FastDates.com November 2010 Superbike, MotoGP Racing & Sportbike News Official Calendar of the World Superbike Championship
Home of the Official SBK Ducati Corse Calendar Kittens
This month in the SBK Fast Dates Calendar - November 2010
Calendar Kittens Leanna and Sabela get up close and personal with Broc Parkes'
Team Paul Bird factory Kawasaki ZX10R World Superbike. Order Here
Tom Sykes on the factory Paul Bird Kawasaki headed the world's best at Imola. Next season they will have the all new more competitive 2011 ZX10.
The perfect trip for any sportbike fanatic
The Ducati Edelweiss Imola Superbike Tour - Italy, the Factory & Museum, Imola WSBK!
By Jim Gianatsis, Editor Bologna Italy, September 2010 -We love the Edelweiss Motorcycle Tours, especially across Europe. Their new Ducati sponsored Edelweiss Imola tour this year across beautiful Tuscany in Northern Italy, starts off with a visit to the Ducati factory in Bologna to pick up new Multitstrada 1200s, and ends the following weekend at the Imola World Superbike races. This was a must-do working vacation for any hardcore sportbike enthusiast! We had never been to Imola before, and were excited to find it was another classic european race circuit like Monza, Le Mans and Nuremberg Ring, set in a beautiful forest in the middle of the city. We picked up our Media Credentials in the middle of town at the local town hall, then crossed a nearby bridge half a block away over a river right into the track's Paddock Area.
The Paddock at all European SBK World Superbike races has all the factory race transporters backed up to the garages, the Pirelli tire transporters and changing facilities, the team hospitality trucks and tents which serve lunch to the team personnel and their special guests, and the SBK Paddock Show. The Paddock Show is the center point for Spectators who have purchased a Paddock Pass. It displays replicas of all the factory race bikes, features Playstation SBK video games and a race simulator, the SBK apparel store, and let's you sit with the winning riders as they are interviewed for the TV broadcasts by SBK's Jillian Thomas or Kel Edge after each race. Many of the factory riders also appear for autograph sessions in the Paddock Show or in front of their opened Team Garages on Pit Lane during the lunch break Pit Walks which is also available to paddock Pass Holders.
In Europe the TV viewers get to see all race weekend from Friday Practice, Saturday Superpole and all 3 Race Classes live. The Superbike Race broadcastsalso include a 1-hour pre-race show with rider interviews, pit visits and grid girls that SpeedTV never shows us in the USA. MORE
2011 Diavel! 162hp / 456lb Sport Super Cruiser Ducati rocks the motorcycle world with an exciting new concept in shape, power and style Bologna ,Italy, October 1st - The innovative new Ducati Diavel combines decades of twin-cylinder heritage and Italian style with a bold, world-beating technical confidence strong enough to extend the boundaries of motorcycle design. Custom shop beauty, state-of-the-art technology, innovative design and extraordinary riding pleasure are masterfully blended into the Diavel, a motorcycle destined to shape the future, a motorcycle built by people who have earned the right to change the rules.
Built to have a commanding presence, though lightweight and agile like all Ducatis, the Diavel takes the man-motorcycle relationship to the next level in absolute comfort. For connoisseurs of technology, ABS, Ducati Traction Control and Ducati Riding Modes deliver a confidence-inspiring sophistication while stunning looks, 162hp and 207kg (456lb) of authentic Ducati performance drives a comfortable sport lifestyle that
could only be dreamt of before.
Merging the worlds of power and style has never been achieved with such convincing precision. A specially engineered 240 section rear tyre combined with famous Ducati chassis technology serves up mind-blowing handling and lean angles which defy the laws of physics, whether carving through curves on your favourite road or just riding out for a night on the town.
Pricing & Colours
The latest ground-breaking Ducati is available in two versions: The brand new Diavel Base Model at US $16.995 (above) and the flagship Diavel Carbon US $19,995 MSRP (below) with a character-forming mix of aesthetic and performance components from carbon fibre bodywork to forged and specially machined Marchesini wheels.
The Diavel comes in traditional Ducati red with red frame and black wheels or a sophisticated pearl white silk and metallic black scheme with black frame and black wheels. The Diavel Carbon comes in stunning “red carbon” (gloss red over matte carbon weave) with red frame or “black carbon” (both gloss and matte carbon weave) with black frame. Both Diavel Carbon schemes roll on black wheels, turned and milled to
expose the natural aluminium below.
DIAVEL DESIGN Basic Instincts
The Diavel project was born when Ducati designers applied their wish-list of bike “basic instincts” to a blank canvas. With a “what if?” approach to creating a dream bike, they sketched inspiring shapes which became a lower and longer motorcycle.
“The challenge of building a muscular silhouette over a pure-bred competition motor had to be met with determination and a delicate touch, and the result is a frontal area that looks like a power athlete on the starting blocks,” explains the team at Ducati Design responsible for the project. “With the front wheel kept close to the Diavel’s body and using the short tail of a sport bike, we were able to blend this muscular design with a chassis that matched.”
If the stance of a Streetfigher is that of “anger,” the stance of the Diavel is that of readiness, dominance, and confidence bordering on superiority. With lateral radiators adding muscle to its broad “shoulders,” which then taper down across the engine and into the belly-fairing with oil cooler, the athlete took shape. A massive 240 section rear tyre was a perfect example of how Diavel designers used a no-compromise attitude when applying their wish list of features. The sheer width of rubber communicates so much power and style that the R&D team vowed to find a way to make it handle - even if they knew the image would send a seismic shock through the industry.
Ducati’s philosophy for innovation has always been to push the boundaries of design in the name of exciting motorcycles. Sometimes “gut feelings” are what count, and having the strength to commit to them shows the kind of bravery that has guided Ducati to World Championships. The Diavel is a true Ducati, born from a passion for motorcycling and designed to deliver authentic Ducati performance in every respect. “Diavel”
The name “Diavel” was inspired by the Bolognese dialect word for “devil”. One day, early in the development process of the bike, the first prototype was assembled and wheeled out in front of a group of Ducati engineers and technicians who were viewing the complete motorcycle for the first time. One person looking from the rear of the bike saw its silhouette and exclaimed in Bolognese dialect: “Ignurànt comm’ al diavel!” Which means: “Evil, just like the devil!”
