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New Ducati
1098 Street Figher to Preimer Next Month!
Oct 9th - Ducati will present an all-new naked model featuring the engine in the current 1098 Superbike at the EICMA show this November.

The 2009 Ducati Street Fighter has already been presented last week to authorized dealers under a strict confidentiality regime and despite all previous controversy, it is now a fact that its price will hire it just between next year’s Monster 1100 and the current Ducati 1098 Superbike models.

A future fierce competitor for the MV Agusta Brutale, Aprilia Tuono and the Benelli TNT, the Ducati Fighter is yet another great way of exploiting the mighty 1099cc water cooled V-Twin powering the Ducati 1098 though it is expected that the engine will be retuned for low-and-mid rpm fun. Also, the gearbox is expected to undergo the same treatment.

Apart from the engine, the Ducati 1098 will also donate the frame and rear end to this future naked cousin, but no more as the Ducati Fighter drifts away from the super sports bike by featuring a shotgun-style exhaust.

If the 160hp Testrastetta Engine in the 1098 Street Fighter looks anthing like the Hypermoto, and is priced less than the $1595 base Superbike, Ducati is sure to have a hit on its hands. Our only concern is that we shreaded the180 rear tire on our 95hp Hypermoto S in just 1,500 miles, so imagine what another 70 some horsepower with a DucatiPerformance Exhaust and ECU exhaust will do!

Look for complete details and photos from the EICMA show on the 3rd or 4th of November.

2009 Ducati Superbike gets gets bigger 1198cc engine, more power
As was inevitable,FastDates.com have also learned that Ducati will be upping the 1098’s Superbike's capacity to 1198cc for 2009. In keeping with the 1200cc World Superbike V-twin capacity limit. The curent Ducati 1098R08 already displaces 1198cc, so we expect to see a version of its engine used in the 2009 Ducati 1198, but in a lower state of tune without the exotic Titanium rods and valves. An educated guess would put the 1198’s power output halfway between the 1098’s 160bhp and the 1098R’s 180bhp.

Update: More information on power, weight and pricing follows the jump.
Our source has just confirmed that the 1198 will have 170bhp. While the base 1198 receives a $500 price bump (to $16,495 in the US), the 1198S will remain the same at $20,995 (US). We've also learned that 1198 will be lighter than the outgoing 1098 and may receive a facelift.

There’s no word on the 1098R’s performance-oriented traction control trickling down to lesser models. But that’s not all Ducati has in store for 2009.

It looks like that $500 price increase will be carried over to most bikes in Ducati's range, including the 848, which receives no other significant changes.

Ducati Super Hypermoto?
The same source also says to expect two versions of the 2009 Ducati Monster 1100, the regular 1100 and an S with Öhlins suspension. There's also an all-new model that, “is a cross between a Tuono, Brutale and fits between Monster and Hypermotard.” It will be powered by the outgoing water-cooled 1099cc engine from the 1098, but with a smaller airbox that means less power and shotgun-style dual exhausts mounted on one side.

Let’s see, assuming a 2009 Ducati 1198S will join the non-lettered 1198, that checks five off the list of the 10 new models Ducati says it will unveil by 2010. The capacity increase and name change is in keeping with Ducati’s long history of gradual engine updates based on Superbike developments. Think 916, 996, 996R, 998 etc.

United States Superbike Championship UpDate -
Stalled or Stillborn?
Oct 1st- The Motorcycle Industry Council's (MIC) announcement last month to move ahead with a distributor supported professional Superbike Championship (USSB) as an alternative to the amateur class focused Daytona Motorsports Group / AMA Series, seems stalled at the moment. We put in a phone cal to the MIC this week and were told that nothing had yet taken place, anyone sending in resumes for a position with the USSB were having them stacked in a folder, and there was no time schedule to move forward with producing the series and hiring a team leader or staff for 2009.

At closer look this may be a bigger project than MIC President Tim Buche realized in trying to produce the USSB Championship in time for the 2009 season for a number of reasons:

Without a strong central figure - a so called "Racing Czar" to set up and manage the Series, with that person having a motiation (piece of the action) for success including ownership of the Series and earning himself a profit from it, it just might be dead in the water. Would MIC President Buche, who is certainly on a fixed income with no growth or profit potential, be willing to hire under contract a Racing Czar to produce the series and make it a success. What is that "Racing Czar" or possible "Marketing Director" of the Series brings in a major title sponsor, like say Coca-Cola for $5 million dollars, would they be able to pocket a 20% / $1 million dollar sales commission? Probably not, particularly if the MIC President who proposed and plans to set up the Series is drawing a regular pay check....

