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Phillip Island Race Coverage
Sylvain Guintoli tops the Podium after race one with with Aprilia team mate Eugene Laverty (left) and Red Devil Aprilia's Michelle Fabrizio (right).
2013 SBK Eni World Superbike Championship, Round 1 Phillip Island
Aprilia Dominates, Guintoli and Laverty lead the new
2013 Superbike Championship after trading Phillip Island Wins
Phillip Island, Australia, Sunday 24 February 2013 – In the unique scenery of Phillip Island the first round of 2013 eni FIM Superbike World Championship proved to be a success, while the Victorian Government announced the GP Circuit will host the FIM Superbike World Championship for a further three years, from 2015 to 2017. Close racing and high-level competition entertained the 61.500 spectators over the 3 days and provided a remarkable show to the fans all over the world. Aprilia Racing Team riders Sylvain Guintoli (Race 1) and Eugene Laverty (Race 2) got one win each in Sunday World Superbike races, both finishing in 2nd place when not on top.
Carlos Checa / Alstare Ducati topped the final day of offical testing on Tuesday the 19th running up to this weekend's 2013 World Superbike season opener at Phillip Island, Australia, then came back on race weekend after a hard crash on Friday to take Superpole on Saturday for Sunday's race.
Preview: All Set for 2013 World Superbike Season Opener at Phillip Island Phillip Island (Australia), Sunday 17 February 2013 – The countdown to the 26th edition of the eni FIM Superbike World Championship is almost over, as the upcoming Season Opener weekend will officially start the international motorsport year. The six manufacturers involved in the series (Aprilia, BMW, Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki) will once again aim to achieve the ultimate goal of victory.
As on a continuing basis since 2009, the production-based racing championship kicks off at the fascinating Phillip Island GP Circuit, one of the most spectacular and renowned track of the whole motorcycle world scene. The refreshed Australian venue has recently undergone a 3 million dollar resurface.
Many potential title contenders among the nineteen full time entries for the crown left unattended by Max Biaggi, including last season’s runner up Tom Sykes who missed the final achievement last year for a mere half-point gap. The Kawasaki Racing Team rider - flanked once again by Frenchman Loris Baz – will try his best to bring back the 20 year long awaited title to the Akashi manufacturer.
BMW realignment effort brings Marco Melandri and BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team a double challenge, with the Italian division led by Andrea Buzzoni now in charge of race operations. The Ravenna-born rider sets his sights on what his and Brand’s first title in the series would be, after marking his name in BMW history thanks to six individual race wins in 2012. Following a positive Superbike debut season, Chaz Davies was selected as the second rider of the team.
The resounding comeback of Alstare Team and its two-year partnership with Ducati goes hand in hand with 1199 Panigale R World Superbike debut. Borgo Panigale’s brand-new bike will be brought on track by former champion Carlos Checa and team mate Ayrton Badovini. A third Ducati will be lined up on the grid by MR-Racing Team and returning Max Neukirchner.
Above, Aprilia's 2013 reigning World Superbike Championship team, less retired Champ Max Biaggi, was presented in Milan, Italy, two weeks ago with returning Eugen Laverty (58) and newly signed Frenchman Sylvain Guintoli (50).
Aprilia launches its two World Title defence campaign with a brand new rider duo, with confirmed Eugene Laverty joined by new signing Sylvain Guintoli. The manufacturer from Noale will have two private teams on its side: Althea Racing Team featuring Italian rising star Davide Giugliano and Andrea Petricca’s Red Devils, with Michel Fabrizio as the team’s sole rider.
Leon Haslam crossed path again with Honda to join fellow Brit Jonathan Rea. The golden wing brand and its WSBK outfit chose to keep the faith on Northern Ireland’s star, the only one rider able to place the CBR1000RR on the top step of the podium over the last four seasons.
FIXI Crescent Suzuki Team takes on its second World Superbike season, following a tough debut year. Jules Cluzel, graduated from Supersport after an impressive rookie season in the series, will be alongside Leon Camier. 2013 is going to be the 16th consecutive year in the series for the Pedercini Team. Sweden’s Alexander Lundh – already with the team in the last four rounds of 2012 – and Italy’s Federico Sandi will tackle their first full WSBK campaign.
Two welcome comebacks, both onboard BMW S 1000 RR, end our World Superbike season preview: Vittorio Iannuzzo, new signing for Grillini DENTALMATIC SBK Team and Ivan Clementi, a five-season World Superbike veteran who joined forces with the debutant HTM Racing Team.
2013 World Superbike Class Permanante Entry List 1 50 Sylvain Guintoli FRA Aprilia RSV4 1000 Factory Aprilia Racing Team
2 58 Eugene Laverty IRL Aprilia RSV4 1000 Factory Aprilia Racing Team
3 19 Chaz Davies GBR BMW S1000 RR HP4 BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team
4 33 Marco Melandri ITA BMW S1000 RR HP4 BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team
5 66 Tom Sykes GBR Kawasaki ZX-10R Kawasaki Racing Team
6 76 Loris Baz FRA Kawasaki ZX-10R Kawasaki Racing Team
7 34 Davide Giugliano ITA Aprilia RSV4 1000 Factory Althea Racing
8 65 Jonathan Rea GBR Honda CBR1000RR Pata Honda World Superbike Team
9 91 Leon Haslam GBR Honda CBR1000RR Pata Honda World Superbike Team
10 2 Leon Camier GBR Suzuki GSX-R1000 Fixi Crescent Suzuki
11 16 Jules Cluzel FRA Suzuki GSX-R1000 Fixi Crescent Suzuki
12 84 Michel Fabrizio ITA Aprilia RSV4 1000 Factory Red Devils Roma
13 5 Alexander Lundh SWE Kawasaki ZX-10R Pedercini Team
14 23 Federico Sandi ITA Kawasaki ZX-10R Pedercini Team
15 31 Vittorio Iannuzzo ITA BMW S1000 RR Grillini DENTALMATIC SBK Team
16 18 Ivan Clementi ITA BMW S1000 RR HTM Racing
17 27 Max Neukirchner GER Ducati Panigale 1199R MR-Racing
18 7 Carlos Checa ESP Ducati Panigale 1199R Team Ducati Alstare
19 86 Ayrton Badovini ITA Ducati Panigale 1199R Team Ducati Alstare
World Supersport
The FIM Supersport World Championship is now getting into its 15th edition and showing again the competitive level of these mid-sized production-based racing bikes, proved by the increasing interest of Manufacturers in this series – six this year (Honda, Kawasaki, MV Agusta, Suzuki, Triumph e Yamaha) – and the huge number of permanent riders on the starting grid (35 in 2013).
Turkish triple Supersport Champion Kenan Sofuoglu will race this year to defend the current title for the first time. The race bike #1 shows up after three years and it’s the ZX-6R of MAHI Racing Team Kawasaki, a new project started less than one year ago, once the season had already started, to build up on 2013 with ambitious goals - the Team also hired 2002 World Supersport Champion Frenchman Fabien Foret.
Performance Technical Racing, better known as PTR, does not sit back and goes for an all-new five rider line-up with an average of 21 years of age. Sheridan Morais will be leading PTR’s World Supersport assault after a positive rookie season in the series and a 6th final place.
Former PTR rider Sam Lowes moves to Russian Team Yakhnich Motorsport to join confirmed rider Vladimir Leonov. Pata Honda World Supersport Team’s Lorenzo Zanetti and Michael van der Mark will both embark in their first WSS season, as the Italian stepped down from Superbike class and the Dutch rising star promoted after winning the European Superstock 600 title. 2011 runner-up David Salom and multiple race winner Luca Scassa make their comeback to the series after a year. Both of them will be part of Josef Kubicek’s Intermoto PonyExpres Kawasaki Team.
The MV Agusta F3 is set to make World Supersport debut thanks to the partnership made by the Italian motorcycle maker with Giuliano Rovelli’s ParkinGO Team. Roberto Rolfo and Christian Iddon are the ones chosen to race the 675 cc Italian bike. Suriano Racing switches back to team owner’s beloved Suzuki and put the GSX-R 600 in the hands of Mathew Scholtz and Roberto Tamburini.
The privateer Althea Aprilia bike with Michel Fabrizio turned fasted time in Friday Practice for this weekend's opening WSBK round at Phillip Island.
