Source: http://sportbikeblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/chris-vermeulen-anxious-to-return-to.html
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
2012 Laguna Seca Saturday Round Up: Lorenzo's Blistering Pace, Stoner's Traffic Problems and Rossi's Ducati Offer
Despite dominating the championship so far, Jorge Lorenzo does not get a lot of pole positions. Except at Laguna: though this was only his third of the season, Saturday's pole position was Lorenzo's fourth in a row at the circuit, and he secured it in convincing style. The circuit record tumbled - it had stood since 2008, set by Casey Stoner when he looked on his way to dominating the US GP at Laguna, before his run in with Valentino Rossi. There has been much complaining about the Bridgestone tires of late, yet both Lorenzo and Stoner beat the pole record on the tire they will probably race on, a pole record set on super-soft special qualifiers, which at a track like Laguna Seca you could just about eke two laps out of before they were finished. In reality, there's not so much wrong with these tires.
The pole record could have been beaten by a lot more, but Casey Stoner kept running into traffic each time he went for a fast lap. Up by a tenth or more at each split a number of times, he would suddenly run into a rider cruising, or a CRT machine on a hot lap, and lose out. On his last attempt, he ran into Danilo Petrucci just before the final corner, working his way swiftly past to take pole from Lorenzo with a couple of minutes to go. But Lorenzo would not be denied, pushing hard in the final sector to get pole back from Stoner in the dying moments.
So near and yet so far at Suzuka
BMW Motorrad France Team Thevent's Sébastien Gimbert, Damian Cudlin and Erwan Nigon looked all set to claim an historic podium finish in today's Suzuka 8 Hours race, until an electrical problem saw them drop from second to tenth in the last 40 minutes of the race. Starting from 11th on the grid, the #99 BMW S1000RR made steady progress during the first six hours, benefitting from consistency of pace and a number of retirements from the front of the race to eventually move up into third place.The team were promoted one more place when Vincent Philippe on the championship leading SERT bike crashed out of second place as the race entered the final hour. With just 50 minutes to go BMW Motorrad France Team Thevent looked certain to secure a first podium finish at Suzuka for a European manufacturer, and take the lead in the championship standings as a result.Unfortunately, it wasn't to be. Just a few minutes after taking second place the #99 BMW S1000RR had to pit in with an electrical issue which the team didn't have time to remedy in the time remaining. Instead, Gimbert was despatched to do the best job he could in the final 40 minutes, on a bike that was now 20 seconds off the pace of the leaders.The reigning French Superbike Champion fought as hard as possible, and was often well over the limit, but was unable to hold off challenges from behind and eventually had to settle for ninth place at the chequered flag. The riders and the team were obviously disappointed to miss out on a podium finish, but will take consolation from the fact that they have closed the gap to the leaders in the championship standings.BMW Motorrad France Team Thevent will return to action at round four of the Endurance World Championship, the 8 Hours of Oschersleben in Germany, which takes place from 9 - 12 August.Erwan Nigon: "Today I have experienced the biggest disappointment of my career so far. To finish second at Suzuka behind a full factory bike, ridden by the likes of Rea, Akiyoshi and Okada, would be like a victory for us, but it wasn't to be. In racing you win some, like we did at Qatar, and you lose some, like we did here today, but knowing that doesn't make it any easier to accept. The team did a great job and we rode a near perfect race for seven and a half hours, only to lose out to a minor electrical problem within sight of the chequered flag. Unbelievable. Sébastien did a brave ride at the end, to salvage ninth position and the all-important championship points."Damian Cudlin: "A podium finish at Suzuka is something that you dream about as a rider, something that you'll be boring your kids with for years, so I'm devastated to have got close enough to taste it only to miss out in the last 40 minutes. We rode a textbook race, made no mistakes and we were in sight of the podium when I came in to hand over to Seb for the final run. We knew there was something wrong as soon as he started the bike and, sure enough, he was straight back in after one lap. There wasn't time to start pulling the bike apart, so he went back out on a bike around 100km/h down on top speed compared to the competition. It must have been scary for him out there, but he held it together and brought it home in the top ten, when I was convinced we weren't even going to finish."Michael Bartholemy: Team Principal "Once again we are reminded that racing has its highs, but it also has its lows. We came so close to a remarkable result today, but it just wasn't to be. All three riders and everyone in the team did an outstanding job this weekend and, but for some bad luck right at the end of the race, we'd have been celebrating an historic podium here. So, I want to say thank you to every single one of the team, to BMW and to Michelin, for all their hard work and commitment this weekend. We have moved up to fourth in the championship standings and closed the gap on the leaders. Next time out at Oschersleben, I hope we can close the gap further with a win for BMW at home."
