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 New 2013 World Superbike ChampionTom Sykes and Kawsaki look to be the odds on favorites heading into the 2014 season.
2014 Eni SBK World Superbike Championship, Phillip Island Round 1
Phillip Island Season Opener
2014 SBK World Superbike Championship Preview
Phillip Island Australia, Feb 14th, 2014 - The eni FIM Superbike World Championship is set for another exciting season of racing that will officially kick-start on February 23rd at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Australia, following a two-day official test scheduled on 17-18 of the same month. The Victorian Circuit, a riders' favourite, is also the most visited in the history of WSBK, as the 2014 edition will be the 24th held on the Island.
The Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit features a fast and flowing layout and produces the fastest average speed lap in WSBK (and MotoGP). At the end of 2012 the track was completely resurfaced, making it faster than ever.
The QBE Round will witness the introduction of several changes on both the technical and sporting sides of the series, along with the arrival of new manufacturers, teams and riders.
The 2014 edition will feature the new Superbike EVO class to run alongside the machines we have seen developing over the past seasons. In essence, the EVO machine is a road-based Superbike machine with its chassis and engine strictly regulated, its engine being similar to what we already have in Superstock. Ten riders will be using EVO bikes this year, while in 2015 all machines will be EVO-spec.
Pirelli, Official Tyre Supplier for the Championship for the 11th consecutive year, in the light of the introduction of the Superbike EVO, has taken a special focus on developing solutions for the new class in order to balance the performances of the field.
A new Tissot-Superpole and a revised time schedule will also add some fresh challenge for riders and teams. From the second round onwards, WSBK Race 1 and Race 2 will start at 10:30 and 13:10 respectively. Due to TV broadcast needs and the time difference between Europe and Australia, the Phillip Island event time schedule is different: Race 1 at 12.00, Race 2 at 14.40.
After being revealed last year, in 2014 each and every race in calendar will be opened by the sighting lap of the new Official Safety Car of the Superbike World Championship, the stunning Alfa Romeo “4C”.
Reigning Champion Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) is more motivated than ever to begin his title defence campaign after an encouraging winter testing schedule, that helped him improving his feeling with the ZX-10R and evaluating new parts and solutions developed by the team for the upcoming season.
Sykes has though never accomplished at Phillip Island the type of results he had on other tracks, having scored so far only one podium finish in 2012, in Race 2. Last year he was twice fifth, in a weekend that was fully dominated by Aprilia and their official riders. With Loris Baz once again alongside the Englishman and David Salom selected to develop and race the EVO version of the ZX-10R, the Spanish-based factory effort by Kawasaki is looking to build on the success of 2013.
 Former BMW rider Marco Melandri, now with April for 2014, gets familiar witht he RSV4 last week at Jerez.
The Aprilia Racing Team has changed half of its rider line-up with the arrival of WSBK multiple race winner and former 250cc World Champion Marco Melandri. The 31 year old Italian has joined confirmed Sylvain Guintoli, who is still not 100% following a recent right shoulder surgery he underwent last month. The Frenchman joined back the team for a two-day private test last week at Jerez and showed some good signs of improvement. Not even Melandri is fully fit, but the right ankle problem did not bother him on-board the RSV4 in the last outing. On the privateer side of Aprilia, Team Red Devils Roma will continue the fruitful partnership started last September with former Moto2 Champion Toni Elias.
Voltcom Crescent Suzuki embarks in its 2014 WSBK campaign with a new main sponsor and a brand-new duo of riders that already showed some great speed in private testing. 2013 runner-up Eugene Laverty and reigning BSB Champion Alex Lowes are both hungry for results and the 2014 GSX-R 1000 appears to be on a different level than its predecessor, thanks to the massive effort put in by the Verwood-based squad over the winter.
Big changes also on the WSBK effort by Ducati, as Chaz Davies and Davide Giugliano are the ones chosen to race the Ducati Superbike Team's 1199 Panigale R machines. Ducati will also be represented in the EVO class by Althea Racing Team and its sole rider Niccolò Canepa.
No differences on the Pata Honda side, with Jonathan Rea and Leon Haslam riding the new CBR1000RR SP and hoping for a drastic change in results from a difficult 2013.
