The new Brough Superior Moto2 race bike with From left: Designer James Parker, Jay Leno, Brough Superior CEO Mark Upham, development rider Shawn Higbee and motojournalist Alan Cathcart. Click to Go BIG on any picture.

Brough Superior, Ace Cafe Host Special Announcements
New Race and Production Bikes, New Ace Cafe in Orlando, Florida
Report and Photography by Jim Gianatsis

Peterson Automotive Museum, Los Angeles, Wed August 21st, 2013 - At a private rooftop party atop the Peterson Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, London's Ace Cafe presented a "Return to the Salt with Brough Superior" a private evening hosted by TV personality and motorcycle enthusiast Jay Leno. The event was produced by the legendary Ace Cafe of London's owner Mark Wilsmore, new Ace Cafe USA partner Mark McKee, and Brough Superior's CEO Mark Uphon.

The Brough Superior 750cc (foregound) and 1150cc (behind) Bonneville Land Speed Record bikes.

The evening's festivities kicked off with an introduction of two Matchless Motorcycles sponsored Brough Superior bikes and riders who were setting off this week to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah for the 2013 Motorcycle Speed Trials in an attempt to break some ten World Records in their respective classes for 750cc and 1200cc bikes. The team is led by Brough Superior owner Mark Upham, Team Manager David Sharp, with team riders Eric Patterson, Alan Cathcart and Henry Cole. The crew includes 1150cc bike designer Al Gibson, Mechanic Mick Cook, Electrical & Technical Engineer Lawrence Wilkinson, and 750cc bike Designer / Mechanic Sam Lovegrove.

To set a little background to the story, Australian Mark Upham now owns the legendary British Brough Superior motorcycle brand, and has been replicating the classic bikes on special order for collectors from his small workshop in Australia. The original bikes were designed and built in England by George Brough, one of the most famous designers of motorcycles of the 1930s. Brough Superiors were considered the top performance motorcycles of the time, capable of breaking "The Ton" - 100mph, and were coveted by wealthy celebrities such as T.E Lawrence / Lawrence of Arabia.

The motorcycles which Brough manufactured back then were very modern and innovative for their time, in terms of both aesthetics and technical innovation. During the company's most prosperous period, 1935-1940, Brough Superior worked closely with Matchless, who supplied Brough with engines. The Matchless 1000cc OHV and SV twin-engines were very reliable and Brough Superior gained huge notoriety, brand awareness, sales and success in trials and racing. The advent of World War II forced the closure of the Brough factory, which was taken over by Rolls Royce for manufacture of their Merlin Engine used in the successful British Spitfire fighter planes and bombers. After the war, the difficult economy in England did not allow Brough to reopen again.

Following the presentation of this year's Brough Superior land speed record assault team with its retro bikes, Jay Leno then pulled the black cover off a bike that had been under wraps in the front of the room. Revealed, much to everyone's astonishment, was an all-new Moto2 Motorcycle Grand Prix bike bearing the Brough Superior name. The bike is an innovative new fully carbon fibre monocoque design by John Keogh and James Parker. The bike employs Parker's unique frame mounted A-arm front fork suspension with both quick turn and anti dive properties. Per Moto2 rules the bike is powered by a spec Honda CBR600 engine breathing through a stock Honda airbox, hence requiring the tall mock fuel tank in the monocoque chassis, which actually houses most of its fuel down low between the rider's legs.

We learned that AMA Pro Roadracer Shawn Higbee has been helping to develop the Brough Superior "Moto GP2" bike on ace tracks over the past year. Shawn says the bike is extremely light (320 lbs) and handles and corners incredibly well. Their plan is to now race the bike at the next US MotoGP round in America at Circuit of America, Austin, Texas in 2014, and possibly at other rounds if they find additional sponsorship. Because of the rider age limit in Moto2, Higbee won't be able to race the bike at Austin, but he plans to race and have it fully sorted a local club events in the coming months.

Also partially disclosed by Brough Superior this evening, they will be exhibiting at EICMA in Europe this November and will be debuting an all new and modern 1200cc V-twin sportbike which is planned to go into production. Further details would have to wait until then.

London's legendary Ace Cafe will now be replicated in Orlando, Florida, with planned opening in November.

And Ace Cafe had their own special announcement for the evening. Now under construction in Orlando, Florida, a world visitor destination in America, is the all new Ace Cafe USA which is scheduled to open this November 2013. Like its London original, ACE Cafe USA will incorporate a restaurant for biker style food, a store selling licensed Ace Cafe apparel and products, and it will play host to regular motorcycle and car club gatherings in the front parking lot. Sounds great to us!

The even concluded with Jay Leno being presented an Ace Cafe Leather Rocker Riding Jacket by Ace's Mark Wilsmore. "Return to the Salt" at the Peterson was presented by the MAG Motorcycle Aftermarket Group, Iron & Air Magazine, Sailor Jerry Spiced rum, Matchless Classic Motorcycles, with a charity auction held to benefit the Boot Campaign to support wounded veterans and their families.

