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 World Superbike Championship points leader Carlos Checa has domonated at Miller in previous years, so look for him out front again this weekend on the privateer Althea Racing Ducati 1198RS.
SBK World Superbike Championship, Round 5 of 13, Miller USA
World, AMA Superbikes and FastDates.com heads to Utah for Miller time
Salt Lake City, USA, 24 May 2011 - The FIM Superbike World Championship takes its second and final trip overseas this year as it heads for the Miller Motorsports Park circuit in the USA. This year’s event, round 5, will be the fourth edition to be held in the State of Utah. The 4.907 km circuit, which lies 1300 metres above sea level, is located half-an-hour’s drive away from the capital Salt Lake City and is on the edge of the Great Salt Lake basin, not far from the world-famous Bonneville Salt Flats. The rarified atmosphere has an effect on performance, with engine power loss estimated at 10%.
Newest Fast Dates Calendar Kitten Taylor Gunnin
selected as an official InFront Superbike Grid Girl for Miller USA Race Weekend May 28-30th
The FastDates.com Calendars, the world's premier brand of motorsports and pinup model wall calendars is excited to announce that beautiful Southern California model and actress Taylor Gunnin has been selected to accompany photographer publisher Jim Gianatsis to the Miller Motorsports USA World Superbike Race Weekend in Utah, May 28-30th to shoot the next edition of the Fast Dates World Superbike Calendar with all the top factory race team bikes.
This marks Taylor's first shoot for the renown motorcycle pinup calendars which have seen some of the world's most beautiful models grace its pages together with the world's top racing and custom motorcycles. Celebrity models that have included Hollywood actresses and Playboy cover models Pamela Anderson, Jaime Pressly, Josie Bisset, LeeAnn Tweeden, Cindy Margolis, world's sexiest supermodel Joanna Krupa, along with other beautiful women like Miss Great Britain Nicki Lane and Miss Texas Robin Cunningham.
InFront Sports, producers of the World Superbike Championship, upon learning of Taylor Gunnin's attendance with Jim Gianatsis at the Miller USA race weekend, made a specific request that Taylor be one of their official grid girls for the race weekend. Look for complete race coverage here in Pit Lane Newson Tuesday May 31st following the race weekend here .
 Reigning AMA Superbike Champ and current 2011 points leader Josh Hayes.
AMA Pro Superbike Joins World Superbikes on Monday, Memorial Day
As is tradition, the Miller Motorsports Round will be held on Monday, as part of the Memorial Day weekend (28-30 May), when the entire nation plays tribute to its armed forces. As a result, first qualifying takes place on Saturday, the Tissot Superpole on the Sunday and the two WSBK races on the Monday. World Superbike will be the only one of the four regular categories to be present at Miller, with World Supersport, Superstock 1000 and Superstock 600 taking a break until their next round at Misano Adriatico.
The ‘BigM Weekend’ will have World Superbike as its feature event, while the rest of the program will include AMA Pro Road Racing support races from the national Superbike Championship, the Daytona SportBike Championship, Supersport and XR1200s. Currently in the lead of their respective classes are Josh Hayes (Yamaha R1) in Superbike, Jason Di Salvo (Ducati 848) in SportBike and Tomas Puerta (Yamaha R6) in Supersport. The Daytona Sportbikes race on Sunday, and the Pro Superbike on Monday between the two World Superbike races.
We go Monster with American USA! Fast Dates Calendar photographer Jim Gianatsis, besides his usual photo shoot on Saturday at the Miller Big M Weekend with all the factory World Superbike teams for next year's Calendar, will be stopping by the Yamaha U.S.A. team transporter in the race paddock on Sunday to photograph reigning 2010 AMA National Superbike Champion and current 2011 season points leader Josh Hayes and his his Graves Yamaha R1 Superbike. Calendar Kitten Taylor Gunnin might have to spectate for this particular shoot as the Monster Energy girls, with Monster as the team's sponsor, will be the models for this shoot.
Jim shares a long term friendship with Yamaha Racing Manager Keith McCarty and Roadrace Manager Tom Halverson, having traveled the AMA National motocross circuit with them back in the 1970s when Jim was editor of Cycle News, and Keith turned the wrenches o the bikes of Tony DiStefano and Bob Hannah. While the Champ Josh hails from the Gulf Coast's Gulfport / Biloxi area, Mississippi, also Jim's hometown during those early years. Jim grew up racing motocross on the Goast Coast and with close friend and another local, Gina Prichard, who later became Josh's personal manager. While Keith and the factory motocross teams use to stop at Jim's house, mid-way between Daytona and Los Angeles on the National MX circuit, to rebuild their team bikes on the front lawn of Jim's house.
World Superbike's Carlos Checa on Star Status at Miller
Current championship leader Carlos Checa will undoubtedly be the star attraction on his Althea Racing Ducati machine as he aims to make up for disappointing runs at Monza. Checa has a 27 point lead over second-placed man Marco Melandri (Yamaha World Superbike), but the Spaniard, despite missing out on two wins last year due to mechanical failure, does have a double win to his name at Utah, in the event’s first edition in 2008.
And still on the same subject, the Miller circuit appears to lend itself to double winners, with Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia) taking the honours in 2010 following on from Ben Spies (Yamaha) in 2009, both becoming champions at the end of the year. So that statistic may play into the hands of Ireland’s Eugene Laverty (Yamaha World Superbike), WSBK’s latest victor, who opened up his scorecard with a double win at the last round in Monza. Laverty is now in fifth place, sixty points adrift of leader Checa.
Four points ahead of Laverty is his fellow Irishman, Jonathan Rea (Castrol Honda). Nominating Miller as the team’s designated test track following set-up problems last year and completing two days of positive testing on Sunday and Monday could prove to be a winning move for the Dutch squad and good results here will help to galvanize Rea’s title bid.
BMW Motorrad Motorsport scored their second podium of the season at Monza, with Leon Haslam on board, but the German squad are still searching for that elusive breakthrough in their third year of WSBK activity. Haslam is the man who is getting closer and closer and not even a broken toe he picked up in a first chicane clash at Monza will prevent the Englishman from giving 100% over the Utah weekend.
Michel Fabrizio (Suzuki Alstare) always goes well at Miller and is a firm fans’ favourite, but the Italian is slightly handicapped this year by being a singleton entry for the Belgium-based squad. However Fabrizio was a podium finisher at Monza and has taken home good points from virtually every race this year.
Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia) and Jakub Smrz (Effenbert-Liberty Ducati) are next up in the current standings, with one podium apiece to their name this year, while Noriyuki Haga (PATA Aprilia Racing) rounds out the top 10.
The Kawasaki Racing Team still need time to get their new ZX-10R machine to a competitive level, and with top rider Chris Vermeulen struggling with an 15-month long injury, it’s left to Tom Sykes and the talented youngster Joan Lascorz to show flashes of form.
The final big name on the entry list to watch for is James Toseland (BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team), the former winner also still struggling to get back to form after a nasty wrist injury, while Miller will see a welcome return for the young Australian Josh Waters, and his all-Japanese Yoshimura Suzuki Racing Team for their second appearance of the year.
Superbike Rider Points (after 4 of 13 rounds): 1. Checa 145; 2. Melandri 118; 3. Biaggi 117; 4. Rea 89; 5. Laverty 85; 6. Haslam 84; 7. Fabrizio 74; 8. Camier 58; 9. Smrz 55; 10. Haga 47; etc.
