Calendar of the World Superbike Championship
      Home of the Official SBK Fast Dates Calendar Kittens

March 2017 Page 1


2017 MotoGP Season Opener at Qatar
2017 SBK World Supebike Round 2 Thailand
Edelweiss Paris to Omaha Tour with
SBK Fast Dates Calendar Kitten Kaustin
Intermot 2016 New Ducati, Honda and Suzuki Sportbikes
2016 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show Winner!


Previous Week - More: Pit Lane News
New Model Sportbikes • Editorial Features: Pit Board

2017 SBK Superbike Season Preview & Phillip Island Race
Marc Marquez - The Story of a World Champion
2016-17 IMS International Motorcycle Show
Ownership Change for Laguna Seca?
2016 Intermot International Show New 2017 Bikes
2016 AMA MotoAmerica Season Final- Beaubier Crowned
Edelweiss Bike Trip Paris to Omaha Beach with Kaustin
Fast Dates Calednar Shoot Laguna Seca 2016
2016 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show Coverage
2016 Laguna Seca USA World Superbike Coverage
2016 Missano SBK World Superbike
2016 SBK World Superbike Season Opener Phillip Island
SBK Superbike 2016 Media Guide - The Bikes, The Riders
Jonathan Rae - 2016-17 SBK World Superbike Champion
New 2016 Kawasaki ZX10 - New Bike for the SBK Champ
New 2016 Triumph Bonnevilles - More Watercooled Power
Meet 2016 2015 SBK World Superbike Champ Jonthan Rea
• Fast Dates SBK Calendar Kittens at Laguna Seca 2015
Ducati 1199R15 FastDates Review, Seup and Test
Honda RC213V Moto GP Streetbike Replica goes on sale
Corsa Motoclassica 2015 Willow Springs Racway
Fast Dates Edelweiss Tour of the Pyreness Spain & France!
Fast Dates Shoot with Jitka & Petra 2014 Laguna Seca SBK
FastDates Shoot 2013 Laguna Seca WSBK
Meet the SBK World Superbike Girls! - Photo Pictorial
FastDates.com Calendar Video Shoot - Kelsey and Jessica
World Superbike 25 Years -Maurizio and Paolo Flammini
Troy Bayliss Race Academy School Misano & Paris!
Ducati Corse World Superbike Book Cathcart & Gianatsis
• NCR / Poggopolini The Exotic Ducati Custom Bike Shop
DRE Troy Bayliss Racing Academy - Exclusive at 180mph!
• John Britten Motorcycling's Most Creative Innovator
High Speed World Superbike Movie with Sienna Miller

NEW! FAST 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 ...
Digital Calendar Magazine Yearbooks

the Bikes, the Builders, the Riders, the Kittens,
the Calendar Bike Show, the World Superbike races
all the Calendar Pictures, and Special Features...
We take you around the World for the making of the
2015 FastDates.com Calendars
Now in Members Corner

FAST 2017 Calendar Yearbook

Iron & Lace Calendar motorcycle photo

This Month in the Iron & Lace Calendar ...
SBK World Superbike podium girl Sara Horvath looks right at home on this back to basics Brown Bomber cafe bike
from Russell Mitchel / Exile Cycles.
FastDates.com Calendars are highest quality full color 15 x 15" wire spiral bound printed on heavy art stock
revealing 16 months beginning with September.
Click on the Calendar Picture Above or Here to Order


See More of the Bikes and Beautiful Calendar Kittens in -
Calendar Bike Garage
and Members Corner and Meet the Models

Shooting the 2017 Fast dates World Superbike Calendar at Laguna Seca

      All Three Editions of this new 2017 FastDates.com Calendars feature our official SBK Fast Dates World Superbike Calendar Kittens Sara Horvath, Alena Pyshnaya from the Ukraine, and Alena Sovostikova from Russia, who spent the summer in America with Calendar photographer Jim Gianatsis to shoot and work at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca USA World and AMA Superbike, and the LA Calendar Motorcycle Show. Follow the action behind the scrnes at the link above, and in our FAST 2017 Digital Magazine Yearbook in Members Corner.


FAST Magazine

FAST 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 Digital Calendar Magazines
Go Behind the Scenes for the Making of the FastDates.com Calendars!
Each year's FastDates.com Calendar Digital Yearbook features 120 pages of exciting hi-resolution digital photography that takes you with us behind the scenes to our photo shoots at SBK World and AMA Superbike, the LA Calendar Motorcyle Show, and in our photo studio. You'll meet the beautiful Calendar Kitttens in sexy biography pictorials, the top Factory Racers and Custom Bike Builders,and see detailed photo features on the top calendar and race bikes. Take a track day with World Superbike Champion Troy Bayliss at Misano, take an Edelsweiss Ducati World Superbike tour of the Ducati Factory & Museum and across Italy, ride a Vespa scooter around Paris and party at the Crazy Horse and the Moulon Rouge. Hang with beautiful teen rock star Taylor Momsen of the Pretty Reckless. Did we forget anything?

Oh yes, and you'll see every page in the new Fast Dates, Garage Girls, Iron & Lace Calendars!



Jessica Harbour

Courtney Riggs, Rockstar, FastDates.comCourtney Riggs

Fast Dates Calendar Kittens Jessica and Courtney
Featured at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca SBK World & MotoAmerica
National Superbike Race Weekend July 7-9th

Feb 15th 2017 - FastDates.com Calendar publisher and photographer Jim Gianatsis is excited to announce that one of our favorite Calendar Kittens, spokes model and Rockstar Energy Drink girl Jessica Harbour from Huntington Beach, CA, has been selected to return with FastDates.com to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, CA, for the 2017 SBK World & MotoAmerica National Superbike Race Weekend July 7-9th to shoot the next edition of the Fast Dates World Superbike Swimsuit Calendar and serving as an official SBK World Superbike Podium and Umbrella Girl. Jessica previously shot for Jim with all the top factory race bikes at the 2013 Laguna Seca WSBK round and served as an official SBK girl that weekend as well, with her pictures appearing in the 2015 Fast Dates Calendar. Jessica has continued to work at Laguna Seca WSBK the last years as well, both as an SBK and factory race team umbrella girl.

Joining Jessica the July 7-9th Laguna Seca race weekend for both the Calendar Shoot and SBK Umbrella Girl duties will be a new FastDates.com Calendar Kitten rookie, fellow Rockstar Girl Courtney Riggs from Sacramento California. Both Courtney and Jessica are represented by the modeling agency Umbrella Girls USA, and work together as Rockstar Girls at the 2017 AMA Supercross Championship rounds across America.

The following weekend of July 15-17th in Los Angeles, Jessica and Courtney will again be working with FastDates.com at the annual LA Calendar Motorcycle Show, with these beautiful Calendar Kittens hosting the Calendar Show with Jim Gianatsis, and shooting with winning motorcycles for the next Iron & Lace Custom Motorcycle PinUp Calendar. For more of the beautiful FastDates.com Calendar Kittens, the LA Calendar Motorcycle Show and to order the Calendars go to - http://www.FastDates.com

2017 LA Calendar Motorcyel Show

The 2017 Los Angeles Calendar Motorcycle Show
& Calendar Bike Building Championship - Featuring 2 Events This Year!

March 1st, 2017 -The 2017 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show continues its now 27-year tradition as the premier outdoor streetbike event in America at two exciting dates and venues this year. Events will feature top Celebrity Custom Bikes & Builders, selected Vendors and Exhibitors, Live Music performances. And the world premier of next year's new 2018 FastDates.com Motorcycle PinUp Calendars featuring the world's top Sport and Custom Motorcycles with the beautiful Calendar Kittens in attendance at the Show. Select Builders and their Bikes will be invited to be photographed by producer Jim Gianatsis for the next
FastDates.com Calendars.

Saturday July 15th 2017 Calendar Bike Builder's Party features an optional morning ride to the legenday Rock Store on Mulholland Highway with photographer Jim Gianatsis, then join us at Jim's home / studio for a private Calendar Bike Shoot with Invited Calendar Bike Builders and Calendar Kittens, followed by a Dinner Party with Live Music. It at the at the FastDates.com Calendar Photo Studio in Woodland Hills, CA. Order Calendar Bike Builder Party Tickets Here

Got an exciting Calendar Worthy Custom Bike?
Email Us
a picture with details and you could earn a Complimentary Invitation to the Calendar Party.

Sunday October 15th 2017 Rider Roundup at The Ranch in Agoura, CA. Our Calendar Bike Building Championship joins Russell Mitchell / Exile Cycles at the Paramount Western Movie Ranch in Agoura, CA,
down the road from the Rock Store, for an exciting day of Custom Motorcyles, Activities, Venders,
Manufacturers and Live Music. It's a benefit to fight Leukemia.
Walk-Up Spectator Event Admission is $10.
Register Your Custom Bike for the Calendar Bile Building Championship Here
.

Plus there's an optional Morning Bike Ride on Mulholland Highway
and an after the event Evening House Dinner Party with Russell Mitchell of Exile Cycles.
Look for more information and limited entry tickets on the ExileCycles.com website.


World Superbike race photo Thailand 2017
Race 1 in Thailand saw Davies (7) playhing runner up to Jonthan Rea (66) once again.

2017 SBK Motul World Superbike Championship, Buriram, Thailand Round 2 of 13

Superbike Round Two Double for Rea in Thailand  

Chang Circuuit, Buriram, Thailand March 10-12th 2107 - Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) continued his perfect start to the latest FIM Superbike World Championship campaign on the Ninja ZX-10RR by taking his second win of the weekend today and his fourth in succession. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) had his best finish of the year in second place, in a second race, which was shortened to 16-laps after a red flag was shown early in the first attempted running.

After taking pole position and the first race win at the Chang International Circuit Jonathan Rea had to make two race starts today, just like his peer group. In the only race finish that mattered Jonathan scored his fourth win in a row, giving him a perfect score of 100 points so far and a championship lead of 30 over Chaz Davies.
 
Having won both Superpole contests this season, at Phillip Island and Chang, Rea has also grown his career win total to 42 after his second race success. His margin of victory in race two proved to be just over four seconds, from his own team-mate Sykes.
 
Sykes rode with consistency and determination again and in a copy of the Saturday’s race in Thailand he passed Marco Melandri right at the end, this time for second place and not third. A grandstand finish gave Tom his third podium of the season, and third place overall in the championship rankings, with a total of 62 points.
 
With the second race start based on where the riders finished the red flagged race, Rea and Sykes launched off the front and second rows respectively for the real 16-lap contest.
 
In the Manufacturers’ Standings, Kawasaki’s lead was extended to 24 points after two rounds. The next WorldSBK event will take place at Motorland Aragon in Spain, with racedays on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd April.
 
Jonathan Rea, stated: “The best start to a season ever in my career. It is important to maximise these points when we can because it is how I built my championships in the past. When we can win, make sure we win, and then we can try and consolidate. These four victories are nearly halfway to my win tally from last year already! It is a good start and I just feel comfortable on the bike. We took the bike set-up we had from Phillip Island to here and it just pretty much worked. That is unheard of, so I have a good bond with the bike. There are still some areas we need to improve for the coming races but KHI are working hard on this. We expect to improve the bike again in the next races.”
 