Reminiscent of how the “Monster” was named almost 20 years ago, the Diavel now follows the same Bolognese tradition, shaping the future of motorcycling while staying faithful to its heritage.
This Ducati 2-Up riding photo shows the Diavel with the rear seat cowl removed to use the dual saddle and fold-out passenger pegs.
Rider and Passenger Comfort
The Diavel’s twin-level seat is wide, comfortable and beautifully shaped to fit the flowing lines of the machine and at 770mm (30.3in), has one of the lowest seat heights in the Ducati range. That low seating position, in addition to a low slung chassis set-up that weighs in at just 210kg (463lb) - 207kg (456lb) for the Diavel Carbon - enables the rider to get both feet on the ground for a sure-footed and confident stance. The seat also comes with a beautifully shaped and easily removable single seat cover, which is formed in carbon fibre on the Diavel Carbon.
Passengers on the Diavel will appreciate the way the slender passenger footpegs ingeniously fold down from the rear sub-frame as well as the innovative, T-bar shaped grab-rail assembly, which slides out from the rear of the seat. Deployed from a mechanism under the seat, the grab-rail provides a comfortable and confidence-inspiring grip for the passenger, while the shape perfectly blends into the lines of the tail-piece when retracted. Both passenger-friendly features are crafted in forged aluminium and shot-peened for strength and uniform finish before being black anodised to become almost invisible when folded away.
The Passenger Pegs can fold up, out of the way when not in use for a cleaner look.
Lighting The Diavel uses two clear vertical strips of LED lighting to provide tail and brake light illumination as well as directional indicators. The strips follow the precise line of the under-seat panelling, providing great visibility of the rear-end while keeping the external lines of the bike clean. The front directional indicators are clear lens LED strips mounted vertically down the leading edge of the lateral radiator covers. The headlamp gives the Diavel immediate Ducati identity and is supported by an aluminium outer body. The light uses high and low beam double reflectors to illuminate the road ahead, in addition to incorporating a horizontal strip of LED positioning lights for optimum visibility.
Innovative Number Plate Mount
Employing the double strip of multi-functional LEDs for the rear lighting of the Diavel required an innovative solution for the mounting of the number plate. The unique design uses mounts on the rear hub of the singlesided swingarm to extend an elegant and Ducati signature Trellis framework around the 240 section rear tyre, enabling a central mounting of the plate. The framework carries a hidden power feed to dedicated LED
illumination for the number plate, eliminating any reliance on the main rear lights and creating a clean feature around the rear of the seat. This design solution represents the first of its kind and an example of the incredible attention to the Diavel’s detail.
Fuel Tank and Air Intakes
The Diavel’s 17l (4.5 gal US) fuel tank represents an integral part of the bike’s overall styling. Its wide, long lines sweep down from the headlamp assembly into the seat and rear sub-frame to create a seamless profile. While the focal point of the tank is the high resolution display panel, the steel tank skin and wellsculpted knee panels add a solid feel to the Diavel and a high tech composite look to the Diavel Carbon. On each side of the front of the tank are massive air intakes formed in aluminium to feed the engine’s large airbox. Their design is completely functional and contributes to the 162hp produced by the Diavel Testastretta 11° power plant.
Controls
The Diavel handlebar shape and arrangement leaves the rider feeling comfortable and in command. Wide, tapered section aluminium bars with new custom designed, integral brake and clutch master-cylinders by Brembo complete with milled reservoir tops, provide a clean and minimalist set-up, while stylish, forgedaluminium supported mirrors deliver a generous view to the rear.
Switchgear control is taken care of by Ducati’s latest and most minimalist design with slim-line bodies housing easy-to-use switches and buttons and a unique weapons-like “trigger catch” that slides down to cover the starter button when activating the kill-switch. While the indicator cancel button doubles as a scrolland- select for fast and easy Riding Mode changes, switches above and below serve to navigate the new high-resolution display control panel.
PERFORMANCE
Diavel Testastretta 11° - Ready for Sport and Cruise
The heart of the Diavel is the Ducati Testastretta 11° - developed directly from the incredibly powerful, world-beating race engines of Ducati Corse. Ducati’s Diavel Testastretta 11° harnesses the immense power of the Superbike engine and makes it smooth and adaptable, a massive step forward in balancing highperformance with an enjoyable ride.
With its 162hp and colossal 94lb-ft (127.5Nm) of torque, the Diavel Testastretta 11° engine is all about authentic Ducati Desmodromic performance. The revised intake and exhaust ports combined with radical adjustment of the cam timing have enabled Ducati to achieve a fantastic torque curve at low rpm, which remains strong through a wider rev-range. The increase in bottom-end torque is managed by Ducati’s Rideby- Wire (RbW) system to considerably enhance the Diavel’s effortless ridability, while ensuring plenty of power remains on tap for high-rpm riding.
For an engine with brute power on tap when needed and smooth, user-friendliness available for an effortless and comfortable ride, Ducati revised the configuration of the cam timing with particular focus on the valve overlap angle. The overlap angle is defined as the interval of crankshaft rotation, measured in degrees, during which both the intake and exhaust valves are open at the same time. This overlap occurs between the end of the exhaust stroke and the start of the intake stroke. High performance engines, which are subject to compromising smoothness for extreme power delivery, use high values of this parameter in order to benefit from the pressure waves to improve engine performance by maximising volumetric efficiency.
On the Testastretta 11° engine, this angle has been reduced from 41°, used in the Testastretta Evoluzione engine which powers the 1198, to 11°. As a result, the fresh inlet charge flow is less compromised by the exiting exhaust gases, resulting in a much smoother combustion in addition to improved fuel economy and lower exhaust emissions.
The massive 58mm (2.28in) section exhaust headers lead the 2-1-2 system through power-enhancing equal lengths that enable the Diavel’s efficient power delivery. The engine management system dedicates a lambda probe to each header, providing precise fueling via a large airbox, while the stylish cannon-style, vertically stacked silencers carry catalytic converters to provide Euro 3 conformity and electronically controlled mid-section valve optimises exhaust pressures throughout the rev-range. Twin lateral radiators - positioned on either side of the bike - cool the Diavel Testastretta 11° engine. This unique feature combines with a new 64mm water pump impeller to increase flow rate by 35% at high rpm, enabling highly efficient cooling from the stylish air ducts.
