding to Brookes' confidence and his belief that he does have a chance at winning the whole thing by season's end. For the details, please take the link.
http://tinyurl.com/y8d5ssw
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
Wednesday Evening Moto News - Huntington Concours, Freddie Spencer & Paris Dainese Exhibit
Don't forget about the Huntington Beach Concours d'Elegance this coming weekend in California. I have been over it here before, so I don't want to bore you (just do not forget that Burt Munro's Indian will be on display). Just take the link to get the details and show up if you can make it - after all, the price is not that bad for what you get to see!
http://tinyurl.com/yl9sybs
Speaking of historic motorcycles, Freddie Spencer is selling two of his championship winning race bikes through dealers RMD Motors. It seems that there are some financial issues and he needs the money more than the historic motorcycles. The 1983 Honda NS500 triple and the 1985 Honda NSR250 twin are on offer, so take the link and learn more. If you have a seriously large bank account go ahead and buy them!
http://tinyurl.com/yzousyt
Dainese recently opened an exhibit at the Cite des Sciences in Paris, France, which shows the history of body protection. It is full of leathers and other protective gear from many of history's greatest motorcycle racers. It is not only about Dainese as they also have many displays focused on road safety. The exhibit is called 'A Toute Epreuve: New Technologies for Protecting the Human Form' and runs until 8 August 2010. Get yourself to Paris tout de suite!
http://tinyurl.com/y9nfyms
Rumor: Ducati and Piaggio May Merge!
With the economy still in the toilet, Ducati and Piaggio both are still feeling the sting of lower sales of both bikes and licensed accessories - few people have enough money to buy anything. Add that to the rumors of a possible sale of the Piaggio Group of motorcycle and scooter manufacturers and you get this rumor: Ducati and Piaggio to merge. It is nowhere near confirmed, but it could mark a point where the Italian motorcycle industry can grow and may actually be able to compete with the Japanese (and British and American) on their terms. So, stay tuned and we will see if this comes to fruition or is forgotten by history.
http://tinyurl.com/ylaa5lv
http://tinyurl.com/yfc6oho
More Afternoon Moto News - Super-Superbikes & Daytona Review
MotorcycleUSA has done a special motorcycle comparo between a non-modified Aprilia RSV-4, a well-modified Suzuki GSX-R1000 and a US$70K Ducati 1098R. The results were predictable with the Ducati being fastest, the Suzuki in second and the Aprilia at the back. However, you could buy three-and-a-half Aprilia RSV-4 bikes for the one of the Ducati machines, so imagine if you bought the RSV-4 and used the US$50K to turn it into a true SUPERbike. Read the article and have a look for yourself...
http://tinyurl.com/ycdpkry
Did you miss the Daytona Bike Week event this past week? If so, you might want to catch up on the events, happenings, racing and other parts of the experience when traveling to this annual rally. Simply take the link below and you can read about what went on and see some of the notable events of the Daytona Bike Week experience!
http://tinyurl.com/yd9cbvm
Some photos from the AMA: http://tinyurl.com/ybpe42a
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
Wednesday Afternoon Moto News - Emil Sayfutdinov & SMT Honda
Emil Sayfutdinov will be joining the Somerset Rebels speedway meeting which takes place at the Oak Tree Arena on 19 March 2010. Sayfutdinov set the world on fire in last year's FIM Speedway GP series; he came from the amateur ranks and just blew away the competition in many of the season's rounds. In fact, just about every weekend had a chance for the young Russian to win. This 10th anniversary meet will be well attended and should be one of the best speedway meets this year!
http://tinyurl.com/yd5bzor
SMT Honda has now added a sponsor to their new team, Sorrymate.com. We read just a week ago about them hiring former British Supermoto star Christian Iddon and planning to contest the British Superbike Championship this year. Given their experiences in 2009, with the crap economy forcing them to field three different riders, we can all hope that 2010 is a much better year for the team!
http://tinyurl.com/yde6qjk
Wednesday Morning Moto News - MV Agusta Buyer? & Gatornationals NHRA
MV Agusta seems to have a few suitors for its long-awaited sale from Harley-Davidson - at least long-awaited by me. BMW is one of the companies interested in the purchase - however, there has been little comment from the German company since the rumor spread. Next, there is a consortium of Italian businesspeople who may also be interested in the purchase. Whoever it is, I truly hope they do not force MV to compromise its designs in the name of short-term profits!
http://tinyurl.com/ydcxv46
The opening round of the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle drag racing series is this coming weekend in Gainesville, Florida. The event is well-known as the Gatornationals and it marks the 41st year of its run. With this article we get a closer look at one Craig Treble and his return to Don Schumacher racing. Take the link and have a preview of this weekend's coming attractions.
http://tinyurl.com/yejqygm
http://tinyurl.com/yklr4dd
This piece is about Katie Sullivan's trip to this event: http://tinyurl.com/ygwu7hc
MORE Afternoon Moto News - PitPassRadio
Tonight's Pit Pass Radio show will have Steve Rapp, David Lloyd, Dennis Noyes, Josh Strang and Maria Forsberg. It's an all-star show, just about, and you do not want to miss an interview with the rider who took his Motocorsa/Team Latus Ducati 848 to third position in the Daytona 200 last week. The show is always broadcast live on Tuesday nights (8PM EST) and you can always download a podcast version just minutes later. Check it out!
http://tinyurl.com/y9kbfgr
More Afternoon Moto News - Livia Lancelot & Euro Gossip
Livia Lancelot is a female motocross rider who has reached the highest level of competition - the World Championship Female Motocross and has the 2009 title as well! From France, Lancelot has been racing since 1992 and has competed in the USA and Europe before entering the WMX series in 2005. She is worth a look if you are trying to find the leaders of today's women racers...or just an awesome motorcycle rider!
http://tinyurl.com/ycptdqp
Yep, we have another 'Euro Gossip' column from our friends at MotorcycleUSA. There is some wrapping up of other stories we have seen floating around in the ether(net) and there are some new stories as well. Most of the information you will probably already know - if you have been paying attention to this blog. So, just take the link and scan around to find the information you want to read.
http://tinyurl.com/y88w5qj