Following the realignment of BMW official support in World Superbike, the BMW Motorrad Italia Superbike Team is back to its roots and will field an EVO-spec BMW S 1000 RR for two-time and reigning STK1000 Champion Sylvain Barrier.
Two new manufacturers will enter the series in 2014, making an impressive total of 8 marques, and will make their debut at the first Round in Australia: the Iconic MV Agusta is back to international racing with factory support to last year's World Supersport Championship winning team, Yakhnich Motorsport, still headed by Claudio Corsetti with Natalia Lyubimova as Team Manager. The MV Agusta Reparto Corse – Yakhnich Motorsport team will be contesting this year's WSBK edition with former MotoGP rider Claudio Corti on-board a full-Superbike spec MV Agusta F4 RR.
Charles Hennekam, FIM Technical Coordinator and Motorcycle Homologation Officer together with Gregorio Lavilla,
Dorna WSBK Sporting Director met Erik Buell at Buel Racing on February 12th to confirm FIM Homologation.
After several years of commitment in the American Superbike Championship, the Hero EBR Team lands on the international stage with all-American rider line-up consisting of Geoff May and Aaron Yates, riding the brand-new Erik Buell Racing 1190RX. The US brand's European headquarter is located in Northern Italy and the team managed by Claudio Quintarelli and Giulio Bardi.
Eugene Laverty on the Voltcome Suzuki contested reigning Champ Tom Sykes for the top time.
Sykes on record pace as final pre-season test comes to an end
Phillip Island (Australia), Tuesday 18 February 2014 - The official eni FIM Superbike World Championship test at Phillip Island concluded this afternoon with Eugene Laverty (Voltcom Crescent Suzuki) fastest in the fourth and final session. The Irishman was not however the fastest overall as none of the top 15 riders did not improve during the last two hours on track. After combining all four sessions it was reigning Champion Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) who came out on top thanks to his super-fast lap set this morning (1'30.239, just 5 thousands shy of Checa's current outright circuit best lap). His test was not without incident as his ZX-10R suffered a technical problem at the very end of the final session approaching Turn 1.
Tom Sykes: “I am happy with the results of these two days of testing at Phillip Island. In the last couple of days we have done a lot of laps to confirm the remaining test items, so to be fastest and be one of the most consistent riders, I have to be very happy with that. Phillip Island has never been our main event, so to speak, so to be up there already is very good. I know the conditions have caught a lot of people out but I know we can now go to the race weekend with more of a clear understanding of what to do. Now we will turn our focus more on performance, pure performance, over the race weekend. I will go away now and have a couple of days winding down and relaxing and come back on Friday morning ready to go again.”
 The new Ducati Panigale finally looks to be more competive this season, with returning team rider Davide Giugliano 5th quickest.
Laverty was classified second fractionally ahead of team mate and rookie sensation Alex Lowes. The 23 year old Lincolnshire born rider, who rode for the first time at Phillip Island only yesterday, dropped 1.1 seconds off his session 1 best, which was an already impressive lap time. Italians Marco Melandri (Aprilia Racing Team) and Davide Giugliano (Ducati Superbike Team) were fourth and fifth respectively, just ahead of Loris Baz (Kawasaki Racing Team), who suffered two crashes during the test. The Frenchman was uninjured in both occasions.
Race 1 winner last year Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team) showed no signs of discomfort from the injured shoulder that was surgically repaired twice during the off-season, finishing 7th and completing 92 laps during the two days. Pata Honda duo Leon Haslam and Jonathan Rea both suffered a late test crash leaving them eighth and ninth, but they are taking to the first round some positives after closing to within half a second of the fastest time.
The new HERO EBR team of Geoff May and Aarom Yates struggled during the test, the two ending up 23rd and 24th oversll, respectively, it what Eric Buell has said is just a development year to prepare them for bing fully competitive in 2015 when all bikes will comply to the new EVO rules. May turned a best of 1:34.807 and Yates a 1:36.662.
The new Alstare Bimota World Superbike team was notable by their absence at the Philip Island Pre Season tests. Their recently announced new team partnership between Alstare and Bimota is to field an EVO racebike Bimota BB3 powered by the competitive BMW RS1000R motor and to be ridden by Ayrton Badovini and Christian Iddon. We expect the team needs a few months to build and homologate their new race bikes (with the FIM expected to give them a free pass for the number of bikes built for the samal Italian speciality manufacturer), so we might expect to see the Alstare team debute at the 2nd WSBK round at Aragon, Spain in April.
