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Finnegan To Run “Pure Road Race Events,” Isle Of Man TT On Klaffi Hondas In 2006

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Finnegan To Run “Pure Road Race Events,” Isle Of Man TT On Klaffi Hondas In 2006

Klaffi Honda will be the first World Superbike team taking part in pure road race events for the first time since Carl Fogarty and the Moto Cinelli team took part in the 1993 North West 200. Twenty five year old Irishman Martin Finnegan has agreed terms with Klaus Klaffenböck’s Klaffi Honda World Superbike team for the 2006 road race season. The North West 200, the Tourist Trophy Isle of Man and the Ulster Grand Prix are on the schedule. Martin will take part in the Superbike, Supersport and Superstock races. He is amongst the best riders at International level. This year he lapped the TT Mountain Circuit at 127.014mph to become the second fastest rider still competing at the event behind John McGuinness. Martin will make his debut for his new team at the upcoming Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix on the 19th of November, where he will ride a Klaffi Honda Fireblade machine. Callum Ramsey and Cameron Donald will join Martin in the team at Macau. In January 2006 Martin will also join up with the rest of the Klaffi Honda squad for a full testing schedule. Martin Finnegan: “I can’t hide how pleased I am to be joining Klaus’s team. We spoke briefly at the TT this year, but since then I had offers from five team’s altogether. But when Klaus came back to me with a firm offer, there was no doubt in my mind as to where I would be riding. Klaffi Honda has enjoyed a lot of success in a short space of time, and their machinery has proved to be very fast and very reliable, and we have terrific support from HRC UK. I think riding for Klaffi Honda gives me the best possible chance of achieving this ambition. This is the deal of my life and I can’t quite believe that it has happened!” Team Manager Klaus Klaffenböck: “I really enjoy racing at the TT and I like the atmosphere of the real road race scene over there in the UK. I have thought about running a team at The TT and some other events for some time, and started talking to a few riders. Martin was always top of my list however and I am delighted to be welcoming him into our team today. I am sure this is going to be a successful partnership and together we will win a lot of races. We are not going into this half heartedly, and Martin will get our full support and have access to our full team infrastructure. I want to win the TT myself in the Sidecar class, and I now want to win the Superbike races as well with our team and our new rider Martin Finnegan.” Martin Finnegang Age: 25 Nationality: Irish 1999 Winner Irish Junior Support Championship 2000 Winner Manx Newcomers Grand Prix 2001 2004 one of Ireland’s best road racers, regularly winning at national level 2004 Winner Irish Senior Road Race Championship 2005 TT Isle of Man Third

“Best Of” Two-wheel Tuesday Shows Begin This Week On SPEED

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“Best Of” Two-wheel Tuesday Shows Begin This Week On SPEED

With the street riding season rapidly ending for the majority of the country, the 2 Wheel Tuesday crew has reviewed the 2005 shows and picked its favorite stories and features. Over the next few weeks, SPEED will bring you 2 Wheel Tuesday Best of 2005. Week One Nov. 15 Do you know where the leather motorcycle jacket originated? 2 Wheel Tuesday found Mike Salisbury from Venice, Ca. who researched the history of this famous jacket. Is your motorcycle safe? (Part 1) With the help of a convicted motorcycle thief, we educate you on how, where and when your motorcycle is not safe and what you can do to prevent thieves from riding off with your wheels. This is part one of a three-part series. Kids go to the dirt track. This past year we took a look at some kids competing in dirt track racing. Not only is it a great family sport, it is also where one can get a glimpse of tomorrow’s big talent. Beginners get schooled. As the popularity of motorcycles is growing, we encourage everyone to get educated on how to ride. We sent the 2 Wheel Tuesday camera crew to a street riding school in Atlanta to show the education process. 2 Wheel Tuesday 7:30 Eastern & Pacific SPEED Channel is the nation’s first and foremost cable network dedicated to motor sports and the passion for everything automotive. From racing to restoration, motorcycles to movies, SPEED Channel delivers quality programming from the track to the garage. Now available in nearly 70 million homes in North America, SPEED Channel is among the fastest growing sports cable networks in the country and an industry leader in interactive TV, video on-demand, mobile initiatives and broadband services.

Ducati’s Lanzi Laps, Bayliss Sits On Rainy First Day Of World Superbike Testing In Spain

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Ducati’s Lanzi Laps, Bayliss Sits On Rainy First Day Of World Superbike Testing In Spain

RAINY DEBUT FOR BAYLISS AND LANZI (DUCATI XEROX TEAM) IN VALENCIA TESTING Valencia (Spain), Monday 14 November 2005: Troy Bayliss and Lorenzo Lanzi encountered cold and rainy conditions today on their first outing for the 2006 Ducati Xerox Team at Valencia as the first of two days of Pirelli winter testing for the top World Superbike squads was hit by bad weather. The 36 year-old Australian was scheduled to ride the 999, after a three-year absence from the World Superbike championship. The track and weather conditions today however were such that the team decided to keep Troy in the garage all day, hoping that the weather clears up tomorrow, in order to minimize any risk of further injury to his left wrist, which is still recovering from a motocross accident in September Lorenzo Lanzi, who has already had a stint in Ducati Xerox colours this year in the German Round at the Lausitzring, where he won race 2, completed 38 laps in the wet conditions. The 24-year-old Italian was quickest out of the few riders who dared venture onto the track in the wet, with a time of 1m54.5s.. Ducati Xerox team manager, Davide Tardozzi commented: “Unfortunately it rained today, but we used the time to help Lorenzo regain confidence in the wet. He did a great job, was very methodical and managed to achieve some good times at the end of the day. As for Troy, we preferred not to risk it. Tomorrow morning we’ll decide what to do.” The Valencia test runs into its second and final day tomorrow Tuesday.