The Diavel’s gearbox uses high-strength materials to manage the increased power output and enhanced grip generated by the 240 section rear tyre, which also requires the use of a 16mm longer gearbox output shaft for drive chain routing.
The transmission features an oil bath clutch with “slipper” function and super-light feel at the lever. Its design uses a progressive self-servo mechanism that presses the plates together when under drive from the engine, enabling the reduction of the clutch spring rates. This results in a much lighter clutch lever at the handlebar, ideal in stop-start traffic or during long journeys. When the drive force is reversed (over-run), the same mechanism reduces the pressure on the clutch plates, enabling them to provide a race-like “slipper” action, which reduces the destabilizing effect of the rear-end under aggressive down-shifting and provides a much smoother feeling when closing the throttle or down-shifting under normal riding conditions. The Diavel’s clutch and alternator covers have been restyled with enhanced detail and shaping, as have the cam
belt covers with a new aluminium mid-section.
24,000 kilometres (15,000 miles) between major services
Constant investment in quality by design, advanced materials and engineering techniques have enabled the distance between major service intervals (valve clearance check) to be increased to a highly competitive 24,000 kilometres (15,000 miles). This has been achieved with the introduction of new valve seat materials, improved combustion efficiency and temperature management designed into the Testastretta 11° engine.
Frame Assembly
The signature Ducati Trellis frame uses large diameter, light gauge tubing with two lateral die-cast aluminium sections that flow into the rear subframe. This achieves massive torsional rigidity while remaining lightweight and compact. The two sections form a rear-end structure by attaching onto either side of a complex techno-polymer component. The long, die-cast aluminium, single-sided swingarm provides great “feel” at the rear-end with a wheelbase of 1590mm (62.6in) and a stance that provides lean angles of up to 41°.
Suspension
The Diavel uses black-bodied 50mm Marzocchi front forks. These forks are fully adjustable for spring preload, compression and rebound damping. The forks are gripped by a slash-cut triple-clamp - cast aluminium for the lower and forged for the upper - with a rubber-mounted riser to tapered alloy bars. With a rake of 28°, trail of 130mm (5.12in) and an offset of 24mm (0.945in), the set-up provides a sure-footed and agile front-end for incredible handling and 70° of total steering lock for maximum manoeuvrability. The Diavel Carbon uses the same suspension as the Diavel, but with fork sliders black-finished in super low-friction diamond-like carbon (DLC). Both versions of the Diavel have a Sachs rear suspension unit slung low under the chassis in a horizontal position, operated by a progressive pull-rod linkage from the swingarm. Adjustable in compression and rebound damping, the unit uses a handy control for easy spring pre-load adjustment.
Wheels and Tyres
The Diavel rolls on stunning, custom 14-spoke wheels with machine-finished detailing. The front rim is 3.5x17, while the rear, which is “flow-formed” for enhanced structure and lightness, boasts a massive 8x17 rim. The Diavel Carbon has custom shop-finished, lightweight, forged, turned and milled rims by Marchesini that not only score an impressive total weight saving of 5.5lb (2.5kg), but also look spectacular. These highly intricate nine-spoke wheels highlight the delicate machining in natural aluminium set against a black finish.
Ducati’s technical partner, Pirelli, worked with the Diavel’s designers and engineers to develop the incredible new Diablo Rosso II tyres. While the front uses a conventional 120/70x17 section with a new tread pattern designed for enhanced wet weather performance, the 240/45x17 rear represents the latest innovation in tyre design with a sport-oriented profile being applied to custom-style width.
The massive rear employs bi-compound technology to enable high grip levels at full lean angle while providing high mileage and uses Enhanced Patch Technology (EPT) to maximise the contact patch at all angles. The tread pattern and compounds deliver great performance in all conditions, especially the wet. This new design of tyre enabled Ducati to achieve the style they had envisioned for the Diavel without compromising the authentic Ducati performance of the chassis. This partnership of parallel development between chassis and tyre design has contributed massively to Ducati “changing the rules” in this segment.
Braking System & ABS
The Diavel front brakes use Brembo’s incredibly powerful Monobloc callipers, which deliver outstanding performance actuated by new integral alloy master cylinders with unique shape reservoirs sporting milled tops. The 4-piston, twin radially-mounted callipers grip 320mm discs, while a single 265mm disc on the rear is gripped by a two piston calliper, also by Brembo. The Diavel Carbon uses specially milled aluminium disc carriers which have natural aluminium coloured recesses machined around the weight saving cut-outs in contrast to the carrier’s black finish around the centre. Typical of Ducati, these top-of-the-range components provide outstanding levels of braking and set a new benchmark in this category.
The system is equipped with the latest, most compact, Ducati Bosch-Brembo ABS system as original equipment on both versions, providing a major contribution towards performance control. Top Brembo components combined with Bosch ABS, the special Diavel chassis configuration and Pirelli’s Enhanced Patch Technology (EPT) result in a braking performance even greater than that of the awesome Ducati Superbikes.
TECHNOLOGY Lateral Radiators
The technical solution employed for keeping the frontal lines of the Diavel clean was to place two highly efficient lateral radiators on both sides of the bike. These well-ducted units, located beneath the fuel tank, use aerodynamics to help draw air flow through the radiators and are assisted by high-flow electric fans when required. The design combines form and function to enhance the muscular shape of the bike. Split-level instrumentation.
Even the Diavel’s instrumentation is a masterpiece of cutting-edge technology. The upper LCD display is mounted on the bar-riser and provides main information such as speed and rpm, in addition to warning lights, time and temperature.
The lower, full colour Thin Film Transistor (TFT) display is styled into the fuel tank and provides an incredibly clear account of current Riding Mode, gear selection and DTC setting as well as total mileage and trips. Used on mobile phones and computers, TFT technology is a variant of LCD and displays easy-to-read high resolution graphics. The Diavel’s TFT display goes one step further by using the sensitivity of its surrounding light to decide upon black or white background colour. When stationary, the lower display also doubles as the latest user-friendly control panel to personalise DTC and RbW settings within each Riding Mode before saving.
