Morning Reads: Saturday, 19 April 2008 – Weekend Reader

[Mika]

Today’s Birthdays / Calendar ( http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/calendar.php?do=getday&day=2008-04-19&sb=1)

http://www.castlecops.com/zx/Prince_Serendip/Happy%20Birthday%20Colors.jpg


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http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/237644958_UjRoH-XL.jpg


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Our Gang- “Spooky Hooky” ( http://youtube.com/watch?v=kTCCs-7aypQ)


http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/237639558_zhiCC-XL.jpg


Bloomberg.com (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aC6Wg0q3lpQo&refer=home)
Harley net falls 2.5% on U. S. sales ; job cuts planned


I don’t normally report motorcycle accidents, until now.
jalopnik.com ( http://jalopnik.com/381238/schumacher-falls-off-triumph-motorcycle-in-france-goes-boom)
Schumi falls off his Triumph racing in France.
I am a fan of Michael Schumacher. So why does this make me snicker?


motorcycle-usa.com ( http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=6255&Page=1)
2008 Triumph Speed Triple – First Ride


Or if you don’t want a factory Triumph how about this?
thekneeslider.com ( http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2008/04/16/roger-allmond-triumph-rocket-3-custom-finished/)
Roger Allmond Triumph Rocket 3 Custom finished


bikervoodoo.com ( http://www.bikervoodoo.com/2008/04/17/british-motorcycle-industry-holds-up-well/)
British motorcycle industry holds up well


bikernewsonline.com ( http://www.bikernewsonline.com/2008/04/motorcycle-interest-increased-48.htm)
Motorcycle interest increased 48% - NADA statistics but sales still lag


bikernewsonline.com ( http://www.bikernewsonline.com/2008/04/egypt-has-tough-driving-laws.htm)
Egypt has tough driving laws


onewheeldrive.net ( http://onewheeldrive.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=791&Itemid=120)
2007 BMW R1200R – Bloody Gouts of Tourqe


motorcyclenews.com ( http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/searchresults/Bike-Reviews/BMW/BMW-F800GS-2008-current/?R=EPI-99919)
BMW F800GS – Review


motorcyclistonline.com ( http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/newsandupdates/122_0804_bmw_r_1150_gs_adventure/index.html)
BMW R1150 GS Adventure – Miles for Smiles


motorcyclist-online.com ( http://www.motorcyclists-online.com/o1_824_Road-test--2008-Yamaha-XT660Z-Tenere-launch---The-nomadic-Yamaha-is-back-.html)
Road test: 2008 Yamaha XT660Z Tenere launch – The nomadic Yamaha is back! [Just not in the US


motorcyclenews.com ( http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/searchresults/Bike-Reviews/KTM/KTM-690-Duke-2008-current/?&R=EPI-99920)
KTM 690 Duke – Review


motorcyclenews.com ( http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/mcn/2008/april/14-20/apr1808volkswagenmaybuybikemanufacturer/?R=EPI-99931)
VW to become motorcycle manufacturer?


Check this out, incredible!
thevintagent.com ( http://thevintagent.blogspot.com/2008/04/scale-model-velocette.html)
Scale model Velocette

Then there is this full sized beauty.

http://www.duccutters.com/MichaelCecchini-900caferacer/bike24_0.jpg
From: duccutters.com ( http://www.duccutters.com/MichaelCecchini-900caferacer.tpl)
900 Café Racer


motorcycleclassics.com ( http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/2008-05-01/Gear-Driven/Six-Retro-Helmets-For-Your-Old-School-Noggin.aspx)
Six retro helmets for your old-school-noggin


world.honda.com ( http://world.honda.com/news/2008/c080414Motorcycle-Plant-Kumamoto-Factory/)
New Honda motorcycle plant at Kumamoto factory begins operation


highviz.org ( http://www.highviz.org/)
Why go high-viz?


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Still not coming to the US where it would help sales.

