MotoGPBlog has been following Dan Lo of CornerSpeedPhoto, (Twitter: @cspeedphoto) for a while now. He’s a talented photographer based in the States, and we’re honoured to feature some of his shots from this year’s Laguna Seca MotoGP round. In particular, the shot of Canepa at turn 2 is awesome. Thanks Dan!
Dan used the following kit [...]
Monday, February 28, 2011
You Lose! Don't Make Dirt Bikes Extinct
A MUST-READ! Coming government regulations could give new meaning to “don’t tread on me.” Learn what you can do to stem the tide.
Read this story. I don't care how little you give a hoot about anything but actually riding your dirt bike, but your being able to do that in the future depends first on you reading further. Even if you don't give a rat's ass about anything political, economic or involving land use.
Photo Gallery: You Lose! Don't Make Dirt Bikes Extinct - Dirt Rider Magazine
2011 World Superbike Phillip Island race results – Checa does the double
Althea Racing Ducati's Carlos Checa dominated both races at the opening round of the 2011 World Superbike Championship at Phillip Island, Australia
Considering how he had dominated the tests and practice/qualifying sessions leading up to the opening round of the 2011 World Superbike Championship at Phillip Island, it was pretty much a foregone conclusion that Althea Racing Ducati’s Carlos Checa was going to be at the front. The only question was how much of a fight the rest of the WSBK field was going to put up, and while a valiant effort was made by Aprilia Alitalia’s Max Biaggi, Checa was simply unstoppable on this weekend.
In Race One, Yamaha’s Eugene Laverty managed to steal the holeshot and lead for a couple of laps, but Checa was soon past and quickly built up a lead that was unassailable. Reigning WSBK World Champion Biaggi worked his way past Laverty on lap five, and while he turned the quickest lap of the race in his attempts to reel in Checa, the Italian ended up some four seconds behind the cruising Checa at the finish. A spirited battle for the final podium spot raged between Laverty, his Yamaha teammate Marco Melandri, BMW’s Leon Haslam, and Alstare Suzuki’s Michel Fabrizio, with Haslam finally getting the nod the finish, with Laverty just getting the better of Melandri and Fabrizio.
Race Two was pretty much all Checa, with Haslam managing to get by the Spaniard briefly on the second lap before Checa set things in order a lap later. Haslam soon had his hands full with Melandri and Biaggi, who took their battle into the closing laps until Biaggi finally managed to open up a slight gap to grab second, with Melandri third, and a resurgent Jonathan Rea on his Castrol Honda just getting past Haslam for fourth.
Photo Gallery: 2011 World Superbike Phillip Island race results, Checa does the double - Sport Rider Magazine
All you Juan Pablo fans (fan?): Don?t expect him at IndyCar?s Vegas challenge
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Motorcycle Industry Council Sends Over 135,000 Messages from Riders to Congress
Campaign Also Delivers Over 3,000 Signed Letters from Powersports Professionals Urging Congress to Stop the Ban on Youth Size ATVs and Dirt Bikes - News Release
Washington D.C., Feb. 25, 2011 - Today, the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) delivered more than 3,000 letters to Congress signed by motorcycle industry professionals that have had their livelihoods impacted by the lead content provisions of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). The MIC collected letters that were signed by dealership personnel, owners, and show exhibitors at the Dealernews International Powersports Dealer Expo in Indianapolis, Ind., Feb. 18-20. The MIC also initiated a nationwide grassroots effort last week that has resulted in more than 135,000 email messages and faxes sent from enthusiasts to Members of Congress urging them to stop the ban on youth all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and dirt bikes. The effort continues at www.stopthebannow.com.
"The final push to stop the ban on youth ATVs and dirt bikes in on," said Paul Vitrano, general counsel of the MIC. "We believe that Congress is set to act to permanently address this issue by amending the CPSIA this year. In fact, the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade held a hearing to review the unintended consequences of CPSIA on February 17. It is clear that Congress is responding to two years of persistent efforts, but now is not the time to let up."
