Jaime Alguesuari Julien Allemand Dick Allen Rudy Allison Pedro Alvarez
Monday, July 2, 2012
InDetail: Williams FW34
Williams have enjoyed a resurgence this year, with new management, a revised car which now sports a Renault engine and competitive drivers. The FW34 won a race on merit in Spain, with Barcelona being a track well known to be … Continue reading 
Source: http://scarbsf1.wordpress.com/2012/06/29/indetail-williams-fw34/
Karel Abraham Brian Adams Duilio Agostini Felice Agostini Giacomo Agostini
Positive first day for the Pramac Team in Holland
Hector Barbera, Pramac Racing Team
In unusually dry conditions, the Green Energy Team's sole rider started off the day in 7th place in the morning free practice and hoped to improve further in the afternoon. However this was not to be as he was only able to better his morning time by 0.020 seconds, slipping back through the order after a small crash.
The Spaniard is confident that he can move up the timesheets tomorrow, using the setup of the bike with which he crashed during the free practice, due to a mistake while he was changing gear.
Tomorrow’s final practice and qualifying sessions are expected to be run in dry conditions and this should be a great weather forecast for the Green Team.
Hèctor Barberà – Pramac Racing Team Rider –
“It was a satisfying day for us. In the morning session I had a good setup on my Ducati Desmosedici and I was able to stop the clock in 1’35.296, finishing in 7th place. Unfortunately during the second free practice, I made a mistake at the entrance of a corner while I was changing gear and I crashed out. This made us change our initial plans because we lost some time fixing the second bike. Despite this small hitch I’m confident with my crew’s work and I know that we could have a more brilliant qualifying day, tomorrow.”
Francesco Guidotti – Pramac Racing Team Manager –
“Despite the small crash at the beginning of the afternoon’s session, we are gratified with today’s result. The bright spot of this warm Thursday in Holland was that the top ten riders were all within less then four tenths of a second, so tomorrow we will have a hard-fought one-hour qualifying session and we hope to wrap up in the front rows.”
Source: Pramac Racing Team
Source: http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/positive-first-day-for-the-pramac-team-in-holland/
Jean Pierre Bayle Len Bayliss Troy Bayliss Bruce Beale Douglas Beasley
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Pramac Racing heads to TT Assen
Hector Barbera, Pramac Racing Team
The White and Green Team arrived at Assen to setup for the TT Assen Grand Prix, which, as tradition dictates, is always held on the last Saturday in June and it is the first GP in a row of three races.
Héctor Barberá heads to Holland in high spirits. The Pramac Team’s sole rider has fond memories of the circuit, having scored the first podium of his career there and, after a disappointing race at Silverstone, he is ready to kick off his new challenge.
The Assen circuit, sometimes referred to as the ‘cathedral’ by race fans due to its status and historical significance in racing, is the only circuit to have been part of the Grand Prix World Championship calendar since its inception. The circuit has undergone many changes over that time. Initially runs on public roads it has evolved into one of the most physically demanding and technical tracks in Grand Prix with high-speed chicanes and varied camber changes.
Hèctor Barberà – Pramac Racing Team Rider –
“The good thing about having races so close together is that you don't lose your rhythm and if things don't go your way in one race you quickly have the opportunity to make things right. That is the case for us because Sunday at Silverstone was a bit of a disaster. Now we can keep working hard and I am sure that at Assen, one of my favourite circuits, I can be fast with my Ducati. I had my first podium here and I always like it. Assen has some fast corners like Silverstone and I can adapt well. We had a good feeling at Silverstone during the practices, so hopefully we can recreate that this weekend.”
Francesco Guidotti – Pramac Racing Team Manager -
“The TT Assen Grand Prix will be a difficult campaign, a treacherous track due to the tricky and unpredictable weather conditions. We are indeed ready to fight head-strongly with the other riders in order to achieve a brilliant result.”
Source: Pramac Racing Team
Source: http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/pramac-racing-heads-to-tt-assen/
Haruchika Aoki Nobuatsu Aoki Takuma Aoki Hiroshi Aoyama Shuhei Aoyama
Fixi Crescent Suzuki Ready for Aragon WSB
FIXI Crescent Suzuki is heading to the Motorland Aragon circuit for the eighth round of the eni FIM Superbike World Championship.
FIXI Crescent Suzuki is heading to the Motorland Aragon circuit for the eighth round of the eni FIM Superbike World Championship with renewed vigour following positive tests at the Spanish circuit last week.
Photo Gallery: Fixi Crescent Suzuki Ready for Aragon WSB - Sport Rider Magazine
Ernesto Brambilla Wolfgang Brand Alessanro Brannetti Reiner Bratenstein Hans Braumandl
The Fastest Triumph at Pikes Peak - Still not Ducati fast
It was a valiant effort, however even with professional flat track star Joe Kopp at helm the Latus Motors Racing prepped Speed Triple it was no match for the class dominating Ducatis. This is one fun looking bike none the less. Next year the Pikes Peak course will be fully paved and it will be a whole new game with more superbikes stepping up to the plate. Perhaps bringing more mainstream bikes to the event will spark more interest in the historic event. I think I might have to add this one to the bucket list.
Source: http://motorcycleracingtrackdays.com/the-fastest-triumph-at-pikes-peak-still-not-d
Masao Azuma Chris Baert Graham Bailey Steve Baker Peter Balaz
1970s F1 cars at the 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed | 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed
1970s F1 cars at the 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed is an original article from F1 Fanatic. If this article has been published anywhere other than F1 Fanatic it is an infringement of copyright.
A collection of distinctive F1 racers of the 1970s are on display at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
1970s F1 cars at the 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed is an original article from F1 Fanatic. If this article has been published anywhere other than F1 Fanatic it is an infringement of copyright.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/jC9UKTE9Z4s/
Sergio Boroncini Gino Borsoi Luca Boscoscuro Gimmi Bosio Juup Bosman
2012 Aragon World Supersport QP2 Results
It took a while for the Supersport riders to get started, with a huge spread across the top ten until close to the end of the session, but once they did, six riders were under the 2:03 mark.
