The Tucson, Arizona Chief of Police mailed a letter to Roadracing World regarding coverage of racer Ben Thompson’s harrowing carjacking and subsequent experience with the city’s police department. The letter, the delivery of which was delayed for unknown reasons, is seen here.
The NEW Elf Moto website is here! Please go to: ~http://www.elfmoto.us~ This is our new website which has just been released. The new site is packed with helpful information and news worthy activity. Shop Locator: ~http://www.elfmoto.us/lub/lubusa.nsf/VS_SWIPSA/C125717D00402081C125719C005177F7?OpenDocument&UNI=6F492F60CA533AFFC12571950035B93C&LG=EN&~
MotoGP World Champion’s young cousin making waves in road racing Owensboro, KY The name ‘Hayden’ probably rings a bell right now. The latest American racing dynasty is of course from Owensboro, Kentucky and is affectionately known as Earl’s Race Team. No sooner had Earl Hayden’s middle son, Nicky, taken the ultimate prize by becoming the latest American MotoGP World Champion, defeating seven-time world champion Valentino Rossi for the title, did his cousin, Hayden Gillim, pick up the silverware in the junior ranks and following rapidly, very rapidly, in his cousin’s footsteps. Last weekend in Las Vegas, Gillim, the 11-year-old cousin to Tommy, Nicky and Roger, was standing up and thanking his team, sponsors and family for their support and help in becoming the AMA Youth Dirt Track Rider of the Year 2006. He also became the AMA Sports Youth Rider of the Year 2006. The way he delivered his speech was on a par with his obvious natural talent on the race track and would’ve made most parents of children much older very proud. “I’m simply delighted for the boy,” said Uncle Earl, from his Owensboro home. “It has been a heck of a year for the whole family, and this is a really nice way to round off the year. I hope he enjoyed the experience, but that he was back in school the following week. That’s the most important thing right now.” Hayden appears to have the same fighting spirit that has become so synonymous within the Hayden family the will to win burns stronger than anything, and that is shining through in Hayden’s young, determined focus to keep it in the family. Next year, it is anticipated that young Hayden will be riding in both road racing and dirt track series. One thing appears for sure – the Hayden dynasty is as strong as ever, and maybe not just for the next few years – maybe for much, much longer. Finally, while watching the other Haydens, keep this thought in the back of your mind – there’s a new generation coming sideways ’round the corner and he’s going very, very fast!
All certs that expire in 2006 must be booked and used in 2006. Certs that expired in 2006 will not be accepted in 2007. To place an order with certs to Trackside Racers Supply, Inc, here is what you need to do. Mail certs to: Trackside Racers Supply, Inc P.O. Box 134 Canton NC 28716 (these must be booked, with pin number) You must include with certs: -Order -Name -Shipping address -2 phone numbers -Credit card/expire date/3 or 4 number code to cover amount over certs total No faxes or emails accepted. Certs must be received by Dec 18, 2006! Any questions call Theresa @ 828-235-8400. Resumes will be accepted by mail only. Trackside will be closed Dec 5 thru Dec 10, 2006.
BUSY SECOND DAY OF TESTING AT JEREZ FOR THE DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM Yesterday’s weather forecast proved to be right and conditions were much improved on the second day of testing at Jerez. After waiting for the track to become completely dry, Ducati Marlboro Team riders Loris Capirossi and Casey Stoner went out after noon to get testing with their Desmosedici GP7 machines underway. In the presence of Ducati Corse Director General Filippo Preziosi, engineers and riders today investigated the potential of a new engine management configuration, different to the one used in the previous tests with the GP7. This delicate and difficult task is fundamental in identifying the right path for the new bike’s development. Loris Capirossi completed a total of 34 laps of the Jerez track, ending up with a quickest time of 1m42.244s. “We spent most of the day working on the new software, which however is not quite ready. We were unable to devote much time to tyres and set-up and as a result obviously could not set any quick times. However we found out a lot of information and it is normal that in this period we are exploring new ways of development. Tomorrow if the weather holds good I think that we can go much better”. Alongside the Borgo Panigale ‘veteran’, Casey Stoner continued to get to know his new team and his new bike. The young Australian did 52 laps of the track, setting a quickest time in 1m41.702s. “It was a very busy day and we had a lot of things to test. Late in the afternoon we made considerable progress and I am very pleased with that as well as with the way the team works. We’ve still got a lot of work to do with the new bike but it’s got a lot of potential and I am convinced I can go a lot quicker. I am very satisfied and hopefully tomorrow the weather will be good again so we can continue the work we started today”. The Ducati Corse test team and test-rider Vittoriano Guareschi are also at Jerez together with the factory squad. The Italian rider completed 50 laps today, helping with the development of the bike with which Loris and Casey will take on the Japanese manufacturers in next year’s championship. The forecast for the third and final day of the last test session before the winter testing ban is for further sunny weather at the Andalusian circuit. Temperatures: air 19°C / track 23°C. More, from a press release issued by Gresini Racing Honda: SECOND TEST DAY FOR MARCO AT JEREZ Today the MotoGP riders busy at Jerez de la Frontera for the last test session of the year could profit of the sunshine to carry on the programme scheduled for today Marco Melandri, the Gresini Honda rider, at his debut on the new 800cc V-four Honda, completed 52 laps. The Italian rider started an intensive programme to know the bike and understand its behaviour before starting to work on the geometry of the machine MARCO MELANDRI (1’42″44, 52 laps): “Today the weather was good so we could start an intensive programme to understand the bike. I can say that it was my first day on the new bike. We started working on the geometry of the machine to try and understand the possibilities we have for chassis settings. We tried some things on suspension and of course tested with Bridgestone tyres. In the end I had a good feeling getting the bike to turn better, it was good in the fast corners but we have to work on the bike to get it to turn better in the slow to mid-range speed corners. Tomorrow we will work on improving the suspension set up.” More, from a press release issued by Camel Yamaha: FAST PROGRESS FOR ROSSI AND EDWARDS WITH NEW 800 IN JEREZ Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards completed another promising day of development work on Yamaha’s new 800cc motorcycle in Jerez today, despite being forced to sit out the morning session whilst they waited for the track to dry following yesterday’s rain. Once they got going after lunch however the riders made the most of the time available, getting through a host of work on the prototype bike and focusing mainly on tyre testing with Michelin and chassis work. Rossi topped the time sheets for the second day running and put in a best lap of 1’40.688 after 82 laps, the most of any rider today. His time was less than a tenth of a second off the current lap record, which was set by him in 2005. Honda rider Dani Pedrosa was second quickest with a fastest time of 1’40.799 while Edwards was third once again, recording a best time of 1’41.186 after a total of 48 laps. Tomorrow will be the final day of testing for the Camel Yamaha Team before they break for the winter holidays. VALENTINO ROSSI (1st 1’40.688, 82 laps) “I did a lot of laps today, the most of all the riders so it was quite a tough day despite missing the morning! We had to make up for the time we missed yesterday too and everyone worked very hard to get through all the work we had. It was a good day and helpful for us to have time to do so many laps. We continued working with two different chassis, trying to find the best way forward and check the differences between them. We also got time to do some important tyre work with