Hands-Free Ignition
The Diavel’s ignition is actuated by an electronic key in the rider’s pocket, which communicates with the motorcycle when within a distance of approximately 2 metres (6.5ft). The motorcycle recognises the dedicated key code and automatically enables the bike’s systems. Pressing the key-on switch then activates all systems to “on” and the engine is ready to be started. The electronic key, which internally consists of a radio circuit, externally doubles as a mechanical flip-key, required to open the seat and fuel tank cap. When parking the motorcycle, an electronic lock can be actuated on the steering simply by applying full steeringlockand pressing the ignition-off button a second time.
Ride-by-Wire
The Ride-by-Wire (RbW) system is an electronic interface between the Diavel’s twistgrip and engine, which configures an ideal power response depending on the riding mode selected. The twistgrip no longer has a throttle cable connected directly to the throttle body butterflies, but instead delivers a signal to a control unit, which in turn operates the butterfly opening electronically. The RbW system uses three different mappings to regulate the power delivery: 162hp with a sports-type delivery, 162hp with a progressive delivery suitable for touring, and 100hp with progressive delivery for city use.
Riding Modes
The Diavel incorporates the very latest in innovative Ducati technologies, including the recently introduced electronic Riding Modes. Selectable from the left-hand switchgear - even while riding - the choice of three pre-set modes are programmed to instantly change the character of the Diavel. The three modes are enabled by combining class-leading technologies such as Ride-by-Wire (RbW) and Ducati Traction Control
(DTC).
The RbW system administers different mappings to regulate power delivery by interpreting the rider’s throttle input, while the world-beating DTC uses eight levels of system interaction to enhance control by reducing rear wheel-spin under heavy acceleration. Although each mode has pre-set values of RbW and DTC, each of these two elements can be finely adjusted within each of the three Riding Modes and saved to create a
personalised riding experience.
Sport: The Sport Riding Mode provides the Diavel rider with an adrenalin-fuelled 162hp ride and enables the rider to have full-on throttle response for maximum acceleration. Ensuring the full Testastretta 11° experience, the sport mode also lowers the DTC system intervention to level 3 for riders who prefer their performance a little closer to the traction limit.
Touring: The Touring Riding Mode is also programmed to produce 162hp, however, with a smoother, more userfriendly power delivery. Rear end traction is enhanced by increasing DTC system intervention to level 4, specifically intended for an enjoyable and relaxing ride ideal for long distance and ensuring maximum comfort for both the rider and passenger.
Urban: As riding on city streets can require more attention to the surroundings than to throttle inputs, the Urban Riding Mode instantly changes the Diavel to provide a manageable and confident ride. Power output is reduced to 100hp and DTC is further enhanced.
Ducati Traction Control
The racing-derived Ducati Traction Control (DTC) is a highly intelligent system which acts as a filter between the rider’s right hand and the rear tyre. Within milliseconds, DTC is able to detect and control rear wheelspin, considerably increasing the bike’s active safety and performance. DTC is an integral part of the preprogrammed Riding Modes on the Ducati Diavel and enables riders to fully enjoy the power of the Testastretta 11° engine.
The system offers eight levels of “sensitivity”, each programmed with an amount of rear wheel-spin tolerance. These levels are in line with progressive levels of riding skills classified from one to eight. Level one is programmed to offer the least amount of interaction for sport-oriented riders, while level eight uses the most amount of interaction for complete confidence. DTC levels are factory pre-set in each of the three Riding Modes, but can be individually customised and saved to suit the rider by accessing the new user-friendly set-up menu. A “default”option is available to easily return all settings to factory pre-sets.
DUCATI DIAVEL CARBON
The 207kg (456lb) Diavel Carbon embodies the true nature of the Diavel concept, where performance combines with style to celebrate Italian engineering at its best. Lightweight composites and milled aluminium components meld the two worlds of sport and style with features that are both visually beautiful and functionally high-performance.
The Diavel Carbon comes in stunning “red carbon” (gloss red over matte carbon) with red frame or “black carbon” (both gloss and matte black carbon weave) with black frame. Both Diavel Carbon schemes roll on black wheels, turned and milled to expose the natural aluminium below.
While carbon fibre is used for the tank panels, single-seat cover and front mudguard to reduce weight and apply a race-like feature that runs deep in the DNA of Ducati, a low friction diamond-like carbon finish gives the Marzocchi fork sliders a spectacular black finish as well as performance-enhancing action.
Helping the Diavel Carbon to accelerate faster, stop sooner and change direction with even more agility is a valuable 5.5lb (2.5kg) saving of “unsprung weight” by using beautifully forged, lightweight Marchesini wheels. The wheels, which are finished in black, are machine-turned and milled for maximum weight reduction and intricately engineered decoration. The black disc carriers undergo a similar milling process to enhance the recess around the weight saving cut-outs, the natural aluminium colour contrasting effectively against the original black carrier.
Calendar Kitten Rhian Snugden does 2011 quite well - click to go BIG
Our very own FasDates.com Calendar Kitten Rhian Snudgen, featured in the 2009 SBK Fast Dates World Superbike Calendar which we shot on location in England at Brands Hatch WSB in 2007, has had her own calendar available in Britian the last couple of years. But if you were her friend on www.MySpace.com/RhianMarie you'ld already know that. We just got our own copy of the big new 2011 Rhian 12x17-inch eye popper printed on heavy card stock and have to tell you it is awesome! Order at GlobalCalendars.co.uk
Tiffany is also featured without her boots in Members Corner
Caution - This Met-Art Model Galley Contains Full Nudity!
The Pretty Reckless
Taylor Momsen gets Pretty Reckless
She's the next big thing. Most of America still knows her as sweet young long legged Jenny Humphry on the prime time TV soap Gossip Girl. But in the last year actress Taylor Momsen turned 15 to 17 years old (going on 25) and emerged from her jail bait caccoon as a catapiller turned vampire bat - the sexiest rock diva ever. Taylor tops Madonna and Avril LaVigne in raunch, sex and beauty with songs like "Going Down" and "Make Me Wanna Die" while perfoming in bra, panties and garters. She also can sing! In interviews she talks about dating older guys, masterbating with her vibrator, and likes to say "fuck" a lot. We got to meet her this past summer when she performed on the Vans Warped Tour, performing at one concert with a Tampon string hanging from her panties the entire show. OMG. Check our her R-rated videos on YouTube.com and order her full 12-song Album "Light Me Up" recently released in England and is now available here in the colonies on Amazon.com by clicking left. Fuck yea! More Pretty Reckless
Nov 1st - Taylors' newest video "Just Tonight" from Light Me Up. Enjoy!