Source: http://www.motomatters.com/results/2012/06/30/2012_aragon_world_supersport_qp2_results.html
Ernesto Brambilla Wolfgang Brand Alessanro Brannetti Reiner Bratenstein Hans Braumandl
Alpinestars Spring 2012 Collection - Track Standouts
The Alpinestars Spring 2012 Collection is on its way and there are definitely a few standouts for the track. Starting with the updated Alpinestars Race Replica Suit. The new Alpinestars suit can be fitted with the Tech Air Airbag system and features updated stretch panels in shoulders and a revised perforation scheme for unsurpassed cooling. The new design is very clean and on trend for the resurgence of high visibility colors seen in the Moto GP Paddock. This is about as close as you can get to the suits worn by Stoner, Pedrosa, and Spies.
For those that prefer a two piece set up, the Alpinestars GP Tech Air Leather Jacket is going to be a killer top half to a track suit. Massive amounts of perforation highlight this technical jacket as well as nicely integrated reflective stripes and external TPU shoulder and extended elbow protection that comes straight from the Race Replica Suit. There is also a removable windbreaker vest liner for when the temperature drops. This is the new top of the line jacket from Alpinestars for those who will except nothing less.
The SMX Plus Boots changed the game for sport riding boots in its price range last year and the addition of the Gore-Tex membrane will only further the popularity of this standout. It will be nice to hit a rainy track day or damp weekend ride knowing that your feet will be protected as well as dry and comfortable. The standout features of these boots are the Multi Link Control system, which protects the ankle from hypertorsion, hyperflexion and hyperextension while adding impact protection and a contoured EVA footbed that lends arch support and control feel in the forefoot but is also completely removable if you so choose.
I cant wait to see this kit in person.
Santini
Source: http://motorcycleracingtrackdays.com/alpinestars-spring-2012-collection-track-stan
Vincent Braillard Ernesto Brambilla Wolfgang Brand Alessanro Brannetti Reiner Bratenstein
Courageous Crutchlow makes fast start in Assen
Only 11 days after breaking and dislocating his left ankle in a practice crash for his home round at Silverstone, the British rider demonstrated his bravery and skill once again by finishing just 0.006s behind fastest rider Ben Spies. Crutchlow, who rode to a heroic sixth place from the back of the grid at Silverstone, was ninth quickest this morning but was able to knock 1.2s off his best pace this afternoon to finish with an impressive lap time of 1.34.872. The 26-year-old finished the leading non-factory rider and today's positive start was an instant reward for Crutchlow's determined efforts to be in the best physical conditions possible for the Assen race on Saturday. He has been undergoing round-the-clock treatment on his left ankle since Silverstone and although not close to 100% fitness, he has targeted a top six finish in Saturday's 26-lap race.
Andrea Dovizioso has battled for the podium in each of the last three races and is confident he will be in contention for the top three again on Saturday after a positive start to his preparations for the seventh round of the 2012 MotoGP World Championship.
The Italian rider was eighth fastest but in a closely contested second session that saw the top 11 split by just 0.471s, Dovizioso's be st pace of 1.35.257 was only 0.391s off Spies at the top of the leaderboard.
Dovizioso will focus on improving front-end stability on his YZR-M1 machine ahead of tomorrow's final practice and qualifying.
Cal Crutchlow
Position 2nd - Time: 1'34.872 - Laps 40
“I am happy to be second quickest considering my physical condition is certainly still not the best after the crash at Silverstone. This morning was a bit of a shock to be honest because although I have been able to do a bit of cycling at home on the Isle of Man as part of the recovery, it definitely wasn't easy. There was quite a bit of pain with the ankle this morning and it took me longer than normal to get into a rhythm. But overall I am really pleased to be second because I am still quite sore. I am sure it is going to get better the more time I spend on the bike but I had arm pump this morning too because I was compensating for the ankle. But this afternoon it wasn't an issue at all. I tried the hard and soft rear tyres and felt good on both so we have done a good job as always. The target for this weekend was to try and be inside the top six throughout and I've done that today. My ideal time was actually fastest so that is a really big positive and gives me a good boost to take into tomorrow.”
Andrea Dovizioso, Yamaha Tech 3
Andrea Dovizioso
Position 8th - Time: 1'35.257 - Laps 41
“The characteristics of this track means the lap times look very close but if you look at the tyres some were using, then it is easier to understand who is really fast for race pace. Obviously I would have liked to be higher up than eighth but I am not unhappy with my race pace. I am quite fast but I can improve the setting of the bike, particularly the front-end. I don't have the stability like normal and that means I don't have a comfortable feeling entering the corner and I can't be as aggressive as I'd like. But I am only 0.3s away from the fastest pace, so it is not such a big gap to close to the front and I am confident I will be higher up the order tomorrow.”
Source: Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team
Source: http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/courageous-crutchlow-makes-fast-start-in-assen/
Reiner Bratenstein Hans Braumandl Dieter Braun Georg Braun Walter Brehme
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Phillip Island: Yamaha Sunday report
Yamaha World Superbike Team rider Marco Melandri ended his podium drought this afternoon, stepping up to take third position in the second World Superbike race, his first podium since 2009. The World Superbike rookie started well from his second row position, closing in on defending World Champion Max Biaggi and pushing him to the race finale, interchanging for second position a number of times before finally settling for third at the line, less than 1.5 seconds from double race winner Carlos Checa. The first race of the day saw both Melandri and his teammate Eugene Laverty start well, Laverty impressing by leading the first two laps of his first ever Superbike race, before dropping back to swap positions with Melandri several times. Laverty claimed fourth and Melandri fifth at the line. Both riders had struggled a bit for rear grip in the first race, and Laverty also from arm pump, problems which were rectified by team set up changes and help from Clinica Mobile prior to race two. Laverty's second race began with the young Northern Irishman pressing on and holding sixth position until lap eight when a false neutral caused him to run wide, losing valuable time and positions. The same issue was repeated on lap 11, dropping him to 20th position by lap 15. Despite the setback Laverty fought back, pushing back up over seven laps to claim 15th at the line. As they head to Donington in the UK for the second round of the championship, they do so with Melandri sitting in third in the overall standings with 27 points, his teammate Laverty sits in ninth with 14 points, 13 behind Melandri.
Marco Melandri, Yamaha World Superbike Team 5th, 3rd
"I'm pretty happy with the end results of today, although I wasn't too happy about race one. We've been struggling all week with a rear grip issue, which could be seen in race one. I think we made a good job before race two, changing our set up to deal with it and we were a little bit more aware of our potential afterwards. The bike was a lot better and I felt a lot more comfortable. It's nice to be back on the podium! I wanted to challenge Biaggi for second but in the end my body was slower than my mind at the end of the race, it felt a bit dangerous to make some passes so I was happy to settle for third." Marco Melandri
Eugene Laverty, Yamaha World Superbike Team 4th, 15th
"In the first race I had problems with arm pump and had just to sit there, I had the possibility to go third but didn't want to risk my arms. I got it fixed at Clinica, it was just really stiff after five days riding on a Superbike this week! Marco upped the pace in second race; it would have been tough to beat, but there was a definite fourth there for me. Unfortunately two false neutrals killed the race leaving me with one point. On the plus side I'm very positive for Donington, we've clearly got a very competitive package and under race conditions we can see that our competitors aren't as fast as the practice sessions suggested."