Michelin and it seems they have some good new things which are working well with our bike. I hope that the weather will stay like this tomorrow because we’ve still got quite a lot we want to do before the end of the test. We’ll continue with the work we did today, check and confirm everything and then I hope we can finish for the year feeling positive!” COLIN EDWARDS (3rd 1’41.186, 48 Laps) “We got here this morning and the track was still seriously wet from yesterday so we had to sit around for a while to wait for it to dry out. The afternoon was good though and we spent a large part of it testing front tyres for Michelin, following on from where we got to in Malaysia. We wanted to re-confirm that what we tried in Sepang is the right way to go and it’s definitely working well here too so we’re going in the right direction. We tried various different fronts and I’m pretty happy with the situation. We didn’t try anything special on the rear, just kept a standard test tyre in, but we still put in some good times so that’s encouraging. We played about with some new engine mapping and then got some chassis work done at the end of the day. In the end we tried a setting more or less identical to Valentino’s, just to compare, and I could ride well with that too. It seems we’ve both found different settings that are working well so it’s just going to be a case of seeing what works best at each track. I’m pretty happy, we’re making progress and things are looking good so far.” Unofficial Lap Times VALENTINO ROSSI (ITA) Yamaha, 1’40.688 Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Honda, 1’40.799 COLIN EDWARDS (USA) Yamaha, 1’41.186 John Hopkins (USA) Suzuki, 1’41.205 Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Suzuki, 1’41.619 Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati, 1’41.702 Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati, 1’42.244 Marco Melandri (ITA) Honda, 1’42.469 Shinya Nakano (JPN) Honda, 1’42.528 Alex Barros (BRA) Ducati, 1’43.182 Tadayuki Okada (JPN) Honda Test Rider, 1’42.316 Vittorio Guareschi (ITA) Ducati Test Rider, 1’44.449 Jeremy McWilliams (GBR) Ilmor, 1’45.265 Andrew Pitt (AUS) Ilmor, 1’47.110 Jerez Lap Record: Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 2005, 1’40.596 Jerez Best Lap: Loris Capirossi (Ducati) 2006, 1’39.064 More, from a press release issued by Honda: Honda riders shine on sunny day at Jerez test Honda RC212V riders made hay in the sunshine of Jerez, Southern Spain, on day two of the final MotoGP test session of 2006. Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda, was the fastest of the Honda men testing and one of only two riders to crack the 1m 42s barrier for the 4.423km circuit. Gresini Honda rider Marco Melandri and Shinya Nakano on the Konica Minolta Honda are both testing the new 800cc V-four Honda for the first time and both set very respectable lap time at 1m 42.4s and 1m 44.5s respectively. Pedrosa a three time world champion in the smaller grand prix categories, two 250cc titles and one at 125cc level, was in sparkling form as he ran through an intensive test programme that saw him evaluate engine, chassis, suspension and tyre performance. The Spanish youngster set a lap time faster than his best at the 2006 grand prix held at the circuit in April of this year a time just two tenths of a second outside the MotoGP lap record. Gresini Honda rider Melandri put in his first full day of testing on the RC212V. The 24-year old Italian works hard in testing and today was no exception he covered 52 hard laps setting the 800cc Honda to his riding position and style before working on the geometry and suspension in a bid to understand the characteristics of his new mount and to try and get the machine to turn as he wished it to. He ended the day reasonably satisfied with some aspects but he and the team have a lot of work to do to further improve the RCV before the enforced December long break in winter testing. For Konica Minolta team rider Shinya Nakano everything is new. He is riding Honda for the Italian team for the first time and with an all-new machine at that. If that were not enough Nakano also has the task of riding a MotoGP machine equipped with Michelin tyres after several years campaigning with Bridgestone rubber. The Japanese rider worked methodically during what was in fact his first day on the machine as he sat out the wet session yesterday, the opening day of the three day test. Working on the riding position before moving onto suspension work Nakano established a reasonable base line setting to work from as he and the team mechanics endeavoured to improve their understanding of the RC212V. Nakano ended the day in positive mood having set times comparable with riders with more 800cc experience. Honda’s two top 250cc grand prix teams are also testing their RS250RW twin-cylinder two-stroke machines at Jerez. Andrea Dovizioso, Humangest Honda, runner up in the 250cc series in 2006, and Shuhei Aoyama, Repsol Honda, tested the latest versions of the RS250RW they will race in 2007. Aoyama’s team mate for next season, Spaniard Julian Simon, tested a 2006 version of the bike, his first ever outing on a quarter litre machine. This is the first full day of testing with the new machine and neither Dovizioso nor Aoyama were chasing lap times as they worked their way through a range of new parts and machine settings working to give the HRC engineers the valuable feed back they need to develop the RS250RW into a title winning machine. While the two senior riders concentrated on development work new boy Simon just rode the RS250RW to gain confidence in the machine and his new team. The quiet unassuming Simon surprised all with an outstanding lap time of 1m 43.986s just under the 250cc lap record for the circuit. Honda rider lap times and quotes: Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda: 1m 40.799s – 67 laps. “We had a good day’s testing and I’m pleased with how things went today. We tried many chassis and suspension adjustments on the bike, finding the combinations that worked best with the Michelin tyres we tested. My lap-times were quite good and I went faster than in the race at the beginning of the season, but you can’t read too much into this because November is good time for going fast at Jerez. We’re hoping it stays dry for tomorrow so we can continue this progress.” Marco Melandri, Gresini Honda: 1m 42.4s – 52 laps. “It has been a better day it’s really the first day with the new bike after the rain of yesterday. We started working on the geometry of the machine to try and understand the possibilities we have for chassis settings. I’m not so happy yet I have not found a good connection between throttle, engine and rear wheel. Funny because even with less power from the 800cc I still have wheel spin. We tried some things on suspension and of course tested with Bridgestone tyres. In the end I had a good feeling getting the bike to turn better, it was good in the fast corners but we have to work on the bike to get it to turn better in the slow to mid-range speed corners. Tomorrow we will work on improving the suspension set up.” Shinya Nakano, Konica Minolta Honda: 1m 42.463s – 53 laps. “Not so bad for my first real day of testing on the RC212V. First I had to find a comfortable riding position before we started to work on the bike. Once I had found that we worked on suspension settings and changed the front forks before working on the rear end. After we found the best machine balance for me I started working on front tyre testing and we found a very positive direction to work in. The engine is powerful but easy to control a much different feeling to any other bike I have raced. I’m happy because I could ride normally without worrying and that’s good. Tomorrow we will work on the gearbox to help me understand more about the potential of this bike.” Julian Simon, Repsol Honda: 1m 43.986s – 55 laps. “I am very happy to be in this team with Alberto Puig and the mechanics. The team has much experience in 250cc racing and helped Dani Pedrosa to three world titles. I’m happy with the bike its not so difficult to ride but the lines you have to use are different to the 125cc class I have been racing in. This test is really for me to get used to the 250 the power and handling characteristics, and braking into the corners. I have a good feeling with this bike but I have a lot to learn about machine set up.” Shuhei Aoyama, Repsol Honda: 1m 44.977s – 68 laps. “It is very difficult to say much about today. We have been trying to find good base line settings for the machine and while the old bike is better in some ways the new machine has definite improvements and we know it will be much better, this is just the first test.” Andrea Dovizioso, Humangest Honda: 1m 45.500s – 55 laps. “I’m happy with a lot of the changes to the chassis it is definitely better, of course some things did not improve but that is normal with a new machine. The engine has improved and will get better so I can say the test today has been positive.” Unofficial lap times: 1. Valentino Rossi, Yamaha: 1m 40.688s 2. Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda: 1m 44.030s 3. Colin Edwards, Yamaha: 1m 41.186s. 4. John Hopkins, Suzuka: 1m 41.205s. 6. Chris Vermeulen, Suzuki: 1m 41.619s. 7. Loris Capirossi, Ducati: 1m 42.244s. 8. Marco Melandri, Gresini Honda: 1m 42.469s. 9. Shinya Nakano, Konica Minolta Honda: 1m 42.528s. 10. Alex Barros, Ducati: 1m 43.182s. 11. Tady Okada, Repsol Honda: 1m 43.316s. 12. Julian Simon, Repsol Honda 250: 1m 43.977s. 13. Vittorio Guareschi, Ducati: 1m 44.449s. 14. Shuhei Aoyama, Repsol Honda 250: 1m 444.977s. 15. Jeremy McWilliams, Ilmor: 1m 45.265s. 16. Andrea Dovizioso, Humangest Honda: 1m 45.500s. More, from a press release issued by Rizla Suzuki: Positive day for Rizla Suzuki MotoGP at Jerez Rizla Suzuki MotoGP racers John Hopkins and Chris Vermeulen continued with their impressive testing schedule, by taking more positive steps forward during day two of the Jerez test in Spain. After losing most of yesterday to the rain and having to wait for the track to dry out this morning, Hopkins and Vermeulen quickly got down to business and were regularly amongst the fastest riders. Hopkins time of 1’41.205 on his new Rizla Suzuki GSV-R800 was just over half a second off the lap record held by Valentino Rossi on a 990cc machine. Hopkins completed 50 laps of the 4.4km Spanish circuit, and Vermeulen circulated 49 times as he recorded a quickest time of 1’41.619. Today’s fastest time was set by Rossi. Both Suzuki riders used today to test new generation Bridgestone tyres and worked with their respective crews on base settings to find the best set-up for their new bikes. A full report on Rizla Suzuki MotoGP’s Jerez test will appear on this site at the end of the three day test. For more information on Rizla Suzuki MotoGP and to receive up-to-date news and information visit www.rizla-suzuki-motogp.co.uk and register with the free to join fan club. Jerez unofficial lap times: 1. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 1’40.688: 2. Dani Pedrosa (Honda) +0.111: 3. Colin Edwards (Yamaha) +0.498: 4. JOHN HOPKINS (RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP) +0.517: 5. CHRIS VERMEULEN (RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP) +0.931: 6. Casey Stoner (Ducati) +1.014: 7. Loris Capirossi (Ducati) +1.556: 8. Marco Melandri (Honda) +1.781: Jerez Lap Record: Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 2005, 1’40.596 Jerez Best Lap: Loris Capirossi (Ducati) 2006, 1’39.064 More, from a press release issued by Pramac D’antin: POSITIVE DEBUT FOR ALEX BARROS ON THE NEW DUCATI GP7 AT JEREZ Under ideal weather conditions at the Jerez circuit in Spain, ALEX BARROS had a positive debut on his brand new DUCATI GP7 800cc, equipped with BRIDGESTONE tires. The PRAMAC D’ANTIN Brazilian rider, who didn’t ride the first day of the test due to rain and poor track conditions, got his first taste of the new machine and began working diligently on the testing program that the Team had prepared. BARROS ultimately clocked 63 laps, with the best time of 1’43.187, and was feeling very good about the initial sensations of the bike. Tomorrow will be the last test day of 2006, and after the winter test ban from December 1st to January 22nd 2007, the PRAMAC D’ANTIN Team will fly to Malaysia for the first pre-season test at the Sepang circuit on January 22nd. ALEX BARROS #4 (1’43.187, 63 laps): “I am very satisfied with the positive impressions I had on the new Ducati 800cc. Our first real test day was useful to discover the potential of the DUCATI-BRIDGESTONE binomial, and I am very happy about the Bridgestone performance. We worked on the machine balance and we can definitely improve our times with chassis and suspension changes. Basically, this was my first full day of testing with the new generation 800cc, and I just need more laps on the machine to understand it’s nuances, but its definitely easier to ride than the 990cc. It has higher corner speed, and you can get on the gas very hard and really early with this bike. It was an intense day, as I predicted, but there were a lot of interesting discoveries we made. I need to get as many practice laps on the bike as possible to help unlock the secrets of the GP7, and to see the direction we need to take in order to find the best possible set-up for the machine. Both the team and I are very motivated, as this a completely new start for us. We want to be competitive in the next season”. FABIANO STERLACCHINI – Alex Barros Track Engineer: “We are satisfied with our first day of testing. BARROS started to discover the new machine’s potential, and his confidence in the package at his disposal is high. We initially worked to set the bike up for his physique and his riding style. In the morning we worked on the engine map definition, then on the rear suspension setting, and finished the day focusing on the front. Today’s gathered data is a good base for us to start tomorrow’s work”. Unofficial Times Day 2: 1. Valentino Rossi 1’40.688 (82 laps) 2. Dani Pedrosa 1’40.799 (61 laps) 3. Colin Edwards 1’41.186 (48 laps) 4. John Hopkins 1’41.205 (60 laps) 5. Chris Vermulen 1’41.619 (56 laps) 10. Alex Barros 1’43.187 (63 laps) Conditions: Dry / Air: 19°c / Ground: 23°c More, from a press release issued by Konica Minolta: POSITIVE SECOND DAY OF PRACTICE FOR SHINYA NAKANO The morning humidity forced the riders present at Jerez to wait until one to start the test but the weather conditions remained good for the rest of the afternoon. The KONICA MINOLTA Honda Team rider covered a total of 63 laps setting the fastest time in 1’42.528″. A more than positive performance considering that today was the real Nakano’s first working day on board the new Honda RC212V equipped with Michelin tyres. The Italian-Japanese Team could start the new bike setting and also tested different front tyres. Nakano declared to be really satisfied with the good feeling already got with the new 800cc. The KONICA MINOLTA Honda Team will remain on the Andalusian track even tomorrow, using the third day of the final 2006 test session preceding the winter break ordered by the rules and scheduled to finish for January 21st, 2007. Gianluca Montiron KONICA MINOLTA Honda General Director “Today, Nakano could finally start to understand the characteristics of the package bike-tyres at his disposal. I like his working method bringing him to understand the different changes that, step by step, are made. Inside the box, our Team staff is trying to set a valid communication method and create some automatisms that will be useful in the short time available during the practice sessions of the race week end.” Shinya Nakano KONICA MINOLTA Honda Rider (1’42.528 63 laps) “This morning when we arrived, the track was wet and we were forced to wait till the early afternoon before having it completely dry. The 63 laps I covered in the time left permitted me to better understand the Honda RC212V. My feeling is already good and I’m very happy to have obtained it only after a few kilometres with the new 800cc. Today, at the beginning, we tried to find a good bike balance and then check three different front tyres; the results obtained were positive. Tomorrow, we will still work to find the base setting, trying to adjust the gear box and the engine brake control electronic system.” Giulio Bernardelle KONICA MINOLTA Honda Technical Director “Today we started taking contact with the new Honda RC212V starting from the research of the best suspensions set up. We could obtain a sufficient setting balance and made Shinya check several Michelin front tyres which permitted him to start realizing how the different combination of constructions and compounds work. Nakano’s approach is surely positive and the rider demonstrated to be very precise in his comments.”