2013 MotoGP World Championship, Brno Czech Republic, USA, Round 11 of 18

A nother Double for Honda With Marquez on top Again at Brno
Czech Republic Grand Prix, Brno, Sunday Aug 25th 2013- Repsol Honda RC213V riders Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa repeated their one-two result at today’s Czech Republic GP at Brno, finishing in the same order as at Indianapolis one week ago, and improving their championship standing over third-placed Jorge Lorenzo.

The trio were spread by almost six seconds at Indy. Brno was much closer, and fierce from the first lap to the end. Marquez’s Honda was 0.313 seconds ahead of team-mate Pedrosa, with Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo less than two seconds behind – a feast of action for more than 142,000 fans packing the hillsides of the fast and scenic 5.403km (3.357-mile) circuit.

The battle raged throughout a thrilling 22 laps, during which spots of light rain brought out white flags (giving permission to change bikes if necessary) and hiked the tension even higher. It stayed dry, however, as the Hondas battled with long-time early race leader Lorenzo’s Yamaha. The defending World Champion seized the lead from the second row of the grid, with third qualifier Marquez and fourth-fastest Pedrosa on his back wheel. The pre-eminent trio soon outpaced the pursuit, but remained locked in battle.

After bring passed for the lead mid-race by Marquez, Lorenzo (99) then had to watch asPedrosa (26) got by as well.

Marquez waited until the 16th lap before mounting his attack. He succeeded with a forceful move, only for Lorenzo to fight back in front two laps later. But it lasted only one lap before the 20-year-old reigning Moto2 champion reversed the positions finally. Next it was Pedrosa’s turn, and he too was successful in disposing of his long-standing rival. He closed right up on Marquez again, but ran out of time to mount a final attack.

It was star rookie Marquez’s fourth win in a row, and his fifth this season. The last rider to win four consecutive races was Valentino Rossi in 2008, his last championship year, and the feat has never been achieved by a class rookie, none of whom has won five races either. Marquez has finished on the rostrum at every race this year bar one, crashing out of the Italian GP while lying second.

Marquez now has a cushion of more than one race win with a World Championship lead of 26 points over Pedrosa. The older rider had led the table until the German GP, where he was put out of the race after breaking his collarbone in practice – leaving the way open for the first of Marquez’s consecutive victories.

Since then Pedrosa has been racing injured, bravely maintaining his own lead over Lorenzo in spite of the pain. He is 18 points clear, and his condition is improving race by race, in spite of an intensive restart to the season after the summer break. Brno was the middle of three races in three weekends, with the British GP at Silverstone next weekend. After the race Pedrosa said that this was the first time since he crashed that he could fight in the race rather than simply enduring the pain to finish.

Alvaro Bautista was the next-best Honda rider, finishing fifth, less than a tenth of a second behind Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) after the pair had duelled for much of the race – a repeat of their battle a week before at Indianapolis. The Team GO&FUN Honda Gresini RC213V rider had qualified second, and was trading blows with Rossi to the end. The multi-champion only regained fourth on the final lap, with Bautista attacking to the end. The Spanish racer has a dual role with Honda, also race-developing Showa suspension and Nissin brakes, the only rider to use the Japanese equipment made by Honda associates.

German LCR Honda RC213V rider Stefan Bradl was sixth, after a lonely ride. Bradl claimed a career-best pole and second place two races ago at Laguna Seca, but found grip and confidence elusive at the difficult Brno circuit. The next race is the British GP at Silverstone in one week.

Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda: 1st - “I’m so happy! Before we came here I didn’t expect to win, because Jorge and Valentino had both tested at Brno recently and Dani is always so fast here and won the race last year. It is a completely different track from those at which we have raced before, and these 25 points feel different to Indianapolis. This was a very hard fought win and I enjoyed myself a lot. The battle with Jorge was really good and we are pleased with the victory. Thanks to all the team.”

Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda: 2nd - “I am very happy with the result, generally speaking, because after all the problems with my injury and the doubts we’ve had at the last few races, we took a big step forward with my mental preparation today. We were more ready to win here, despite not being 100 percent. Unfortunately, our strategy was not the best. I had problems overtaking throughout the race, because I couldn't brake late and was always the third rider in the trio at the front. I think that I made my final attack one lap too late. If I had passed Jorge one lap earlier, maybe I would have been in with a chance of the victory. In any case, we had the right attitude of attacking until the end and gaining ground on Marc. I just needed another lap in order to catch him. We will try again next time. I want to thank the team for the great job that they did this weekend.”

Jorge Lorenzo, Yamaha, 3rd- “I think I did my best start in all my career in MotoGP, I took four positions and in the first laps I was really quick. Finally I couldn’t keep the same distance to second place so little by little they caught me. Especially under braking and on the straights they were faster than me so I couldn't do much more. I was a little nervous when the white flag came out because it’s really dangerous to race with slick tyres on little spots of rain but luckily it didn't come so we could finish in dry conditions. Finally when Dani overtook me it was too far to fight back, I didn't have the rear tyre or physical condition after pushing a lot all the race. The Championship is not lost yet but it’s now getting very difficult. We need just a few tenths to win the race so we have to pray for that at Silverstone!”