Toseland Makes Winston Ten Kate Honda Debut In The Wet At Valencia

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Toseland Makes Winston Ten Kate Honda Debut In The Wet At Valencia

RAIN DAMPENS OPENING DAY OF VALENCIA TEST The Winston Ten Kate Honda team was restricted to a handful of laps today the first of a two-day Pirelli test at the Ricardo Tormo circuit near Valencia in Spain. However, Britain’s James Toseland did not pass up the opportunity to acquaint himself with the Honda CBR1000 Fireblade that he will ride for the team in the 2006 World Superbike championship. Today also marked an opportunity for Dutchman Jurgen van den Goorbergh to put in some testing laps on the Winston Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR World Supersport machine. Neither Karl Muggeridge nor 2005 World Supersport champion Sébastien Charpentier completed any laps today. Ronald ten Kate team manager: “The weather in Valencia today was not ideal but it gave the team and James a chance to get to know each other and for James to get to know the bike a little. The rain makes it a bit more relaxed because there’s no pressure to go fast straight away. James has made some small adjustments to the riding position and got an early feel for the machine. Jurgen is one of a few riders on our shortlist for the second World Supersport ride and the only one who is available to test this week. We’ve been trying a new specification engine in the CBR and needed to turn the wheels on the bike, so Jurgen is the ideal rider to do that for us.” James Toseland: “That was a good first day, really, in spite of the weather. The team has a good structure and they’re a great bunch of guys. Although it was difficult in the conditions, I also got a feel for the balance of the bike and it feels pretty good. You have to be really smooth in the wet and very sensitive with the throttle so it gives you an idea of how the bike is behaving. Of course, I would have preferred it to be dry for a chance to get up to speed more quickly; but I still did 30 laps today. We’re all hoping for some dry weather tomorrow so we can make a bit more progress.”

Pirelli Reviews Its 2005 North American Racing Accomplishments

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Pirelli Reviews Its 2005 North American Racing Accomplishments

Pirelli Scores Unprecedented North American Championships and Track Records WERA At the WERA GNF Championship finals, Pirelli riders scored numerous wins, podiums, and top-five finishes. Pirelli swept the top 8 places in B Superbike with Ryan Elleby taking the win. The top sixes places in Lightweight Superstock were all Pirelli riders with Jimmy Wood scoring first in the championship. Other top Pirelli finishes include 3rd and 4th in A Superstock, 3rd in C Superbike, 2nd and 3rd in Heavyweight Superstock, 3rd 5th in Open Superstock, 3rd in 750 Superstock, 2nd and 1st were posted by Matt Lynn in each of the Formula 1 races, and Brandon Parrish won the 750 Superbike championship In the WERA Novice championships, 1st 4th were a Pirelli sweep in A Superstock with Michael Dillon nabbing the win. Open Superstock Novice saw Michael Dillon again scoring the win with other Pirelli riders taking 2nd, 4th and 5th. Charlie Coleman went home 2nd in A Superstock, B Superstock and 750 Superstock, with Bob Henderson finishing 4th in B Superstock. In the WERA Suzuki Cup events, Pirelli racers won the SV1000 Cup and SV650 Cup, with riders Matt Lynn and Jimmy Wood, respectively. Pirelli racers also scored a 3rd and 5th in the GSX-R600 Cup. These individual successes compliment Pirelli’s domination of the WERA National Endurance Series, with the top three places overall in the championship going to Team Velocity Racing, Vesrah Suzuki, and RED STAR. CCS At the Daytona Speedway Race of Champions Formula USA/CCS event, Pirelli riders won a total of 18 races and earned 57 podium finishes in the various classes. On the Formula USA day of the event, Pirelli riders took 1st and 3rd in Lightweight Grand Prix, 3rd in Formula Sportbike, 3rd in Superbike, 2nd in Sportbike, 1st and 2nd in Superbike, and 1st and 3rd in Thunderbike. The winning riders in those races were Chris Peris and Ed Key. Ed Key had the most successful Race of Champions event ever, winning all seven of the classes he entered. Key’s other 1st-place finishes were in Lightweight Superbike, Lightweight Supersport, Lightweight GP, GT Lights, Thunderbike, and Lightweight F40 CCS winners and top-finishers of note include Dave Estok, Nate Kern and Chris Boy who followed Key to a four-place sweep in Lightweight Superbike. Nate Doebert took 2nd in Amateur Middleweight, Heavyweight Superbike, Middleweight Supersport, and 1st in Amateur GTU and Heavyweight Supersport. Nate Kern took 2nd in Unlimited Superbike and Lightweight Supersport. Michael Barnes grabbed 1st in GTO and 2nd in Middleweight Supersport behind M4 EMGO Suzuki teammate Geoff May, who also won the top prize in Unlimited Supersport. Other Pirelli wins at the Race of Champions are John Linder of Team Hurtbyaccident.com in Solo Challenge, with Robert Lombardi of Team LB-racing taking 2nd right behind, and the winner of the Team Challenge Championship GTL class was Team Rightsforbikers.com with riders C.J. Czala, John Linder, and Ben Matheson. Canadian National Road Racing Series In the Canadian National Road Racing Series, Pirelli riders scored a huge number of wins and championships from regional amateur classes to the national expert classes. The Canadian National SV Cup and the four classes of the Women’s Cup Challenge are Pirelli spec classes, so the championships were pretty much in the Pirelli bag before a tire ever hit the track, but each champion still deserves recognition for coming out on top. In the SV Cup it was Karl Daigle, while Shawna Aron won Expert Open Sportbike and Marie-Josee Boucher claimed the crown in Expert 600 Sportbike. In the two Novice classes the champion is Vanessa Gareau. The largest field in Canadian National Road Racing is Amateur 600 Sportbike, open to all tire competitors. In that class Mark Douglas took the championship in a season that saw every race won by a Pirelli rider, a class track record set at every track by a Pirelli rider, and a sweep of the top 13 places in the championship. In the Canadian Thunder class Bill Card finished 2nd overall while Pirelli riders won four of the five events, nabbing three of the top-five overall positions in the championship. In the Canadian Regional Series, of AMCRA in Nova Scotia, four Pirelli riders won championships. Pro Open Sportbike was won by Jeremy Burgess, Amateur Open Sportbike saw Gene McKay take the championship, the Pro 600 Supersport champion is Fred Silver, and the Pro Superbike class was won by Jeremy Burgess. In Ontario’s RACE series, Pirelli won championships in seven classes. The Amateur Suzuki SV Cup championship was won by Alain Lefebvre, the Pro Suzuki SV Cup belongs to Marc St. Amend, Mark Douglas is champion in Amateur 600 Sportbike, in Amateur Superbike it’s James Collins, in the RACE Thunder Series it’s Robert Trottier, and in the two women’s classes the above mentioned Vanessa Gareau and Shawna Aron. In the other three regional series in Canada (ASM Quebec, CRCA Calgary, WMRC British Columbia) Pirelli scored another 12 championships with racers Karl Daigle, Chad Pasowisty, Kel Davidson, Shawn Jones, Alan Schmidt, Trevor Shires, Marbod Kern, and Oliver Jervis and Sylvain Grenier winning multiple championships. As has previously been announced, all five classes in the Canadian Nation Road Racing Series Pro Superbike, Pro 600 Sportbike, Amateur Sportbike, SV Cup and Canadian Thunder will be Pirelli spec classes in 2006. Racers Tray Batey and Geoff May set five track records in 2005, on Pirelli race tires at tracks used by racers running every brand of competitor’s tires. Batey set overall motorcycle records at four tracks including Summit Point, West Virginia, Grattan, Michigan, Joliet, Illinois, and Nelson Ledges, Ohio, while May recorded the all-out fastest lap for a bike at Roebling Road, Georgia.

