Moto GP News and Stuff: August 2011

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

CANADIAN HARLEY-DAVIDSON� XR1200� CUP ? ROUNDS 6 AND 7 Action-Packed Grand Finale in Mosport

From Deeley Harley-Davidson

BOWMANVILLE, Ontario ? Mosport International Raceway

Going into the CSBK-hosted final rounds of the 2011 Canadian Harley-Davidson^� XR1200^� Cup Series, MotoSport Plus-sponsored Steve Crevier had a healthy lead in the points battle with a full 61-point lead on Cochrane, Alberta rider, Cody Matechuk, riding for Privateers Harley-Davidson� of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Darren James sat solidly in third overall.

Ruthless Racing Inc. rider, Darren James, who was sitting in fourth place in overall points, made his case known during Friday?s qualifying session with the day?s best lap time of 1:32.526 on the challenging 3.957-km Mosport circuit, earning his second pole position in a row. John Ross McRae had a brilliant outing with the second fastest time ? only 0.098 of a second behind James ? earning the Ruthless Racing Inc. rookie his first front row start in Saturday?s race. However, the stress of Friday?s qualifying took its toll on the transmission of James? Big Twin engine, leaving the Ruthless Racing Inc. mechanics the arduous task of rebuilding the engine until four o?clock in the morning. They completed the job just hours before the XR1200^� bike was to be rolled out to do battle in the penultimate race of the Harley-Davidson^� XR1200^� Cup Series.

With dark, menacing rain clouds rolling in, and after painfully long delays in the action, the XR1200^� motorcycles were finally rolled to the grid for their race. When the start lights finally dimmed, Ruthless Racing Inc. support rider, Michael Barnes, from Boca Raton, Florida, jumped out to an early lead. But the race quickly became a four-rider freight train of Barnes, J.R. McRae, Steve Crevier, and Darren James all vying for the win. McRae backed up his great qualifying session, constantly jumping into the lead, only to lose the advantage again to the hard-charging Barnes. Crevier looked for a way to seal his championship right then and there and briefly held the lead, but with constant pressure from Barnes and McRae he opted to not take any unnecessary chances of throwing it all away. The four lead riders continued their battle with Sherbrooke Harley-Davidson� rider, Samuel Proulx, making up the gap. Behind him, a war was also being waged between Chris Harmon, racing for Vision Harley-Davidson�, Cody Matechuk, racing under the umbrella of Privateers Harley-Davidson�, guest rider, Oliver Jervis, racing on the Deeley Harley-Davidson� Canada media bike, and Elie Daccache, supported by Harley-Davidson� de L?Outaouais. When the chequered fabric was aired out at the end of the 14?lap final, it was Michael Barnes who dominated the race with a narrow margin of victory. J.R. McRae had another great ride to finish second ? his first podium finish of the season. Darren James held on to the final step of the podium, while Steve Crevier chased the leaders to the flag with a richly deserved fourth place, earning him the inaugural #1 plate for the Canadian Harley-Davidson^� XR1200^� Cup Series Championship, which was awarded to Crevier in person by none other than motorcycle racing patron, Don James, Chairman & CEO of Deeley Harley-Davidson� Canada.

Crevier commented after the race, ?Those guys were getting away from me a little bit on the back straight and I decided that racing with them was getting a little too risky, so I stayed out of it a bit so I could win this championship.? He added, ?I just have to thank MotoSport Plus of Kingston and Pete Snell, my mechanic, because if it wasn?t for their help I wouldn?t be here right now.? With his great showing, J.R. McRae won the ?Performance Under Gear Performer of the Race? Award.

With the new champion already crowned, Sunday?s race was just for bragging rights, and for a race that could have been lacklustre it was anything but uneventful. Once again, just as in the previous day, four riders took an early check-out on the field and waged a war for the appreciative Mosport fans. In what turned out to be one of the most exciting races of the weekend, Barnes and Crevier left nothing on the table and all four lead riders were in the 1:31 lap times with only 0.2 of a second separating them. This time, Crevier, sporting his new #1 plate, was not playing it safe and was challenged for the lead at every turn, occasionally getting in front of the four-rider battle. On the final lap, Barnes seemed to have it all sowed up, but in the treacherous last turn, corner 10, Crevier made a daring pass up the inside of Barnes to win the drag race at the finish line, relegating the US rider to runner-up status. Darren James again took the final step of the podium with Samuel Proulx in a hard-earned fourth. Cody Matechuk finished in fifth, just ahead of Elie Daccache, with J.R. McRae falling back in the later stages of the race to finish in seventh.

The best-of-the-best Canadian racers will be competing in the upcoming AMA Pro?s Vance & Hines XR1200^� event at the Red Bull Indy GP in Indianapolis, Indiana, on August 27 and 28.

Deeley Harley-Davidson� Canada would like to take this opportunity to thank the racers and their teams, the Harley-Davidson^� Retailers supporting them, the many sponsors involved, as well as all of the enthusiasts across Canada who have helped make the new Canadian Harley-Davidson^� XR1200^� Cup Series an extraordinary experience for all involved.

Source: http://insidemotorcycles.blogspot.com/2011/08/canadian-harley-davidson-xr1200-cup.html

Derek Minter Derek Woodman Dickie Dale Didier de Radigues Dieter Braun

M�rquez masters the Brickyard

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/feedburner/rduE/~3/iIp0uOKjyIc/marquez-masters-brickyard.html

Benjamin Grau Benoit Musy Bert Schneider Bill Doran Bill Ivy

[Pictures] Podium Indianapolis MotoGP 2011

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/feedburner/rduE/~3/SGXw_ozkaHk/pictures-podium-indianapolis-motogp.html

Gyula Marsovszky Hans Baltisberger Hans Georg Anscheidt Hans Hummel Hans Muller

Bailey sweeps Amateur qualifying

By John Hopkins / Photo by Bob Szoke

BOWMANVILLE, ON – Parry Sound, ON’s Aubrey Bailey took the Kawasaki S4-R Competition Lubricants Pole Awards in both the K&N Performance Filters Amateur Superbike and the Inside Motorcycles Amateur Sport Bike classes at Mosport International Raceway on Friday.

Riding the HT Motorsports / ProStar / Velocity Honda CBR1000RR Bailey turned a lap at 1:25.107 in Superbike qualifying and took the team's Yamaha YZF-R6 to a 1:25.942 in Sport Bike.

In his only other national appearance this season, Bailey swept both Amateur Superbike and Amateur Sport Bike race wins at the Shannonville Motorsport Park doubleheader riding a Honda CBR600RR. He has graduated to the CBR1000RR for the high speed Mosport track under the guidance of ProStar's Ben Gartner.

"I've had a couple of track days here and at TMP [Toronto Motorsports Park] with the 1000," Bailey said. "I'm having a lot of fun with it; I'm loving it. It's definitely where I want to be."

Bailey did have a slight mishap in Superbike qualifying when he crashed in turn three after clipping a kerb with his footpeg, but he was able to ride the bike back into the pits.