Valentino Rossi, Yamaha 4th / +10.101- “Today was better than Indy, especially because my disadvantage to the top is half. I wanted to do better; we have to try to do better. The first three guys are impressive, very strong; I want to stay closer to them. Unfortunately I was ten seconds back, another fourth place but I want to be closer so we have to work. We tried to improve this type of setting in the last two races but it looks like it’s not ideal. Also today I suffered a bit too much at the beginning of the race. We won’t give up and we will try next week to make a better job.”

Alvaro Bautista, GO&FUN Honda Gresini, 5th - “Once again I had the chance to finish ahead of Rossi, but I ended up just 0.077 behind him at the line. However, I am happy because we had a good race and ran a fast pace that was better than in practice. I had a lot more confidence in the bike today. It was a nice battle with Rossi and maybe he just had a little more than I did at the end. We’re going in the right direction, continuing with what we started at Laguna Seca two races ago; this is very important. Last year we didn’t have a great feeling at Brno, but this year we went well which confirms that things are getting better. We hope to continue like this, because that way I can carry on enjoying myself alongside the Team, Honda, GO & FUN, Showa and Nissin.”

RESULTS MOTOGP RACE: (22 laps = 118.866 Km)
POS / RIDER / NAT. / TEAM / MOTORCYCLE / TIME / KM/H / GAP
1 / Marc MARQUEZ / SPA / Repsol Honda Team / HONDA / 42'50.729 / 166.4 /
2 / Dani PEDROSA / SPA / Repsol Honda Team / HONDA / 42'51.042 / 166.4 / 0.313
3 / Jorge LORENZO / SPA / Yamaha Factory Racing / YAMAHA / 42'53.006 / 166.3 / 2.277
4 / Valentino ROSSI / ITA / Yamaha Factory Racing / YAMAHA / 43'00.830 / 165.8 / 10.101
5 / Alvaro BAUTISTA / SPA / GO&FUN Honda Gresini / HONDA / 43'00.907 / 165.8 / 10.178
6 / Stefan BRADL / GER / LCR Honda MotoGP / HONDA / 43'10.536 / 165.1 / 19.807
7 / Andrea DOVIZIOSO / ITA / Ducati Team / DUCATI / 43'25.744 / 164.2 / 35.015
8 / Nicky HAYDEN / USA / Ducati Team / DUCATI / 43'26.083 / 164.1 / 35.354
9 / Andrea IANNONE / ITA / Energy T.I. Pramac Racing / DUCATI / 43'41.878 / 163.2 / 51.149
10 / Aleix ESPARGARO / SPA / Power Electronics Aspar / ART / 43'47.121 / 162.8 / 56.392
11 / Colin EDWARDS / USA / NGM Mobile Forward Racing / FTR KAWASAKI / 43'48.149 / 162.8 / 57.42
12 / Michele PIRRO / ITA / Ignite Pramac Racing / DUCATI / 43'56.159 / 162.3 / 1'05.430
13 / Danilo PETRUCCI / ITA / Came IodaRacing Project / IODA-SUTER / 44'03.093 / 161.9 / 1'12.364
14 / Hiroshi AOYAMA / JPN / Avintia Blusens / FTR / 44'04.229 / 161.8 / 1'13.500
15 / Randy DE PUNIET / FRA / Power Electronics Aspar / ART / 44'04.857 / 161.7 / 1'14.128

Pole Position: Cal CRUTCHLOW 1'55.527 168.3 Km/h
Fastest Lap (New record): Marc MARQUEZ 1'56.135 167.4 Km/h Lap 3
Old Circuit Record Lap: Jorge LORENZO 1'56.274 167.2 Km/h 2012
Circuit Best Lap: Cal CRUTCHLOW 1'55.527 168.3 Km/h 2013

CHAMPIONSHIP POSITION TILL DATE:
1 MARQUEZ 213, 2 PEDROSA 187, 3 LORENZO 169, 4 ROSSI 143, 5 CRUTCHLOW 127,
6 BRADL 103, 7 DOVIZIOSO 96, 8 BAUTISTA 92, 9 HAYDEN 80, 10 ESPARGARO 62,
11 SMITH 59, 12 PIRRO 40, 13 IANNONE 36, 14 EDWARDS 25, 15 BARBERA 24.

2013 MotoGP World Championship, Indianapolis USA, Round 10 of 18

A Masterful Marquez Dominates at Indy MotoGP
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA August 16-18th, 2013 - Repsol Honda RC213V riders Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa finished first and second at today’s Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix at the iconic “Brickyard”, resuming the interrupted racing season in the best possible form as both increase their world championship points lead over closest rival Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha), third today. It was a third win in succession for 20-year-old class rookie Marc Marquez, who had won the last two Moto2 races here in 2011 and 2012, en route to the 2012 Championship. It gave him a three-out-of-three hat-trick in the USA. He won round two in Austin, Texas in April, then the US GP at Laguna Seca before the summer break.
Complete Indianapolis MotoGP Coverge HERE

Restricted to Death or a Poor Design for Racing?
the future of Ducati's New 1199 Panigale in SBK World Superbike

August 1st, 2013 - You've seen it at every race this 2013 SBK World Superbike race season as the once dominate Ducati name has been left floundering in mid-pack with their new Superquadro powered 1199 Panigale. Team Alstare Ducati factory riders Carlos Checa and Andrea Badovini have been qualifying and finishing in mid-pack, behind the other factory teams and just in front of the privateers. While World Superbike TV commentators Jonathan Green and Steve Martin tell us each week the 'New Panigale is still going through a difficult development program".