The 2007 MotoGP season marks a new era for Kawasaki. Not only will the Japanese manufacturer debut their all-new 800cc Ninja ZX-RR at the opening race of the season in Qatar, but also, for the first time since Kawasaki returned to the premier class of motorcycle racing, it will be with a complete ‘in house’ factory team. This is a major change in the way that Kawasaki go racing. The new team infrastructure is a result of the Japanese manufacturer’s recent necessary split from Harald Eckl and the company KMGP, after Kawasaki was confronted with Eckl’s serious involvement with a competitor’s MotoGP activities, which forced Kawasaki to terminate the relationship immediately. The Kawasaki Racing Team that will contest the 2007 MotoGP season, with the 800cc Ninja ZX-RR – complete with new engine and chassis – is under the control of Kawasaki’s Racing Director, Ichiro Yoda. While elements of the new look Kawasaki Racing Team will be out in Sepang testing with Randy de Puniet at the end of this month, the remaining team members are busy putting together the equipment, tools and transport necessary for a full-scale assault on the 2007 MotoGP World Championship. Every member of the new look Kawasaki Racing Team is confident that, come the opening race at the Doha International Circuit in Qatar, they will be ready with a competitive Ninja ZX-RR and a set-up commensurate with that of a factory racing team in the premier series. “This is a new beginning for Kawasaki. The performance of the new 800cc Ninja ZX-RR during the initial tests has been promising, but we know there is still a lot of development work to do if we are to be competitive from the first race next season.” declared Kawasaki’s President, Consumer Products & Machinery Company, Tamba. “I’m pleased to say that the team in the pit box will remain virtually unchanged from this season. This has been a great help, and it has undoubtedly allowed us to progress much faster with building the new team infrastructure. We furthermore highly appreciate the full support from Dorna regarding our new MotoGP structure.” “Last year we fielded the most competitive Ninja ZX-RR since Kawasaki returned to Grand Prix racing at the end of the 2002 season, as Shinya Nakano’s second place at Assen proved. But, the overall results in 2006 clearly were not what we were expecting, due, in part, to a lack of dedicated attention from our former Team Manager”. “So, while we know we are facing a tough job to have everything ready for the first race of the 2007 season, we are confident that the strong commitment from the new Team management and the rest of the Team, will lead to an improvement in results for Kawasaki during the season ahead,” concluded Tamba.
The Honda Gresini Team can count on the support of a very important partner in the challenge of the 2007 MotoGP World Championship, HANNspree, a Taiwanese Company, Market Leader, producer of TVs and LCD Monitors. Marco Melandri and Toni Elias will be the colour bearers on track of the enthusiasm and energy that characterize the HANNspree’s world, a synonymous of creative energy as its name says: HANN in fact is a Chinese word meaning “huge” and “infinity”, Spree comes from English and means “outburst of activity”. It’s with great satisfaction that Fausto Gresini welcomes HANNspree: “I’m proud of announcing this agreement that we have reached with such a great and prestigious company such as HANNspree. I’m very happy to represent their brand in the world of motorcycle competitions at its highest level. In particular, I’d like to thank Mr Kevin Chang, HANNspree Europe Managing Director and Fabio Scatola, Sales and Marketing Director HANNspree Europe. I’m sure that together we can achieve great results, together with Marco Melandri, Toni Elias and all the team we wait for you on track” Mr Kevin Chang, HANNspree Managing Director answers enthusiastically: “We believe that, thanks to the professionalism and the experience of the Gresini Honda Team and its two riders Marco Melandri and Toni Elias, our brand, HANNspree, will enter with great prestigious in the MotoGP World Championship. Together with Fabio Scatola, we wish you an exciting 2007 racing season”.
Justin Marm took delivery of a 2007 MV Agusta F4 1000 last week making 5150 Racing the first Fast by Ferracci support team in the US for the 2007 season. 5150 is comprised of Marm, a business owner and 2006 WERA Sportsman B Superbike Champion, and team captain Phil Caudill, owner of Moto-Heaven.com, Thrust Company, and XES Leathers. 5150 completed the 2006 WERA National Endurance Series in 4th place overall and 2nd place in Heavyweight Super Sport, finishing 8 of 10 rounds on the podium. Marm and Caudill spent most of last Tuesday disassembling the F4 to get acquainted with Italian engineering, to remove the engine and suspension for race preparation. “The F4 is really an amazing piece of machinery; the engineering is beyond any other bike I have ever worked on”, said Marm. Initial plans are to compete in the 2007 WERA National Endurance Series and select AMA rounds but the decision as to superbike or superstock has not been determined at this point. “We are awaiting word on factory contingency which should be close to current programs offered by Japanese manufacturers. We are also seeking support and sponsorship for the upcoming year and are confident that with the knowledge and assistance of Fast by Ferracci we will have a successful year”, explained Marm. For all team and support inquiries please email [email protected].
Dallas, TX Since opening this fall AMS Ducati Dallas has expanded Dallas’ adjacent Design District with a high-octane mix of performance machinery and high-impact imagery. Its new location on Industrial Boulevard might best be described as ‘post-industrial’, with an emphasis on classic design against a backdrop of artful display. Ducati motorcycles have represented, over five decades, an apogee of performance and passion; Ducati Dallas mixes both into an intoxicating blend for both bike riders and fashion enthusiasts. That blend will be fully celebrated this Saturday, December 2nd in the Ducati Dallas showroom, located at 1318 N. Industrial Boulevard. Beginning at noon a full range of ’07 Ducatis will be available for demonstration rides, weather of course permitting. After a full afternoon of rants and revs settle in at 6:00 p.m. for more fun mixed with fashion: the unveiling of the highly anticipated 1098 Ducati Superbike, followed by a Fashion Show highlighting all that’s new in Ducati apparel and accessories. Ducati North America CEO Michael Lock will introduce the 1098, which builds on the longstanding tradition of Ducati’s classic V-Twin with hyper performance, lighter weight and an aggressive $14,995 price point. Also on hand: Ducati’s new S4S, upgraded Monster 695 and revised SportClassic series. Demo rides begin the day; fashion show, cocktails and conversation end it, punctuated by 10% savings on apparel and free giftwrap. It promises to be a combustible mix for enthusiasts of both two wheels and too much.
In September of this year, Darren Lindsay was killed while competing at the Killalane road races in County Dublin, Ireland, leaving behind his wife Kerry and three young children Ben, Zak and Poppy. Lindsay was a top Irish road racer, competing in the Isle of Man TT, Ulster Grand Prix and in Macau. This year at the press conference after the final round of the World Touring Car Championship in Macau, RealRoadRacing.com’s Simon Patterson asked the newly-crowned world champion, Andy Priaulx, for an item of memorabilia to auction for Darren’s family. Andy, a big bike racing fan, immediately agreed, and took off the cap he was wearing, the limited-edition one he had just worn to the podium and press conference! This is a one-of-a kind item, and a great piece of Motorsport memorabilia! All proceeds from this auction are going to the Lindsay family. ~http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=006&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&viewitem=&item=160057527151&rd=1&rd=1~
The Tucson, Arizona Chief of Police mailed a letter to Roadracing World regarding coverage of racer Ben Thompson’s harrowing carjacking and subsequent experience with the city’s police department. The letter, the delivery of which was delayed for unknown reasons, is seen here.