Michel Fabrizio sets the pace in Phillip Island Q1 Phillip Island (Australia), Friday 22 February 2013 – A close battled Qualifying 1 put an end to the first World Superbike day of 2013. The session was held under the clear skies of Phillip Island, with perfect temperatures and average winds blowing inland. Michel Fabrizio (Red Devils Roma Aprilia), after being the fastest rider of Free Practice 1, topped once again the timesheets thanks to a 1’31.317 lap-time, ahead of works Aprilia rider Eugene Laverty.
Michel Fabrizio: “We are working very well. I’m not fully satisfied yet because we still need to find the perfect set up for the race distance. Hopefully we’ll get it sorted tomorrow, and we’ll be ready for Sunday. Conditions were a bit more difficult during the afternoon compared to the morning, due primarily to the wind that made changing direction harder. Last Monday I was hit by a seagull on my arm while I was on the straight and I am still feeling the pain. I can say though, that we’re on the right direction. We’re planning on doing some small adjustments for tomorrow and these will hopefully make us improve further.”
Eugene Laverty: “This morning we weren't extremely fast, but in the afternoon we made some changes on my RSV4 to adapt it to the conditions and we took a big step forward. My single lap is good, but the key is to maintain consistency for the entire race. There are a lot of riders who don't stand out in the single lap but they've got an excellent race pace, and we're also doing well in that department. I don't have any particular problems and even when I'm lapping fast I'm careful not to wear the tyres quickly so that helps me to be consistent”.
The session was characterized by very competitive and balanced performances on track, considering the top-13 riders within a second and the five brands in the first seven positions. Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK) showed good form by finishing third, followed by Leon Camier (FIXI Crescent Suzuki), his team mate Chaz Davies, Leon Haslam (Pata Honda World Superbike) and 2012 runner-up Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team).
The fastest rider in this week's earlier SBK Official Testing at Phillip Island, Carlos Checa (Alstare Ducati) and his team mate Ayrton Badovini suffered crashes during the practice which made afternoon qualifying all the more difficult for the pair. In the first free practice session of the 2013 season, Checa made a solid start on board his 1199 Panigale but a highside fifteen minutes from the end of the session, in which he took a blow to the head and the foot, meant he lost valuable track time. His best lap, a 1’32.1 recorded early on in the session, put him in final ninth position.
On the other side of the garage Badovini, still suffering some pain after last week’s crash, was able to complete eight laps before he too was the victim of a small crash just minutes before Carlos. Coming just a few days after his previous crash, the incident definitely didn’t facilitate matters; Ayrton closed the practice with a best time of 1’33.0, registered earlier on.
Qualifying was therefore not an easy business for either rider. The session started well for Carlos who, ten minutes in, scored a 1’32.0 which positioned him temporarily third. Unfortunately he then started to feel dizzy and so took the decision,together with the team, to sit out the second half of the session, meaning that he closed twelfth thanks to the time set in the early stages. Ayrton too was forced to take things easy and save energy for tomorrow and Sunday; he recorded a best of 1’32.5 this afternoon which put him in final sixteenth position.
Carlos Checa: ‘I was looking forward to today and improving the bike after the official tests, but things didn’t turn out how I wanted. This morning, after only seven laps, I crashed exiting Siberia. It was one of the biggest highsides of my career and I think I went up a long way before hitting the track. I was lucky not to break anything but I hurt my left shoulder and my right foot, which is a bit of a problem because I use the rear brake quite a bit. The crash ended the session for me, but fortunately I was able to get out in the afternoon, put in some laps and get a time. Once again, I completed seven laps and ended 12th fastest overall.
It was a shame because, up until the crash, we had been heading in the right direction with the bike once more. We’d changed the set-up just before the crash, but we’ll have to look at the telemetry before we draw any conclusions. In the afternoon we went back to the original set-up - the one we’d used in testing - to make sure of a decent lap time. I’m sorry for all the work I’ve caused the mechanics, but hopefully I will feel better tomorrow morning and we can get back to improving the bike.’
The Spaniard ended the session in 12th position - after completing only 7 laps – ahead of Max Neukirchner (MR-Racing Ducati).
World Supersport - Lowes makes the difference today at Phillip Island
An astonishing 1’32.545 lap-time was set today by Sam Lowes in World Supersport Qualifying 1, that put the Yakhnich Motorsport Yamaha rider on top of the timesheets and set a new standard for the recently resurfaced Phillip Island Circuit. As a difference from today’s first session, Kenan Sofuoglu (MAHI Racing Team India Kawasaki) could not nearly match the superb performance of Lowes and finished once again with a solid 2nd place, with a 1.119 gap from his rival. The session started with some drops of rain falling on parts of the track, temperatures were overall ideal with 28° C in the air and 43° C on the track
ParkinGO MV Agusta Corse Roberto Rolfo makes a big step forward by finishing QP1 on third place, ahead of rookies Michael van der Mark (Pata Honda World Supersport) and Jack Kennedy (Rivamoto Honda). Andrea Antonelli (Team Goeleven Kawasaki) and van der Mark’s team mate Lorenzo Zanetti enter the top-10 as sixth and seventh respectively, followed by Massimo Roccoli (Team Pata by Martini Yamaha) and the two British riders Kev Coghlan (Kawasaki DMC-Lorenzini) and Christian Iddon (ParkinGO MV Agusta Corse).
A bruised and battered Carlos Checa took the new Ducati 1199RS13 to its first ever Superpole at its first ever World Superbike race.
Carlos Checa wins Tissot-Superpole at Phillip Island Ducati's 5th Generation 1199RS Panigale Superbike Looks like another winner Saturday 23rd – Spaniard Carlos Checa has started the ‘Panigale' era of Ducati in World Superbike by winning the Tissot-Superpole at Phillip Island. The Ducati Team Alstare managed to take the best out of the new Borgo Panigale superbike by setting an incredible 1'30.234, that means a brand-new Best Lap for the series and the 10th pole position of his career.
Checa saved a Superpole tyre for the final minutes of a hard-fought Superpole 3, with all 9 riders desperate to find a way into the front rows for tomorrow's World Superbike races. The choice made by the former champion and the team led by Francis Batta proved to be successful, as Checa got the nod from an extremely competitive Eugene Laverty (Aprilia Racing Team) by just 0.195 seconds.
Carlos Checa: “Winning Superpole was a great surprise for me and is down to all the hard work put in by my mechanics, the physiotherapists and the rest of the Clinica Mobile medical staff. This morning, I felt pain in both my shoulder and foot and I really didn’t think I’d be competitive in qualifying and Superpole. The mechanics did a great job and made the bike easier for me to ride and by the time Superpole started this afternoon, I felt pretty good really - better than I thought I would! Today was good, but we’ll have to see how the bike is in race conditions and also how the tyres perform after a lot of laps. Hopefully we’ll be competitive tomorrow and can be in the mix at the end of the race.”
Laverty used a race tire in Superpole to take 2nd on the starting grid.
Eugene Laverty: “After using my last qualifier in Superpole 3, I was on the second row, but I really wanted to be in the top three like I was in the last races last year. I threw myself into a fast lap using a race tyre and I must say that everything went perfectly. It was just a bit rocky in the turn that comes out onto the straight stretch, but second place is excellent, especially since we've worked well on our race pace. Starting from the front was important. It simplifies things and now I am looking forward to the races tomorrow with confidence”.
After being the fastest rider in qualifying, Michel Fabrizio (Red Devils Roma Aprilia) gave his fans another pleasant surprise by ending up in third place. This good performance tells a lot about the good shape of the Rome-born rider, who has always been more of a Sunday racer than a qualifier.
The second row of the grid will be headed tomorrow by 2012 Mr. Superpole Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team), whose lap-time was exactly matched by fifth place Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team). Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team) and Leon Camier (FIXI Crescent Suzuki) will aim to be part of the battle for the rostrum position moving off from the 6th and 7th grid slot, as well as following Pata Honda World Superbike duo of Leon Haslam and Jonathan Rea.
Sam Lowes.
World Supersport - Sam Lowes on pole position
The sensational 1'32.545 set in yesterday's qualifying practice was enough for Sam Lowes (Yakhnich Motorsport Yamaha) to snatch pole position after World Supersport Qualifying 2 at Phillip Island. The former British Supersport Champion finished ahead of Mahi Racing Team India Kawasaki duo of Kenan Sofuoglu and Fabien Foret.