Another problem is the U.S. Motorcycle Importers remain strongly aligned to the AMA as the largest enthusiast based motorcycle organization in America, as well as for working united in facing the US government in Washington. And not to forget the AMA (and now its selected professional roadracing organization the DMG) are the official U.S. endorsed body of the Federation International de Motorcycle (FIM).
Having a competing organization, the USSB, running under FIM rules as are need for future success and to be more closely ties to SBK World Superbike, could be a political nightmare. How can wild card riders and teams in USSB compete in World Superbike events in the USA which would be sanctioned by the AMA/DMG?

And now, with the competing USSB Championship on the table and a possible reality, the DMG may be closer to capitulating and adopting the FIM Superbike and Supersport classes which the USSB and distributor race teams want. The distributors would rather their race teams stay with the AMA if possible, than start afresh with a new series. And that might be why progress seems to be stalled at present in forming the USSB.

For the moment the USSB remains a pie-in-the-sky fantasy with not much hope for success. It looks to be muddled in a quagmire - much like the AMA Championship before it - with no true direction, no strong leader with a piece of the pie to motivate him, and too much distributor involvement in its organization and politics to be a commercial success. Much like the AMA which allowed professional racing in America to fail.

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FGSport Bans Electronic Suspension for 2009
Confirmed last week at Magny-Cours, FGS Sport has announced that electonic suspension will be banned iin Word Superbike beginning in 2009. Ohins has been running electronic suspension on Noriuki Haga's factory Yamaha R1 and it is working very well. Electronic suspension might even be found on future production bikes. But at this point in time the prototype Ohlins race systems are very expensive and not available to everyone. The regualr piggyback resevoir Ohlins Superbike forks seen on many of the factory superbikes sell for $11,000 each.

It should notd that electronic suspension and traction control were outlawed in Formula One car racing starting this year 2008 to return more of the driving skill back to the drivers themselves, and not the cars' computer. Now the drivers getto lock up their brakescoming into corners again, and get sideways co ingout, makingthe racing much more exciting to watch.

Remember when MotoGP and World Superbikes use to get sideways, particularly in incredible high speed corner's like the Parabolica at Monza?

MotoGP Moves to Single Tire Brand Rule for 2009
FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix
Change to the Regulations
For safety and cost reasons, the Grand Prix Commission, composed of Messrs. Carmelo Ezpeleta (Dorna, Chairman), Claude Danis (FIM), HervÈ Poncharal (IRTA) and Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA), in the presence of M. Paul Butler (Secretary of the meeting), in a meeting held today at the circuit of Motegi, unanimously decided to introduce the following change to the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix Regulations.

MotoGP Class
The Grand Prix Commission has decided unanimously that there will be a single tyre supplier for the MotoGP class as from 2009. Proposals to supply the tyres must be handed to the FIM and Dorna by October 3rd at the latest. The final decision will be announced by the GP Commission by October 18th at the latest.

Michelin Release 9/28- The decision to move to a single tire supplier for the 2009 MotoGP World Championship is a major change to the regulations of a series that was created in 1949.

Michelin notes with interest the reasons given by the governors of this sport to which Michelin remains very committed after many years of involvement.

Michelin is examining the opportunities offered by these new regulations and will make an announcement in the next few days as to whether or not the company will tender to supply tires to the premier-class championship that Michelin has won on 26 occasions since 1973.

Michelin Will Not Bid
For MotoGP Tire Contract
Michelin Press Release, Paris - Oct 4th - Michelin has decided not to submit a bid to the governing body of the MotoGP World Championship. At the same time, Michelin regrets not being able to contribute to the organizers' important discussions to improve rider safety and reduce costs.

The spirit of competition has always been central to Michelin. Motor sports at the highest level are useful because competition among several tire manufacturers is a valuable stimulus for developing increasingly high-performance tires that will one day equip customer vehicles. Tires play a key role in a vehicle's performance and can make a considerable difference. This competition among manufacturers helps to make racing exciting.

The radial tire, which was invented by Michelin, has been improved through racing, and the improvements have since been passed on to consumers. Michelin's dual compound technology for motorcycle tires was first tested in MotoGP racing and is today integrated into premium products for the brand's customers. The MotoGP Championship organizers have decided to use a single tire supplier for the coming seasons, which effectively eliminates the competitive environment that has led to so much progress.

The R&D resources allocated for MotoGP racing will be redeployed to support innovation, which is at the heart of Michelin's customer-focused strategy.

Ben Spies signs with Yamaha World Superbike for 2009
01/10/2008 - American racing sensation Ben Spies has signed up to the Yamaha factory World Superbike Team to partner 23 yr old British rider Tom Sykes for the 2009 season. The 24yr old American rider from Dallas is fresh from a record third championship win in a row, taking the AMA Superbike Championship crown again for 2008. Spies is only the fourth rider in the history of AMA Superbike to win three consecutive titles and 3rd on the all-time AMA Superbike wins list with a total of 28 AMA Superbike wins. This now completes the Yamaha World Superbike team for 2009.