Amateur Superbike points leader Jody Greening of Burlington, ON qualified second in the Superbike class with a lap at 1:25.364 on his debut with the BFE / ProStar / Strugess Cycle Yamaha YZF-R1 and Tim Robinson of Gatineau, QC was third at 1:25.485 on the Robinson Racing / Belko Auto Body Honda CBR1000RR.

Greening goes into this weekend's races with a 39-point lead over Kristopher Garvie, who qualified fourth on his Tracksport Technologies / Kahuna Powersports Kawasaki ZX-6R.

In Amateur Sport Bike, Bailey is riding the YZF-R6 Andrew Nelson competed aboard in the Pro Sport Bike class earlier this season at Shannonville.

"There's a little more motor," said Bailey in comparing the bike to the Honda CBR600RR. "The chassis has been solid from the start."

Caledon, ON’s Garvie added three points to his series lead by qualifying second at 1:27.096 on his Kawasaki ZX-6R and Greening took third with a time of 1:27.651 on his Honda CBR600RR. Garvie now has a 73-point edge over Edward Rudkowski of Toronto, who will start 11th on a Suzuki GSX-R600.

Amateur Superbike Qualifying Results
1. Aubrey Bailey, Parry Sound, ON (Honda CBR1000RR) 1:25.107
2. Jody Greening, Burlington, ON (Yamaha YZF-R1) 1:25.364
3. Tim Robinson, Gatineau, QC (Honda CBR1000RR) 1:25.485
4. Kristopher Garvie, Caledon, ON (Kawasaki ZX-6R) 1:26.377
5. Mike Bevan, Amherstburg, ON (Kawasaki ZX-10R) 1:26.541
6. Stephan Houle, Gatineau, QC (Suzuki GSX-R1000) 1:26.605
7. Amzy Nawaz, Thornton, ON (Kawasaki ZX-6R) 1:26.980
8. Philippe Masse, St-Hyacinthe, QC (Honda CBR1000RR) 1:27.595
9. Mario Dumouchel, Ottawa, ON (Suzuki GSX-R1000) 1:28.079
10. Alain Lefebvre, Rouyn-Noranda, QC (Suzuki GSX-R600) 1:28.558
11. Edward Rudkowski, Toronto, ON (Suzuki GSX-R600) 1:29.475
12. Simon Hamel, Rosemere, QC (Suzuki GSX-R600) 1:29.548
13. Blaine Groves, Dumas, ON (Suzuki GSX-R1000) 1:29.956
14. Alex Coelho, Longueuil, QC (Kawasaki ZX-6R) 1:30.450
15. Nuno Almeida, Newcastle, ON (Honda CBR1000RR) 1:30.680
16. Jean Francois Aubin, St-Jerome, QC (Suzuki GSX-R600) 1:31.513
17. Mario Gosselin, Plessisville, QC (Honda CBR600RR) 1:31.990
18. Tim Clarkson, Bowmanville, ON (Kawasaki ZX-6R) 1:33.796
19. Reiner Griese, Marmora, ON (Triumph 675) 1:34.274
20. Stephane Couturier, Laval, QC (Ducati 1098R) 1:36.845

Amateur Sport Bike Qualifying Results
1. Aubrey Bailey, Parry Sound, ON (Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:25.942
2. Kristopher Garvie, Caledon, ON (Kawasaki ZX-6R) 1:27.096
3. Jody Greening, Burlington, ON (Honda CBR600RR) 1:27.651
4. Amzy Nawaz, Thornton, ON (Kawasaki ZX-6R) 1:27.911
5. Simon Hamel, Rosemere, QC (Suzuki GSX-R600) 1:28.195
6. Samuel Proulx, Magog, QC (Suzuki GSX-R600) 1:28.557
7. Riley Gage Dawe, Toronto, ON (Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:29.934
8. David Tremblay, Longueuil, QC (Suzuki GSX-R600) 1:30.055
9. Stavros Grekos, Toronto, ON (Kawasaki ZX-6R) 1:30.093
10. Alex Coelho, Longueuil, QC (Kawasaki ZX-6R) 1:30.131
11. Edward Rudkowski, Toronto, ON (Suzuki GSX-R600) 1:29.887*
12. Dominic Dupont, Laval, QC (Kawasaki ZX-6R) 1:30.137
13. Rob Cousineau, Aurora, ON (Suzuki GSX-R600) 1:30.967
14. Mario Gosselin, Plessisville, QC (Honda CBR600RR) 1:31.595
15. Jordan Cardozo, Bradford, ON (Suzuki GSX-R600) 1:32.639
16. Francois-Michel Belval-Lacoste, Candiac, QC (Suzuki GSX-R600) 1:32.686
17. Joe Rodrigues, Weston, ON (Suzuki GSX-R600) 1:32.769
18. Jean Francois Aubin, St-Jerome, QC (Suzuki GSX-R600) 1:31.186*
19. Reiner Griese, Marmora, ON (Triumph 675) 1:33.232
20. Eric Gagnon, St-Jerome, QC (Suzuki GSX-R600) 1:34.543
21. Chris Dopke, Cambridge, ON (Honda CBR600RR) 1:35.627

* -- Penalized four positions for not displaying proper patches

Source: http://insidemotorcycles.blogspot.com/2011/08/bailey-sweeps-amateur-qualifying.html

Benoit Musy Bert Schneider Bill Doran Bill Ivy Bill Lomas

Ducati Diavel Arrow exhaust

The Ducati Diavel gets its own Arrow exhaust in an example of how to fit a sports exhaust to a cruiser bike. The Diavel Arrow ehxaust is from the Race-Tech range and comes in titanium, aluminium and[...]

Source: http://feeds.blogo.it/~r/twowheelsblog/com/~3/ikpiMApp_T0/ducati-diavel-arrow-exhaust

Derek Minter Derek Woodman Dickie Dale Didier de Radigues Dieter Braun

Stoner takes seventh Grand Prix win at Indianapolis

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/feedburner/rduE/~3/hMgEfDyXGm4/stoner-takes-seventh-grand-prix-win-at.html

Gilberto Parlotti Ginger Molloy Gino Borsoi Giuseppe Colnago Giuseppe Visenzi

Last corner move doesn't pay off for Barber�

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/feedburner/rduE/~3/9KvqTHiT_wk/last-corner-move-doesnt-pay-off-for.html

August Auinger August Hobl Axel Pons Barry Ditchburn Barry Smith

BMW 1M OEM Car Cover now available

BMW of North America announces the availability of the first OEM car cover for the new BMW 1M. ...

Source: http://www.bmwblog.com/2011/08/28/bmw-1m-oem-car-cover-now-available/

Bill Lomas Bill Smith Billie Nelson Bo Granath Bob Anderson

South American Football: The curse of ?the next Pele?

Reimond Manco during his time at PSV

?I feel like if you?re good enough, you?re old enough.? – Freddy Adu following his debut as a 14-year-old for DC United.

Here in South America the cult of the wonderkid is felt more acutely than anywhere in the world. You can forget about unearthing the ?next Pel�? when there are already a string of ?new Robinhos? out there plying their trade.