The EVO category saw Althea Racing's Niccolò Canepa riding his Ducati 1199 Panigale to an encouraging 11th overall. The former STK1000 Champion mixed it with some of the WSBK-spec machines to end the test on a high note.
Michel Fabrizio (Iron Brain Kawasaki SBK), who fell yesterday, is being kept at the hospital as a precaution despite x-rays revealing no signs of injury. Reigning STK1000 Champion Sylvain Barrier (BMW Motorrad Italia Superbike Team) was diagnosed with a micro fracture in his pelvis and he’s unlikely to take part in the opening round of the season. Young Frenchman and WSBK rookie Jeremy Guarnoni (MRS Kawasaki) ended the combined tests in 17th but suffered a fall at Turn 2 in the first 20 minutes of the final session, resulting in a left AC joint subluxation. No good news for Luca Scassa (Team Pedercini Kawasaki) as x-rays revealed a fractured pelvis, which rules him out of the race weekend.
WSBK Test Ttimes, Combined Sessions: 1. Sykes (Kawasaki) 1'30.239, average speed 177.329 kph; 2. Laverty (Suzuki) 1'30.513; 3. Lowes (Suzuki) 1'30.528; 4. Melandri (Aprilia) 1'30.579; 5. Giugliano (Ducati) 1'30.644; 6. Baz (Kawasaki) 1'30.757; 7. Guintoli (Aprilia) 1'30.766; 8. Haslam (Honda) 1'30.798; 9. Rea (Honda) 1'30.813; 10. Davies (Ducati) 1'31.087; 11. Canepa (Ducati) 1'31.373; 12. Elias (Aprilia) 1'31.441; 13. Salom (Kawasaki) 1'32.008; 14. Foret (Kawasaki) 1'32.780; 15. Corti (MV Agusta) 1'32.858; 16. Morais (Kawasaki) 1'32.895; 17. Guarnoni (Kawasaki) 1'32.897; 18. Barrier (BMW) 1'32.997; 19. Andreozzi (Kawasaki) 1'33.205; 20. Scassa (Kawasaki) 1'33.960; 21. Fabrizio (Kawasaki) 1'34.314; 22. Toth (BMW) 1'34.750; 23. May (EBR) 1'34.807; 24. Yates (EBR) 1'36.662; 25. Sebestyen (BMW) 1'42.242.
World Supersport
Mahi Racing Team India's Kenan Sofuoglu ended the two day official test on top courtesy of the 1'33.506 lap-time set during the very first session yesterday morning. The three time Supersport World Champion did not manage to improve throughout the second day two, whilst other riders significantly lowered their times to bridge the gap to the leader.
American WSS rookie PJ Jacobsen (Intermoto Ponyexpres Kawasaki) made the most of the near perfect weather conditions this afternoon to climb up to an impressive second position, lapping one second faster than yesterday, on his first appearance at Phillip Island. Michael van der Mark (Pata Honda) hung on to a top 3 position overall after matching his time from yesterday.
After the technical problem suffered yesterday, World Supersport returnee Jules Cluzel (MV Agusta RC – Yakhnich Motorsport) gave a glimpse of his former WSS speed elevating himself to fourth overall, ahead of series debutant Ratthapark Wilairot (Core PTR Honda). Yamaha was well represented by Kev Coghlan (DMC-Panavto Yamaha) and Italian Fabio Menghi (VFT Yamaha), who finished sixth and seventh respectively.
Local rider Bryan Staring (Rivamoto Honda) did well in his return to the Supersport class (he is a former Australian Supersport Champion) ending the two day test in thirteenth position.