Laconi To Join Walker, Nieto On PSG-1 Kawasaki World Superbike Team For 2006

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Laconi To Join Walker, Nieto On PSG-1 Kawasaki World Superbike Team For 2006

Frenchman Regis Laconi, 30, will join British racer Chris Walker and Spaniard Fonsi Nieto on the three-rider PSG-1 Kawasaki team to contest the 2006 World Superbike Championship. Prior to agreeing to ride a Kawasaki ZX-10R in 2006, Laconi rode for the Ducati factory World Superbike team in 2004 and 2005. He missed several races in 2005 due to injury and finished sixth in the final Championship standings with three races wins and eight podium-finishes. In 2004, he finished runner-up to teammate James Toseland in the Championship, winning seven races and standing on the podium a total of 14 times in 22 races. All of Laconi’s World Superbike experience is on V-twin-powered motorcycles, but he raced in MotoGP in 2002 and spent four years in the 500cc Grand Prix World Championship, 1997-2000.

Updated Post: Robert Jensen Breaks Lap Record, Crashes At Arroyo Seco Raceway

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Updated Post: Robert Jensen Breaks Lap Record, Crashes At Arroyo Seco Raceway

Kneedraggers.com’s Robert Jensen broke the motorcycle lap record for Arroyo Seco Raceway, near Deming, New Mexico, November 13 during an ASMA sprint race. Riding his Michelin-shod Suzuki GSX-R750 in the Heavyweight Supersport event, Jensen turned a 1:08.70 on the 1.4-mile, 12-turn road course to set a new lap record. Jensen’s time was recorded by two ASMA race officials using hand-held stopwatches. Jensen’s on-board lap timer also backed up the new record time. The old lap record of 1:09.224 was held by Kane Laskey, according to ASMA racer and Roadracingworld.com contributor Andy Ruhl. Jensen also crashed on race day but did not aggravate his already-separated right shoulder or his already-broken right foot, both suffered at Road Atlanta in October.

Corser Crashes In The Rain During World Superbike Test At Valencia

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Corser Crashes In The Rain During World Superbike Test At Valencia

TROY SLIPS AND SLIDES The first of the winter tests was a bit of a washout for Troy. Valencia had not seen serious rain for the best part of nine months, but the first day saw torrential rain in the morning and a soaking wet track in the afternoon. Nevertheless, Troy opted to go out and test three different rear tyres in the wet. After a handful of laps – and a small tip-off in the treacherous conditions Troy decided that enough was enough and pulled in. TROY “It was pretty miserable out there today and the track was very, very slippery. We didn’t really have any new stuff to try, but we wanted to get some info on the different rain tyres and that’s why I went out. I got flicked off the bike in the afternoon and banged my left hip a bit, so I decided not to carry on. My team mate Yukio didn’t even do a lap – that’s how bad the conditions were! Unfortunately, I couldn’t do the second day of the tests, because I had an appointment at the Milan Show, so really it was all not as productive as it should have been. “

2006 British Superbike Schedule Released

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2006 British Superbike Schedule Released

The dates for the 2006 British Superbike Championship are now confirmed and Rizla Suzuki has already started planning its title challenge. After finishing 2005 strongly with his first pole position in the class and a podium at the final round, James Haydon is full of confidence. He said: “We have a really good package with the Rizla Suzuki. With a full winter’s test schedule to come, I think we should be in a very strong position come the start of the new racing season at Brands Hatch in March.” Rizla Suzuki Team Manager Robert Wicks said: “Our plans for winter testing are well advanced and we will be visiting Spain before Christmas. We will be starting the new season as ready as we possibly can be and with two riders intent on challenging for race wins and the Championship title from the first race. March 2006 and Brands Hatch seem far away now, but given our winter schedule it will come very quickly indeed!” Rizla Suzuki is expected to make an announcement on its second rider shortly. 2006 British Superbike Championship Calendar Rd1 March 24-26 Brands Hatch Indy Rd2 April 7-9 Donington Park Rd3 April 14-16 Thruxton Rd4 April 29-May 1 Oulton Park Rd5 May 19-21 Mondello Park Rd6 June 2-4 Mallory Park Rd7 June 16-18 Snetterton Rd8 July 14-16 Knockhill Rd9 July 28-30 Oulton Park Rd10 August 11-13 Croft Rd11 August 26-28 Cadwell Park Rd12 September 22-24 Silverstone Rd13 October 6-8 Brands Hatch GP

Honda’s Brookes Wins Australian Superbike, Supersport Championships At Phillip Island

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Honda’s Brookes Wins Australian Superbike, Supersport Championships At Phillip Island