Spies has been racing and winning in the AMA Superbike Championship since 2005, and has an unrivalled 90% podium finish rate for racing, the highest for any AMA rider in the history of the championship. He took second place in his rookie year followed by the three successive championship wins. Prior to this he had a three year stint in the AMA Supersport Championship,. Spies turned pro in 2000, racing in the AMA Superstock Championship for two years before joining AMA Supersport in 2002.

Spies has also ridden in MotoGP in 2008, starting in place of injured Loris Capirossi at the British GP, finishing 14th place scoring his first MotoGP points. He had a further 2 wildcard outings, achieving 8th at Laguna Seca and an even more impressive 6th at Indianapolis.

“I’m very excited about joining Yamaha in World Superbike,” Spies said. “This is a positive step for the direction of my career. I’ll have a great opportunity to race on many of the top road racing circuits in the world. Riding with a company as passionate about racing as Yamaha is going to put me in a good position to contest for a world championship right from the start.”

“Superbike racing originated in America, but it’s been a while since we’ve had an American world champion. There’s a great tradition of American riders in World Superbike and I hope to put my name alongside great champions like Fred Merkel, Doug Polen, Scott Russell, John Kocinski and Colin Edwards. “

“After considering my offers it became obvious to me that Yamaha would be a great home. Yamaha was excited about the possibility of me joining them and they just made me feel like I was coming into a great family. You look at how Yamaha treats its riders and how, even after their careers are over, they’re always part of the Yamaha family. That was really important to me. I’m looking forward to the challenge at hand and to work with Yamaha to produce a winning team and ultimately a World Superbike Championship.”

Massimo Meregalli (Yamaha’s factory Superbike Team Manager) – “We’re really enthusiastic to have signed Ben Spies for the 2009 team. He’s proved to be a very skilful and successful rider in AMA Superbike, he has been one of the riders we have followed closely this year. We are sure he will be a great combination with Tom Sykes, the team are looking forward to starting with them both next year. There will be a lot to learn with new circuits and new bikes but we also have new motivation as a fresh team and will give 200% to help the riders win in 2009. ”

“We’re very excited to have Ben join the team” said Yamaha Motor Europe Racing Division Manager Laurens Klein Koerkamp. “He’s proved to be a top rider with his AMA titles and recent rides in MotoGP, we believe he’s got a long future ahead of him at the highest levels in motorcycle racing.

Complete Coverage!
2008 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show & Calendar Girl Music
Festival Weekend!
$86,000 Bike Building Championship
World Record Dyno Shootout!
Calendar Girl Music Festival

Troy's Story
The story of 2-Time World Superbike Champion Troy Bayliss narrated by Ewan McGreggor

High Speed - the Movie
The best motorcyce racing movie ever made! Filmed on location at World Superbike, this an exciting romantic drama staring beautiful actress Sienna Miller.

Mike di Meglio- 2008 125cc World Champion
Australian Grand Prix - Sunday 5th Oct.r 2008 - After coming to the attention of the French Motorcycle Federation in the 2002 Prix de l’Avenir, Mike di Meglio was invited to take a trial with the Liegois team in Carole, with whom he took part in a Spanish Championship race.

He made the most of his opportunity, finishing third in the race and looking at a move up to the international stage. The French youngster turned 15 on the eve of the first test of the 2003 season and made his 125cc World Championship debut that year on an Aprilia. He found the going tough in his first season, crashing several times and not achieving results of any note.

In 2004 he was recruited by Gino Borsoi to represent Globet.com Racing but had an inconsistent campaign, before stepping up a notch with the same team the following year, onboard a Honda, to win his first ever Grand Prix in Turkey in the penultimate race of the season. Di Meglio would have to wait four years to add to his win tally.

After a disappointing year for the French Motorcycle Federation team in 2005- in which he finished in 25th position after picking up just eight points all year- Di Meglio moved to the Team Scot Honda outfit for 2007, with the highlight of his year a fourth place in Japan.

On board a factory Derbi machine in 2008, for the Ajo Motorsport team, Di Meglio has enjoyed the fruits of his labours on competitive machinery. Three race victories and the most consistent results in the class have made the Frenchman one of the stars of the series this year, and have elevated him above his rivals in the hotly-contested category.

Injured Stoner to see out the Season in order to test new Ducati GP9
Monday, 06 October 2008
The need to test the Ducati Desmosedici GP9 at Valencia is Casey Stoner´s main motivation for not undergoing immediate surgery on his left wrist.

The winner of his home race in Australia for the second consecutive year, despite a scaphoid injury in need of urgent surgery, 2007 World Champion Casey Stoner admits that the only reason for his continuation of the current season is the necessity of testing the Ducati Desmosedici GP9 at the post-race test in Valencia.