[Mika]

http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/238399886_yMrQt-XL.jpg


lemans.org ( http://www.lemans.org/24heuresmoto/live/pages/accueil_gb.html)
The official site of 24 Hours of Le Mans – Moto

lemans.org ( http://www.lemans.org/24heuresmoto/live/pages/engages_gb.html)
List of Competitors


http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/146579172_HTtdU-M.jpg


fimendurance.com ( http://www.fimendurance.com/article.php?id=151)
Yamaha France GMT 94 dominates free practice.


fimendurance.com ( http://www.fimendurance.com/article.php?id=153)
First qualifying at the 24 Hours of Le Mans

fimendurance.com ( http://www.fimendurance.com/article.php?id=154)
Starting grid of the 24 Hours of Le Mans


Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport steady in difficult conditions.

The first qualifying session for this year’s Le Mans 24 hours took place in tricky conditions, so all BMW Motorrad Motorsport riders took things steadily rather then risk crashing. For most of qualifying the track was either wet or wet and dry and a dry line was hard to find. Belgian Stéphane Mertens celebrated his return to race action by posting the team’s fastest time, with Briton Richard Cooper close behind.

Stéphane Mertens - 1:44.930
I feel much more comfortable on the bike now compared to when we tested here two weeks ago and now I am much more ready to race. I just needed to put in the laps to improve my feel and confidence with the bike and today has done that for me. Conditions were not all that good today and the qualifying was a bit wet. It was a bit strange because I could see the rain on my visor , but the track felt mostly OK. But I didn’t want to risk anything at this stage, so I took it fairly steady. I feel very happy at the moment and glad to be back racing. I am enjoying myself again and looking forward to the race.

Richard Cooper - 1:44.984
The qualifying started just about OK, but then it deteriorated and ended with a fine drizzle which made life interesting on the track. Of our trio, I probably got the best conditions, but it didn’t last long. I took things fairly cautiously this afternoon because it would not have been too clever to push harder and crash. The forecast is for rain and that will be new territory for me as I have never ridden in the rain in the dark before! If it’s wet in the night practice, I will be putting on two sets of knee sliders. My legs are pretty small and our bike is a bit tall, so the only way I’ll be able to feel the wet track is by getting my knees down.

Berti Hauser (Director of BMW Motorrad Motorsport)
It has been a very difficult qualifying because of the mixed conditions. It was important to be safe for the grid and all our riders rode sensibly and used their heads. I am really surprised at Stéphane’s comeback. He did a qualifying time that surprised us - and maybe himself also! After missing last year, it’s good that he is able to get back into the groove so easily and already he is looking happy on the bike.

http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/281466370_Q9MCM-L.jpg

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http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/281468200_Kzai6-L.jpg


motorcyclenews.com ( http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresults/mcn/2008/april/14-20/apr1808newamasuperbikeownersrevampseries/?R=EPI-99930)
New AMA Superbike owners revamp series


autoracingdaily.com ( http://www.autoracingdaily.com/article/i-basically-want-to-break-every-record-thats-been-setama-superbike-champion/)
“I basically want to break every record that’s been set” AMA Superbike Champion Ben Spies


Stunt Wars 2008 – Highlights

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http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/237905512-XL.jpg


BMW Sauber F1 (http://www.bmw-sauber-f1.com/en/index.html)


BMW Motorsport (http://bmw-motorsport.com/ms/en/index.html)


autoweek.com (http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080415/FREE/478951709/1024/rss02&rssfeed=rss02)
Indy probably won’t use MotoGP layout if F1 returns


windingroad.com (http://news.windingroad.com/etc/800-mph-or-bust-the-north-american-eagle-land-speed-record-car/)
800 MPH or bust: The North American Eagle Land Speed Record Car


autosport.com ( http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/66708)
Porsche: scandal makes F1 unattractive

PaddockTalk.com – RUMORS
Formula One to lose Super Aguri ( http://paddocktalk.com/news/html/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=81732&newlang=&topic=1&catid=1)
Alonso to BMW ( http://paddocktalk.com/news/html/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=80805&newlang=&topic=1&catid=1) [Some rumors never die]


BMW Sauber F1 Team - Spanish GP – Preview
04-18-2008 Press Release
25th – 27th April 2008
4th of 18 World Championship races


Preview.