Brookes goes the double at sensational Phillip Island finale Honda maestro Josh Brookes has signed off on a sensational year with a double triumph in the YMF Loan Australian Superbike Championship at Phillip Island on November 13. The 22-year-old, who rides for the factory Joe Rocket Honda team, not only cantered to a second Supersport championship on his CBR600RR, but he also chimed in to win the premier Superbike class in the most breathtaking of circumstances. After winning the second 11-lap Superbike race over Jamie Stauffer (Kawasaki Racing Team ZX-10R) and teammate Adam Fergusson (Joe Rocket Honda CBR1000RR), Brookes (CBR1000RR) finished the seven-round championship on the same number of points as Team Suzuki’s Shawn Giles (GSX-R1000) 279. However, Brookes was crowned Superbike champion on a countback, courtesy of more chequered flags during the year. Brookes’ win in race two was his fourth in 14 races, vis-à-vis to Giles’ three. “This is an unbelievable feeling,” said Brookes. “I didn’t know until I got back into the pits that I had won the championship, so I’m stoked. “The guys who race in Australia are world-class, and today was much harder work than when I won the world Supersport race here in 2004. “I’d especially like to thank my mechanic, who hasn’t put a foot wrong all year the only mistakes made have been by me.” Brookes will now head overseas in 2006, and is expected to make an announcement on his plans very soon. The factory Honda collaboration has now won both major Australian Superbike Championship (ASC) classes for the second year in succession, after Fergusson claimed the exalted double in 2004. Meanwhile, Giles, who completed his season with 3-4 finishes, was magnanimous in defeat, although coming so agonisingly close to a fourth championship was a bitter pill to swallow. “Firstly, congratulations to Joe Rocket Honda and Josh for taking his first championship,” said Giles, who claimed a hat-trick of titles from 2000-2002. “I couldn’t do anything more than I was doing today. I thought that Jamie (Stauffer) may have got in front of Josh again in race two, but it didn’t happen. “I also want to thank Suzuki for all its help this year. This has been the closest, toughest championship I’ve raced in, and everyone has worked together to achieve a great result. Suzuki is now going to be hungrier than ever to get back the championship crown in 2006.” Giles’ fourth place in race two was the first time in 16 ASC races at Phillip Island that he has failed to finish on the rostrum, allowing Brookes to eradicate the 7pt lead he held after the opening stoush. Giles finished third in that one, behind Stauffer and Brookes, while Fergusson limped home in 15th after problems with his Michelin rear tyre. Russell Holland (Shoei/RK Chains CBR1000RR) was also a leading light in the early stages before highsiding on lap six. That left Glenn Allerton to finish fourth on the second Team Suzuki GSX-R1000, ahead of privateer Shannon Etheridge (Nova Honda CBR1000RR). In race two, Stauffer, Brookes and Fergusson turned it into a three-way shootout, while Giles had a fight on his hands to keep Anthony Gobert (Redwing Honda CBR1000RR) and a slow-starting Holland in check. Brookes’ sheer willpower got him over the line by 0.834sec from Stauffer, while Fergusson, with his own championship hopes dashed in race one, was third from Giles and Holland. Gobert was troubled by cramp in the closing stages, but still finished sixth. Stauffer’s late championship flourish saw him finish third on 254pts, ahead of Fergusson (252pts) and Queensland Robbie Bugden (Northstar Yamaha YZF-R1, 252pts), who again finished another year as leading privateer. In Supersport, Brookes was always in the box seat to add to his previous title in 2001, and that’s how it panned out. In a reprisal of their brilliant finish in a support race at last month’s Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, Brookes defeated Mark Aitchison (Fraser Motorcycles YZF-R6) by just 0.015sec in the opening Supersport hitout, while Josh Waters (Kawasaki Racing Team ZX-6RR) was a lonely third from outgoing champion Fergusson (Joe Rocket Honda CBR600RR) and Chris Seaton (Ewington Racing ZX-6RR). There were 20 finishers, with West Aussie Bryan Staring (Allect Racing CBR600RR) not one of them after crashing out of second place on lap five. With 19pts up his sleeve over Fergusson, Brookes completed this year’s Supersport harvest with a safe third place, behind runaway winner Aitchison and Staring. After finishing on the rostrum in 12 of the 15 races, including a bank of seven wins, Brookes completed the year on 310pts. Fergusson (288pts) held onto a secure second, ahead of round winner Aitchison (254pts), Waters (235pts) and Staring (221pts). More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki: In the closest finish the Australian Superbike Championship has ever seen, Team Suzuki’s Shawn Giles tied on points with arch rival Josh Brookes at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit today but lost out on a tie-break. After an exciting season-long battle between three-time champion Giles and Brookes, the result came down to a count of both riders’ race victories throughout the 2005 season, with three wins to four going in favour of Brookes. Heading into the final event with a ten-point lead over Brookes, the GSX-R-mounted rider needed strong results to secure victory. He qualified in seventh and had his work cut out, placing third and fourth in Sunday’s two 11-lap races which tied him with Brookes on 279 points. Said Giles: “Firstly, congratulations to the Joe Rocket Honda Team and Josh for taking his first championship. “I have to thank everyone at Team Suzuki: 2005 has been the closest, toughest championship I’ve raced and everyone has worked so hard together to achieve a top result. “Even though we didn’t take the title, we finished on equal points so obviously the Suzuki GSX-R1000 has the horsepower and pace to win the Australian Championship. This was a brand new bike for 2005 and now with a year of development under our belts, I’m looking forward to making a strong challenge for next season. Coming this close to the title, Suzuki is going to be even hungrier than ever for the championship crown.” Under the leadership of master tuner Phil Tainton, the Suzuki Team has claimed four Australian titles – three of those with Giles in the saddle. “Winning three of seven rounds, Shawn has come so close to winning this championship for Suzuki,” said Tainton. “Shawn is an incredible talent and a born champion and with the GSX-R1000 he’s been a dominant force in the Australian Superbike Championship yet again.” Giles’ team-mate Glenn Allerton finished the season on a high note finishing in sixth for the year and was awarded the Rookie of the Year title. Final Championship Points: 1. Josh Brookes (Honda) 279, 2. Shawn Giles (Suzuki GSX-R1000) 279, 3. Jamie Stauffer (Kawasaki) 254, 4. Adam Fergusson (Honda) 252, 5. Robert Bugden (Yamaha) 209, 6. Glenn Allerton (Suzuki GSX-R1000) 208, 7.Scott Charlton (Suzuki GSX-R1000) 159, 8. Shannon Johnson (Yamaha) 142, 9. Tony Rees (Yamaha) 142, 10. Daniel Stauffer (Yamaha) 133.