Tom Sykes, stated: “The race win was not on today but second place was, so it was all about making the smartest move possible at the end. I could see Marco had some limitations so on the last lap I knew I had a margin. He was faster than me in the twisty section before the last corner so I had to put the lap together. Finally on the last lap on my dashboard there was 1’33.7, which was the fastest of my whole race. We still have to find a little bit more from our package. I am slowly getting there and consistency has pretty much been there. We keep closing the gap but we need to try and close it a bit faster.”

Jonthan Rea grid photo
Jonny was hot, but his riding was even hotter.

Runaway Race One Victory for Rea, as Melandri starts Race 2 from pole
RACE ONE Saturday, 11 March 2017 - The third race of the 2017 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship in Thailand on Saturday brought a third successive victory for defending WorldSBK champion Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team), after he set a new pole record lap earlier in the day. Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) and Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) joined Rea on the podium after a 20 lap race in stiffling temperatures of 36°C.
 
The Northern Irish rider held on to the lead after a good start saw him take the holeshot from pole. Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati), Sykes and Davies positioned themselves behind Rea's Kawasaki ZX-10R in the early stages but none of them could match the World Champion’s pace.
 
Davies won the battle for second, finishing six seconds behind Rea and just under two seconds in front of the pursuing Sykes. Melandri was just off the podium, less than a tenth of a second behind Sykes, whilst a good performance from Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) saw the Dutchman complete the top five.
 
Another solid race from Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) saw his good form continue in sixth place, with the top ten completed by Jordi Torres (Althea BMW Racing Team), Leon Camier (MV Agusta Reparto Corse), Nicky Hayden (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team) and rookie Stefan Bradl (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team).
 
Nearing the end of the race, in which the riders completed over 91km in the intense heat and humidity of Buriram, Xavi Fores (BARNI Racing Team) dropped back from the fight for eighth with Torres and finished 11th.
 
A technical issue with the RSV4 RF of Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia) at turn 5 on the final lap cost him points when he was running in seventh, whilst Ayrton Badovini (Grillini Racing Team) crashed on lap 6 and suffered a DNF, though fortunately the Italian was unharmed in the incident.
 
The second WorldSBK of the Round 2 weekend in Thailand takes place at 4pm local time on Sunday at the Chang International Circuit, which will see Melandri start from pole position, ahead of Van der Mark and Lowes. 

World Superbike Thailand race action

1st: Jonathan Rea - Kawasaki Racing Team - “I felt really good and quite calm, my guys gave me a really good bike again and that was my plan. We had a really good pace but Chaz also had a very fast pace, as did Marco, so I had to ride away into T1 to make the holeshot, I wanted to get my head down in T1 and I did it. I managed to get a good gap and then built up a rhythm, I was just doing my job and it was enough to win, so I’m really happy.”

2nd Chaz Davies - Aruba.it Racing Ducati - “Looking at the big picture I’m pleased with today’s performance, but I wanted to win. This morning I thought we might be close, but by the end our pace is just not good enough.I think there are a number of things we need to look at. Who knows if it’s something we can turn around overnight, but it’s going to be a little bit tough.”

3rd Tom Sykes - Kawasaki Racing Team - “I took an opportunity to get on the podium and it finally worked, and we are now able to get a lot of information. I had a small problem for a good part of the race with the braking system, but I think that will be fixed now. I’ll hopefully be strong on the brakes but overall it’s quite acceptable and I feel like we can bring the fight tomorrow.”

Complete Race 1 Results Here

Jonthan Rae race win Thailand 2017

Fourth successive win for dominant Rea 
RACE TWO Saturday March 12th 2017 - The second round of the 2017 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship concluded with another superb victory for Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) on Sunday at the Chang International Circuit, with Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) and Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) also on the podium.
 
In a restarted fourth race of the season, Rea took a brilliant win by just over four seconds from Sykes, to continue a brilliant start to the season for the Northern Irishman. Sykes made it a Kawasaki one-two with a last lap move on Melandri.
 
In the original Sunday race a big crash for Lorenzo Savadori (Milwaukee Aprilia) at turn 12 just after a technical fault saw the red flag come out due to track conditions, with debris left on track by the Italian’s accident.
 
After a quick restart procedure the riders did battle over 16 laps, with
Rea taking control as he got away from the front of the grid, which was based on the positions at the end of the fourth lap of the earlier curtailed race.
 
In the first race start Rea had shot up from ninth on the grid to soon contest the lead with Melandri who had started well from pole, with the World Champion taking over from the Italian at the front on the fourth lap. After the race restart Melandri could not hold Rea back with the Kawasaki man charging away as the laps progressed, with Sykes eventually also getting the better of the Ducati man.
 
Thanks to a perfect start to 2017 defending champion Rea now leads the championship by 30 points from Davies, ahead of the third round of the season at Aragon in three weeks time.
 
Meanwhile, the Motul Thai Round was a successful weekend for Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) who finished Sunday’s race six seconds off the podium in fourth, having finished sixth in Race 1. Spaniard Jordi Torres (Althea BMW Racing Team) followed the Englishman across the line for fifth.
 
An solid performance by Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) after the restart saw him fight through the pack from 19th to eventually finish sixth - having gone down on lap three at the third corner in the initial race, losing the front end and rejoining at the back of the field.
 
Nicky Hayden (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team), Xavi Fores (BARNI Racing Team), Roman Ramos (Team Kawasaki Go Eleven) and Markus Reiterberger (Althea BMW Racing Team) completed the top ten.
 
Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) missed out on the points due to technical issues with his bike, which meant he was unable to take part in the restarted race.

Stefan Bradl (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team) unfortunately crashed out at turn 12 after five laps of the restarted contest and did not finish, whilst Randy Krummenacher (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) had to retire midway through the 16-lap second race of the afternoon due to a mechanical issue.
 
Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia) crashed out of fifth under pressure from Torres at turn 6 with eight laps to go, whilst Leon Camier (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) was advised by the marshals to stop six laps from the end of the race with smoke pouring from his MV Agusta 1000 F4 machine.
 
The WorldSBK riders return to action over the 31st March - 2nd April weekend at the aforementioned Pirelli Aragón Round, the third round of the 2017 season.

1st Jonathan Rea - Kawasaki Racing Team - “This is my best ever start to the season, I’m feeling good with the bike. I was so nervous about the ninth place start to be honest because this track is so hard to pass, especially with the speed of the Ducati’s. I’m really lucky that I had sector three pretty dialled in, and by T4 I put my head down and managed to snap Marco after three or four laps. This is a massive thanks to all my team, theyve been working relentlessly so these race wins are for them.”

2nd Tom Sykes - Kawasaki Racing Team - “We struggled all weekend a little bit, I’ve been working hard over the winter to try and overcome some limitations. I just had to change the way I ride and it shows, because on the last lap I did my fastest lap of the race. Today was hot, greasy conditions which normally work against us but we are trying. We kept going until the last lap and managed to get second position so overall not a bad weekend.”

3rd Marco Melandri - Aruba.it Racing - Ducati - “To be back on the podium is huge, but it was a very tough race, and we were passed two times with the same pass! I was struggling with the front break for the first few laps I knew Sykes was going to pass, because the lever was touching my hand when I was braking, so I knew he was going to be very strong. Thanks to my team and I can’t wait to be back on the podium again.”

Complete Race 2 Results Here


Chaz Davies Ducati testing
Jonthan Rea on top of the World in Australia and Malaysia

2017 SBK Motul World Superbike Championship, Phillip Island Round 1 of 13

Phillip Island Double Gives Jonthan Rea 40 Superbike Wins

Photos by Kel Edge and Team Media
Phillip Island, Australia , 26 Feb 26th 2017- Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) joined an exclusive club with his 40th career FIM Superbike World Championship race win today while Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) joined the leading group in the race for a time, but finished sixth. In the championship points Rea leads with a perfect 50 while Sykes has 26, and is ranked third overall.

In warm and sunny conditions the second Phillip Island race saw a small piece of history being made on two main fronts. First of all race one front row winner Rea and third placed Sykes had to start race two from the third row on their Ninja ZX-10RRs, under the new championship regulations. Sykes took over seventh grid place and Rea ninth, in another new twist to the 2017 season. Then, Rea secured his historic 40th race win at the end of the 22-laps.

Rea, able to get into the lead as early as lap six despite starting from the third row, raced for the win from then on, holding off Chaz Davies over the finish line for the second time in two days, this time by a margin of 0.025 seconds. Jonathan has now won five of the six most recent Phillip Island races, on a Kawasaki.

This latest race win gave Rea his magical 40th career victory; a level only reached and then later passed by three other riders in WorldSBK history. They are Carl Fogarty, Troy Bayliss and Noriyuki Haga. Rea, the 2015 and 2016 champion, also scored the Superpole win on Saturday for an almost perfect opening weekend of the new campaign on the new Ninja ZX-10RR.

Sykes, the WorldSBK champion in 2013, had more of an issue getting to the front group in race two, having to fight his way through once he had passed some slower riders and using up too much of his available tyre life in the process. He finished sixth today, 4.781 seconds from the win but having taken his second good result of the opening race weekend and third place overall in the points.

In the Manufacturers’ Standings, Kawasaki leads from Ducati 50 to 40.

Jonathan Rea, stated: “Phillip Island was really rewarding and to win two last lap battles here means a lot because it is a such a hard track to lead from the front on. Whilst that 40th career victory means a lot it is more important to put a good score on the board for round one. When I went through to clean air in the lead with three or four to go I was worried that the other riders may be learning too much about the bike. I had to be sure just to change the lines up a little bit but on the last lap, from Siberia corner onwards, I just put my head down and completed a very good back section. I covered my line into the MG hairpin and got myself tucked in as well as I could on the front straight. There was not only one area where we found some pace in the winter tests; we generally just polished the bike. Nothing magic happened but I feel good about this bike. The way things have changed a little bit have suited me. I can ride less on the limit and we have more tyre left to fight with at the end of races, compared to last year.”

Complete Race Coverage Here


John Surtees MV Agusta action riding photoJohn Surtees was World GP Champion for MV Agusta in 1956 and '58-60, the Formula One World Champion in 1964.

Remembering John Surtees
the only World Champion on 2 and 4 Wheels

Reprinted in part from Petrolicious.com

It can be hard to give what feels like adequate respect to someone you’ve never known personally, and especially so when that person is as towering and well-known a figure as John Surtees. Last week the world of motorsport and the world at large lost a special person. Surtees was 83 years old when he died in hospital on March 10th 2017, and leaves behind a legacy during those years that’s full of impressive feats of motorsport as a rider, driver, and manager.

Surtees, the only person to have become a world champion on two and four wheels, began an illustrious career of racing on a motorcycle, winning his first 500cc World Championship riding an MV Agusta in 1956. A short time later, he would go on to win back-to-back-to-back championships from ’58-’60, kicking off a string of unbroken wins for the Italian motorcycle manufacturer that would stretch for 17 seasons of dominance. To add to his impressive list of moto accomplishments, Surtees also made an indelible mark on the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy as the first person to win the Senior TT (not referring in any way to age, think of this as the bikes in this category being the big brothers of the slower TTs) 3 times in a row.