Manufacturers: 1. Ducati 152; 2. Yamaha 147; 3. Aprilia 139; 4. BMW 101; 5. Honda 93; 6. Suzuki 74; 7. Kawasaki 53.
And for more race information visit www.WorldSBK.com and www.MillerMotorsportsPark.com
 We've got your full access passes!
We go Balistic with 3-Time World Champion Troy Bayliss
at the first ever Troy Bayliss Racing Academy at Imola Italy!
the exclusive full story with pictures HERE
The Troy Bayliss Racing Academy at DRE
By Jim Gianatsis
Imola, Italy, May 2011 - I attended the first Ducati Riding Experience (DRE) School in Italy back in 2004 at the Misano Grand Prix Circuit in conjunction with World Ducati Week 2004. If you've never attended a DRE School, you're missing an incredible track riding opportunity at a world championship caliber race track, put on by the best factory produced track day school in the world. Students / riders / racers are grouped into their various levels which you choose yourself, based on both your skill and experience, and the type of Ducati bike you select for the course. Choose from their Basic Course on a Ducati 796 Monster if you just want to improve your basic riding skills and get a feel for riding on a track, right on up to Racing and Master Classes on Ducati 848 and 1198 Supebikes for a full-on racing school with some of Ducati's most experienced and legendary racers. The advanced Racing School I took back in 2004 on the old 999 Superbike was taught by former '81 500cc GP World Champion, Ducati Corse Superbike racer and former team manager Marco Lucchinelli.
And when I returned this year I found Marco still teaching the advanced DRE classes. One of the other top level DRE instructors is Dario Marchetti. Dario won the Battle of the Twins race at Daytona Bike Week a few years ago, and he pilots the Ducati 2-seater Superbike and Desmosedici at the World Superbike and MotoGP races.
 DRE headmaster Dario Machetti welcomes us and introduces the Instructors to the classes first thing in the morning, and goes over the day's activities and track basics before we separate out in our different groups. Your looking at 11 Ducati factory riders and with 4 World Championships among them, and numerous National race wins. There is no better qualified track riding school in the world
What is really unique about the DRE Schools, they offer a complete experience, from your choice of the type of Ducati bike and skill level class you want, to instructors matched to your class level. To full amenities like beverages and snacks supplied in your pit garage throughout the day, to a fully restaurant cartered lunch hour in an air conditioned meeting room at the race circuit. This all takes place in Italy at some the greatest roadracing tracks in the world: Monza, Imola, Mugello and Misano.
My motivation to return to the DRE this year was the announcement of the addition of the new Troy Bayliss Academy. A one-on-one track class with the 3-time World Superbike Champion on board Ducati's top-of the-line 1198SP Superbike. Each class was limited to just 4 riders for the day, and there would only be 2 days of classes at just two tracks this year: Imola and Mugello. Meaning only 16 people this year would have the chance to learn and ride with one of the best motorcycle racers in the world. The price is $2,000 Euros, about US $3,000 and well worth it for a once in a lifetime experience at the world's best track school with one of the best motorcycle racers ever.
If you remember Troy retired at the top of his game at the end of 2008 as the reigning World Superbike Champion. His two previous titles came in 2001 and 2006 on the previous generation 919/998 and 999 Ducati Superbious. He also spent two years 2004-2005 in MotoGP racing the difficult Desmosite without a win, but returned as a substitute rider for Sete Giberneau in 1996 at Valencia to end MotoGP's 990cc era in awesome style, storming to a dominant one-two finish in front of a capacity crowd of 129,000 noisy fans with Loris Capriossi. For now, Troy goes down in history as being the only rider to win in both of the two highest levels of motorcycle roadracing: World Superbike and MotoGP.
Troy Baylss Academy Story Continued HERE • Imola World Superbike Race HERE
 Troy shows us how to set up the 1198SP's steering damper before heading out on the Imola track for our first session of the day,
 MotoGP World Champions Jorge Lorenzo's 50th Anniversay Yamaha M1 livery for Assen and following rounds.
Yamaha’s 50th Anniversary of Grand Prix Racing kicks off at Assen June 23d-27th
This year the Assen TT will play host to a number of very special activities as Yamaha marks its 50th Anniversary of Grand Prix Racing at the Dutch round of the 2011 MotoGP Championship. The Japanese manufacturer will bring its glorious racing heritage alive for fans around the world with an Exposition of classic Grand Prix racing machines and a breathtaking parade of race bikes on the legendary circuit, ridden by iconic riders from Yamaha’s former victories.
The Yamaha Exposition will display a unique collection of 14 Yamaha Grand Prix Racing machines including, from 1965, Phil Read’s World Championship-winning 250cc RD56. The collection travels forward in time right up to Jorge Lorenzo’s 2010 YZR-M1, the current World Champion machine.
The machines, all original and in mint condition, have been sourced from Yamaha’s Communication Plaza (Yamaha’s Iwata based corporate exhibition facilities), Yamaha Motor Racing Srl and Ferry Brouwer’s Yamaha Classic Racing Team collection. They represent Yamaha’s highlights of 50 years of Grand Prix racing.
The classic race machines on display will be supported by historic items including photos and videos from key points in Yamaha’s Grand Prix racing story. The exposition will be organised at hotel and event centre ’De Bonte Wever’ in Assen, just 2.5 km from the TT circuit and will be open to the public from Thursday 23rd to Monday 27th June; admission is free. For opening hours and more information, please visit www.yamaha-racing.com . At the Exposition voluntary donations will be collected to donate to the Japanese Red Cross Society (50%) and Riders for Health (50%).
Race day at Assen will witness a rare occasion for fans as iconic classic race machines will take to the track for a parade lap. Yamaha's famous historic red and white racing colours will be echoing the ‘YZR-M1 WGP50th Anniversary Edition’ livery that will be used by Yamaha Factory Racing riders Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies for the MotoGP race.
In cooperation with Dorna, the Assen TT and the Yamaha Classic Racing Team Yamaha will be privileged to share some of the special moments of Yamaha’s racing heritage. There is special significance as Assen is the only circuit that was already on the calendar when the Grand Prix series started in 1949. The provisional timing and more information about the parade will be shared on www.yamaha-racing.com between 8th and 10th of June.
The Assen Anniversary Expo will be first of a series that can be found on yamaha-racing.com.
Yamaha continues milestone celebration at Biker's Classic, Spa-Francochamps July 1-3rd
The 2011 edition of the ‘Bikers’ Classics’ event will take place from 1st-3rd July at the famous Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium and Yamaha will be there to take and enjoy another proud step in celebration of their 50th year of Grand Prix racing. The Yamaha Classic Racing Team will appear in all its glory with 21 fantastic historic Yamaha racing machines from 50cc up to 750cc two-strokes, that will be steered on the hallowed curves by former GP stars like Steve Baker, Rod Gould, Phil Read, Giacomo Agostini, Johnny Cecotto and Chas Mortimer, to name but a few. Besides Yamaha’s ‘official’ classic line-up there will be plenty of other vintage Yamahas posing in the paddocks and active on the track as numerous teams and privateers have signed up to join the classic parades.
