Bench Racing & The Morning Reads

[mika]

motrcycoecannonball.com: RSS feed link for updates and standings

MotoGP

motogp.com: Hayden tops final Aragon [warm up] session while teammate and pole holder Stoner crashes.

Weather should not be a factor in todayÔÇÖs race.

On the Street

technologyreview.com: The misleading myth of the corked bat

thedesignblog.com: Portable BBQ grill lets you bake instant meals anywhere anytime

nytimes.com: Ducati Multistrada 1200 review
Despite its height, the bike feels light and, surprisingly, not top-heavy. (A BMW R 1200, by comparison, can feel a bit like a Winnebago when fully loaded.)

Woot of the Day

Bike Candy

Via: motorcyclecannonball.com

[mika]

motrcycoecannonball.com: RSS feed link for updates and standings


WSBK et al.

BMW Motorrad Motorsport - WSBK - Imola - Preview
ÔÇó 20.09.2010
ÔÇó Press Release
24 ÔÇô 26th September 2010
12th of 13 World Championship race weekends


Munich/Stephanskirchen, 20th September 2010. The 12th and penultimate race weekend of the 2010 season takes the FIM Superbike World Championship teams to the renowned Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit outside Imola. Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport is keen to demonstrate the potential of the BMW S 1000 RR once again at the Italian track. As the season enters its closing stages, Troy Corser (AUS) and Ruben Xaus (ESP) are aiming to notch up more podium finishes for the recently formed Bavarian team.

Both BMW Motorrad Motorsport riders have very special memories of Imola. Ruben and Regis Laconi (FRA) are currently the most successful Superbike riders here, having recorded three wins apiece at the track. Indeed, Ruben won the seriesÔÇÖ first ever race at Imola back in 2001, with Troy crossing the line in second place. In 2003 Ruben claimed his first Superbike pole position at Imola and went on to celebrate the race double that weekend. Troy, meanwhile, wrapped up his second Superbike World Championship title here in 2005. Returning to the 2010 season, TroyÔÇÖs 159 points put him 11th in the driversÔÇÖ standings, while Ruben is lying 13th on 85 points. In the manufacturersÔÇÖ table BMW is in sixth place on 190 points.


Troy Corser:
ÔÇ£After the poor luck I had at the N??rburgring IÔÇÖm looking to turn our potential into race results at Imola. Under normal circumstances weÔÇÖd have secured a podium finish at least at the N??rburgring. Imola is a very different kind of race track, but IÔÇÖm confident that, with our bike, weÔÇÖre in the position to compete at the front of the field again. My aim is to clinch a place on the podium.ÔÇØ


Ruben Xaus:
ÔÇ£I really canÔÇÖt wait for the races at Imola. The track is one I like very much and I always enjoy riding there. Indeed, I would go as far as describing it as my favourite track in Europe. ThereÔÇÖs absolutely no time to take a breather here. ItÔÇÖs a circuit with a lot of character, like the Hockenheimring and, in the past, the long course at Assen. There are a lot of fast chicanes and corners, and the track is always going up and downhill.

We were able to set consistently fast times in both races at the N??rburgring, which makes both me and the team very optimistic. We still have to work on one or two small things which have so far prevented us from challenging the leading guys. But I know that my team will give everything so than we can make further improvements to the bike. We just have to find that extra half a second and weÔÇÖll be up there at the front. At Imola itÔÇÖs important that the bike works well through the two tight corners and the chicane; if you get that right then a good result is possible. IÔÇÖm really looking forward to riding there.ÔÇØ


Berthold Hauser, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director:
ÔÇ£WeÔÇÖre determined to finish the season with two successful race weekends at Imola and Magny-Cours. At the same time, weÔÇÖre already focusing on preparing for next year. We know we have good speed, and weÔÇÖve shown that already. At the N??rburgring we were up there with the leaders until midday on Saturday. But then our fortunes took a turn for the worse, and it was partly just bad luck that stood between us and a place on the podium in our home races. Now our task is to turn our speed and performances into good points on a consistent basis. We know weÔÇÖre capable of getting some top results in the last few races of the season, so weÔÇÖre travelling to Imola in highly motivated mood.ÔÇØ


Background:
The history of motor racing in Imola ÔÇô population 66,000 ÔÇô stretches back to the 1940s, when the first races here were held on public roads. The foundation stone for the first purpose-built circuit was laid in 1950, and the track hosted its inaugural races in 1952. On 7th September 1967 the first World Motorcycle Championship race took place at Imola, while the Superbike World Championship made its debut in the Emilia Romagna region in 2001. Extensive modifications were made to the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in late 2006, including improvements to safety.

It is not only the surface bumps that make Imola such a challenge for motorbikes, in particular. The riders are greeted by the first of several chicanes not long after the start/finish straight, putting a premium on the bikesÔÇÖ ability to brake, steer into the corners and accelerate out again as effectively as possible. Added to which, kerbstones lying in wait in almost every chicane unsettle the bikes through the twists and turns. Bike stability is therefore extremely important at Imola.
worldsbk.com: Haslam faces uphill task as Imola draws near

MotoGP

motogp.com: Win a ÔÇ£big reliefÔÇØ for Stoner

motogp.com: full Aragon press conference

world.honda.com: Another podium for Pedrosa

roadracerx.com: Team-Speak ÔÇô Aragon MotoGP race

motomatters.com: Team musical chairs: RossiÔÇÖs crew go to Ducati, SpiesÔÇÖ WSBK team reunited


Formula 1 and 

autosport.com: Tweaks made to Singapore circuit

joesaward.wordpress.com via bbc.co.uk: The future of Michael Schumacher

formula1.com: Gutierres named as BMW Sauber reserve driver for 2011

Other Racing

FB ÔÇô BMW Motorrad: Spanish GS Trophy final team now selected

On the Street

thekneeslider.com: No parts available ÔÇô Problem or Opportunity

visordown.com: Road tests ÔÇô first rides | Triumph Thruxton

HFL: Vintage bike collecting is not a game

asphaltandrubber.com: Harley-Davidson brand drops 24% in value ÔÇô threatens to fall off the Interbrand 100
[BMW remains at no. 16 on the Interbrand 100 list]

Bikeexif.com : Interview ÔÇô Paul dÔÇÖOrleans

Woot of the Day

Bike Candy

motorcyclepictureof theday.blogspot.com: Gorgeous Enfield flat tracker

[mika]

motrcycoecannonball.com: RSS feed link for updates and standings

Riding a 1915 Harley at 55 mph



WSBK et al.

fim-live.com: Imola again the decider in 2010ÔÇÖs penultimate WSBK round?

moto-station.com: When will KTM go to WSBK

MotoGP

ultimatemotorcycling.com: Valentino Rossi to miss last two races

Formula 1 and 

formula1.com: Power to survive? 2010 engine usage revealed

New F1 hospitality areas/"motorhomes" for 2010 -- Virgin, Lotus, HRT and ... Mercedes GP -- a three storey motorhome made up of 16 separate container units that are slotted together to form the structure, which as well as having two floors features a terrace area too. The motor home has been made at a cost of less than 2 million euros, a bargain compared to the EUR15m cost of Red Bull's Energy Station. "We have not wasted one more euro than we needed to spend on this," Norbert Haug. Force India have the same steel and glass construction used during the 2008 and 2009 seasons, however it has undergone a major refurbishment, both internally and externally. www.forceindiaf1.com Plus a look at the FIA and FOM motorhomes



World wide everyone wants to be like Camp Beers

Other Racing

motorcyclenews.com: S1000RR goes for the record on Salt at Bonneville


FB: BMW Motorrad: The BMW GS Trophy

motociclismo.it: 200 miles of Imola 2010: 1 to Oct. 3 scheduled the revival circuit Romagna


On the Street

visordown.com: Honda CB1300 ABS review

gizmag.com: A closer look at Automotive X-Prize winner Edison2

jsonline.com: Bikers retrace history on Route 66

inhabitat.com: French wine vending machines may make their way to the US

BMW is expanding its cage segment presence in India as part of their ÔÇ£production follows the marketÔÇØ strategy. The entrance into this market has been cautious. Increased auto demand brought the first auto production plant in 2006 which is now expanding capacity. Production is for the India market only.

BMW Group steps up its activities in India.
ÔÇó 21.09.2010
ÔÇó Informa?º?úo ?á Imprensa
Munich / Delhi. The BMW Group is strengthening its commitment in the growth market of India. As a first step, local production capacity at the BMW plant in Chennai has been increased from 3,000 to 5,400 units and the dealer network further expanded.

ÔÇ£India is a market that holds great potential for the future for us and is a building block in our global market offensive. Our success so far has proved that our ÔÇÿproduction-follows-the-marketÔÇÖ strategy, which has already been successful in markets such as the US and China, is the right approach,ÔÇØ said Frank-Peter Arndt, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Production. ÔÇ£At the same time as we are expanding capacity, we will also be gearing the plant to produce a further model for the Indian market, the X1, starting in November 2010 and thereby opening up new customer segments.ÔÇØ

In addition to strengthening capacity, a new vehicle logistics centre will also be set up on the grounds of the Chennai plant, for which land has already been acquired. By mid-2012, the BMW Group will have invested a total of EUR 30 million in India since launching production there in 2007.