That may be organizer Dorna / SBK's official line - a "difficult development program", as they try to pull as many 1000cc in-line four cylinder Manufacturers as they can - hit hard by global economic collapse, back into the depleted World Superbike grid. But for the Bologna manufacturer who's unmatched passion for building winning sportbikes has garnered them 17 World Superbike Championships in the last 25 years of World Superbike racing, getting a new Superbike design right, the first year, had not been a problem in the past - just witness Carl Fogarty's 1995 title win on the new 2nd Generation 916/955; Neil Hodgson's 2003 title win on the new 4th Generation 999 in 2003; and Troy Bayliss 2011 title win on the new 5th Generation 1090/1198 in 2008. Winning 17 world titles in 25 years shows Ducati knows how to design and develop winning bikes right out of the factory front door.

Making this all the more perplexing, in box-stock form, the 1199 Panigale is probably the best of the current street legal Superbike on the market with its light weight, incredible handing, electronic controls and adjustability, and power equal to the best of the competition from BMW and Aprilia.

Proving Ducati's winning potential with the all new 6th Generation 1199 Panigale was the simple fact that in the 2012 Superstock 1000 Championship the newest Ducati was in the hands of Eddie La Mara on the privateer Althea Barni racing Team Italia 1199 was able to take 5 Podiums, 2 Pole wins and 1 Race Win against strong factory backed teams from BMW and Kawasaki. Only reliability problems with the stock 1199s engine's heavy steel connecting rods held it back the first season, rectified in 2013 by the change to new lighter Titanium rods and valves in the 1199R model.

So why has Ducati become an also ran in the 2013 World Superbike Class with the new 1199 Panigale which should be dominating again with its all new short stroke, hi-rpm Superquadro engine? Does it have to do with FIM SBK Rule Book and the restrictions placed on 1200cc V-twin bikes, while, the 1000cc 4-cylinder bikes can run virtually unrestricted? Ignoring the additional weight restriction (compared to the 1000cc 4-cylinders bikes), the Ducati 1098/1198 had to run in mid-way thru 2012 after Carlos Checa won the 2011 World Championship again for the bike, the previous 5th Generation 1098/1198 with its Testastretta engine was always required by the FIM to run 50mm intake restrictors on its stock 63.9mm throttle bodies. Continued Here

Update - No Restrictors Confirmed
August 12, 2014 - We have since learned, and without any formal announcement, the FIM and DORNA have bypassed the published Technical Regulationsand allowed the Ducati 1199RS Panigale Superbikes to now run open 67mm throttle bodies with no restrictors at all, since the Imola Round the end of June 2013.

The race results for Alstare Ducati at Imola, then followed by Moscow, still remained disappointing for the factory squad. Although at Silverstone on the August 3rd-4th weekend, Carlos Ceca was able to put the 1199RS on the front row with a 2nd place in Superpole. But in both races the factory bikes remained down on top speed, and Badovini and Checa fell back in both races to finish in 8th -12th positions.

In Superbike race trim the 1199 Superquadro, now unrestricted, remains down in peak power agains the 1000cc 4-cylinder bikes. And its peaky powerband is not easy on the Pirelli spec tires, causing the tires to overheat and loose grip towards the end of the races, and the bikes falling back in position. Effectively for Ducati in 2013, this year's Superbie race season has been a huge disapointment for the exciting new Panigale design.

Go to: Ducati 1199 Feature Introduction • Ducatii 1199S Track Ride • Ducati 1199R
Design of the 1199 SuperQuadro Engine • 1199 Restricted to Death in World Superbike

Back to Ducati Motorcycles • New Bike Index • Pit Board Index • Pit Lane News

2014 FIM World Superbike Rules Changes
The FIM, August 8th 2013 - Following various meetings between the FIM, Dorna and the MSMA, a new framework has been put in place for the progressive application of the new Superbike rules. The new rules are aimed at reducing costs for the motorcycle and its components.

1. The rules changes for the 2014 FIM Superbike World Championship season will be as follows:
• A limited number of engines (eight) per rider/per season.
• A limited number of gear ratios.
• A price cap on the brakes.
• A price cap on the suspensions.

2. In order to ensure that there are a sufficient number of riders with competitive motorcycles on the grid, the MSMA has agreed to provide, on request, a complete motorcycle package at a fixed prize, for the years 2014, 2015 and 2016.

The motorcycle packages supplied will be the same as those used by the manufacturer and will receive certain updates and maintenance from the manufacturers during the season. (The price being discussed for these race packages is USD $300,000 not including crash damages - Ed).

3. Under the new rules, there will be a sub-category known as the EVO class. This class will follow the FIM Superbike technical regulations for all chassis, suspension and brake components. On the engine and electronics side, however, these motorcycles will follow the present FIM Superstock rules. The price cap on brakes and suspensions will be the same as Superbike.

More details about the EVO technical rules will be available on the FIM Website shortly.
A draft of the new technical rules will be published on the FIM website by 26 August.