Among the cautionary tales that this obsession of tagging teenagers has produced there are few as turbulent as the case of Reimond Manco.

The Peruvian was hailed as an Inca God following his Player of the Tournament displays at the 2007 under-17 South American championships. A �1.5 million switch to PSV Eindhoven followed and soon enough Manco was turning out against Liverpool in the Champions League.

It wasn?t long before Manco?s attitude started to put noses out of joint at the Dutch outfit. The Peruvian was first loaned to Willem II and after failing to make an impact there he was eventually shipped back home.

Manco then appeared to be buckling down with Juan Aurich and found himself invited back into the national team by new boss Sergio Markari�n. However, a curfew-breaking trip to a casino in Panama City saw Manco turfed out by Markari�n quicker than you can say Machu Picchu.

With Manco failing to feel the love in Peru he ended up signing for Mexican side Atlante. Manco?s stay in Mexico was typically short-lived and ended after he tried to dodge a training session by faking his own kidnapping.

With just five goals to his name in a professional career that once glittered like Cusco Gold, the prodigal son of Peruvian football celebrated his 21^st birthday last week. Manco gave serious thought to hanging up his boots before rejoining Juan Aurich this month where he hopes to get yet another chance to resurrect his fledgling career.

Following the ups and downs in Manco?s life, fans of Peruvian football are doing their best to keep a lid on the expectations surrounding 16-year-old Andy Polo of Universitario. Despite everyone?s best efforts it has not stopped the Arsenal transfer target being dubbed The Jewel amongst the clamour for Markari�n to call him up to the senior squad

One of the more bizarre starlet stories to come out of South America in recent years took place in the Bolivian top flight. Julio C�sar Baldivieso, part of the Bolivian squad at the 1994 World Cup, put his son on the substitutes bench while in charge of Aurora two years ago.

Late on in the second half Julio C�sar sent on Mauricio to make his professional debut at the tender age of 12-years-old. Needless to say young Mauricio was mercilessly hacked away at and although he did manage to finish the game his appearance cost his father his job.

Down in Argentina the highest profile debut in the past decade belongs to Kun Ag�ero who was just one month and three days past his 15^th birthday when Oscar Ruggeri brought him on for Independiente. Once on the pitch Ag�ero immediately started demanding the ball from his team-mates as he played with a swagger that defied his infancy.

The next day?s headlines were dominated by the fact that Ag�ero had beaten the record for a youthful debut that had previously been held by Diego Maradona. As if to hammer home the point, Ag�ero would go onto make Maradona a grandfather.

Long before Maradona was bouncing grandchildren on his knee he himself was making the first inroads on a career that makes Manco look like a model professional. Something which is overlooked even here in Argentina is the five seasons Maradona spent at Argentinos Juniors before moving to Boca Juniors, let alone Barcelona. It?s unthinkable that a player of Maradona?s ability in this day and age would get to play even a single game let alone six seasons in Argentina before making a move to Europe.

Lionel Messi is yet to play a match for an Argentinian club and it?s highly unlikely that he ever will. However, what Messi has done is prove that with the right mentality you can move thousands of miles away from home as a 14-year-old and still realize your full potential.

Sebastian Coates stands of the verge of move to Liverpool from Nacional, the club he joined as an 11-year-old. After starring in the youth ranks of club and country Coates broke into the Nacional first team at 18-years-old. A few seasons later he was helping Uruguay to win their 15^th Copa America title. As a result of Coates? steady schooling the Premier League will soon welcome a centre-back ready to hit the ground running.

In Brazil it seems implausible that Santos have been able to fend off Chelsea and Real Madrid?s advances for Neymar. Yet with the Brazilian economy on the rise and a creative president in Luis �lvaro it appears Santos will be able to hold onto their leading luminary until the end of the year at least. A great move not just for the club but also for the player?s development and also for spectators of the Campeonato Brasileiro.

It?s not just economics that puts Brazil ahead of the rest of the continent when it comes to protecting young talent. As Chelsea found out when they snapped up Lucas Piaz�n from S�o Paulo, it?s now impossible to bring a player out of Brazil until he has turned 18-years-old.

A fine example of how to nurture a South American wonderkid recently pocketed a bumper payday for Udinese. The Serie A side snapped up 17-year-old Alexis S�nchez from Chilean team Cobreloa back in 2006. Instead of bringing S�nchez over to Italy immediately, Udinese loaned him first to Colo-Colo and then River Plate. These two seasons allowed S�nchez to develop his game whilst losing none of the flair that had attracted Udinese to him in the first place.

When S�nchez eventually arrived it Italy he was able to give Udinese three seasons of superb service before netting them well over �20 million when he moved to Barcelona.

It seems that while expectation alone is not enough to hinder a starlet from becoming a superstar, there are certain steps clubs can take to protect their investment. Above everything any 16-year-old, despite how good they are with the ball at their feet, is still just a 16-year-old. Mass adulation and a bulging wallet are going to weigh heavy on any kid that age.

Get the best football betting odds from paf.com

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Source: http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2011/08/31/south-american-football-the-curse-of-the-next-pele/

Derek Minter Derek Woodman Dickie Dale Didier de Radigues Dieter Braun

Szoke stops McCormick streak

By John Hopkins / Photo by Bob Szoke

BOWMANVILLE, ON – Brett McCormick’s bid for a perfect season in the Canadian Superbike Championship by Parts Canada fell just short in a wet final round at Mosport International Raceway on Sunday.

In one of the wildest Superbike races seen in many years Brantford, ON’s Jordan Szoke scored his first victory of the season on the Competition Systems Kawasaki Race Team Kawasaki ZX-10R while a day after clinching his first national Superbike crown McCormick crashed his radX / BMW Motorrad Canada BMW S1000RR on the final lap.

Matt McBride of Mississauga, ON scored a career high second place finish on his Riders Choice / BMW Toronto Motorrad BMW S1000RR, 15.587 secs. behind Szoke, and Sherbrooke, QC’s Francis Martin completed the podium aboard the Couturier Racing / ProPulsion BMW S1000RR.

“This is one of the greatest wins of my career,” said Szoke, who saw his five-year reign as Canadian Superbike champion end on Saturday. “It’s tough seeing your number one plate taken away, especially after having it for so long but this will make the winter a little easier.”

Szoke completed the 14 lap race around the 3.957km track in 23 minutes, 00.955 seconds for an average speed of 144.417km/h.

Szoke had taken the lead from McCormick’s radX / BMW Motorrad Canada teammate Michael Ferreira on lap five with McCormick moving into second a lap later. The Saskatoon rider hounded Szoke before making his move into the lead in turn one on the final lap, only to crash moments later.

“I didn’t think he would try going into turn one,” Szoke admitted after his 10th career Mosport Superbike win. “After that I looked back and didn’t see anybody else and told myself to just take things easy and not make any mistakes.

"I didn't know who was there behind me but I kept seeing 'plus 0' on my board. I was just trying to be real smooth."