At the same time, BMW is also stepping up its local sales and marketing activities. To meet rising customer demand for BMW vehicles and services, its sales network will be systematically expanded to 22 dealerships by 2011 ÔÇô almost doubling its size since early 2009. Towards the end of this year, BMW Financial Services will also begin offering its financial services in the Indian market for the first time.

In the first eight months of this year alone, BMW sales in India climbed 43% to reach a total of 3,301 units. This means that the BMW Group has already sold almost as many vehicles in India this year as in the whole of 2009.

ÔÇ£The ongoing expansion of our dealer network means that we will be present in all major regions of India and able to reach more than 95 percent of our potential buyers,ÔÇØ according to Andreas Schaaf, president of BMW GroupÔÇÖs Indian subsidiary. ÔÇ£Having taken the lead in the premium segment for the first time last year, we aim to maintain our leading position this year with the market launch of the new 5 Series. We are also confident that we will be able to increase sales substantially over the coming years.ÔÇØ

The BMW Group has been actively involved in India through its own sales company since 2006 and has been able to increase annual sales more than tenfold, to 3,619 units between 2006 and 2009. Since March 2007, BMW has also had its own production in India, at its Chennai plant in the state of Tamil Nadu, which builds the BMW 3 Series and 5 Series for the Indian market.

Woot of the Day

Bike Candy

motorcyclepictureoftheday.blogspot.com has named the BMW R100GSPD as one of its top five all time favorite production bikes.

[mika]

motrcycoecannonball.com: RSS feed link for updates and standings


WSBK et al.

BMW Motorrad Motorsport - WSBK - 2011 - Troy Corser

ÔÇó 22.09.2010
ÔÇó Press Release

BMW Motorrad Motorsport retain Troy Corser for 2011.

Munich/Stephanskirchen, 22nd September 2010. BMW Motorrad Motorsport will continue to invest in the experience of a world champion in next yearÔÇÖs FIM Superbike World Championship. Troy Corser will ride the BMW S 1000 RR for the recently formed team once again in 2011, his third season with BMW Motorrad Motorsport.

In his best Clark Kent/Superman pose

Troy Corser

ÔÇ£WeÔÇÖre very pleased that Troy Corser will continue to be part of our set-up,ÔÇØ says BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Berthold Hauser. ÔÇ£Troy has played a major role in getting our team to where it is today. HeÔÇÖs been on board from day one and his many years of experience in the Superbike World Championship have allowed him to carry out valuable work for us. Our task now is to build on this platform. WeÔÇÖre in no doubt that we can achieve our ambitious aims together with Troy. WeÔÇÖll announce the identity of our second rider in due course.ÔÇØ

Troy Corser says: ÔÇ£It was an easy decision for me to continue with a team where I feel at home. WeÔÇÖre really building something here and IÔÇÖve very much enjoyed being part of this project from the beginning.ÔÇØ The 38-year-old, who has recorded two third places ÔÇô at Monza and Misano ÔÇô so far this season, adds: ÔÇ£I think weÔÇÖve already achieved a great deal together and believe that, with our commitment and resources, we can climb further up the field over the course of the season ahead.ÔÇØ

Troy Corser profile:

Date of birth: 27th November 1971
Place of birth: Wollongong (AUS)
Residence: Monte Carlo (MCO)
Marital status: Married to Sam, two children ÔÇô Kalani and Kelisa
Height: 1.75 m
Weight: 66 kg
Hobbies: Golf, wakeboarding, karting, jet-ski, motocross
Passion: Motor racing
Favourite circuits: Phillip Island, Valencia, Portim?úo
First bike: Yamaha TY 80 (road), Honda CR 80 (racing)
First race: 1989 Australian Production Series 250cc
Career highlights: 1996 Superbike world champion, 2005 Superbike world champion
WSBK history: 351 races, 130 podiums, 33 wins, 47 second places and 50 third places, 43 pole positions, 45 fastest race laps
Website: www.troycorser.com

Corser has signednext????

ashpaltandrubber.com: WSBK silly season ÔÇô Haslam to BMW, Fabrizio to Alstare Suzuki & Haga to an Aprilia satellite team

crash.net: Corser eyes Italian podium hat-trick

motorsport-total/.com: Corser goes further in Italy?

worldsbk.com: Aprilia and Biaggi playing on home turf this weekend.

roadracngworld.com: Biaggi could clinch Superbike World championship this coming weekend at Imola

Magazine Nurburgring 2010


worldsbk.com: Camier out for Imola race

speedweek.de: BMW ÔÇô Full speed ahead in season sprint

Formula 1 and 

FIA.com: Singapore Preview

Other Racing

FB-BMW
Jon Kirkham wins British Superstock 1000 Championship
For?®s claims Spanish Stock Extreme Championship

sportrider.com: Keith Code Superbike School ÔÇô Cracking the code



On the Street

HFL: Bred obsolescence ÔÇô why 2011 wonÔÇÖt be a bumper year for bikes

motoblog.it: 1200 Aprilia Tuaregperhaps in Milan?


asphaltandrrubber.com: 2011 Aprilia Tuareg rumors heat up



Woot of the Day

FWIW

fs.fed.us: US Forest Service fall foliage guide

weather.com: Fall foliage maps and photos

Bike Candy

The bike may not be your style but there is something about this picture from Bikeexif that is alluring in its presentation.

[mika]

motrcycoecannonball.com: RSS feed link for updates and standings


WSBK et al.

caradisiac.com: Superbike Imola – Haslam’s future will be decided this weekend?

motomatters.com: BMW retains Corser in WSBK, Haslam and Toseland to join him?


WSS

ducatinewstoday.com: Whey is Ducati leaving World Superbike? Part 3.

MotoGP

Rumors asphaltandrubber.com: Rossi lauching Moto2 team in 2011 [Making the shift from rider to team principal?]

Formula 1 and …

Singapore GP Press Conference
DRIVERS: Nick HEIDFELD (BMW Sauber), Heikki KOVALAINEN (Lotus), Nico ROSBERG (Mercedes), Vitaly PETROV (Renault), Mark WEBBER (Red Bull)


formula1.com: Heidfeld and BMW Sauber – Why Nick must be quick

formula1.com: Briatore on 2010 and his own future
Is this the beginning of the rehabilitation of Briatore? Formul1.com is the official website of F1 – read Bernie Ecclestone. The interview paints a picture very different than the cut throat billionaire playboy who was a dominate figure in F1 for so many years. Time will tell if he remains on the fringes or if the Dark Lord is able to get a license in the new FIA scheme and returns to the pits.

motorsport.com: Schumi is testing bikes again.

Rumors en.espnf1.com: Kubica to Ferrari replacing Massa who would then join Kubica’s old teammate at Ferrari powered BMW Sauber.

autosport.com: Ecclestone pushing for medals system

Other Racing

Behind the Kawasaki flat track motorcycles


KTM is offering our dedicated X-BOW pilots the chance to test their skills against other drivers on a closed circular track. Within the framework of the Alpenpokal (Alpine Cup), the X-BOW Battle racing series has been created specifically for the X-BOW, so now the most thoroughbred, road-homologated race car currently on the planet will get to go to the starting line too.



On the Street

moto-station.com: What all the cool RR kids will be wearing.

motoaus.com: Teaser pic of new GSR750 naked Suzuki

HFL? Brammo raising money for global expansion with private stock offering
In another thread we are pondering the troubles of attracting younger riders to motorcycling. The future look of motorcycling may be in the hands of investors; however.

accelerate.publisher.us: Riding the roof of North America

accelerate.presspublisher.us: The dynamics of group riding

bmw-motorrad.co.za: K Roads in the USA

recalls.gov.au: The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued a recall for the new Yamaha XT1200Z due to problems with those sturdy looking Base Boxes.

rollsroycemotorcars.com: Paris Motor Show to host collection of bespoke commissioned Rolls-Royce models.



Woot of the Day

FWIW

A three man team for 2011? This seems madness in my mind. There have been enough difficulties lurking below the surface with Corser and Xaus liking different setups on their S1000RR. In theory it allows for a broader approach to development on race weekends but in the end based on some comments by Xaus he raced with Corser’s settings. A three way may be a deviant fantasy for some but in racing it strikes me as a formula for disaster.

I will go, saw in hand, out on a limb. If BMW signs more than one more racer it will not be for a third slot on the Motorrad Motorsport team but two more riders for a second team. This would truly allow the bike to be developed in alternate directions. It would also put more BMWs on the Sunday grid potentially denying Constructor’s points from other manufacturers in the process. Look for Haslam to be signed with BMW Motorrad Motorsport to partner with Corser and Toseland or someone of his stature to be signed with a new BMW SBK team to partner with Ayrton Badovini. The existing team will focus on the prototype development while the new team focuses on developing a bike that is competitive on the track but whose developments will trickle down to the WSS effort, national SBK teams and more quickly to the street.