In 1960, at the age of 26, Surtees switched from motorcycles to cars full-time, making his Formula 1 debut racing in the 1960 BRDC International Trophy at Silverstone for Team Lotus. He made an immediate impact with a second-place finish in only his second Formula One World Championship race, at the 1960 British Grand Prix, and a pole position at his third, the 1960 Portuguese Grand Prix. After spending the 1961 season with the Yeoman Credit Racing Team driving a Cooper T53 "Lowline" managed by Reg Parnell and the 1962 season with the Bowmaker Racing Team, still managed by Reg Parnell but now in the V8 Lola Mk4, he moved to Scuderia Ferrari in 1963 and won the World Championship for the Italian team in 1964

On 25 September 1965, Surtees had a life-threatening accident at the Mosport Circuit (Ontario, Canada) while practising in a Lola T70 sports racing car.[2] A front upright casting had broken. A.J. Baime in his book Go Like Hell says Surtees came out of the crash with one side of his body four inches shorter than the other.[11] Doctors set most of the breaks nonsurgically, in part by physically stretching his shattered body until the right-left discrepancy was under an inch – and there it stayed.

The 1966 season saw the introduction of new, larger 3-litre engines to Formula One.[12] Surtees's debut with Ferrari's new F1 car was at the 1966 BRDC International Trophy at Silverstone, where he qualified and finished a close second behind Jack Brabham's 3-litre Brabham BT19. A few weeks later, Surtees led the Monaco Grand Prix, pulling away from Jackie Stewart's 2-litre BRM on the straights, before the engine failed. A fortnight later Surtees survived the first lap rainstorm which eliminated half the field and won the Belgian Grand Prix.

John Surtees had that rare quality that allowed him to speak his mind candidly while still managing to remain endearing, and the even rarer one that saw his actions follow in accordance with his words. So, following disagreements with Ferrari surrounding the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans, Surtees left the team, and, of course, went on to handily win the Can-Am season in its first year of running, 1966. Clearly his prowess behind the wheel was undeterred by a change in scenery.

Following a career dotted with championships, Surtees left the driver’s seat and underwent the arduous tribulations of team ownership with the creation and management of his Surtees Racing Organization. Leading efforts in Formula 1, Formula 2, and Formula 5000, Surtees was dedicated to, and remained heavily involved in competitive international racing. After the last of his teams closed up in 1978, Surtees still did not abandon the racing world, as he continued in vintage motorcycle and car racing events for much of his life.

John Surtees at the new Silverstone a few years ago with fellow World Champion Valentino Rossi.


Vinales Dovizioso Action Qatar
After early race leader Johann Zarco crashed out, Maverik Viñales and Andrea Dovizioso battled fot the race win. Valention Rossi caught them near the end of the race, buthad to settle for 3rd on the podium.

2017 MotoGP World Championship, Qatar 1 of 16

Grand Prix of Qatar - 2017's First Blood Under Desert Lights


Sunday, 26 March 2017, Qatar
- Rained out Qualifying on Saturday, then more rain on Race Day, delays, uncertainty and a decision for a slightly shortened race distance prefaced the 20 laps that then blew the drama out the water: MotoGP™ is back for 2017, and in some style. After stealing the headlines throughout preseason, Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) retains them after his first win for Yamaha – but easy it wasn’t, as the polesitter fought it out with Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) in an awesome desert duel. Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) completed the podium in third after storming back from P10 on the grid.
 
A stunning start from Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar) from P2 was soon overshadowed as rookie Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) slammed into the lead in the first laps, getting away and making a gap as Viñales found himself falling back into the clutches of his teammate. But despite an incredible display, the fairytale came to an early end for the Frenchman as he slid out of the lead soon after – leaving ‘DesmoDovi’ out front.
 
With the number 4 Ducati getting away in the lead, Iannone then crashed out of the fight for second – leaving reigning Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), Viñales and Rossi chasing the leading Desmosedici. After a classic scuffle between the number 46 and 93, the ‘Doctor’ set off in pursuit of his teammate.
 
And then there were three: Viñales, Dovizioso, and Rossi. But It wasn’t long, however, before there was some fresh air between lead two and the number 46 – with a duel setting in that saw Viñales’ corner speed pitched against the sheer might of the Ducati. After trading places for a few laps and the race impossible to call, the Spaniard was then able to hold off the Italian on the penultimate lap – and made it to the line to take his second MotoGP™ win; his first in Yamaha colours
 
Marquez crossed the line fourth, just ahead of teammate Dani Pedrosa by the flag - who took fifth after getting the better of Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini). Espargaro's result was a historic first top six for Aprilia in the stunning first ride in Noale colours for the rider from Granollers. Impressive performances from Scott Redding (Octo Pramac Racing) and Jack Miller (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) saw the two men come home in P7 and P8, with Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) top rookie in P9 – just ahead of Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider Jonas Folger, who completed the top ten.
 
Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) went wide on the first lap after a solid start, down to near the back of the grid after carefully rejoining and then beginning a steady fight back through the field. Up into tenth with 12 laps to go, the ‘Spartan’ crossed the line in P11 by the end of play.
 
Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) crashed out of contention before rejoining and then suffering the same fate, with Alvaro Bautista (Pull&Bear Aspar Team) crashing out soon after, as well as Octo Pramac Racing rider Danilo Petrucci - joining Iannone and Zarco on the list of unluckies in round one, but sure to be back for more next time out.

MotoGP Race Results - Complete Results Here
1 - Maverick Viñales (SPA - Yamaha) 38'59.999
2 - Andrea Dovizioso (ITA - Ducati) +0.461
3 - Valentino Rossi (ITA - Yamaha) + 1.928



Revealed! The 2017 Ducati 215hp / 368 lb 1299cc Superleggera
Bologna Italy November 5th 2017 - Ducati has revealed a new limited edition lightweight version of their latest big bore 1299cc V-Twin Superbike, the 1299 Superlegera. The previous2014 year limited edition 11999 Superlegera retailed for USD $68,000, so expected this new model to be priced even higher with the addition of its Carbon Fiber Airbox Subframe to attach the front forks, and new lightweight carbon fiber wheels. This is a pure Collector's bike as the larger 1299cc engine dispersant and carbon fibre wheels make it ineligible for FIM / AMA racing. It should also be noted the Superquadro engine performance upgrades which premiered in the 2014 model year 1199cc Superleggera became available the following year in the 2015 homologation 1199R Superbike for $33,000.

ENGINE Superquadro: L-twin cylinder, 4 valve per cylinder, Desmodromic, liquid cooled
DISPLACEMENT 1,285 cc
BORE X STROKE 116 x 60.8 mm
COMPRESSION RATIO 13.0:1
POWER 158.1 kW (215 hp) @ 11,000 rpm
The power values indicated above are measured using a chassis dynamometer. Homologated power data, as quoted in the Bike Registration Document, are measured using an engine dynamometer according to the homologation regulation. The two power values may differ because of the different measurement equipments.
TORQUE 146.5 Nm (108,0 lb-ft) @ 9,000 rpm
FUEL INJECTION Mitsubishi electronic fuel injection system. Twin injectors per cylinder. Full Ride-by-Wire elliptical throttle bodies with aerodynamic valve and optimized trumpets
EXHAUST 2-1-2 system, primary tubes in titanium. Twin titanium mufflers. 2 lambda probes and 2 catalytic converters
GEARBOX
6 speed with Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) up/downPRIMARY DRIVE
Straight cut gears; Ratio 1.77:1
RATIO 1=37/15 2=30/16 3=27/18 4=25/20 5=24/22 6=23/24
FINAL DRIVE Chain; Front sprocket 15; Rear sprocket 39
CLUTCH Hydraulically controlled slipper/self-servo wet multiplate clutch
FRAME Monocoque in carbon fiber
FRONT SUSPENSION Fully adjustable 43mm USD Öhlins FL 936 fork with TiN treatment, billet fork bottoms and lightweight stress-optimized outer tubes, lightweight springs
FRONT WHEEL 10-spoke carbon fiber 3.50" x 17"
FRONT TYRE
Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP 120/70 ZR17
REAR SUSPENSION
Fully adjustable single Öhlins TTX36 shock with titanium spring, adjustable linkage between progressive/flat. Carbon fiber single-sided swingarm
REAR WHEEL
10 spokes carbon fiber 6.00” x 17”
REAR TYRE
Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP 200/55 ZR17
WHEEL TRAVEL (FRONT/REAR)
120 mm (4.7 in) - 130 mm (5.1 in)
FRONT BRAKE 2 x 330 mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Brembo Monobloc Evo M50 4-piston callipers with Cornering ABS, Brembo MCS 19-21 adjustable-ratio front brake master cylinder, remote lever adjuster
REAR BRAKE 245 mm disc, 2-piston calliper with Cornering ABS
INSTRUMENTATION Colour TFT display
DRY WEIGHT 156 kg (343.9 lb)
KERB WEIGHT 167 kg (368.2 lb)
SEAT HEIGHT 830 mm (32.48 in)
WHEELBASE 1.456 mm (57.32 in)
RAKE 24°
FRONT WHEEL TRAIL 98 mm (3.86 in)
FUEL TANK CAPACITY 17 l - 4.5 gallon (US)
NUMBER OF SEATS Single seat
STANDARD EQUIPMENT Riding Modes, Power Modes, ABS cornering, DTC, DWC, DSC, DPL, DQS u/d, EBC, DDA+ w/GPS module, Fully RbW. Rapid setting DTC, DWC, DSC, EBC
ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT Track Kit: Titanium racing exhaust, racing windshield, machined mirror block-off plates, license plate mount removal plug, side-stand removal kit, front and rear paddock stands, paddock bike cover
WARRANTY (MONTHS) 24 months unlimited mileage
MAINTENANCE (KM/MONTHS) 12,000 km (7,500 mi) / 12 months
VALVE CLEARANCE ADJUSTMENT (KM) 24,000 km (15,000 mi) - street use



Valentino Rossi's new 2017 Yamaha MotoGP bike with the new "Hidden" aero winglets now inside the bodywork as required by the 2017 FIM rules.

FIM 2017 MotoGP World Championhip, PreSeason Testing Phillip Ilsand

Viñales Again Dominates on Yamaha in MotoGP Tests on the Island
The fastest man at every pre season test

Phillip Island, Friday Feb 17th 2017 - New kid on the Yamaha block Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) has done it again at Phillip Island, going even faster on Day 3 to top the timesheets once more. Fastest on Day 2 and fastest during testing at Sepang and Valencia, the Spaniard has hit the ground running in his new MotoGP™ home – ending the Australia test ahead of the Repsol Honda Team: Marc Marquez in second and Dani Pedrosa in third.

Maverick Viñales / Movistar Yamaha MotoGP is the fastest kid on the block.

Viñales put in a 1:28.549 early in his impressive day’s work; a time unthreatened until the final flag. Completing 101 laps and able to put in 1:28 laps in a row, the Spaniard also managed to rake in the laptimes in the 1:29 bracket in another ominous show of form. His teammate – nine-time World Champion Valentino Rossi – ended Day 3 in P11 and 0.921s in arrears. The “Doctor” did a best of 1:29.470 in the third session, but is bumped down to P12 on combined times.

The closest chasers to the portentous pace of Viñales were Repsol Honda duo Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa. Marquez, who did 107 laps on Day 2 and is the only other rider in the illustrious 1:28 club, did a best of 1:28.843 as he prepares for his title defence – with another impressive 96-lap workload completed. Pedrosa, who was ill on Day 2 and only went out on track for the afternoon, was back on form on Day 3 and put in 65 laps with a quickest effort of 1:29.033, just missing the 1:28s and slotting into P3 on both Day 3 and combined timesheets.