Finnegan To Run “Pure Road Race Events,” Isle Of Man TT On Klaffi Hondas In 2006

Klaffi Honda will be the first World Superbike team taking part in pure road race events for the first time since Carl Fogarty and the Moto Cinelli team took part in the 1993 North West 200. Twenty five year old Irishman Martin Finnegan has agreed terms with Klaus Klaffenböck’s Klaffi Honda World Superbike team for the 2006 road race season. The North West 200, the Tourist Trophy Isle of Man and the Ulster Grand Prix are on the schedule. Martin will take part in the Superbike, Supersport and Superstock races. He is amongst the best riders at International level. This year he lapped the TT Mountain Circuit at 127.014mph to become the second fastest rider still competing at the event behind John McGuinness. Martin will make his debut for his new team at the upcoming Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix on the 19th of November, where he will ride a Klaffi Honda Fireblade machine. Callum Ramsey and Cameron Donald will join Martin in the team at Macau. In January 2006 Martin will also join up with the rest of the Klaffi Honda squad for a full testing schedule. Martin Finnegan: “I can’t hide how pleased I am to be joining Klaus’s team. We spoke briefly at the TT this year, but since then I had offers from five team’s altogether. But when Klaus came back to me with a firm offer, there was no doubt in my mind as to where I would be riding. Klaffi Honda has enjoyed a lot of success in a short space of time, and their machinery has proved to be very fast and very reliable, and we have terrific support from HRC UK. I think riding for Klaffi Honda gives me the best possible chance of achieving this ambition. This is the deal of my life and I can’t quite believe that it has happened!” Team Manager Klaus Klaffenböck: “I really enjoy racing at the TT and I like the atmosphere of the real road race scene over there in the UK. I have thought about running a team at The TT and some other events for some time, and started talking to a few riders. Martin was always top of my list however and I am delighted to be welcoming him into our team today. I am sure this is going to be a successful partnership and together we will win a lot of races. We are not going into this half heartedly, and Martin will get our full support and have access to our full team infrastructure. I want to win the TT myself in the Sidecar class, and I now want to win the Superbike races as well with our team and our new rider Martin Finnegan.” Martin Finnegang Age: 25 Nationality: Irish 1999 Winner Irish Junior Support Championship 2000 Winner Manx Newcomers Grand Prix 2001 2004 one of Ireland’s best road racers, regularly winning at national level 2004 Winner Irish Senior Road Race Championship 2005 TT Isle of Man Third

“Best Of” Two-wheel Tuesday Shows Begin This Week On SPEED

With the street riding season rapidly ending for the majority of the country, the 2 Wheel Tuesday crew has reviewed the 2005 shows and picked its favorite stories and features. Over the next few weeks, SPEED will bring you 2 Wheel Tuesday Best of 2005. Week One Nov. 15 Do you know where the leather motorcycle jacket originated? 2 Wheel Tuesday found Mike Salisbury from Venice, Ca. who researched the history of this famous jacket. Is your motorcycle safe? (Part 1) With the help of a convicted motorcycle thief, we educate you on how, where and when your motorcycle is not safe and what you can do to prevent thieves from riding off with your wheels. This is part one of a three-part series. Kids go to the dirt track. This past year we took a look at some kids competing in dirt track racing. Not only is it a great family sport, it is also where one can get a glimpse of tomorrow’s big talent. Beginners get schooled. As the popularity of motorcycles is growing, we encourage everyone to get educated on how to ride. We sent the 2 Wheel Tuesday camera crew to a street riding school in Atlanta to show the education process. 2 Wheel Tuesday 7:30 Eastern & Pacific SPEED Channel is the nation’s first and foremost cable network dedicated to motor sports and the passion for everything automotive. From racing to restoration, motorcycles to movies, SPEED Channel delivers quality programming from the track to the garage. Now available in nearly 70 million homes in North America, SPEED Channel is among the fastest growing sports cable networks in the country and an industry leader in interactive TV, video on-demand, mobile initiatives and broadband services.

Ducati’s Lanzi Laps, Bayliss Sits On Rainy First Day Of World Superbike Testing In Spain

RAINY DEBUT FOR BAYLISS AND LANZI (DUCATI XEROX TEAM) IN VALENCIA TESTING Valencia (Spain), Monday 14 November 2005: Troy Bayliss and Lorenzo Lanzi encountered cold and rainy conditions today on their first outing for the 2006 Ducati Xerox Team at Valencia as the first of two days of Pirelli winter testing for the top World Superbike squads was hit by bad weather. The 36 year-old Australian was scheduled to ride the 999, after a three-year absence from the World Superbike championship. The track and weather conditions today however were such that the team decided to keep Troy in the garage all day, hoping that the weather clears up tomorrow, in order to minimize any risk of further injury to his left wrist, which is still recovering from a motocross accident in September Lorenzo Lanzi, who has already had a stint in Ducati Xerox colours this year in the German Round at the Lausitzring, where he won race 2, completed 38 laps in the wet conditions. The 24-year-old Italian was quickest out of the few riders who dared venture onto the track in the wet, with a time of 1m54.5s.. Ducati Xerox team manager, Davide Tardozzi commented: “Unfortunately it rained today, but we used the time to help Lorenzo regain confidence in the wet. He did a great job, was very methodical and managed to achieve some good times at the end of the day. As for Troy, we preferred not to risk it. Tomorrow morning we’ll decide what to do.” The Valencia test runs into its second and final day tomorrow Tuesday.