Calendar
Kittens, Paddock Garage, Screensavers, Iron & Lace Garage
MotorcycleSuperstore.com
Some of our
Calendar Kittens can also at Playboy's website...
FREE! New Met-Art Model Galley Updated Daily - Stop Back Each Day
2011 Calendars! with FastDates.com Calendar Kitten, Ducati Corse Grid Girl
and Playboy Playmate
Heather Rae Young!
Click for even more Calendars!
There's More
FastDates.com Gear!
Greeting Cards, Shirts, Mugs
Burgess and Rossi
Together at Ducati
Oct 19th - The championship winning potent team of Valentino Rossi and Jeremy Burgess will take their championship winning act to Ducati for the next two years.
Rumors of Rossi moving to Ducati began early this season were quickly followed by similar rumors about Burgess joining him. Until nowt, Burgess had beensilent about his future, neither confirming nor denying, but simply listing the pros and cons of leaving Yamaha for Ducati. That all changed when Burgess broke his silence at this past weekend's Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island. It was there that the championship winner confirmed he would be moving from Yamaha's shop near Monza to Ducati's headquarters close to Bologna. In making the move, Burgess could add to his legendary status by winning a world title with yet another manufacturer.
Rossi To Test Ducat
Moto GP Bike Soon
Yamaha Racing will release Valention Rossi immediatley after the season ending Valencia MotoGP race on Nov 7th so he can try the current Ducati MotoGP bike before having surgery on his previously injured shoulder. The early test will allow Ducati to make any suggested changes to the bike to accomodate Rossi while he is in recovery from his surgery.
Order the Official
FastDates.com &
LA Calendar Bike Show
T-Shirts!
Order Your FastDates.com
Christmas Cards Now!
Carlos Checa to replace Mika Kallio at final 2 MotoGP rounds
Oct 17th - Pramac Racing Ducati rider Mika Kallio was released from the final two races of his contract late on the Sunday night of the Australian Grand Prix in a move that was widely expected.
The Finnish rider had been suffering increasing pain in the left shoulder he injured early in the season in France and his results have suffered. Since the injury, suffered in the third race of the year, he's had one top ten finish, a ninth in the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Kallio finished his final ride with the team in 11th place.
Superbike race winner Carlos Checa will replace Kallio for the final two races. The Althea Racing Ducati World Superbike rider tested a Ducati Desmosedici test bike last week in Mugello. Afterwards, he wrote in a posting on his Twitter feed that t he would do the final two races, in Estoril, Portugal and Valencia, Spain.
"It is since Japan's race that the pain in my left shoulder, injured in Le Mans race, has become too intense," Kallio said. "I immediately talked to the team, who understood my situation and agreed that I would try to race in Malaysia and Australia and then decide to continue or not in the last two races. Unfortunately, despite the good race today, the pain didn't allowed me to perform in the best way.
Together with the team, we decided to conclude our partnership today. It has been a hard choice for me, but in this way I'll be able to find the best physical condition and think about my future. I would like to thank Paolo Campinoti that was very helpful in managing this situation. I would like to also thank all the technical staff of the Pramac Racing Team with which I have found myself very well in this two year and I'll always remember them with great affection."
Noriyuki to Privateer
Team
DFX Corse Aprilia
Oct 10th -
Tuesday after the Magny-Cours race the new 2011 season kicked off with a few top names having their first rides out on their new machines. Noriyuki Haga was out on the newly formed Pata Racing Team Aprilia, which is a mix of Marco Borciani as team manager and the existing DFX Corse squad, only now close to factory level Aprilias, rather than the support 1098RS Ducati's that DFX raced this past this year. The Borciani and Guandalini (B&G) team partnership is now dissolved. Haga has signed to ride the bikes in 2011, but team Manager Marco Borciani was not optimistic after the weekend that running two riders—what Aprilia ideally wanted—will be a realistic option.
Max Biaggi does Aprilia
for Two More Years
The duo which dominated the 2010 world SBK championship is reconfirmed.
Noale, 18 October 2010 – Aprilia Racing and Max Biaggi sealed the contract which ties the 2010 World Superbike Champion to Aprilia for 2011-2012, the brand which fist saw him triumph at his début in the 250 Moto GP class.
Thanks to this agreement, which is valid for two years, Max Biaggi and Aprilia will be able to team up together to defend the Rider and Manufacturer titles earned this year.
In fact, 2010 was an extraordinary year in sport for the Biaggi-Aprilia duo in World SBK: ten victories, four double wins and another four podiums led the five time champion to take the rider world championship (the first Italian in motorcycling history) and Aprilia to its first triumph in the WSBK Manufacturer standings.
With confirmation of the Biaggi-Aprilia association, one of the most victorious pairs in sports history is renewed: Max boasts five world championships in a record time frame, considering the fact that sixteen years have passed since his first 250 world championship and this year's SBK title. Aprilia boasts a collection of 45 world titles and, with 277 victories in GP, it is the most victorious name in the history of MotoGP.
"I'm obviously very happy to be continuing this winning adventure in World SBK with Aprilia" stated Max Biaggi. "After an exciting but tiring season, after many years of racing and many victories, it was only natural and right to stop and think, to reflect on such an important future commitment. And in my considerations a very decisive factor was, as it was at the beginning of this adventure with Aprilia, the fact that I feel so close to a team and a company which is so capable and so focussed on the sports objective. Now we need to prepare as best as we can for next season. We are well aware that we cannot rest on our laurels and that we will be in all of our rivals' sights. But now I am also sure that we will be highly motivated at the start of the first race, with a bike which I have brought up and which I did not want to abandon, ready to die hard... extremely hard".
Management changes see BMW Motorrad sets its course for the future in the FIM Superbike World Championship.