Supermodel, actress, and singer songwriter and Fast Dates Calendar Kitten Sara Horvath.

FastDates.com Calendar Kittens to headline the
2013 SBK World Superbike Laguna Seca USA Starting Grid on Sept 26-28th
 
Los Angeles, CA, August 1, 2014 - The FastDates.com Calendars & Website, in association with Umbrella Girls USA, is excited to announce that SBK World Superbike has selected three beautiful Fast Dates Calendar Kittens to grace the front of the starting grid when the World Superbike Championship returns to the Monterey Peninsula at Laguna Seca Raceway the weekend of September 26-28th 2013. The models include supermodel, actress, singer songwriter Sara Horvath who hails from Livingston, Montana, and popular Umbrella Girls USA spokesmodel Jessica Harbour out of San Diego, CA.

World Superbike in America makes its return to Laguna Seca this September after an 8 year hiatus from the west coast's most popular roadrace facility. Together with the premier SBK World Superbike Class, the AMA Pro Roadracing Championship will also be joining the 3-day race weekend with its top classes including Pro Superbike. The first World Superbike Championship race in America took place at Laguna Seca Raceway back in 1995 with four FastDates.com Calendar models serving as the official SBK grid and podium girls on race day that year, and in many subsequent years since.

As he does every year at one of the SBK World Superbike rounds around the world, FastDates.com Calendar publisher and photographer Jim Gianatsis will use the 2013 SBK Laguna Seca September 26-28th race weekend to shoot with the Calendar Kittens for the next edition of the Fast Dates World Superbike Calendar.

"This year's Calendar shoot will be for the 25th Anniversary of the Fast Dates Calendar, the first edition of which featured Pamela Anderson on the cover with Miguel DuHamels' "Big Papa" Yoshimura Suzuki Superbike," explains Jim. "Every year I've been privileged to have exclusive track access to photograph the Calendar with all the top factory race teams in AMA and World Superbike, MotoGP, together with many of the world's most beautiful models and celebrities."

Above, Fast Dates World Superbike Calendar Kitten Sara Horvath, and left, Jessica Harbour

"This year will be no exception with the addition of beautiful models Sara and Jessica. I've been shooting with both of them for the Calendars over the past year and don't take a bad shot, plus they are fun and easy to work. I look forward to travel with them up the beautiful Pacific Coast on Highway 1 from Los Angeles to Monterey for the return of World Superbike at Laguna Seca, and show them the fan party atmosphere on Monterey's Cannery Row on Saturday night. It's going to be an incredible race weekend experience in one of the most beautiful locations on earth that no motorcycle racing fan will want to miss!"

Sara and Jessica recently worked togther in July, hosting the 22 annual LA Calendar Motorcyle Show at the Queen Mary, in Long Beach, CA. The premier custom streetbike event in America, the girls hosted the world premier of the new 2014 FastDates.com Calendars. And as a talented singer songwriter, Sara also performed on stage entertaining the spectators during the day

To find our more about the FastDates.com Calendars and Calendar Kittens, and to order Calendars and Books go to FastDates.com.

Gianatsis Design Associates specializes in advertsing and marketing for the motorsports and sports fasion markets and can be found at FastDates.com/JGDESIGN.HTM. UmbrellaGirls USA.com spealizes in providing spokesmodels for motorsports events and shows.

New Fast Dates.com Calendar Shoot!
Go behind the scenes at the glamorous Gianatsis Design Studios with beautiful new Calendar Kittens Jessica and Kelsey as they shoot for the FastDates.com Motorcycle PinUp Calendars with photographer Jim Gianatsis. And look for the new 2014 Calendars available right here on July 1st. Order the Calendars!

Videographer: Eric Lundmark; Video Editing and Still photography: Jim Gianatsis; Models: Jessica Harbour, Kelsey Silwinski; Make Up: Victoria Rubell, Music: Special thanks to Neil Sedaka for our theme song Calendar Girl; Modeling Agent: Umbrella Girls USA.

Ron Boldonado and his Classic American Class winning replica Board Track race with girls from the band Nylon Pink
and Calendar Kittens Sara Horvath and Jessic Harbour who will be accompanying us this September 26-28th to Laguna Seca World Superbike to shoot the next edition of the Fast Dates World Superbike Calendar and will serve as official SBK grid girls on race day.

2013 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show & Calendar Girl Music Festival
Los Angeles, July 14th, 2013 - The 22nd edition of the annual LA Calendar Motorcycle Show marked its return to the Queen Mary Seawalk Village in Long Beach, CA with Southern California's Sam Baldi continuing his domination of 2013 season West Coast bike event by taking the Calendar Bike Building Championship's Best of Show and one of the coveted Mikuni Carburetor Trophies with his latest Jimmy Todorovith / Profile Cycles built Big Twin custom named "Lost Angel".

Chris Redpath / MotoGPwerks.com Sportbike Class winner features a Suzuki TL1000 V-Twin Superbike engine in a hand made trellis tube frame.