Toseland Makes Winston Ten Kate Honda Debut In The Wet At Valencia

RAIN DAMPENS OPENING DAY OF VALENCIA TEST The Winston Ten Kate Honda team was restricted to a handful of laps today the first of a two-day Pirelli test at the Ricardo Tormo circuit near Valencia in Spain. However, Britain’s James Toseland did not pass up the opportunity to acquaint himself with the Honda CBR1000 Fireblade that he will ride for the team in the 2006 World Superbike championship. Today also marked an opportunity for Dutchman Jurgen van den Goorbergh to put in some testing laps on the Winston Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR World Supersport machine. Neither Karl Muggeridge nor 2005 World Supersport champion Sébastien Charpentier completed any laps today. Ronald ten Kate team manager: “The weather in Valencia today was not ideal but it gave the team and James a chance to get to know each other and for James to get to know the bike a little. The rain makes it a bit more relaxed because there’s no pressure to go fast straight away. James has made some small adjustments to the riding position and got an early feel for the machine. Jurgen is one of a few riders on our shortlist for the second World Supersport ride and the only one who is available to test this week. We’ve been trying a new specification engine in the CBR and needed to turn the wheels on the bike, so Jurgen is the ideal rider to do that for us.” James Toseland: “That was a good first day, really, in spite of the weather. The team has a good structure and they’re a great bunch of guys. Although it was difficult in the conditions, I also got a feel for the balance of the bike and it feels pretty good. You have to be really smooth in the wet and very sensitive with the throttle so it gives you an idea of how the bike is behaving. Of course, I would have preferred it to be dry for a chance to get up to speed more quickly; but I still did 30 laps today. We’re all hoping for some dry weather tomorrow so we can make a bit more progress.”

Pirelli Reviews Its 2005 North American Racing Accomplishments

Pirelli Scores Unprecedented North American Championships and Track Records WERA At the WERA GNF Championship finals, Pirelli riders scored numerous wins, podiums, and top-five finishes. Pirelli swept the top 8 places in B Superbike with Ryan Elleby taking the win. The top sixes places in Lightweight Superstock were all Pirelli riders with Jimmy Wood scoring first in the championship. Other top Pirelli finishes include 3rd and 4th in A Superstock, 3rd in C Superbike, 2nd and 3rd in Heavyweight Superstock, 3rd 5th in Open Superstock, 3rd in 750 Superstock, 2nd and 1st were posted by Matt Lynn in each of the Formula 1 races, and Brandon Parrish won the 750 Superbike championship In the WERA Novice championships, 1st 4th were a Pirelli sweep in A Superstock with Michael Dillon nabbing the win. Open Superstock Novice saw Michael Dillon again scoring the win with other Pirelli riders taking 2nd, 4th and 5th. Charlie Coleman went home 2nd in A Superstock, B Superstock and 750 Superstock, with Bob Henderson finishing 4th in B Superstock. In the WERA Suzuki Cup events, Pirelli racers won the SV1000 Cup and SV650 Cup, with riders Matt Lynn and Jimmy Wood, respectively. Pirelli racers also scored a 3rd and 5th in the GSX-R600 Cup. These individual successes compliment Pirelli’s domination of the WERA National Endurance Series, with the top three places overall in the championship going to Team Velocity Racing, Vesrah Suzuki, and RED STAR. CCS At the Daytona Speedway Race of Champions Formula USA/CCS event, Pirelli riders won a total of 18 races and earned 57 podium finishes in the various classes. On the Formula USA day of the event, Pirelli riders took 1st and 3rd in Lightweight Grand Prix, 3rd in Formula Sportbike, 3rd in Superbike, 2nd in Sportbike, 1st and 2nd in Superbike, and 1st and 3rd in Thunderbike. The winning riders in those races were Chris Peris and Ed Key. Ed Key had the most successful Race of Champions event ever, winning all seven of the classes he entered. Key’s other 1st-place finishes were in Lightweight Superbike, Lightweight Supersport, Lightweight GP, GT Lights, Thunderbike, and Lightweight F40 CCS winners and top-finishers of note include Dave Estok, Nate Kern and Chris Boy who followed Key to a four-place sweep in Lightweight Superbike. Nate Doebert took 2nd in Amateur Middleweight, Heavyweight Superbike, Middleweight Supersport, and 1st in Amateur GTU and Heavyweight Supersport. Nate Kern took 2nd in Unlimited Superbike and Lightweight Supersport. Michael Barnes grabbed 1st in GTO and 2nd in Middleweight Supersport behind M4 EMGO Suzuki teammate Geoff May, who also won the top prize in Unlimited Supersport. Other Pirelli wins at the Race of Champions are John Linder of Team Hurtbyaccident.com in Solo Challenge, with Robert Lombardi of Team LB-racing taking 2nd right behind, and the winner of the Team Challenge Championship GTL class was Team Rightsforbikers.com with riders C.J. Czala, John Linder, and Ben Matheson. Canadian National Road Racing Series In the Canadian National Road Racing Series, Pirelli riders scored a huge number of wins and championships from regional amateur classes to the national expert classes. The Canadian National SV Cup and the four classes of the Women’s Cup Challenge are Pirelli spec classes, so the championships were pretty much in the Pirelli bag before a tire ever hit the track, but each champion still deserves recognition for coming out on top. In the SV Cup it was Karl Daigle, while Shawna Aron won Expert Open Sportbike and Marie-Josee Boucher claimed the crown in Expert 600 Sportbike. In the two Novice classes the champion is Vanessa Gareau. The largest field in Canadian National Road Racing is Amateur 600 Sportbike, open to all tire competitors. In that class Mark Douglas took the championship in a season that saw every race won by a Pirelli rider, a class track record set at every track by a Pirelli rider, and a sweep of the top 13 places in the championship. In the Canadian Thunder class Bill Card finished 2nd overall while Pirelli riders won four of the five events, nabbing three of the top-five overall positions in the championship. In the Canadian Regional Series, of AMCRA in Nova Scotia, four Pirelli riders won championships. Pro Open Sportbike was won by Jeremy Burgess, Amateur Open Sportbike saw Gene McKay take the championship, the Pro 600 Supersport champion is Fred Silver, and the Pro Superbike class was won by Jeremy Burgess. In Ontario’s RACE series, Pirelli won championships in seven classes. The Amateur Suzuki SV Cup championship was won by Alain Lefebvre, the Pro Suzuki SV Cup belongs to Marc St. Amend, Mark Douglas is champion in Amateur 600 Sportbike, in Amateur Superbike it’s James Collins, in the RACE Thunder Series it’s Robert Trottier, and in the two women’s classes the above mentioned Vanessa Gareau and Shawna Aron. In the other three regional series in Canada (ASM Quebec, CRCA Calgary, WMRC British Columbia) Pirelli scored another 12 championships with racers Karl Daigle, Chad Pasowisty, Kel Davidson, Shawn Jones, Alan Schmidt, Trevor Shires, Marbod Kern, and Oliver Jervis and Sylvain Grenier winning multiple championships. As has previously been announced, all five classes in the Canadian Nation Road Racing Series Pro Superbike, Pro 600 Sportbike, Amateur Sportbike, SV Cup and Canadian Thunder will be Pirelli spec classes in 2006. Racers Tray Batey and Geoff May set five track records in 2005, on Pirelli race tires at tracks used by racers running every brand of competitor’s tires. Batey set overall motorcycle records at four tracks including Summit Point, West Virginia, Grattan, Michigan, Joliet, Illinois, and Nelson Ledges, Ohio, while May recorded the all-out fastest lap for a bike at Roebling Road, Georgia.