Apart from the action on the asphalt, Yamaha are organising a Yamaha Racing Exposition at the circuit in cooperation with DGSport. This anniversary Exposition will contain a unique collection of 14 Yamaha Grand Prix Racing machines representing Yamaha’s heritage built up over 50 years of Grand Prix competition. The bikes, all original and in mint condition, have been sourced from: Communication Plaza (Yamaha’s Iwata-based corporate exhibition facilities) Yamaha Motor Racing Srl and Ferry Brouwer’s Yamaha Classic Racing Team roster. Besides the motorcycles there are also historic items, memorabilia, photographs and videos to mark 50 years of history. The exposition will take place in the ‘Eau Rouge’ building, located at the bottom of the Eau Rouge corner, and entrance is free for Bikers’ Classics paddock ticket holders.
The Expo will be open from Friday 1st July to Sunday 3rd July. For opening hours and more information please visit www.yamaha-racing.com . At the Expo voluntary donations will be collected to donate to Japanese Red Cross Society (50%) and Riders for Health (50%). The Bikers’ Classics Expo will be the second of a series that can be found on yamaha-racing.com.
 Suzuki riders John Hopkins (21) dices with Josh Brookes (2).
2011 British Superbike Championship, Round 2 Oulton Park, Round 3 Croft
American John Hopkins Takes Race Win at Oulton Park
moves into 2nd in the British Superbike Championship behind Shane Byrne
Samsung Crescent Racing's John Hopkins leaves the third round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Croft second in the overall standings and just three points adrift of Shane 'Shakey' Byrne following his race win at th second race round at Olton park, then double podium finishes atthe third round at Olton Park..
The American expatriate has been competing in the MotoGP Championship, somewhat unsuccessfully the last decade, has now found a new home inthe Britsih Superbike Championship. Hopkins said: "I am pretty blessed and thankful for the results we have had at Croft today, to have a double podium finish is a great result and I am happy. At the same time I am disappointed, as after you have won one race you want to win every race so a podium finish is never enough. We have some good points from today and those podium credits for the Showdown later in the season so we just need to keep motoring along and give the Samsung Crescent Racing team the results we need for the championship."
Here is update race coverage fromthe last two rounds:
Olton Park, Race One: Ryuichi Kiyo returns to his winning ways
Olton Park Circuit, UK, May 1st, 2011 - Ryuichi Kiyonari and HM Plant Honda overcame the issues they were having earlier in the weekend to score the opening victory of the day at Oulton Park as the defending champion worked his way up through the order to secure his first win of the season.
Kiyonari said: "I am very happy, especially as it had been very difficult here to find a good setting for the race. Everyone in the team has worked very hard, me too as I wanted to push harder. They worked late into the night after qualifying to solve the problems we had so it was good work and I want the same in race two."
Michael Laverty took the lead into Old Hall corner on the opening lap from Josh Brookes and Shane 'Shakey' Byrne with John Hopkins in fourth. Hopkins running in a new livery for the race passed Byrne on the inside at Shell and then moved up to third with a move at Lodge, proving that he was going to be in contention from the start. Byrne and Hopkins then went head to head on the second lap, but the American stayed ahead.
On the third lap Hopkins then was putting the pressure on Brookes, moving down the inside at Lakeside to run in second behind the leading Swan Yamaha of Laverty. The leading pack were inseparable as Laverty, Hopkins, Brookes, Byrne and Easton vied for the podium positions.
Easton was also on a charge, passing Byrne on the run into Old Hall on the fifth lap, which he repeated a lap later on Brookes to move to third behind Hopkins. Kiyonari was the fastest rider on circuit, securing the Speedy Fastest Lap Award, and carving his way through to the front. He moved up to sixth after moving ahead of Linfoot and then team-mate Byrne.
At the front Easton was looking to move up the order and an attempted move into Hizzy's Chicane cost him a place as he clipped the back of Laverty and then ran wide, dropping to fourth as Kiyonari took the advantage.
Laverty was still at the head of the field from Hopkins and Kiyonari, but on the tenth lap the Japanese ace made a move on the inside of the Samsung Crescent Racing rider into Brittens to elevate himself to second. Kiyonari had the lead in his sights and a lap later stole the lead from Laverty with an assertive move down the inside at Lodge.
Laverty then was running second, but Hopkins wasn't settling for third and a move on the run down to Shell Oils corner put him ahead as the Swan Yamaha rider dropped down the order. Easton was then able to move to third on the same lap and Laverty was forced to settle for an eventual fifth as Byrne made a move at Hizzy's chicane with two laps remaining.
Kiyonari edged an advantage at the front from Hopkins and the chasing Easton with Byrne in fourth, whilst Brookes dropped to sixth. Jon Kirkham moved up the order to seventh whilst an earlier off track excursion for Loris Baz left him in eighth. Gary Mason and Linfoot rounded out the top ten. Alex Lowes won the Mirror.co.uk BSB Evo race after finishing in an impressive twelfth place ahead of Scott Smart and Barry Burrell after Glen Richards and Simon Andrews both crashed out during the race.
MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Oulton Park, Race 1:
1. Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda)
2. John Hopkins (Samsung Crescent Racing) +4.150s
3. Stuart Easton (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +4.336s
4. Shane Byrne (HM Plant Honda) +4.646s
5. Michael Laverty (Swan Yamaha) +4.684s
6. Josh Brookes (Relentless Suzuki) +5.105s
7. Jon Kirkham (Samsung Crescent Racing) +13.582s
8. Loris Baz (Motorpoint Yamaha) +16.637s
9. Gary Mason (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +19.108s
10. Dan Linfoot (Sorrymate.com Honda) +19.452s
Olton Park, Race Two: Hopkins makes History
Olton Park Circuit, UK, May 3rd - Samsung Crescent Racing are celebrating this afternoon as John Hopkins secured a maiden BSB race win, becoming the first American rider to secure a victory in the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park after taking the lead on the penultimate lap.
Stuart Easton took the holeshot into Old Hall on the opening lap to lead the pack ahead of Josh Brookes, Alex Lowes and Ryuichi Kiyonari. Brookes was instantly on the attack and took the lead a lap later with a move down the inside at Lodge. On the fourth lap Brookes dropped down the order as he had a moment on the exit of Cascades which dropped him down to third by the time the pack reached Lakeside, handing Easton the lead from Lowes.
Shane 'Shakey' Byrne was trying to move himself up the order but on the fifth lap an attempted move on Michael Rutter at Hizzy's chicane dropped him from fifth down to eighth. Laverty was doing his best to put the Swan Yamaha at the front of the field but on lap eight he went over the grass at Hizzys from fourth place and when he rejoined he was fortunate that Rutter, Byrne and Hopkins were able to avoid him.
There was more drama a lap later when Brookes, who was shadowing Easton for the lead, lost the front at Brittens and the Relentless Suzuki clipped the kerb which flicked the bike spectacularly in the air, narrowly avoiding Easton. The debris of the crash caused the Nissan GTR safety car to be deployed for two laps; the order at the time of the safety car was Easton, Hopkins, Laverty and Rutter.
Kiyonari was trying to repeat his race one victory, passing Rutter at Hilltop to move fourth. The battle at the front though was intensifying as Laverty had moved up to second ahead of Hopkins at Old Hall on the fourteenth lap. Laverty then stole the lead with a move on Easton in a repeat move a lap later; with Hopkins also forcing the MSS Colchester Kawasaki rider back a place on the run down to Lakeside.
Hopkins could then see his chance and the Samsung Crescent Racing rider forced his way down the inside of Laverty on the run down Lakeside to lead a BSB race for the first time which he then held to the line to take an emotional maiden victory. Laverty made a mistake at Hizzys on the final lap which saw him drop from a potential podium to fifth, with Byrne able to steal the final podium position on the final lap.