McCormick said he thought it was the right time to make his move.

“It was my first moment the whole race,” explained McCormick, who had won all six races this season heading into Sunday’s finale. “I got to the apex and the back end came around on me.

"I was being cautious behind Jordan but I got screwed a couple of times by lappers, and I didn't want that to happen on the last lap so I thought it would be better to get ahead as soon as possible."

Szoke's win combined with McCormick's DNF meant the Kawasaki rider finished just 10 points back in the final Superbike standings with 318 points to McCormick's 328.

McBride was only 10th after the opening lap but took advantage of drama ahead of him and growing confidence in the wet conditions to move up the order. He took fifth from Andrew Nelson on lap 12 and moved up to fourth a lap later when Ferreira fell in turn five. He was catching Martin hand over fist as they started their last lap and got around the Sherbrooke, QC racer exiting turn three.

“The first few laps the bike wasn’t feeling that great but then as it dried a little the bike felt better and I started making my moves,” McBride said. "In the past I've gotten a little excited early on and fallen down, so this time I wanted to take things easy at first."

Martin completed the podium in his final national Superbike appearance. The two-time Canadian champion had announced his retirement on Sunday morning.

“This is a good way to finish; I’m very happy to finish on the box,” said Martin, who was national champion in 1999 and 2005. “Lap after lap I was more comfortable, but when Matt passed me I tried to follow and almost crashed.”

Nelson of Kars, ON finished fourth on the Nelson Racing / GymMax / Monette Sports BMW S1000RR and wrapped up third spot in the final Canadian Superbike Championship by Parts Canada standings with 226 points.

Mississauga, Ont.’s Ferreira remounted to salvage fifth and took fourth in Superbike points with 216.

In only his second appearance of the season, Hamilton, ON's Ross Millson enjoyed a tremendous ride on his Kawasaki ZX-10R to claim sixth.

Jodi Christie on the Jodi Christie Racing / Cameron Cycle / Blue Streak Racing Honda CBR600RR edged the Z1 CycleTech / Kenwood Suzuki GSX-R600 of Alex Welsh for seventh after a racelong duel.

Among those caught out by the tricky conditions were Frank Trombino, who crashed his Suzuki Canada / Hindle / Sturgess Cycle Suzuki GSX-R600 in turn five on lap eight while lying fifth, and Francois Dumas, who had run as high as fourth on his BMW S1000RR but crashed dramatically on the front straight at the end of lap nine while lying sixth.

The radX / BMW Motorrad Canada squad was named Inside Motorcycles Team of the Year for its championship season.

Race Results
1. Jordan Szoke, Brantford, Ont. (Kawasaki ZX-10R) 14
2. Matt McBride, Mississauga, Ont. (BMW S1000RR) 14
3. Francis Martin, Sherbrooke, Que. (BMW S1000RR) 14
4. Andrew Nelson, Kars, Ont. (BMW S1000RR) 14
5. Michael Ferreira, Mississauga, Ont. (BMW S1000RR) 14
6. Ross Millson, Hamilton, Ont. (Kawasaki ZX-10R) 14
7. Jodi Christie, Keene, Ont. (Honda CBR600RR) 14
8. Alex Welsh, Uxbridge, Ont. (Suzuki GSX-R600) 14
9. Billy Shields, Unionville, Ont. (Yamaha YZF-R1) 14
10. Franklyn Dominguez, Hudson, Que. (Kawasaki ZX-10R) 13
11. Marie-Josee Boucher, Montreal, Que. (Honda CBR1000RR) 12
12. Rob Busby, Brantford, Ont. (BMW S1000RR) 11
Did Not Finish
Brett McCormick, Saskatoon, Sask. (BMW S1000RR) 13
Francois Dumas, St-Raymond, Que. (BMW S1000RR) 9
Frank Trombino, Woodbridge, Ont. (Suzuki GSX-R600) 8
Sebastien Tremblay, Sherbrooke, Que. (BMW S1000RR) 2
Did Not Start
Matt Cooper, Guelph, Ont. (Yamaha YZF-R1)
Bodhi Edie, Warman, Sask. (Honda CBR600RR)
Raphael Archambault, Terrebonne, Que. (Suzuki GSX-R600)
Kenny Reidman, Belfountain, Ont. (Triumph 675)
Martin Ricard, Montreal, Que. (Kawasaki ZX-10R)
Steve Walker, Carleton Place, Ont. (BMW S1000RR)
Darren James, North Vancouver, BC (Buell 1125R)
Dean Plater, Cumberland, Ont. (Kawasaki ZX-10R)
Time of Race: 23:00.955 (144.417km/h)
Margin of Victory: 15.587 secs.
Fastest Lap: 1:36.565 by Brett McCormick on lap 13
Lap Leaders: Jordan Szoke 1, Michael Ferreira 2-4, Szoke 5-14

Point Standings
1. Brett McCormick, 328
2. Jordan Szoke, 318
3. Andrew Nelson, 226
4. Michael Ferreira, 216
5. Jodi Christie, 195
6. Alex Welsh, 164
7. Francis Martin, 133
8. Marie Josee-Boucher, 123
9. Matt McBride, 120
10. Rob Busby, 120
11. Franklyn Dominguez, 118
12. Frank Trombino, 97
13. Steve Walker, 87
14. Sebastien Tremblay, 63
15. Ross Millson, 45
16. Sylvain Dery, 38
17. Billy Shields, 37
18. Jean-Francois Cyr, 25
18. Bodhi Edie, 25
20. Ron Munroe, 21
21. Matt Cooper, 21
22. Francois Dumas, 17
23. Sean Huffman, 8
24. Martin Ricard, 4
25. Dean Plater, 2

Source: http://insidemotorcycles.blogspot.com/2011/08/szoke-stops-mccormick-streak.html

Chris Walker Christian Estrosi Christian Sarron Claudio Lusuardi Colin Edwards

?Emotional? Heidfeld reaction ?surprised? Renault

“I was surprised” – Lopez Nick Heidfeld’s response to the appointment of Bruno Senna in Belgium and beyond “surprised” Renault team owner Gerard Lopez. German Heidfeld attempted to win a court injunction prior to Spa-Francorchamps to enforce his contract to race in Robert Kubica’s cockpit this year until the Pole is ready to return. The [...]

Source: http://www.flagworld.com/news/?p=62305

Frederic Protat Fumio Ito GAbor TalmAcsi Gabriele Debbia Garry McCoy

Third row for Simoncelli as Aoyama qualifies 13th

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/feedburner/rduE/~3/iMKu_V4r7vI/third-row-for-simoncelli-as-aoyama.html

Cristiano Migliorati Cromie McCandless Current events Daijiro Kato Dan Shorey

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

BMW 1M OEM Car Cover now available

BMW of North America announces the availability of the first OEM car cover for the new BMW 1M. ...