Maverick Viñales - 1st 1'28.549 / 101 LAPS
"It was a very positive test for us. We came here to try many items and now we got things clear and we already know which set-up we can start using in Qatar. We did a lot of work and I'm happy about that. Today we concentrated mainly on the race pace and I'm satisfied, but we're still able to improve. We didn't decide on the fairing yet, it's still totally open, you never know." 

The fastest rookie on Days 1 and 2 kept his crown on the third and final day of testing, as Jonas Folger (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) shot up into P4. The German, who did an incredible 1:29.042, also suffered a crash but remained just ahead of 2016 Australian GP winner Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda). Folger’s teammate, two-time Moto2™ World Champion Johann Zarco, ended the #AusTest P15 on combined times with a 1:29.670. 

With Crutchlow locking out the top five, another impressive rookie was hot on the Brit’s tail: Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar). Beating new teammate Andrea Iannone on the timesheets on Day 2 and repeating the feat on Day 3, Rins put in a 1:29.103 to end up only 0.002 off the number 35 on the combined timesheets – despite a small crash. “Maniac” Iannone ended up P13 overall and twelfth on Day 3, completing 77 laps in the final session with a best of 1:29.547.

Seventh and eighth was a Ducati Team lockout. Andrea Dovizioso and Jorge Lorenzo were separated by less than a tenth, and both completed over 70 laps. “DesmoDovi” is on test duty for the team, with “Spartan” Lorenzo’s focus more angled at adapting to the Desmosedici. The Italian’s best was a 1:29.248, with the Spaniard just behind on a 1:29.342.

Local hero Jack Miller (Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS) was the next man up, with the Australian impressing once again after proving a constant force to be reckoned with in the top ten. 2016 Assen winner Miller did a best of 1:29.358 to line up just behind five-time World Champion Lorenzo, flying the EG0,0 Marc VDS flag alone at his home track until injured teammate Tito Rabat hopes to get back down to work at the Qatar test.

Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) was another who impressed, taking P6 on Day 2 and locking out the top ten on combined times. The Spaniard, whose best lap was a 1:29.361, put in 65 laps on Day 3 for the Noale factory, with rookie teammate Sam Lowes adding another 57. Lowes’ best was a 1:30.200. 

Espargaro’s compatriot Alvaro Bautista (Pull&Bear Aspar Team) was one of the few riders to not improve on Day 3, but his time from the second session is enough to keep him P11 on the combined timesheets – just ahead of Valentino Rossi. Former 125 World Champion Bautista’s best was a 1:29.411.

Octo Pramac Racing’s Danilo Petrucci was the final rider in the top fifteen, taking P14 overall – just ahead of Zarco. The Italian, on the GP17 Desmosedici, did a 1:29.615 to end the Australian test just over a second off the best lap by Viñales.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing made a huge leap up in laptime on the third and final day at Phillip Island. Both riders Pol Espargaro and Bradley Smith put in laps under the 1:30 barrier, with the Spaniard’s best a 1:29.857 and the Brit’s a 1:29.978. Both within a second and a half of P1, the timesheets bode well for the Austrian factory as the road to Qatar gets shorter.
Next up is Losail International Circuit for another test – the last – from the 10th to 12th of March, before the lights go out at the same venue later in the month and 2017 hits the gas.


Winston Yeh MV Agusta custom motorcycle

Now in the Calendar Bike Garage!
Winston Yeh's exciting new MV Agusta "Ballastic" Custom with Calendar Kitten Jillian Janson with complete Build Details and a Large Screen Size Photo Gallery. - http://www.FastDates.com/IronLaceGarage.HTM


Leslie Graham AJS
Leslie Graham riding the AJS Porcupine in 1949

First GP winner, the 1949 AJS Porcupine E90
The most recent winning bike in the premier class to join the first – from 1949 –
in a lap of the Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana

Nov 12th 2016 - The most recent winning bike in the premier class to join the first – from 1949 – in a lap of the Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana. In an incredible one-off event to mark the end of the 25th anniversary celebrating the collaboration between the FIM, Dorna, the MSMA and IRTA, Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) will be joined by the AJS Porcupine E90 – the winning bike of the first 500cc World Championship in 1949 - in a special lap of honour at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo after MotoGP Warm Up. Sammy Miller will ride alongside Marc Marquez on the legendary machine that won the first ever World Championship.

Living legend Miller is an eleven-time British Trials Champion, twice European Trials Champion, and a multiple World Championship podium finisher. The Northern Irishman now presides over one of the biggest collections of motorcycles in the world in the Sammy Miller Museum – the home of the AJS Porcupine E90.

The Honda RC213V ridden by Marquez will share the lap of honour with the bike taken to that historic first premier class title by Leslie Graham in 1949, proving the perfect final piece in both a history-making 2016 season and the 25th anniversary celebrations - bringing together the first and the most recent winning motorcycles in the premier class of Grand Prix racing.


Parris to Omaha Beach

We're Back! Riding Edelweiss Motorcycle Tour - From Paris to Omaha, France
Versailles, France, August 2016 - How we spent our summer vacation! On the exciting Edelweiss Bike Travel 2016 Paris to Omaha Beach 10-day motorcycle tour across western France visiting the histroric battle sites of World War II where editor Jim Ginatsis father, B26 bomber pilot Capt. James Gianatsi played a pivital role in te D-say invasion and liberating France. We rode 2-up two-up with awesome FastDates.com SBK World Superbike Calendar Kitten Kaustin "Kaussie" Rose in a story for the FastDates.com Website. Our bike of choice would be the newly introduced BMW R 1000 XR Sport Tourer, based on the potent BMW R 1000 RR Superbike. For the Complete Story Click on the Photos or Check Out the Complete Story Here

Edelweiss Motorcyle Tours - Paris to Omaha

For complete Pricing, Bikes, and Booking Information visit the Edelweiss Website HereEdelweiss World Motorcycle Tours


2016 2017 Progrssive International Motorccyle show story photo photo pictures


KTM MotoGP bike RC16 motorcycle

KTM Unveils Its New MotoGP Bike to Race in 2017
August 2016 - The Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, at the Austrian round of MotoGP Championsgip, saw KTM officially present its MotoGP project, the KTM RC16. There had been months of testing, with press releases and photos issued. There had been KTM's participation in the private MotoGP test at the Red Bull Ring in July, alongside the rest of the MotoGP teams. But at the Austrian GP, the fans and media got their first chance to see the bike close up.

There are few surprises: 1000cc V4 engine, using pneumatic valves, housed in a tubular steel trellis frame and an aluminum swing arm. Suspension is by WP, while brakes are by Brembo, and exhaust by Akrapovic. Electronics are the spec MotoGP Magneti Marelli ECU.

Big Horsepower Numbers
Really interesting are the numbers for maximum engine revs and horsepower. Like all official numbers on values such as torque, horsepower, and revs, they are not to be trusted, but these both seem highly inaccurate. KTM claims the RC16 makes 250hp. It certainly makes that, and probably 10% more, given that most MotoGP engines are believed to make somewhere between 260 and 275 horsepower.

Reports from the track said that the KTM was not short of top speed, though test rider Mika Kallio told a group of reporters that he believed they were still down a little on the Ducati. "On the engine side, we are on the good level," the Finnish test rider told us. "There is still room to improve, at the moment the Ducati is still the fastest bike on the straight, so we are not there, but we are close to the other bikes." Those who saw the speeds through the speed traps reported KTM as being very fast indeed, though no one would be drawn into revealing actual speeds.

19,000 RPM?!
Where does that horsepower come from? On the corporate blog, KTM report the maximum revs as being 19,000 RPM. If that number is accurate, it is insanely high: MotoGP adopted the engine bore limit of 81mm precisely to limit engine speeds, after the manufacturers rejected a mandatory rev limit. Conventional engineering wisdom had it that reliable engines would not be able to rev much above 16,000 RPM, as engine speeds above that would place too much stress on pistons and conrods, causing them to fall apart. A mean piston speed (MPS) (link is external) of 26 m/s was believed to be a fairly firm limit.

That has not turned out to be the case. The bikes were soon revving well up towards 17,000 RPM, and making further inroads into the laws of physics. According to our research, the Ducatis can rev to 18,000 RPM, the Hondas to 17,750 RPM, the Yamahas to 17,250 RPM (with satellite bikes having engine limits set several hundred RPM below the max revs of the factory machines). Ducati was already achieving an MPS of 29.1 m/s, a seemingly impossibly high number. If KTM really are revving to 19,000 RPM, that would be an MPS of 30.7 m/s, which is up in drag engine territory. Dragsters have to cover around 1200 meters between engine rebuilds. MotoGP bikes have to hang together for close to 2000 kilometers.

How do KTM – or Ducati, Honda, and Yamaha, for that matter – achieve such engine speeds? MPS – mean piston speed – is a rough approximation, but it is not an accurate reflection of the stresses placed on the engine. What matters is the amount of acceleration and deceleration which the piston and connecting rod undergo as they slow down for bottom and top dead center, then speed up again towards the middle of the stroke. The weight of components such as pistons, wrist pins and conrods is a factor here, as force is acceleration times mass, and force is stress.

Clearly, the factories are working to find clever ways of reducing stress, which will include lighter weight components, paying close attention to mass distribution, the location of the wrist pin, and smoothing the transition between acceleration and deceleration as much as possible. What they are doing is impossible to know, nor how they are doing it. But the lessons learned will at some point pass down into production vehicles, though we may have to wait a few years to find out.

The KTM V-Four
What we do know about the engine is layout of the engine. Though KTM Technical Director Sebastian Risse was cagey when asked directly what layout the engine used, he tacitly acknowledged it was a 90° V4. When I put it to him that the aim of running the bike without a balance shaft had implications for engine design, he replied, "This is true, yes." Not an admission as such, but as close as you might expect from a factory engineer.

The engine firing order is also not yet fixed. When asked whether the engine would have a big bang (cylinders firing together) or screamer (each cylinder firing separately) firing order, Risse answered that KTM had not yet made up their minds. "We are still doing some investigations about this," Risse said. "Especially now with the electronics, there's not just the mechanical firing order, there's more about it, and you can play a lot with it." What he is implying is that although two pistons may reach TDC at the same time, the charges in the cylinders can be ignited a degree or so apart. That can help smooth the power delivery, and reduce the load placed on the crankshaft.


Harley-Davidson XG750R Flat Track Bike

HARLEY-DAVIDSON WILL ONLY RACE NEW XG750R FLAT TRACKER in 2017
Next Generation, Liquid-Cooled Factory Harley-Davidson XG750R Flat Track Bike based off new water-cooled Street 500/750 platform Breaks Cover at AMA Pro Springfield Mile


Feb 1st 2107 - The new-generation Harley-Davidson® flat-track motorcycle isconfirmed to be Harley's only factory race bike entry in 2017, replacing their decades old iconic FXR750. The Harley-Davidson® Screamin’ Eagle® Factory Team is unleashing the XG750R, its first all-new flat track race bike in 44 years, to battle in fierce, adrenaline-filled competition on dirt ovals across the U.S.

Powered by the fuel-injected, liquid-cooled Harley-Davidson Revolution X™ V-Twin engine, the XG750R will be raced by Factory Team rider Davis Fisher on the AMA Pro Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines flat track series. The new XG750R motorcycle is strictly for race competition and will not be offered for sale at this time.