While the Turkish rider was able to cut half a second off his personal best from yesterday, his team mate Foret did even better and improved his lap-time by almost a second onboard his ZX-6R. Despite some pain coming from his right knee and ankle, consequence of being thrown up in the air by his CBR600RR in Free Practice 1, Michael van der Mark (Pata Honda World Supersport) ended up fourth followed by Irish talent Jack Kennedy (Rivamoto Honda).
David Salom (Intermoto Ponyexpres Kawasaki) was on track today after missing Qualifying 1 due to a big crash he had in yesterday morning's free practice. The former World Superbike rider was diagnosed with 'just' a broken finger following some extensive medical checks, was able to get on track and to finish with a positive 6th place. Roberto Rolfo (ParkinGO MV Agusta Corse) will head the third row of the grid in tomorrow's race, flanked by fellow Italian Andrea Antonelli (Team Goeleven Kawasaki) and Brit Kev Coghlan (DMC-Lorenzini Kawasaki).
Sylvain Guintoli tops the Podium after race one with with Aprilia team mate Eugene Laverty (left) and Red Devil Aprilia's Michelle Fabrizio (right).
Aprilia monopolise the Superbike podium in Race One with Guintoli on top
Superbike Race One, Sunday 24th – Aprilia gets 1-2-3 at Phillip Island World Superbike Race 1. It’s the second time that the manufacturer from Noale monopolise the podium (first one was at Nurburgring last year) with works rider Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team) taking his 4th win of the career in his first race onboard the RSV4, ahead of team mate Eugene Laverty.
The race started with Eugene Laverty moving off well from second position, trying to run away from his opponents. The Irishman was able to keep the gap between himself and the rest of the field until he was caught up by Guintoli, who overtook Laverty on lap 15 and led the race until the chequered flag.
Sylvain Guintoli (50) fights for the lead with Aprilia team mate Eugene Laverty (58).
Later in the race Laverty had to deal with a confident Michel Fabrizio (Red Devils Roma Aprilia), who closed the gap and had a shot at 2nd place. Laverty waited until the last lap to make the perfect move on the Italian at “Lukey Heights”. Right outside of top-3 is Chaz Davies (BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team) who battled hard with fellow Englishman Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) up to the finish line, to end up ahead of his rival for just 0.016 seconds, with team mate Loris Baz to follow.
After a competitive first part of the race, Leon Haslam (Pata Honda World Superbike) struggled a bit to keep the pace and eventually finished 7th ahead of team mate Jonathan Rea. Two potential contenders for the podium positions got out of the race during lap 13, as Carlos Checa (Team Ducati Alstare), accidentally hit Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team) from behind after outbraking himself, entering Turn 4.
Sylvain Guintoli - “It's great to start off with a win! Quite honestly, after the tests I know I could do well and from the start my intention was to give it my all. My goal has always been to win, but sometimes you have to adapt to conditions. In the first race I didn't get off to a good start and I lost a few positions, but lap by lap I found the right pace to move forward. Eugene had gotten away well and when I overtook him I managed to keep the distance and take this important win. In Race 2 Eugene had a bit more than me in the last laps. He employed a strategy similar to the one I used in the first race, but this is a fantastic result for the team even if we are just at the beginning of the championship”.
Marco Melandri (33) holds off team mate Chaz Davies (19) and Kawasaki's Tom Sykes (66).
Laverty Trades the Top Step with Guintoli, Melandri comes 3rd in Superbike Race 2
Superbike Race Two -
A formidable last part of the race allowed Eugene Laverty (Aprilia Racing Team) to get the better of team mate Sylvain Guintoli and Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team) to win race 2 at Phillip Island. Thanks to this successful effort in the first Round, Laverty is now the eni FIM Superbike World Championship leader, tied up in points with Race 1 winner Guintoli.
The 26 year old from Toomebridge, Northern Ireland, started his final charge on the lead on lap 20 by overtaking Melandri at Turn 4 and setting an incredible 1’31.168 (new lap record). Laverty then got past Guintoli on the straight and held onto 1st place up to the chequered flag.
Eugene Laverty: “We got off on the right foot all the work from the past few days has paid off. My Aprilia was fast and it performed as I wanted it to from the 1st to the last lap. In Race 1 I may have been a bit too conservative with the tyres, still taking a nice second place, but in Race 2 I pushed a bit more decisively. At the end when it was Sylvain, Melandri and me, I tried and was able to get away, shaving a few more tenths off my pace. The track record two laps from the finish was nice confirmation that we turned up to the races in the best possible conditions. 45 points after the first race are some nice spoils.”
Suzuki's Jules Cluzel (16)
fights of Honda's Johnny Rea for 7th.
Michel Fabrizio (Red Devils Roma Aprilia), after a long catch up with the front runners, made a small mistake and ran wide during the last lap, in a desperate attempt to overtake fellow Italian Melandri for 3rd position.Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team), far from the ideal fitness condition, finished 5th ahead of Davide Giugliano (Althea Racing Aprilia), Jules Cluzel (FIXI Crescent Suzuki) and Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike).
Carlos Checa (Team Ducati Alstare) did not take part to Race 2 to undergo some medical checks at Melbourne, following the nasty-looking crash of the previous race.
Kawasaki's Kenan Sofuoglu leds San Lowes
World Supersport - Kenan Sofouglu forces his way to victory
Kenan Sofuoglu wins the 32nd race of his career in World Supersport Race at Phillip Island by getting the nod over pole man Sam Lowes (Yakhnich Motorsport Yamaha), after a thrilling battle that went on throughout the entire race. The defending and three-time World Supersport Champion gave Mahi Racing Team India Kawasaki the first win in the series and set the new lap record in 1'33.283. Lowes, on the other hand, did his best to stay close to the Turkish rider to eventually finish with a solid second place.
Rookie Michael van der Mark (Pata Honda World Supersport Team) ended up 3rd in his debut race in World Supersport. The Reigning European Superstock 600 Champion managed to stay with the two riders up front during the first part of the race, slowing down a bit later on and finishing with 6.771 seconds from Sofuoglu.
Second Mahi Racing Team India rider Fabien Foret finished 4th ahead of Intermoto Ponyexpres duo of David Salom and Luca Scassa, with Andrea Antonelli (Team Goeleven Kawasaki) to follow. The 2002 World Supersport Champion got a terrible start from the 3rd spot on the grid, crossing the line at the end of lap 1 in 14th position. An unlucky Roberto Rolfo (ParkinGO MV Agusta Corse) was forced to withdraw from the race in the very last part, while battling for 4th position. A big crash on the exit of Turn 12 at the end of lap 3 involved Russian Vladimir Leonov (Yakhnich Motorsport Yamaha) and Raffaele De Rosa (Team Lorini Honda).
BeIN HD TV Kicks It Over the Top with Incredible World Superbike TV Coverage! Saturday Feb 23rd, 2013 - Congratulations to World Superbike TV and BeIN Sports TV for providing America with incredible 5-Hour Live High Definition Coverage of the 2013 opening WSBK round from Philip Island. This was the first time America got to experience full race day live event coverage, rather than previous broadcaster Speed TV's abbreviated 1 hour (shortened to 45 minutes with commercials (race coverage. It was so cool too have more time to go behind the scenes of each race and meet and talk to the riders and teams in their pit boxes and on the grid, and hear extended championship race commentary from incredible Steve ex racer Steve Martin, Chris Martin and Jonathan Green. And BeIN's attractive presenter who kept us informed of upcoming and future coverage during program breaks was a pleasure to see. We are forever greatfull that SpeedTV's did provide us with our WSBK TV coverge over the past two decades, but it was more than time that American race fans can get more of the racing we love in the digital land of a 1000 satelight channels. And thankfully we no longer have to listen to the stupid banter of SpeedTV commentator Ralph Shaheen, the unintelligible color comentary of his county yokum side kick Scott Russell, and the repetitive, stupid, annoying mind destroying commercials of Progressive Insurance with their spokesperson Flo. Now if we could just have BeIN also include WSBK Saturday Superpole, and pick up full MotoGP race weekend coverage from Speed TV, we'd really be in heaven. Thank you BeIN and WSBK TV!