The letters collected in Indianapolis were delivered to Chair Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) and Ranking Member Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation and to Chair Fred Upton (R-MI) and Ranking Member Henry Waxman (D-CA) of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
The CPSIA's lead provisions, which require products primarily intended for children age 12 and under to meet stringent lead limits, unintentionally banned youth model ATVs and dirt bikes. The letters, emails and faxes urge Congress to stop the ban by either lowering the age range of "children's products" to age 6 and under or granting a categorical exemption for youth ATVs and motorcycles, as provided in Representative Denny Rehberg's bill, the Kids Just Want to Ride Act, (H.R. 412).
"It is clear that the lead content in youth off-highway vehicles poses no risk to kids. In fact everyone, including the Consumer Product Safety Commission, agrees that the real safety issue is that kids are now at risk because the availability of youth ATVs and motorcycles is limited due to the lead ban," Vitrano concluded. "Members of Congress have heard from powersports enthusiasts and industry. Now, they are ready to act."
Please visit www.stopthebannow.com to have your voice heard and for background information, FAQs, and public outreach tools for the Stop The Ban campaign.
The Motorcycle Industry Council exists to preserve, protect and promote motorcycling through government relations, communications and media relations, statistics and research, aftermarket programs, development of data communications standards, and activities surrounding technical and regulatory issues. As a not-for-profit, national industry association, MIC seeks to support motorcyclists by representing manufacturers and distributors of motorcycles, scooters, motorcycle/ATV/ROV parts and accessories, and members of allied trades such as insurance, finance and investment firms, media companies and consultants.
The MIC is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., with a government relations office in metropolitan Washington, D.C. First called the MIC in 1970, the organization has been in operation since 1914. Visit the MIC at www.mic.org.
Bahrain GP off after civil unrest
The Bahrain Grand Prix is called off because of anti-government protests in the Gulf kingdom.
Team Husqvarna Readies For Racing
Meanwhile Andy Jefferson Adds To Parts Catalog, Husqvarna News Release
February 23 - Corona, CA - While the majority of the motorcycle industry gathered in Indianapolis for the annual Dealer Expo, including National After Sales Manager Andy Jefferson looking to source some cool new Husqvarna products, Zip-Ty Husqvarna Racing's team turned out in force for more race testing before next week's WORCS round. Meanwhile, Fred Andrews Racing's Flying Finn Simo Kirssi finished off his pre-GNCC season racing in Europe with a podium position in Spain.
"Husqvarna is very off-road minded and it's a great opportunity for me to work with such a successful brand," says Simo. "The latest bikes are the best in the market and with its low weight and brilliant handling, the TE310 is a podium machine for sure!" The 2010 European and German Cross Country champion proved he was ready for the start of the U.S. GNCC series in March by racing the "Bassella Race" in Spain. Despite the fact that many of the 1000+ participants were on bigger bikes, Kirssi finished just seconds behind Aron Bernadez for second overall. "Husqvarna's TE310 is a proven bike and easy to prepare for the high level we need for the GNCC series."
Those in the off-road industry not in Indy or at the San Diego Supercross gathered in San Luis Obispo, California for a memorial service to fallen WORCS racer Nathan Woods, including the entire Zip-Ty Husqvarna team. "The event on Saturday for Nathan was really awesome. You could tell that he was a special person by how many people showed up," notes Nick Burson. "I was glad I got to go and celebrate Nathan's life and career."
The rain cleared for Sunday's National Western Hare Scrambles race at Deep Creek, an event Cory Graffunder and Nick Burson thought would make for good practice. "I prepared my TXC449 for the mud the best I could considering this would be only the second mud race of my life," says Burson. "I got a pretty bad start and made a few passes... then my mud experience, or lack thereof, came out. I just kept crashing... and crashing! I think I crashed about four times on the first lap and was completely soaked. I finally decided to call it a day before I crashed and got hurt. The race was good experience for me, but I definitely need some more practice in the mud. Hopefully next time I'll have good news!"