The ordered five year plan for the WSBK team will continue to roll out. Setting up a second team for development along the described lines allows BMW to consolidate and build on the success the S1000RR has had at the national SBK level and in the showroom as a result.

Now if I hold the saw between the tree and myself I will be safe…right?

Bike Candy

bmwgroup.com: Urban driving fun with zero emissions: The MINI Scooter E Concept.

BMW has been dabbling on the edges of the scooter market for some time. Last year a C1e concept hinted that the C1, which ended production in 2001, might make a return as an electric model. MINI has carried the corporate e-flag with their MINIe models. The MINI branch has been tipped to reveal this e version of a traditional scooter at the upcoming Paris Motor Show.

Both this Mini Scooter and the C1e remain concept models, yet one has to wonder how much longer it will take before the company pushes one or both into production. The encouraging thing is this press release appeared on the BMW USA site as well as the European sites.

C1e




First shown to us as a concept drawing the MINI E Scooter is the real deal for the Paris show.





Follow the link for the full press release and more pictures.

[mika]

motrcycoecannonball.com: RSS feed link for updates and standings


WSBK et al.

worldsbk: Imola Facts and Figures

First Practice Results

reuters.com: Klien replaces sick Yamamoto for Singapore race

MotoGP

motomatters.com: Aprilia has ÔÇ£No IntentionÔÇØ of entering MotoGP, says CEO

Formula 1 and 

motorsport.com: BMW not coming back for F1ÔÇÖs 2013 engine era
Theissen was asked and his answer was no to the return to F1 but he held out the option of entering Le Mans series type racing. Hmmm.

autosport.com: Lotus confirms Team Lotus name deal

autosport.com: Schumacher insists he will not leave

reuters.com: Heidfeld still searching for 2011 drive
"I've signed only for this season, the situation for next year is completely open with Sauber but also with other teams with which I have already been in talks over the last couple of weeks."
Does Quick Nick have to pay for his ride? At the start of the 2010 season the going rate in cash or sponsorship money that a driver needed to bring to a team for consideration as a driver in 2010 $5million. A drive like Schumi can pull in that kind of sponsorship in his sleep. Quick Nick, maybe not.

When Heidfeld left he was given a F1 car as a parting gift from Peter Sauber. It was a going away present like a dad would give a son when he goes to seek his fortunes on his own. Well sort of in F1 terms. Now that he is back would ÔÇ£dadÔÇØ really expect him to pay rent to stay around what had been his home for years?

What about yesterdayÔÇÖs rumor that had Kubica going to Ferrari to pair with Alonso and Massa going to Sauber to pair with Heidfeld? If Sauber is becoming a Ferrari satellite team ala the Red Bull model does he have to pass muster with Ferrari? In that case if the two did pair up Massa would most likely be the number one. Is that on the table and holding up a 2011 contract?

F1 silly season; you have to love it. The rumors are so much fun to play with.


Other Racing



KTM 450 Rally ÔÇô Cyril DespresÔÇÖ Test Track



On the Street

roadracerx.com: New schedule for Daytona Bike Week 2011

yankodesign.com: SEIL Bag by Lee Myung Su Backpack for cyclist
I think they mean the peddle kind but motorcyclists could benefit from gear that does some of these things. You would have to be careful what you would send as a message in certain situations.

visordown.com: Morgan Harley tie up


The Motheship



]BMWUSA: BMW Announces Markets for BMW ActiveE Field Trial
BMW Announces Markets for BMW ActiveE Field Trial

Woot of the Day

FWIW

No news on the second ride for BMW Motorrad MotorsportÔÇÖs WSBK team. The announcement may come this weekend but I would not bet on it. It is possible that it will not come until the BMW press preview Tuesday October 5 for the Intermot show.

A prediction is the best way I know to help the decision process along.

Bike Candy

via - World SBK ÔÇô a class picture of sorts as riders do their promotional thing for the race weekend.

[mika]

motrcycoecannonball.com: RSS feed link for updates and standings


WSBK et al.

Friday Qualifying: Corser and Xuas are through to Superpole on Saturday

1 7 Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 1'48.178
2 65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'48.558
3 91 Haslam L. (GBR) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'48.621
4 41 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1'48.660
5 84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'48.667
6 67 Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 1'48.752
7 35 Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'48.813
8 11 Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 1'48.851
9 66 Sykes T. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'48.970
10 111 Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 1'49.224
11 57 Lanzi L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'49.275
12 52 Toseland J. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'49.528
13 50 Guintoli S. (FRA) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'49.560
14 3 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1'49.613
15 76 Neukirchner M. (GER) Honda CBR1000RR 1'49.622
16 96 Smrz J. (CZE) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1'49.659
17 99 Scassa L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'49.776
18 90 Sandi F. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. 1'51.641
19 95 Hayden R. (USA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'52.106
20 33 Lai F. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 1'52.200
21 5 Lowry I. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'52.248
22 15 Baiocco M. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'52.315

BMW Motorrad Motorsport - WSBK - Imola - Qualifying Practice 1
ÔÇó 24.09.2010
ÔÇó Press Release
Weather conditions: Sunny in the morning, partly cloudy in the afternoon.
Temperature: Air: 23 ÔÇô 25 ??C, Track: 34 ÔÇô 39 ??C
Number of riders participating: 22 from 14 teams
Fastest lap Free Practice: Carlos Checa (Althea Racing) 1:49.070 min
Fastest lap Qualifying Practice 1: Carlos Checa (Althea Racing) 1:48.178 min


Programme:
Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport started the 12th and penultimate race weekend of the 2010 FIM Superbike World Championship in a solid way: Troy Corser (AUS) finished the first qualifying practice eighth, while his Catalan team-mate, Ruben Xaus, finished the session tenth.


Troy Corser:
Bike: BMW S 1000 RR
Fastest lap Free Practice: 1:50.179 min (12th) / Fastest lap Qualifying 1: 1:48.851 min (8th)
ÔÇ£The day was not too bad. We are still working on improving the stability of the bike and its performance under braking. The engine feels strong and fast, but a little bit unstable on the exit of the corners. My lap times were not too bad, but at the moment I feel like I am making the bike do the time rather than the bike letting me do it. But I am sure we can solve this. The trackÔÇÖs grip was also a little bit down, so this also makes the bike more difficult to ride. All in all we made some improvements today. As it could rain tomorrow, it was important to get a good lap time in, so we are sure to be in the Superpole qualifying. I was able to push and do the time, so I am reasonably happy.ÔÇØ


Ruben Xaus:
Bike: BMW S 1000 RR
Fastest lap Free Practice: 1:49.674 min (7th) / Fastest lap Qualifying 1: 1:49.224 min (10th)
ÔÇ£This morning my feeling on the bike was not too bad. In the afternoon we made some changes to it, and I had no grip at all, which meant I had no traction. Because of this it was quite difficult to do a proper lap time. Now we shall try to find a solution for this. The basis is not too bad, and I hope we can make the next step tomorrow to allow me to ride in the low 1:48s. But, of course, this depends on the weather.ÔÇØ


Davide Tardozzi (BMW Motorrad Motorsport Team Manager):
ÔÇ£Our day was quite good. We worked on the bikesÔÇÖ setup and simply struggled with the grip level. I am confident we can sort this out for tomorrow and manage to find some rear grip. Unfortunately the race track itself was not in a perfect condition. Nevertheless, our qualifying result is a solid basis for tomorrow. We will now analyse the data and continue working on the bikes.ÔÇØ

Imola (Italy) - First qualifying: TROY RELIEVED WITH 8TH.

It was not the easiest two sessions at Imola today and, in the end, Troy was relieved to have finished eighth quickest as spots of rain fell on the 4.936 kilometre circuit. With rain forecast tomorrow, it may be that todayÔÇÖs time will prove useful if tomorrow's qualifying is wet. Carlos Checa (Ducati) ended fastest today with a lap of 1:49.070, with Jonathan Rea (Honda) second, Leon Haslam (Suzuki) third and Noriyuki Haga (Ducati) fourth. Troy - 8th, 1:48.851 Well, I am happy and not happy - if that makes any sense. I wouldÔÇÖve liked to have been faster, but at the moment the setting of the bike isnÔÇÖt right and the lap time I did to end eighth was as good as I couldÔÇÖve done. It was a bit ragged, but I was concerned that the rain would come down harder and that wouldÔÇÖve been that. When I saw the drops of rain on my visor towards the end of todayÔÇÖs qualifying, I knew I had to stick my neck out and go for it. I am relieved that I got eighth because if it rains tomorrow in qualifying, that eighth will stand me in good stead for Superpole. So thatÔÇÖs why I went for it and although I mightÔÇÖve been able to do another one like it, I certainly could not have done a string of them. This track is very slippery when it rains and none of us look forward to racing here in the wet, because it feels like you are riding on ice. The problem is that, because of the changes of elevation, you get areas of running water on the track and that can cause aquaplaning and thatÔÇÖs not good. The track felt a bit dusty and dirty this morning - normal for a Friday morning - but the grip improved in the afternoon. The setting of the bike is not right yet and I also had a bit of a problem getting the bike to stop. Often I was running wider than I wanted to and that probably contributed to the problem with stopping. Hopefully weÔÇÖll sort that out, but what concerns me, for tomorrow and raceday, is the rain. If it is wet, youÔÇÖre probably going to see laps times about twenty seconds a lap slower round here. ThatÔÇÖs not normal, because the normal difference between wet and dry is about ten seconds or so. That shows how slippery this place can be. See ya, Troy















Formula 1 and 

fia.com: Friday Press Conference
TEAM PRINCIPALS: Stefano DOMENICALI (Ferrari), Tony FERNANDES (Lotus), Colin KOLLES (HRT), Peter SAUBER (BMW Sauber)

[mika]

motrcycoecannonball.com: RSS feed link for updates and standings


WSBK et al.