The 2013 World Superbike Championship moves to BeIN HD TV on Direct TV Channel 620 in the USA. No More SPEED. The opening round from Phillip Island will broadcast 5 hours live this Saturday Feb 23rd starting at 4:30pm. Set your TiVo's to record the full series now! On Time Warner Cable, try channel 278 or 378 HD depending on your location. And follow both 2013 World Superbike and MotoGP right here on FastDates.com in Pit Lane News....
Live Online WSBK Race Streaming
Expanding its coverage of international sports to the world of motorcycle racing, beIN SPORT, America's fastest-growing TV network, today announced it will televise the 2013 eni FIM Superbike World Championship season. The network will also simulcast a live stream of the entire race - as well as every single race of the 2013 Superbike and related Supersport racing series - on its website at www.beinsport.tv
Live coverage on beIN SPORT in English which is available from the following providers:
DIRECTV channels 620 (English-language) and 426 (Spanish) • DISH channels 408 (English) and 871 (Spanish)
Comcast Xfinity • Time Warner Cable • Bright House Network • Advanced Cable Communications
Liberty Cablevision of Puerto Rico
Pirelli's new 17 inch Pirelli Diablo Superbike are Impressive at Phillip Island
allowing the riders to significantly increase their lap times compared to 2012. The new tyres confirm their performance during the winter tests,
letting riders improve their lap times by more than one second for each lap of the race compared to last season
Phillip Island (Australia), 24 February 2013 – The 2013 eni FIM World Superbike Championship opened up with the new 17 inch Pirelli tyres that had riders putting significantly better times on the boards compared to last year. The Aprilia riders proved to be able to adapt best to the new tyres right from the start and they also managed to find the best set-up in order to take advantage of the solutions Pirelli brought to the Australian round, as the two race results demonstrate. Aprilia Racing Team riders Eugene Laverty and Sylvain Guintoli took turns standing on the first and second step of the podium, followed by an excellent Michel Fabrizio (Red Devils Roma) also astride an Aprilia RSV4 Factory (3rd in Race 1 and 4th in Race 2) as well as the rider from Ravenna, Marco Melandri, on his BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK BMW S1000.
But besides the riders, the undisputed stars of the weekend were the Pirelli tyres, called upon to tackle a circuit which was definitely not easy and that was full of unknowns, not the least of which was the new asphalt where no tests could be done in the months leading up to the race. In any case, the results obtained by the new 17 inch tyres were particularly encouraging and give high hopes for the 2013 season. In fact, practically all the riders improved their lap times by more than one second each race lap compared to last season and this is a sign of how the new 17 inch tyres are able to provide decidedly better performance compared to their 16.5 inch predecessors.
The Pirelli solutions chosen by the riders:
Pirelli developed various Superbike and Supersport solutions for the first round of the season, knowing that in any case there would be a lot of unknowns. In fact, the Phillip Island track has always been one of the most extreme and aggressive on the tyres because of its particular layout of almost all left-handers, one of which is a quite fast one. These turns put significant stress on the left side of the tyres. On top of that, the races are held here duing a time of year when temperatures are particularly high and this year the track was completely resurfaced during the month of December although, for logistical reasons, Pirelli had to send all the tyres by sea already in the month of November 2012 without the benefit of knowing what the conditions would be. The teams also had no idea what to expect as they had never tested the characteristics of the new asphalt prior to this week. Despite these difficulties, the solutions Pirelli brought not only allowed the riders to race, but also to provide (as they do every year) an exciting show for the more than 60,000 race fans who always turn up on the island to watch this important motoring event.
There were two solutions in Superbike which proved to be winning ones and were the most popular among all the riders in both race 1 and race 2. On the rear it was the SC1 R1299, a development solution with a medium hardness compound and internal materials which were particularly intended to keep the tyre's operating temperature lower in anticipation of overheating. For the front, on the other hand, most of the riders opted for the SC2 R982, a medium hardness blend which is excellent for high external temperatures because it ensures the solidity of the tread band. This is the solution usually favoured by more aggressive riders who prefer a compact tread band.
In Supersport, because of the weather conditions and the very abrasive asphalt, the race was reduced to 15 laps in order to guarantee that all the teams would be able to finish, as was indeed the case. On this note, we should point out that, unlike in Superbike where the riders use slicks, in the Supersport class grooved tyres (the Diablo Supercorsa) very similar to the street version are used. In fact, the race replica version of this tyre can normally be used on the road as well. In spite of this, performance in this case was also quite high and sufficiently consistent, as was demonstrated by the fast lap that Kenan Sofuoglu (MAHI Racing Team India) set in the last lap.
Pirelli Best Lap Award:
The “Pirelli Best Lap Award” is awarded by Pirelli to the rider who sets the fastest race lap. This recognition is presented by a Pirelli representative during the Paddock Show in a press conference which follows the podium at the end of races 1 and 2 for the Superbike class and at the end of the Supersport race, for a total of three awards each weekend. The time set by the fastest rider is indicated and can be seen in the trophy which is in the shape of a motorcycle instrument panel this year.
The Superbike and Supersport rider who has earned the most “Pirelli Best Lap Award” titles at the end of the season will be elected “Best Lap Winner: fastest rider of the year” and awarded in the usual end of year ceremony.
The riders who won the Pirelli Best Lap Award in the first round of the season at Phillip Island are:
SBK Race 1 – Michel Fabrizio (Red Devils Roma), 1'31.323 (7th lap)
SBK Race 2 – Eugene Laverty (Aprilia Racing Team), 1'31.168 (20th lap)
WSS – Kenan Sofuoglu (MAHI Racing Team India), 1'33.283 (15th lap)
Comment from Giorgio Barbier, Pirelli Moto Racing Director:
“We knew that the season début would be full of unknowns and that it might hold some surprises. The Australian track per se has always been very demanding on tyres because of its layout and the high temperatures. Tracks like this, with fast turns that need to be taken leaned over and with the throttle wide open, are becoming less common in Europe and they have often been replaced by chicanes to favour rider safety. The new asphalt certainly didn't make our work any easier because we had to send the solutions for this round in November of last year, before the track was even resurfaced, so we had to design the tyres based on information from past years and considering how they might perform on the new track surface. Despite these difficulties, we are quite satisfied with the race weekend. We placed all the riders in conditions to be able to compete in the races and at that point the ones who managed to get their bikes set up the best earned their places at the front. In this round race strategy and the rider's ability to take care of the tyres were definitely key factors. Besides the peculiarities of this track, we are quite happy about the times that almost all the riders were able to achieve with the new tyres, with significant increases in lap times”.
The 2013 Pirelli statistics for the Phillip Island round:
• Total number of tyres Pirelli brought: 3580
• Number of solutions (dry, intermediate and wet) for the Superbike class: 6 front and 7 rear
• Number of solutions for the Supersport class (dry, intermediate and wet): 4 front and 6 rear
• Number of tyres available for each Superbike rider: 36 front and 38 rear
• Number of tyres available for each Supersport rider: 24 front and 33 rear
• Temperature in Race 1: air 27° C, asphalt 47° C
• Temperature in Race 2: air 26° C, asphalt 48° C
• Maximum race speed reached by Pirelli tyres: 320.5 km/h / 198.71 mph Michel Fabrizio in Race 1, 3rd lap
The new F4RR in Red/White with electronically adjustable Ohlins suspension, Brembo Monoblock M50 Front Calipers.
MV Agusta Premiers Phree New 2013 F4, F4R, F4RR Superbike Models
and Its New F3 675cc World Supersport Team February 1st, 2013 - The F4 continues to play an important part of the history of high performance motorcycling. It is the epitome of emotion, performance, and speed clothed in a uniquely desirable design. The new F4 is an important leap into the future, a technological revolution without limits.
THE NEW MV AGUSTA F4.
Crossing the border of imagination. The new F4 is our best yet, encompassing the latest technology and engine developments. A true state of the art masterpiece. After intense months of design, development and testing MV Agusta have redefined the characteristics of the F4 with an ambitious underlying goal to make the F4 the most advanced hypersport bike on the market. We achieved this by creating three versions to form the new range. Sharing the same distinctive DNA yet possessing different technical solutions to satisfy every rider. The F4 RR contains the most advanced engineering solutions, enhanced by a range of technical excellence to offer the complete control of the vehicle and maximum performance: chassis control utilizing vehicle inertia sensors, a unique engine control with Ride-By-Wire system, Öhlins electronic control suspension and steering damper as well as GP spec titanium connecting rods. The unique and comprehensive technology of the F4 RR has been extended to the versions F4 R & F4, which also share several aesthetic and functional innovations. These include a re-proportioned and lighter “signature” four exit silencer, new lightweight forged wheels and a new front spoiler integrated into the front fairing with DRL (Daylight Running Lights) that enhance the design, as well as the new tail light incorporating light guide technology. All complemented with completely new graphics and colors.