"Deep Creek... boy does this place have the right name," adds Cory Graffunder. "It must have rained all week leading up to the race because it was so muddy. I was last off the line, but quickly started moving through the pack of 20 pros on my TC449." Of course the Canadian rider had more experience with mud than desert racer Burson. "I continued to work my way through the pack and passed Brian Garrahan for the lead on the second lap. I was the only one to pit for fuel after two laps and was passed by the top four. I went back to work on lap three and made my way into the lead once again."
2011 TXC449
See the entire Husqvarna Motorcycle lineup ( http://heroesridehuskys.com/pages/11motorcycles.html )
At the end of lap three, the other contenders pitted for fuel, giving Graffunder the opportunity to stretch his lead. Unfortunately half way around on lap four, a stick stretched the radiator hose right off. "I lost all the coolant from the bike, so my race was over just a little too early. It would have been nice to follow up the Tractor Hare Scrambles win in Mexico last week with another victory at Deep Creek."
"Tough day of racing, to be sure," says National Marketing Manager Corey Eastman. "However the time spent meeting with our dealers and vendors in Indianapolis at the Dealer Expo was certainly a win-win situation this past weekend... wait until you see what Andy Jefferson has been working on!"
With convenient consumer financing and more than $12 million in contingency, it pays to Ride More on a Husqvarna.
( https://www.xtrm.com/husqvarna/index.asp )
See the entire Husqvarna Motorcycle lineup ( http://heroesridehuskys.com/pages/11motorcycles.html )
Be sure to follow Team Husqvarna on Facebook ( http://www.facebook.com/pages/Husqvarna-Motorcycles/139879219408569 ) or via Twitter @HusqvarnaNA.
Next WORCS Race: February 26-27, 2011 - Buffalo Bill's in Primm, NV
Husqvarna Motorcycles. Tradition on two wheels since 1903.
Husqvarna Motorcycles, a part of the BMW Group since October 2007, are widely known and respected in the off-road world for a heritage of competition and numerous motocross and enduro world championships. Originally founded in Sweden in 1903, Husqvarna motorcycles have been designed and manufactured in Varese, Italy since 1987.
Husqvarna Motorcycles NA, LLC
Husqvarna Motorcycles NA, LLC is part of BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group's sales headquarters for North, Central and South America is located in Woodcliff Lake, NJ. Husqvarna has continued to expand its professional race team to compete in AMA Enduro, GNCC, Endurocross, National Hare & Hound, the AMA Hare Scrambles Series and WORCS competition. Husqvarna team riders are competing in the premier classes of each series aboard 2011 Husqvarna TXC449, TXC511, and TE310 off-road models.
Clint Bowyer Wins Pole for Nationwide Race at Daytona, Danica Fourth
Filed under: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Daytona Int'l Speedway, Nationwide Series, Danica Patrick, NASCAR
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Up until the final few minutes of Friday's NASCAR Nationwide Series qualifying, it looked as if IndyCar star-turned-NASCAR newbie Danica Patrick may just have landed herself the pole position at stock car's most famous track, Daytona International Speedway.
Midway through the session Patrick laid down the fastest lap of the afternoon bumping veteran Carl Edwards off the top spot and igniting a buzz around the garage area. Had her lap stood, she would have been the first woman to win a Nationwide Series pole since Shawna Robinson did it in March 1994.
Instead, another newcomer, Landon Cassill, knocked Patrick out of the top spot only to have Sprint Cup Series veteran Clint Bowyer come in and better them both. Bowyer's lap of 180.821 mph in the Kevin Harvick-owned No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet earned the former series champ the pole position for Saturday's DRIVE4COPD 300 and stifled the building frenzy around a possible Patrick front row start.