Saturday Qualifying 2

Overnight rain and a wet track kept things unchanged during http://= http://sbk.perugiatiming.co...ing Practice 2. [url= http://www.worldsbk.com/en/news/latest-news/4391-checa-stays-on-top-due-to-friday-time.htmlChecas remains on top[/url] due to his friday time going into the Superpole session.

gpone.com: Biaggi ÔÇô ÔÇ£I have to make up groundÔÇØ

Superpole

Corser and Xaus fought through to the final Superpole round today. The riders took to the track as the final session opened put some quick laps on and headed to the pits for final changes. When the clock showed 7ÔÇÖ25 remaining in the final session Haslam was on top of the sheet followed by Corser Sykes and Xaus. Unfortunately this is not how the session ended.

Superpole Results

1 66 Sykes T GBR Kawasaki ZX 10R
2 96 Smrz J CZE Aprilia RSV4 Factory
3 91 Haslam L GBR Suzuki GSX-R1000
4 99 Scassa L ITA Ducati 1098R
5 57 Lanzi L ITA Ducati 1098R
6 11 Corser T AUS BMW S1000 RR
7 3 Biaggi M ITA Aprilia RSV4 Factory
8 111 Xaus R ESP BMW S1000 RR
9 7 Checa C ESP Ducati 1098R
10 84 Fabrizio M ITA Ducati 1098R
11 76 Neukirchner M GER Honda CBR1000RR
12 35 Crutchlow C GBR Yamaha YZF R1
13 67 Byrne S GBR Ducati 1098R
14 65 Rea J GBR Honda CBR1000RR
15 41 Haga N JPN Ducati 1098R
16 50 Guintoli S FRA Suzuki GSX-R1000
17 52 Toseland J GBR Yamaha YZF R1
18 95 Hayden R USA Kawasaki ZX 10R
19 33 Lai F ITA Honda CBR1000RR
20 90 Sandi F ITA Aprilia RSV4 1000 F

Corser and Xaus will lineup on row two of SundayÔÇÖs grid. Biaggi unable to solve all of his issues is slotted between them. Corser has demonstrated ability to turn a second row start into a lead at the end of turn 1. SundayÔÇÖs start could prove interesting.

Seeking the Sweet Spot

In many of the seasonÔÇÖs Superpole sessions the BMWÔÇÖs have displayed top speed numbers in the straight line but have not been able to turn thus showing slower lap times. You win bragging rights with top speed but this is road racing and grid positions are awarded to bikes and riders who combine straight line performance with the ability to go quickly through corners. Today the top speeds were down six to 8 mph to the field but the lap times were obviously up.

Tire management has been a constant theme for the team. With top speeds down Corser turned in his personal best in all sectors on the last timed lap of the session. Xaus was also turning in personal bests in various sectors right up to the end of the final session. Tire management, for this race at least, may be under control.

The overnight challenge for the team now is to find a bit more speed without chewing up the tire management advantage that they appear to have gained. The BMW team has been in this position at other races this season. The other teams are faced with the same challenge. The difference in the past has been the competitionÔÇÖs ability to find something more in setting up engine and chassis for SundayÔÇÖs race that BMW Motorrad Motorsport has not.

Formula 1 and 

bbc.co.uk: USF! Boss blames ÔÇÿbad timingÔÇÖ for teamÔÇÖs collapse
Critical reading is required to get at the story and avoid revisionist history

hanesakkebibf1.com: The importance of Formula 1 in the East

Singapore GP Qualifying

Q1

Rain has been to Singapore also. The track was damp in spots when qualifying began
which made things exciting at times. Schumacher, considered one of the sports rain meisters, found himself sideways at times. Massa took the spotlight in the opening minutes of Q1 for reasons yet to be explained.

The session began and cars took to the track for their warm ups and first flying laps. Before things ever got fully underway first the yellow then red flags came out and the session was halted. Massa and his Ferrari were halted on track resulting in the session delay while his car was craned off the track. No explanation has been given yet. Live Timing commentary speculates that it is engine problems that caused the Brazilian to park his car on the streets of Singapore. He will be listed at the end of the Sunday grid; more on that in a bit.

The other interesting bit of Q1 was provided by Schumacher. He set times in the top 10 of the grid then later parked his car in the garage and got out. I have seen no explanation of this to this point. The session ended with Schumi in the garage but having posted a quick enough time to advance.

Q2

Changes in the qualifying rules have changed this sessionÔÇÖs strategy for most teams. The emphasis for the front runners is to advance while the focus of the rest is on the bubble time posted for P10 through the session. Force India has been improving but not enough to make the cut with either car this race. Sutil was the best hope for a top 10 start for this team but he could not pull it off. Quick Nick was not quick enough and is a mid field starter, a role he too often assumed in his previous BMW Sauber days.

Old teammates provided two interesting storylines for this session.

Schumacher did return to the field for Q2. While he scored a few early strong times he languished in P17 for most of the session. When it looked like he was destined for a midfield start he put together some quick times and moved up to P9 and advanced.

Barrichello moved on to Q3 also. He went through Q1 unnoticed by me. In Q2 he showed consistent strength and improvement that allowed him to advance to Q3.


Q3

The field for this session was dominated by the five Championship leaders. At this point in the season this should be expected. However, the other five drivers were not sitting on their hands.

At an early point in the short final session eyes were focused on Alonso and Vettel. Vettel took P1 only to be piped by Alonso and see his time drop and position yield a P10 for that set of hot laps. Changes to the rules putting everyone on the same fuel load and running racing setups has done much to improve the action in Q3.

Kubica in his Renault never seemed to get it together. His teammate Petrov ended Q2 shown as stopped in S1. This did not bring out a yellow flag for that session. No explanation was available as I write this. But it may point to problems with the Renault and a conservative attack (now there is an oxymoron for you) for this session.

Barrichello had another strong session. The Williams Costhworth appears to be a good combination in his hands. He may not be a true contender for P1 or the podium but is well worth everyone paying attention to.

Rosberg and Schumacher in the Mercedes GP leave you scratching your head. Is it the drivers? Rosberg has always been a strong qualifier in the past yet this year seems to just show up. Schumacher is so easily dismissed as being over the hill yet the old man was in Q3 for another time and on an unfamiliar track. Is it the car? The engine and chassis combination that seemed to dominate race after race last season is caught this season dueling with Barrichello in his Williams Cosworth for position.

Then what of BWM Sauber? Kobyashi brought home the Hinwil team car in P10. The chassis began development under BMW and now is powered by a Ferrari engine. In other sports commentators would talk about it as a dangerous threat that other teams have failed to put away. In F1 it is a wild card I sincerely hope, for Peter SauberÔÇÖs sake, is played one of theses Sundays.

The session ended and the provisional grid is:

1 8 Fernando Alonso
Ferrari

2 5 Sebastian Vettel
RBR-Renault

3 2 Lewis Hamilton
McLaren-Mercedes

4 1 Jenson Button
McLaren-Mercedes

5 6 Mark Webber
RBR-Renault

6 9 Rubens Barrichello
Williams-Cosworth

7 4 Nico Rosberg
Mercedes GP

8 11 Robert Kubica
Renault

9 3 Michael Schumacher
Mercedes GP

10 23 Kamui Kobayashi
BMW Sauber-Ferrari

11 17 Jaime Alguersuari
STR-Ferrari

12 10 Nico Hulkenberg
Williams-Cosworth

13 12 Vitaly Petrov
Renault

14 16 Sebastien Buemi
STR-Ferrari

15 22 Nick Heidfeld
BMW Sauber-Ferrari

16 14 Adrian Sutil
Force India-Mercedes

17 15 Vitantonio Liuzzi
Force India-Mercedes

18 24 Timo Glock
Virgin-Cosworth

19 19 Heikki Kovalainen
Lotus-Cosworth

20 25 Lucas di Grassi
Virgin-Cosworth

21 18 Jarno Trulli
Lotus-Cosworth

22 20 Christian Klien
HRT-Cosworth

23 21 Bruno Senna
HRT-Cosworth

24 7 Felipe Massa
Ferrari



Narrow Arrows and Wide Bodied Jets

Sunday may be a race of narrow arrow cars determined by how they deal with the wide bodied jets on the grid. Q3 gives fans 8 narrow arrows and two wide bodied jets.