The NEW Elf Moto website is here! Please go to: ~http://www.elfmoto.us~ This is our new website which has just been released. The new site is packed with helpful information and news worthy activity. Shop Locator: ~http://www.elfmoto.us/lub/lubusa.nsf/VS_SWIPSA/C125717D00402081C125719C005177F7?OpenDocument&UNI=6F492F60CA533AFFC12571950035B93C&LG=EN&~
MotoGP World Champion’s young cousin making waves in road racing Owensboro, KY The name ‘Hayden’ probably rings a bell right now. The latest American racing dynasty is of course from Owensboro, Kentucky and is affectionately known as Earl’s Race Team. No sooner had Earl Hayden’s middle son, Nicky, taken the ultimate prize by becoming the latest American MotoGP World Champion, defeating seven-time world champion Valentino Rossi for the title, did his cousin, Hayden Gillim, pick up the silverware in the junior ranks and following rapidly, very rapidly, in his cousin’s footsteps. Last weekend in Las Vegas, Gillim, the 11-year-old cousin to Tommy, Nicky and Roger, was standing up and thanking his team, sponsors and family for their support and help in becoming the AMA Youth Dirt Track Rider of the Year 2006. He also became the AMA Sports Youth Rider of the Year 2006. The way he delivered his speech was on a par with his obvious natural talent on the race track and would’ve made most parents of children much older very proud. “I’m simply delighted for the boy,” said Uncle Earl, from his Owensboro home. “It has been a heck of a year for the whole family, and this is a really nice way to round off the year. I hope he enjoyed the experience, but that he was back in school the following week. That’s the most important thing right now.” Hayden appears to have the same fighting spirit that has become so synonymous within the Hayden family the will to win burns stronger than anything, and that is shining through in Hayden’s young, determined focus to keep it in the family. Next year, it is anticipated that young Hayden will be riding in both road racing and dirt track series. One thing appears for sure – the Hayden dynasty is as strong as ever, and maybe not just for the next few years – maybe for much, much longer. Finally, while watching the other Haydens, keep this thought in the back of your mind – there’s a new generation coming sideways ’round the corner and he’s going very, very fast!
All certs that expire in 2006 must be booked and used in 2006. Certs that expired in 2006 will not be accepted in 2007. To place an order with certs to Trackside Racers Supply, Inc, here is what you need to do. Mail certs to: Trackside Racers Supply, Inc P.O. Box 134 Canton NC 28716 (these must be booked, with pin number) You must include with certs: -Order -Name -Shipping address -2 phone numbers -Credit card/expire date/3 or 4 number code to cover amount over certs total No faxes or emails accepted. Certs must be received by Dec 18, 2006! Any questions call Theresa @ 828-235-8400. Resumes will be accepted by mail only. Trackside will be closed Dec 5 thru Dec 10, 2006.
BUSY SECOND DAY OF TESTING AT JEREZ FOR THE DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM Yesterday’s weather forecast proved to be right and conditions were much improved on the second day of testing at Jerez. After waiting for the track to become completely dry, Ducati Marlboro Team riders Loris Capirossi and Casey Stoner went out after noon to get testing with their Desmosedici GP7 machines underway. In the presence of Ducati Corse Director General Filippo Preziosi, engineers and riders today investigated the potential of a new engine management configuration, different to the one used in the previous tests with the GP7. This delicate and difficult task is fundamental in identifying the right path for the new bike’s development. Loris Capirossi completed a total of 34 laps of the Jerez track, ending up with a quickest time of 1m42.244s. “We spent most of the day working on the new software, which however is not quite ready. We were unable to devote much time to tyres and set-up and as a result obviously could not set any quick times. However we found out a lot of information and it is normal that in this period we are exploring new ways of development. Tomorrow if the weather holds good I think that we can go much better”. Alongside the Borgo Panigale ‘veteran’, Casey Stoner continued to get to know his new team and his new bike. The young Australian did 52 laps of the track, setting a quickest time in 1m41.702s. “It was a very busy day and we had a lot of things to test. Late in the afternoon we made considerable progress and I am very pleased with that as well as with the way the team works. We’ve still got a lot of work to do with the new bike but it’s got a lot of potential and I am convinced I can go a lot quicker. I am very satisfied and hopefully tomorrow the weather will be good again so we can continue the work we started today”. The Ducati Corse test team and test-rider Vittoriano Guareschi are also at Jerez together with the factory squad. The Italian rider completed 50 laps today, helping with the development of the bike with which Loris and Casey will take on the Japanese manufacturers in next year’s championship. The forecast for the third and final day of the last test session before the winter testing ban is for further sunny weather at the Andalusian circuit. Temperatures: air 19°C / track 23°C. More, from a press release issued by Gresini Racing Honda: SECOND TEST DAY FOR MARCO AT JEREZ Today the MotoGP riders busy at Jerez de la Frontera for the last test session of the year could profit of the sunshine to carry on the programme scheduled for today Marco Melandri, the Gresini Honda rider, at his debut on the new 800cc V-four Honda, completed 52 laps. The Italian rider started an intensive programme to know the bike and understand its behaviour before starting to work on the geometry of the machine MARCO MELANDRI (1’42″44, 52 laps): “Today the weather was good so we could start an intensive programme to understand the bike. I can say that it was my first day on the new bike. We started working on the geometry of the machine to try and understand the possibilities we have for chassis settings. We tried some things on suspension and of course tested with Bridgestone tyres. In the end I had a good feeling getting the bike to turn better, it was good in the fast corners but we have to work on the bike to get it to turn better in the slow to mid-range speed corners. Tomorrow we will work on improving the suspension set up.” More, from a press release issued by Camel Yamaha: FAST PROGRESS FOR ROSSI AND EDWARDS WITH NEW 800 IN JEREZ Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards completed another promising day of development work on Yamaha’s new 800cc motorcycle in Jerez today, despite being forced to sit out the morning session whilst they waited for the track to dry following yesterday’s rain. Once they got going after lunch however the riders made the most of the time available, getting through a host of work on the prototype bike and focusing mainly on tyre testing with Michelin and chassis work. Rossi topped the time sheets for the second day running and put in a best lap of 1’40.688 after 82 laps, the most of any rider today. His time was less than a tenth of a second off the current lap record, which was set by him in 2005. Honda rider Dani Pedrosa was second quickest with a fastest time of 1’40.799 while Edwards was third once again, recording a best time of 1’41.186 after a total of 48 laps. Tomorrow will be the final day of testing for the Camel Yamaha Team before they break for the winter holidays. VALENTINO ROSSI (1st 1’40.688, 82 laps) “I did a lot of laps today, the most of all the riders so it was quite a tough day despite missing the morning! We had to make up for the time we missed yesterday too and everyone worked very hard to get through all the work we had. It was a good day and helpful for us to have time to do so many laps. We continued working with two different chassis, trying to find the best way forward and check the differences between them. We also got time to do some important tyre work with Michelin and it seems they have some good new things which are working well with our bike. I hope that the weather will stay like this tomorrow because we’ve still got quite a lot we want