Alex Lowes scored a second victory in the Mirror.co.uk BSB Evo race, ending the race in 14th whilst Jon Kirkham took the fastest lap to add a point to the Speedy Fastest Lap League.
MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Oulton Park, Race 2:
1. John Hopkins (Samsung Crescent Racing)
2. Stuart Easton (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +0.221s
3. Shane Byrne (HM Plant Honda) +0.521s
4. Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) +0.633s
5. Michael Laverty (Swan Yamaha) +1.026s
6. Michael Rutter (Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducati ) +2.930s
7. Jon Kirkham (Samsung Crescent Racing) + 2.949s
8. Peter Hickman (Tyco Honda) +7.183s
9. Loris Baz (Motorpoint Yamaha) +7.326s
10. Gary Mason (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +7.293s
Byrne takes podium and championship lead
Shane 'Shakey' Byrne and HM Plant Honda lead the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship after the second round at Oulton Park today as the former double champion returned to the podium in race two in third place.Byrne was running seventh on the opening lap, but in the leading group he joined the immense tussles throughout the race. At the point of the safety car period Shakey was still running in seventh but running fifth on the final lap, he was able to capitalize on Michael Laverty's mistake and snuck up to third. His third podium finish of the season means he now leads the title chase by eleven points from Stuart Easton in second.
Byrne said: "I am so pleased to have finished on the podium in the second race; after Saturday's free practice sessions when we were running outside the top ten I would have taken the offer of a fourth and a third - in fact I would have bitten your arm of for it! The boys in the HM Plant Honda garage and at Motec did such a good job to get us up the sharp end today for the races.
"There were a couple of moments when I got a raw deal with riders heading off the track, but there were a few I also benefitted from. Everyone was jostling for positions out there and I was able to make the most of it and get the HM Plant Honda on the podium. We really turned things around this weekend and to have the lead in the championship ahead of Croft is a good result after everyone's hard work here at Oulton Park."
Croft Race One: Kirham scores his first win
Croft Circuit, UK, May 14th - Samsung Crescent Racing's Jon Kirkham took a debut victory in the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Croft this afternoon in the opening race of the day at Croft, after barging ahead of his team-mate John Hopkins in changing conditions.
Kirkham said: "I honestly can't believe it; that was the scariest race of my life in terms of deciding on tyres and the changing conditions but what a race! I was lucky to be fair with the pace car as it gave me the chance to close the gap up and it was pretty loose out there. I had a few moments and (John Hopkins) was riding amazingly, pushing me all the way. This was a fantastic result as we had such a hard start to the weekend, missing a lot of time with an issue but now I just want to get on with race two."
The start was delayed as the conditions continued to change at Croft and many of the teams gambled on tyre choice before the start. HM Plant Honda's Shane 'Shakey' Byrne powered off the line to lead into Clervaux on the opening lap from Michael Rutter and Michael Laverty.
Laverty moved up to second at Hawthorn as Hopkins moved third, pushing Rutter to fourth in a hectic opening lap. Jenny Tinmouth had a disappointing debut as she crashed out on lap two at Clervaux but at the front Hopkins was on an early charge and moved second at the Hairpin.
Byrne was leading the pack and edging out an advantage, but Kirkham was moving up the order from 16th on the grid, passing Tommy Hill for eighth after just five laps. By lap seven Hopkins was closing on race leader Byrne and on the start of the eighth lap there was disaster for the HM Plant Honda team as he was forced to retire with a technical problem. The incident bought out the Nissan GTR Safety car onto the circuit and with Byrne out it was Hopkins leading from Gary Mason, Kirkham, Glen Richards and Alex Lowes who were taking advantage of the conditions on the Evo WFR Hondas.
On lap eleven the race resumed and after the group had closed Kirkham saw his opportunity, passing Mason on the brakes into Clervaux, whilst Lowes behind repeated the same move on his team-mate Richards. Richards then dropped a further place as Loris Baz dived ahead at Hawthorn.
Kirkham then had his team-mate ahead of him and on the same lap made a move at the Jim Clark Esses to lead a BSB race for the first time. He then held off the attack from Hopkins over the final laps, despite some moments in the closing stages. Hopkins' attempt at regaining the lead came on the penultimate lap at the Chicane when he took the lead back only for Kirkham to regain the position at Tower Bend which he held to the line.
Mason had moved to third on the 13th lap after moving ahead of Lowes and Baz. Mason then held the position to take his first BSB podium for the MSS Colchester Kawasaki team, with Baz stealing fourth from Lowes in the final stages.
Stuart Easton held onto sixth on the MSS Colchester Kawasaki ahead of Peter Hickman who scored his best finish in seventh for the Tyco Honda team. Josh Brookes was eighth on the Relentless Suzuki as he worked his way up the order during the race, moving ahead of Richards in the closing stages as Tommy Bridewell rounded out the top ten.
The Swan Yamaha team had a tough opening race as Tommy Hill on wet tyres was forced to settle for 15th whilst Michael Laverty was 24th after a brief spell in pitlane during the race. It was also disappointment for Ryuichi Kiyonari, who had a similar experience as Laverty finishing 25th. Alex Lowes extended his lead in the Mirror.co.uk BSB Evo standings with his victory.
Byrne lights up race two
MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Croft Race 2:
1. Jon Kirkham (Samsung Crescent Racing)
2. John Hopkins (Samsung Crescent Racing) +2.940s
3. Gary Mason (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +3.715s
4. Loris Baz (Motorpoint Yamaha) +13.335s
5. Alex Lowes (WFR Honda) +14.699s
6. Stuart Easton (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +19.433s
7. Peter Hickman (Tyco Honda) +22.455s
8. Josh Brookes (Relentless Suzuki) +24.297s
9. Glen Richards (WFR Honda) +26.063s
10. Tommy Bridewell (Tyco Honda) +27.747s
Croft Race Two: Byrne Takes Win and Championship lead
Croft Circuit, UK, May 14th - HM Plant Honda's Shane 'Shakey' Byrne returned to the top step of the podium in the second MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship race of the day at Croft to take the lead in the overall standings by three points from John Hopkins.Byrne said: "I wish it could have been a double win here today for HM Plant Honda as I have been desperate to do a good job here this weekend. It was disappointing we had our first mechanical problem of the year in the opening race but we bounced back for the second one and I am pleased we still have the championship lead."
Gary Mason led off the line on the MSS Colchester Kawasaki from Hopkins and Byrne but the HM Plant Honda rider then took the lead at Clervaux from Mason at the start of the second lap. There was drama at the end of the opening lap as Jon Kirkham and Michael Laverty battled for positions and as the pair diced the Swan Yamaha rider looked set to try and take the position back that Kirkham has stolen earlier in the lap, but the pair collided on the exit of Sunny and both crashed out. The incident caused the Nissan GTR safety car to be deployed with the race order Byrne, Mason, John Hopkins and Michael Rutter.
Hopkins was up to second when the race resumed, passing into Clervaux as Stuart Easton was also moving up the order further down the field. Mason wasn't prepared to settle in behind Hopkins, taking the position back a lap later at the Complex as Byrne edged out at the front.
Easton had moved ahead of Michael Rutter across the line for fourth on the ninth lap to try and close in on Mason and Hopkins who were battling for second as the MSS Colchester Kawasaki of Easton then made a pass on Hopkins to move third and have his team-mate in his sights. Easton took the advantage at the Complex to move second with Mason third and Hopkins fourth as Josh Brookes closed in on the Relentless Suzuki in fifth.