These elements make the new F4 more advanced than ever before yet with total respect for the history of this iconic machine. Our objective was to create a vehicle that exceeded the expectations of customers based on a new technological platform, focused on electronics and its fundamental contribution improving power delivery of the engine and driving dynamics on the road and on the track. All this combined with a thorough review of the engine to provide competitive performance. CONTINUED HERE
Exclusive Autographed Collector's Package! The all new Ducati Corse World Superbikes 224-pg book and the 2013 Fast Date World Superbike Calendar - World Release July 1st 2012
Personally autographed to you (or the name you request on the PayPal.com Order Form) by Jim Gianatsis and shipped direct to you.
For more information or to order the Book or the Calendar individually, unsigned, go to the Sportbike Books and Fast Dates Calendar order pages. $100 Collector's Package, plus $20 USPS Priority Mail Shipping & Handing in the USA.
FastDates.com Webite cover model Halle wants to remind you to order your new 2013 Calendars.
Weekdays 8am - 5pm Pacific Coast Time phone Van Leuween Distributing at 1-800-461-1226 or ORDER ONLINE HERE.
Ducati's new Hypermotard - Licensed to Thrill!
Nicky Hayden gets the new Hypermto sideways on a beautiful Italian practice track. The track Security Guard is former Ducati Corse rider Ruben Xaus, who rode the first generation Hypermoto fully laid down sideways in those incredible PR photos from Ducat some 5 years earlier. Nicky's dinner date looks like MV Agusta's model at the EICMA shows the last two years. Sweet.
Newest Calendar Kittens take our Ducati 1199RS replica for a spin....
We are loving our modified Ducati 1199RS Superbike and with two special new accessories - Umbrella Girls USA models and newest FastDates.com Calendar Kittens Jessica and Kelsey! The girls were in the Gianatsis Design studio this month to shoot with photographer Jim Gianatis for the next FastDates.com Calendars, so of course, we had to get them on our street racer replica for a few pictures. The new 5th generation Ducati Panigale Superbike is the best handing, best perfrming sportbike we've ever ridden! Click on the picture to Download the Screensaver. Complete Ducati 1199 Superbike set-up details including the factory Ducati Corse 1199RS Parts Book are on FastDates.com in the Paddock Garage
Ducati Corse
World Superbikes
by Alan Cathcart
& Jim Gianatsis
The Official SBK
World Superbikes
1987-2012
25 Year History Book
The Official SBK
2012-2013 Yearbook These SBK Yearbooks are the Best Books Ever about World Superbike. They feature awesome color photography of the riders, bike and racing action. The feature a detailed revue of the past season in pictures and statistics, with a detailed look at the bikes and riders.
Plus a technical look data all the bikes, a preview of the upcoming season's Championship!
We buy this every year ourselves and highly recommend it!
SBK World Superbike Video Game
Aprilia Domanates at Phillip Island with Laverty, Guintoli and Fabrizio
Phillip Island - Australia, 24 February 2013 - The first and long awaited round of the 2013 World SBK season was dominated by Aprilia, winning both races and placing a seal of superiority worthy of the reigning World Champion Team on the weekend.
Eugene Laverty and Sylvain Guintoli swapped the top two steps of the podium and are now tied at 45 points to lead the world championship. Aprilia is at top points in the world Manufacturer championship with 50 points. The 4 cylinder bikes from Noale made a true show of superiority at Phillip Island: a one-two-three finish in Race 1 and a one-two for the official riders in Race 2, with four RSV4s finishing in the top six.
The victory in Race 1, which came at the end of an exciting comeback, was a reward for Sylvain Guintoli in his début race on the Italian bike. Team mate Eugene Laverty crossed the line right behind the Frenchman after leading for most of the race and being kept busy in the last few laps fending off attacks from Roman rider Michel Fabrizio, also astride an Aprilia RSV4 for Team Red Devils Roma.
In Race 2 Guintoli and Laverty got away during the first laps, tailed by Marco Melandri and the two private Aprilia RSV4s ridden by Fabrizio and Davide Giugliano (Team Althea Racing) to take the top two steps of the podium in reverse position. This is Eugene Laverty's second win with Aprilia and it is a result that comes, above all, from the intense work done over the past few days which was aimed at optimising tyre performance down to the last taps. The track record set by the Northern Irishman 2 laps from the end is a demonstration of just how effective that work was.
Michel Fabrizio's fourth place (Team Red Devils Roma) and Davide Giugliano's sixth (Team Althea Racing) confirmed the Aprilia RSV4’s superiority on this fantastic Australian circuit.
“We got off on the right foot – were Eugene Laverty's first words – all the work from the past few days has paid off. My Aprilia was fast and it performed as I wanted it to from the first to the last lap. In Race 1 I may have been a bit too conservative with the tyres, still taking a nice second place, but in Race 2 I pushed a bit more decisively. At the end, when it was Sylvain, Melandri and me, I tried and was able to get away, shaving a few more tenths off my pace. The track record two laps from the finish was nice confirmation that we turned up to the races in the best possible conditions. 45 points after the first race are some nice spoils. I've never started a season this well and now we'll be thinking about Aragon and how to stay on this path”.
Sylvain Guintoli couldn't have asked for a better début: “It's great to start off with a win! Quite honestly, after the tests I know I could do well and from the start my intention was to give it my all. My goal has always been to win, but sometimes you have to adapt to conditions. However, today the setting was good, I didn't have any serious concerns about tyre duration and everything went according to plan. In the first race I didn't get off to a good start and I lost a few positions, but lap by lap I found the right pace to move forward. Eugene had gotten away well and when I overtook him I managed to keep the distance and take this important win. In Race 2 Eugene had a bit more than me in the last laps. He employed a strategy similar to the one I used in the first race, but this is a fantastic result for the team even if we are just at the beginning of the championship”.
3rd for Melandri
4th for BMW's New Boy Chaz Davies
at Phillip Island
The BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team has started the 2013 season by celebrating a podium position finish. At the opening round of the FIM Superbike World Championship at Phillip Island (AUS), factory rider Marco Melandri (ITA) finished third in the second race. It was a bravely fought podium for him after his already injured shoulder was further aggrevated after a crash in race one. Marco’s new team-mate Chaz Davies (GBR) impressed with a fourth place in his debut race on the BMW S 1000 RR but had bad luck in race two, when a crash and a ride-through penalty robbed him of his chances of another good result.
At the start of race one, Marco improved from fifth on the grid to third place. His strategic approach was to save his tyres in the first half of the race and then to start his chase for the front in the latter half. This plan worked well in the beginning of the race. During the opening laps he dropped back to seventh but then proceeded to work his way back through the field. However, his ambitions came to an involuntary end on lap 13. While in third place, Marco was hit from behind by Carlos Checa (ESP) when entering turn four meaning his race was over. His team-mate Chaz gave a great performance in his first ever race aboard the RR. The Welshman started from 12th on the grid but charged his way towards the front over the course of the race, fighting a number of exciting battles. With three laps to go, he had improved to fourth, defending this position against several attacks from Tom Sykes (GBR) right up until the finish line.
In race two, luck changed sides within the team garage. On lap two, Marco improved to third and from then on the Italian stayed hot on the heels of the leading duo, consisting of Sylvain Guintoli (FRA) and Eugene Laverty (IRL). Marco didn't let the gap get any larger than a few tenths of a second as he was preparing to overtake them in the closing stages of the race. Marco completed part one of the plan by overtaking Laverty for second position on lap 16. He then started to close the gap to leader Guintoli, but the battle between the three wasn't over. On lap 20 Laverty passed Marco and Guintoli to take the lead, meaning that Marco dropped back to third place. He defied the pain in his shoulder and fought off Michel Fabrizio (ITA) to secure a podium finish. Meanwhile, it was Chaz who was having some bad luck. He made a good start to the race and initially improved to eighth, but unfortunately crashed on the opening lap. With a flat rear tyre from the crash, he rode back to the pits, got it changed and returned to the track in last place with a gap of a whole lap to the rest of the field. Not only this, but Chaz was given a ride-through penalty after race direction decided that it was not correct wheel change. Chaz continued the race bravely and finished the race in 17th place.