Yamaha World Superbike Team Manager - Andrea Dosoli
"Today we got confirmation that all the work we have done is in the right direction. We struggled a bit in race one, both riders complained about a lack of rear grip and we could see we where slow in the last sector. With just a few adjustments we improved the bike for race two, so Marco could follow Max and, at the end, the gap to Carlos Checa was not as big as in race one so he kept a good race pace. Eugene did a great job in race one and he was doing in the same in race two. He really impressed us with a fantastic start he showed he could work under pressure and ride in a tough race. He put in the same performance in race two, unfortunately getting a couple of false neutrals and running off, losing ten seconds each time. If not for this he could have been on the podium. We showed this weekend that the performance of the team is high with both riders so we should be proud, especially considering this is the first time they have run a two race event on a Sunday. Thank you to all the team for a good job done so far and we will try to be even more competitive at Donington."
Yamaha R6 returns with instant victory as Scassa Takes First World Supersport Victory
Yamaha ParkinGo rider Luca Scassa made it a day to remember this afternoon, enjoying an adrenalin filled battle in the top five for the duration of the World Supersport race. The Italian World Supersport rookie made good use of the R6's superior performance to charge through the pack, leading for some laps before dropping back again. He then passed Sam Lowes on the final straight for a photo finish, claiming victory by just 0.009 seconds. Scassa's teammate Chas Davies had a less fortunate afternoon. Having found a perfect setup for the Phillip Island circuit, Davies had been in contention for the podium for the majority of the race, fighting alternate for second and third position until a flat tyre forced early retirement on lap 18. Scassa heads to the next round at Donington in the UK leading the championship with a full 25 points, teammate Davies goes keen to get off the points mark and catch up to his Italian stablemate. Today's victory marks the first race for the officially supported Yamaha R6 since it won the World championship in 2009 with Cal Crutchlow. An impressive result for the Yamaha ParkinGO Team considering the collaboration with Yamaha was started just six weeks ago. Luca Scassa
-source: yamaha
Source: http://www.motorsport.com/wsbk/news/phillip-island-yamaha-sunday-report/
Juup Bosman Adrian Bosshard Christian Boudinot Roy Boughey† Dennis Boulom
Norton Commando Mk III
It’s hard to improve on the Norton Commando. But Bill Becker, creator of the lovely Aermacchi Sprint we featured a little while ago, has taken the iconic British motorcycle to a new level. Bill bought the Commando on eBay as… Read more
Bike EXIF is the world's #1 source for custom motorcycles, classic motorcycles and cafe racers. Produced in association with Icon.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Bikeexif/~3/_dT2Pr7myAQ/norton-commando-mk-iii
Takeishi Araoka Adrian Araujo Gilbert Argo Manuel Arias Ken Armstrong
Five hours and 20 minutes after the race – an 80-page e-magazine
Why wait days for your F1 coverage? Produced from the F1 circuit at Valencia, GP+ is a PDF electronic magazine that gives you the full story from the European Grand Prix weekend. In this issue we look at Fernando Alonso’s amazing victory… We talk to Felipe Massa… We look back at Spain’s version of Enzo [...]
Giacomo Agostini Jack Ahearn Mitsuo Akamatsu Takashi Akita Kousuke Akiyoshi
Last minute dash sees Stoner take pole at Assen
Bridgestone slick compounds available: Front: Soft, Medium. Rear: Medium-Soft, Medium (Asymmetric)
Bridgestone wet tyre compounds available: Soft (Main), Hard (Alternative)
Weather: Dry/Wet. Ambient 23-24°C; Track 30-31°C (Bridgestone measurement)
Casey Stoner, Repsol Honda Team
Repsol Honda’s Casey Stoner set a scorching lap time of 1:33.713 right at the end of a rain-interrupted qualifying session to claim pole position for tomorrow’s Dutch TT at Assen.
Intermittent showers caused delays throughout qualifying, but as the track dried out with five minutes remaining it was reigning champion Stoner who emerged fastest to finish 0.115 seconds ahead of teammate Dani Pedrosa to secure a Repsol Honda 1-2 on the grid for tomorrow’s race. Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jorge Lorenzo qualified third as he hunts for a fourth consecutive MotoGP™ victory, while top CRT qualifier was Power Electronics Aspar’s Randy de Puniet who will start on the fourth row in 12th position.
This morning’s FP3 session was also subject to spells of rainy weather, though there was still enough dry running today to allow teams to further refine their dry setup for tomorrow’s race. The high corner speeds at Assen mean almost every rider this weekend has preferred the greater stability of the harder front slick, though rear slick choice has been varied with some riders favouring the better edge grip of the softer rear option over the greater durability of the harder rear.
The riders will be back on track for morning warm up at 0940 local time tomorrow (GMT +2) with the lights going out for the race at 1400.
Shinichi Yamashita – General Manager, Bridgestone Motorsport Tyre Development Department
“That was quite an exciting qualifying session and just like we saw yesterday the pace at the front of the field is very close so we may be in for a thrilling contest tomorrow. The rain did arrive today as expected, but thankfully the track dried quickly and the good warm-up performance of our 2012 specification slicks allowed riders to head out in the last five minutes of qualifying and set some stunning lap times.
“The combination of the softer rear with the harder front slick provided the best combination of rear grip and front stability to set quick lap times for qualifying, though for tomorrow’s race I expect the field to be split fairly evenly between the softer and harder rear slicks matched with the harder front.”
Source: Bridgestone
Source: http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/last-minute-dash-sees-stoner-take-pole-at-assen/
Karel Abraham Brian Adams Duilio Agostini Felice Agostini Giacomo Agostini
Crutchlow and Dovizioso target strong race at historic Assen
Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team riders Cal Crutchlow and Andrea Dovizioso will start tomorrow's historic Dutch TT from inside the top seven after a rain disrupted qualifying session at Assen this afternoon.
Cal Crutchlow, Yamaha Tech 3
Less than 15 minutes of the session had elapsed when a short cloudburst forced Crutchlow and Dovizioso into the pits when they were lying eighth and third respectively on the timesheets.