Dan Linfoot was also working his way into contention but he crashed out at Tower on the eleventh lap, with Rutter lucky to miss the stricken Sorrymate.com Honda after he clipped Peter Hickman.
Hopkins could then spy a potential podium finish and he made a determined move at Tower on Mason to return to third. The MSS Colchester Kawasaki rider then came under fire from Brookes who pulled a similar move to Hopkins to move ahead of Mason on the 15th lap to move further up the order.
Byrne then held off his rivals to secure his second race win of the season with Easton in second and Hopkins third. Brookes was fourth ahead of Loris Baz and an exceptional ride from Tommy Hill in sixth. Mason dropped to seventh ahead of Rutter and Hickman and Tommy Bridewell rounded out the top ten. Ryuichi Kiyonari worked his way up the order but still was only able to finish in 15th position.
Alex Lowes was again victorious in the Mirror.co.uk BSB Evo class ahead of team-mate Glen Richards and Barry Burrell.
MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Croft Race 2:
1. Shane Byrne (HM Plant Honda)
2. Stuart Easton (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +1.887s
3. John Hopkins (Samsung Crescent Racing) +2.269s
4. Josh Brookes (Relentless Suzuki) +2.461s
5. Loris Baz (Motorpoint Yamaha) +5.517s
6. Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha) +6.094s
7. Gary Mason (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +6.748s
8. Michael Rutter (Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducati) +8.120s
9. Peter Hickman (Tyco Honda) +8.397s
10. Tommy Bridewell (Tyco Honda) +9.657s
MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship standings after Croft:
1. Shane Byrne (HM Plant Honda) 95
2. John Hopkins (Samsung Crescent Racing) 92
3. Stuart Easton (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) 89
4. Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) 59
5. Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha) 57
6. Jon Kirkham (Samsung Crescent Racing) 54
Hopkins moves up to 2nd in the BSB Championshp
Samsung Crescent Racing's John Hopkins leaves the third round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Croft second in the overall standings and just three points adrift of Shane 'Shakey' Byrne following his double podium finish.
Hopkins had been running second for the majority of the second race and in the early stages was battling with MSS Colchester Kawasaki's Gary Mason. The charging Kawasakis were able to get ahead and dropped Hopkins to fourth by lap ten but fighting his way up the order he was soon back to third and was able to maintain the position to secure his fourth consecutive podium finish although he admits he was disappointed it wasn't a victory.
Hopkins said: "I am pretty blessed and thankful for the results we have had at Croft today, to have a double podium finish is a great result and I am happy. At the same time I am disappointed, as after you have won one race you want to win every race so a podium finish is never enough. We have some good points from today and those podium credits for the Showdown later in the season so we just need to keep motoring along and give the Samsung Crescent Racing team the results we need for the championship."
FIM World Endurance Championship, Round 2 Albacete Spain
First World Endurance Championship win for the BMW S 1000 RR.
Albacete, Spain, 23rd May 2011 - BMW Motorrad can celebrate the first victory for the BMW S 1000 RR at a World Championship race. At the eight-hour race in Albacete (ESP), the second round of the 2011 FIM Endurance World Championship, the BMW Motorrad France 99 team earned its success with a dominant performance. Rider Erwan Nigon (FRA) set the tempo from the very beginning and, eight hours later, team-mate Sébastien Gimbert (FRA) brought the BMW S 1000 RR over the finish line with a lead of over half a minute. The BMW S 1000 RR can now add its first triumph in a World Championship to the countless wins and titles already achieved by customer teams in international and national championships.
With support from Munich, the BMW Motorrad France 99 team is contesting its first complete season in the FIM Endurance World Championship. Last year the team made occasional appearances, at which they were already able to establish themselves among the leaders. In the first race of the season, the team secured a podium finish at the renowned “Bol d'Or” 24-hour race in Magny-Cours (FRA). The second race, in Albacete, produced victory number one. It moves Team BMW Motorrad France 99 up to second place in the championship standings, just two points behind the leaders.
“We were expecting a good result in Albacete, but the victory exceeds all expectations,” said Team Principal Volker Scheck. “The bike was flawless throughout the entire race. I am delighted that we were able to present BMW Motorrad with the first World Championship win for the BMW S 1000 RR. It is nice to give something back after all the invaluable support.”
“To get this first victory for the team, BMW and Michelin is a great feeling. Particularly as they all worked so hard to make it possible,” explained rider Nigon. His team-mate Gimbert added: “I am delighted for the team, BMW and Michelin that we are able to celebrate our first win in the Endurance World Championship after one and a half years of hard work from all involved.”
The team, BMW Motorrad France and the BMW Motorrad customer programme are collaborating closely on this project. Among other things, Munich provides technical support and experience of competitive racing. “We are overjoyed and congratulate the team for this super performance,” said Berthold Hauser, head of “BMW Motorrad HP Race Support”. “For us, it is very special to know that we can win a World Championship race. All the top names on the scene line up here. The victory is the result of the uncomplicated and seamless cooperation between Munich, the team and BMW Motorrad France.”
The GMT 94-Yamaha Racing Ipone Team completed the eight hours of the second round of the 2011 FIM Qtel World Endurance Championship in Albacete yesterday, in second place. The YZF- R1 of David Checa, Kenny Foray and Matthieu Lagrive crossed the chequered flag, just missing out on victory by 31 seconds. Yesterday’s strong performance saw the GMT 94-Yamaha Racing Ipone Team take their first podium of the 2011 season, following a fourth place start off the grid on Saturday afternoon. Checa, Foray and Lagrive put on an impressive display of racing, battling throughout the eight hour race, regularly interchanging positions with BMW Motorrad France 99 and Suzuki Endurance Racing Team, to take home a well-earned second place on the podium. Following this weekend’s sensational performance the GMT 94 Yamaha Racing Ipone Team has jumped up from eighth position in the overall classification to third.
The series leding Suzuki Endurance Racing Team has finished third in the Albacete 8 Hours World Endurance Championship race in Spain despite being given a Stop-Go Penalty in the opening half of the race. The reigning World Champions - who currently lead the WEC Standings after two rounds - were penalised at 9.30pm last night for not switching off the lights of the GSX-R1000 Suzuki during a scheduled Pit stop, which enabled leaders and eventual winners, BMW Motorrad France 99 to increase its lead along with the Yamaha France GMT 94 squad.
SERT riders Vincent Philippe, Freddy Foray and Daisaku Sakai battled hard throughout the night session but couldn't quite catch the leaders at the 2am finish, recording a total of 305 laps; just one behind BMW and Yamaha.
The Yamaha YZF- R1 proved to be a powerful machine once again, featuring four times in the top six to complete the race. The R1 ridden by Igor Jerman, Steve Martin and Gwen Giabbani of the Monster Yamaha YART Racing Team crossed the line in fourth position, just missing out on podium following a delay due to a fuel issue mid race. They were immediately followed by Jason Pridmore, Gregg Black and Grégory Junod of Maco Racing Team taking fifth place ahead of the Yamaha YMES Folch Endurance of Dani Ribalta, Pedro Vallcaneras and Jose Manuel Luis Rita in sixth.