Munich/Stephanskirchen, 12th October 2010. BMW Motorrad Motorsport is heading into
the future with a new management structure. Bernhard Gobmeier will replace Berthold
Hauser as BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director with immediate effect. The move comestwo weeks after BMW Motorrad and Team Manager Davide Tardozzi agreed to part
company by mutual consent. Gobmeier will be responsible for all BMW Motorrad Motorsport activities, including the company's factory involvement in the Superbike World Championship.
It is rumored that Tardozi, former Ducati Corse team manager for many years, may be taking over as team manager at the Yamaha World Superbike team based out of Monza, Italy. We spoke to Davide last May at Miller WSB and he told us, that while working at BMW in Germany, he was still commuting home on non race weekends to be with his family at their home back in Italy. The move to Yamaha in Monza will alow Davide to spend more time back at home with his family.
"I'm pleased to announce this fundamental realignment," says Hendrik von Kuenheim,
General Director of BMW Motorrad. "The new structure puts BMW Motorrad Motorsport
in extremely good shape to meet the challenges of the future. Bernhard Gobmeier has
filled a variety of roles within the BMW Group over the years and brings his experience in
motor sport to the job. I'm in no doubt that he will continue to take BMW Motorrad
Motorsport forwards with his analytical and structured approach. He will bring himself up to speed with the current situation as quickly as possible and put the necessary
measures in place."
And von Kuenheim continues: "I would like to thank Berthold Hauser for all his good work
over recent years. He can look back on some impressive successes in his career as BMW
Motorrad Motorsport Director. Under his leadership Richard Sainct won the Paris-Dakar
Rally in 1999 and 2000 as BMW Motorrad made its return to the event. And Berthold
Hauser was also responsible for the team's successful start to life in the Superbike World
Championship and its first podium finishes. He will continue to perform a managerial role
for BMW Motorrad."
New BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Gobmeier, adds: "I'm looking forward to taking
on this new challenge in a top-class race series with a professional racing team and two
strong riders. Our aim is clear: to build consistently on the positive foundations which
Berthold Hauser and his team have put in place over recent years, so that we can be in a
position to win races on merit as soon as possible."
Gobmeier, a qualified engineer, has worked for BMW AG for more than 16 years, during
which time he has performed a variety of roles. In 1994 and 1995 he was responsible for
overhauling the company's sales activities for BMW M vehicles in North America and
restructuring its racing activities in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) with the BMW
M3 GT. The native Bavarian then filled various management positions within BMW M
GmbH between 1996 and 2008, before taking over as head of chassis development at
BMW Motorrad in 2008.
Hot Bikes, Sexy Kittens
Your Exclusive Grid Pass
also includes....
Michel Fabrizio Returns to Alstare Suzuki for the 2010 World Superbike Championship
With the departure of the Ducati Corse Superbike team from World Superbike, and Alstare's loss of Leon Haslem to BMW because of its reduced budget from Suzuki of Jpan, Alstare Suzuki has annunced they have signed Michel Ffabrizio for the coming season....
October 9th - Former Alstare rider Michel Fabrizio has rejoined the team and will spearhead their attack on the 2011 Superbike World Championship next year. Michel is no stranger, having raced for Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra in the 2003 European Superstock Championship, taking four wins and winning the title in the process. Most of the mechanics he worked with then are still with the team these days, so his first outing, during the Magny-Cours tests last week, saw him slip easily into place and start working well straightaway. The tests were hampered by poor weather on the first day, but day two saw sunshine, a dry track and rapidly falling lap times. Considering that Michel has spent the last three seasons riding a twin cylinder bike, he was soon comfortably into the groove on Suzuki Alstare’s 2010 GSX-R1000 and left the French track pleased with his first ride on a four cylinder Superbike since 2007.
Michel - “I am very happy with how the tests went at Magny-Cours last week, even though the weather was not so good on the first day. I am a bit surprised how easily I got used to the Suzuki Alstare bike after three years of riding a twin. A twin requires a completely different style to a four, so to jump onto a four and get comfortable so soon is a very good sign. Having known the team from before obviously helped and soon I felt as if I had never been away. My first impressions of the bike are that it feels strong and can be a title contender. Leon showed that this year, so I am looking forward to more tests and then racing it. This championship is very hard and competitive and you have to be on your game all the time. But, I know I have a good team behind me and I think we can have a very good season next year.”
New Playstation! Superbike & MotoGP
FIM Superbike World Championship 2011 Provisional Calendar
February 27 Australia
Phillip Island
March 27 Europe
t.b.a
April 17 The Netherlands
Assen
May 8 Italy
Monza
May 30 (Monday) United States
Miller Motorsport Park
June 12 San Marino
Misano
June 19 Spain
Motorland Aragon
July 10 Czech Republic
Brno
July 31 Great Britain
Silverstone
September 4 Germany
Nurburgring
September 25 Italy
t.b.a
October 2 France
Magny Cours
October 16 Portugal
Portimao
2011 Provisional MotoGP calendar announced
The provisional calendar features the GP of Aragon again following a successful visit there this year.
March 20 - Qatar – Doha Losail (Evening race)
April 3 - Spain - Jerez de la Frontera
April 24 - Japan - Motegi
May 1 - Portugal - Estoril
May 15 - France - Le Mans
June 5 - Catalunya - Catalunya
June 12 - Great Britain - Silverstone
June 25 - Netherlands - Assen (Saturday Race)
July 3 - Italy - Mugello
July 17 - Germany - Sachsenring
July 24 - United States - Laguna Seca (Only MotoGP class)
August 14 - Czech Rep. - Brno
August 28 - Indianapolis - Indianapolis
September 4 - San Marino and Riviera di Rimini - Misano
September 18 - Aragon - Motorland Aragon
October 16 - Australia - Phillip Island
October 23 - Malaysia - Sepang
November 6 - Valencia - Ricardo Tormo – Valencia
High Speed - the Movie The best motorcyce racing movie ever made! Filmed on location at World Superbike, this an exciting romantic drama staring beautiful actress Sienna Miller.