2012 Laguna Seca MotoGP FP2 Result: Pedrosa Takes Charge
Dani Pedrosa continued his reign of the MotoGP class at Laguna Seca this afternoon, adding the fastest time in FP2 to his quickest time in FP1 this morning. Where the Repsol Honda man only just held off Jorge Lorenzo in FP1, he stretched his advantage to a much more comfortable third of a second in the afternoon, getting under the race lap record and closing in on the pole record as well. Lorenzo took 2nd again, just as he did this morning, while Casey Stoner was also once again 3rd fastest, though the Australian closed the gap on Lorenzo significantly.
Ben Spies was 4th, and just as this morning the Factory Yamaha rider led a brace of Monster Tech 3 Yamahas, Andrea Dovizioso ahead of Cal Crutchlow. Crutchlow took a very nasty tumble towards the end of the session, destroying his Yamaha M1 and ripping his leathers, causing him to lose some skin on his upper right leg. After Valentino Rossi also crashed in the same place a few minutes later, the session had to be red flagged, Rossi's Ducati sliding into the air fence, causing it to deflate. Rossi walked away from that crash unhurt, though.
Danica Patrick Sonic Car
Here is a custom made 1/24 diecast of Danica's Sonic car that she will drive at Texas in November in the Nationwide Series. They will not produce this in a diecast so its a custom..
Source: http://www.motorsportforums.com/nascar/154141-danica-patrick-sonic-car.html
Alvaro Bautista Out of Luck at Laguna Seca
After a good pace on the second day at Laguna Seca, Bautista couldn't get the same result on the race. Bautista felt that they made wrong decision with tyre.
Alvaro Bautista ( 8th )
"I'm not sure why but today the bike felt really unstable on the front. Maybe we made the wrong decision by going with the soft tyre. I tried to push it at the start but I couldn't brake hard and I was really struggling in corner entry. It's strange because we had good race pace with this tyre yesterday but today it didn't work. It hasn't been a good weekend for us. Despite the positive signs yesterday it proved to be a difficult race today."
Fausto Gresini
"After the crash in warm-up this morning it was important for Alvaro to finish the race here because it wasn't an easy situation for him. We have been suffering in the last few races and we need to help him find more confidence in the front of the bike. It is important we stay calm and work hard to achieve this because there is still a long way to go in this championship. Of course the crash this morning didn't help because yesterday it looked like we had the pace to have a good race."
San Carlo Honda Gresini Press Release
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Source: http://www.zimbio.com/MotoGP/articles/j9PK4EhFi5Y/Alvaro+Bautista+Out+Luck+Laguna+Seca
Monday, July 30, 2012
Danica Patrick Sonic Car
Here is a custom made 1/24 diecast of Danica's Sonic car that she will drive at Texas in November in the Nationwide Series. They will not produce this in a diecast so its a custom..
Source: http://www.motorsportforums.com/nascar/154141-danica-patrick-sonic-car.html
Michelin third in Suzuka
The 35th Suzuka 8 Hours saw MICHELIN and its partner team Yamaha France GMT 94 MICHELIN Yamalube finish on the third step of the podium to put a European team and a French tyre manufacturer up with the front-runners at this legendary Japanese race. Motorcycle endurance racing permits open competition between tyre firms and this weekend's visit to Suzuka enabled MICHELIN to reinforce its understanding of the Japanese venue where it was running a new tyre. It also finished on top of Saturday's 'Top 10 Trial' qualifying shootout which saw its rubber establish a new endurance motorcycling lap record for the venue in association with Monster Energy Yamaha Austria Racing Team (YART). The race itself saw MICHELIN improve its times with BMW Motorrad France Thevent by more than a second per lap. In front of the 57,000 spectators who braved the heat at Suzuka (air: 34°C / track: 46°C), the local s tars got off away to a strong start at the sort of pace normally associated with sprint racing. The drama-filled early phase was marked by a number of falls, safety car interruptions, retirements and position changes. There were even surprises in the last 10 minutes when Spaniard David CHECA (N°94 Yamaha) came out on top of his fight for third place to put himself and fellow GMT 94 rider Kenny FORAY on the final podium. The result will have thrilled their absentee team-mate Matt LAGRIVE. MICHELIN's priorities for the race were performance and consistency and it had the satisfaction of seeing the lap times of its three partner teams come down by between 0.5s and 1.5s compared with 2011. For example, BMW Motorrad France Thevent's fastest race lap in 2011 was a 2m11.2s (posted by Damian CUDLIN), while Erwan NIGON produced a time of 2m9.4s during his first stint at Suzuka today! <o> The French firm also demonstrated its capacity to innovate thanks to a selection of tyres that were designed specifically for this figure-of-eight track. Its three partner teams benefited from a new rear tyre which took the high temperatures in its stride, while at the same time delivering consistent performance from start to finish. </o> Said Nicolas GOUBERT (Technical Director of the MICHELIN Group's Competition Department): "We would like to thank our partner GMT 94 on its excellent performance and sound race strategy. It was a real team effort and its final pit-stop proved decisive. Congratulations, too, to its two riders, David and Kenny, who provided a further illustration of their talent, despite the demanding conditions. We also come away with more valuable championship points which, in addition to our satisfaction with today's result, was our objective here…"
Source: http://www.fim-live.com/en/media/news/news-detail/article/1343568561-michelin-third-in-suzuka/
Repsol Media Press Release: Marc Marquez Completes Three Days Of Testing At Portimao
Marc Marquez has completed three days of testing at the Portuguese circuit of Portimao. The Spaniard was riding there alongside Thomas Luthi, where the two Moto2 rivals were testing the latest chassis updates from Suter. No times were made available, but the Repsol Media Service issued the following press release and video after the test:
Year:
2012
Ducati Announces Renewal of Nicky Hayden's Contract
On the occasion of the United States Grand Prix, the home race for two-time Laguna Seca MotoGP winner Nicky Hayden, Ducati announces a contract extension with the American that will see him continuing to race for the Ducati Team next year.
