Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Richard Petty Motorsports has new owner/investor
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The marriage of Richard Petty Motorsports and Medallion Financial Corp....
Mercedes To Become Ducati MotoGP Team's "Official Car Partner"
That the marriage between two of the strongest brands in Italy, Valentino Rossi and Ducati, should turn into a marketing goldmine comes as no surprise. Even before Rossi's signing with Ducati was officially announced, rumors among paddock insiders suggested that Ducati had sponsors lining up to back their MotoGP program, and now that the new season is approaching, Ducati is starting to pick the fruits of that.
For yesterday, at the Los Angeles Auto Show, AMG - a high-performance subsidiary of the Mercedes Benz brand - announced that they are to enter into a marketing partnership that will see the German car manufacturer support Ducati's MotoGP project. The partnership will not produce much in the way of visible sponsorship on the bikes, for Mercedes is to be "Official Car Partner" to the program, rather than any form of main sponsor. The pair will engage in joint marketing activities, including allowing selected Mercedes owners to test ride Ducati's new Diavel machine at AMG events, while selected Ducati owners will be given the opportunity to test Mercedes vehicles.
Gerhard Haeberle Bernard Haenggeli Philipp Hafeneger Kensuke Haga
MMP Teams With M1 for SBK Round
Win one of ten copies of the 2010 F1 season DVD | Competition
Black Friday thru Cyber Monday Deals from Riders Discount
2011 F1 entry list confirms Sauber name change | 2011 F1 season
James Toseland talks Yamaha MotoGP debut
The double World Superbike champion crashed on only his sixth lap on board the Tech 3 YZR-M1.
He lost the front at the first corner having clipped a white line on the inside, which was still damp and dirty follo wing heavy overnight rain which had delayed his long-awaited first ride for over an hour this morning.
Nicky Hayden and John Hopkins also crashed at turn one today.
Using the same bike that Makoto Tamada finished the 2007 season on, only with Michelin tyres, James Toseland told MCN: ?That was a bit strange. With the rain the track was a bit dirty and it just caught me out. I just touched the white line on the inside.
Wilf Billington Hartmut Bischoff Gastone Biscia Norman Black
Shakey Byrne back to BSB
Congrats and thank you!
A huge thanks to MD, slo and princess for keeping the games going this season. You...
Monday, November 29, 2010
Three Crew Chiefs Say What Their Drivers Must Do to Win Sprint Cup
Filed under: Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Chase for the Sprint Cup, Crew Chiefs, Sprint Cup, NASCAR
Denny Hamlin is said to be over his minor meltdown after the Phoenix race, and his crew chief, Mike Ford, is feeling good because they've had the best car and done the most winning down the stretch in the Chase for the Sprint Cup.Kevin Harvick is bringing a new car to the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway this weekend and as the third-place driver, will race flat out, crew chief Gil Martin said. But before Harvick goes for broke, the team is hanging out the "Gone Fishing" sign and headed to the Keys.
And Jimmie Johnson? Well, he's just a better driver than the other two, or so says crew chief Chad Knaus.
It may be that some of the things said Tuesday in a triple-header media conference featuring the three contending crew chiefs will - for motivational purposes - end up taped to one or another team's tool box in the garage at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Or it may be that it's just a lot of hot air that disappears into the air like so much exhaust smoke out of their engines.
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Shunji Yatsushiro Ryuji Yokoe Toshimi Yorino Kenichi Yoshida
Backmarker: Why flat track ain?t flat-lining?Part 2 of our season-ending interview with GNC honcho Mike Kidd
Heritage GT Challenge
2011 Kawasaki ZX-10R Review
Although seven years have elapsed since...
Yamaha Monday Wake-Up Call
Federico Sandi Christian Sarron Kevin Schwantz Taro Sekiguchi
Hey Buelligan,
And Now For Something Eerily Similar: Moto2 Test Images From Joe Wierzbicki
I know this guy... That's not his number!