WSS Test Times / Combined Sessions: 1. Sofuoglu (Kawasaki) 1'33.506 average 171.133 kph; 2. Jacobsen (Kawasaki) 1'33.787; 3. Vd Mark (Honda) 1'33.918; 4. Cluzel (MV Agusta) 1'33.984; 5. Wilairot (Honda) 1'33.987; 6. Coghlan (Yamaha) 1'34.072; 7. Menghi (Yamaha) 1'34.233; 8. Leonov (MV Agusta) 1'34.295; 9. Tamburini (Kawasaki) 1'34.301; 10. Kennedy (Honda) 1'34.393; 11. Russo (Honda) 1'34.550; 12. Zanetti (Honda) 1'34.591; 13. Staring (Honda) 1'34.733; 14. Marino (Kawasaki) 1'34.747; 15. De Rosa (Honda) 1'34.834; 16. Wahr (Yamaha) 1'35.152; 17. Gamarino (Kawasaki) 1'35.320; 18. Gowland (Triumph) 1'35.324; 19. McConnell (Triumph) 1'35.351; 20. Calero (Honda) 1'35.370; 21. Bussolotti (Honda) 1'35.533; 22. Coveña (Kawasaki) 1'35.599; 23. Rolfo (Kawasaki) 1'35.740; 24. Rogers (Honda) 1'36.956; 25. Taylor (Yamaha) 1'36.969; 26. Ivanov (Yamaha) 1'37.123.
 The Design Concept on paper...
BMW Concept 90
90 years of BMW Motorrad, 90 years of two-wheeled history – hardly another motorcycle manufacturer can boast such a longstanding and successful heritage as BMW. The BMW R 90 S likewise has cause to celebrate: the BMW Motorrad design icon turns 40 this year. As a tribute to both these anniversaries, the BMW Group is presenting a very special model at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2013: the BMW Concept Ninety. In partnership with the custom bike company Roland Sands Design, the BMW Motorrad design team has come up with an exclusive homage to the BMW R 90 S. Former motorcycle racer Roland Sands and his team are among the most in-demand partners in the custom bike scene. Their design standards and the technical finesse with which they implement their high-class custom and performance parts endow the BMW Concept Ninety with an exclusive and self-assured presence. This cooperative venture elevates both Roland Sands Design and BMW Motorrad Design to a new level.
 ...and transformed to the real thing. It looks virtually the same, with the exception of the clip-on handlbars being positioned way too low, below seat height, for riding comfort.
40 years of the BMW R 90 S.
Back in 1973, BMW unveiled its flagship model in the “Stroke Six” range to the global public. Boasting a top speed of just over 200 km/h (124 mph), it was one of the fastest production bikes of its day and went on to claim numerous prizes in a variety of race series. Even when parked it radiated a powerful appeal: for the first time in the development process of a motorcycle, a designer had forged a successful alliance of form and function while creating the first motorcycle ever to feature a front fairing as standard. Together with its sporty tail end and striking Daytona Orange paintwork, it endowed the BMW R 90 S with an unmistakable identity. The design of this bike pointed the way forward, and it wasn’t long before other manufacturers were gracing their motorcycles with aerodynamically honed front and rear fairings. Today the erstwhile trendsetter is one of BMW’s design icons. “The BMW R 90 S hails from an era in which bikers were regarded as outlaws,” comments Edgar Heinrich, Head of BMW Motorrad Design. “There was something rebellious about it – it was fast, loud and wild. Pure emotion. And it has retained its fascination to this day.”
BMW Concept Ninety.
The BMW Concept Ninety resurrects this spirit of the emotionally charged superbike, translating the emotionality and inspiration of the earlier model into a contemporary guise. This is a modern reiteration of the traditional essence of the motorcycle: the harmonious unison of man and machine – pure and emotional. “Today BMW motorcycles stand for perfection and function. That is what we have worked hard to achieve and something we are very proud of,” says Ola Stenegard, Head of Vehicle Design BMW Motorrad. “But we want more than that. With the BMW Concept Ninety we want to show how reduced and pure an emotional BMW motorcycle can be.”
The BMW Concept Ninety takes to the stage as a sporty boxer with a battery of sophisticated details. Its basic proportions clearly take their cue from the forebear that inspired this concept: the fairing, tank, seat and tail instantly signal its family bond with the BMW R 90 S. The BMW Concept Ninety also picks up on the demarcation of the bike’s proportions that was a hallmark of the time. The upper ergonomic and aerodynamic bodywork is visually separated from the black engine and chassis. The bodywork is hand crafted from aluminium. Its brushed areas can be seen in the tinted areas of the front fairing and tank, as well as at the tail. The rich orange shade of the BMW Concept Ninety is also a nod to the legendary Daytona Orange paintwork of the BMW R 90 S.