Nicky Hayden, who turns 31 on Monday, is currently in his tenth season in the MotoGP series and his fourth with the Ducati Team. During that time, he has become extremely popular with fans and Ducatisti all over the world, thanks to his reliably positive outlook, his passion, and his determination. He currently sits eighth in the championship points standings and is working hard on the development of the Desmosedici GP12, employing his typical effort and enthusiasm.
The United States hosts no fewer than 45 DOCs (Ducati Owners Clubs) and tomorrow thousands of fans will have the opportunity to meet Nicky at Ducati Island, an area at Laguna Seca where Ducatisti gather to follow the race and experience the "red passion." Following the afternoon qualifying session, Nicky himself will visit the Island's stage, where many spectators and fans will no doubt be excited to join him in celebrating the news of his renewal with the Ducati Team.
Nicky Hayden, Ducati Team
"I'm very happy that I'll be back with Ducati and back in MotoGP, racing at the highest level for a very important team. I love the guys I work with, I love the Ducati fans, and I love the brand. This is `n important time for Ducati in a number of ways, and I'm excited that I'll continue to be a part of it. I feel like I've got some unfinished business here, and hopefully we can get all the pieces into place and reap the rewards of the hard work we've put in the last couple of years. It's nice to be able to make this announcement at Laguna and to share the moment with my fans, friends and family. If I can do a good result on Sunday, it could make for a pretty special birthday weekend."
Ducati Factory Racing Press Release
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Source: http://www.zimbio.com/MotoGP/articles/xrBfUVAEHQK/Ducati+Announces+Renewal+Nicky+Hayden+Contract
Shoei X-12 Vermeulen 5 Helmet
The Shoei X-12 is the preferred helmet of Riders Discount Vesrah Suzuki AMA racing team and, out of all the available options, the graphic that sees the most track time is definitely the Vermeulen 5. This is because the striking design has been preferred helmet choice of both Joey Pascarella and Cory West throughout the 2012 season.
The Vermeulen 5 replica features an eye-catching, black and yellow paint scheme that uses flame patterns, pinstripes and blocks of color to great effect. The flawless paint is laid onto the aerodynamic shell Shoei’s flagship X-12, so it doesn’t just look good, it also does what helmet is supposed to do - keep you safe. You can read all about the features of the X-12 on our website.
Feel free to get in touch with Brad if you’re interested or have any questions about this, or any other Shoei helmet. You can shoot him PM or give him a call at 866.931.6644 ext 810. If you’d rather email us, send a note to FORUM at RIDERSDISCOUNT dot COM and we’ll get back to you right away.
The Shoei X-12 Vermeulen 5, shown here with an optional dark smoke shield.
MSRP $839.99
The X-12 Vermeulen has been seen on Cory West...
…and Joey Pascarella throughout the 2012 AMA season.
The Vermeulen 5 replica features an eye-catching, black and yellow paint scheme that uses flame patterns, pinstripes and blocks of color to great effect. The flawless paint is laid onto the aerodynamic shell Shoei’s flagship X-12, so it doesn’t just look good, it also does what helmet is supposed to do - keep you safe. You can read all about the features of the X-12 on our website.
Feel free to get in touch with Brad if you’re interested or have any questions about this, or any other Shoei helmet. You can shoot him PM or give him a call at 866.931.6644 ext 810. If you’d rather email us, send a note to FORUM at RIDERSDISCOUNT dot COM and we’ll get back to you right away.