Source: http://www.bmwblog.com/2011/08/28/bmw-1m-oem-car-cover-now-available/

Eduardo Aleman Efren VAzquez Emilio Alzamora Emilio Mendogni Enrico Lorenzetti

MotoGPBlog: a change of focus

MotoGPBlog throughout the 2008 and 2009 seasons built a small but active community around news of MotoGP, tipping contests, and reference information, such as track maps and stats. Unfortunately, the amount of time and effort the blog took to maintain simply hasn’t been available to me in the past couple of seasons. Now, however, I [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/motogpblog/postfeed/~3/4y0OxMTNqrk/1228

Alberto Moncayo Alberto Pagani Alberto Puig Aldo Nannini Alessandro Gramigni

Stoner Fastest in Indianapolis Practice

Story and photos by Vicki Schouten

Repsol Honda's Casey Stoner was fastest on day one of the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix in Indianapolis today on the newly paved circuit. Despite warnings of hurricane Irene threatening the eastern seaboard, it was all sunshine and 31 degree temperatures at Indianapolis today.

While American Ben Spies set the pace Friday morning, topping the board with a time of 1:43:260 and leading the majority of the afternoon practice, it was eventually current points leader Casey Stoner who came out on top with a time of 1:40:724. The Factory Yamaha was a close second however, with a time of 1:40:918.

Respol Honda's Dani Pedrosa rounded out the top three following Friday afternoon's practice session with a time of 1:41:205, followed by defending champion Jorge Lorenzo (1:41:461) and Repsol Honda's Andrea Dovizioso (5th) with a time of 1:41:536.

While he aims to get a good result at this important American venue, Spies continues to struggle with a pinched nerve that has been giving him trouble with his left arm since Brno.

Marc VDS Racing's Scott Redding lead the morning Moto2 practice with a time of 1:46:689 while Italy's Simone Corsi topped Friday afternoon practice with a time of 1:46:274. Corsi was followed by Marc Marquez (1:46:339); Mattia Pasini (1:46:448); Stefan Bradl (1:46:453) and Scott Redding (1:46:574).

125 action continues to be dominated by Spanish sensation Nicholas Terol who was nearly one second faster than his closest competition on Friday afternoon setting a pace of 1:49:381. France's Johann Zarco was second fastest with a time of 1:50:155 and Spain's Alberto Moncayo rounded out the top three with a 1:50:156.

MotoGP action continues from Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend and Inside Motorcycles will be covering the event live.

Ben Spies fastest in Friday morning practice; 2nd in afternoon.

Source: http://insidemotorcycles.blogspot.com/2011/08/stoner-fastest-in-indianapolis-practice.html

Chris Walker Christian Estrosi Christian Sarron Claudio Lusuardi Colin Edwards

2014 Mercedes MLC Coupe Crossover To Rival the BMW X6

According to German magazine AutoBild, Mercedes-Benz is working on a new product that will compete against the BMW ...

Source: http://www.bmwblog.com/2011/08/26/2014-mercedes-mlc-coupe-crossover-to-rival-the-bmw-x6/

Alberto Moncayo Alberto Pagani Alberto Puig Aldo Nannini Alessandro Gramigni

2011 Belgian Grand Prix report

A very good Grand Prix, and for the first dozen laps a great one. True, eventually the inherent superiority of the Red Bull RB7 asserted itself at Spa, so that Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber scored a comfortable enough 1-2, but in the first part of the race the action…

Source: http://www.motorsportmagazine.co.uk/2011/08/28/2011-belgian-grand-prix-report/

Gregg Hansford Gregorio Lavilla Guido Leoni Gustav Havel Guy Bertin

Investors to ?bombard? CVC over F1 bribery scandal

Investors in F1 rights owner CVC are set to ask tough questions at a forthcoming meeting, the Financial Times is reporting. One “large European investor”, concerned about the Gerhard Gribkowsky bribery affair involving Bernie Ecclestone, confirmed he will be asking some of those questions at the meeting in September. Another said he expected investors to [...]

Source: http://www.flagworld.com/news/?p=62294

Hugh Anderson Isamu Kasuya Isao Morishita Ivan Carlsson Ivan Goi

Emotions run high over tyre blistering saga

Emotions were running high on Sunday between Red Bull and Pirelli, amid the situation at Spa-Francorchamps over blistering tyres. Pirelli chief Paul Hembery was spotted in a row with Sebastian Vettel, after the German driver and Mark Webber were told they could not start the Belgian race with new tyres. Red Bull argued that the [...]

Source: http://www.flagworld.com/news/?p=62279

Frederic Protat Fumio Ito GAbor TalmAcsi Gabriele Debbia Garry McCoy

Behind the Scenes: BMW 740i and BMW K1600GT

Ride along as Automobile Magazine takes BMW’s six-cylinder motorcycle and a six-cylinder 7-Series from Los Angeles to Las ...

Source: http://www.bmwblog.com/2011/08/27/behind-the-scenes-bmw-740i-and-bmw-k1600gt/

Giuseppe Colnago Giuseppe Visenzi Godfrey Nash Graziano Rossi Gregg Hansford

Today from i: Mad about bees

Source: http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2011/08/30/today-from-i-mad-about-bees/

Bubba Shobert Cal Crutchlow Carlo Ubbiali Carlos Checa Carlos Lavado

Monday, August 22, 2011

De Villota in talks for F1 test seat

Maria de Villota’s management is in talks to secure the 31-year-old a test driver seat in formula one. The Renault team on Thursday confirmed reports the daughter of former Spanish F1 driver Emilio de Villota recently made her F1 test debut in a 2009 car at Paul Ricard. Spain’s AS newspaper said it was the [...]

Source: http://www.flagworld.com/news/?p=61811

Carlo Ubbiali Carlos Checa Carlos Lavado Casey Stoner

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Freakishly good away days across all the divisions

The percentage of home points gained went down through the leagues as crowds got smaller, a point proven by Manchester United who had the highest average attendance and the best home record last season

Something freakish is happening to English football in the new season ? more points are being won away than at home, across all divisions.

Typically you?d expect around 60 per cent of points to be won at home. This season so far, it?s 42 per cent.

Full details are in the table below.

It goes without saying, the season is young, very young. It?s barely up and running with only nine games played in the Premier League and 107 others across the Football League by the end of Wednesday evening, for 116 games in all. That?s only�5.697445972 per cent of the games that will be played this season.

And yet. That?s still 116 games, a decent sample, and incredibly, in all four divisions, more points have been gained by the away sides than the home teams.

It goes against all we know about football.

Take last season, for example. A total of 5,544 points were gained by the 92 league clubs,�and 3,261 of those points were gained when the clubs�were playing at home ? that?s 58.8 per cent of the points.

Interestingly (and for future research), the�percentage of home points gained went down through the leagues as crowds got smaller, from 63 per cent in the Premier League to 57 per cent in League Two.

But so far this season 319 points have been gained by the 90 clubs ? with Tottenham and Everton�yet to begin their campaigns ? and only 134 points have come to clubs playing at home.� That?s a�paltry 42 per cent.