Laconi To Join Walker, Nieto On PSG-1 Kawasaki World Superbike Team For 2006

Frenchman Regis Laconi, 30, will join British racer Chris Walker and Spaniard Fonsi Nieto on the three-rider PSG-1 Kawasaki team to contest the 2006 World Superbike Championship. Prior to agreeing to ride a Kawasaki ZX-10R in 2006, Laconi rode for the Ducati factory World Superbike team in 2004 and 2005. He missed several races in 2005 due to injury and finished sixth in the final Championship standings with three races wins and eight podium-finishes. In 2004, he finished runner-up to teammate James Toseland in the Championship, winning seven races and standing on the podium a total of 14 times in 22 races. All of Laconi’s World Superbike experience is on V-twin-powered motorcycles, but he raced in MotoGP in 2002 and spent four years in the 500cc Grand Prix World Championship, 1997-2000.

Updated Post: Robert Jensen Breaks Lap Record, Crashes At Arroyo Seco Raceway

Kneedraggers.com’s Robert Jensen broke the motorcycle lap record for Arroyo Seco Raceway, near Deming, New Mexico, November 13 during an ASMA sprint race. Riding his Michelin-shod Suzuki GSX-R750 in the Heavyweight Supersport event, Jensen turned a 1:08.70 on the 1.4-mile, 12-turn road course to set a new lap record. Jensen’s time was recorded by two ASMA race officials using hand-held stopwatches. Jensen’s on-board lap timer also backed up the new record time. The old lap record of 1:09.224 was held by Kane Laskey, according to ASMA racer and Roadracingworld.com contributor Andy Ruhl. Jensen also crashed on race day but did not aggravate his already-separated right shoulder or his already-broken right foot, both suffered at Road Atlanta in October.

Corser Crashes In The Rain During World Superbike Test At Valencia

TROY SLIPS AND SLIDES The first of the winter tests was a bit of a washout for Troy. Valencia had not seen serious rain for the best part of nine months, but the first day saw torrential rain in the morning and a soaking wet track in the afternoon. Nevertheless, Troy opted to go out and test three different rear tyres in the wet. After a handful of laps – and a small tip-off in the treacherous conditions Troy decided that enough was enough and pulled in. TROY “It was pretty miserable out there today and the track was very, very slippery. We didn’t really have any new stuff to try, but we wanted to get some info on the different rain tyres and that’s why I went out. I got flicked off the bike in the afternoon and banged my left hip a bit, so I decided not to carry on. My team mate Yukio didn’t even do a lap – that’s how bad the conditions were! Unfortunately, I couldn’t do the second day of the tests, because I had an appointment at the Milan Show, so really it was all not as productive as it should have been. “

2006 British Superbike Schedule Released

The dates for the 2006 British Superbike Championship are now confirmed and Rizla Suzuki has already started planning its title challenge. After finishing 2005 strongly with his first pole position in the class and a podium at the final round, James Haydon is full of confidence. He said: “We have a really good package with the Rizla Suzuki. With a full winter’s test schedule to come, I think we should be in a very strong position come the start of the new racing season at Brands Hatch in March.” Rizla Suzuki Team Manager Robert Wicks said: “Our plans for winter testing are well advanced and we will be visiting Spain before Christmas. We will be starting the new season as ready as we possibly can be and with two riders intent on challenging for race wins and the Championship title from the first race. March 2006 and Brands Hatch seem far away now, but given our winter schedule it will come very quickly indeed!” Rizla Suzuki is expected to make an announcement on its second rider shortly. 2006 British Superbike Championship Calendar Rd1 March 24-26 Brands Hatch Indy Rd2 April 7-9 Donington Park Rd3 April 14-16 Thruxton Rd4 April 29-May 1 Oulton Park Rd5 May 19-21 Mondello Park Rd6 June 2-4 Mallory Park Rd7 June 16-18 Snetterton Rd8 July 14-16 Knockhill Rd9 July 28-30 Oulton Park Rd10 August 11-13 Croft Rd11 August 26-28 Cadwell Park Rd12 September 22-24 Silverstone Rd13 October 6-8 Brands Hatch GP

Honda’s Brookes Wins Australian Superbike, Supersport Championships At Phillip Island