The new flat tracker is powered by the 750cc Revolution X™ V-Twin engine designed for the Harley-Davidson Street® 750, a motorcycle built for maximum urban maneuverability with rebellious Dark Custom™ attitude. Tuned for the track, this modified Revolution X engine will power the new XG750R in the extreme heat of competition as it fights to be first to the finish line.

The race-modified Revolution X engine and a racing frame for the XG750R were developed by Vance & Hines Motorsports. Vance & Hines also is the partner for the factory Harley-Davidson® Screamin’ Eagle®/Vance & Hines drag racing program where V-Rod® motorcycles have won eight of the past 12 NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle drag racing championships.

“After decades of flat-track racing success behind the Harley-Davidson XR750 flat track motorcycle, we knew it was time to develop the next-generation Harley-Davidson to compete in one of the best spectator racing sports out there today,” said Kris Schoonover, Harley-Davidson racing manager. Fisher, in his first season racing with the Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle Factory Team and a rookie on the GNC1 series, will be the first racer aboard the XG750R. The 18-year-old racer from Warren, Ore., won the 2015 AMA Pro GNC2 championship.

“We wanted a young rider with plenty of raw ability for the XG750R program, and Davis proved himself in the GNC2 class,” said Schoonover. “We are excited to have the opportunity to bring an emerging talent like Davis up to the GNC1 series to develop the new bike alongside an experienced champion like Brad Baker.”

Harley-Davidson XG750R Flat Track Bike

Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle Factory Team rider Brad Baker, 23 years old and the 2013 AMA Pro Grand National Champion, will continue to race aboard the proven Harley-Davidson XR750 motorcycle while Fisher races the XG750R through its developmental stage.

At the May 29th 2016 Springfield Mile, H-D factory rider Davis Fisher finished 8th on the new Harley XG750R, behind behind a slew of Kawasaki Ninja 650 in-line twins, and 9 seconds down behind podium finishers factory Harley Rider Brad Baker in 3rd on the old XR750, privateer Jared Mees also on an XR750, with Bryan Smith on a Kawasaki Ninja 650 taking the race win. The more advanced design of the 4-valve DOHC Kawasaki engine proving highly competitive despiteits smaller displacement.

“The XG750R has shown great potential in testing and the first few races this season,” said Schoonover. “But as with any new racing motorcycle, there will be work to do. We’re excited to continue testing the XG750R in real world competition, and as we make our way through the season, we will evaluate the performance of the bike and our factory riders to see if Baker might switch to the new bike.”

Check Harley-Davidson.com for a full listing of this season’s races; also follow Harley-Davidson on Facebook for racing updates.


Sara Vyvus Ducati

Now in the Calendar Bike Garage...   The World's Coolest Naked Ducati!
Beauitful FastDates.com Calendar Kitten Sara takes us for a ride on the world's most exotic and expensive Ducati streetbike
ever - a $110,000 Vyrus NCR 983 Superleggera in the Calendar Bike Garage and in Members Corner.

David BeckhamTriumph motorcycle

Now in the FastDates.com Calendar Bike Garage!
David Beckham's Amazon Triumph Scrambler build by legenday Calendar Bike Builder Rickard Pollock / Mule Motorcycles, photographed with Calendar Kitten and Penthouse Pet Aleska in BIG full screen saver size photos.

Samuel Kao BMW 90T Custom

Now in the Calendar Bike Garage...
Samuel Kao's Calendar Bike Show class winning BMW R 90T Bar Hopper with beauitful FastDates.com SBK World Superbike Calendar Kitten Sara featured in the Calendar Bike Garage / Members Corner and in the new 2016 Iron & Lace Calendar


Fast Dates Laguna Seca World Superbike photo shoot 2016

Fast Dates Calendar Celebrates 22 years of SBK World Superbike in America
California, USA, July 17-20th 2016
- For the 22nd year since SBK World Superbike first came to America at Laguna Seca Raceway in 1995, the FastDates.com Calendars and myself, producer / photographer Jim Gianatsis were excited to continue
our ongoing association with SBK World Superbike and the UmbrellaGirlsUSA.com to bring 2 more beautiful FastDates.com Calendar Kittens; Kaustin Lanae and Alissa Bourne to shoot with me at the 2016 Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca United States SBK World Superbike and AMA National race weekend July 8-10th. There they served as the official SBK Podium Girls and helped me shoot the next Fast Dates World & AMA Superbike Calendar. Then, two weekends later they both would work the
26th annual LA Calendar Motorcycle Show and Calendar shoot in Los Angeles on July 23-24th. Continued Here


Ducati Corse World Superbike Book

2016 Best of Show

From the left: Builder Hirokai Takai, Calendar Show producer Jim Gianatsis, Calendar Kitten Kaustin Rose, Best of Show winner Yuichiti Yoshizkwa, Kittens Alissa Bourne and Daria Dali.

We Have a Winner!

Yuichiti Yoshizkwa takes 2016 LA Calendar Motorcycle Best of Show
Calabasas, CA, July 23rd, 2016 - Yuichiti Yoshizkwa / Custom Works Zou, flew his bike in from Japan to take Best of Show at the 2016 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show. This was the 5th year in a row that Asian Builders had claimed the top spot at America's premier custom motorcyce show with their unique had craft builds. Yuichiti's Cafe Racer themed bike features a front swingarm suspension with its Amrican V-Twin replica Shovel Head
fed by a exhaust driver turbocharger!

Complete coverage if this year's 2016 LA Calendar Motocycle Show HERE

Raccia Kawsaaki W1 cafe racer

Calendar Bike Show Winner
Now in the FastDates.com Calendar Bike Garage!

Mike LaFountain's 2016 LA Calendar Bike Show class winning 1967 Kawasaki W1 Cafe Racer with SBK Fast Dates World Superbike Calendar Kitten Jessica Harbour in Big Screen Saver Size Pictures and bike details - http://www.FastDates.com/IronLaceGarage.HTM


Previous Week - More Pit Lane News
New Model Sportbikes • Editorial Features: Pit Board


Also Visit
: Fast Dates Calendar News  •  Iron & Lace Calendar News • Calendar Girl News 
Meet the ModelsPaddock Garage
Get FastDates.com T-Shirts, Mugs & Photographs from Our Store


 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show


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

Amazon.com Motorcycle Products & Apparel Store

Expedia.com - Fast and Easy!

Edelweiss World Motorcycle Tours



Fast Dates Calendar girl Gemma Gleeson Members Corner
Hot Bikes, Sexy Kittens
Your Excusive Grid Pass
also includes....

Paddock Garage sportbike tuning and suspension setup

Iron & Lace garage custom Harley-Davidson and choppers


2014 Fast Dates World Superbike Calendar

Order the New 2017 Calendars!
with the FastDates.com Calendar Kittens - the official SBK Umbrella Girls!

Garage Girls 2014 Calendar

Iron & Lace custom motorcycle 2014 Calendar

Click Below for more
Calendars!


Sports illustrated calendar
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2017 Wall Art Calendar Art w/Hanger 11x17

Sports illustrated calendar
Playboy Lingerie 2017 Wall Art Calendar Art w/Hanger 11x17


2015 SBK Girls
Sara Horvath

Meet the offical SBK
Fast Dates World Superbike Calendar Kittens!

Petra SBK Girls 2014
Petra Ruzickova

SBK Worlf Superbike girls photo pictorial
Alena Savostikova

Kaustin Rose
Kaustin Rose


Troy Bayliss - A Faster Way

        New! Troy Bayliss
A Faster Way

        Track Riding Book

Ducati Corse Racing Yearbook 2009 MotoGP,  World SuperbikeRetail $49.95 ea.
Click to Order from Amazon.com


Ducati Corse
World Superbikes

by Alan Cathcart
& Jim Gianatsis

World Superbike SBK yearbook 2010

The Official SBK
World Superbikes
1987-2012
25 Year History Book

World Superbike SBK yearbook

The Official SBK
2016-2017 Yearbook

These SBK Yearbooks are the Best Books Ever about World Superbike. They feature wesome color photography of the riders, bike and racing action. The feature a deailed revue of the past season in pictures and stactics, awith 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!

World Superbike SBK yearbook 2010

The Official SBK
2015-2016 Yearbook

World Superbike SBK yearbook 2010

2014-2015 Yearbook

World Superbike video game Playstation

SBK World Superbike Video Game

Motorcycle Racer magazine

Official Print Media Partner


MV AGUSTA CONSOLIDATES ITS INDUSTRIAL PLAN
WITH NEW FINANCING

Varese, 24th March 2017 - Following the announcement of the agreement on the capital
increase of MV Agusta, signed on 17th November between MV Agusta Holding, a participation company controlled by Giovanni Castiglioni and the investment group Black
Ocean, controlled by the Sardarov family and by British financier, Oliver Ripley, the Italian motorcycle manufacturer, adds another important element for the consolidation of its plan.

On 15th March 2017, MV Agusta received from the Court of Varese the green light to the industrial plan put forward, aimed at the strategic and financial reshaping of the company,
leader in super premium motorcycle production.

Giovanni Castiglioni, stated: "In the last 12 months, the implemented measures have brought MV Agusta back in positive cash flow generation, allowing the company to accomplish the targets set in its plan and to consistently support product development and consolidation of our main markets. MV Agusta has a completely new product line, born from 5 years of heavy investments that, along with our iconic brand, represent the key elements to
support our growth and our clients demand."
MV Agusta

Double podium in Race 2 at Phillip Island for the Aruba.it Racing - Ducati team: Chaz Davies is 2nd, Marco Melandri 3rd
February 26th -The Aruba.it Racing - Ducati team stepped on the podium with both its riders in Race 2 of the WorldSBK championship at Phillip Island. In a thrilling race that went down to the wire, Chaz Davies missed the win by only 25 thousandths of a second. Marco Melandri, who was forced to retire yesterday after running off track while battling against an opponent, bounced back by taking third place. 
 
Starting in 8th and 10th position respectively due to the new grid regulations for Race 2, Davies and Melandri rode a tactical race and climbed back progressively. While Davies managed to constantly pressure the winner Rea, Melandri momentarily found himself outside the top ten due to the clash in the pack early on, but was able to cut the gap one fast lap after another (setting, with a 1:31.178, the race’s best lap). Towards the end, both Davies and Melandri provisionally took the lead in a top group made of five riders, then secured the podium. 
 
After the first round, Davies is second in the championship (40 points), Melandri seventh (16 points). The Aruba.it Racing - Ducati team will resume action in Buriram (Thailand) for the second round, scheduled for March 10-12.  
 
Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati #7) – 2nd
“Today’s race was a bit more difficult to manage, given the hotter conditions. The glass is half full though, without a doubt. We tried something different but we lost a a couple of bike lengths here and there and we just couldn’t pass Rea before the finish line. When you look at the full picture, this is a really positive result. It would be easy to be disappointed because we barely missed two wins, but historically this has never been a favorite circuit for me and sometimes I lost precious points here, so two second places are a good building block for the rest of the season.” 
 
Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati #33) – 3rd
“It was a really touch race today. I got a good start but lost positions in the traffic early on, so I had to push hard to climb back, asking a lot to both myself and the tyres. When I took the lead, I tried to impose my own rhythm but it turned out not to be the right move. With three laps to go, when Rea and Davies gave the final push, I was struggling with grip and couldn’t attack them. Still, we needed a full race to understand where to improve, and a podium shows that we’re working in the right direction with the whole team.”
 