Cassill will start alongside him while another late qualifier Dale Earnhardt Jr,. took the third position. He'll start next to Patrick on the second row; he owns both cars.
This is only Patrick's 13th Nationwide Series start in her highly-publicized racing double as a full-time driver in the IZOD IndyCar Series and a part-timer in NASCAR's second-tier Nationwide circuit.
"It's been a fast car the whole time we've been here,'' Patrick said, as she watched the remaining few cars qualify. "No matter what happens now, it'll be a good starting position. This is a big deal and for it to come at Daytona, it's 10 times a bigger deal.''
Saturday, February 26, 2011
MV Agusta F3 Development Advances
The development of the highly anticipated three cylinder hypersport is advancing rapidly in MV Agusta
From a press release issued by MV Agusta
Varese, 24th February 2011 – The development of the highly anticipated three cylinder hypersport is advancing rapidly in MV Agusta. Kilometer after kilometer on the track and on the road it is becoming ever more evident that this new model from MV will become the reference by which all other middle-weight hypersport motorcycles will be judged. The F3 has already exceeded the high expectations of the development team with regards to power and handling.
The engine has proven to be extremely reliable on the engine test bench during durability test cycles and has exceeded the power target at this level of development. The engine has already surpassed 135 CV and rev’s over 15.000 rpm. The dynamic performance of the engine has had a direct positive impact on the motorcycle as it combines the perfect combination of over-rev typically found on four cylinder engines with the increased torque offered by a three cylinder engine configuration.
The secret of the outstanding performance is the perfect synthesis between the engine and chassis. The counter-rotating crankshaft, a defining feature that separates the F3 from the competition, guarantees superior handling that cannot be matched by motorcycles with a conventional engine architecture. The counterrotating crankshaft not only offers an advantage during fast direction changes, there is also a massive benefit with regards to weight transfer during acceleration offering an increase in rear wheel traction.
The F3 offers the most advanced electronics and engine control system incorporating a Full Ride By Wire throttle body that together helps optimize the engine power and torque characteristics based on the needs and desires of the rider. The perfect harmony of electronics and vehicle chassis dynamics ensures that the F3 is agile and extremely easy to change rapidly the direction as well as giving the maximum amount of feedback to the rider when at maximum lean angles.
Thanks to the financial stability of the Group, which has to date exceeded the business plan, MV has been able to anticipate the industrialization of the F3 by 4 months: the pre-production and production are planned to begin mid September and the F3 will be available for sale in late autumn.
Related articles:
Laguna 2009 tipping contest prizes
Thanks to all our competitors last week - it was a week that was particularly scare on points with Dani Pedrosa hardly featuring in the picks - only four of you had him on the podium at all, and only @rumblestrip as high as second. Elsewhere, he was mentioned but generally only as a crash [...]
Happy Hour: Bayne slams wall in first lap of Phoenix practice
One week after being the belle of the fancy ball, Cinderella shattered the glass slipper.
Friday, February 25, 2011
2011 MotoGP Sepang 2 Day 1 Press Release Roundup
Here's what the teams had to say after the first day of testing at Sepang:
Rizla Suzuki begins second test in detailed fashion
Year:
2011
Williams unveils 2011 livery. Your thoughts?
Abu Dhabi willing to accommodate later date for Bahrain race | 2011 Bahrain Grand Prix
Abu Dhabi race organisers will make room for Bahrain.
Brundle and Coulthard expect unpredictable 2011 | Interview
Brundle expects "a little bit of unpredictability" in 2011. "I think it's going to be very exciting."
Thursday, February 24, 2011
ESPN: Ford submits Mustang for 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup approval
Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Ford, Racing
Ford Mustang NASCAR Nationwide Race Car - Click above for high-res image gallery
Forget the Fusion, Ford is making a move to bring the Mustang to Nascar's Sprint Cup Series. Ford has informed NASCAR decisionmakers that it wishes to begin racing the Mustang in the highest level of left-turning motorsports.