Over the whole of last season only six of the 92 clubs ended up gaining more points�on the road than they did at home ? in the Championship Hull (36 away 29 at home) and Scunthorpe (22-20);�and in League Two Bury (42-39), Macclesfield (30-25), Cheltenham (28-24) and Hereford (30-23).

This season, half of the Football League, so far, are scoring more points on their travels�than at home. And in each division there have been more away wins than home wins.

It surely�can?t last can it? And why is it happening? Answers on a post card please. Or in a tweet, to @sportingintel

Read more from Brian at sportingintelligence.com

Source: http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2011/08/19/freakishly-good-away-days-across-all-the-divisions/

Georg Braun Gert Bender Giacomo Agostini Gianluigi Scalvini Gianni Leoni

Claudio Castiglioni passes away

Claudio Castiglioni 63, the President of MV Augusta Motor S.p.A passed away early this morning in a clinic in his beloved Varese.
The far seeing and charismatic Italian manager owner of Cagiva with his[...]

Source: http://feeds.blogo.it/~r/twowheelsblog/com/~3/AsgxBVgMXks/claudio-castiglioni-passes-away

Geoff Duke Georg Braun Gert Bender Giacomo Agostini Gianluigi Scalvini

AGV GP Tech Rossi 'Elements' replica helmet now available

?For a rider, a helmet is also a canvas to be painted,? says Valentino Rossi, and for the 9 times World Champion this statement has been a mainstay for his entire career. The graphics that Aldo[...]

Source: http://feeds.blogo.it/~r/twowheelsblog/com/~3/lZ65El6qu-g/agv-gp-tech-rossi-elements-replica-helmet-now-available

Horst Kassner Huang Shizhao Hubert Abold Hugh Anderson Isamu Kasuya

Rendering: 2013 BMW 2 Series Coupe

In 2013, BMW will launch a new family, the 2 Series. A spin-off from the new 1 Series, ...

Source: http://www.bmwblog.com/2011/08/17/rendering-2013-bmw-2-series-coupe-2/

Harald Bartol Harry Hinton Haruchika Aoki Heinz Rosner Helmut Bradl

Rossi, Ducati, the MP12 and the iPad

Manufacturers in MotoGP are there for one reason only: brand awareness. Being able to show the skills of your organisation and have these associated with winning and success are huge benefits to brands. No team is more conscious of this than Ducati. Racing is just one part of the Ducati brand marketing plan, a plan [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/motogpblog/postfeed/~3/1xPoTIKoBus/1231

Hans Baltisberger Hans Georg Anscheidt Hans Hummel Hans Muller Harald Bartol

Ultimate Photo Gallery: 2012 BMW 650i Coupe

BMWBLOG takes the new 2012 BMW 650i Coupe through sunny coasts of California. We started off in Carmel ...

Source: http://www.bmwblog.com/2011/08/20/ultimate-photo-gallery-2012-bmw-650i-coupe-2/

Henk van Kessel Hermann Paul Muller Herri Torrontegui Hideo Kanaya Hiroshi Aoyama

Paffett ?not bitter? about di Resta?s F1 success

Paffett insists he has not given up on his F1 dream. Gary Paffett insists he is not “bitter” despite sitting on the sidelines while his 2010 rival is now hot property in formula one. The Briton, under long term contract to Mercedes in the German touring car series DTM, is also a test and reserve [...]

Source: http://www.flagworld.com/news/?p=61813

Jack Ahearn Jack Brett Adrien Morillas Akira Yanagawa Akiyasu Motohashi

Nesbitt takes over points lead

By John Hopkins / Photo by Bob Szoke

SHUBENACADIE, NS – Stacey Nesbitt of St-Lazare, QC won her second straight race in the Honda CBR125R Challenge at Atlantic Motorsport Park last Sunday and took over the class points lead after Falmouth, NS racer Austin Shaw-O’Leary was penalized for a jump start and relegated to third in the results.

Nesbitt will take a three-point lead over Shaw-O’Leary to the final round at Mosport International Raceway in two weeks.

Shaw-O'Leary took over the lead on lap two of the 10-lap race and held off Nesbitt and Richmond, ON's Eric Green the rest of the way. But the jump start meant the local ace was penalized five seconds in the final results. Green got second, 0.267 secs. behind Nesbitt.

"I was trying my best not to let Austin pull away because I knew he had the jump start," said Nesbitt after her third win in eight races this season. "I wasn't sure I was safe until the last lap."

Shaw-O'Leary was remarkably poised after the race, having been denied his first career victory by the narrowest of margins for the second day in a row. On Saturday Nesbitt had snatched the win from him on the final lap.

"Jump starts happen to the best of us," admitted the hometown hero. "It was my fault. I don't think I gained any advantage but those are the rules. It's unfortunate that it happened here."

Behind the top three, Scott Lingelbach of Wellesley, ON edged Kemptville, ON's Leah Vignale for fourth place by just three tenths of a second after their own race long battle. Lingelbach is third in the CBR125R Challenge standings, 15 points clear of Green, while Vignale moved up to fifth in the standings.

Birthday boy Connor Warnell of Dartmouth, NS came out on top of a three-way battle for sixth with Guelph, ON's Karolina Pelc and Halifax racer Lauren Hill, who were seventh and eighth, respectively.

Race Results
1. Stacey Nesbitt, St-Lazare, QC 10 laps in 16:04.855
2. Eric Green, Richmond, ON +0.267 secs.
3. Austin Shaw-O'Leary, Falmouth, NS +4.845***
4. Scott Lingelbach, Wellesley, ON +16.326
5. Leah Vignale, Kemptville, ON +16.625
6. Connor Warnell, Dartmouth, NS +27.212
7. Karolina Pelc, Guelph, ON +27.717
8. Lauren Hill, Halifax, NS +28.490
9. Leah MacInnis, Charlottetown, PEI +1:07.303
10. Philip Warnell, Dartmouth, NS +1:07.705**
11. Malcolm Mackay, Dartmouth, NS +1:17.545**
12. Matt Chandler, Richmond Hill, ON +1 Lap
Fastest Lap: 1:29.860 by Eric Green on lap 9
* -- All riders aboard Honda CBR125R motorcycles
** -- ineligible for series points
*** -- penalized five seconds for jump start

Honda CBR125R Standings
1. Stacey Nesbitt 313
2. Austin Shaw-O'Leary 310
3. Scott Lingelbach 252
4. Eric Green 237
5. Leah Vignale 180
6. Lauren Hill 168
7. Shay Gauthier 162
8. David MacKay 144
9. Karolina Pelc 144
10. Matt Chandler 130
11. Cedric Martineau 114
12. Seth Van Dongen 94
13. Timothy Kennedy 68
14. Brian Alexander 59
15. Connor Warnell 54
16. Leah MacInnis 42
17. Sean Smith 36
18. Kyle Mistibachner 29
19. Sam McManus 27

Source: http://insidemotorcycles.blogspot.com/2011/08/nesbitt-takes-over-points-lead.html

Dominique Sarron Doni Tata Pradita Doriano Romboni Duilio Agostini Eduardo Aleman

Video: The Sound Of The New BMW M5

At Laguna Seca, California, BMW introduced to the US market the new 2012 BMW M5. BMW has moved ...