Munich/Hinwil, 18th April 2008. The BMW Sauber F1 Team has barely embarked on its third season and is already heading for its first Formula One grand prix as the leader of the constructors’ championship. In the first three World Championship races of the 2008 season, the team was on the podium each time (two second places and a third), had its first pole position (Robert Kubica/Bahrain) and set its first fastest race lap (Nick Heidfeld/Malaysia).

With 30 points, the BMW Sauber F1 Team is one ahead of Ferrari and two of McLaren Mercedes. During the brief spring break all the teams have been upgrading their cars in preparation for the European curtain-raiser in Barcelona on 27th April. The Spanish Grand Prix on the impressive, but unforgiving, Circuit de Catalunya could prompt a reappraisal of where the teams stand relative to one another.


Nick Heidfeld:
“The Spanish Grand Prix has its own special ambience because the stands are now regularly packed to the rafters. The fans ensure a brilliant atmosphere, which we as drivers pick up on to some extent as well.

“Although I have already clocked up hundreds of race and test laps on the Circuit de Catalunya, boredom just doesn’t come into it. It has often been the case that a set-up determined during testing was no longer the right one for the race weekend. That could be due to the weather or to the condition of the track, which naturally accumulates much more rubber deposits over a grand prix weekend than during testing.

“Now the question everybody wants to hear the answer to is: how well are the new components, with which we’ve modified the BMW Sauber F1.08 since the initial overseas races, going to work? I’m also very keen to see whether we have made more progress with our new developments than the competition. At any rate, I’m confident that we will be just as strong as in Australia, Malaysia and Bahrain.”

Robert Kubica:
“I think we will have a more predictable race than the first three overseas grands prix. The conditions this time round are completely different. All the teams know the Barcelona circuit like the back of their hands because we do a lot of testing here. That’s why I expect the gaps between the teams to become a lot smaller than in the last races.

“Everyone will be coming to the season’s first European grand prix on top form. I guess all the teams will be lining up with an improved car. But at the same time that means we also have to get the maximum out of the BMW Sauber F1.08. If we manage that, and since the latest test in Barcelona I am firmly convinced we will, I’ll be racing right up at the front again. My goal is to achieve a good result to earn as many points as possible for myself and the team.”

Mario Theissen, BMW Motorsport Director:
“It was a textbook start to the season for our BMW Sauber F1 Team. We’re no longer the number three team, as last year, but over the first three races we have carved out our niche right up among the top three teams. The workforces in Munich and Hinwil are accordingly elated and fired up with incentive.

“We used the three-week break after the batch of overseas races for our intensive preparation for the European opener in Spain. The race in Barcelona is almost like a second start to the season. For the first time in 2008, Formula One will be rolling up in Spain with everything in tow: trucks and hospitality facilities not only make a great impression; more importantly, they save a tremendous amount of work.

“The Circuit de Catalunya is one that makes wide-ranging demands and is frequently used for testing by the teams. It has often served as a yardstick for their general competitiveness. Here all the teams will be taking a step forward on the development front, us included. Afterwards there will be a fresh assessment of how things stand.”

Willy Rampf, Technical Director:
“I can’t wait to see how things pan out in Barcelona because almost all the teams have been testing improvements to their cars here last week. Everyone has made progress, but the key question is, how much compared to the competition? That’s why it’s set to be a very interesting race and one that will also point the way ahead for the coming weeks and months. We’ve been pretty happy with our improvements, so we should be able to keep up with the front runners as before.

“Barcelona is a circuit the teams know back to front from the numerous tests that are carried out here. And yet it proves a challenge each time around, with the wind often playing a crucial role. It means the balance constantly has to be adjusted. The many medium-fast and high-speed corners demand a great deal of downforce, which means the tyres come in for some punishment. That’s why we use the hardest compounds here.”