Replacing the Fusion is a process that could take all year, and Ford is required to show that the Mustang is a competitive equal to the cars it will race against. The reason behind the move is that Ford wants to show fans they can buy a car right off the showroom floor that mimics the one they watch every weekend on TV.
As fans of the roundy round are already aware, the Blue Oval already races a Mustang stock car in NASCAR - in the Nationwide Series. The pony car shown above made its competition debut last July during the Subway Jalapeno 250 at Daytona International Speedway.
We understand you can't purchase the same exact Mustang that will be hunting down rival racers around the county. In fact, we already know that you won't be able to purchase anything like a Sprint Cup Mustang for street use. But Ford knows that millions of people tune-in and show up to support their favorite drivers and brands. At least on some level, adding the Mustang to the mix makes more sense since the production car provides real driving thrills for its owners. Besides, unlike the Fusion, it's actually available in a coupe bodystyle like those used in NASCAR.
Now... if we can get Chevrolet to bring in the Camaro and Dodge to show up with the Challenger, we could be on the cusp of something special. Thanks for the tip, JR!
[Source: ESPN]
ESPN: Ford submits Mustang for 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup approval originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsVideo: How to make a Red Bull RB7 Formula One racecar
Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Humor, Racing
How to build a Red Bull RB7 - Click above to watch video after the jump
The Red Bull RB7 Formula One racecar is a screaming, rubber-footed example of why paying attention in math and science class can lead to a fun career. It's a carbon-fiber and aluminum rocketship propelled by a Renault V8 that's limited to 18,000 rpm. Designing and building the RB7 is a complicated matter, and the crew at Red Bull has prepared a film that explains the process.
Instead of taking the overly technical route, the Red Bull boys have gone a bit "old-tyme." Their film manages to be entertaining and interesting, which is usually a hard task to accomplish with something like this. Click past the jump to watch a Red Bull RB7 come to life using the technology of tomorrow... today!
[Source: Red Bull Racing via YouTube]
Continue reading Video: How to make a Red Bull RB7 Formula One racecar
Video: How to make a Red Bull RB7 Formula One racecar originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsIMS Test Phillip Island WSS - Tuesday 1st
1 99 Foret F. (FRA) Honda CBR600RR 1'33.904
2 44 Salom D. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'34.183
3 23 Parkes B. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'34.718
4 21 Marino F. (FRA) Honda CBR600RR 1'34.726
5 127 Harms R. (DEN) Honda CBR600RR 1'35.439
6 22 Tamburini R. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R6 1'35.601
7 4 Rea G. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR 1'35.693
8 11 Lowes S. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR 1'35.798
9 7 Davies C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R6 1'35.819
10 91 Dell'Omo D. (ITA) Triumph Daytona 675 1'35.860
11 9 Scassa L. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R6 1'35.974
12 77 Ellison J. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR 1'36.165
13 117 Praia M. (POR) Honda CBR600RR 1'36.176
14 60 Ivanov V. (UKR) Honda CBR600RR 1'36.207
15 55 Roccoli M. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'36.267
16 28 Szkopek P. (POL) Honda CBR600RR 1'36.314
17 34 Quarmby R. (RSA) Triumph Daytona 675 1'36.441
18 69 Jezek O. (CZE) Honda CBR600RR 1'36.877
19 5 Lundh A. (SWE) Honda CBR600RR 1'37.074
20 10 Toth I. (HUN) Honda CBR600RR 1'37.434
21 8 Chesaux B. (SUI) Honda CBR600RR 1'37.717
22 25 Jerman M. (SLO) Triumph Daytona 675 1'38.285
23 19 Pirotta M. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 1'38.556
24 87 Marconi L. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R6 1'40.322
Renault confirm Heidfeld as Kubica stand-in
Renault have announced that Nick Heidfeld has joined the team, taking over driving duties from the injured Robert Kubica, starting at this week's test session in Barcelona. It follows his evaluation at Jerez last week.