to do before the end of the test. We’ll continue with the work we did today, check and confirm everything and then I hope we can finish for the year feeling positive!” COLIN EDWARDS (3rd 1’41.186, 48 Laps) “We got here this morning and the track was still seriously wet from yesterday so we had to sit around for a while to wait for it to dry out. The afternoon was good though and we spent a large part of it testing front tyres for Michelin, following on from where we got to in Malaysia. We wanted to re-confirm that what we tried in Sepang is the right way to go and it’s definitely working well here too so we’re going in the right direction. We tried various different fronts and I’m pretty happy with the situation. We didn’t try anything special on the rear, just kept a standard test tyre in, but we still put in some good times so that’s encouraging. We played about with some new engine mapping and then got some chassis work done at the end of the day. In the end we tried a setting more or less identical to Valentino’s, just to compare, and I could ride well with that too. It seems we’ve both found different settings that are working well so it’s just going to be a case of seeing what works best at each track. I’m pretty happy, we’re making progress and things are looking good so far.” Unofficial Lap Times VALENTINO ROSSI (ITA) Yamaha, 1’40.688 Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Honda, 1’40.799 COLIN EDWARDS (USA) Yamaha, 1’41.186 John Hopkins (USA) Suzuki, 1’41.205 Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Suzuki, 1’41.619 Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati, 1’41.702 Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati, 1’42.244 Marco Melandri (ITA) Honda, 1’42.469 Shinya Nakano (JPN) Honda, 1’42.528 Alex Barros (BRA) Ducati, 1’43.182 Tadayuki Okada (JPN) Honda Test Rider, 1’42.316 Vittorio Guareschi (ITA) Ducati Test Rider, 1’44.449 Jeremy McWilliams (GBR) Ilmor, 1’45.265 Andrew Pitt (AUS) Ilmor, 1’47.110 Jerez Lap Record: Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 2005, 1’40.596 Jerez Best Lap: Loris Capirossi (Ducati) 2006, 1’39.064 More, from a press release issued by Honda: Honda riders shine on sunny day at Jerez test Honda RC212V riders made hay in the sunshine of Jerez, Southern Spain, on day two of the final MotoGP test session of 2006. Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda, was the fastest of the Honda men testing and one of only two riders to crack the 1m 42s barrier for the 4.423km circuit. Gresini Honda rider Marco Melandri and Shinya Nakano on the Konica Minolta Honda are both testing the new 800cc V-four Honda for the first time and both set very respectable lap time at 1m 42.4s and 1m 44.5s respectively. Pedrosa a three time world champion in the smaller grand prix categories, two 250cc titles and one at 125cc level, was in sparkling form as he ran through an intensive test programme that saw him evaluate engine, chassis, suspension and tyre performance. The Spanish youngster set a lap time faster than his best at the 2006 grand prix held at the circuit in April of this year a time just two tenths of a second outside the MotoGP lap record. Gresini Honda rider Melandri put in his first full day of testing on the RC212V. The 24-year old Italian works hard in testing and today was no exception he covered 52 hard laps setting the 800cc Honda to his riding position and style before working on the geometry and suspension in a bid to understand the characteristics of his new mount and to try and get the machine to turn as he wished it to. He ended the day reasonably satisfied with some aspects but he and the team have a lot of work to do to further improve the RCV before the enforced December long break in winter testing. For Konica Minolta team rider Shinya Nakano everything is new. He is riding Honda for the Italian team for the first time and with an all-new machine at that. If that were not enough Nakano also has the task of riding a MotoGP machine equipped with Michelin tyres after several years campaigning with Bridgestone rubber. The Japanese rider worked methodically during what was in fact his first day on the machine as he sat out the wet session yesterday, the opening day of the three day test. Working on the riding position before moving onto suspension work Nakano established a reasonable base line setting to work from as he and the team mechanics endeavoured to improve their understanding of the RC212V. Nakano ended the day in positive mood having set times comparable with riders with more 800cc experience. Honda’s two top 250cc grand prix teams are also testing their RS250RW twin-cylinder two-stroke machines at Jerez. Andrea Dovizioso, Humangest Honda, runner up in the 250cc series in 2006, and Shuhei Aoyama, Repsol Honda, tested the latest versions of the RS250RW they will race in 2007. Aoyama’s team mate for next season, Spaniard Julian Simon, tested a 2006 version of the bike, his first ever outing on a quarter litre machine. This is the first full day of testing with the new machine and neither Dovizioso nor Aoyama were chasing lap times as they worked their way through a range of new parts and machine settings working to give the HRC engineers the valuable feed back they need to develop the RS250RW into a title winning machine. While the two senior riders concentrated on development work new boy Simon just rode the RS250RW to gain confidence in the machine and his new team. The quiet unassuming Simon surprised all with an outstanding lap time of 1m 43.986s just under the 250cc lap record for the circuit. Honda rider lap times and quotes: Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda: 1m 40.799s – 67 laps. “We had a good day’s testing and I’m pleased with how things went today. We tried many chassis and suspension adjustments on the bike, finding the combinations that worked best with the Michelin tyres we tested. My lap-times were quite good and I went faster than in the race at the beginning of the season, but you can’t read too much into this because November is good time for going fast at Jerez. We’re hoping it stays dry for tomorrow so we can continue this progress.” Marco Melandri, Gresini Honda: 1m 42.4s – 52 laps. “It has been a better day it’s really the first day with the new bike after the rain of yesterday. We started working on the geometry of the machine to try and understand the possibilities we have for chassis settings. I’m not so happy yet I have not found a good connection between throttle, engine and rear wheel. Funny because even with less power from the 800cc I still have wheel spin. We tried some things on suspension and of course tested with Bridgestone tyres. In the end I had a good feeling getting the bike to turn better, it was good in the fast corners but we have to work on the bike to get it to turn better in the slow to mid-range speed corners. Tomorrow we will work on improving the suspension set up.” Shinya Nakano, Konica Minolta Honda: 1m 42.463s – 53 laps. “Not so bad for my first real day of testing on the RC212V. First I had to find a comfortable riding position before we started to work on the bike. Once I had found that we worked on suspension settings and changed the front forks before working on the rear end. After we found the best machine balance for me I started working on front tyre testing and we found a very positive direction to work in. The engine is powerful but easy to control a much different feeling to any other bike I have raced. I’m happy because I could ride normally without worrying and that’s good. Tomorrow we will work on the gearbox to help me understand more about the potential of this bike.” Julian Simon, Repsol Honda: 1m 43.986s – 55 laps. “I am very happy to be in this team with Alberto Puig and the mechanics. The team has much experience in 250cc racing and helped Dani Pedrosa to three world titles. I’m happy with the bike its not so difficult to ride but the lines you have to use are different to the 125cc class I have been racing in. This test is really for me to get used to the 250 the power and handling characteristics, and braking into the corners. I have a good feeling with this bike but I have a lot to learn about machine set up.” Shuhei Aoyama, Repsol Honda: 1m 44.977s – 68 laps. “It is very difficult to say much about today. We have been trying to find good base line settings for the machine and while the old bike is better in some ways the new machine has definite improvements and we know it will be much better, this is just the first test.” Andrea Dovizioso, Humangest Honda: 1m 45.500s – 55 laps. “I’m happy with a lot of the changes to the chassis it is definitely better, of course some things did not improve but that is normal with a new machine. The engine has improved and will get better so I can say the test today has been positive.” Unofficial lap times: 1. Valentino Rossi, Yamaha: 1m 40.688s 2. Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda: 1m 44.030s 3. Colin Edwards, Yamaha: 1m 41.186s. 4. John Hopkins, Suzuka: 1m 41.205s. 6. Chris Vermeulen, Suzuki: 1m 41.619s. 7. Loris Capirossi, Ducati: 1m 42.244s. 8. Marco Melandri, Gresini Honda: 1m 42.469s. 9. Shinya Nakano, Konica Minolta Honda: 1m 42.528s. 10. Alex Barros, Ducati: 1m 43.182s. 11. Tady Okada, Repsol Honda: 1m 43.316s. 12. Julian Simon, Repsol Honda 250: 1m 43.977s. 13. Vittorio Guareschi, Ducati: 1m 44.449s. 14. Shuhei Aoyama, Repsol Honda 250: 1m 444.977s. 15. Jeremy McWilliams, Ilmor: 1m 45.265s. 16. Andrea Dovizioso, Humangest Honda: 1m 45.500s. More, from a press release issued by Rizla Suzuki: Positive day for Rizla Suzuki MotoGP at Jerez Rizla Suzuki MotoGP racers John Hopkins and Chris Vermeulen continued with their impressive testing schedule, by taking more positive steps forward during day two of the Jerez test in Spain. After losing most of yesterday to the rain and having to wait for the track to dry out this morning, Hopkins and Vermeulen quickly got down to business and were regularly amongst the fastest riders. Hopkins time of 1’41.205 on his new Rizla Suzuki GSV-R800 was just over half a second off the lap record held by Valentino Rossi on a 990cc machine. Hopkins completed 50 laps of the 4.4km Spanish circuit, and Vermeulen circulated 49 times as he recorded a quickest time of 1’41.619. Today’s fastest time was set by Rossi. Both Suzuki riders used today to test new generation Bridgestone tyres and worked with their respective crews on base settings to find the best set-up for their new bikes. A full report on Rizla Suzuki MotoGP’s Jerez test will appear on this site at the end of the three day test. For more information on Rizla Suzuki MotoGP and to receive up-to-date news and information visit www.rizla-suzuki-motogp.co.uk and register with the free to join fan club. Jerez unofficial lap times: 1. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 1’40.688: 2. Dani Pedrosa (Honda) +0.111: 3. Colin Edwards (Yamaha) +0.498: 4. JOHN HOPKINS (RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP) +0.517: 5. CHRIS VERMEULEN (RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP) +0.931: 6. Casey Stoner (Ducati) +1.014: 7. Loris Capirossi (Ducati) +1.556: 8. Marco Melandri (Honda) +1.781: Jerez Lap Record: Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 2005, 1’40.596 Jerez Best Lap: Loris Capirossi (Ducati) 2006, 1’39.064 More, from a press release issued by Pramac D’antin: POSITIVE DEBUT FOR ALEX BARROS ON THE NEW DUCATI GP7 AT JEREZ Under ideal weather conditions at the Jerez circuit in Spain, ALEX BARROS had a positive debut on his brand new DUCATI GP7 800cc, equipped with BRIDGESTONE tires. The PRAMAC D’ANTIN Brazilian rider, who didn’t ride the first day of the test due to rain and poor track conditions, got his first taste of the new machine and began working diligently on the testing program that the Team had prepared. BARROS ultimately clocked 63 laps, with the best time of 1’43.187, and was feeling very good about the initial sensations of the bike. Tomorrow will be the last test day of 2006, and after the winter test ban from December 1st to January 22nd 2007, the PRAMAC D’ANTIN Team will fly to Malaysia for the first pre-season test at the Sepang circuit on January 22nd. ALEX BARROS #4 (1’43.187, 63 laps): “I am very satisfied with the positive impressions I had on the new Ducati 800cc. Our first real test day was useful to discover the potential of the DUCATI-BRIDGESTONE binomial, and I am very happy about the Bridgestone performance. We worked on the machine balance and we can definitely improve our times with chassis and suspension changes. Basically, this was my first full day of testing with the new generation 800cc, and I just need more laps on the machine to understand it’s nuances, but its definitely easier to ride than the 990cc. It has higher corner speed, and you can get on the gas very hard and really early with this bike. It was an intense day, as I predicted, but there were a lot of interesting discoveries we made. I need to get as many practice laps on the bike as possible to help unlock the secrets of the GP7, and to see the direction we need to take in order to find the best possible set-up for the machine. Both the team and I are very motivated, as this a completely new start for us. We want to be competitive in the next season”. FABIANO STERLACCHINI – Alex Barros Track Engineer: “We are satisfied with our first day of testing. BARROS started to discover the new machine’s potential, and his confidence in the package at his disposal is high. We initially worked to set the bike up for his physique and his riding style. In the morning we worked on the engine map definition, then on the rear suspension setting, and finished the day focusing on the front. Today’s gathered data is a good base for us to start tomorrow’s work”. Unofficial Times Day 2: 1. Valentino Rossi 1’40.688 (82 laps) 2. Dani Pedrosa 1’40.799 (61 laps) 3. Colin Edwards 1’41.186 (48 laps) 4. John Hopkins 1’41.205 (60 laps) 5. Chris Vermulen 1’41.619 (56 laps) 10. Alex Barros 1’43.187 (63 laps) Conditions: Dry / Air: 19°c / Ground: 23°c More, from a press release issued by Konica Minolta: POSITIVE SECOND DAY OF PRACTICE FOR SHINYA NAKANO The morning humidity forced the riders present at Jerez to wait until one to start the test but the weather conditions remained good for the rest of the afternoon. The KONICA MINOLTA Honda Team rider covered a total of 63 laps setting the fastest time in 1’42.528″. A more than positive performance considering that today was the real Nakano’s first working day on board the new Honda RC212V equipped with Michelin tyres. The Italian-Japanese Team could start the new bike setting and also tested different front tyres. Nakano declared to be really satisfied with the good feeling already got with the new 800cc. The KONICA MINOLTA Honda Team will remain on the Andalusian track even tomorrow, using the third day of the final 2006 test session preceding the winter break ordered by the rules and scheduled to finish for January 21st, 2007. Gianluca Montiron KONICA MINOLTA Honda General Director “Today, Nakano could finally start to understand the characteristics of the package bike-tyres at his disposal. I like his working method bringing him to understand the different changes that, step by step, are made. Inside the box, our Team staff is trying to set a valid communication method and create some automatisms that will be useful in the short time available during the practice sessions of the race week end.” Shinya Nakano KONICA MINOLTA Honda Rider (1’42.528 63 laps) “This morning when we arrived, the track was wet and we were forced to wait till the early afternoon before having it completely dry. The 63 laps I covered in the time left permitted me to better understand the Honda RC212V. My feeling is already good and I’m very happy to have obtained it only after a few kilometres with the new 800cc. Today, at the beginning, we tried to find a good bike balance and then check three different front tyres; the results obtained were positive. Tomorrow, we will still work to find the base setting, trying to adjust the gear box and the engine brake control electronic system.” Giulio Bernardelle KONICA MINOLTA Honda Technical Director “Today we started taking contact with the new Honda RC212V starting from the research of the best suspensions set up. We could obtain a sufficient setting balance and made Shinya check several Michelin front tyres which permitted him to start realizing how the different combination of constructions and compounds work. Nakano’s approach is surely positive and the rider demonstrated to be very precise in his comments.”