The Shoei X-12 Vermeulen 5, shown here with an optional dark smoke shield.
MSRP $839.99
The X-12 Vermeulen has been seen on Cory West...
…and Joey Pascarella throughout the 2012 AMA season.
Source: http://www.esportbike.com/forums/showthread.php?t=144839&goto=newpost
Sunday, July 29, 2012
A great win for FCC TSR Honda
FCC TSR Honda won the Suzuka 8 hours with a four-lap lead, followed by the Honda of Toho Racing with Moriwaki with Tatsuya Yamaguchi, Yuki Takahashi and Yusuke Teshima on board, and the Yamaha France GMT 94 Michelin Yamalube ridden by David Checa et Kenny Foray. Winners here at Suzuka in 2011, the FCC TSR Honda, crewed by Jonathan Rea, Kosuke Akiyoshi and Tadayuki Okada, came out of the practice sessions behind three other favourites, Monster Energy Yamaha YART, Musashi RT Harc-Pro and the Yoshimura Suzuki Racing Team. But this 35th edition proved tough for many of the pre-race favourites. Katsuyuki Nakusuga, who earned his team the pole position with a breath-taking lap in 2'06.845, crashed on the Monster Energy Yamaha YART just over half an hour into the race. And a crash by Ryuichi Kiyonari after five hours on the track also put paid to the victory hopes of Musashi RT Harc-Pro. The Suzukis too had their share of misfortune. The Yoshimura Suzuki Racing Team were hit by an oil leak and failed to make it to the finish. In second place behind the FCC TSR Honda until then, the Suzuki Endurance Racing Team slipped down the field after a crash by Vincent Philippe. The World Champion Suzuki came in fifteenth at Suzuka. Fate also struck the BMW Motorrad France Team Thevent, another contender for the runner-up spot. A faulty electronic sensor on the S1000RR forced it back into ninth place at the finish, seven laps behind the winner and just ahead of the Honda TT Legends and the Kawasaki Bolliger Team Switzerland, who gave a good account of themselves at Suzuka. The competition was thrilling till the end. The most intense duel was the struggle for third place in the final half hour between David Checa on the Yamaha France GMT 94 Michelin Yamalube and Ozamu Deguchi on the Kawasaki Eva RT Trick Star. Checa came through with brio before Deguchi was stymied by engine trouble on his ZX-10R. Another FIM World Endurance Championship permanent team made it to the finish at its first shot at the Suzuka 8 hours. The Suzuki of Team R2CL came in 24th with Jérôme Tangre, Amaury Baratin and Raphaël Chaussé at the helm. Two Hondas running on Bridgestone were today's logical winners at Suzuka but Michelin made an impression in Japan this year with a pole position and a place on the podium. This Suzuka 8 hours has also given a new impetus to the FIM Endurance World Championship. The Suzuki Endurance Racing Team is still in front with a narrow 5-point lead over the Honda TT Legends. But Yamaha France GMT 94 Michelin Yamalube has really improved its chances as it is now back in contention ahead of the BMW Motorrad France Team Thevent and just 11 points behind the SERT with two rounds still to go. The next round of the FIM Endurance World Championship is the Oschersleben 8 Hours that takes place in Germany on Saturday 11 August. What they said… Jonathan Rea, rider, FCC TSR Honda, tired and happy at the finish "Suzuka is really an extraordinary race that is nothing like the other events. I am really glad it's over because it was extremely tough. I didn't do the practice here but my team mates Kosuke Akiyoshi and Tadayuki Okada helped me a lot, especially when I had to really push hard after my fuel problem at the start of the race." David Checa, rider on Yamaha France GMT 94 Michelin Yamalube "The end of the race was very intense. At every lap, my team kept me informed of the time gaps between me and the competition and I really had to fight for this 3rd place." Christophe Guyot, team manager Yamaha France GMT 94 Michelin Yamalube "David really is a fabulous rider. He is intelligent, he has the physical strength and he knows how to manage his races. In his first relay, he knew right away that we just need to change the rear tyre that had got torn by something on the track, without wasting time getting the bike into the pit box." Nicolas Dussauge, team manager BMW Motorrad France Team Thevent "I am disappointed of course, but paradoxically I would say we were lucky to finish the race. It's a very tough decision to take to send a rider on to the track with a motorcycle that could be dangerous. Because one of the sensors had gone, the engine couldn't take more than 7 000 rpm." Photos FIM-Good Shoot/David ReygondeauRace resultsProvisional standings
Source: http://www.fim-live.com/en/media/news/news-detail/article/1343578938-a-great-win-for-fcc-tsr-honda/
2012 Laguna Seca MotoGP Race Result: Tense Duel Settled In Final Laps
Results and summary of the Red Bull US GP race at Laguna Seca:
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