The track quickly dried and after a 10-minute delay, Crutchlow and Dovizioso were able to resume their preparations for tomorrow's 26-lap race.
Both were just about to start switching to Bridgestone's soft tyre to push for a fast lap time when a second rain shower hit with 20 minutes remaining and forced them back into the pits once again.
Six minutes remained when the rapidly changing conditions suddenly improved and grey and gloomy skies gave way to glorious sunshine and Crutchlow and Dovizioso were able to attack for three laps on slick tyres.
Continuing to ride in considerable discomfort with the broken left ankle he suffered in practice for his home round at Silverstone 13 days ago, Crutchlow produced a stunning final lap of 1.34.486 to finish fifth quickest.
Crutchlow's brilliant last lap attack continued his impressive qualifying record in 2012 and he will start tomorrow's race from inside the top five for the sixth time in seven races. The 26-year-old is confident he can maintain his grip on fourth place in the World Championship standings.
Changes to the set-up of his Monster Yamaha Tech 3 YZR-M1 machine gave Dovizioso the front-end confidence and feedback he lacked yesterday and a lap of 1.34.698 secured him seventh position on the grid.
Dovizioso was as high as third in the early part of the session prior to the rain interruptions but he was unable to improve his lap time in a frenetic finale to the session. The Italian's pace in race trim though has boosted his confidence that he will be battling for the rostrum for the fourth race in succession.
Cal Crutchlow
Position 5th - Time: 1'34.486 - Laps 17
“I'm happy on one side because to be fifth fastest and on the second row is a good result considering my physical condition and how much pain I have from the left ankle. But I'm upset a little bit too because I'm sure I could have been into the 33s and on the front row, but (Hector) Barbera got in my way on my final lap and cost me some crucial tenths. He was looking for a tow again to improve his lap time like he always does and unfortunately it was me that got caught up with him this time. All week though I have been consistently in the top five and my aim was to be in the top six, so I am not doing badly. We'll make a decision on which tyre to use tomorrow but we have a little bit of work to do on stopping the bike in a few areas, but we have some ideas to make it better. It will be a tough race with the ankle injury and fighting with Jorge (Lorenzo) is going to be incredibly difficult. He's got an amazing pace but I am doing the best job I can and will be looking to finish in the top six.”
Andrea Dovizioso
Position 7th - Time: 1'34.698 - Laps 17
“It is a pity to be starting on the third row of the grid because I am sure my potential is much higher. It was a very tricky session with the weather conditions changing a lot, but I am really happy to have done a 34.7 on the hard tyre. We have made some big steps improving my feeling with the front-end of the bike and I am satisfied with my race pace. I am sure I will be able to fight for the podium. I was on the third row at Silverstone but still came through to battle for the podium and that is a realistic goal tomorrow. In the final minutes when I went out on the new rear tyre, I didn't feel ready to push right at the limit. Going into the first corner I locked the rear wheel and lost some time and because I wasn't sure if I had warmed the rear tyre up enough, I decided not to take any big risks. I am sure I could have been higher up the grid but I am confident for the race and my Monster Yamaha Tech 3 crew have done a fantastic job again improving the bike in every session.”
Source: Yamaha Racing
Source: http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/crutchlow-and-dovizioso-target-strong-race-at-historic-assen/
Juan Bolart Gerhard Boll Jacques Bolle Pierre Bolle Maurice Bolwerk
WSBK Donnington Sunday Report
The two riders who won races at Donington today, Carlos Checa and Marco Melandri, are the two who leave at the head of the championship chase, with Checa now on 91 points and Melandri on 72. Superpole winner Checa (Althea Racing Ducati) used his experience to change his rear tyre choice for race two and improve from a third place to be a clear winner, while Melandri (Yamaha World Superbike Team) made two great recoveries from a third row start to post a win and a second place. Jakub Smrz (Effenbert Liberty Racing Ducati) nearly won the first race, with the local fans having something to cheer about as Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia) went third in race two, to make up for a hard first round in Australia that was badly affected by illness. 2010 World Champion Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia) had his drama-laden weekend turn into a mini-crisis as he finished only seventh in race one, and was excluded from race two after jump starting and failing to come in for a ride-through penalty. In the overall championship third place belongs to Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) on 53 points after two fourths today, while Biaggi has 49 points in fourth overall.
Race 1
New rider to WSBK racing Melandri took only three races to record his first win, finally overhauling long time leader Smrz to win by 2.455 seconds. The last podium place went to Checa after he passed local hero Haslam with two corners to go. Jonathan Rea (Castrol Honda) scored fifth and Noriyuki Haga (Pata Racing Aprilia) was sixth, one place up on the factory bike of Biaggi. A potentially great finish for Tom Sykes and his Kawasaki Racing Team Superbike machine ended in a crash at the redesigned Esses section, but the home crowd were to have a podium star to cheer for in race two.
Marco Melandri: “It has been an awesome race for me, very tough and at the start many guys were very aggressive. I kept my rhythm and when I got on my own I caught Camier and some others then it took some time to get to Haslam. After that it was only a few laps to go and Kuba was pretty far ahead. I just kept the best pace I could and in the end Smrz’s pace was gone and I passed him. We missed a little bit of top speed but the package was very balanced, we won and I had a lot of fun.”
Jakub Smrz: “Of course I am disappointed to not win the race but it was really nice and I am back on the podium, which is important. The feeling all the race was very good and the bike was perfect, in the end my rear tyre was gone and I could not push any more. Marco passed me and I did not want to risk anything in the end.”
Carlos Checa: “I had some issues with the rear tyre grip at the beginning of the race, and I lost some positions, touched with other riders and it ended up as one of my most exciting races from the back to the front. Finally I arrived to Haslam after I had pushed to my maximum and I passed him when I had the opportunity. It was the last lap and I got third position.”
Race 2
Checa controlled race two from the early laps and won by 3.397 seconds from race one victor Melandri. Camier was a contender for second for long periods, before Melandri upped the pace and left him behind. Another Leon, this time Haslam went fourth for the second time today, despite running off track at one point. Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Racing Team) was a great fifth on the new ZX-10R machine, despite not yet being at full fitness. With Rea sixth for Honda and race one retiree Michel Fabrizio (Suzuki Alstare) seventh in race two there were seven different manufacturers represented in the top seven places, proving how competitive the 2011 season is after only two rounds.