The 2007 MotoGP season marks a new era for Kawasaki. Not only will the Japanese manufacturer debut their all-new 800cc Ninja ZX-RR at the opening race of the season in Qatar, but also, for the first time since Kawasaki returned to the premier class of motorcycle racing, it will be with a complete ‘in house’ factory team. This is a major change in the way that Kawasaki go racing. The new team infrastructure is a result of the Japanese manufacturer’s recent necessary split from Harald Eckl and the company KMGP, after Kawasaki was confronted with Eckl’s serious involvement with a competitor’s MotoGP activities, which forced Kawasaki to terminate the relationship immediately. The Kawasaki Racing Team that will contest the 2007 MotoGP season, with the 800cc Ninja ZX-RR – complete with new engine and chassis – is under the control of Kawasaki’s Racing Director, Ichiro Yoda. While elements of the new look Kawasaki Racing Team will be out in Sepang testing with Randy de Puniet at the end of this month, the remaining team members are busy putting together the equipment, tools and transport necessary for a full-scale assault on the 2007 MotoGP World Championship. Every member of the new look Kawasaki Racing Team is confident that, come the opening race at the Doha International Circuit in Qatar, they will be ready with a competitive Ninja ZX-RR and a set-up commensurate with that of a factory racing team in the premier series. “This is a new beginning for Kawasaki. The performance of the new 800cc Ninja ZX-RR during the initial tests has been promising, but we know there is still a lot of development work to do if we are to be competitive from the first race next season.” declared Kawasaki’s President, Consumer Products & Machinery Company, Tamba. “I’m pleased to say that the team in the pit box will remain virtually unchanged from this season. This has been a great help, and it has undoubtedly allowed us to progress much faster with building the new team infrastructure. We furthermore highly appreciate the full support from Dorna regarding our new MotoGP structure.” “Last year we fielded the most competitive Ninja ZX-RR since Kawasaki returned to Grand Prix racing at the end of the 2002 season, as Shinya Nakano’s second place at Assen proved. But, the overall results in 2006 clearly were not what we were expecting, due, in part, to a lack of dedicated attention from our former Team Manager”. “So, while we know we are facing a tough job to have everything ready for the first race of the 2007 season, we are confident that the strong commitment from the new Team management and the rest of the Team, will lead to an improvement in results for Kawasaki during the season ahead,” concluded Tamba.
The Honda Gresini Team can count on the support of a very important partner in the challenge of the 2007 MotoGP World Championship, HANNspree, a Taiwanese Company, Market Leader, producer of TVs and LCD Monitors. Marco Melandri and Toni Elias will be the colour bearers on track of the enthusiasm and energy that characterize the HANNspree’s world, a synonymous of creative energy as its name says: HANN in fact is a Chinese word meaning “huge” and “infinity”, Spree comes from English and means “outburst of activity”. It’s with great satisfaction that Fausto Gresini welcomes HANNspree: “I’m proud of announcing this agreement that we have reached with such a great and prestigious company such as HANNspree. I’m very happy to represent their brand in the world of motorcycle competitions at its highest level. In particular, I’d like to thank Mr Kevin Chang, HANNspree Europe Managing Director and Fabio Scatola, Sales and Marketing Director HANNspree Europe. I’m sure that together we can achieve great results, together with Marco Melandri, Toni Elias and all the team we wait for you on track” Mr Kevin Chang, HANNspree Managing Director answers enthusiastically: “We believe that, thanks to the professionalism and the experience of the Gresini Honda Team and its two riders Marco Melandri and Toni Elias, our brand, HANNspree, will enter with great prestigious in the MotoGP World Championship. Together with Fabio Scatola, we wish you an exciting 2007 racing season”.
Justin Marm took delivery of a 2007 MV Agusta F4 1000 last week making 5150 Racing the first Fast by Ferracci support team in the US for the 2007 season. 5150 is comprised of Marm, a business owner and 2006 WERA Sportsman B Superbike Champion, and team captain Phil Caudill, owner of Moto-Heaven.com, Thrust Company, and XES Leathers. 5150 completed the 2006 WERA National Endurance Series in 4th place overall and 2nd place in Heavyweight Super Sport, finishing 8 of 10 rounds on the podium. Marm and Caudill spent most of last Tuesday disassembling the F4 to get acquainted with Italian engineering, to remove the engine and suspension for race preparation. “The F4 is really an amazing piece of machinery; the engineering is beyond any other bike I have ever worked on”, said Marm. Initial plans are to compete in the 2007 WERA National Endurance Series and select AMA rounds but the decision as to superbike or superstock has not been determined at this point. “We are awaiting word on factory contingency which should be close to current programs offered by Japanese manufacturers. We are also seeking support and sponsorship for the upcoming year and are confident that with the knowledge and assistance of Fast by Ferracci we will have a successful year”, explained Marm. For all team and support inquiries please email [email protected].
Dallas, TX Since opening this fall AMS Ducati Dallas has expanded Dallas’ adjacent Design District with a high-octane mix of performance machinery and high-impact imagery. Its new location on Industrial Boulevard might best be described as ‘post-industrial’, with an emphasis on classic design against a backdrop of artful display. Ducati motorcycles have represented, over five decades, an apogee of performance and passion; Ducati Dallas mixes both into an intoxicating blend for both bike riders and fashion enthusiasts. That blend will be fully celebrated this Saturday, December 2nd in the Ducati Dallas showroom, located at 1318 N. Industrial Boulevard. Beginning at noon a full range of ’07 Ducatis will be available for demonstration rides, weather of course permitting. After a full afternoon of rants and revs settle in at 6:00 p.m. for more fun mixed with fashion: the unveiling of the highly anticipated 1098 Ducati Superbike, followed by a Fashion Show highlighting all that’s new in Ducati apparel and accessories. Ducati North America CEO Michael Lock will introduce the 1098, which builds on the longstanding tradition of Ducati’s classic V-Twin with hyper performance, lighter weight and an aggressive $14,995 price point. Also on hand: Ducati’s new S4S, upgraded Monster 695 and revised SportClassic series. Demo rides begin the day; fashion show, cocktails and conversation end it, punctuated by 10% savings on apparel and free giftwrap. It promises to be a combustible mix for enthusiasts of both two wheels and too much.
In September of this year, Darren Lindsay was killed while competing at the Killalane road races in County Dublin, Ireland, leaving behind his wife Kerry and three young children Ben, Zak and Poppy. Lindsay was a top Irish road racer, competing in the Isle of Man TT, Ulster Grand Prix and in Macau. This year at the press conference after the final round of the World Touring Car Championship in Macau, RealRoadRacing.com’s Simon Patterson asked the newly-crowned world champion, Andy Priaulx, for an item of memorabilia to auction for Darren’s family. Andy, a big bike racing fan, immediately agreed, and took off the cap he was wearing, the limited-edition one he had just worn to the podium and press conference! This is a one-of-a kind item, and a great piece of Motorsport memorabilia! All proceeds from this auction are going to the Lindsay family. ~http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=006&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&viewitem=&item=160057527151&rd=1&rd=1~