CLUZEL SCORES 7th at PHILLIP ISLAND WSB
Team Suzuki Press Office - February 24. - FIXI Crescent Suzuki racer Jules Cluzel marked his debut in the eni FIM Superbike World Championship by taking an impressive seventh place in this afternoon's second race at Phillip Island in Australia.
Cluzel got a good start to the second race and was up into eighth by the end of lap one. He maintained a strong rhythm and made his way to sixth as the race progressed. Cluzel then got involved in a battle with last-year's championship runner-up Tom Sykes before the British rider pushed Cluzel back into seventh, a position he held until the end of the race despite coming under intense pressure from Jonathan Rea in the closing stages. Cluzel had made a strong start to his rookie season in Superbikes by finishing 11th in race one on his Yoshimura-powered Suzuki GSX-R1000 after starting from 17th on the grid. The Frenchman's results today were just reward for him and his crew following the string of misfortune and frustration that had hit him throughout the test and then the race weekend in Australia, and leaves him on a positive footing as he heads to the next test and race.
Leon Camier scored a pair of ninth place finishes at the 4,445m Phillip Island track today, but both under different circumstances. In race one he got a poor start and was battling all race long to make up places. He ended lap-one in 13th but fought his way to ninth at two-thirds distance and following a battle to the line with Rea, the FIXI Crescent Suzuki rider just couldn't get past him at the line to take eighth. In race two, Camier was the innocent victim of a first lap crash which forced the Englishman off the track He re-joined in last place and then had the task of chasing down the field. Camier made up time to the pack and began picking off riders, eventually making his way to ninth on lap-19 after passing Leon Haslam. He pushed all the way to the line, but was unable to make up any more places and was left to think of what might have been in the second race.
Today's weather was again warm and sunny with a light breeze, air temperatures got up to 27°C and the fine weather led to a weekend attendance of 61,500 over the three days. Race one was won by Sylvain Guintoli on an Aprilia, with Ireland's Eugene Laverty - also on an Aprilia - taking the honours in the second event. Guintoli and Laverty share the championship lead as the pair also took a second place apiece today.
FIXI Crescent Suzuki will now head back to England for a short break before the next race at Aragon in Spain on Sunday April 14th. The next time the team takes to the track will also be at Aragon for a private test at the start of April
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The Devil Made Us Do It! Testing the Ducati Diavel in Italy
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High Speed - the Movie The best motorcycle racing movie ever made! Filmed on location at the World Superbike races , this an exciting romantic drama staring beautiful British actress Sienna Miller.
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Fourth Overall For Kawasaki's Tom Sykes After Phillip Island Opener
Feb 24th - - Having overcome the effects of injury to his left wrist in recent testing, and then losing track time, Sykes recovered well to post results he did not expect even just a few days ago. He is now fourth overall in the rankings.
Baz would have been much higher up the overall points than his current 13th place if he had not been taken out in race two, when another rider hit his machine.
In the first race Sykes was away second off the line and held that position for some time before being forced back by other competitors, some of whom would later fall from contention. Sykes, riding with a small crack in his left wrist, was uncomplaining after race one and felt he had a good run to fifth place, and could have even taken more. He was only 5.73 seconds from the winner. Loris Baz had a great ride in race one, recovering from a grid position of 11th to finish sixth, and he was up to fifth place at one point.
In race two Sykes led but found that his tyre had spun on the wheel rim and his bike suffered from rear vibration from then on, losing places to other riders initially but battling to his second fifth place finish. Loris no-scored in race two after another rider hit him at the bottom of the slow MG corner.
Kawasaki Pedercini Team competitor Alex Lundh scored points in race one for 13th place, his team-mate Federico Sandi was 16th. In race two Sandi was 14th and Lundh 15th.
Tom Sykes: “In race one, honesty, I was very happy with that top five. It is a shame because we had the package to go a little bit stronger. I managed the beginning of the race but unfortunately in the last six laps, just before I passed Haslam, Davies made a nice pass into turn nine. Unfortunately his style is a little bit different from the one that I have set the Ninja ZX-10R for this weekend and that mean that when I was behind him I could not do exactly what I wanted to do with the bike. We were five seconds from the front, last year it was 12, so at one of our ‘worst’ circuits we have closed a gap and all while I have been riding injured. I think there is a bit more to come. Race two was completely different but I am happy to have left Phillip Island in fourth position. Our rear tyre appears to have been spinning on the rim and I had vibration and chatter, so that sacrificed corner entry. It was a shame because I could not use the bike to its full potential. I am happy considering that last week I was lying at the side of the track, 80% certain I would not be able to ride today. We got good points and we can build on this.”
Loris Baz: “Race one was a really good result. I was faster in the race than practice but we did not change much on the bike. On a track like this when you are with other people with more experience it helps because they are pulling you along. I was really surprised, because I was not checking my lap times, that on lap 11 I looked and saw a 1’31.8. I was happy with that! I was coming back on Tom and was going to pass Haslam but when I came up on Haslam I had a problem with the tyre so I went really wide. I passed Haslam on the last lap so I am really happy and for a time I was fighting for fourth place. In race two I think Chaz lost the front going into MG, I got hit and my race was over. It was a shame, and I am sure I could have battled with Tom up front again but we have many more races this year to do it.”
Pata Honda's Rea and Haslam have a difficult start SBK season in Australia Jonathan Rea and Leon Haslam have left Phillip Island in Australia with a solid points haul following today’s opening round of the 2013 World Superbike championship. The two races were won by Sylvain Guintoli and Eugene Laverty.
In warm and dry conditions, the new Pata Honda duo fought tyre degradation and electronics issues around the 4.445km Phillip Island circuit to bring their CBR1000RR Fireblades home for four points finishes.
In race one, Haslam had a good start from the third row of the grid and was battling for a podium finish for 18 laps before tyre problems dropped him back to seventh at the flag. After a slower start to race two, the 29-year-old British rider got caught in a first lap melée at turn 10 when two other riders crashed. He dropped back several places, losing touch with the leading group and eventually finishing 10th.
Jonathan Rea finished eighth in both today’s 22-lap outings, the second being his 100th World Superbike race start. The 26-year-old from Northern Ireland scored a total of 16 points, despite issues with electronics and tyres and leaves Phillip Island tied for sixth place in the overall SBK points standings.
Jonathan Rea – race one 8th; race two 8th
- It’s been a strange weekend, and it’s frustrating for us all to look at the classifications and see where we are because I don’t feel that it’s a true reflection of where we deserve to be. On the other side of that, it’s clear how much effort we’re going to have to put in to make the electronics better. It’s our main problem right now because back at the team’s workshop we found a little bit of power for the engine for this event and I know there’s another plan to develop that. It’s clear we need to make a couple of steps forward and bypass where we were the electronics last year. I feel there’s a light at the end of the tunnel though because I’ve already got some positive feelings with the new system. There are just a few inconsistencies when getting on the throttle with the traction control cutting in and holding back the engine. We made some positive steps with the bike between race one and two, and we’ve got a three-day test at Aragon, which we really need. Two finishes is always the aim for the first race, but we leave here still with work to do.
Leon Haslam – race one 7th; race two 10th -
It’s been a bit of a disappointing day. We had some issues that we couldn’t overcome in race one and I ended up heading backwards. It felt like I had the pace to challenge for a rostrum but I was held back in a couple of areas. In race two we made some positive changes but I had a bad start and then got caught in the melée with two other riders crashing out down at the MG hairpin on lap one. I lost around 10 or 11 seconds that would have allowed me to battle for third or fourth again if I hadn’t lost that time. There are a lot of ‘if’s and ‘but’s, and we’ve got a lot of work to do in this next month to try to resolve a few issues.
Unlucky Race day for Ducati Alstare at Phillip Island
After yesterday’s superb Superpole victory, expectations were high for good results today and Carlos Checa made his intentions clear by making a good start in the first of the two 22-lap races. At the end of the first lap, he was in third place before forcing his way into second spot after five laps. From then on he was locked in a battle for a podium place with Haslam and Melandri and although he could catch and pass his rivals on the brakes and in the turns, he was losing out on the straights. Trying to pass Melandri on the brakes going into Siberia, Carlos inadvertently clipped the back end of the Italian’s BMW, causing both to crash.