The BMW Concept Ninety delivers a very sporty interpretation of the front fairing. But whereas halogen was technically cutting-edge in the BMW R 90 S era, contemporary LED elements light up the face of the BMW Concept Ninety, honouring its ancestor with a round headlamp design. Seamlessly mounted behind it, the dynamically shaped tank ensures an optimal connection between rider and machine. Further along, the tank and seat melt harmoniously into each other. A steadily ascending line from the handlebars to the tail creates a slight wedge shape, lending the BMW Concept Ninety an almost ready to attack stance when viewed from the side – like a sprinter about to explode into action. Below the bodywork sits the air-cooled flat-twin boxer engine. Entirely in black with contrast cut details this section of the bike symbolises concerted power, precision and performance. The mechanics and technology as a whole are purposely rendered visible and reflect a keen attention to detail.
Calendar Bike Builder Roland Sands
(left) assist with parts for the project bike.
Custom parts made by Roland Sands Design.
As the observer’s gaze gradually penetrates this motorcycle, more and more details are revealed. Many of the high-quality parts of the BMW Concept Ninety hail from custom bike specialists Roland Sands Design in California. In close collaboration with BMW Motorrad Design, the Roland Sands Design team designed and manufactured these parts specially for the BMW Concept Ninety.
The mechanical parts and engine area, above all, bear the Roland Sands imprint. Particular attention was devoted to those elements typical of a boxer, and thus also of BMW, which were meticulously designed and elaborately finished. Key highlights include the front cover of the engine and the valve covers, that got painstakingly milled, as well as the exhaust system. The parts were milled using a contrast cut process, which strikes an alluring contrast to the black mechanical components. This technology was also applied to the rims, whose classic design recalls the racing triumphs of the BMW R 90 S in the 1970s. The machining and technical implementation of the parts, are state of the art – like all the details on the BMW Concept Ninety.
“It was important for me to translate the special statement made by the BMW R 90 S into the present through the use of unique parts – employing emotional design and cutting-edge technology,” says Roland Sands of his approach to the bike. Likewise designed and made by Roland Sands are the brake and clutch controls, the Paralever arm and the air filter under the seat. All these meticulously manufactured individual parts blend smoothly into the form language of the BMW Concept Ninety.
“Everything just fits together perfectly: the BMW technology, the BMW heritage and our custom parts complement each other beautifully,” comments Roland Sands on the result of this collaboration. Edgar Heinrich adds: “The BMW Concept Ninety is sheer enjoyment in every respect – from the development of the idea to the sketching stage to the construction process. But above all when you’re riding it. It’s an absolute riding machine – just like the R 90 S was in its time.” Unlike other custom bikes, the BMW Concept Ninety can be – indeed begs to be – ridden. The motorcycle and all its components have been designed with top performance in mind.
2014 LA Calendar Motorcyc;e Show Moves to the Malibu Golf Cours on July 20th
The 2014 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show continues its now 23rd year tradition as the premier outdoor streetbike event in America with the Calendar Bike Building Championship & Concours d' Elegance, top Celebrity Builders, selected Vendors and Exhibitors, and the Calendar Girl Music Show. The Show always kicks off the world premier of next year's new 2015 FastDates.com Motorcycle PinUp Calendars featuring the world's top road race and custom motorcycles with the beautiful Calendar Kittens featured in the Calendars in attendance at the Show.
Mule Motorcycles Triumph Bonneville Tracker now in the Calendar Bike Garage!
Check out this awesome Triumph Bonneville Streetracker built by one of our favorite Calendar Bike Builders, Richard Pollock / Mule Motorcycles, now featured in the FastDates.com Calendar Bike Garage with complete details and large screen saver size pictures. We might just even have included this picture of beautiful Sara with the bike.... Go to Calendar Bike Garage
Mule Motorcycles "Web Surfer 2" now in the Calendar Bike Garage!