Carlos Checa: “It is a fantastic beginning to the season, especially this victory in Donington, which is something special. Basically we decided to put on a different tyre with better grip at the beginning, so now I was stable and had good grip. At the end the tyre dropped down a little but it was good enough. Everybody knows what happened here to me many years ago, when I lost something so now I’m quite satisfied to win at Donington!”
Marco Melandri: “It was a pretty good race for me. Leon was very fast, about 50% of the race I was coughing in my helmet and finding it hard to breathe so I lost my concentration. After that I recovered, I did my best and passed Leon again but Carlos was just too fast for me.”
Leon Camier: “I can’t believe it’s happened. I started the year with glandular fever, which got me down a bit after all the hard work over the winter and to come here and get a podium at my home race is absolutely awesome. In the first race we had a few problems with the settings, so we changed it for the second one and it seemed to work well. It was a good battle with Marco, he was very strong, but to get third place is great.”
World Supersport
Yamaha ParkinGO riders Luca Scassa and Chaz Davies contested the win in the 22-lap Supersport race, with Davies 0.270 seconds down at the flag. Behind, Gino Rea took the final podium place for his Step Racing Honda team, as Robbin Harms (Harms Benjan Racing Honda) went fourth and Kawasaki Motocard.com rider Broc Parkes secured fifth place. Broc’s team-mate David Salom went sixth and the leading Kawasaki interest in the championship extended to a trio when Massimo Roccoli (Lorenzini by Leoni) went seventh. Rookie Florian Mario (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) was eighth, one place up on Roccoli’s team-mate Vittorio Iannuzzo. The top ten was rounded out by Swedish rider Alex Lundh (Cresto Guide Racing Team Honda).
Pirelli
“It was a fantastic day of competition for Pirelli all around the world. Pirelli Moto shone at the first European round of WSBK on the same day as its 4-wheeled side debuted as official tyre supplier for Formula 1 in Australia. Adapting to the very cold track and with no data from last years’ race, Pirelli’s effort to develop new compound solutions for an early spring race in the UK rang true when Checa (Ducati) set a new pole time of 1m28.099s on Diablo Superbike qualifying tyres new for this race. The majority of SBK riders in Race 1, including victor Melandri (Yamaha) selected the Soft (SC1) front and the new mid-soft rear tyre, whose warm-up was hindered slightly by the cold track (6°C), but still offered strong consistency having seeing Yamaha, Ducati and Aprilia bikes register mid 1m29s through lap 23. Second place finisher Smrz (Ducati) ran the softer (SC1) rear tyre in Race 1 in spite of the usual fact that low temperatures were not favorable to the soft compound. A 12°C rise in track temps for Race 2 and the softer tyre was confirmed by Checa, Fabrizio (Suzuki), Lascorz (Kawasaki), Laverty (Yamaha) and Xaus (Honda), with Checa’s race pace breaking into the 1m28s and leaving seven manufacturers in a row for the final result. For the cold weather and unpredictable track conditions, SBK riders were offered 4 front and 4 rear Diablo Superbike tyre options, two developed for this track, and similarly in SSP with an all-new lineup of 3 front and 3 rear Diablo Supercorsa tyre options, accounting for over 3700 tyres transported. The race action was incredible, with so many battles for position, but most importantly Pirelli now have strong data on the performance of these new cold solutions, a key improvement area for our technical team and a necessity for the organizer’s venue choice for a March race.” - Giorgio Barbier, Racing Director, Pirelli Moto
Pirelli Best Lap Awards:
SBK Race 1 – Noriyuki Haga (PATA Racing Team Aprilia), 1’29.137 (Lap 3)
SBK Race 2 – Carlos Checa (Althea Racing, 1'28.988 (Lap 8)
Total BEST LAP (SBK): Biaggi M. (Aprilia Alitalia Racing): 2, Haga N. (PATA Racing Team Aprilia): 1, Checa C. (Althea Racing): 1
WSS – Sam Lowes (Parkalgar Honda), 1’31.094 (Lap 6)
Total BEST LAP (WSS): Foret F. (HANNspree Ten Kate Honda): 1, Lowes S. (Parkalgar Honda): 1
-source: wsbk
Source: http://www.motorsport.com/wsbk/news/wsbk-donnington-sunday-report/
Giacomo Agostini Jack Ahearn Mitsuo Akamatsu Takashi Akita Kousuke Akiyoshi
REV'IT Aztec WSP Shirt and Inca WSP Pants - Turn up the Mids
High quality wind blocking mid layers like the REV'IT Aztec WSP Shirt and Inca WSP Pants really help to extend the use of your perforated leather or textile motorcycle gear in cooler temperatures. I recently did a couple of track days at Summit Point in West Virginia where it was in the low 40's in the morning and pretty windy. I used this combination under my leathers and was pleasantly surprised by how effectively they blocked the wind and kept me warm. They are a little pricey, but worth it. Santini approved!
Santini
Source: http://motorcycleracingtrackdays.com/revit-aztec-wsp-shirt-and-inca-wsp-pants-turn
Karl Auer August Auinger Jean Aureal Josef Autengruber Stu Avant
2012 Aragon World Superbike and World Supersport Saturday Post-Qualifying Press Releases
Press releases from the World Superbike and World Supersport teams after qualifying at Aragon:
Year:
2012 Source: http://www.motomatters.com/press_release/2012/06/30/2012_aragon_world_superbike_and_world_su.html
Douglas Beasley Daryl Beattie Roger Beaumont Leandro Beccheroni Hans Becker
Yamaha event summary
Spectacular First Race Victory for Marco Melandri
Marco Melandri
Fellow Teammate Eugene Laverty was less fortunate in race one however and suffered a significant crash on turn eight of the fourth lap. Laverty was able to jump back on his bike in race two and complete the race in the points.
Marco Melandri heads to round three of the 2011 WSBK Championship in Assen second on the overall standings with 72 points, just 19 points behind Carlos Checa. Teammate Laverty holds 16 points and is in 12th position. Yamaha are currently second in the Manufacturers standings with a total of 74 points.
Marco Melandri, Yamaha World Superbike Team
1st, 2nd
"I had a great win in race one. I was just behind a very aggressive bunch of riders so I had to work hard to keep my rhythm and push through. I managed to close in on Smrz with five laps to go and take my first win. Race two was a little more difficult. I was suffering from a head cold and lost concentration a little mid way. I am very pleased to be on the podium again. We have been working very hard in preparation for today's races and we did very well, I had a lot of fun and I think we proved that we have a very good package. I'm looking forward to the rest of the season. Thanks to Yamaha, my team and my sponsors."