Facts and figures:

Circuit/Date: Circuit de Catalunya/27th April 2008
Start time (local/UTC): 14.00 hrs/12.00 hrs
Lap/Race distance: 4.655 km/307.104 km (66 laps)
Corners: 9 right-hand and 7 left-hand corners
Winner 2007: Felipe Massa, Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, 1 hr 31:36.230 min
Pole position 2007: Felipe Massa, Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, 1:21.421 min
Fastest lap 2007: Felipe Massa, Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, 1:22.680 min

Data 2007 (race):
Full-throttle percentage: 57%
Top speed: 308 km/h
Longest stretch at full throttle: 16 sec / 1,140 m
Gear changes per lap: 44
Tyre wear: medium
Brake wear: high
Downforce level: high



Nick Heidfeld
Date of birth: 10.05.1977
Place of birth: Mönchengladbach/Germany
Nationality: German
Residence: Stäfa, Switzerland
Marital status: Partner Patricia Papen, daughter Juni, son Joda
Height: 1.67 m
Weight: 61 kg
F1 debut: 2000, Melbourne
GP starts: 137
Pole positions: 1
Wins: -
Podium places: 8
Fastest laps: 1
Best placing: 5th (2007)
Total points: 156
Points 2008: 16 (2nd place)


Robert Kubica
Date of birth: 07.12.1984
Place of birth: Krakow/Poland
Nationality: Polish
Residence: Monaco
Marital status: Single
Height: 1.84 m
Weight: 69 kg
F1 debut: 2006, Budapest
GP starts: 25
Pole positions: 1
Wins: -
Podium places: 3
Fastest laps: -
Best placing: 6th (2007)
Total points: 59
Points 2008: 14 (4th place)



BMW Sauber F1 Team
Founded: 01.01.2006
Locations: Munich (DE) and Hinwil (CH)
F1 debut: 2006, Melbourne
GP starts: 38
Pole positions: 1
Wins: -
Podium places: 7 (4 x 3rd / 3 x 2nd)
Fastest laps: 1
World Championship placings:
5th (2006), 36 points
2nd (2007), 101 points
1st (2008), 30 points after 3 GPs



History and background:

2008 sees the 18th Spanish Grand Prix to be hosted at the Circuit de Catalunya north of Barcelona. The first two Spanish GPs since the official inauguration of Formula One were held in Pedralbes (1951 and 1954). Later venues were Jarama (9 GPs), Montjuich (4) and Jerez (5). Formula One has been staged in Barcelona since 1991. In total, there have been 37 Spanish GPs so far.

The city of Barcelona (population approx. 1.8 million) with its Mediterranean port lies in the northwest of Spain, around 120 kilometres south of the Pyrenees. Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and Spain’s second-largest city.



http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/238616588_UWTGL-XL.jpg


bimmeromania.com (http://bimmeromania.blogspot.com/2008/04/spy-shots-rolls-royce-rr4-baby-rolls.html)
Spy shots: Rolls Royce RR4 - Baby Rolls


bimmerfile.com (http://www.bimmerfile.com/2008/04/15/update-bmw-joins-with-att/)
MyInfo Update: BMW USA signs with AT&T


worldcarfans.com (http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080417.003/new-bmw-z4-spied-again)
New BMW Z4 spied again

[Mika]

http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/238092419_Nf5yR-XL.jpg

BMW Website Review:

Ernest Madu: Bringing world class health care to the poorest
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BMW Yachtsport (http://bmw-yachtsport.com/ys/en/index.html)


BMW Golfsport (http://bmw-golfsport.com/gs/en/index.html)


BMW Oracle Racing (http://bmworacleracing.com/en/index.html?track.refer=)


BMW Sport website ( http://bmw-sports.com/en/index.html)


BMW PressClub: Week in Review


The Future of BMW Motorrad – Hedrik von Kuenheim talks to the media ( http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=25316)


Who is Hendrik von Kuenheim? ( http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=25328)


BMW Victory at Tollwitz ( http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=25335)


Video: BMW Erzberg Rodeo 2007 ( http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=25308)




http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/237925770-XL.jpg

Conversion tools:

Periodically articles in the Morning Reads list things such as prices in units you may not be familiar with. Here are links to some conversion tools for your use.

Universal Currency Converter ( http://www.xe.com/ucc/) by xe.com

Online Conversion tools ( http://www.onlineconversion.com/) by onlinecoversion.com

Morning Reads standard measure of bike value is the Rdstr. The Rdstr is pegged to the U.S. Dollar and is currently trading at 1 Rdstr = $12,620 U.S. dollars


BlogRoll: ( http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?p=295268&posted=1#post295268
) some of the blogs I have collected while purposefully wondering around the internet.