Check out this awesome new Buell powered Streetracker built by one of our favorite Calendar Bike Builders, Richard Pollock / Mule Motorcycles, which is now featured in the FastDates.com Calendar Bike Gatage with complete details and large screen saver size pictures. You'll even find this Calendar picture of beautiful Sara with the bike.... Go to Calendar Bike Garage
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The Pretty Reckless is Going to Hell
Our favorite rock band The Pretty Reckless with lead singer and cute teen actress turned bad girl Taylor Momsen is
Going to Hell in their new ablum being released in March 2014 , and we're happy to take the ride with her.
"Rock & roll needs to make a resurgence," insists Taylor Momsen, speaking to her belief that the genre has slipped from the mainstream. "It needs to come back in a big way and take over again." The 20-year-old singer, whose band the Pretty Reckless broke out in 2010 with their alt-rock debut Light Me Up, says she's fully prepared to hold up her end of the bargain. "We're really trying to come to something unique and different," she says of Going to Hell, the band's forthcoming second album, due out in early 2014 on Razor and Tie.
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
Click Above for a full size screensaver of our Gianatsis Design offices Computer Monitor as we select pictures from this year's World Superbike photo shoots and begin production of the next Fast dates World Superbike Calendar!
Shooting the next FastDates.com Calendar at Laguna Seca Wold Superbike!
Go behing te scenes with photographer Jim Gianatsis and senen (!) beautiful FastDates.com Calendar Kittens - the offical SBK World Superbike Umbrella Girls, as we shoot the next edition of the Fast Dates World Superbike Calendar at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca this past September 26-28th 2013. The Complete Story in FAST DATES NEWS.
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AMA Superbikes
to Premier at the
Daytona 200 Miler in 2015
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. Feb 10, 2014 - AMA Pro Racing announced today that the premier AMA Pro SuperBike class will return to the DAYTONA 200 in 2015. The 2015 edition of AMA Pro Road Racing's kickoff event will be a 69-lap race contested on Daytona International Speedway's 2.91-mile short course.
"Getting the SuperBikes back in the DAYTONA 200 has been a fan request for years and we're thrilled to be making this announcement," said Michael Gentry, Chief Operating Officer of AMA Pro Racing. "The DAYTONA 200 is America's premier motorcycle race, and our goal is to once again feature the biggest names in motorcycle road racing in the event."
The DAYTONA 200 is America's longest-running endurance motorcycle race, tracing its history to 1937 when the inaugural race was run on the sands of Daytona Beach. In 1961, the event became synonymous with Daytona International Speedway and has since seen many great names in motorcycling history win the storied event. Run at the culmination of Daytona Bike Week on Saturday afternoon, the 200-mile race is the only endurance race on the AMA Pro Road Racing schedule, and therefore provides a number of technical challenges.
The AMA Pro SuperBike class competed in the DAYTONA 200 from 1985 until 2004. Since 2005, the smaller-displacement motorcycles of Formula Xtreme and GoPro Daytona SportBike have campaigned the prestigious event. With the 2015 return of the AMA Pro SuperBikes for the 74th running of the DAYTONA 200, the top teams and riders will again headline the historic event.
"The DAYTONA 200 boasts a long and prestigious history since it first ran on the sands of Daytona Beach over seven decades ago, crowning some of the true legends of motorcycle racing in that time," said Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood. "Our fans have been patiently waiting for the premier class to return to the weekend's headline event. We are thankful to AMA Pro Racing, as well as Dunlop and the OEM's for working together to help make this move a reality for 2015."
The adjustments to the AMA Pro SuperBike rules package, planned as part of the recently-announced AMA Pro Road Racing class restructuring, are a key component to getting the SuperBikes back in the DAYTONA 200 for the 2015 running. Another important element is the commitment of AMA Pro Road Racing's spec tire partner Dunlop to the continual development of tires which are specifically suited to the special demands of Daytona International Speedway.
"Dunlop is excited about the prospect of having SuperBikes back in the DAYTONA 200," said Mike Buckley, Vice President of Dunlop. "Everyone on the Dunlop design and service team are enthusiasts first and foremost so the entire team is looking forward to supporting this endeavor."