This year's Calendar Motorcycle Show continued it's long standing tradition of showcasing top Celebrity Builders in the Calendar Bike Building Championship, selected Vendors and Exhibitors, together with Calendar Girl Music live performances. And as always, this year's Show celebrated the world premier of the new 2014 FastDates.com Motorcycle PinUp Calendars photographed by Show producer Jim Gianatsis featuring the world's top SBK World Superbikes, sport and cafe bikes, and custom motorcycles with the beautiful Calendar Kittens. On hand throughout the day to meet with fans and pose for pictures were Calendar Kittens Apple Price, together with official SBK World Superbike grid girls, Jessica Harbour and singer songwriter Sarah Horvath.   Complete Show Coverge Here

The 2014 FastDates.com Calendars and the FAST 2014 Calendar Magazine Yearbook feature
the official SBK World Superbike grid girls Jitunka & Petra from the Czech Republic!

NEW! FAST 2014 Digital Calendar Magazine Yearbook
The Bikes, the Builders, the Riders, the Kittens,the Calendar Bike Show, the World Superbike races all the 2014 Calendar Pictures, and Special Features... For the first time every we take you around the world in 120 exclusive pages for the making of the 2014 FastDates.com Calendars!    Now in Members Corner

Edelweiss Alps Ride and News Adventure Bike Guide
Ride with Edelweis Tours and Motorcyclist magazne as they test all the hot new Adventure Motorcycles through the Alps -
the Triumph Explorer XC, Ducati Multistrada S Touring, KTM 1190 Adventure & Adventure R, BMW 2013 Watercooled R1200GS and 2012 Aircooled R1200GS, Yamaha Super Tenere, Honda Cross Tour. To find our more abour Edelweis Bike Tours click here:

Mission R / RS Electric Superbike Ready for Production
This $58,999 RS model is limited to just 40 units. Once it’s delivered, the Mission R will enter production starting at just $29,999 (before a $2,500 federal tax credit). More Here

There's more!   Go to Pit Lane News Previous Week

Also Visit:  Fast Dates Calendar News  •  Iron & Lace Calendar News
Calendar Girl News  •  Meet the Models • Paddock Garage

Get FastDates.com T-Shirts, Mugs & Photographs from Our Store

MEMBERS CORNER! Calendar Kittens, Paddock Garage, Iron & Lace Garage

Amazon.com Motorcycle Products & Apparel Store



MotorcycleSuperstore.com

Jim Gianatsis
Editorial Director

Send Letters & News to:
Contact @ FastDates.com

Friend Us on Facebook

SBK & MotoGP Press Offices
Kel Edge, Julian Thomas
Fabrizio Porrozzi
Gold & Goose, Max Oliana
Contributing Editors
& Photographers

MySpace.com/FastDates.com

Find it Fast! Bikes • Babes
Builders • Racing News:

PIT LANE NEWS INDEX
2013 News Updated Daily
2-3 months ahead of print!
Return: FRONT PAGE

• Aug 2013 Page 2 News
• Aug 2013 Page 3 News
• Aug 2013 Page 4 News
• July 2013 Page 1 News
• July 2013 Page 2 News
• July 2013 Page 3 News
• July 2013 Page 4 News
• Jun 2013 Page 1 News
• Jun 2013 Page 2 News
• Jun 2013 Page 3 News
• Jun 2013 Page 4 News
• May 2013 Page 1 News
• May 2013 Page 2 News
• May 2013 Page 3 News
• May 2013 Page 4 News
• April 2013 Page 1 News
• April 2013 Page 2 News
• April 2013 Page 3 News
• April 2013 Page 4 News
• Mar 2013 Page 1 News
• Mar 2013 Page 2 News
• Mar 2013 Page 3 News
• Mar 2013 Page 4 News
• Feb 2013 Page 1 News
• Feb 2013 Page 2 News
• Feb 2013 Page 3 News
• Feb 2013 Page 4 News
• Jan 2013 Page 1 News
• Jan 2013 Page 2 News
• Jan 2013 Page 3 News

Pit Board More News!
2012 Pit Lane News
2011 Pit Lane News
2010 Pit Lane News
2009 Pit Lane News
2008 Pit Lane News
2007 Pit Lane News
2006 Pit Lane News
2005 Pit Lane News

Click for Pit Board Features

Pit Board
Past Season News,
Races and Feature Stories

2012/13 RACE CALENDAR & EVENT REPORT INDEX

2013 World Superbike
Season Preview
DATE/REPORT   TRACK LINK
Feb 24      Phillip Island AUS
April 14     Spain, Aragon
April 28     Netherlands, Assen
May 12     Italy, Monza
May 26     GB, Donnington
June 9      Portugal Portimao
June 30    Italy, Imola
July 21     Russia, Moscow
Aug 4       GB, Silverstone
Sept 1      Germany, Nurburgring
Sept 15    Turkey, Istanbul Park
Sept 29    USA, Laguna Seca
Oct 6        France, Magny Cours
Oct 20      Spain, Jerez
Nov 17     India, Buddh

All Rounds include Superbike and 600cc Superstock except USA is Superbike only.
European rounds also Include 1000cc Superstock.