As well as the overall victory, the BMW S 1000 RR also claimed the class victory in the Superstock category. BMW Team Van Zon Boenig Motorsportschool won with Werner Daemen (BEL), Michal Filla (CZE) and Grégory Fastré (BEL). BMW Motorrad customer teams also celebrated success in the International German Championship (IDM) at the Nürburgring (GER) this weekend. Michael Ranseder (AUT) of Team Fritze Tuning Lietz Sport won the first race. In total, six BMW S 1000 RR riders finished in the top ten. In the second race, Freddy Papunen from Team Wilbers BMW finished third to secure another podium finish.
The team holds a two-point lead over BMW going into the third round of the series, the Suzuka 8-Hour race in Japan on July 31.
Results 8 Hour World Endurance Race Albacete
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CLASS RESULTS
POS / TEAM / RIDERS / MOTORCYCLE / LAPS / TIME
1 / BMW MOTORRAD FRANCE 99 / GIMBERT SÉBASTIEN - NIGON ERWAN - MARCHAND HUGO / BMW S1000RR / 306 / 8:01:29.512
2 / YAMAHA FRANCE GMT 94 IPONE / CHECA DAVID - FORAY KENNY - LAGRIVE MATTHIEU / YAMAHA R1 / 306 / 8:02:00.851
3 / S.E.R.T. / PHILIPPE VINCENT - FORAY FREDDY - DAISAKU SAKAI / SUZUKI GSXR 1000 / 305 / 8:02:01.128
4 / MONSTER YAMAHA - YART / JERMAN IGOR - MARTIN STEVE - GIABBANI GWEN / YAMAHA R1 / 302 / 8:02:14.330
5 / MACO RACING TEAM / PRIDMORE JASON - JUNOD GREGORY - BLACK GREGG / YAMAHA R1 / 301 / 8:02:31.643
6 / YMES FOLCH ENDURANCE / RIBALTA DANIEL - VALLCANERAS PEDRO LUIS - LUIS JOSÉ MANU / YAMAHA R1 / 299 / 8:03:14.406
7 / TEAM R2CL / CHAUSSE RAPHAEL - HEDELIN CAMILLE - BRIERE DAVID / SUZUKI GSXR 1000 / 287 / 8:01:33.414
8 / MOTOBOX KREMER BY SHELL / AGAZIELLO FRANCK - SCHERRER MARTIN - PAAVILAINEN TIMO / SUZUKI GSXR 1000 / 286 / 8:01:55.011
9 / NATIONAL MOTOS / JONCHIERE EMERIC - DE CAROLIS LUCAS - MASSON ETIENNE / HONDA CBR1000 RR / 282 / 8:02:29.811
10 / TEAM FMA ASSURANCES / BOULANGE FREDDY - MORIN MICKAEL - DUMAIN DAVID / HONDA CBR1000 RR / 279 / 8:02:24.599
11 / SLIDER ENDURANCE / LECOUTURIER MICKAEL - LE ROYER ARNAUD - SEROUX FREDERIC / YAMAHA R1 / 275 / 8:01:58.656
12 / MOTOPLANETE - RACING TEAM / FERRE JULIEN FERRE - CANCADE YANN - MECENE MICHAEL / YAMAHA R1 / 260 / 8:03:03.247
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CLASS POSITIONS TO DATE
1 SUZUKI ENDURANCE RACING TEAM 54, 2 BMW MOTORRAD FRANCE 99 52,
3 YAMAHA RACING FRANCE GMT 94 IPONE 35, 4 TEAM SRC KAWASAKI 28,
5 YMES FOLCH ENDURANCE 25, 6 NATIONAL MOTOS 22, 7 BOLLIGER TEAM SWITZERLAND 18,
8 TEAM R2CL 17, 9 MONSTER YAMAHA YART 16, 10 HONDA TT LEGENDS 15,
11 MACO RACING TEAM 13, 12 MOTOBOX KREMER BY SHELL ADVANCE 10,
13 TRT 27 CITY BIKE 10, 14 INFINI TEAM POWER BIKE 8, 15 MOTOPLANETE RACING TEAM YAM 74 8,
16 TEAM FMA ASSURANCES 7, 17 TEAM DUNLOP MOTORS EVENTS 7, 18 SLIDER ENDURANCE 6,
19 TMS RACING 4, 20 SPORT PASSION ENDURANCE 1.
SUPERSTOCK CLASS RESULTS
POS / TEAM / RIDERS / MOTORCYCLE / LAPS / TIME
1 / VAN-ZON BOENIG MOTORSPORT / DAEMEN WERNER - FASTRE GREGORY - FILLA MICHAL / BMW S1000RR / 296 / 8:01:58.000
2 / TEAM MOTORS EVENTS BODYG / GINES MATHIEU - BOCQUET VINCENT - HUMEAU EMILIEN / SUZUKI GSXR 1000 / 295 / 8:02:33.360
3 / NO LIMITS MOTOR TEAM / CASAS VICTOR - ALDROVANDI ALESSIO - TIZON ARTURO / SUZUKI GSXR 1000 / 294 / 8:02:37.168
4 / MCS RACING IPONE / PROSENIK JANEZ - SASETA RICARDO - MOLERO ANGEL / SUZUKI GSXR 1000 / 292 / 8:03:27.592
5 / ATOMIC MOTORSPORT / MUTEAU GERALD - LALEVEE MICHAEL - LUSSIANA YANN / SUZUKI GSXR 1000 / 291 / 8:02:32.670
6 / AM MOTO RACING COMPETITION / AUGER FABRICE - LOISEAU ANTHONY - DELHALLE ANTHONY / SUZUKI GSXR 1000 / 291 / 8:02:41.419
7 / TEAM ENDURANCE MOTO 45 / LAGRIVE ALEXANDRE - GANFORNINA ADRIEN - BENICHOU LEON / SUZUKI GSXR 1000 / 290 / 8:01:49.049
8 / RODI CIRCUIT ALCARRAS / SOLA OSCAR - MORENO ANTONIO - MARTINEZ ROBERTO / YAMAHA R1 / 286 / 8:01:37.264
9 / BOENIG PENZ13 RT / BÄCHLER CHRISTIAN - SEIDEL MATTI - PENZKOFER RICO / BMW S1000RR / 286 / 8:02:33.900
10 / VILTAIS RACING DIVISION / BESNARD FREDERIC - BARDET LOÏC - ROCHET CHRISTOPHE / YAMAHA R1 / 284 / 8:02:38.314
11 / RACING TEAM SARAZIN / KOKES STEPHANE - BARBACON XAVIER / KAWASAKI ZX-10R / 284 / 8:03:02.747
12 / SERBIAN RACING TEAM - DIJAM / PERISIC DRAGOSLAV - MARKOV VELISLAV - STOJANIVIC GORAN / SUZUKI GSXR 1000 / 261 / 8:02:46.583