The 2014 AMA Pro Road Racing season will kick off once again at Daytona International Speedway. The event is scheduled for March 13 - 15, 2014 and will have the same three-day format featured in recent years, highlighted by the 73rd running of the DAYTONA 200 on Saturday afternoon. For tickets and information, please visit DaytonaInternlSpeedway.com
Keith McCarty, Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., Motorsports Racing Division Manager: "The DAYTONA 200 is an iconic event, and it's only fitting that SuperBikes--AMA Pro Road Racing's premier class--should be the bikes that compete in the 200. Over the years, Yamaha riders have won the prestigious DAYTONA 200 a total of 22 times, on everything from our two-stroke production racers and Formula 1 GP bikes, to our four-stroke middleweight machines like the YZF-R6 and SuperBikes like the FZ750, OW01, and YZF750R. As the 'Great American Motorcycle Race' approaches its 75th consecutive year of competition, we at Yamaha are excited that SuperBikes will be returning to their rightful place in the DAYTONA 200 next year."
Pat Alexander, American Suzuki Motor Corporation, Sports Promotion Manager: "American Suzuki Motor Corporation is looking forward to returning to compete in the Daytona 200 on the Suzuki GSX-R1000. We see great potential in returning to the 1000cc racing platform for the DAYTONA 200 and we're looking forward to trying to make that win happen."
Don Sakakura, Yoshimura R&D of America, Inc., Vice President: "In years past, Yoshimura and Suzuki have been very successful racing the historic DAYTONA 200 event. We're very excited to hear the 2015 DAYTONA 200 will feature the 1000cc SuperBikes. We anticipate our Yoshimura / Suzukis will be very competitive in the 200 mile format."
Erik Buell, EBR, Founder: "I was very excited to hear that the DAYTONA 200 will be returning to the premier class format it had for so many years. Years ago, one of my great aspirations as a racer was to reach the highest status so I could race in this legendary event. To have the DAYTONA 200 back in the original format is both the right tribute to the past and a proper recognition of the technology of today where modern tires and sophisticated electronics can allow top riders to harness the tremendous power of the machines."
Josh Hayes, Three-Time AMA Pro SuperBike Champion and Rider of the No. 4 Monster Energy Graves Yamaha YZF-R1: "The DAYTONA 200 is our biggest race of the season, so the biggest and best bikes should be competing in it. And, of course, that's the SuperBikes. I'm looking forward to the 2015 DAYTONA 200, when SuperBikes will make their return. I say, 'Welcome back!'"
Roger Lee Hayden, Rider of the No. 95 Yoshimura Racing Suzuki GSX-R1000: "I'm really excited for the SuperBikes to be back in the DAYTONA 200. It's the biggest race of the year and it seems only fitting for the biggest class in AMA Pro to be competing in it. I grew up watching the DAYTONA 200 and it was always the SuperBike guys I looked up to that were winning it, so it's been my childhood dream to win the race. Hopefully this will also bring some international riders over like it has in the past. I can't wait and I think it's a great idea."
FIM & Dorna visit
Erik Buell Racing
The American brand met the requirements to compete in WSBK
February 12th, 2014- In the last days of January, FIM and Dorna WSBK representatives paid a visit to the EBR Motorcycles plant, located in East Troy, Wisconsin (US). The purpose of the visit was to verify the status of bikes production facing the minimum required units to obtain the homologation for competing in the upcoming WSBK Championship season.
Charles Hennekam, FIM Technical Coordinator and Motorcycle Homologation Officer together with Gregorio Lavilla, Dorna WSBK Sporting Director met Erik Buell, who founded EBR Motorcycles in 1983. During their visit, Erik Buell lead the visitors around the factory of the iconic American brand, visited the different departments and the assembly line. They also met with the responsible people of the factory to confirm that the number of produced bikes had been met as planned. Eric Buell himself also confirmed that the work in preparation by the racing team was going ahead smoothly.
Looking back over the recent history of the brand, as well as at the difficulties that the EBR motorcycle has had on its way showcasing some unique engineering technology. It has been a great achievement for EBR Motorcycles to first enter to race in the AMA Superbike series, followed now by another important step, the challenge for EBR to make the switch to the Superbike World Championship in 2014 under the banner: Team Hero EBR.
Fans around the world are now looking forward to having this important Manufacturer and their American riders to qualify and position themselves on the starting grid for the season opener in Phillip Island, Australia, which is now around the corner, scheduled for 21-23 February.