The 33-year-old German is one of the most experienced drivers in Formula One, having started 172 races over the last 11 seasons. He will race alongside Vitaly Petrov when the new season gets underway in Bahrain on March 13
The 33-year-old German is one of the most experienced drivers in Formula One, having started 172 races over the last 11 seasons. He will race alongside Vitaly Petrov when the new season gets underway in Bahrain on March 13
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
American Motorcyclist Association Urges 'Lead Law' Exemption At Congressional Hearing
The CPSC has delayed enforcing key portions of the law until after the end of the year. Unless the CPSIA is changed by then, the sale of child-sized motorcycles and ATVs will effectively be banned.
PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- In written comments submitted for a congressional hearing held on Feb. 17, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) asked lawmakers to exempt kid-sized off-highway vehicles (OHVs) from the "lead law" that effectively bans the sale of the vehicles at the end of the year.
The NASCAR Week That Was: Feb. 13-19
[...]
TheNASCARInsiders.com
Follow the Insiders on Twitter or be a fan on Facebook!
RS Taichi Intention Mesh El Jacket
Equipped with a glowing, electroluminescent rear light panel.
DALLAS (February 17, 2011) -- Featuring a battery-operated light panel on its back that illuminates for nighttime visibility, and RS Taichi's exclusive Chest Protector System, the Intention Mesh EL jacket blends state-of-the-art innovations and serious impact protection with a lightweight, mesh construction.
Photo Gallery: RS Taichi Intention Mesh El Jacket - Sport Rider Magazine
The F1 calendar?
The cancellation of the Bahrain Grand Prix is going to make life difficult for the Formula 1 circus, if Bernie Ecclestone wants to try and put the race back on the calendar later in the year, as is being suggested. The F1 calendar is already chock-a-block this season, with only the summer break providing any [...]
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Gordon and Kenseth not happy with each other after Martinsville finish
Matt Kenseth went for the win with an aggressive move that included bumping Jeff Gordon with less than two laps remaining in the Goody?s Fast Pain Relief 500 on Monday at Martinsville Speedway. �Gordon?s reaction was simple ? if he wasn?t going to win, then Kenseth wasn?t going to win as well.
With Gordon leading and [...]
With Gordon leading and [...]
Unfair to judge McLaren - Button
Jenson Button says his McLaren still has unlocked potential despite its apparent lack of pace in testing.
Johnson Wins 4th Straight Chase Championship
The Chase for the Johnson is over; Jimmie Johnson has won his fourth straight Chase championship in a row, making Nascar history. Of course, IMHO, its recent history, just because he’s won four chase championships, I don’t hold that in as high regard as I would four Winston Cup championships. If we were still under [...]
Putting on a show?
The NASCAR folk really know how to make one sit up and take notice and yesterday in Daytona, they did it again with victory in the biggest race of the year – the Daytona 500 – going to Trevor Bayne, a 20-year-old in just his second NASCAR race. That is a bit like Sergio Perez [...]
Monday, February 21, 2011
Hispania Racing Team F111 debut rounds out Formula 1 preseason
Filed under: Motorsports, Racing
2011 HRT F111 - Click above for high-res image gallery
We know this looks like an F1 car. But you know what it actually is? It's the end of the beginning. Because after Ferrari, Lotus, Renault, Sauber, Mercedes, Red Bull, Toro Rosso, Williams, McLaren, Virgin and Force India all unveiled their new Formula 1 cars for the 2011 championship, Hispania Racing Team has joined the action with the F111, marking the end of the preseason debuts.
The new car bears all the hallmarks of the new F1 regulations, but the first thing you're likely to notice is its livery. With little in the way of sponsors, HRT brought in Daniel Simon - the former VW Group designer responsible for, among other things, the light-cycles in Tron: Legacy - to pen the car's dynamic paint scheme. The result is considerably more attractive than last year's gray car, leaving open spots for future sponsors (currently held by "this could be you" and "your logo here" lettering). Simon's Cosmic Motors design firm gets its own logo on the sidepod wing plates, joined only by Tata Motors, which came to the team with Narain Karthikeyan.