Narrow Arrows
The top five slots are clearly narrow arrows. The race between these arrows will be in the hands of the drivers. Can they balance their right foot and hands for the length of the race to come out on top? The outcome may well be determined by who has the coolest head inside their expensive helmet. Barrichello, Kubica and Kobayashi may not have the sleekest arrows in this group but in the quiver of narrow arrows you ignore them at your own risk.

Wide Bodied Jets
The Mercedes GP cars may look sleek but they have acted more like wide bodied jets in the hands of their capable pilots. Rosberg has been the more aggressive in this team but race after race has had troubles getting his jet to pass the arrows on the track. Schumacher has, I will argue, raced his heart out but time and time again he has raced to defend position using his wide body to pile arrows up behind him.

The third wide body jet on the Sunday grid is most curious. It is the Red Ferrari with Massa as its pilot. Normally this is a narrow arrow combination. Team strategy (not to be confused with team orders) may turn this car from a narrow arrow into a wide body. DonÔÇÖt be surprised if Massa starts from the pits instead of the racing grid. If he does the hope would be to gain early positions as the field piles up at the start. During the race he will intentionally take on a 2011 Mercedes GP racing style; racing for position while at the same time remaining as wide and difficult for others to pass. Alonso will be allowed to pass and as a faster car Ferrari would avoid penalties by the race stewards. However; other arrows will find a wide bodied jet racing for position that is difficult to pass. Depending on the current stance the goal, within the racing rules and current standings demand, is to alternately allow Alonso to break away from or catch up to the other arrows. This is an odd role for both pilot and jet.

All this analysis and a buck still get you coffee and change at the official fly-over-land pit stop. This is bench racing. The real race is on Sunday.

Other Racing

Behind the scenes of the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki Race Team



On the Street

motorcyclenews.com: Near standard s1000RR hits 202mph

bikeadvice.in: Bajaj is looking to set tri-alliance with Kawasaki and KTM
asphaltandrubber.com: Analysis

HFL: This is the face of TriumphÔÇÖs new Tiger
motorcyclenews.com: Official accessories for Triumph tiger 800 revealed

desigblog.org: Simply designed cardboard shelters to house victims of natural disasters

Windmills!
inhabitat.com: worldÔÇÖs biggest offshore wind farm is activated today.

The Mothership



Help Wanted ÔÇômust be willing to relocate
ROLLS-ROYCE SUCCESS STORY CREATES EXPANDED LEATHERSHOP
ÔÇó 24.09.2010
ÔÇó Press Release

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has today announced that the companyÔÇÖs Leathershop has been expanded following the continued success of the Phantom and Ghost models. An additional ten positions in the machinist team have been created.

The machinist team was launched with just four people in 2002 and currently has 30 skilled associates working across two shifts. The team is the most international in the company, with nationalities represented including British, American, Portuguese, Ukrainian, German and Polish. Current team members come from a variety of industries, including saddlery, ladies lingerie, upholstery, couture work and sail making. The team also hosts apprentices and interns during their time at the company.

Torsten M??ller-?ûtv?Âs, CEO, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said, ÔÇ£I am delighted to confirm that we have expanded our Leathershop. Every one of our cars is hand built to order and the interiors are handcrafted by experts. By increasing the size of our Leathershop team we are reintroducing craft skills that, in many cases, would otherwise have lain dormant or been lost completely.ÔÇØ He continued, ÔÇ£If production continues at the current rate, and all indicators at this stage are positive, we will need to increase the team further in due course.ÔÇØ

Potential candidates should have suitable skills but do not need to currently be working as a machinist. Skills gained in a previous role or as a hobbyist could be appropriate and full and extensive training will be provided. To find out more about Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, potential career opportunities and to register your interest, please visit www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com.


Woot of the Day

FWIW

youtube.com: Keystone Cops Festival
A series of silent films about that wonderful group of totally incompetent bumbling policemen


Bike Candy

Carberrty Enfiled via thekneeslider.com

This Kiwi bike company takes two 500cc Royal Enfield cylinders and mates to a new bottom end design to yield a very interesting bike.

[mika]

motrcycoecannonball.com: RSS feed link for updates and standings
WSBK et al.


Superpole

BMW Motorrad Motorsport - WSBK - Imola - Superpole
ÔÇó 25.09.2010
ÔÇó Press Release
Weather conditions: Showers.
Temperature: Air: 20 ÔÇô 24 ??C, Track: 25 ÔÇô 33 ??C
Number of riders participating: 20 from 14 teams
Fastest lap Qualifying Practices: Carlos Checa (Althea Racing) 1:48.178 min
Fastest lap Superpole 3: Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) 2:07.341 min


Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport can be quite satisfied with this Saturday at Imola (ITA). In a rainy and dramatic Superpole, which saw a lot of favourites struggling, both riders qualified for the second row. Troy Corser (AUS) will start tomorrow's races from sixth, Ruben Xaus (ESP) from eighth. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) claimed his first pole position in the FIM Superbike World Championship.

Unpredictable rain showers turned the session into a lottery. In the rainy Superpole 2 the BMW S 1000 RR proved its abilities especially in the wet. Troy was second quickest in this session. Ruben crashed after sliding off the slippery track. But the Catalan made it back to the garage, got on his other bike and set the sixth quickest time, also qualifying for Superpole 3.


Troy Corser:
Bike: BMW S 1000 RR
Fastest lap Qualifying Practices: 1:48.851 min / Fastest lap Free Practice: 1:49.801 min /
Fastest lap Superpole 3: 2:09.842 min
ÔÇ£I am happy with today. The track was very greasy and it was catching out a lot of riders. So to be sixth on the grid for tomorrowÔÇÖs races is a good result for us. At this circuit there are a lot of surface changes that make the grip levels quite inconsistent. So you have to be extremely careful and gauge where you can push. I took my time to get comfortable with the conditions and then I just tried to improve with every lap. I am confident we can do a good job tomorrow and hopefully secure solid results for the team.ÔÇØ

Ruben Xaus:
Bike: BMW S 1000 RR
Fastest lap Qualifying Practices: 1:49.224 min / Fastest lap Free Practice: 1:50.315 min /
Fastest lap Superpole 3: 2:10.482 min
ÔÇ£We should be quite happy with todayÔÇÖs result. The Superpole qualifying was really tough. First of all because of the weather, and on top of that I crashed during the second session. The asphalt in the corner where I crashed was very slippery. Max Biaggi ran a little wide, and Leon Haslam braked quite heavily. I was entering the corner faster than them, and wanted to avoid a crash. I braked hard, and just lost the bike. This manoeuvre would not have been a problem in dry conditions, but it was in the wet. I was able to jump on my second bike, and managed to do a really good flying lap. Unfortunately, in the final session I had to ride on used tyres and struggled with the grip.ÔÇØ

Davide Tardozzi (BMW Motorrad Motorsport Team Manager):
ÔÇ£We are happy to have both riders on the second row, although I have to admit under these conditions we expected to achieve even better results. But Ruben crashed and maybe he did not want to risk too much on the slippery track. If it is wet tomorrow, I think we can push for the podium.ÔÇØ


Imola (Italy) - Final qualifying: TROY HAPPY WITH SECOND ROW IN DIFFICULT CONDITIONS
Troy ended final Superpole with the sixth fastest time and will start from the second row of the grid in tomorrowÔÇÖs pair of 21-lap races in Imola. Conditions were very difficult in all three Superpoles this afternoon, with the track wet in the Superpoles 1 and 2 and then becoming dry in places in Superpole 3. In the wet, all riders struggled on the slippery surface and there were many fallers, though fortunately there were no injuries. For Superpole 3, the track had a dryish line in places and that made things even more difficult for the final eight riders. In the end, Briton Tom Sykes (Kawasaki) took his first ever Superpole win and KawasakiÔÇÖs first since 2007. Second was Jakub Smrz (Aprilia), with Leon Haslam (Suzuki) third and Luca Scassa (Ducati) fourth. Troy - 6th, 2:09.842 Yesterday I said that this place is like an ice-rink in the wet and today in the rain the track was incredibly slippery. The track was wet in his morningÔÇÖs qualifying because of the heavy rain overnight and most of us didnÔÇÖt do many laps. Superpole started wet and I can honestly say that the track in this afternoonÔÇÖs Superpole was the slipperiest track IÔÇÖve ever ridden in my life! It was just like riding on ice and our tyres just had no edge grip so you couldnÔÇÖt push hard anywhere. When I tried to push hard, I almost lost the front. Some tried harder than me and crashed and I saw many people go off into the gravel. There was a bit of a dryish line in Superpole 3, but it was a bit too dry in places for our wet tyres, so we couldnÔÇÖt go any faster really. This is not the safest track in the dry and in the wet itÔÇÖs just lethal. I really hope that the races are dry tomorrow or thereÔÇÖs going to be a lot of crashes. The problem with his place in the wet is that somebody could crash and take out half the field. ThatÔÇÖs why I am hoping for dry conditions. Wish us all luck! Troy

Formula 1 and 

fai.com
Singapore GP - Conference 3
25/09/2010

SATURDAY POST-QUALIFYING PRESS CONFERENCE ÔÇô September 25, 2010

DRIVERS:
1. Fernando ALONSO (Ferrari), 1m45.390s
2. Sebastian VETTEL (Red Bull), 1m45.457s
3. Lewis HAMILTON (McLaren), 1m45.571s

DonÔÇÖt have anything to say about F1. I am still trying to swallow the USF1 article in the last post.