Stefano Cecconi, CEO of Aruba S.p.A and Team Principal
“These two races were quite peculiar, and both very tactical. Twice, the victory was a matter of thousandths of a second. Both Chaz and Marco rode extremely well, confirming that the whole team is at a high level. The potential we have shown leaves us happy but also hungry for more. The Buriram track has never been favorable to us in the past, so we’re confident it will represent a good test to verify the steps forward made thus far.”

Disappointment for Althea BMW at Phillip Island
Phillip Island (Australia), Sunday 26 February 2017 - Sunday at Phillip Island unfortunately didn’t go according to plan for the Althea BMW Racing team. Jordi Torres was unable to even start Race 2 today due to a technical problem that emerged during the sighting lap. Markus Reiterberger crossed the line in thirteenth place.
 
Superbike - Race 2 – Though Torres did go out on the grid today, a technical problem that arose during the sighting lap forced him back into the garage before the race even began. Reiterberger got off the line well, placing eleventh after lap one, between Hayden and Savadori. During the first laps the German rider tried to get into a good rhythm but he lost a little ground during the central phase of the race. With a track temperature of over 50°C, tyre management also proved tricky today. Fighting for almost the entire duration of the race in a group with Bradl and De Angelis, Markus crossed the line in final thirteenth position today.
 
After this opening event of 13 scheduled rounds, Jordi Torres lies tenth in the standings having scored 9 points in race1 weekend while Reiterberger is in thirteenth position with 7 points. This means that BMW starts out in sixth place in the manufacturer's classification with 12 points.
 
The next round will take the Althea BMW team to Thailand, and the Chang International Circuit over the weekend of 10-12 March.
“We wanted to improve on yesterday’s bike but we went in the wrong direction in warm-up unfortunately. In the end, we went with the same setting as yesterday to be safe. I made a good start, but the guys ahead of me were faster and they built a gap. I was in eleventh for most of the race, defending myself from the group immediately behind me, just losing a little on the final lap which was a shame. It’s been quite a positive weekend, despite today’s race result, as I’ve been able to fight but of course we aim to improve in the next races.”
“We had an unexpected issue with the electronics at the start and so I couldn’t even begin the race today unfortunately. It’s a pity because we were keen to exploit the chance to start up front, from fourth position, but that’s how it goes and there’s nothing we can do about it. We did our best over the weekend and, aside from today, I think the work’s taking us in the right direction. I hope that, once the issues are resolved, we can be more competitive in the coming races.”

Lowes and Yamaha fight for the win in Phillip Island Race One Thriller
Race One: In a thrilling first FIM Superbike World Championship race at Phillip Island in Australia, Alex Lowes secured a spirited fourth place and his new team-mate Michael van der Mark ninth, earning good points and setting themselves up well for the second race of the weekend on Sunday 26th.

After qualifying fifth on the grid in Superpole ? in a time better than the circuit?s previous outright fastest lap - Alex Lowes used his 2017 Yamaha YZF-R1 to good effect in race one, fighting in the leading group throughout and crossing the line in a photo-finish for third place, only three-hundreths of a second from former World Champion Tom Sykes.

More impressively, Lowes was also only 1.082 seconds from the winner after 22-laps of sometimes close and furious action, leading the whole field on lap 11 as he tried to up the pace and break up what was a combative leading group of riders. Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team rider Michael van der Mark scored ninth place in his first WorldSBK race on the YZF-R1, and was a respectably close 12 seconds from the win itself, after starting from tenth on the grid. He had to qualify out of Superpole 1 and into Superpole 2 earlier in the day, but did so in professional style.
Van der Mark also battled in a group of riders for the whole race, missing out on 8th place by only 0.05 of a second, and the experience gained about his new machine during his first race on the YZF-R1 will be used to find improvements for tomorrow?s Race Two.
Under the new championship rules, Lowes? fourth place puts him on pole for Sunday?s 22-lap contest, a position he hopes to exploit to the full in the early laps. Michael will be sixth off the grid on Sunday because of his top nine finishing position today. Today?s podium riders will now start race two from the third row, again because of the new regulations.

Alex Lowes - "I felt quite comfortable today and the race simulations that I have done allowed me to relax a bit more in the race itself. I had been on a decent pace in the race runs and knew what to expect from the tyres and the bike. I managed to keep my speed to the end and I was a bit surprised that they were messing around a bit at the front! At one stage there were too many guys in the front group and everyone was a bit close - I did not feel very comfortable with that so I tried to push on a bit and stretch it out. It worked out quite well for me. The lads in the team and all at Yamaha have done a great job with the bike. Unfortunately I made a bit of mistake near the end and it dropped me back from the first three, I was able to pull them back in the last three laps but fourth place is still good. It is easy after the race to say that I could have done a bit better but my goal was top five in the races here, and then build during the year to close the gap. But we were in the race for the podium, and I just enjoyed being able to fight with the guys."

Red Bull Honda Struggles with Bike Set Up
at Phillip Island

Feb 27th - The Australian Round of the 2017 FIM Superbike World Championship has drawn to a close with the second race of the weekend at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. Stefan Bradl has finished the race in fifteenth place, while his Red Bull Honda World Superbike team mate Nicky Hayden crashed out of the race on lap nine.
From fifteenth place on the grid, Bradl managed to move up several places and was eleventh by the end of lap ten. He then maintained his position for four more laps while leading a four-way pack and was fifteenth at the chequered flag.

After launching from twelfth place, Hayden was able to maintain his position and spent the first part of the race in the fight for tenth. After setting his fastest time, on lap nine the 35-year-old American tucked the front at turn ten and crashed: despite remounting his Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2 and returning to the track, Hayden could not continue the race.
The second round of the season will take place in a fortnight’s time at the Chang International Circuit in Thailand.
 

Stefan Bradl - "My start today was a little worse than yesterday: the start itself was not so bad actually, but I got a bad line in turn one and, obviously, that carried over in turn two. This meant that the advantage I got at the start was gone already and I dropped back a couple of places. We made some changes to the bike prior to the race especially at the front, which turned out to be a positive step. Unfortunately, whilst the entry corner was good and I could be aggressive on the brakes, we were lacking on corner exit. We’re also too hard on the tyres at the moment and this meant that by the end of the race I could not keep the pace. At least, I could stay within the second group and learn a lot. All in all, it was not an easy weekend but I’m sure we will be able to improve for Thailand."


Nicky Hayden 
"We made some changes in order to look after the tyres a bit more, especially with the hotter conditions of today, and it was a bit better on the gas but also a bit worse on the brakes. I didn’t get the same good start as yesterday, but I didn’t feel too bad. I set my fastest lap of the race and was improving my splits while trying to stay with the second group, but I over pushed down into Lukey Heights and came off the bike. Obviously I cannot say I’m happy with the results and with the weekend in general: today I tried my best and rode as hard as I could, but it didn’t go to plan. We’ll try to turn things around for Thailand."


Pieter Breddels
"We tried a different approach today especially with the electronics, in order to make the power delivery a bit softer and get some more life out of the tyres. Nicky was running at a good pace and wasn’t looking too bad: he was doing quite good lap times but at the same time he was pushing really hard and that led to the crash. It was not a big one and he tried to stay out for a couple of more laps, but then he had to retire from the race. Stefan rode well and was able to fight with the second group but he was unable to maintain the pace in the final laps. We made a step forward from yesterday with him, although it was not as big as we’d hoped. With the information we got from this weekend we have made a plan for Thailand and I’m confident we will be able to make a big difference there."

FIM Superbike & Supersport World Championships Changes to the Regulations for 2017
          In an attempt to make the racing even more exciting between the Two Races per Class on a WSBK Race Weekend,
Saturday's Superpole Results WILL NOT be used for both Stary Line Grid Positions on Saturday and Sunday. Rather for Sunday's 2nd Race of the Weekend, the Front 3 Grid Row Positions will be reversedbased on Saturday;s Race Finishes, so the winning riders will now have to move up through half the starting gird as described below:

          December 6th 2016 - The Superbike Commission composed of Messrs Gregorio Lavilla (WSBK Sporting Department Director), Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA Representative), Rezsö Bulcsu (FIM CCR Director) in the presence of Messrs Daniel Carrera (Dorna), Paul Duparc, Charles Hennekam and Scott Smart (FIM) in a meeting held in Madrid (ESP) on 01 December, made the following changes to the 2017 MOTUL FIM Superbike & Supersport World Championships Regulations:

1. The formation of the grid for Race 2 will now be decided following race results from Saturday. Superpole results will continue to define starting positions for riders who finished in 10th position or lower, however the front of the grid will now be determined on Race One results.

• Top three riders move back to row three and see 1st and 3rd reverse their positions.
• Riders who finished in 4th, 5th and 6th will be promoted to the front row.
•  Riders who finished in 7th, 8th and 9th will start from the second row.

Motul Announced as
Title Sponsponsor of
2017-2018 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship

Costa Mesa, CA, OCT. 14 - MotoAmerica has announced the return of Motul as one of its supporting partners with the leading producer of motorcycle lubricants signing on as the class sponsor of the Superbike class for the 2017-2018 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Race Championship. The class will be known for the next two years as the Motul Superbike class. 
 
"Motul has really stepped up for next year," said three-time 500cc World Champion and MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey. "Not only are they a supporting partner of our series going forward, but they've also committed to being the class sponsor of our premier Superbike class. Motul is a big sponsor of motorcycle road racing worldwide and we're happy to have them as a part of MotoAmerica. I also have a relationship with them that goes back to 1990 when they were a sponsor of mine during my first World Championship."
 
"There isn't a better way to support American road racing than being the Superbike class exclusive sponsor, where teams, strategies, and machines are pushed to the limit," said Guillaume Pailleret, President of Motul North America. "It is a wonderful opportunity to be able to showcase our products through our teams, and to have our name as a central piece of MotoAmerica races and events. This event, along with other prestigious FIM-sanctioned races like MotoGP and the Motul FIM Superbike World Championship shape a unique trio of extremely challenging motorcycle events, which Motul sponsors at the top level. We couldn't possibly be prouder of being a part of the MotoAmerica adventure."

The 10-round 2017 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Race series is set to kick-off at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, April 20-23.

MotoAmerica Announces Double Header race Weekends in 2017, Expanded 10 Round Schedule
Costa Mesa, CA, OCT. 12 - MotoAmerica has announced that its Superbike doubleheaders will now be run on separate days during the 2017 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Race Championship with Superbike race one scheduled for Saturday afternoon followed by race two on Sunday afternoon.
 
"With World Superbike changing to the two-day Superbike race format, it was something that was always of interest to us," said MotoAmerica partner Chuck Aksland. "It was good to watch them do it for a year and get their feedback, which was positive on many fronts. They had increased Saturday attendance and better television viewership, among other things. We also had many requests from our fan base to make the change. Obviously, the two-day format was something that has been done here in previous years, but with our move to the World Superbike one-bike rule for 2017, it became more of a necessity as it gives the teams some flexibility and breathing space in the preparation from race to race."
 
At the stand-alone MotoAmerica races, Superbike race one will be held on Saturday afternoon with Sunday's race two on a similar schedule with a tentative 3:15 p.m. start time. The other classes (Supersport/Superstock 600 and KTM RC Cup) will continue to run the two-day format as they have in the first two seasons of MotoAmerica. The schedule will vary somewhat when MotoAmerica joins MotoGP at the Circuit of The Americas and World Superbike at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
 
"I like the two-day format for our races," said two-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier. "I've always liked the idea of being able to sleep on the results from Saturday and come back Sunday with some fresh ideas for improvement. Even if your results are good on Saturday, it's nice to have some time before race two because you can always make things better and go faster. I also think the fans like having a Superbike race on both days so they can make a weekend out of it."
 