Erotica Archives
FREE New Model
Galley Updated Daily Warning Contains Nudity
Visit with Jorge Lorenzo Online November 4th To all fans who would like to personally congratulate Jorge and the team you are kindly invited to leave a message on our Facebook page: www.Facebook.com
/YamahaRacingcom , on the 'Contrats 99' tab. All your posts will be passed on to Jorge during the weekend of the Spanish Grand Prix in Valencia (5-7 November) and Jorge will then select 5 lucky fans of those who left him a nice message to be invited to have a unique and exclusive chat with the new MotoGP world champ through Skype! So make sure you leave your salutation on our 'Congrats 99' page before Thursday 4th of November, 18.00 pm CET.
Althea Gears Up as Ducati's Official Suport Team in 2011 World Superbike
Oct 14th - With a couple of weeks to go before several World Superbike teams begin testing at Motorland Aragon, the Althea Racing Team is starting preparations for next season with a first taste of the Spanish track. Following the withdrawal of the factory squad, Althea Racing has become Ducati's de facto representation in the championship and the team run by Genesio Bevilacqua will be aiming to be one of the contenders for the 2011 title, with rider Carlos Checa.
The three-day Aragon test will be a first opportunity to face up to next year's rivals and the Italian entrepreneur and General Manager of the team is already relishing the challenge. "We will be going to Aragon with a package that is already competitive and together with Carlos we will be pushing forward in the development work we began in 2010," declared Bevilacqua. "Taking to the track as an ‘official' team doesn't worry us at all, because over the past season we showed on a number of occasions that we could compete with the top teams and third overall in the championship is clear evidence of that. It is obvious that we will have to work hard to keep up with our rivals, but we are ready and can't wait to begin this new adventure".
Carlos Checa will be testing on his ‘home' track and this may be extra stimulus for the Spaniard to do well on his first pre-2011 season test. A good result will also show once again that the rider from San Fruitos and the Italian Ducati team have reached a good level of feeling together. "It will be an extra stimulus for him to do well," continued Bevilacqua, "because all eyes will be on him. As always we will try and make available the best possible bike for him thanks also to direct support from Ducati".
Bostom Brothers to
Pair Up on AMA ProSuperbikes with Pat Clark Motorsports
Oct 20th- The Pat Clark Motorsports team is expected to replace their black Yamahas with green Kawasakis for the 2011 season, while increasing their rider pool with another Bostrom, and working with Attack Performance.. An announcement is expected next week.
The team is expected to add Eric Bostrom to older brother Ben and Chris Clark, the son of the team owner, while switching from the R1 to Kawasaki's new ZX-10R, the sources, who asked not to be identified, said.
The addition of Kawasaki is a plus for the AMA Pro Road Racing championship, which lost both Honda and Kawasaki after the 2009 season. Both had been involved through satellite teams, Honda through Corona Extra Racing and Kawasaki through Attack Performance. It's unlikely that Honda will return in 2011.
Brembo Calipers Standard on 2011 Suzuki GSX-R 600/750 Sportbikes
After years of cooperation in MotoGP, Brembo is also now a supplier for Suzuki road bikes with a new brake caliper designed specifically for the latest version of the GSX-R 600 and 750, the flagship Super Sport model of this Japanese manufacturer.
With this new supply, which will last for approximately three years, Brembo reconfirms its position as one of the favorite suppliers of the leading motorcycle manufacturers and strengthens its presence in the Japanese motorcycle market, where it has been working with Yamaha for some years.
In the first half of 2010, Suzuki was the third largest Japanese manufacturer in terms of sales volume in Europe, and its models GSX-R 600 and 750 are both in the top ten Super Sport models sold in Europe.
With this new application, Brembo further consolidates its position in the new motorcycle market, adding another prestigious brand to the list of its many international customers, including Aprilia, BMW, BRP-Bombardier Recreational Products, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Husqvarna, KTM, Moto Guzzi, MV Augusta, Piaggio, Triumph and Yamaha.
THE PRODUCT: the front monobloc M4x32 caliper, customized for the two versions of the GSX-R, Suzuki’s top sporting road bike yet, contains 4 pistons of 32 mm diameter and is based on the Brembo monobloc technology, identical to the one used in MotoGP and Sbk, which, using exclusive, cutting-edge production technologies, offers a light, compact product with high stiffness. The brake caliper M4x32 has a 108mm mounting distance and offers high performance in terms of brake power and control.
Official WSBK Test Dates Announced
Infront Motorsports has the pleasure of confirming that there will be two official pre-season tests in preparation for what is shaping up to be an exciting 13-round Superbike World Championship campaign in 2011.
The first will take place at a favourite circuit for all, Portimao, on the Algarve coast of Portugal. For WSBK and WSS classes only, the test days will start on Wednesday January 26th and continue on Thursday 27th and Friday 28th, 2011.
The final pre-season tests will, once more, come along at the venue for the first round of the year, Phillip Island in Victoria, Australia. This time around the tests at will take place even closer to race weekend, on Monday 21st February and Tuesday 22nd February.
Relentless by TAS Suzuki has signed Guy Martin for its 2011 International Road Racing campaign:
Nov 3rd - The Kirmington rider has one of the biggest followings in British and Irish motorcycling and team owners Hector and Philip Neill are confident of guiding the fast-talking Lincolnshire rider to his debut victories at the North West 200 and Isle of Man TT.
Martin (28) will join his yet-to-be-announced Road Racing and British Superbike team-mates in pre-season tests in Spain, scheduled for February or March, before possibly opening his account with a British Superstock appearance at the end of April.
The plan is to take in a number of Superstock races throughout the 2011 season, but a full itinerary of his, and the rest of the team's plans, will be announced in the coming weeks.
Guy Martin: "You just don't get any more of a proven team than Relentless by TAS Suzuki and with its official support from Suzuki and something like 15 TT wins; it wasn't a difficult decision to make. I was at a Pirelli test earlier this year and took 101 pictures of their bikes and the preparation of them is 'proper' - that's what made my mind up. They are the best team I've been with do date; that's all there is to it. I just want to hit the ground running now. After pre-season we'll hopefully do some Superstock races in the British Championship, as we know the GSX-R1000 is very capable. Let's face it - it won the Championship just last year with Alastair Seeley on it. Yeah; it's all proper and I'm looking forward to getting started."