Currently ahead in the battle for second place in the 2008 campaign, Stoner has been riding through the pain barrier and at less than peak fitness. With the title already awarded to Valentino Rossi and the long recuperation period required post-operation, the option to miss the final races of the season was considered by the rider and his team, but the need to shape the direction of the 2009 bike´s development is motivating Stoner´s decision to ride out the year.

`(the Valencia test) is the only reason that we are continuing with the season´ says Stoner, who previously rode the GP9 at a post-race test held in Catalunya.

`We need to test that bike again, because there is going to be a three month period in which I can´t test, and the technicians will need as much information as they can get. If I´m going to ride after the race at Valencia then I may as well take part in these last two races. If it gets impossible to ride then we´ll stop and get the operation, but right now it looks like we can finish the season.´

Stoner is wary of the demands of the next track on the calendar, Sepang in Malaysia, with its intense heat creating added difficulty for those unable to compete at 100%. Whilst training has been difficult for the reigning titlist, he will be trying all that he can to reach race form, as he did to get around the pain involved in braking at Phillip Island.

The prospect of a spell on the sidelines has also left the Ducati rider in reflective mood, although no less competitive-minded.
`We´ve got two races to go, and things need to go right for us to confirm second place in the World Championship. I´ve been thinking a lot lately, and to have second place by your name in this championship is something to look back and be proud of when you´ve retired. We´re making the best of my career, and I think that we can be back fighting for the title next year,´ philosophised Stoner.

Watanabe parts from Crescent Suzuki in BSB
07/10/08 - CRESCENT, the organisation behind the official Suzuki British Superbike team, has confirmed that 2008 Superbike racer Atsushi Watanabe will not be retained for the 2009 season.

Atsu joined the Crescent operated Rizla Suzuki squad for the 2008 BSB season and has enjoyed a fruitful season learning the British circuits under the guidance of one of the best teams. He has enjoyed varying degrees of success with a best result of 7th in the second race at Cadwell Park in August. On top of this, he finished runner-up in the prestigious Suzuka 8-hour event in Japan.

Atsu will move to the Relentless by TAS Suzuki squad for 2009, spearheading its challenge in the British Superbike Championship.

Atsu said: “I am very grateful to Crescent for bringing me to the British Superbike series. I have learnt much this year that I hope I will be able to use to get good results next season. I am very happy to be staying with Suzuki and in BSB in 2009.”

Crescent Team Manager Jack Valentine said: “Atsu is one of the nicest people I have ever met but unfortunately he will not be racing for our team in 2009. I am pleased to say that he will remain within the Suzuki family however and in British Superbikes. The whole team thanks him for his efforts and wishes him the very best for the future.”

Atsu will race alongside Tom Sykes in the Rizla Suzuki team at the final round of the 2008 British Superbike season at Brands Hatch Indy circuit in Kent this weekend.

For more information on the Crescent operated official Suzuki BSB team, visit www.rizla-suzuki.co.uk.

Suzuki committed to BSB success in 2009 with signing of MotoGP Rider Sylvain Guintoli
11/10/08 - MotoGP star Sylvain Guintoli will be going for Championship glory with Suzuki’s official team, run by Crescent, in British Superbikes in 2009 – and the team is confident its new signing will be able to challenge at the front right from the start.

Frenchman Guintoli, from Romans in France, now living with his wife Caroline and daughters Alicia (3-years) and Layla (6-months) near Market Bosworth in England, has been one of the most promising new stars in MotoGP racing over the last two seasons, scoring a best result of fourth at the 2007 Motegi GP. Now the 26-year-old is turning his considerable talent to winning the BSB Championship.

Suzuki BSB Team Manager Jack Valentine is delighted to have secured the services of one of the world’s top riders. He said: “Sylvain brings MotoGP class to Suzuki and British Superbikes and I think he will be a race and Championship contender. He has real pedigree as his efforts in MotoGP have proved over the last two years, the sort of determination to succeed that matches the team’s ambitions and one of the best Superbikes in the world at his disposal in the Crescent developed Suzuki GSX-R1000.

“This signing means Suzuki will be fighting for top honours in BSB 2009. We will be putting a full test and development programme in place for Sylvan and no stone will be left unturned in our efforts to win.

“Sylvain will make his debut appearance for the team at the Suzuki stand at the NEC Show in late November and he is already excited to meet the public and fans. He is a breath of fresh air to the team and one that we have utmost confidence in for success in 2009.”

Suzuki GB Marketing Manager George Cheeseman said: “It is fantastic news that Sylvan has chosen to ride for Suzuki’s official British Superbike team – it is credit to the team and the BSB series that it can attract such an international talent.

“Suzuki is absolutely committed to success on the race track and this signing proves how serious we are at getting back the BSB title we won in 2004. Sylvan will have the all new GSX-R1000 at his disposal and together I think they will make a fantastic partnership and one that will lead from the front.