In addition to the schedule change, MotoAmerica has also announced that the qualifying procedure for the Superbike class has also changed. Superpole will now consist of just one 15-minute session featuring the 12 fastest riders from Superbike Practice 1 and 2. Superbike Practice 3 will not qualify riders to the Superpole session.  
    
The 10-round 2017 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Race series is set to kick-off at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, April 20-23.

Ducati Diavel
The Devil Made Us Do It!
Testing the Ducati Diavel in Italy

BMW HP4 report test photo pictures
New BMW HP4 Superbike

World Superbike SBK yearbook 2010

2007 MotoGP Review

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.

Calendar Girl Music CD female bands singer songwriter MPs buy online

Fast Dates Calendar T-Shirt

Order the Official
FastDates.com &
LA Calendar Bike Show
T-Shirts!

2011 LA Calednar Bike Show shirt

 



FastDates.com Pit Lane News



Jim Gianatsis
Editorial Director

Send Letters & News to:
    Contact @ FastDates.com

Facebook
Friend Us On Facebook!

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



MySpace.com/FastDates.com


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

swimsuit piup supermodel photography and news

PIT LANE NEWS INDEX
News Updated Daily

2-3 months ahead of print!
Return: FRONT PAGE

Mar 2017 Page 2 News
Feb 2017 Page 1 News
Feb 2017 Page 2 News
Jan 2017 Page 1 News
Dec 2016 Page 1 News
• Nov 2016 Page 1 News
Nov 2016 Page 2 News
Oct 2016 Page 1 News
Oct 2016 Page 2 News
Sep 2016 Page 1 News
Sep 2016 Page 2 News
Aug 2016 Page 2 News
Aug 2016 Page 2 News
July 2016 Page 1 News
July 2016 Page 2 News
Jun 2016 Page 1 News
Jun 2016 Page 2 News
May 2016 Page 1 News
May 2016 Page 2 News
Apr 2016 Page 1 News
Apr 2016 Page 2 News
Mar 2016 Page 1 News
Mar 2016 Page 2 News
Feb 2016 Page 1 News
Feb 2016 Page 2 News
Jan 2016 Page 1 News
Jan 2016 Page 2 News
Dec 2015 Page 1 News
Dec 2015 Page 2 News
Nov 2015 Page 1 News
Nov 2015 Page 2 News
Nov 2015 Page 3 News
Nov 2015 Page 4 News
Oct 2105 Page 1 News
Oct 2015 Page 2 News
Oct 2015 Page 3 News
• Oct 2015 Page 4 News
Sep 2015 Page 1 News
Sep 2015 Page 2 News
Sep 2015 Page 3 News
Sep 2015 Page 4 News
Aug 2015 Page 1 News
Aug 2015 Page 2 News
Aug 2015 Page 3 News
Aug 2015 Page 4 News
July 2015 Page 1 News
July 2015 Page 2 News
July 2015 Page 3 News
July 2015 Page 4 News
Jun 2015 Page 1 News
Jun 2015 Page 2 News
Jun 2015 Page 3 News
Jun 2015 Page 4 News
May 2015 Page 1 News
May 2015 Page 2 News
May 2015 Page 3 News
May 2015 Page 4 News
Apr 2015 Page 1 News
Apr 2015 Page 2 News
Apr 2015 Page 3 News
Apr 2015 Page 4 News
Mar 2015 Page 1 News
Mar 2015 Page 2 News
Mar 2015 Page 3 News
Mar 2015 Page 4 News
Feb 2015 Page 1 News
Feb 2015 Page 2 News
Feb 2015 Page 3 News
Jan 2015 Page 1 News
Jan 2015 Page 2 News
Jan 2015 Page 3 News


Pit Board More News!


Pit Board Features
Click for Pit Board Features

Pit Board
Past Season News,
Races and Feature Stories

2015 RACES CALENDAR
& EVENT REPORT INDEX

Click Date For Race Coverage
Click Location for Track Info

2015 SBK Media Guide Race Program

2017 World Superbike
Season Preview

DATE/REPORT   TRACK LINK
Feb 24       Australia, Phillip Is
Mar 10       Thailand, Chang
Mar 31       Spain, Motorland
April 28     Netherlands, Assen
May 12      Italy, Imola
May 26      GB, Donnington
June 16     Italy, Missano
July 7        USA, Laguna Seca
Aug 18      Germany, Lausitzring
Sept 15     Portugsl, Algarve
Sept 29     France, Magny Cours
Oct 22      Spain, Jerez
Nov 2        Qatar, Losail


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

2017 MotoGP
Season Preview
DATE/REPORT   TRACK LINK

Mar 26  -   Qatar,Doha Losail
Apr 09 -    Argentina, Rio Hondo
Apr 23 -    America, Austin TX
May 7 -     Spain, Jerez Frontera
May 21 -  France, Le Mans
June 4 -   Italy, Mugello
June 11 -  Catalunya,Catalunya
June 25 -  Netherlands,AssenTT
July 2 -     Sachenring Germany
Aug 6 -    Czech Rep, Brno
Aug 13 -   Austrian, Red Bull
Aug 27 -   England,Silverstone,
Sept 10 - San Marino, Misano
Sept 24 -  Aragon Motorland
Oct 15 -   Japan, Motegi
Oct 22 -     Australia, Phillip Is
Oct 29 -    Malaysia, Sepang
Nov 12 -    Spain, Ricardo


2017 British Superbike
Click Date for Race Report
DATE/REPORT   TRACK LINK
Mar 31-2        Donnington
April 15-17     Brands Hatch
May 29-1       Oulton Park
June 16-18     Knockhill
July 30-2        Snetterton            
July 21-23      Brands Hatch
Aug 4-6          Thruxton
Aug 18-20      Cadwell Park
Sept 8-10      Silverstone GP
Sept 15-17     Oulton Park
Oct 29-1        Assen NL
Oct 13-15      Brands Hatch

Isle of Man 2017
May 7 - June 9th  Man TT

201 MotoAmerica
Season Preview
DATE/REPORT   TRACK LINK

April 21-22     Circuit Am TX
April 28-30     Road Atalnta GA
May 12-14     VIR VA

June 2-4        Road America WI
June 23-25    Miller UT
July 7-9         Laguna Seca CA
Aug 11-13     Sanoma CA
Aug 25-27     Pittsburg PA
Sept 8-10      Jersey MotorSp NJ
Sept 15-17    Barber, AL


Edelweiss World Motorcycle Tours

Book Your Tour & Race
Weekend on Expedia!


Expedia.com


new motorcycles, Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, Honda, kawasaki, Ducati, Aprilia, MV Agusta, KTM, BMW, Harley-DavidsonNew 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

Torque movie

Editorial, Bike Tests
News Features


2016 LA Calendar Motorcycle   Show Coverage
2016 Laguna Seca USA World   Superbike Coverage
SBK Superbike 2016 Guide -     The Bikes, The Riders
2015-2016 IMSBike Shows
2016 Suzuki GSXR1000
2016 Ducati New Models
2016 MV Agusta 1000cc FV       RC Superbike
Jorge Lorenzo - 2016 MotoGP   World Champion Biography
Jonathan Rae - 2016 SBK         World Superbike Champion
2016 Kawasaki ZX10
2016 Triumph Bonnevilles
Jonthan Rea 2015 SBK World   Superbike Champ
2015 MotoAmerica Superbike   Season Finale
2015 LA Calendar Motorcycle   Show - Complere Coverage
• Fast Dates SBK Calendar           Kittens at Laguna Seca 2015
• 2015 Laguna Seca SBK World   and AMA Superbike
Ducati 1199R15 Test
Honda RC213V Moto GP            Streetbike Replica
Corsa Motoclassica 2015  Willow Springs Racway
Ducati 1199R15 Superbike

• 2015 Yamaha YZF-R1M
2015 Yamaha FJ09
Ducati 1199R15 Superbike
• Can a MotoAmerica save
   AMA  Pro Roadracing?

• 2014 AMA Dirt Track Season   Final with Shaya Texter
On Any Sunday - Next Chapter
Polais Slingshot 3-Wheeler -
  Is it a Motorccyle or a Car?
NEW! FAST 2015 Digital   Calendar Magazine
• IMS Motorcycle Shows   2014/15
MotoGP 2014 Season Final
World Superbike 2014 Season   Finale at Qatar - Guintoli
British Superbike 2014 Season   Finale - Shane Byren
EICMA 2014 Bike Show Milan,
Marquez Wins 2014 MotoGP   Championship at Motegi
Josh Hayes Takes His 4th AMA   Superbike Title in 2014
MotoAmerica Group Takes   Over AMA Pro Roadracing
Fast Dates Edelweiss Tour of   the Pyreness Spain & France!
Fast Dates Calendar Shoot   2014 with Jitka and Petra at   Laguna Seca
2014 LA Calendar Motorcycle   Show coverage
New 2015 SBK World   Superbike Technical Rules

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 & Jessica
The Unrideables! - Incredible
   2-Stroke MotoGP Documentry

Pirelli Angel GT Tire - World   Superbike Tech for the Street
MV Agusta 2014 F3
  800cc Superbike
FastDates.com Calendar   Video Shoot - Kelsey & Jessica

Fast Dates Calendar Shoot         2013 Laguna Seca SBK
World Superbike 25 Years -   Tribute to Flammini Brothers
• 2013 MV Agusta F4RR   Superbike
MV Agusta Factory Visit Movie
2013 Ducati 1199R SuperbikeHypermoto 821
Extreme Cooley - Suzuki   Katana Superbike & Calendar   Show Bikes
Troy Bayliss Race Academy   School Misano & Paris 2012!
• Ducati 1199 and Multistrada  1200 Performance Mods
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 faithful at Misano
Ducati 1199RS 2013 World   Superbike Part One & t 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 Motorcycle 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/316lbs

• 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!
  E
lectron 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


Sportrider magazine subscription

Roadracing world magazinesubscription

Roadracing World

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

Playboy magazine discount subscription

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

sportbike Performance Riding Techniques book

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!


APRILIA FACTORY RSV4 MACHINES RETURN IN WORLD SBK 2017-18 WITH MILWAUKEE APRILIA RACING TEAM
Riders Italian Lorenzo Savadori and Noethern Irishman Eugene Laverty

Sept 22nd 2016 - Two Aprilia RSV4 bikes will be on the track in the 2017 World Superbike Championship with the Milwaukee Aprilia Racing Team colours.
This is a two-year contract, so it will also be valid for 2018.

The agreement specifies that technical material and related direct assistance and support will be provided by Aprilia Racing, including bike development, which classifies Milwaukee as a Supported Factory Team.

This means that Aprilia Racing - the Piaggio Group racing department and technological point of excellence in the Italian motorcycle industry - is confirming its high level presence in the premier competition for factory derivative bikes, alongside its important efforts in MotoGP.

The goal is to compete at top levels in World SBK in order to emphasize the competitiveness of the Aprilia RSV4, capable of taking no less than seven World Titles (three Rider and four Manufacturer) between 2010 and 2014, proving to be the most victorious bike in recent WSBK history.