Source: http://www.bmwblog.com/2011/08/19/video-the-sound-of-the-new-bmw-m5/

Hiroshi Hasegawa Horst Fugner Horst Kassner Huang Shizhao Hubert Abold

McCormick on Mosport Superbike pole

By John Hopkins / Photo by Bob Szoke

BOWMANVILLE, ON – Brett McCormick edged a step closer to his first Canadian Superbike Championship by Parts Canada title at Mosport International Raceway on Friday by claiming pole position for this weekend’s season-ending doubleheader.

The 19-year-old from Saskatoon shook off a morning crash to turn a lap at one minute, 20.882 seconds (176.123km/h) around the 3.957km track on the radX / BMW Motorrad Canada BMW S1000RR in the afternoon’s Pirelli SuperPole session.

That effort earned McCormick his third $500 Kawasaki S4-R Competition Lubricants Pole Award of the season and four more points toward the Pro Superbike crown. He now has 278 points to the 222 of his nearest challenger Jordan Szoke with just this weekend’s two races left in the season. A race win is worth 50 points.

“It wasn’t a great lap but I’m not complaining,” said McCormick, who was forced to use his back-up bike after he crashed his primary mount in Friday morning’s pre-qualifying session. “I pushed a little too hard in a couple of places and messed up my drive onto the backstraight.”

McCormick’s SuperPole time was slightly slower than the 1:20.866 he had managed before his crash in the morning, which broke his own two-year-old Mosport Superbike track record. By reverting to his back-up machine McCormick was moved to 10th in the pre-qualifying results and was the first rider to hit the track for SuperPole.

"It's actually kind of nice going first," McCormick admitted. "Not to much pressure -- now I can sit back a bit and see how everyone else does."

McCormick is also aiming for a perfect season of seven wins in seven races.

Szoke qualified second for this weekend’s races with a time of 1:21.114 on the Competition Systems Canadian Kawasaki Motors Kawasaki ZX-10R, an improvement over the 1:21.370 he had set in the morning. The Brantford, Ont. racer is trying to win a sixth straight Canadian Superbike Championship and has won five of the last six Superbike races at Mosport.

“I wanted to be number one but I left a little bit on the table,” said the Brantford, Ont. rider, who had qualified on pole for the two previous Canadian Superbike Championship rounds. “Maybe we can turn the tables this weekend and let Brett get the pole while we win the races.”

Andrew Nelson of Kars, Ont. set the third fastest time of 1:22.691 on the Nelson Racing / GymMax / Monette Sports BMW S1000RR and Mississauga, Ont.’s Matt McBride completes the front row for this weekend’s races after turning a lap at 1:23.013 on the Riders Choice / BMW Toronto Motorrad BMW S1000RR.

Nelson’s two points for qualifying third moved him into sole possession of third place in the Superbike point standings ahead of Michael Ferreira.

“It was a pretty good lap but I messed up a bit at the top of turn two,” Nelson admitted. “I left a little bit there.”

McBride said he found the track conditions hotter than he had earlier in the day.

“It was greasy out there and I spun it up coming onto the front straight,” he said.

Another Mississauga rider, Ferreira qualified fifth with a time of 1:23.244 on the second radX / BMW Motorrad Canada BMW S1000RR.

"There was so much grip from the front tire it was really pushing the front," Ferreira said. "I didn't want to overdo it. It was a decent lap; not too many mistakes."

Ferreira will be joined on the second row of this weekend’s races by Keene, Ont.’s Jodi Christie, who qualified with a 1:24.018 on the Jodi Christie Racing / Cameron Cycle / Blue Streak Racing Honda CBR600RR and Marie-Josee Boucher of Montreal, who toured the Mosport circuit at 1:24.184 on the Excel Moto Honda CBR1000RR.

Christie had tried a CBR1000RR in pre-qualifying but reverted to his more familiar CBR600RR for SuperPole.

Boucher was the first woman to participate in a Pirelli SuperPole session in Canadian Superbike Championship history.

Sebastien Tremblay of Sherbrooke, Que. qualified eighth on his debut with the Pete's Superbike / Fourmark BMW S1000RR and fellow Sherbrooke rider Francis Martin was ninth fastest aboard the Couturier Racing / ProPulsion BMW.

Guelph, Ont.'s Matt Cooper completes the top 10 in his first appearance of the season on the Bain Machine Racing Yamaha YZF-R1.

Qualifying Results
1. Brett McCormick, Saskatoon, Sask. (BMW S1000RR) 1:20.882 (176.123km/h)
2. Jordan Szoke, Brantford, Ont. (Kawasaki ZX-10R) 1:21.114
3. Andrew Nelson, Kars, Ont. (BMW S1000RR) 1:22.691
4. Matt McBride, Mississauga, Ont. (BMW S1000RR) 1:23.013
5. Michael Ferreira, Mississauga, Ont. (BMW S1000RR) 1:23.244
6. Jodi Christie, Keene, Ont. (Honda CBR600RR) 1:24.018
7. Marie-Josee Boucher, Montreal, Que. (Honda CBR1000RR) 1:24.414
8. Sebastien Tremblay, Sherbrooke, Que. (BMW S1000RR) 1:24.342
9. Francis Martin, Sherbrooke, Que. (BMW S1000RR) 1:24.349
10. Matt Cooper, Guelph, Ont. (Yamaha YZF-R1) 1:24.424
11. Rob Busby, Brantford, Ont. (BMW S1000RR) 1:24.554
12. Francois Dumas, St-Raymond, Que. (BMW S1000RR) 1:24.631
13. Alex Welsh, Uxbridge, Ont. (Suzuki GSX-R1000) 1:24.637
14. Bodhi Edie, Warman, Sask. (Honda CBR600RR) 1:24.664
15. Frank Trombino, Woodbridge, Ont. (Suzuki GSX-R600) 1:25.053
16. Raphael Archambault, Terrebonne, Que. (Suzuki GSX-R600) 1:25.287
17. Kenny Reidman, Belfountain, Ont. (Triumph 675) 1:25.350
18. Franklyn Dominguez, Hudson, Que. (Kawasaki ZX-10R) 1:25.775
19. Martin Ricard, Montreal, Que. (Kawasaki ZX-10R) 1:25.893
20. Steve Walker, Carleton Place, Ont. (BMW S1000RR) 1:25.997
21. Ross Millson, Hamilton, Ont. (Kawasaki ZX-10R) 1:26.091
22. Darren James, North Vancouver, BC (Buell 1125R) 1:26.125
23. Billy Shields, Unionville, Ont. (Yamaha YZF-R1) 1:26.242
24. Dean Plater, Cumberland, Ont. (Kawasaki ZX-10R) 1:30.042

Source: http://insidemotorcycles.blogspot.com/2011/08/mccormick-on-mosport-superbike-pole.html

Chris Vermeulen Chris Walker Christian Estrosi Christian Sarron Claudio Lusuardi

AGV GP Tech Rossi 'Elements' replica helmet now available

?For a rider, a helmet is also a canvas to be painted,? says Valentino Rossi, and for the 9 times World Champion this statement has been a mainstay for his entire career. The graphics that Aldo[...]