FWIW

Is rain what the doctor ordered for BMW Motorrad Motorsport?

Reading the team release and Troy CorserÔÇÖs blog conditions were worse than I had surmised form reports I read before my last post. I share the hope for a safe dry track for SundayÔÇÖs race. Yet I continue to wonder along the lines of my comments on finding ÔÇÿthe sweet spotÔÇÖ along with comments in a post for another race along the lines that I wished they would just ride the ride and stop pushing.

Many of us have found ourselves riding in wet conditions while trying to make time. When I find myself in these conditions I find myself in a hyper alert mode. I will constantly remind myself of the basics of riding skills build up in years on the road, classes and track days. At the same time I am forced to pay attention to my bike in ways that may get glossed over in other rides. What are my traction limits? How is the bike and my riding equipment holding up under the wet conditions? Having and continuing to make these assessments as I ride I have to seek an appropriate balance between caution and riding with alacrity. In this example the goal may be to get to the destination quickly in unfavorable conditions but the emphasis is on ÔÇÿgetting thereÔÇÖ.

Wet or dry race is a ten tenths proposition. How you get to that tenth tenth is different on a slippery track. It may well not be about wringing the last pony out of the engine nor tightening the up the chassis. The rider has to seek internal mental balance forgoing risks that might be taken on a dry track.

On Thursday when the team truck is unloaded there are three piles: parts, the bikes and riders. Mechanics and managers pull together what they are the best combination of these elements for a given race and race conditions. The riders must assess their mechanical elements and the track. Normally their next task is to push the bike they have been given to the bike and their limits in an effort to beat the clock and their opponents. Race in and race out the emphasis is pushing each of the elements to their limits. But I argue there is key element that is lost in all of this pushing for the tenth tenth.

The race is run and the finish line is crossed by bike and rider together. A balance must be found in the set up of the bike so the engine does not overcome the chassis and tires or vice versa. The calculus of finding this balance is complicated further when the human element is added. On a dry track a strong right wrist may make up for a rider who isnÔÇÖt up to snuff in the corners or rider may find a way to straighten out turns that others can not while riding a bike with a few less ponies. On a slippery wet track the bike and the rider must work together in all parts of the track to maximize the outcome. The successful teams will continue to push each of the elements but paying much more attention to doing this within a framework that emphasizes the balance of mechanical and human elements.

There is no doubt the S1000RR is a capable bike. There is an ever growing set of hardware in trophy cases that attest to its capabilities in a variety of situations and hands. BMW Motorrad Motorsport has spent a pile of Euros on the mechanical bits that are unloaded on race Thursdays are the best available. Corser and Xaus have resumes that show they have riding skills. What has been missing, to my eye and ear, is a sense of a real push to marry the mechanical and human elements together that have been talked about when examining them separately. A slippery wet race track may force the team to spend a weekend doing just that; focusing on bringing bike and rider together. Rain may just be what the doctor ordered for what has been ailing the BMW Motorrad Motorsport World Superbike Team.

HereÔÇÖs hoping for a safe race for all and a 1 ÔÇô 2 finish for the good guys.

[wezul]

Some kind of cafe racer show (strangely enough titled "Cafe Racer") about to premiere on Discovery HD in coming weeks.
October 13th if memory serves.
Promo looks interesting, you might check your local listings.

Hi John!


Gulden's Spicy Brown a current favorite.


But let's not forget Koops Horseradish.

[mika]

Cool. Is it season 2 or a rerun of season 1? (either way I havenÔÇÖt seen it ÔÇô no TV)





Been enjoying this of late along with some others.

[mika]

motrcycoecannonball.com: RSS feed link for updates and standings

WSBK et al.

Race 1 Hilights


Race 2 Hilights


Aprilia.com
9/23/2010

WSBK, BIAGGI ON APRILIA IS WORLD CHAMPION!
MAX BIAGGI 2010 WORLD SUPERBIKE CHAMPION ON AN APRILIA: THIS IS THE ITALIAN RIDER'S FIFTH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP. APRILIA CLOSE TO THE MANUFACTURER TITLE.

Max Biaggi is World SBK champion at the end of a difficult and exciting weekend on the Imola track.



Thanks to the fifth place earned in race 2, Biaggi brought the point gap to 63 points between him and Leon Haslam (Suzuki), who was the last rider in contention for the title (413 to 350). A gap impossible to fill with only the French round at Magny Cours to go until the end of the season. Max Biaggi ÔÇô with his fifth title after four consecutive world championships, from 1994 to 1997 in the 250 class ÔÇô is the first Italian World Superbike champion.
In the manufacturer standings Aprilia (433 points) is 41 points ahead of Ducati (392). Nine points will be enough for the Veneto-based team to take the manufacturer championship.

But Imola was not the site of a simple race day: delayed at the start of race 1, Biaggi had to settle for a placement (11th). Race 2 was an entirely different story. Abandoning any use of tactics, Max forced his Aprilia RSV4 into the front positions, battling for the podium right from the first turn. The fifth place he ended up with handed Max the championship title a round early and evoked an explosion of rejoicing from the thousands of fans who had come out to the circuit to cheer on the most famous Corsair in world motorcycle racing.

ÔÇ£This is a grand day ÔÇô commented an exhausted but happy Biaggi in the end ÔÇô a day which I have greatly desired. I've often felt in past years like I hadn't been placed in the proper conditions to be able to express my worth and to achieve the results that I know I deserve. This is one of the reasons that, at a certain point in my career, I chose this world, the SBK championship, and this is why I wanted to surround myself with the right people for this adventure ÔÇô because racing isn't just about speed, tyres and an engine. It is also about joy and having fun and with these guys, with this team, I feel at home. I want to thank everyone: my team, Aprilia, Piaggio Group, the chairman.

It has not been an easy season. Many riders have won races and if they had been just a bit more consistent, they would have been able to be more troublesome for us. The greatest moments were the double victories at Monza and Misano. It is something very special to win in front of my fans. But it isn't over yet ÔÇô there is still one goal left ÔÇô to ride my RSV4 to the manufacturer title. We'll talk again in a week and it would be truly fantastic to close out this wonderful season with another championship".

Roberto Colaninno, chairman and CEO of the Piaggio Group (which Aprilia is part of) was in the pit to experience the triumph of his team and rider and had this to say: ÔÇ£Today we achieved an extraordinary result which takes place in the second year of ApriliaÔÇÖs participation in World Superbike and, once again, confirms the technical excellence of the Noale Racing Division as well as the Piaggio Group in the two-wheel worldwide scene. It would be impossible to imagine anything better on a day like today. We won the World Superbike Championship on an Italian track, with an Italian bike, an Italian rider and a sponsor ÔÇô Alitalia ÔÇô which takes Italy all over the world. This has never before happened in Superbike history and this makes all of us that much more proudÔÇØ.


BMW Motorrad Motorsport - WSBK - Imola - Races

ÔÇó 26.09.2010
ÔÇó Press Release

Weather conditions: Sunny.
Temperature: Air: 21 ÔÇô 27 ??C, Track: 28 ÔÇô 41 ??C
Number of riders participating: 21 from 14 teams
Fastest lap Race 1: Leon Haslam (Team Suzuki Alstare) 1:48.966 min
Fastest lap Race 2: Carlos Checa (Althea Racing) 1:48.877 min


Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport experienced a difficult Sunday at Imola (ITA), the penultimate round of the 2010 FIM Superbike World Championship. After showing an encouraging performance on Friday and Saturday, the young team from Germany was struggling today.

In the first race, Troy Corser (AUS) was fighting with the top guys after improving from sixth on the grid to third at the start. But he lost positions when he missed his braking point, rode off the track and finally finished 15th. Ruben Xaus (ESP) did not get a good start from eighth and slipped back. But the Catalan fought his way back up through the field and finished 12th. In the second race, both BMW riders made good starts and improved their positions. Over the course of the race, both were struggling and lost some places to their opponents. Ruben finished ninth, Troy 11th. In the championship standings, Troy climbed up to tenth with 165 points, while Ruben is 13th with 96 points. In the manufacturersÔÇÖ standings, BMW is sixth (201 points).