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 14 -   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

2013 AMA Superbike
DATE/REPORT   TRACK LINK
Mar 14-16     Daytona FL
May 31-Jun 2   Road America WI
June 21-23    Barber, AL
July 12-14    Mid-Ohios
July 19-20    Laguna Seca CA
Aug 2-4       Miller MSports, UT
Aug 16-18   Indianapolis IN
Sept 13-15  New Jersey
Sepr 27-29  Laguna Seca CA

2013 British Superbike
Click Date for Race Report
DATE/REPORT   TRACK LINK
April 5-7         Brands Hatch Indy
Apr 12-14      Thruxton
May 4-6         Oulton Park
June 14-16    Knockhill
July 5-7         Snetterton
July 19-21     Brands Hatch GP
Aug 9-12       Oulton Park
Aug 24-26     Cadwell Park
Sept 6-8        Donnington Park
Sept 20-22    Assen
Oct 4-6          Silverstone GP
Oct 18-20      Brands Hatch GP

May 26-Jun 2nd   2013 Isle of                             Man TT, UK

Book Your Tour & Race
Weekend on Expedia!



New Sport and Race Bikes!
Tests & Reviews

New Sportbike Index
• Aprilia Index
• BMW Index
• Bimota Index
• Ducati Index
• Foggy Petronas
• Honda Index
• Kawasaki Index
• KTM RC8 Superbike
• MV Agusta
• Poggipolini Millona
• Poggipolini Nera
• Roehr Superbike
• Suzuki GSXR Index
• Vyrus Superbike
• Yamaha Index

Editorial, Bike Tests
News Features

• 2013 LA Calednar Motorcycle   Show - Hot Bikes and Kittens!
• MV Agusta Brutale Corsa 1090   Naked Streetfighter
• 2014 FAST Digital Magazine   and Calendars World Premier!
• MV Agusta 2014 F3 800cc   Superbike - Perfect
• FastDates.com Calendar Video   Shoot - Kelsey and Jessica
• The Unrideables! - Incredible
   2-Stroke MotoGP Documentry
• Pirelli Angel GT Tire - World   Superbike Tech for the Street
• World Superbike 25 Years -   Tribute to Flammini Brothers
• 2013 MV Agusta F4RR   Superbike
• MV Agusta Factory Visit Movie
• 2013 Ducati 1199R Superbike • Hypermoto 821
• Extreme Cooley - Suzuki   Katana Superbike & Calendar   Show Bikes
• Troy Bayliss Race Academy   School Misano & Paris 2012!
• Ducati 1199 and Multistrada  1200 Performance Modifications
• EICMA 2012 International   Motorcycle Show Milan
• BMW HP4 S1000RR Superbike   Track Day Weapon
• 2012 LA Calendar Bike Show   Japanese Builder Best of Show
• World Superbike Changes to   Pirelli 17-Inch Wheels for 2013
• World Ducati Week 2012
  65,000 of the faithful at Misano
• Ducati 1199RS 2013 World   Superbike Part One & Part Two
• 2012 Honda CBR1000RR
• Editorial: World Championship   Roadracing in USA - Will it   Survive?
• Fast Dates Calendar Shoot at   Miller 2012 World Superbike
• Quail Motorcycle Gathering   2012
• Pirelli Diablo SuperCorsa -   Superbike Tires for the Street!
• Ducati 1199S Panigale Track   Ride
• 2012 World Superbike Preview
• Verona Italy Bike Show -
  Cool Customs and Sporbikes
• Pro Italia Cafe Desmo   Coverage
• Ducati's Monocoque Design   Dilemma - To Frame or Not?
• Manuela Raffaeta
  Marco   Melandri's Girlfriend!
• Ducati 1199 Panigale Feature
• EICMA 2011 Motorccycle Show
• Elena Myers - Teen Roadracer
• Ducati 1199 Panigale
  Most Advaced Superbike Ever
• Marco Simoncelli Tribute -   
  Death of a rising MotoGP Star
• New Ducati Superquadro 1199   Engine - 195 hp for the Street!
• Elena Myers - Teenage Dream   Girl Roadracer
• 2011 LA Calendar
  Motorcyle Show
• NCR D16! OMG 240hp / 316   pounds!
• Ducati Diavel Test in Italy!   Superbike meets Custom
• DRE Troy Bayliss Academy  Exclusive First Test at 180mph!
• NCR Factory / Poggopolini
  Ducati Racing Bikes and Parts
• Fox Factory Superbike Shox   
  The choice of Champions
• Mission R Superbike!
  Electron Powered racer!
• Brammo Electric Sportbike
• Hansen Dam British Bike Meet   Biggest Brit Bike meet in USA
• Valentino Rossi / Yamaha M1   Seminar with the Doctor
• Shorai Lithium MCBattery   GoodBye Lead & Acid
• EICMA 2010 International   Motorcycle Show - Bikes Girls
• Taylor Momsen / The Pretty   Reckless Chicks Kick ASS!
• Ducati Edelweiss Imola
  World Superbike Tour to
  Ducati Factory, Mueum, Store   Italy & Imola World Superbike
• Yosh Suzuki GS750E 1983
  The Ultimate Street Superbike!
• Fast Dates Calendar Shoot at   Miller USA WSB 2010
• 20th Anniversary Fast Dates    World Superbike Calendar
• 2009 LA Calendar Bike Show    Hot Bikes, Beautiful Girls
• John Britten A Video Tribute
   to Motorcycling's Innovator
• Heart Attack Grill - the
   World's Sexiest Hamburgers!
• Roehr Harley Supebike
   Silk Purse from a Sow's Ear
• Troy Bayliss Interview  
  3-Time World SBK Champ
• Valentino Rossi Interview
  8-Time Grand Prix Champ
• 2010 Fast Dates Cal Shoot
• Baltika Beer - Worlds Best!
• DMG Kills AMA Superbike!
• BMW S1000 RR Superbike
• High Speed - the Movie
• Casey Stoner - MotoGP star
• BMW HP2 Sport
• Ducati Hypermoto R
• 2009 Fast Dates Shoot
  at Brands Hatch WSB
• Calendar Bike Show 2007
• Vyrus Superbike Exotica
• Ducati 1098S Tri Colore
• Lame Ducks?
  Ducati and Bayliss Too Fast?
• Edelweiss Alps Challenge
• The Game A Racer's Tale
• Interview Paolo Ciabatti
  Ducati's Superbike Future
• Ducati Desmosedici RR
  World's best Superbike?
• World's Fastest Indian
• Ducati DRE Track Schools
• Ducati Museum Visit
• Chris Vermeulen
   Interview & Profile
• 2008 Fast Dates Calendar
  Shoot at Brands Hatch
• Edelweiss Bike Trip to   
  France and Western Alps
• AMA Pro Racing and the
  Decline of US Roadracing
• Pirelli PinUp Calendar
• MV Agusta F4-1000
   Rockin' Robin's 1st test
• Ducati Racing Experience
  Superbike School
• Pirelli Calendar  Supermodels   get naked in  Rio de Janero
• Who is Ten Kate?   
  Private Hondas Kick Ass
• Ducati Factory Visit
• Ducati Corse Race Shop
  Exclusive Visit!
• World Ducati Week
  Sportbike Heaven
• Ducati 04 Desmosedici
   D16 GP4 MotoGP Bike
• Torque Movie Review
   with our Jaime Presley
• British Sportbike
   Magazine Review
• AMA Superbike Rules
• Valentino Rossi
  Biography of a Champ.
• SBK Fast Dates Girls   
  Our official Ducati Corse   umbrella girls at Laguna
• Paris Motorcycle Show
  Well Worth the Trip