Brookes goes the double at sensational Phillip Island finale Honda maestro Josh Brookes has signed off on a sensational year with a double triumph in the YMF Loan Australian Superbike Championship at Phillip Island on November 13. The 22-year-old, who rides for the factory Joe Rocket Honda team, not only cantered to a second Supersport championship on his CBR600RR, but he also chimed in to win the premier Superbike class in the most breathtaking of circumstances. After winning the second 11-lap Superbike race over Jamie Stauffer (Kawasaki Racing Team ZX-10R) and teammate Adam Fergusson (Joe Rocket Honda CBR1000RR), Brookes (CBR1000RR) finished the seven-round championship on the same number of points as Team Suzuki’s Shawn Giles (GSX-R1000) 279. However, Brookes was crowned Superbike champion on a countback, courtesy of more chequered flags during the year. Brookes’ win in race two was his fourth in 14 races, vis-à-vis to Giles’ three. “This is an unbelievable feeling,” said Brookes. “I didn’t know until I got back into the pits that I had won the championship, so I’m stoked. “The guys who race in Australia are world-class, and today was much harder work than when I won the world Supersport race here in 2004. “I’d especially like to thank my mechanic, who hasn’t put a foot wrong all year the only mistakes made have been by me.” Brookes will now head overseas in 2006, and is expected to make an announcement on his plans very soon. The factory Honda collaboration has now won both major Australian Superbike Championship (ASC) classes for the second year in succession, after Fergusson claimed the exalted double in 2004. Meanwhile, Giles, who completed his season with 3-4 finishes, was magnanimous in defeat, although coming so agonisingly close to a fourth championship was a bitter pill to swallow. “Firstly, congratulations to Joe Rocket Honda and Josh for taking his first championship,” said Giles, who claimed a hat-trick of titles from 2000-2002. “I couldn’t do anything more than I was doing today. I thought that Jamie (Stauffer) may have got in front of Josh again in race two, but it didn’t happen. “I also want to thank Suzuki for all its help this year. This has been the closest, toughest championship I’ve raced in, and everyone has worked together to achieve a great result. Suzuki is now going to be hungrier than ever to get back the championship crown in 2006.” Giles’ fourth place in race two was the first time in 16 ASC races at Phillip Island that he has failed to finish on the rostrum, allowing Brookes to eradicate the 7pt lead he held after the opening stoush. Giles finished third in that one, behind Stauffer and Brookes, while Fergusson limped home in 15th after problems with his Michelin rear tyre. Russell Holland (Shoei/RK Chains CBR1000RR) was also a leading light in the early stages before highsiding on lap six. That left Glenn Allerton to finish fourth on the second Team Suzuki GSX-R1000, ahead of privateer Shannon Etheridge (Nova Honda CBR1000RR). In race two, Stauffer, Brookes and Fergusson turned it into a three-way shootout, while Giles had a fight on his hands to keep Anthony Gobert (Redwing Honda CBR1000RR) and a slow-starting Holland in check. Brookes’ sheer willpower got him over the line by 0.834sec from Stauffer, while Fergusson, with his own championship hopes dashed in race one, was third from Giles and Holland. Gobert was troubled by cramp in the closing stages, but still finished sixth. Stauffer’s late championship flourish saw him finish third on 254pts, ahead of Fergusson (252pts) and Queensland Robbie Bugden (Northstar Yamaha YZF-R1, 252pts), who again finished another year as leading privateer. In Supersport, Brookes was always in the box seat to add to his previous title in 2001, and that’s how it panned out. In a reprisal of their brilliant finish in a support race at last month’s Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, Brookes defeated Mark Aitchison (Fraser Motorcycles YZF-R6) by just 0.015sec in the opening Supersport hitout, while Josh Waters (Kawasaki Racing Team ZX-6RR) was a lonely third from outgoing champion Fergusson (Joe Rocket Honda CBR600RR) and Chris Seaton (Ewington Racing ZX-6RR). There were 20 finishers, with West Aussie Bryan Staring (Allect Racing CBR600RR) not one of them after crashing out of second place on lap five. With 19pts up his sleeve over Fergusson, Brookes completed this year’s Supersport harvest with a safe third place, behind runaway winner Aitchison and Staring. After finishing on the rostrum in 12 of the 15 races, including a bank of seven wins, Brookes completed the year on 310pts. Fergusson (288pts) held onto a secure second, ahead of round winner Aitchison (254pts), Waters (235pts) and Staring (221pts). More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki: In the closest finish the Australian Superbike Championship has ever seen, Team Suzuki’s Shawn Giles tied on points with arch rival Josh Brookes at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit today but lost out on a tie-break. After an exciting season-long battle between three-time champion Giles and Brookes, the result came down to a count of both riders’ race victories throughout the 2005 season, with three wins to four going in favour of Brookes. Heading into the final event with a ten-point lead over Brookes, the GSX-R-mounted rider needed strong results to secure victory. He qualified in seventh and had his work cut out, placing third and fourth in Sunday’s two 11-lap races which tied him with Brookes on 279 points. Said Giles: “Firstly, congratulations to the Joe Rocket Honda Team and Josh for taking his first championship. “I have to thank everyone at Team Suzuki: 2005 has been the closest, toughest championship I’ve raced and everyone has worked so hard together to achieve a top result. “Even though we didn’t take the title, we finished on equal points so obviously the Suzuki GSX-R1000 has the horsepower and pace to win the Australian Championship. This was a brand new bike for 2005 and now with a year of development under our belts, I’m looking forward to making a strong challenge for next season. Coming this close to the title, Suzuki is going to be even hungrier than ever for the championship crown.” Under the leadership of master tuner Phil Tainton, the Suzuki Team has claimed four Australian titles – three of those with Giles in the saddle. “Winning three of seven rounds, Shawn has come so close to winning this championship for Suzuki,” said Tainton. “Shawn is an incredible talent and a born champion and with the GSX-R1000 he’s been a dominant force in the Australian Superbike Championship yet again.” Giles’ team-mate Glenn Allerton finished the season on a high note finishing in sixth for the year and was awarded the Rookie of the Year title. Final Championship Points: 1. Josh Brookes (Honda) 279, 2. Shawn Giles (Suzuki GSX-R1000) 279, 3. Jamie Stauffer (Kawasaki) 254, 4. Adam Fergusson (Honda) 252, 5. Robert Bugden (Yamaha) 209, 6. Glenn Allerton (Suzuki GSX-R1000) 208, 7.Scott Charlton (Suzuki GSX-R1000) 159, 8. Shannon Johnson (Yamaha) 142, 9. Tony Rees (Yamaha) 142, 10. Daniel Stauffer (Yamaha) 133.

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