The Indian driver, who once raced for Jordan way back in 2005, returns just in time for this year's inaugural Indian Grand Prix. However, after showing Bruno Senna the door, HRT is the last outfit that still needs to confirm its second driver. This is business as usual for HRT, which last year used four different drivers: Karun Chandhok, Bruno Senna, Sakon Yamamoto and Christian Klien, none of whom scored a single point in the 2010 car. Can Karthikeyan and his to-be-announced wingman do better? Well, when you're at rock bottom, there's nowhere to go but up. Details are in the press release after the jump, with high-res images in the gallery below.
[Source: Hispania Racing Team]
Continue reading Hispania Racing Team F111 debut rounds out Formula 1 preseason
Hispania Racing Team F111 debut rounds out Formula 1 preseason originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 12 Feb 2011 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments2011 Off Road Support
Off Road Support Press Release
Northridge, Ca February 15, 2011
Jacob Argubright and Off Road Support are proud to introduce the newest members to the Off Road Support Team. In the past few months back-end work has been happening to prepare the team for a successful 2011 racing season. With its primary focus on the AMA/Kenda National Hare and Hound Series, the Off Road Support Team looks to have great success here in the coming year.
New for 2011, the team will not be limited to Jacob and the Green KX450's, but instead will also be joined by two of the fastest two stroke pilots in the desert. Riding a pair of matching KTM 250XC's Nevada's Levi Jones and California's Sarah Kritsch will make up the remainder of Team Off Road Support.
The Defending Three Time District 37 Woman's Desert Champion will return to both the District 37 Desert and NHHA racing circuits, only this time she will be doing so on an Off Road Support-Prepped KTM. Mimicking many of the bike setup options that have led to Jacob Argubrights success over the last three years, the new look and feel to the KTM will be sure to help Sarah bring home her first National Championship. "I am really excited with everything that they have done for me already. It's really like a factory team, and they took me in like I was part of the family. The few changes that they helped with for round two of the Hare and Hound Series worked great, and I look forward to bringing home a few wins for them here in 2011!"
Also being "officially added" to the team is MRAN/D37 Expert racer Levi Jones. Racing the National Circuit since 2005, Levi has been committed to the National Hare and Hound Series since High School and his dad has been an instrumental part of the team since day one. Levi's skills and knowledge of racing will help to produce some great results in the 250 A class.
"We are really excited to help Levi and Sarah out this season," Steve Argubright explained, "Sarah is by far one of the fastest female racers on the planet, and as a member of the team we are just really excited to be a part of her winning results. Levi and Jerry have been in the pits for years now, and it's just fitting that we invite Levi onto the team as a rider!" Jerry is a pivotal part of the Off Road Support pit team as in an accomplished mechanic specializing in KTM and has successfully wrenched his son, Levi, to many class championships over the years. His knowledge in and around the Off Road Support pits cannot be mached, and he along with his son Levi will be strongholds though out the 2011 season.
Both Levi and Sarah had great results at Round Two of the NHHA series with Sarah taking home a first overall Woman, and taking the win as first overall 2-looper. Levi rode hard to a top 30 overall and is in a good points position for the 250 class on the year.
Look for the Off Road Support team, and its new colors (KTM Orange) at various Off Road Events over the next year. For a schedule, race reports, and results visit www.jacob911.com.
2011 Moto2 And 125 Estoril Test Day 3 Round Up - Nothing Going On But The Rain
As promised, the weather on the final day of testing for the Moto2 and 125 classes at Estoril was better. Unfortunately, and also as promised, "better" was still a very long way from anything resembling suitable for serious testing of racing motorcycles. The track never really dried out, despite the sun showing its face every now and again, and strong winds blowing across the circuit, but despite the weather, a larger group braved the conditions to put in a few laps on Thursday, if only to avoid the trip to Estoril having been a complete waste.