The team will make their official 2014 circuit debut in the official tests on 17th and 18th February, also at Phillip Island, where their livery will be revealed for the very first time.
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Ducati Corse
World Superbikes
by Alan Cathcart
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The Official SBK
World Superbikes
1987-2012
25 Year History Book
The Official SBK
2013-2014 Yearbook
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!
The Ride
The new generation
of sport customs
SBK World Superbike Video Game
Official Print Media Partner
Peter Doyle Leaves Yoshimuta Suzuki to Return Home to Austraila
Feb 15th - Longtime Yoshimura Suzuki road race team manager/crew chief, Peter Doyle, the architect behind Mat Mladin’s seven AMA Superbike Championships – is ending his 13-year tenure with the AMA Superbike team to take on a new challenge back home in Australia as the newly appointed technical officer for the Australian Superbike Championship.
In addition to his time in AMA Superbike Championship, Doyle also spent time in the World Superbike Championship with the Muzzy Kawasaki Team where he was a part of Scott Russell’s World Championship. He brings a wealth of experience to the Australian Championship.
After Mladin’s departure, Doyle worked with Blake Young (sixth in the 2010 AMA Superbike Championship, second in both 2011 in 2012) and more recently with Martin Cardenas (third in 2013).
Tommy Aquino Killed in Riding Incident
Feb 2nd -
Tommy Aquino, the former factory Yamaha USA rider who most recently raced in the British Superstock Series, was killed and a second man seriously injured Sunday in a crash at a Piru, California, motocross track aeound mid-day. Initial reports called it a head-on collision between two motorcyclists at the track in the 4300 block of Center Street.
One rider was taken to a hospital by helicopter. Aquino was pronounced dead at the scene, according to reports.
Meet 2013 Calendar Kitten
Jitunka & Petra!
MV Agusta F3 800cc
The Devil Made Us Do It!
Testing the Ducati Diavel in Italy
New BMW HP4 Superbike
Sudco High Performance & OEM Replacement Parts
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.
EDELWEISS OFFERS NEW and AFFORDABLE MOTORCYCLE TOUR ALONG THE DOLOMITES WITH CHALLENGING ROADS, OVERWHELMING MOUNTAIN SCENERY AND ITALIAN CUISINE AT ITS FINEST.
The Dolomites are a must for a passionate biker – come with us on an unforgettable motorcycle tour. The countryside is dominated by mountains, rivers, and gorge-like valleys, which have just space enough for a road and railroad tracks; but there are also bigger towns like Bolzano, where our base hotel is located.
Thinking about Italian culture you will notice quite a big difference from what you may expect; building style, cultures, languages, bilingual road signs and special foods show that varied peoples and ideas peacefully co-exist here. The Sella Ronda is a very good warm-up for the following days and our rides to Penserjoch, Jaufenpass and Timmelsjoch.
Eight more passes are on our schedule for the next day and we will have the opportunity to stop in the nice little town of Cortina d’Ampezzo, well known from the Olympics in 1956. Now it’s time to make a decision: go to Venice for sightseeing or collect 10 more passes? Tough call! The last riding day leads us south to the wonderful Lake Garda, with swimming and riding at its best.
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THROUGH THE ALPINE WONDERLAND OF AUSTRIA AND SOUTHERN GERMANY – THE ALPS AND LAKES MOTORCYCLE TOUR!
The Alps and Lakes motorcycle tour takes you through a beautiful part of European motorcycle paradise; the Alps. The contrast between the beautiful lakes in southern Germany and Austria and the towering mountains that reach up to more than 10,000 ft is nothing less than breathtaking.
This area is the famous background for the movie "Sound of Music“. This vacation offers a little bit of everything: beautiful and relaxing rides through the valleys; some mountain roads and passes; and great vistas and sights, including King Ludwig‘s castle, Herrenchiemsee, and the historic city of Salzburg. The tour consists of five riding days, one of them is a rest day – which means that you stay two nights at the same hotel.
This is a great opportunity to explore a little bit more, ride around the countryside, walk through town, meet the locals and sample some of the local food. The tour will take you through Germany and Austria, and on the rest day you can even add Italy to your list if you are so inclined.
Find Out More
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