Philip Neill - Team Manager: "It's been a difficult decision changing our line-up as we pride ourselves on loyalty. In saying that, Guy is a rider I've wanted to work with for a couple of seasons now and my loyalty to other riders probably held that decision back a little. He came to us full of enthusiasm and wants to do things our way, which was a good starting point. And on top of that, I'm a sucker for a challenge and I like Guy's free-spirit attitude. He's created a Guy Martin-brand without even trying and that's also pretty special.
"Obviously we know he's a very talented rider and has been extremely unlucky not to have won races at both the North West 200 and the TT. So our motivation is to complete that task, while making sure Guy also fulfils his commercial responsibility representing a manufacturer-backed team. Having spoken to him at length before we agreed a deal, I know he won't let Suzuki or our sponsors down."
Yamaha World Superbike Team Manager Announcement
Nov 3rd - After several years as team manager for the Yamaha Motor Italia Supersport Team and then manager for the World Superbike Team from 2005 to 2010, Massimo Meregalli will now move across to join the Yamaha Factory MotoGP Team in 2011 in a management role. Joining the WSB team for 2010 to replace him will be current Moto2 team manager and fellow Italian Andrea Dosoli.
Massimo Meregalli’s career with the World Superbike Team reached a high in 2009, securing the World Championship title with American rider Ben Spies. Over the five year tenure under Massimo’s management the WSB team achieved an impressive 24 Superpoles, 104 podiums and 33 race wins with riders including Spies, Noriyuki Haga, Troy Corser, Cal Crutchlow, Andrew Pitt and James Toseland. The team also secured the World Superbike Constructors’ Championship in 2008 for Yamaha.
38yr old Andrea Dosoli brings a wealth of road racing experience to his new role with the team, having been chief mechanic, responsible for data acquisition, MotoGP team manager and Moto2 team manager/co-owner for the duration of the 2010 season. Andrea will take on the responsibility of team management with the Yamaha World Superbike Team from the 10th of November 2010.
Yamaha Motor Europe wishes to express thanks and appreciation for Massimo’s loyalty, dedication and hard work with the World Superbike Team and wish him all the best in his new role with the factory MotoGP team next season.
Jim Gianatsis Editorial Director
Send Letters & News to:
Contact @ FastDates.com
MotoGP, SBK Press Offices
Kel Edge, Julian Thomas
Gold & Goose and More....
Contributing Editors
& Photographers
The Official SBK
2009/2010 Yearbook This is the Best Book Ever about World Superbike
Awesome color photography of the riders, bike and racing action. Commerating the 22nd Anniversary of World Superbike featuring American Ben Spies' 1st World Championship Title.
Plus a technical look data all the bikes, a preview of the 2010 Championship! We buy this every year ourselves and highly recommend it!
MotoGP Performance Riding New 2nd Edition! Official MotoGP book, the second edition of this practical guide to motorcycle racing technique, aimed at racing and track day enthusiasts at all levels, has been expanded to include extra information as well as many new photographs and up-to-date quotes from MotoGP stars.
FastDates.com Store
Motorcycles & Models Low Prices, No Sales Tax
The Making of the Fast Dates Calendar & World Championships
on DVD!
You've seen
the
Calendar pictures-
Now See the Movies! Meet
the Calendar Kittens in person, and watch the races! Go behind the scenes for a live look at the making
of your favorite FastDates.com Calendars on DVD
Sportbike Performance Handbook
by Kevin Cameron
New 2nd Edition!
Design & Tuning
for Motocross
The ultimate book on motocross bike technology & performance by Jim Gianatsis
Harley-Davidson
Announces CKD Assembly Operations in India
Company to Assemble Select Models at Facility in State of Haryana from U.S.-Supplied Assembly Kits
MILWAUKEE, WI – November 2, 2010 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE: HOG) is moving forward with the launch of operations in India to assemble motorcycles for the Indian market from component kits supplied by its U.S. plants, the Company announced today. The Company expects the CKD (complete knock-down) assembly facility to be operational in the first half of 2011.
The announcement comes as President Barack Obama prepares to travel to India on a state visit focused on trade and business opportunities between the two countries.
“CKD assembly operations in India are a natural next step for Harley-Davidson as we build our brand presence around the world,” said Harley-Davidson Motor Company President and Chief Operating Officer Matthew S. Levatich. ”This investment will allow us to improve our market responsiveness and production flexibility while reducing the tariff burden, which we expect will drive growth over time by making our bikes more accessible to India’s consumers. Given the strong response we have received in the initial months of retail operations, we believe this is the right investment for this important market,” Levatich said.
To date, Harley-Davidson India has been importing completely assembled motorcycles from the Company’s U.S. final assembly plants. Once the Indian CKD assembly facility in the Indian State of Haryana is operational, Harley-Davidson India will import CKD kits for select current models, consisting of components produced by Harley-Davidson’s U.S. plants in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Missouri and by the company’s suppliers. Indian employees at the Haryana facility will then assemble the components into finished motorcycles. Other models will continue to be imported as completely built motorcycles for now.
India will be the second country in which Harley-Davidson has CKD assembly operations outside the U.S., after Brazil where the Company began assembly operations in 1999.
“We are committed to global growth and growth in India for the long term,” said Levatich. “India’s rapidly growing economy, rising middle class and significant investment in construction of new roads and highways are paving the way for leisure motorcycle riding.”
“We are building a strong foundation for our business in India, first by establishing a world-class dealer network, and now by commencing CKD assembly operations,” said Anoop Prakash, Managing Director for Harley-Davidson India. “It is important for us to continue to invest in strategies that make our products and experiences accessible to an increasingly broader set of customers across India.”
Harley-Davidson India commenced operations in August 2009 and opened its first dealership in July 2010. The Company currently offers 12 models in its 2010 line-up in India, available through authorized dealerships in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh and Hyderabad. For more information, visit the Harley-Davidson India web site at www.harley-davidson.in
It's
Tool Time! Featuring a full line of top name hand and
power tools for your bike maintaince at great discout prices. CLICK to visit and run a seach at the FastDates.com Amazon.com Tool Store.
Webmasters
Earn 50% Referrals as a FastDates.com Affiliate!
Tom Sykes on the factory Paul Bird Kawasaki headed the world's best at Imola. Next season they will have the all new more competitive 2011 ZX10.