In the FIM Superstock 1000 Cup Team BMW Motorrad Italia STK rider Ayrton Badovini continued his unique winning streak. The Italian rode to his ninth victory in the ninth race of the season. He secured an early title victory in the series in the seventh round at Silverstone.

Ruben Xaus:
Bike: BMW S 1000 RR
Result Race 1: 12th, Gap to 1st: 00:25.860 min / Fastest Lap Race 1: 1:50.345 min
Result Race 2: 9th, Gap to 1st: 00:18.249 min / Fastest Lap Race 2: 1:49.787 min
ÔÇ£It was really difficult. My first start was really bad, but at least I then found a good rhythm. My second start was really good, but Troy and I could not defend our positions. It is a frustrating situation, because we know the potential of the bike. We were very strong at some points, but we were also struggling in some corners. And that was where we both lost the positions. We must try to make the bike more flexible in tight corners. Thanks to my team that again worked really hard, now letÔÇÖs try to have a good last weekend at Magny-Cours.ÔÇØ

Troy Corser:
Bike: BMW S 1000 RR
Result Race 1: 15th, Gap to 1st: 00:44.349 min / Fastest Lap Race 1: 1:50.043 min
Result Race 2: 11th, Gap to 1st: 00:23.674 min / Fastest Lap Race 2: 1:49.837 min
ÔÇ£ItÔÇÖs been a really hard weekend for us. We have had some issues with our set-up, and that has hindered us today. As always the team has worked really hard, but sadly we couldnÔÇÖt secure a good finish in either race. We made two good starts and when the bike was gripping everything was working well. Sadly once the grip levels dropped off, I just couldnÔÇÖt do the lap times. I was struggling to get the bike to do what I wanted it to do. We must work hard over the next few days to ensure we improve in time for Magny-Cours.ÔÇØ

Berthold Hauser (BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director):
ÔÇ£At the moment we do not have an explanation for why we struggled so massively today. Unfortunately we could not build on the good basis we achieved in the practice sessions. The fact is today we were not fast enough. We are going to analyse the reason for this knowing we have much more potential. Congratulations to Max Biaggi for winning the World Championship today.ÔÇØ

Impressive and amazing day for the Ducati Superbikes today at Imola

Carlos Checa and the Althea Racing Team do the double win while Noriyuki Haga conquest a double podium today at home race



A perfect day. This is how we can sum up Sunday at Imola for Team Althea Racing and rider Carlos Checa, as they dominated the Italian round of the 2010 World Superbike Championship. It was a real celebration, in front of nearly 70,000 spectators who were there to witness the success of the Italian team, Spanish rider and of the Ducati 1198, winners of both of today's races while Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox) completed two extremely impressive races. Starting from the fourth row of the grid, the Japanese rider carved his way through the field lap after lap.
A great day for Ducati that dominated Race 1, with Noriyuki accompanied on the podium by a faultless Carlos Checa and a "reborn" Lorenzo Lanzi, before securing the top two spots in Race 2 with Checa, who scores his first double win with his 1198, and a competitive and determined Haga.


Imola (Italy) Race: Another frustrating day in the office for Troy

Troy endured another day of frustration in the twelfth round of the Superbike World Championship at Imola today, finishing 15th in Race 1 and 11th in Race 2. The problems he had suffered during practice and qualifying were never fully resolved and Troy had to battle his way round the 4.936 kilometre circuit on a bike that he couldnÔÇÖt push as hard as he wanted to. Due to the poor conditions yesterday, he never got the chance to do a race distance on a tyre. When the rear went off in the races, he was unable to match his lap times in practice and dry qualifying and just had to do the best he could. Carlos Checa (Ducati) won both races today, taking race one by over a second and race two by a more comfortable two seconds. It was an all-Ducati podium in race one, with Lorenzo Lanzi in second and Noriyuki Haga in third. In the second race, Haga finished runner up, with Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha). Max Biaggi (Aprilia) became this yearÔÇÖs Superbike World Champion when Leon HaslamÔÇÖs Suzuki blew up in race two. Haslam had been the only rider who couldÔÇÖve beaten Max to the title, but his DNF left Max with a lead of 63 points, with just 50 points left to play for. It is the first time that an Italian has been crowned World Champion and ApriliaÔÇÖs first title in the series. Troy - Race 1: 15th, Race 2: 11th Generally, itÔÇÖs been a frustrating day. From the first day to this afternoon we never really sorted out some small problems and that, together with the lack of doing a race distance on a race tyre, meant that we weÔÇÖre always playing catch up. The lack of race distance info meant that I only got to find out how the tyres behaved after half the race and the feeling was not that good! The grip went and the bike became difficult to stop and turn properly and so I wasnÔÇÖt able to push as hard as I wanted to. I made a good start in race one, but got a false neutral on lap four and dropped from 5th to 19th and then had a lot of work to do just recovering some ground. The bike was spinning and wheelieing everywhere, but I kept at it and did the best I could and ended 15th. We used the same bike in race one and two but we changed the rear tyre. We also made some small changes to the wheelie control, the electronics and suspension. Once again my start was pretty good, but my starts have been consistently good all year. When the grip went, I was struggling again. Also, this track is so bumpy and you cannot relax at all on the bike. Today I felt like I was fighting it all the time and thatÔÇÖs not a good way to race. The wheelies and spinning donÔÇÖt make life easy and itÔÇÖs something weÔÇÖll have to sort out for Magny-Cours. I hope I will have a bike thatÔÇÖs comfortable to ride there and one that I can really push hard and feel confident doing it. WeÔÇÖve had podiums already this year and I would like to end the season with another one at least. See ya, Troy

WSS

worldsbk.com: Home win for Ayrton
Badovini notches another win on the way to a perfect season..

MotoGP



Formula 1 and 

fia.com:
Singapore GP - Conference 4
26/09/2010
1. Fernando ALONSO (Ferrari), 1h57m53.579s
2. Sebastian VETTEL (Red Bull), 1h57m53.872s
3. Mark WEBBER (Red Bull), 1h58m22.720s



Other Racing

Tough end to ÔÇÖ10 Enduro World Championship

BMW Husqvarna Motorsport team rider Juha Salminen brought his participation in the ÔÇÖ10 Enduro World Championship to a close this past weekend where the former seven-time world champion placed 10th and sixth in the Enduro 2 class at the GP of France. Living up to its reputation as a demanding championship ending event, the GP of France, which was held this year in Noiretable, proved to be anything but easy due to heavy rain during the opening dayÔÇÖs competition. With the weather making all of the eventÔÇÖs special tests extremely slippery and heavily rutted the weather did improve during day two, but the day was little easier.

Competing alone for the BMW Husqvarna Motorsport team due to Marko TarkkalaÔÇÖs absence in France with a wrist injury, Juha fought his way through the seriously challenging conditions on day one to place 10th. Day two saw a marked improvement in JuhaÔÇÖs results as the Finn jumped up to sixth in class. Performing well throughout the day Salminen produced the fastest Enduro 2 class time on the final extreme test.

With the ÔÇÖ10 Enduro World Championship now finished BMW Husqvarna Motorsport rider Juha Salminen will next be in action at the International Six Days Enduro, which takes place in Mexico on November 1-6.

Juha Salminen ÔÇô Enduro 2 class: ÔÇÿItÔÇÖs certainly been a tough event, the rain made sure it wasnÔÇÖt going to be easy. I made too many small mistakes to improve my results. I felt that I was riding well on some of the tests but you just canÔÇÖt make mistakes. I found the first day the hardest, when the special tests were really slippery. On day two things were a little better, but still not what I want.ÔÇØ
2010 Enduro World Championship, Grand Prix of France ÔÇô Day 1
Enduro 2
1. Mika Ahola (Honda) 1.01:21.50; 2. Pierre Alexandre Renet (KTM) 1.01:31.10; 3. Thomas Oldrati (KTM) 1.01:43.71; 4. Ivan Cervantes (KTM) 1.02:14.73; 5. Marc Bourgeois (Husqvarna) 1.02:27.06; 6. Nicolas Paganon (Kawasaki) 1.02:45.23; 7. Rodrig Thain (TM) 1.03:10.81; 8. Joakim Ljunggren (Husaberg) 1.03:44.56; 9. Oscar Balletti (Honda) 1.04:12.80; 10. Juha Salminen (BMW Husqvarna Motorsport) 1.04:13.14
2010 Enduro World Championship, Grand Prix of France ÔÇô Day 2
Enduro 2
1. Pierre Alexandre Renet (KTM) 1.00:25.36; 2. Thomas Oldrati (KTM) 1.02:01.56; 3. Rodrig Thain (TM) 1.02:13.47; 4. Oscar Balletti (Honda) 1.02:24.92; 5. Nicolas Paganon (Kawasaki) 1.02:33.01; 6. Juha Salminen (BMW Husqvarna Motorsport) 1.02:45.74; 7. Joakim Ljunggren (Husaberg) 1.02:51.03; 8. Valtteri Salonen (Husaberg) 1.02:54.10; 9. Jeff Goblet (Yamaha) 1.03:02.45; 10. Jordi Figueras (Gas Gas) 1.03:29.04









Bike Candy

[mika]

BMW Motorrad Motorsport - WSBK - 2011 - Leon Haslam

ÔÇó 28.09.2010
ÔÇó Press Release

Leon Haslam will line up alongside Troy Corser for BMW Motorrad Motorsport in 2011.