Eugene Laverty
Eugene Laverty, Yamaha World Superbike Team
DNF, 14th
"Not a good day today. The race one crash was bizarre; I don't really know what happened. I almost crashed in the corner before and lost a little bit of confidence afterwards. Race two started well but I had to push really hard. We still haven't found the right settings for me; we need to fine tune to suit my riding style. I know I've got potential, so do the bike and the team, we just need to work hard to combine it all."
Yamaha World Superbike Team Manager - Andrea Dosoli
"This was a fantastic result for Marco, he provided a very impressive first race. He proved yet again to be a very talented rider, overtaking the pack from so far back and winning. I've always been sure that we have a competitive package and today Marco confirmed this. He had to push very hard in race two and had difficulty closing in on Checa. We need to improve on qualifying results in order to get a better position on the grid and avoid the handicap of starting so far back. We decided to keep exactly the same set up and tyre choice between the two races, the decision clearly paid off. I'm extremely sorry for Eugene. He suffered quite a bad crash in race one but thankfully was not hurt. He had difficulty delivering the results we'd hoped for in race two, I believe he has a lot of potential and can be much faster. We need to work hard with him in order demonstrate what he's made of. Overall it was very difficult to race in such extreme weather conditions as in race one. I'm looking forward to Assen where I strongly believe we can show how competitive the bike is and have both our riders in the top where they they should be."
-source: yamaha
Source: http://www.motorsport.com/wsbk/news/yamaha-event-summary/
Hans Baltisberger Carlo Bandirola Alain Barbaroux Hector Barbera Fabio Barchitta
Stoner takes Assen victory in action packed race
Reigning MotoGP Champion wins after race-long battle with teammate Pedrosa
Casey Stoner stormed to his third win of the 2012 MotoGP Championship at the Iveco TT at Assen following a battle with his Repsol Honda teammate Dani Pedrosa that lasted the length of the 26 lap action-packed race that started at the first corner when Stoner’s main rival Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing) was taken out by San Carlo Honda Gresini rider Alvaro Bautista.
To take pole position and now the win is really incredible, a big thanks to my whole team who never gave up.
While Lorenzo was dumped out of the race unceremoniously when Bautista lost the front of his machine, Pedrosa grabbed the holeshot and Stoner followed the Spaniard into second while Ben Spies moved into third for the Yamaha Factory Racing team. The front three were followed by Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider Andrea Dovizioso and LCR Honda’s Stefan Bradl.
Both Ducati Racing riders Nicky Hayden and Valentino Rossi got good starts and they were closely followed by Pramac Racing’s Hector Barbera and Cal Crutchlow (Monster Yamaha Tech 3). Rossi had quickly moved up into 5th place after Hayden ran on at the end of the first lap but the American was able to re-join in 8th. Meanwhile, Stefan Bradl lost the front end of his machine and crashed out of the race but the rookie was unhurt.
Back at the front Pedrosa and Stoner now had built up an early lead back to Spies and Dovizioso who both had pulled out an equal advantage to Rossi, Barbera, Hayden and Crutchlow who then ran on while trying to pass the American. CRT rider Yonny Hernandez crashed on lap 6 with the Avintia Blusens rider lucky to walk away unhurt. Hayden was starting to improve his pace and moved past Rossi into 5th place while further down the field NGM Forward Racing’s Colin Edwards retired from the race with apparent mechanical problems while leading the CRT battle was Power Electronics Aspar rider Aleix Espargaro ahead of his teammate Randy de Puniet.
Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda Team
With Pedrosa and Stoner remaining in flying formation at the front, Spies and Dovizioso were locked in a battle for 3rd with both riders passing each other a number of times. Hayden continued to lead Rossi and it wasn’t long before Crutchlow had passed Barbera and then the seven-time MotoGP World Champion and while Rossi began to lose large chunks of time, Crutchlow was moving into 5th after passing Hayden but the front men had streaked away at this stage.
The decisive move at the front came when Stoner passed Pedrosa with just 10 laps left with Spies leading Dovizioso in the battle for third. Stoner didn’t take too long to start pulling away from Pedrosa with the Spaniard not able to match his teammate’s pace. Hayden was trying his best to move passed Barbera and had done so moving into the final 5 laps with Crutchlow on his own in 5th. Rossi entered the pits on lap 16 with tire problems and after a change to new rubber; he re-joined to pick up any available points. Espargaro also retired from the race moving into the last ten laps.
While Stoner crossed the line to take his third win of the year after stretching out a healthy lead moving into the final few laps with Pedrosa remaining in second, Dovizioso passed Spies into 3rd place after a strong battle with the American. Hayden held onto 6th position with Barbera in 7th and the first CRT machine across the line coming in the form of De Puniet who was followed by San Carlo Honda Gresini CRT rider Michele Pirro in 9th while Mattia Pasini claimed 10th for the Speedmaster team. Avintia Blusens rider Ivan Silva finished ahead of Danilo Petrucci and his Came IodaRacing machine with both men crossing the line ahead of Rossi and Paul Bird Motorsports man James Ellison taking 15th and final position.
Speaking after the race Stoner was very happy to have snatched another win saying, “To take pole position and now the win is really incredible, a big thanks to my whole team who never gave up. My plan was to get a better start than I actually did, take some advantage and use the energy I had to try and make a gap and try to hold on to the end. We also knew that whatever position we were in, we had to preserve the rear tire. Choosing the softer tire, there was a big chance that we would destroy it and have nothing left for the end of the race.
When I saw Dani was running at a reasonable pace and we were pulling away from the others, I decided to stay there and watch him to save the tyres and my energy as much as I could. With a few laps remaining, I knew we wouldn't suffer a big drop in tire performance, I still felt good so I decided to pass him and see if I could pull a gap. It was a tough race, I had a lot of arm pump as I had to compensate for my injuries from the crash yesterday, but my fitness was good and the bike was working well in general. I'm sorry for Jorge, nobody wants to take points over a competitor in this manner, but as we can see, one race can change everything,” Stoner added.
Andrea Dovizioso, Yamaha Tech 3
Pedrosa tipped his hat to his teammate’s tactics while speaking about his race. He said, “Looking at the lap times we did during the weekend, I knew I had better rhythm than Casey, so I made a good start and tried to pull away from the first laps. Casey stayed behind me all the time and by the second half of the race, I believe he took profit of extra energy he saved during the first part of the race to overtake me. Our pace was very good in the race, the bike worked very well but maybe I just chose the wrong strategy this time. At the end of the race, the bike felt heavy with change of direction due to tiredness and it was enough to slow me down from 1'35 to 1'36 for just two laps, and I lost ground, but this is racing. I hope to do a better strategy next week in Germany.”