The result of a project intended to create a true racing bike that any enthusiast could have, the RSV4 astonished from its rookie season, winning a race in its maiden year and then racking up repeated championship wins in both the Manufacturer and Rider competitions (twice with Max Biaggi and once with Sylvain Guintoli). All this while the street version - obviously also characterized by an exclusive narrow 1.0 litre V4 - continued to win comparative reviews year after year with the best competitors in the world, both European and Japanese.

The team run by Shaun Muir, which boasts two British titles, will be able to count on a top shelf rider lineup: in addition to the 2015 Superstock Champion Lorenzo Savadori, who quickly drew attention this year in his rookie World Superbike season, Northern Irishman Eugene Laverty will be back in WSBK, 2013 runner up astride none other than an Aprilia RSV4.

Romano Albesiano - Aprilia Racing Manager
"Shaun Muir's team, after making a good name for themselves in the British championship, wants to get to the top of a world category. Our agreement includes, in addition to providing bikes and materials, support from Aprilia Racing personnel to manage and develop the RSV4, within a Factory Support type relationship.
The birth of the Milwaukee Aprilia Racing Team also marks Eugene Laverty's return to WSBK, a rider who we know well and whose professional and personal qualities have our utmost respect. He will have Lorenzo Savadori working alongside him, a young rider who has been part of our sports project for two seasons in which he won the Superstock 1000 title first and then drew attention in WSBK with an extremely positive rookie year".

Shaun Muir - SMR General Manager - "For SMR, collaboration with Aprilia Racing for 2017 and 2018 means a real chance to fight for the win. Aprilia has a strong and victorious history in World Superbike and we are determined to continue on the same path. Having Eugene and Lorenzo on board makes this a dream team. Without a doubt, Eugene is coming back to WSBK for one reason only - to win. Lorenzo, on the other hand, is the fastest rookie and a sure protagonist. I wish to thank Milwaukee, Gulf and all of the partners who are supporting our project".

Eugene Laverty - "I'm excited to return to Superbike with Aprilia and the RSV4, a bike with which I took ten wins and second place overall in the championship. I hope to be able to pick up where I left off with those results, thanks to the support of Aprilia and a fantastic team like Shaun Muir's. Everything is in place for us to be competitive straight away".

Lorenzo Savadori - "I am very happy to continue my adventure in World Superbike with Aprilia. This is another chance to achieve great results, with one more year of experience on the RSV4 for me. In a demanding rookie season I was already able to express a good performance level, learning a lot, both about race management and working in the garage, but I do not want to stop here. We will definitely be highly motivated at the start, with an ambitious project and a great desire to do well".

Jason Chiswell - Vice President of Marketing Milwaukee Tools
"At Milwaukee Power tools our vision is always to win and that same mentality is shared with the SMR team. We see the next year with Aprilia as being an exciting and a new winning chapter in our World Superbike program”.

Frank Rutten - Vice President of Gulf Oil International- "As the world’s fastest growing oil brand we are very excited by the prospect of moving forwards with what we believe will be one of the most rapid teams in SBK next year. We have been extremely impressed by the way SMR has entered the World Superbike arena. They are one of the best organized and most professional outfits in the paddock and we have developed an excellent working relationship with both them and the team’s title sponsor, Milwaukee Tools.

We are very excited by the prospect of moving forwards with them as team sponsor and official lubricant partners”.

Honda WorldSBK Team signs Stefan Bradl for the 2017 WorldSBK season
August 2nd 2016 -The Honda WorldSBK Team is pleased to announce the signing of 26-year-old Stefan Bradl from Germany for the 2017 FIM Superbike World Championship. Crowned Moto2 World Champion in 2011, Bradl will join former MotoGP™ Champion Nicky Hayden to complete a stellar line-up for Honda next season.

Despite his young age, Bradl has a wealth of experience at international level. Since his 125cc debut in 2005, he has collected nineteen podium finishes and seven wins across all Grand Prix classes. After winning the Moto2 World Championship in 2011, Stefan made his MotoGP debut with the LCR Honda Team in 2012 where his best result was a second-place finish at Laguna Seca in 2013.

The Honda WorldSBK Team would like to thank Michael van der Mark for his outstanding efforts and title-winning contribution during his tenure as a Honda rider. The team will maintain its unconditional support for Michael for the remainder of the season, with the goal of achieving the best possible results.

The Honda WorldSBK Team is pleased to confirm that its riders for the 2017 season will be Nicky Hayden and Stefan Bradl.

Ducati team on track in 2017 with Chaz Davies and Marco Melandri
 The Aruba.it Racing - Bologna, Italy, July 28th - The Aruba.it Racing - Ducati team finalized its line-up for the 2017 WorldSBK Championship, confirming Chaz Davies and signing an agreement with Marco Melandri. Chaz and Marco have already been teammates in the past with great results, their common goal is to fight for the victory at each round and aim at the Riders’ and Manufacturers’ world titles.
 
Chaz Davies, 29, is currently in the middle of his third season with Ducati and, thus far, has secured 9 wins and 32 podiums overall on the Panigale R, showing constant progress and winning the hearts of many Ducati fans.
 
“I’m extremely happy to renew my professional relationship with Ducati for two more seasons,” Davies said. “The continuity element is really important in our job, and so far we’ve made great strides and got progressively closer to our goal. Now we can fight for the win practically on every track, and I’m confident we can make further improvements. Moreover, to race for Ducati is something special: everything is done with heart and passion, you really feel part of a family and have a direct connection between the production and racing. It’s going to be exciting.”
 
Thirty-four-year-old Melandri, on the other hand, will return to the production-based series, where he has claimed 19 wins and 49 overall podiums in 100 races.
 
“I’m really excited to come back to racing, it’s a dream come true,” Melandri stated. “I always said I was only interested in a top bike and top team, and I could not have asked for more. I kept following WorldSBK closely, and I’m confident the Panigale R can perfectly suit my riding style. We’ll just have to take one step at a time, but the potential is surely high. I know it won’t be easy to get back up to speed, but I have all the time to step on the bike, do laps and make sure I’m ready for the first test: to this end, I will skip the holidays to train on a street version of the Panigale R.”
 
The 2016 championship  marks Davide Giugliano’s last season within the Aruba.it Racing - Ducati team. In three years with the squad, the Italian rider has shown great speed and resilience, taking 10 podiums so far despite being sidelined for most of 2015 with two serious injuries. Ducati and Aruba.it would like to thank Davide for his efforts, wishing him all the best for his future career and reiterating their commitment to give him the best possible tools to achieve his first WorldSBK win.
 
“I had a great time with Ducati,” said Giugliano. “I learned a lot and was given a wealth of experience to draw upon, which is really important for a young rider. We also faced some difficult times, especially last year when I was badly injured, but we’ve always stayed close. We decided to take different paths, but our relationship remains strong: I’m still young, so we may rejoin forces in the future. I sincerely wish Melandri the best and would like to thank everyone in Ducati, especially Paolo Ciabatti, and Aruba.it for all their support. It’s been a great journey, which has yielded great results despite the fact that we would have liked to do more, but I’ll give my best until the end of the season to achieve bigger goals.”
 
Luigi Dall'Igna, Ducati Corse General Manager: “Chaz Davies has become a key member of the Ducati family, so we’re happy to announce that he will ride with us for two more years. Chaz has shown great progress and we’re confident he can take our bike to even higher grounds. In 2017, he will ride alongside Marco Melandri, who took upon the challenge with great enthusiasm. Marco is a talented rider, he has already achieved prestigious results in WorldSBK and we’re confident that the year spent without racing has not undermined his qualities. We’re obviously sad for Davide Giugliano, who will part ways with us at the end of the year, and we wish him nothing but the best. Davide proved to have great competitiveness, taking many podiums and fastest laps, and has given a crucial input towards the development of the WorldSBK-spec Panigale R. We would like to thank him and guarantee we will give him all our support until the last race to help him achieve the results he deserves.”
 
Stefano Cecconi, Aruba S.p.A. CEO and Team Principal: “Given that the riders’ choice is among the most important and difficult to make, as the available seats are always less than what we would ideally offer, we had to resort to our ambition and courage while taking all the necessary time to finalize the 2017 line-up. Chaz has shown he can fight for the victory each round. Davide is a young and fast rider, who can become even more competitive, so I hope it’s a ‘see you again’ and not a ‘farewell’ between us. Marco’s resume speaks for itself and puts more pressure, at any rate positive, on us: we want to help him achieve the result that, surely not due to a lack in talent, has eluded him in WorldSBK so far.”

Friends of Laguna Seca looks to have won the right to manage track, maybe, probably, it seems
MONTEREY COUNTY BOARD KEEPS OTHER TWO CONTENDERS HANGING ON IN CASE THINGS DON’T WORK OUT
Reprinted from Autoweek, October 15th 2016 - The non-profit Friends of Laguna Seca is on the way to managing the storied track and bringing it back to fiscal health. Unless, that is, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors decides it wants to go with two other groups vying for management control of the race facility.

Specifically, Friends of Laguna Seca won the right to “negotiate initially” with the county for a concession agreement. The county board would have to approve any agreement that comes out of the negotiations. If things don’t go well in the concession agreement process, then the board can pick up with either of the other two groups that had turned in proposals. Those groups are Chris Pook’s (he who made the Long Beach Grand Prix into a great event) World Automotive Championship of California, and the existing managers, Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula (or SCRAMP, which has been running the track since it was built in 1957). SCRAMP bid in partnership with International Speedway Corp. ISC owns and operates 13 tracks, from Daytona to Watkins Glen.

The decision to change track management came out of a civil grand jury report released last July that said the Monterey County Parks Department and SCRAMP were not managing the facility well. If you wanted to cut SCRAMP some slack, you could point out that the troubles date back to 2008, when a recession hit the country and many businesses took a hit. Nonprofit race tracks were among those suffering the effects.

The Friends of Laguna Seca includes local racer and race car restoration and sales expert Bruce Canepa and motorsports entrepreneur Gordon McCall, who puts on The Quail A Motorsports Gathering, The Quail Motorcycle Gathering and the big kickoff event to car week popularly known as The Jet Party, held at Monterey Airport. We’d be happy with those guys running things. Friends leadership also includes vintage racer Jonathan Feiber, Porsche Club and kart racer Ross Merrill, historic racer, karter and food industry executive Thomas Minnich, racer and realtor Warren “Ned” Spieker Jr. and motorsport executive Lauri Eberhart.

On its website, Friends president Ross Merrill said, “We are committed to managing Laguna Seca with fiscal responsibility and for the benefit of our community. We’re driven by a passion for motorsports, a dedication to our community, and a desire to transform nearly six decades of renowned racing legacy into a new engine for our local economy. Ultimately, our aim is to restore the raceway’s former glory.”

The Friends proposal includes a 25-year commitment to rebuild the LSRA complex and implement a new business model that will include:

– A $50 million dollar capital improvement plan with $25 million invested in the first five years
– Establishing a profitable mix of events that will use all the assets of the LSRA
– Maximizing sponsorship opportunities and race track rentals
– Developing premium camping areas and an upgraded rifle/pistol range
– Enhancing the end-user experience facility-wide
– Bringing new events and premium programs to increase utilization within current restrictions, taking particular care to respect neighbors on Highway 68.

We wish them all the best and offer them this item of advice to begin with: Don’t be afraid to call it Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca a couple of times, just to keep your naming rights sponsor happy. But they already knew that.