Melandri was OK, but Carlos suffered concussion and taken to the Medical Centre for further checks. Whilst there, he recovered sufficiently to be able to speak though he couldn’t remember the crash. Although Carlos appeared not to have broken any bones, it was decided that he should be transferred to Melbourne hospital for further checks and an overnight stay as a precautionary measure. It is expected that he will be released tomorrow.
Francis Batta (Team Owner)
“To win Superpole yesterday at the first race with this new bike was an excellent result and a testimony to all the hard work everybody has put in. It’s clear that our bike is down on speed compared to our competitors, so Carlos has been having to make up for that on the brakes and in the turns. We need to improve our speed so that Carlos and Ayrton can compete with our rivals. This bike is very new for all of us, but we are working as hard as we can and making progress every time we go out on the track. I’m sure we will keep improving and be in a good position to challenge for podiums next time out.”
Jim Gianatsis Editorial Director
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All Rounds include Superbike and 600cc Superstock except Miller USA is Superbike only
European rounds also Include 1000cc Superstock
exception Donnington
2013 MotoGP DATE/REPORT TRACK LINK Apr 7 - Qatar – Doha Losail
Apr 21 - Americas, Austin TX
May 5 - Spain, Jerez Frontera
May 19 - France, Le Mans
June 2 - Italy, Mugello
June 16 - Catalunya,Catalunya
June 29 - Netherlands,AssenTT
July 7 - Germany,Sachsenring
July 21 - USA, Laguna Seca (Only MotoGP class)
Aug 18 - USA, Indianapolis
Aug 25 - Czech Rep, Brno
Sept 1 - GB, Silverstone
Sept 15 - SanMarino Misano
Sept 29 - Aragon Motorland
Oct 13 - Malaysia, Sepang
Oct 20 - Australia, Phillip Is
Oct 27 - Japan, Motegi
Nov 10- Valencia, Ricardo
2012 MotoGP DATE/REPORT TRACK LINK Apr 8 - Qatar – Doha Losail April 29 - Spain, Jerez Frontera May 6 - Portugal, Estoril May 20 - France, Le Mans June 3 - Catalunya, Catalunya June 17 - UK, Silverstone June 30 - Netherlands, Assen (Saturday Race) July 8 - Germany,Sachsenring July 15 - Italy, Mugello July 29 - USA, Laguna Seca (Only MotoGP class) Aug 19 - USA, Indianapolis Aug 26 - Czech Rep, Brno Sept 16 - SanMarino Misano Sept 30 - Aragon Motorland Oct 14 - Japan, Motegi Oct 21 - Malaysia, Sepang Oct 28 - Australia, Phillip Is Nov 11- Valencia, Ricardo
2012 AMA Superbike DATE/REPORT TRACK LINK Mar 15-17 Daytona FL Apr 20-22 Road Atlanta, GA May 4-6 Infineon CA May 25-28 Miller Mtrsports UT
June 1-2 Road America WI June 22-24 Bartber, AL
July 13-15 Mid-Ohios
July 27-29 Laguna Seca CA Sept 7-9 New Jersey MSports
Sept 21-23 Homestead-Miami Oct 5 - 7 NOLA Motorsports Park, New Orleans
2012 British Superbike Click Date for Race Report DATE/REPORT TRACK LINK
April 6-9 Brands Hatch Indy
Apr 13-15 Thruxton May 5-7 Oulton Park May 25-27 Snetterton
June 22-24 Knockhill
July 01-03 Snetterton July 6-8 Oulton Park July 20-22 Brands Hatch GP
Aug 25-27 Cadwell Park Sept 7-9 Donnington Park Sept 21-23 Assen
Sept 28-30 Silverstone GP Oct 12-14 Brands Hatch GP
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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
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India's Budd International Circuit added to 2013 World SBK Calendar as Final Round
As the World Superbike Championship enters its 26th year in 2013, a record 15-16 rounds will be featured on the schedule.
Jan 15th - The newest additions are the Buddh International Circuit near New Delhi in India, Jerez in Spain, and the one that’s going to excite American World SBK fans – Laguna Seca Mazda Raceway. World Superbike has only visited the Jerez circuit – a normal on the MotoGP schedule – one other time back in 1990.
The FIM moved the Buddh WSBK date from March 10 to Nov. 17, which is the final round. The FIM says: “The World Superbike race in India has been moved from 10 March to 17 November due to an insufficient period of time to properly finalize the training of the marshals and medical staff around the racetrack.
“FIM representatives will be at the Indian track on 19, 20, and 21 this January in order to carry out the final racetrack homologation and provide the relevant seminars about the different aspects involved in the sporting organization of the event.”
The 2013 World Superbike schedule is lacking three circuits that were on the 2012 calendar – Misano (San Marino), Brno (Czech Republic) and Miller Motorsports Park (Utah, USA). But one of these may return (likely Brno or Misano).
In February, World Superbike, which will be marketed under the same umbrella as MotoGP with Dorna Sports, confirmed it would return to Sentul, Indonesia, where the series competed from 1994 to 1997. But things appear to be pushed back another year. Portimao is scheduled for round 8 June 7-9, but is still subject to contract.
As tradition, the 2013 World Superbike Championship will get underway at Phillip Island, next year’s Australian race held Feb. 22-24. World Superbike will also hold the official test the Monday and Tuesday before the season at Phillip Island, which is the most frequently visited venue in World SBK history. The series has met there 22 times since 1988.
The 2013 World Superbike finale will take place Nov. 17 at Buddh International Circuit. Heading into 2013 World Superbike, the man who would have donned the number-one plate, Max Biaggi, retired. The Aprilia Racing Team rider won the 2012 World SBK Championship, his second title in the series (first arriving in 2010 with Aprilia).
2013 World Superbike Provisional Calendar:
February 24: Phillip Island, Australia
April 14: Aragon, Spain
April 28: Assen, Netherlands
May 12: Monza, Italy
May 26: Donington, UK
June 9: Portimao, Portugal
June 23: TBA
June 30: Imola, Italy
July 21: Moscow Raceway, Russia
August 4: Silverstone, UK
September 1: Nurburgring, Germany
Sept 29: Laguna Seca USA
October 6: Magny-Cours, France
October 20: Jerez, Spain
November 17: Buddh International Circuit, India
Federal agency wants separate E10 fuel pumps at certain gas stations that sell E15 ethanol-gasoline blend
PICKERINGTON, OH – Feb 11, 2013 – In response to concerns expressed by the American Motorcyclist Association and power equipment makers, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued new guidelines to help ensure that motorcyclists and others don’t inadvertently use E15 fuel.
E15 is a new fuel blend of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline that the EPA has approved for use in 2001-and-newer passenger vehicles. The blend isn’t approved for use in motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, boats, lawn mowers and other engines, and may even damage them and void warranties.
E10, which is commonly found at gas stations, contains 10 percent ethanol. E0 fuel has no ethanol. Ethanol is grain alcohol produced from crops such as corn that is mixed with gasoline to produce an ethanol-gasoline blend motor fuel.
Last year, Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations, told the EPA that with E15 now coming into the market, AMA members who make a concerted effort to fuel their motorcycles or ATVs with E10-or-less fuel may unknowingly refuel with residual E15 left in a blender-pump hose. A blender pump dispenses different fuel blends through the same hose, such as E10 and E15. When a customer buys E15, as much as a third of a gallon of residual E15 is left in the hose, which can inadvertently get into the next customer’s vehicle while fueling with E10.
“In an effort to address this potential misfueling issue, EPA approved an industry-submitted [approach] that requires a minimum purchase of four gallons from blender pumps that dispense both E10 and E15 from the same hose and nozzle,” the EPA said. “Such an approach would prevent misfueling by diluting any residual E15 left in the hose from the previous sale of E15.
“However, groups representing motorcycle owners and lawn mower manufacturers objected to this [approach] because their products have gas tanks that are normally two gallons or smaller,” the EPA said.
So, on Feb. 7, the EPA posted a new option for retailers on its website’s “E15: Misfueling Mitigation Plans” page to try to avoid misfueling by consumers.