Stuff: A place for everything and everything in its place, including stuff.


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New on the Library of Congress web site. ( http://www.loc.gov/rss/pao/web.xml)

M.R. Traveler


Talk about your adventure riders…
thevintagent.com ( http://thevintagent.blogspot.com/2008/04/velocettes-in-antarctica.html)
Velocettes in Antartica!


motorcycleclassics.com ( http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/2008-05-01/Motorcycle-Reviews/Back-Road-Touring-North-Carolina-on-a-78-Ducati-Darmah.aspx)
Back Road Touring NC on a 78 Ducati Darmah

Places 2 Ride Blog (http://feeds.feedburner.com/places2ride)


www.biker-events.com (http://www.biker-events.com/feed/)
Finding the Good Times on 2 Wheels


Horizonsunlimited.com – Newsletter (http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/newsletter/index.xml)


http://www.complexny.com/clients/bmwmoa/files/Gillette_447.png

2008 International Rally (http://www.bmwmoa.org/rally/rally08/)
Gillette, Wyoming, July 17-20 2008


Mining The Website


BMW MOA Foundation: MotoSafe – Mentoring a Novice
Part I (http://www.bmwmoafoundation.org/motosafe/article0701.html)
Part II (http://www.bmwmoafoundation.org/motosafe/article0701.html)
Part III (http://www.bmwmoafoundation.org/motosafe/article0701.html)


Threads worth following:


Road Side Attrations (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?p=314937#post314937)

The elections threads ( http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=2); then vote early and often.


Today’sRoadFood.com (http://www.roadfood.com/)


Woot

Todays Woot ( http://www.woot.com/Default.aspx)
The Blog ( http://www.woot.com/Blog/Default.aspx)


http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/182526939-M.gif
Packer News: Packers.com (http://www.packers.com/), jsonline.com - Packers Plus Online (http://www.jsonline.com/index/index.aspx?id=44)


Humor


When the boss won’t settle for a Mustang or Camaro, what do you do? (http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/17/video-when-the-boss-wont-settle-for-a-mustang-or-camaro-what/)
<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PjlnETXiwWE&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PjlnETXiwWE&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

Over Heard in New York | Voice of the City (http://www.overheardinnewyork.com/)
Sluggy Freelance (http://www.sluggy.com/)
The Onion (http://feeds.theonion.com/theonion/daily)
xkcd (http://www.xkcd.com/)


Bike Candy:


<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/g73dp9JZy_c&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/g73dp9JZy_c&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

The street version???
http://snelleeddy.punt.nl/upload/fotos/bmw_superbike_k46.jpg

Now the way back machine takes us to the beginning of BMW Superbike racing.

motorcyclemuseum.com ( http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/hofbiopage.asp?id=256)
Reg Pidmore


http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/281448858_bqQqm-L.jpg
motorcyclemuseum.com ( http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/classics/bike.asp?id=41)
1976 BMW R90S – Steve McLaughlin’s racer.

http://www.mcmototech.com/R90S/Pridmore.jpg
Reg Pridmore #163 and Steve McLaughlin #83 at Daytona in 1976
From: mcmotorech.com

THE END (http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/281448882_C7NAa-XL.jpg)

[PAULBACH]

If you don't read anything else today:

Please be sure to read Mika's find about high visibily

For some life saving lessons click here (http://www.highviz.org/) <- Check Out This Link

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/ClipArt/tipofhat.gif
To Mika and Minnesota

[snoone]

M1ka, A double issue..:) Are we sure Groucho wasn't smokin the wacky tobacci... That one is priceless.

[Mika]

He like custom hand rolled cigars so who knows. :lol

[tessler]

He like custom hand rolled cigars so who knows. :lolGroucho and Harpo were pretty straight-laced family oriented guys off the set... Now Chico... had a host of other interests. :D (and was a pretty good pinochle player too).

[AZ-J]

Took rides with both Reg and Jason Pridmore about 15 years ago at a CLASS training. What a blast that was!

Still using much of the technique learned there, today, like using lower body to steer the bike.