Dovizioso was delighted with his podium finish after encountering problems with his bike’s set up during the weekend. Dovizioso explained, “Scoring a podium for us feels like a victory and today is another great day for me and the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team. This podium is great because I have never had a very good feeling at this track but with the Yamaha YZR-M1 I felt much more comfortable. I was only seventh on the grid but I knew all weekend my race pace was very fast and I always felt a podium was a realistic goal. I got a good start and it was a beautiful battle with Spies for the whole race. It was a really strong battle and the pace was very high and when I passed Spies for the first time I tried not to abuse the tyres too much because I knew the first two were already too far ahead.
I dropped my pace and it really paid off because at the end of the race I was much stronger than him and it seems he apparently had some issue with the rear tire. I want to say a huge thanks to my crew because onc e again they have done a fantastic job. We work a lot to be competitive for the race and this strategy is really paying off because in the last four races now I have been fighting for the podium. I also want to thank Yamaha for the great support they are offering us. Now I'm really looking forward to the next two races, particularly my home race at Mugello, because after fighting for the podium consistently I am confident that I will be able to repeat this performance another time,” he added.
Stoner has now leveled the championship following his victory today with both Lorenzo and himself on 140 points each while Pedrosa sits in third with 121 points. Karel Abraham (Cardion AB Motoracing) did not start today’s race with the Czech rider still suffering from hand injuries he sustained testing in Aragon.
Source: http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/stoner-takes-assen-victory-in-action-packed-race/
Harald Bartol Darren Barton Eric Bataille Franco Battaini Gerhard Bauer
A Formula 1 street race in London - CGI Video
Thursday 28 June (LONDON): While London is undoubtedly the focal point of global sporting endeavor and the attendant groundswell of international attention this summer, Santander has articulated the fizzing excitement surrounding the capital with the release of a spectacular concept film featuring Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton to speculate how the city could add to cement a claim to be the world’s preeminent sporting capital.
With London not just the host city for the 2012 Games, but also for its premium catalog of blue-ribbon sporting events that are followed around the globe from Wimbledon to Royal Ascot or the summer calendar of test cricket, Santander - as title sponsor of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone - has explored how a Formula 1 race against the backdrop of one of the most familiar urban skylines, might look.
The London Grand Prix by Santander is presented as an ultra-high fidelity CGI film founded on a detailed feasibility study undertaken by project architects, Populous, which has first hand experience with Formula 1 infrastructure projects for Silverstone and a range of other venue clients from London’s O2 Arena to the Sochi 2014 Olympic Stadium.
By embracing the detailed logistical expertise that has delivered the spectacular new Silverstone circuit and allying it with the unique cockpit insights of Britain’s two F1 World Champions, Lewis and Jenson, Santander’s London Grand Prix film provides the most comprehensive answer yet to the much-vaunted question of how a Formula 1 street-race in the capital might one day look.
Bernie Ecclestone, CEO of Formula One group, said: “The idea of an F1 street-race in London is something I have had for many years. It would be magnificent. A couple of years ago we came very close to an agreement with the City of Westminster and The Mayor's office but we ran into the small problem of cost. A few years back over half a million people turned-up to watch F1 cars parading through the streets of the capital. The public’s appetite for a London Grand Prix is huge as I am sure it is with the F1 teams and sponsors.”
Lewis and Jenson have been extensively consulted in the development of the detail for the 14 corner, 5.1km circuit which features a start grid on The Mall, a 192mph Santander straight in the run up to Buckingham Palace and with perhaps one of the most audacious corners anywhere on the sport’s twenty race global calendar, the London Grand Prix route circuit will steer 24 cars from Trafalgar Square into Admiralty Arch. Conceived as a night race, the lifelike quality of the CGI includes a driver perspective from the cockpit of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-27 F1™ car as it races through the streets of London, making for compelling viewing.
“Having been immersed in this project, having helped to shape this track, it feels as real to me as anywhere I’ve raced. Jenson and I have worked in the simulator to provide some useful feedback to inform the circuit design, so this is far more than whimsical thinking out loud. The film that encapsulates all of this work is massively detailed as well as logistically achievable. And I have to say, this is an utterly epic track and would produce the most stunning and compelling Formula 1 race. If you add an event of this complexion to London’s staggering roster of world-class sporting events, it surely would have to own the title of the ultimate sporting metropolis?” said Lewis Hamilton, the winner of the 2012 Canadian Grand Prix.
As much as show the onlooker how a London Grand Prix might look, the futuristic CGI treatment has also been applied to a spectacular drivers’ point of view edit, providing a second spectacular view of the route from the perspective seen from the driver’s cockpit.
Jenson said, “Both Lewis and I are hugely conscious of how integral the UK is to Formula 1 right the way from our fan base that is highly knowledgeable and engaged to the technology culture and engineering enterprise that makes us the pre-eminent source of racing innovation anywhere on the planet.
“With all of this background, Silverstone is a natural celebration of the UK’s contribution to Formula 1. It is nice to add to this rich tapestry the notion of a London street-race, and I agree with Lewis, it is a great hypothetical track to drive, and is as appealing as the reality of the Silverstone circuit.”
Keith Moor, Director Brand & Communications, Santander, added: “We recognize fans of Formula 1 are extremely passionate about their sport. We believed imagining a London street race that is brought to life through CGI would be tremendously exciting for those fans who wanted to share in a fantastic summer for our capital city.”
In order to fashion a credible foundation for the concept, Santander commissioned Populous to undertake an extensive and wide-ranging approach to its feasibility plan for a London Grand Prix, embracing all logistical considerations from pits and paddock, grandstands, run-off areas, to curb profiling, access roads for safety & medical access, catch fencing design, noise attenuation strategies, a three megawatt night race lighting system with 1,200 projectors, bespoke garage pods to house the teams in lightweight, eco-friendly and modern temporary buildings such as the media centre. The integrated travel plan includes spectator entry and exit points which are all accessible via public transport.
“Delivering an event within an existing city is a lot more sophisticated than just sitting down with a copy of the A-Z,” says Populous architect John Rhodes.