Under the new option, retailers who use a blender pump to sell E15 and E10 fuel through the same hose must also have a separate E10/E0 fuel pump. Those retailers would be required to have a label on the blender pump that reads: “Passenger Vehicles Only. Use in Other Vehicles, Engines and Equipment May Violate Federal Law.” Retailers would also be required to have signs indicating the location of the dedicated E10-or-lower fuel pump. There would be no minimum-fuel-purchase requirement at that pump.
Retailers who want to sell E15 also have the option of having a dedicated E15 pump or hose, or a pump that dispenses E15 and higher ethanol blends through a single hose. If a blender pump dispenses multiple fuels that include E15 and higher ethanol blends, the EPA may require a minimum purchase requirement.
The AMA has repeatedly expressed concerns to government officials and federal lawmakers about possible damage to motorcycle and ATV engines caused by the inadvertent use of E15 when the new fuel becomes widely available. The AMA also has asked that motorcycles and ATVs be part of any scientific study into the effects of E15 to ensure that the new fuel blend won’t damage those engines.
In October 2010, the EPA approved the use of E15 in model year 2007 and newer light-duty vehicles (cars, light-duty trucks and medium-duty passenger vehicles). Then, in January 2011, the EPA added model year 2001-06 light-duty vehicles to the approved list.
Registration opens for Ducati Riding Experience * Troy Bayliss Academy 2013
December 2012 - Ducati prepares for tenth edition of prestigious riding school with Twelve dates at four different venues confirmed for 2013
• Troy Bayliss to continue “Academy” with race kit 1199 Panigale S Superbikes
Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy) 18 December, 2012 – Ten years after its initial introduction, Ducati’s prestigious Ducati Riding Experience (DRE) is again preparing its motorcycles and riding school staff to teach riders of all levels in 2013, from absolute beginners to experienced race track specialists.
Subscription for the tenth edition of DRE is now online at Ducati.com, offering a highly successful, tried-and-tested format with a number of new features for 2013, including the 1199 Panigale for all track courses and the introduction of the brand new Multistrada 1200 and new generation Hypermotard for the Intermediate levels. Internationally famous race circuits, highly qualified instructors and an enviable line-up of Ducati motorcycles will now combine to enhance the riding skills of participants while delivering a unique and unforgettable experience.
After two years of sell-out success, Ducati is delighted to welcome back the legendary Troy Bayliss for 2013. The three-times World Superbike Champion is set to continue the 'Troy Bayliss Academy', an exclusive and advanced course that focuses on extreme riding techniques. On each of the Academy’s four dates, participants will get the unique opportunity to ride with the Australian and learn specialised track craft on the World Championship circuits of Misano and Mugello. The once-in-a-lifetime experience will use Ducati 1199 Panigale S Superbikes equipped with racing kit components, including complete Termignoni exhaust system, Ducati Performance aero kit and additional carbon fibre parts.
DRE 2013 also sees the introduction of the award-winning Ducati 1199 Panigale to both Racing 1 and Racing 2 courses. The outstanding usability of the 1199, with its Riding Mode technology, makes it an ideal choice for both expert riders and those new to track riding, while the more sophisticated “S” version will be used for the Master Racing and Troy Bayliss Academy courses. The Racing 1 course, intended for riders with little or no track experience, will take place on dedicated circuits, separating participants from the faster Racing 2, Master Racing and Troy Bayliss Academy.
Completing the DRE 2013 offer with road-oriented activities are the very popular Intermediate and Basic courses. The Intermediate course is specially designed to improve participants existing road-riding skills and techniques, while enhancing overall motorcycle safety awareness. The course uses Ducati’s Monster 1100 EVO, the new Multistrada 1200 with semi-active Ducati Skyhook Suspension and the new generation Ducati Hypermotard, all three models equipped with the Ducati Safety Pack of ABS and Ducati Traction Control. Intended for those riders who are completely new to motorcycling, the Basic course provides one-on-one tuition in the paddock area of each event venue using Ducati’s Monster 796, an 'iconic naked' motorcycle ideally suited to those on two wheels for the very first time.
Chief DRE Instructor and highly successful racer, Dario Marchetti, co-ordinates an impressive line-up of teachers, including Troy Bayliss (three-times World Superbike Champion), Marco Lucchinelli (500 World Champion), Manuel Poggiali (125 and 250 World Champion), Paolo Casoli (World Supersport Champion), Andrew Pitt (two-times World Supersport Champion) and Niccolò Canepa (2013 FIM Superstock Championship competitor). While one of Ducati’s very own development riders, Alessandro Valia, presents the Master Racing courses, the formidable track team combines with highly qualified road-oriented instructors to provide a totally professional Ducati Riding Experience.
Ensuring constant development and control of teaching protocols and standards of excellence within all DRE activities during 2013, the courses will continue the valuable collaboration created between Ducati and the Federazione Motociclistica Italiana.
Course participants are provided with a Ducati motorcycle, instructor, lunch and a welcome kit and those without suitable technical riding gear can simply hire it during the online subscription process.
DRE 2013 Courses
• Basic (Monster 796)
• Intermediate (Monster 1100 ABS, Multistrada 1200, Hypermotard)
• Racing 1 (1199 Panigale)
• Racing 2 (1199 Panigale)
• Master Racing (1199 Panigale S)
• Troy Bayliss Academy (1199 Panigale S + racing kit)
DRE 2013 Calendar*
• Apr 17-18 - San Martino del Lago Circuit
• May 16-17 - Mugello International Circuit
• Jun 5-6 - Adria International Raceway
• Jun 25-26 - Misano World Circuit
• Jul 16-17 - Mugello International Circuit
• Sep 10-11 - Adria International Raceway
* Dates and venues are subject to change. Changes will be posted on Ducati.com.
Further DRE information
• Online: Ducati.com
• Email: dre@ducati.com
• Telephone +39 0542 655 141 (Mon-Fri 09.30 - 12.30 and 14.30 - 17.30)
CARB hits Vance & Hines with $500K penalty
Publish Date: Feb 11, 2013
SANTA FE SPRINGS, Calif. - Vance & Hines settled in January with the California Air Resource Board to pay a penalty of $500,000 for selling, prior to Jan. 1, 2013, emissions-related parts not approved by the board. The exhaust maker has taken actions to ensure no further enforcement related to the parts befalls dealers or customers.
According to the notice posted on the ARB website, the board applied the penalty to about 2,000 units at about $250 per unit.
“V&H promptly and fully cooperated with ARB during the investigation, and as a result, has already implemented a compliance plan to inform its distributors, dealers and customers about the types of motorcycle exhaust systems that are legal for sale in the state,” said the CARB notice. “In addition, V&H is actively working with ARB’s Aftermarket Parts Section to ensure that all of its aftermarket critical emission control parts that are sold, offered for sale, or advertised in California obtain the necessary exemptions from ARB.”
Vance & Hines has issued its own news release in which company president Paul Langley said: “We are pleased to have resolved this matter with ARB, and to have worked out an approach that should avoid future misunderstandings about the proper use of our exhaust systems and emissions-related parts. … We are committed to ensuring that our parts fully comply with applicable air quality standards in California, and that our customers and business partners understand the appropriate fitment and uses.”
Vance & Hines said the settlement protects its distributors, dealers and customers from further claims or liability with respect to covered part sales occurring prior to Jan. 1, 2013.
The history of CARB approval for emission-related aftermarket goes back about half a decade. In 2009, at the request of the motorcycle industry, ARB adopted a process for the exemption of aftermarket “critical emission control parts” on motorcycles ridden on streets. Manufacturers of such parts (like aftermarket catalytic exhausts and oxygen sensors) must apply for and receive ARB Executive Orders that exempt the parts from California’s anti-tampering laws.
ARB has posted on its website a list of motorcycle aftermarket critical emission control parts that have received an exemption, including a couple of Vance & Hine Harley applications.
CARB also deems some products “replacement parts” that don’t require an Executive Order because they don’t affect emissions. Examples are exhaust systems for motorcycles that were certified without catalytic converters or sensors. Vance & Hines said the majority of its exhaust systems have some applications in which they can be sold and used as replacement parts.
'Mr. Daytona' Scott Russell to headline AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Breakfast at Daytona, presented by Motul, during Bike Week
PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame is pleased to announce that "Mr. Daytona" -- five-time Daytona 200 winner Scott Russell -- will be the featured guest at its annual AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Breakfast at Daytona, presented by Motul, on Friday, March 15, 2013, 7:00 a.m., at the Daytona 500 Club on the infield at Daytona International Speedway.
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