Source: http://feeds.blogo.it/~r/twowheelsblog/com/~3/lZ65El6qu-g/agv-gp-tech-rossi-elements-replica-helmet-now-available

Adrien Morillas Akira Yanagawa Akiyasu Motohashi Alan Barnett Alan Carter

John Hopkins undergoes surgery, likely to skip Cadwell Park round

John Hopkins second appearance in MotoGP at Brno, was cut short after a crash during a wet FP3 left him with a break and dislocation to his third finger and a dislocation to his second finger of his[...]

Source: http://feeds.blogo.it/~r/twowheelsblog/com/~3/A-skQNSqir8/john-hopkins-undergoes-surgery-likely-to-skip-cadwell-park-round

Alessandro Gramigni Alex Baldolini Alex Barros Alex Criville Alex de Angelis

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Intercontinental Rally Challenge, round 7 of 11 preview

Barum Czech Rally Zlin, 26-28 August, 2011 The battle for the 2011 Intercontinental Rally Challenge title will take another twist in Czech Republic next week (26-28 August) when the series returns to asphalt for Barum Czech Rally Zlin, round seven of this scintillating chase for the prestigious drivers? crown. THE CHALLENGE Based in the industrial [...]

Source: http://www.flagworld.com/news/?p=61826

Billie Nelson Bo Granath Bob Anderson Bob Brown Bob Foster

Indy tipping contest scores

In another lean week top scorers, two names shot ahead from the pack to challenge the leaders – @tailzer and @harleymac1. Pulling off an impressive Brit-centric Minella to gain 6 points, @tailzer took second place in the overall standings. Well done sir! @harleymac1 also made impressive gains with his 6 point Minella. Honorable mention goes [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/motogpblog/postfeed/~3/UsKTMuHZbKM/1197

Bill Smith Billie Nelson Bo Granath Bob Anderson Bob Brown

European Auto Garage E36 M3 Coupe Project Car

Back in October of 2010, we came across this ?95 Dakar Yellow M3 on eBay. It looked great. ...

Source: http://www.bmwblog.com/2011/08/17/european-auto-garage-e36-m3-coupe-project-car/

Alessandro Gramigni Alex Baldolini Alex Barros Alex Criville Alex de Angelis

Ecclestone watches female driver de Villota test F1 car

A female driver conducted a secret formula one test with Renault two weeks ago, according to international publications. Spain’s Marca and Italy’s Italiaracing report that 31-year-old Spaniard Maria de Villota, the daughter of former F1 driver Emilio de Villota, was at the wheel of a two-year old Renault R29. The test took place at the [...]

Source: http://www.flagworld.com/news/?p=61781

Chow Ho-Wan Chris Conn Chris Vermeulen Chris Walker Christian Estrosi

Pot, kettle, black

There was much rejoicing yesterday when AUTOSPORT.com reported comments made by Jacques Villeneuve in an interview with Brazilian website TotalRace, regarding fellow former Formula 1 world champion Kimi Raikkonen: “If Kimi won the championship, he did it by luck, because he didn’t deserve it.” Cue understandable calls of pot, kettle and black. That’s quite apart [...]

Source: http://2or4.co.uk/2011/08/12/pot-kettle-black/

Dario Ambrosini Daryl Beattie Dave Chadwick Dave Simmonds David Checa

Video: the week in motor sport (01/08/2011)

Welcome to another ‘week in motor sport’. There was plenty to talk about this week and I sat down with features editor Rob Widdows to mull over the Hungarian Grand Prix and the news of new deal with Formula 1, Sky and the BBC.

I am sorry that we’re back…

Source: http://www.motorsportmagazine.co.uk/2011/08/02/video-the-week-in-motor-sport-01082011/

Barry Smith Ben Drinkwater Ben Spies Benedicto Caldarella Benjamin Grau

Mums of Death: We?ll take hearty meals over hedonism any day

It was a shared adoration of old Amiga and Mega Drive games that initially drew Colin Bailey and Jack Adams together. The pair, known collectively as Mums of Death – but better known to music fans in their singular guises Drums of Death and Mumdance – initially met at Sonar in 2009, but it took several months for the pair to act upon their promise to work together. A track was made, played by each in their respective DJ sets. People heard it, people loved it. But it wasn?t until January this year when a video for Golden Axe appeared on YouTube that people really got to experience it in all its 2D, 8-bit glory.

Here, in a rare joint interview, the two producers explain their dynamic, and reveal how when DJs hit a certain age, they swap hedonism for hearty meals at fancy restaurants.

When you play live, how does your dynamic differ to being in the studio?

Jack: When we do our shows we tend to just play back to back. We wanted to do something different to his live shows but still had elements of us both in it. When I first started out I used to do a live show, but I got really quite bored of it quite quickly so I ended up just going back to DJing. So we just go back to back, we?ve both got quite different styles so when we?re DJing we keep each other on our toes.

Colin: Neither one of us launches into a completely different tempo or going from building to too heavy. It?s kinda like we?re each following on from what the last one played. I didn?t want to do another live show thing, I wanted to do something different. For my live shows I?m on the mic, as a kind of party, hype man thing, the only white Scottish hype man out there, I don?t know! But when we DJ it?s really good as we can play lots of old stuff and new stuff, too. I treat it as a night off, I take more of a backseat and it?s about the two of us.

Jack: A lot he?ll be saying ?who?s this by?? or I?ll be asking ?who?s that by?? It?s always nice. I like doing collaborations with people, I like the idea of bring cultures and ideas and backgrounds together to make new, hybrid sounds.

So you were brought together by a love of classic gaming ? what other interests do you share?

Colin: Nothing! I made some good food last night, some fish.

Jack: DJs get in to food when they hit a certain age. When you get taken around the world, promoters always know where the nicest restaurants are, and they?ll always take you there.

Colin: Then you get back to London and you open your fridge and it?s like ?Gah!?

Jack: When you go on tour most of the DJs talk about food more than they talk about music. Especially the older crew.

So do you get emailed recipes by other DJs, are there loads of ?recipe fwds? going around?

Jack: Oh no, they?re not actually cooks! There?s a DJ called Skeet Skeet, he?s a big Hollywood DJ, he opens for Katy Perry on tour. He?s started a website called Dishlicker which is basically just DJs – when you go to a nice restaurant you take a picture of it and email it in and it goes on the blog.

It turns out that this is actually true and features culinary contributions from MSTRKRFT, AC Slater, Buraka Som Sistema and their label mates ? or should that be, ladle mates?

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Catch Mums of Death at SW4 on Sunday, 28^th August. Clapham Common, London.

Source: http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2011/08/19/mums-of-death/

Dirk Raudies Discussion Domenico Brigaglia Dominique Aegerter Dominique Sarron