“We mapped out some of London’s most recognized places and landmarks and then worked out how we would integrate them within the layout. The design process was driven by the twin requirements of creating an exciting circuit and giving the best view of the iconic places associated with it. We surveyed the site very carefully so that the plan would be achievable for real. To provide some notion of the level of forensic detail we have considered, we accounted for no less than 27,000 trees in our plan and I am glad to say the race would not impact a single one.”
Bernie Ecclestone, CEO Formula One Group, with Emilio Botin, Santander Chairman
The garages and hospitality suites are multi-purpose items which can easily be packed up and used elsewhere.
It’s a truly groundbreaking idea; and since the vast majority of emissions associated with Formula 1 races are produced by people travelling to the circuit rather than the operation of the racing cars themselves, a real-life London Grand Prix by Santander has been planned as an environmentally sustainable event.
The London Grand Prix film by Santander was premiered in the company of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button tonight at the spiritual home of motor racing in the capital, the Royal Automobile Club on Pall Mall.
Having celebrated the 100th anniversary of its Pall Mall Clubhouse in 2011, from the advent of the horseless carriage to the age of the stretch limousine, the Royal Automobile Club has been the ‘Parliament of Motoring’ and thereby a fitting focal point for Santander’s hypothesis of the London Grand Prix. The event brought together key opinion formers from motor racing, including the sport’s visionary impresario, Bernie Ecclestone, the international media the capital’s glitterati with a professed interest in Formula 1.
Source: Santander
Source: http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/a-formula-1-street-race-in-london-cgi-video/
Felice Benasedo Gert Bender Ingemar Bengtsson Johnny Bengtsson Angelo Bergamonti
Moto Morini Settebello
In Italian, “Settebello” is idiom for “seven of diamonds”. And this little 175cc Moto Morini is a real diamond, packing a surprising punch from its four-stroke single motor. This was during happier days for Moto Morini, when it enjoyed huge… Read more
Bike EXIF is the world's #1 source for custom motorcycles, classic motorcycles and cafe racers. Produced in association with Icon.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Bikeexif/~3/9Yodn5RO5z4/moto-morini-settebello
Ismael Bonilla Steve Bonsey Paul Bordes Juan Bordons Andrea Borgonovo
2011 Gear wrap up - Santini Tested
I had the opportunity to try out a lot of motorcycle gear this past season and wanted to share some of my favorites. I have always worn Shoei helmets and have been very happy them. I picked up a the new Bell RS-1 in April to see how it compared. What I found was a very comfortable (for my slightly narrow head shape) fit with a nice finish and solid build quality. The ventilation and visibility were great. It's first trial on the track was on a rainy spring day at NJMP. I found that fogging was not an issue, although traction was, but that is another story. The liner is nice, although the micro fiber can feel a little clammy after a few sessions if it does not get a chance to dry out. The face shield mechanism is second to none and makes shield changes effortless. Of note, adding the Bell Transitions SolFX Photochromic Face Shield provides a nice balance of glare protection in overcast days where the sun comes out intermittently. It also works great for commuting. I was pleasantly surprised by how well the Transitions shield actually worked. Aerodynamically the RS-1 functioned just as well on my Monster as it did on the track. Moving on to other features, the MagnaFusion strap keeper is a nice touch, as is the shield lock on the left side that lifts the shield up a fraction for venting or locks the shield in place. The only real negatives that I found were the detents on the vents, which do not have the same positive feel of those found on a Shoei or Arai helmet. The other issue is a lack of compelling graphics. I know that Bell can do better, hence the custom pinstripe job on my gloss black lid. Overall, this is a great helmet and would be a recommend alternative to a Shoei RF-1100 or an Arai Vector 2.
The next item I tested out (really tested out) was the Forcefield Back Protector Pro Sub 4. I have used quite a few back protectors in the past, starting with a 7 plate Teknic back protector in 99. The Sub 4 is quantum leap in technolgy from that back protector and I found it to be form fitting as well as non restrictive. It is definitely thicker than most other back protectors, so make that you have room for it. I particularly like the concept of the repeat performance technology and knowing that it Sub 4 shows a mean test result of 3.38kn transmitted energy during the standard CE test for an EN1621-2 rating. Making it the first motorcycle back protector in the world to attain this level of performance. Back to the lack of traction comment from the RS-1 review. I completed a few sessions without incident and I was starting to feel pretty confident in the Super Corsa Pro's ability to deal with the cold damp conditions. It was the second to last lap of the fourth session in the chicane at NJMP when I found my self sliding on my back after the quick right left transition. I was probably going only 45 mph or so and ended up sliding safely to a stop next to my bike in the grass. I did a quick body check and found that I was all in one piece and that bike only had cosmetic damage. The moral of the story is that DOT race tires are not rain tires, don't get cocky. Consequently I was more sore from riding that day than my impact on the ground. The Sub 4 did exactly what is was supposed to do and I feel that it is a worthy addition to your protective set up. Moving on. It was time to change out my REV'IT GT-Corse gloves (which also fared very well in the lowside), so I upgraded to the REV'IT Jerez gloves. The Jerez gloves represent a substantial amount of protection and have been validated numerous times by GP racer/ part time crasher Randy De Puniet who always seems to make it to the next race on the schedule. All kidding aside, these have proven to be very comfortable and broke in quickly. They have great feedback on the controls and have shown minimal signs of wear after a season of track days and street riding. There really are not too many things to complain about except for maybe price, which I feel is justified for this level of glove. My 4 year old Sidi Vertigos took a couple of hits during the April crash and it was time to replace them anyway. I had looked at the Sidi ST as a potential replacement and found that didn't fit quite right. An associate of mine suggested trying a pair of Dainese boots. After trying on a few pairs I selected the Dainese Torque Pro Outs. These were like wearing a pair of protective slippers. They were immediately comfortable and the rear entry system makes them easy to put on and take off. On the bike they have pretty good feel, although I still prefer the sole on the Sidis. The D-Axial ankle protection is well thought out and while I hope to never need it, it looks like it will minimize unwanted ankle movement in an off. I feel that Dainese could improve their boots with the addition of replaceable hard parts like the higher end Sidi boots offer. This would help to extend the use of the boot after a minor get off and I feel would add value. If you are looking for new boots, these should be on your short list. There is a lot great new gear that was just released and more on the horizon. 2012 is going to be another great year. Stay tuned. Sanrtini
Source: http://motorcycleracingtrackdays.com/2011-gear-wrap-up
Jarno Boesveld Jean Paul Boinet Karel Bojer Juan Bolart Gerhard Boll
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