SUPERSTOCK CLASS POSITIONS TO DATE
1 TEAM MOTORS EVENTS BODYGUARD AMT 59,
2 VAN ZON BOENIG MOTORSPORTSCHOOL PENZ13 RT 52, 3 ATOMIC MOTOSPORT 41,
4 MCS RACING IPONE 26, 5 NO LIMITS MOTOR TEAM 19, 6 MCP STARTEAM 67 18,
7 MACCIO RACING 15, 8 3D ENDURANCE MOTO CENTER 14, 9 RACING TEAM SARAZIN 14,
10 DG SPORT 13, 11 VILTAÏS RACING DIVISION 13, 12 AM MOTO RACING COMPÉTITION 12,
13 TEAM ENDURANCE MOTO 45 11, 14 MOTO 39 COMPÉTITION 11, 15 RODI CIRCUIT ALCARRAS 10,
16 BOENIG PENZ13 COM 9, 17 QATAR ENDURANCE RACING TEAM 7,
18 SERBIAN RACING TEAM DIJAMANT 5, 19 MAS 14 4, 20 TEAM R2CL PLUS 3, 21 TEAM V-RACING 1.
NEXT EVENT: ROUND 03 31 MAY JULY SUZUKA 8H, JAPAN
MV Agusta gets really serious about Superbikes! The new F4RR
When the most sophisticated chassis design is joined with the new MV short stroke engine, the result can only be an extraordinary machine. The new 2012 MV Agusta F4 RR is the perfect tool for the utmost performance. Evolved, exotic, and even further refined, the F4 RR is currently the best that technology can offer to the motorcycling world. To already refined MV Agusta F4, you add even more exotic materials, reduced 423lp dry weight, and, above all, a 201 hp four-cylinder engine which makes the F4 RR the most powerful superbike ever built. All "packaged" with the advanced design that makes the MV Agusta F4 RR unique and unmistakable.
Highlights of the new MV Agusta F4RR: Approx $33,000
• New short-stroke radial valve engine 201 hp at 13,400 rpm
• New increased bore diameter
• New primary drive
• New cylinder head
• New large-diameter titanium intake and exhaust valves
|
• New lightweight forged pistons in "aerospace RR alloy"
• New exhaust 4-2-1-4
• Close ratio gearbox
• Variable length intake runners
• Öhlins multi-adjustable 43 mm fork
• Öhlins TTX 36 rear shock
• Öhlins steering damper
• Forged aluminum wheels |
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World Superbike
goes too Russia!
Rome (Italy), Saturday 21 May 2011 - In a packed press conference yesterday at the Russian National TV centre in Moscow, Paolo Flammini, CEO of Infront Motor Sports and Alexander Yakhnich, CEO of Yakhnich Motorsport announced that a partnership agreement had been reached between the two companies.
As a result Yakhnich Motorsport becomes the organizer of the Russian Round of the FIM Superbike World Championship, and also acquires the TV and Marketing rights for the Russian market. The declared intention is to bring World Superbike to Russia already in 2012, and with this aim in mind negotiations are being held with a number of circuits currently in the process of applying for FIM homologation.
Paolo Flammini declared: "We are very satisfied with this agreement and we wish to thank Mr. Yakhnich for his warm welcome and for the truly professional work carried out by his team. Russia is one of the most important nations in the world, with a rapidly-growing economy. We think that the Superbike World Championship is the most suitable way to help develop the Russian motorcycle market, together with a plan that foresees the growth of young Russian riders on an international level in our four categories".
Alexander Yakhnich added: "We are honoured to have reached this prestigious target. Thanks to the vital support of the Russian Government, specifically the Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov, Russian motorcycling is getting ready to play host to the Superbike World Championship and in this way help the growth of the sport in our country in the best possible way".
The ceremony, which in addition was attended by Paolo Ciabatti, SBK General Manager, and Alexander Lunkin, President of the Russian Motorcycling Federation, also saw the presentation of the ‘Two Countries Cup’, the UEM-organized trophy for Italian and Russian riders with ‘Open Stock 600’ bikes, the two rounds of which will be held at Misano on 12 June as part of the San Marino Round of the Superbike World Championship, and at the new Canyon circuit in Kazan (Russia) on 21 August.
Canyon Circuit Website:
Canyon-Racing.RU
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Pre Miller World Superbike Test boosts Castrol Honda's US hopes
Tuesday 24 May 2011 -The Castrol Honda World Superbike team has completed a two-day test at Miller Motorsport Park near Salt Lake City in the USA ahead of this weekend’s fifth round of the 2011 World Superbike championship.
The team nominated the 4.907km circuit as its test track for the 2011 season and riders Jonathan Rea and Ruben Xaus used the test over Sunday and Monday to test new parts for their CBR1000RR machines, including a new swingarm and suspension components.
The test was affected by bad weather over Utah, which restricted the number of dry laps and left the Miller circuit dirty and lacking in grip. Despite the conditions, the Castrol Honda team was able to make progress in machine set-up and will now complete its preparations for the weekend’s racing.
The fifth round of the 2011 World SBK series will take place at Miller on Monday 30 May, which is Memorial Day in the USA and a public holiday. The two World Superbike races will be supported by round three of the AMA Pro National Guard Superbike championship at the circuit which lies 56km to the west of Salt Lake City, state capital of Utah.
Jonathan Rea -110 laps - We nominated Miller as our test track this year because last season we really struggled with bike set-up. I really enjoy riding here in America but the bumpy nature of the track makes it very difficult to find the optimum settings for the bike. My team have pulled out all the stops though, and we had a lot of new items to test. The weather wasn’t on our side, so the track conditions were pretty dirty out there. I found a better feeling for corner entry with a new swing-arm and this really helped the feeling when the tyre life starts to drop. I also had some new suspension items to test and, while we found some positives, it will take more time to get it dialled in properly. We are in much better shape now to start the weekend and as always we will do our best.
Ruben Xaus - 112 Laps- We know that Miller has some difficult features because it’s very bumpy due to a lot of cars using this track. We experienced a lot of chatter on the first day which we struggled to find a solution for. I tried to adapt my riding style a little to improve the lap times but unfortunately had a small crash in the afternoon which stopped our progress. The morning of the second day we worked hard to improve the set-up and lap times in between some pretty bad weather conditions and in the end found something better. We tried a new brake system and a softer chassis which made a really positive step forward, as well as helping me find a longer life for the tyres, which is really important for this track. I'm pleased to say that I finally found a good base set-up for the race weekend so hopefully I can help to push the whole team forward.
Ronald Ten Kate – team manager: We brought a lot of new parts to this test which included a complete new swing-arm and different front forks. In the few dry hours we had over the two days we set them up as best we could and everything was quite positive. However we really needed more time to test on longer runs to get a precise set-up and fast lap time. It's really a pity the weather was what it was, however we can take the progress made from this test into the race weekend without any hesitations, as the new parts were simply a lot better. Despite the weather and restricted track time, I'm still positive about the overall results of the test and we look forward to Saturday’s first practice session.
2011 World Superbike Championship, round five, Miller Motorsports Park, USA (GMT -7hrs) – schedule (local times):
Saturday 28 May
11.30 Free practice (60 min)
15.30 Qualif. Prc 1(60 min)
Sunday 29 May
10.45 Qualify Prac 2 (45 min)
13.45 Free Practice (45 min)
15.00 Superpole 1 (14 min)
15.21 Superpole 2 (12 min)
15.40 Superpole 3 (10 min)
1.
Monday 30 May
09.20 Warm-up (15 min)
12.00 Race 1 (21 laps – 103.047km)
15.30 Race 2 (21 laps – 103.047km)
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High Speed - the Movie
The best motorcyce racing movie ever made! Filmed on location at the World Superbike races , this an exciting romantic drama staring beautiful British actress Sienna Miller.
We go Monster with Josh Hayes and Yamaha USA!