Sportbike Magazines
& Pinup Calendars
A Revealing Expose!
• Crossbow Calendar 2010
• Pirelli Calendar 2010 topless!
• Pirelli Calendar 2009
• Pirelli Calendar 2006
• Pirelli Calendar 2005
• Pirelli Calendar Review
• Bike Calendar Review
• Buy Pinup Calendars
• British Bike Mag Review

Chicks That Kick Ass!
INDEX - Bring These Girls Home to Mom!
• Taylor Swift
• Kari Kimmel
• Elizabeth Nicole
• Lora Croft
• Jessica Biel
• Kristen Bell
• Maria Sharapova
• Mila Jovovich
• Kate Beckinsale
• Fast Dates Kittens

Roadracing World
63% Off! Just $1.50 a month
Cheaper than shop rags
for those messy oil spills



Sexiest Magazines!
Maxim, FHM, Stuff,
Sport Rider, Playboy
Cycle World and more!



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

.

The Making of the
Fast Dates Calendar
& World Championships
on DVD!

Report:
State of the Motorcycle Market in America
April 2013: Since the hey-day of 2006-2007, the industry has lost 5,000 dealers and retailers, vehicle sales have been slashed in half, and about 20,000 people have left the industry to find employment elsewhere.

2007 was the industry's last up year. Sales of motorcycles, ATVs and scooters reached about 1.5 million units. And according to MIC ststics there were in 2008, 13,300 retail outlets in the US split between authorized new vehicle dealers, and independent service and accessory outlet.

According to the most recent MIC static, 2012 retail sales of motorcycles, ATVs and scooter were at 677,630 - a drop of about 54% from peak. At the same time the US dealer base dropped from an increased of 14,127 dealers in 2008 (still riding the crest of the wave) to 8,985 in 2012 - a decrease of 36% percent.

The Medin Age of a new motorcycle buyers in America is now around 52 years old, and continues to grow about 1 year older per year, signifying no new riders are coming into the sport and the Amerian motorcycle market will end as the Baby Boomers die out.
From where it is today, the sport of motorcycling in America will continue to decline about 3-4% per year to the poin the sport will be gone in 20 years.

And unlike Europe and Asia where mototcycling is surviving and growing because of traditionally high fuel prices and crowded cities, in America we have become to attahed to our automobiles, so much so that motorcyles will never become a replacement for them. You'll always be able to buy and run and insure a cheap used car at a price lower than a nice used motorcycle.

This is not to say Motorccyle Racing will not continue as a spectator sport, as evidenced by the popularity of Supercross at sold-out stadium events across America. But how many people actually buy and ride/race dirt/mx bikes any more? This middle class sport is disappearing with the American middle class as fewer people can afford a truck to haul their expensive dirt bike to a riding area or track, or own a house with a garage to store and work on them. To a lessor extent, the streetbike market is affected similarly. These days kids in high school have little interestor the money in own or drive a cool car, let alone a street bike.
- Editor