Times, once again, were hardly meaningful: Simone Corsi, Thomas Luthi and Claudio Corti took the honors, at least unofficially, just ahead of Alex de Angelis, Jules Cluzel and Michele Pirro. Corsi, Luthi and Corti's time was a 1'42.4, three seconds better than the record from the race last year, but given that the Portuguese Grand Prix was also severely hit by rain last October, that means little. The time of Corsi et al is still nearly two seconds off the 250cc lap record, which is about a second above the differential the Moto2 bikes were showing at most tracks last year.
Source:
Marchesini M7RS Genesi Wheels
Based on its magnesium twin-sister used in the 2010 MotoGP, Moto2 and SBK world championships
From a press release issued by Brembo North America
M7RS GENESI is the name of the new aluminum wheel developed by Marchesini — unique in terms of lightness, reliability and performance and based on its magnesium twin-sister used in the 2010 MotoGP, Moto2 and SBK world championships.
This is a product that makes no compromises, aiming quite simply to be the highest performance wheel ever fitted to a sport bike. A product that leaves the competition even further behind and is guaranteed to outperform any other in terms of shorter stopping distances, sharper acceleration, and faster, more precise cornering.
The M7RS – GENESI wheel was created using the very latest design, structural analysis and testing methods and is the result of continuous research and development aimed at improving production materials and technologies, as well as constant and thorough quality control at every step of the process.
Everything is designed and implemented to obtain a material of the highest possible mechanical specifications by using an ultra-high-performance, plastically deformable aluminum alloy designed for aerospace applications, a precision multi-directional closed- die forging process, and the production of special dedicated dies optimized on the basis of the final wheel geometry. Compared to standard wheels, the M7RS - GENESI achieves a reduction of over 40% in weight and over 35% in rolling inertia and represents the new benchmark for forged aluminum wheels.
The number of spokes is designed to guarantee maximum stiffness of the connection between hub and rim, thereby ensuring that radial loads are distributed evenly around the rim and providing a general lightness of structure unequalled anywhere.
The cross section and contours of the spokes are designed to optimize stiffness and thermo-fluid dynamic efficiency in operation.
An innovative anti-slip paint finish applied to the wheel rim is instrumental in preventing relative movement of the tire and rim when accelerating and braking and, consequently, improving the feeling of the ride.
The anodized aluminum tire valve is a 90° angled type that facilitates inflation and deflation of the tire, especially when the machine is equipped with large diameter brake discs. The rear wheel has a one-piece cush drive incorporated directly into the hub, combined with special damper elements featuring the same materials and geometry as those on MotoGP and WSBK machines.
The M7RS - GENESI is available for all the most popular sport bikes and is packaged as a kit complete with all accessories required for assembly.
Photo Gallery: Marchesini M7RS Genesi Wheels - Sport Rider Magazine
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Late Wreck Stops Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s Storybook Daytona 500 Ending
Filed under: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Sprint Cup, Hendrick Motorsports, NASCAR
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s shoulders may well have borne 500 miles worth of expectations this week at Daytona.
Marking 10 years since the death of his legendary father in NASCAR's most important race, Earnhardt Jr. served as the central beacon of a sport remembering the passing of one of its most legendary drivers.
The sport's most popular driver also has been the most talked about non-factor for most of the last three seasons and has seen his share of changes in the Hendrick Motorsports program around him. A new crew chief -- Steve Letarte -- was in his ear.
Sunday, none of it seemed to be a distraction as Earnhardt sliced his way through the field time and again to find the front -- and occasionally lead -- one of the most unusual Daytona 500s in recent memory.
However, the chaotic nature of NASCAR's season-opening beast, a race marked by the most cautions and lead changes in the event's 53-year history, finally caught up with Earnhardt moments from the end.
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