Kenan Sofuoglu - he learned on Sunday not to try and out-crazy a Moto2 rider
Larbi Habbiche Ron Hackett Gerhard Haeberle Bernard Haenggeli
TEAM-SPEAK: Valencia MotoGP Test, Day 2 (Pics)
Bit of a come down . . . Campos join Auto GP Series
*Campos joins Auto GP field for 2011
By Pablo Elizalde
Monday November 29th 2010, 11:23...
Elias Visits LCR Tech Division and Monza Rally
Rossi will be ready for Sepang Test
Alessandro Castagna, one of the two specialists who performed the Italian?s shoulder operation on Sunday, believes he will be fit in time for the MotoGP Test in Malaysia on February 1st.
In an interview with Italian sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport Doctor Alessandro Castagna of the Milan Humanitas Institute, who along with Doctor Giuseppe Porcellini performed the operation, explained his view on the chances of Rossi being fit to ride the Ducati in Malaysia.
?It usually takes 90 days and he has 79 until the first Test. I?m sure that if everything goes smoothly and there are no complications he can be ready for it,? said Dr Castagna.
The nine-time World Champion will require a splint to support the shoulder for three weeks, and his recovery programme will consist of three important stages.
?The inflammatory phase (immediately after surgery) usually lasts for between three to five days,? continued Dr Castagna. ?The second phase usually a month and a half or two during which the capillaries in the area will aid the production of fresh cells that will help the healing process. The final stage will be the re-strengthening of the joint. In the middle of the second stage Valentino will start the rehabilitation with the first steps being in the pool, followed by gym activity.?
Discussing the surgery Dr Castagna said: ?The operation itself had no particular problems, but we encountered a situation like at the supermarket: pay for one, get three. To give an idea of the situation it normally takes 35 minutes to stabilise a shoulder, and with Valentino it took us an hour and 50 minutes.?
?In simple terms the supraspinatus tendon and the glenoid ligament were both very damaged. We had to clean the area to prepare it for its natural healing process, and then close it with 12 stitches. The fibrocartilage surrounding the humerus was displaced so we put it back and fixed it with bio-absorbable staples. All of this was done in an area which measured a maximum of 2-3 centimetres.?
Tonight on Pit Pass Radio: Josh Herrin, Austin Dehaven, Ricky Parker, & More
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Tuesday Conversation: Jake Johnson
Bridgestone Prior to the Czech Moto GP
This makes for challenges in terms of tyres handling the driving. This circuit also causes extreme average speed levels, as much as 166 kmph - a record made by Jorge Lorenzo the previous year. Lorenzo owns a 72 point lead in the 10th round of the previous season. He finished ahead of Dani Pedrosa, Andrea Dovizioso, Casey Stoner, and finally Valentino Rossi, who missed his previous four races due to injuries.
On this track, asymmetric slicks are not mandatory when the same load is given on both the left and right shoulders of rear tyres of the bike. Harder front tyres become of necessity to endure the extremely abrasive nature of the circuit tarmac.
Brno's height elevation makes the weight transferring of critical importance, because of the increase in pressure the tyres have to endure. Again, the importance of quality front tyres is underlined by how when going downhill on this track, the entire weight of the bike is thrown forward - especially when brakes are pulled. This is the reason why Bridgestone have chosen especially hardened compound front slicks for the Brno track, otherwise something chosen for only a few races throughout the season.
The corner exit speed plays a greater importance on this track than elsewhere for the reason that it is possible for the bikes to attain high levels of speed and driving ease when on the sudden and steep uphill rising parts of the track. This translates directly into reasonably good traction in the rear for the riders to open the throttle as promptly as they can. Uphill elevation variation helps the tyres in the rear grip better by transferring the load towards the back.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=V_Kullar
SLIDESHOW: Umbrella Girls of the Week, Valencia MotoGP
125cc World Champ Marquez Moves to Moto2 for 2011 (Pic)
Toni Elias visits LCR Tech Division
Edmonton Back On
Full Story...
Kunimitsu Takahashi Yuki Takahashi Gábor Talmácsi Makoto Tamada
Shakey Byrne back to BSB
Cycle News Acquired by Motorsport Aftermarket Group
After 40 years of covering the motorcycle industry,�weekly magazine Cycle News ceased publishing nearly three months ago, survived only its website. It looks like the brand will live on though, as Cycle News has been acquired by the Motorsport Aftermarket Group (MAG), the owner of such brands like Vance & Hines, Renthal, and Performance Machine. MAG will now own and operate the cyclenews.com site, and will bring back former editor Paul Carruthers, who left Cycle ...