May 25th - Fast Dates Calendar photographer Jim Gianatsis, besides hs usual photo shoot on Saturday at Miller BigM Weekend with all the factory World Superbike teams for next year's Calendar, will be stopping by the Yamaha U.S.A. team transporter in the race paddock on Sunday to photograph reigning 2010 AMA National Superbike Champion and current 2011 season points leader Josh Hayesand his his Graves Yamaha R1 Superbike. Calendar Kitten Taylor Gunnin might have to spectate for this particular shoot as the Monster Energy girls, with Monster as the team's sponsor, will be the models for this shoot.
Jim shares a long term friendship with Yamaha Racing Manager Keith McCarty and Roadrace Manager Tom Halverson, having traveled the AMA National motocross circuit with them back in the 1970s when Jim was editor of Cycle News, and Keith turnd the wrenches o the bikes of Tony DiStefano and Bob Hannah. While the Champ Josh hails from the Gulf Coast's Gulfport / Biloxi area, Mississippi, also Jim's hometown during those early years. Jim grew up racing motocross on the Coast and with close friend and another local, Gina Prichard, who later became Josh's personal manager. While Keith and the factory motocross teams use to stop at Jim's house, mid-way between Daytona and Los Angeles on the National MX circuit, to rebuild their team bikes on the front lawn of Jim's house.
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Doug Polen - National- and world-champion roadracer to join Motorcycle Hall of Fame
PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The Motorcycle Hall of Fame is pleased to announce that Doug Polen, a dominant national and world champion roadracer in the late 1980s and early 1990s, will be inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame as part of the 2011 American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Legends & Champions Weekend at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas, Nev., Nov. 18-20.
"Any fan of motorcycle roadracing will remember Doug's amazing -- and dominating -- championship runs on the AMA and World Superbike stages," said Don Rosene, a member of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation Board of Directors, which raises money for the Hall of Fame. "At a time when the series saw plenty of fast competitors, Doug was clearly the fastest. And he's still on the track, racing, teaching and promoting motorcycles and motorcycling."
Polen had a series of strong winning performances in motorcycle roadracing in the United States and abroad, including winning the Suzuki GSX-R National Cup Championship Series 750cc title in 1986 and 17 of 26 races in the World Superbike Championship Series in 1991, earning the World Superbike title by 150 points. He also was the Japan Formula 1 and Formula 3 National Champion in 1989, AMA 600cc Supersport Champion in 1987 and 1988, AMA 750cc Supersport Champion in 1988, World Superbike Champion in 1992, AMA Superbike Champion in 1993 and World Endurance Champion in 1997 and 1998.
Polen remains active in motorcycling today, running his Doug Polen's 1 on 1 Riding School (GoPolen.com), featuring radio communications with students during track sessions.
Polen said he was humbled by the honor.
"The thing is that you ride and you race, and when you're doing it, you're doing it to have fun and be competitive against other people, but also to try and make a mark and have something you can look back on and be proud of," Polen said. "This is kind of like putting a stamp of approval, so to speak, on my career, and I take it as a very flattering thing."
Polen joins Cycle magazine editor Phil Schilling and Parts Unlimited founder Fred Fox as announced members of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2011. The rest of the 2011 inductees will be announced in random order in coming days.
The Class of 2011 will officially be inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame on Nov. 18 as part of the AMA Legends & Champions Weekend. In addition to the induction ceremony, the weekend includes the 2011 Motorcycle Hall of Fame Concours d'Elegance on Saturday, Nov. 19, featuring some of the country's most impressive original and restored classic motorcycles. The AMA Racing Championship Banquet closes out the weekend on Sunday, Nov. 20, where AMA Racing amateur champions of all ages will be recognized for their 2011 accomplishments.
Phil Schilling
Cycle magazine editor, race tuner headed for Motorcycle Hall of Fame
PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The Motorcycle Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the first member of the class of 2011: Phil Schilling, one of motorcycling's most accomplished journalists and an expert race tuner who set the early mark for Ducati's on-track success in America. Schilling, who led the editorial department of Cycle magazine for nearly 20 years, will be honored at the 2011 induction ceremony as part of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Legends & Champions Weekend at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas, Nev., Nov. 18-20.
"Phil Schilling was many things in motorcycling, but above all he was a pillar of journalistic integrity and an industry pioneer in editorial innovation," said Jeffrey V. Heininger, chairman of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, which raises money for the Hall of Fame. "We're honored to welcome him as the first member of the 2011 class of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame."
Schilling was teaching at the University of Wisconsin when Hall of Famer Cook Neilson asked him to become managing editor of Cycle. Schilling and Neilson developed Cycle into the gold standard of motorcycle periodicals in the 1970s. Neilson, inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006, says Schilling's influence touched all those who worked there during Schilling's tenure.
"Phil Schilling joined Cycle magazine in 1970, and for 18 years -- nine as editor-in-chief -- served as our magazine's foundation and its conscience," Neilson said. "During that rich and extraordinary two-decade span, when Cycle grew to be the largest-circulation motorcycle magazine on the planet, Phil found time to teach young racers how to race, and young writers how to write. He provided the racers with wisdom, patience and fast equipment, and the writers with fluency and grace and perspective. Often the racers and the writers were the same people.
"To this day, Phil remains motor journalism's finest editor, and its finest writer," Neilson added. "I've known him now for more than 40 years. He's been my best friend through all of it. I know he's honored to join the Hall of Fame. All those whose lives Phil has touched -- riders, racers, writers, readers -- should feel honored too."
Schilling and Neilson were not just successful at the editor's desk. In 1977, they entered a Ducati in the Superbike race during Daytona's Bike Week and gave Ducati its first AMA Superbike win in the United States.
"My reaction to my induction is one of amazement," Schilling said. "I never thought I would be considered for this type of honor. I feel like there are a lot of other people who are more deserving. While the Neilson and Schilling era of Cycle magazine is something I'm really proud of, I'm also very proud of the people we worked with and who became the next generation of Cycle magazine editors and continued to improve the publication."
Schilling is the first announced member of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2011. The rest of the 2011 inductees will be announced in random order over the next few weeks.
The Class of 2011 will officially be inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame on Nov. 18 as part of the AMA Legends & Champions Weekend. In addition to the induction ceremony, the weekend includes the 2011 Motorcycle Hall of Fame Concours d'Elegance on Saturday, Nov. 19, featuring some of the country's most impressive original and restored classic motorcycles. The AMA Racing Championship Banquet closes out the weekend on Sunday, Nov. 20, where AMA Racing amateur champions of all ages will be recognized for their 2011 accomplishments.
Tickets for the AMA Legends & Champions weekend in Las Vegas
are now available through this online registration form: HERE. Tickets may be ordered over the phone by calling (800) 262-5646.
The AMA Legends & Champions Weekend also includes the final round of the GEICO AMA EnduroCross National Championship Series on Saturday evening, Nov. 19. EnduroCross tickets are available at www.orleansarena.com/event-calendar/endurocross or by phone at (702) 284-7777 or (888) 234-2334.
The AMA Legends & Champions Weekend will be held at the Las Vegas Red Rock Resort, a world-class spa, hotel and casino, featuring a range of entertainment, dining and family-friendly attractions. The facility's expansive ballrooms provide a stunning backdrop for the AMA Legends & Champions Weekend, which is certain to be memorable for the 2011 inductees, champions, families, friends and fans. Room reservations are available now at a special group rate by calling (866) 767-7773 and referencing group AMA or AMERICANMOTO. Online room reservations are available at RedRockLasVegas.com. For online reservations, use the promo code RCIMOTR.
More information about the Motorcycle Hall of Fame can be found at MotorcycleMuseum.org.
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