Munich/Stephanskirchen, 28 September 2010. BMW Motorrad MotorsportÔÇÖs rider line-up for the 2011 season in the FIM Superbike World Championship is now complete. Riding the second BMW S 1000 RR for the Munich and Stephanskirchen-based team alongside double world champion Troy Corser (38) will be Briton Leon Haslam (27).

ÔÇ£WeÔÇÖre extremely excited about working with Troy and Leon,ÔÇØ says BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Berthold Hauser. ÔÇ£This rider pairing brings together a wealth of expertise and youthful fighting spirit. WeÔÇÖre very pleased to have not only a double world champion in our team for next year, but also the runner-up in the 2010 World Championship. ItÔÇÖs just the right combination for our recently formed team at this stage of the project.ÔÇØ And Hauser adds: ÔÇ£WeÔÇÖve been monitoring Leon for a long time now and have been more than impressed by his strengths as a rider. WeÔÇÖre extremely happy to be able to welcome him into our team. We have a strong pair of riders in Troy and Leon and are in no doubt that weÔÇÖll be able to achieve our ambitious aims with them on board. We would also like to thank Ruben Xaus, who over the last two years has helped to take the team to where it is today. We wish him all the best for the future.ÔÇØ

Leon Haslam is looking forward to racing for BMW Motorrad. "I've watched the progress of the BMW S1000RR in the past two seasons and the almost constant improvement of the machine has been very impressive. I'm very much looking forward to riding the machine and experiencing for myself what I've been watching. The team has shown the potential to win and the team has the factory support required so I'm hopeful that I can add the extra little bit that is needed to win. I'm really grateful to BMW for showing such faith in me and patience during difficult times and we're looking forward together now for a successful 2011."

Leon Haslam profile:
Date of birth: 31st May 1983
Place of birth: Smalley/Derbyshire (GBR)
Residence: Smalley/Derbyshire (GBR)
Marital status: Engaged
Height: 1.73 m
Weight: 67 kg
Hobbies: Golf, wakeboarding, mountain-biking
Passion: My family, motor racing
Favourite circuits: Phillip Island, Assen, Silverstone
First bike: Honda QR 50
First race: 1987, Argentina, 50cc class
Career highlights: 2006/2008: 2nd in British Superbike Championship
2010: WSBK, Kyalami (RSA), Race 2
2010: Currently 2nd in the WSBK ridersÔÇÖ standings
WSBK history: 82 races, 19 podiums, 3 wins, 9 second places and 7 third places, 1 pole position, 2 fastest race laps

[Visian]

Been enjoying this of late along with some others.

mika - you need to try some Lusty Monk mustards...

[mika]

World Superbike

moto-station.com: Tardozi thanked at Imola, BMW strike at Magny-Cours?
The article describes a “a team on the verge of collapse, plagued by seemingly intractable disagreements”.

Over at motoblog.it they are saying Tardozi has been sacked

The stories are based on this from gpone.com.

fim-live.com: Magny-Cours, last round of a thrilling season

Race 1 Highlights Imola


Race 2 Imola


motorcyclenews.com: Haslam to BMW
Lack of Suzuki factory support sends Haslam to BMW


MotoGP

fim-live.ccom: Lorenzo looking for rostrum return at Motegi

Spain picks up another race as Aragon, used to replace an unready Hungarian race track, picks up its own race leaving Hungary off the provisional 2011 MotoGP calander.

Formula 1

Rumors about a Raikkonen return continue with the Renault F1’s head saying he would like to talk with him. Kubica, often linked with a Ferrari move, seems to be staying at Renault but Petrov could be ousted to make room for the Finn.

Meanwhile at Mercedes GP it sounds like Schumacher will return. Ross Brawn goes to some lengths to explain the problems with development of the 2010 car compared to the 2009 Brawn GP project. In the process he spends a good deal of time talking about improvements targeted to improve Schumi’s performance next year.


On the Street

caradisiac.com: The French site says KTM will be introducing three new bikes at Cologne

clutchandchrome.com: Black bikers at higher risk of motorcycle fatalities

“The increased odds came despite the fact that African Americans were more likely to be wearing helmets at the time of the crash. White bikers not wearing helmets were still less likely to die in a crash than black bikers wearing helmets”

ducatinewstoday.com: Ducati UK sales explode



Well this is on the sidewalk not the street: dealernews.com: No more sidewalk parking for Brooklyn riders

HFL: 2011 Kawasaki Z1000S a practical liter bike? Is this really a kinder gentler version of the Kawasaki ZX-10R/

And some of you argue belt drives are new technology…patentpendingblog.com: Belt drive bike from 1890,

bikerholi.com: First look at HJC IS multi 7 in 1 motorcycle helmet

The Mothership

Supervisory Board renews contract of Dr. Reithofer
• 29.09.2010
• Press Release
Reithofer to remain Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG until 2016

Munich. At its meeting today, the Supervisory Board of BMW AG extended the contract of Chairman of the Board of Management Dr. Ing. Norbert Reithofer (54), until 2016. Dr. Reithofer has been a member of the Board of Management since 16 March 2000, and Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG since
1 September 2006.

Professor Dr. Ing. Joachim Milberg, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of BMW AG, remarked after the meeting on 29 September 2010 that: “This step will provide continuity over the years ahead and ensure trust and constructive cooperation between the Supervisory Board and the Board of Management.”

Manfred Schoch, Chairman of the General Works Council, said after the Supervisory Board meeting: “Dr. Reithofer’s reappointment will allow us to maintain the successful cooperation between the Board of Management and the Works Council. I am confident that all of us here at the BMW Group will continue working towards the same goals and that we can therefore be optimistic about the future.”

BMW Group wins major order to supply Saab with engines
• 29.09.2010
• Press Release
Note: This press release is a 1:1 copy of the original issued by BMW headquarters in Germany. No adaptations have been made to cater for the UK market.

Darn I would have to take the Rolls in to the shop again, that is if I owned one.

Voluntary Recall of Certain V8 and V12-powered BMW and Rolls-Royce Models.
• 30.09.2010
• Press Release
Information from editor: Customers with further questions should contact BMW Customer Relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email customer.relations@bmwna.com.

woot.com: Today’s Woot


FWIW

I have written at least five FWIW editorials about the lead WSBK stories about BMW’s turmoil and have erased all of them. I just don’t know what to say. Basic guides to writing tell you to open with an introduction that engages the reader and sets up the article. Having quickly done the primary task is to state your thesis for the article. The body of the article is made up of paragraphs built with topic sentences that develop your thesis and information that supports the topic sentence. Research may yield all sorts of topics to discuss but a combination of space and the narrow demands of the thesis sentence will determine what is kept and what is edited out. Once the thesis has been logically explored developed and argued with these paragraphs the writer is left the task of writing a conclusion that summarizes what has gone before.

My problem has been coming up with a single clear thesis sentence. I have a great number of topic sentences and the supporting information for them. Yet I have not been able to pull them together under an over arching thesis to generate a FWIW. As I came to that conclusion I realized BMW is having the same problem its BMW Motorrad Motorsport Team in World SBK; it lacks a clear thesis to build on.

We can readily point to various topic sentences that describe and come up with information to support the lead sentence. At all levels a variety of goals have been set. What is needed defined and action taken. In the vast majority of these results has been what was expected or more.

A superbike was developed based on the WSBK homologation rules to expand BMW’s product line into a new market segment. Targets were set for sales and market share. The bike would be raced by a factory team and other national teams. Plans were developed and set in place to do each of these. Overall the results have been successful, an award winning bike was developed. The product line was expanded and sales goals were met and greeted with an excess of demand for the product. Races were won and in turn titles claimed at a variety of levels. Yet for all those achievements anything resembling success rather than incremental progress at the WSBK level of racing have eluded BMW.

I am coming to the conclusion of this FWIW with a sense that I have written something that may be a bit clever but lacks the cohesion that a piece with a clear thesis sentence to build on would have. This is the same sense I have when I look at BMW Motorrad Motorsport’s WSBK team. Both are collections of topic sentences with supporting information in search of the clear direction a well written thesis sentence would give them.

Bike Candy

BMW has made headlines with the pending inline six, but what about a Ducati V8. I love a good engine picture. Bikes in the Fast Lane teased that this will be displayed at Intermot 2010. Yes it’s a Ducati V8 and it will be shown at Intermot but it is not from Ducati. Still it is something to behold.



Here it is within its frame.



I can only imagine what it sounds like.