Driven Racing Clip-On Handlebars
Kasey Kahne Wins Pole for NASCAR Finale, Jimmie Johnson Leads Contenders
Filed under: Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Kevin Harvick, Chase for the Sprint Cup, NASCAR
HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- Kasey Kahne won the pole position for Sunday's Ford 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup series season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, while four-time defending Cup champ Jimmie Johnson's sixth-place effort was best of the three drivers vying for the season championship.Kahne's No. 83 Red Bull Toyota turned a lap of 176.904 mph around the 1.5-mile oval, bettering Carl Edwards' Ford and Jamie McMurray's Chevrolet. (Kahne is shown at right checking times during qualifying).
But as significant as who will be starting up front is who won't be. Championship points leader Denny Hamlin, who holds a tenuous 15-point edge over Johnson, will start 37th in the 43-car field. Kevin Harvick, who trails Hamlin by 46 points, will roll off 28th.
"It was tough ... but our car is gonna be fine tomorrow,'' Hamlin said. "We know that. This is a track you can pass (at). We're looking forward to that part of it. Friday has just never been our strong suit and so we gotta battle back again."
Harvick, who has started better then 20th only one time since August, didn't appear overly concerned with his starting position. He finished third at Martinsville, Va., last month after starting 36th and was runner-up at Las Vegas despite starting 34th.
"I thought we might have been a little better, but not much,'' said Harvick, who drives the No.. 29 Shell-Pennzoil Chevy. "Everybody on the car did a really good job. ... We've been talking about where we want to pit here, the same thing we do every week.
"Our car was very comfortable in race trim and we are ready to go.''
Aprilia RSV4 Factory APRC Special Edition
The new RSV4 APRC special edition is fitted with features such as adjustable traction control, wheelie control, launch control and quick shift transmission. It includes some of the features of the electronic engine management system of the SBK Aprilia bike with APRC standing for ?Aprilia Performance Ride Control?. The package has improved lubrication and closer gears on the V4 engine, a lighter exhaust and an improved butterfly valve management system which is more closely matched to the Ride by Wire system.
The RSV4 APRC special edition is designed both for those wanting a more serious track bike, and for hobby riders who love this kind of superbike technology. The bike is even fitted with new dual blend 200/55 tyres which have been specifically developed with Pirelli for WSBK circuits. More details after the jump include spec sheets.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Ducati-Inspired CorsaCaffe for Christmas
Lorenzo Zanetti Vincenzo Zanzi Giovanni Zigiotto Luigi Zinzani
Vespa and Piaggio Partner Up to Provide Retail Financing
Indy tipping contest scores
Honorable mention goes to [...]
2010 Review
Best F1 pass of 2010: make your nominations | 2010 F1 season review
Renzo Colleoni Jacques Collot Giuseppe Colnago Roberto Colombo
AMA Pro Revises Format of 2011 AMA Pro SuperSport Class
Toni Elias visits LCR Tech Division
Miller Motorsports Park World SBK Tickets Now On Sale
Yamaha To Radically Revise The 2011 MotoGP Bike?
Yamaha have just about cleaned up during the 2010 MotoGP season. The factory secured the 2010 World Championship with Jorge Lorenzo, the Spaniard scoring a record points total along the way, with the Japanese manufacturer also wrapping up the constructors' title, and the factory Fiat Yamaha team taking the team title. In addition, Ben Spies took Rookie of the Year aboard a satellite YZR-M1, finishing 5th in the championship, and with Valentino Rossi taking 3rd - despite missing races due to a broken leg, as well as racing with a long-running and debilitating shoulder injury - Yamaha finished with three riders in the top five.
All in all, then, little reason to change Yamaha's 800cc M1 MotoGP machine, given the startling level of performance that the bike has already displayed. But when Spanish journalist Diego Lacave, editor of the magazine Motoracing, wrote an open letter to Jorge Lorenzo on the website Motocuatro, claiming that the Yamaha will be the bike that gets the least amount of development for the 2011 season, Lorenzo's crew chief Ramon Forcada was quick to deny any such suggestion. Lacave was guilty of only looking at Yamaha as a company, not at the culture which that company has, Forcada explained. "I've worked with the Japanese enough to understand their attitude," Forcada wrote in an email to Motocuatro. "They either decide to leave, like Kawasaki did, or they stay and accept all of the consequences."
Stefano Caracchi Jordi Carchano Martín Cárdenas Jose Luis Cardoso
Celtic Racing, PJ Jacobsen, and Fast by Ferracci Join Forces (Pic)
Thierry Crine Fernando Cristobal Daniel Crivello Àlex Crivillé
MotoGP: Stoner confirmed for factory Honda team in 2011!
Honda Racing Corporation today confirmed Stoner will become a factory Honda rider in next year?s MotoGP World Championship, however what team it will be in remains a mystery.
Current factory regulars Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso are expected to remain under contract to HRC as well, with Stoner making a third factory effort - one of the three expected to be on a Red Bull-supported bike.
?We are very pleased that Casey will join Honda again next year,? confirmed HRC vice president Shuhei Nakamoto. ?Clearly he is one of the top riders in MotoGP and he will bring valuable speed and experience to our team.
?In the factory Honda squad we already have two very strong and experienced riders in Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso who are performing very well and currently hold second and third positions in the 2010 World Championship.
?HRC hopes also to retain these two riders for next year - giving us what would be a truly formidable line-up.?
The Australian 2007 World Champion, who rode in the Honda LCR Team in his debut MotoGP season in 2006, will rejoin Honda after four seasons with Ducati. Honda?s complete factory team line-up for 2011 will be officially presented later in the season.
It?s expected that Italy?s nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi will replace Stoner at Ducati alongside American Nicky Hayden, while current Superbike World Champion Ben Spies will replace Rossi on the Fiat Yamaha factory team alongside world champion elect Jorge Lorenzo.
Ducati announced right before Honda?s announcement that Stoner would be leaving the team in 2011.
?I would like to thank Casey on behalf of our fans and our sponsors, but most of all on behalf of all the people working at Ducati,? commented Filippo Preziosi, Ducati Corse general director. ?The victories and emotions he gave us, rewarded all the hard work and sacrifice we made.
?In these four years together we have had a lot of great moments. Securing the 2007 MotoGP World Championship title and the victory at Mugello in 2009 were moments that we will never forget. In Casey we not only found an incredibly talented rider, but also an honest and loyal guy and that?s why there will always be a strong and sincere bond between us, even as a competitor.?
Although he is yet to comment on his future at HRC, Stoner was thankful to Ducati for giving him the opportunity on the factory effort back in 2007.
?I must thank Ducati for giving me such a great opportunity to race and win with them over these past four years? commented Stoner. ?They took a gamble when they signed me at the end of 2006 as I was unknown, but as we worked together we were able to win a championship, many races and challenge for the championship in the last two seasons.
?I have now decided to move on and I will have new challenges in the future and different obstacles to overcome, but I will not forget these years with Ducati and the people I have had the privilege to work so closely with. So a big thanks to Ducati and all our sponsors who we have shared success with while achieving lifelong goals.?
Stoner has suffered a spate of front-end crashes during 2010, derailing his championship hopes as his first victory of the season continues to elude him.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Ricciardo to drive in practice for Toro Rosso in 2011 | 2011 F1 season
William Campbell Frank Camillieri Jean Campiche Salvador Cañellas
Ducati Diavel Pricing Confirmed
Confirming what we already told you last month, Ducati has officially announced the pricing on the 2011 Ducati Diavel power cruiser. With the base Diavel costing�$16,995, Ducatisti can spend an extra $3,000 for the Diavel Carbon, which costs $19,995, or purchase the Diavel Carbon “Red” (named for its red frame and rally stripe) for $20,395. Is the Ducati Diavel not your cup of tea? In an interesting move, Ducati has setup a feature on its ...