It's time for Moto 3 to race at the Motegi circuit in Motegi, Japan. The sun is shining. There were typhoons, as well as rain and fog. But it has disappeared. Alex Rins and Luis Salom are five points apart going into this race. The riders had qualifying in the wet and had a full warmup in the morning. It dried out within the last minutes of the session.
This is a straight fight for the title between polesitter Alex Rins, and Luis Salom, who is on the second row on the 2.983 mile track. There are a couple Japanese wildcard riders in this race. John McPhee, Alexis Masbou and others, are down the order on the grid. 35 bikes will start this 20 lap race. The bikes are off on their warmup lap. We could have Luis Salom be the champion after this race, or, Alex Rins. We'll find out together, fans.
There's a lot of tension in the air. It's the penultimate race for Moto 3 this season. Turn one is going to be the major corner. Salom, Rins, Vinales, stay out of trouble. At the start, Rins and Salom get good jumps with Alex Marquez blocking as Zulhfammi Khairuddin falls off. Jack Miller is going well, but Rins has to sit up, and drops spots. Marquez leads with Vinales second and Salom third. Luis Salom was passed. Vinales was fastest in the morning practice. But, Salom and Vinales have both crashed! That was Isaac Vinales (Maverick Vinales' cousin). Oh my!
oUT OF THE S CURVE, Vinales was out of shape and piling over the top of Luis Salom, who crashes! Alex Rins got lucky. That is massive for the championship. Jack Miller was on the inside. So, Maverick Vinales is now into the championship hunt. Will Rins win this race? If he does, that'll be big for the season finale. Salom is six seconds down on Jasper Iwema who is 30th. He's passed Iwema.
Jonas Folger has moved up. Rins sets fast lap at 1:58 and change. Couldn't see the time. Now, Salom's race is over. Zulhfammi Khairuddin has also crashed. Maverick Vinales is all over Alex Rins right now. Rins sets a new circuit record. He has to stay in touch but not do anything foolish. John McPhee sets new fast lap at 1:58.971. Luis Salom is having issues as Alex Marquez runs deep into turn five. This is early times in the race.
It's not over by any means. Vinales still leads with fifteen laps left. Jonas Folger is quickest on the track as Marquez has a slight issue off of turn two. Rins was signaling to Marquez, "hey, dude, what were you doing?" Salom runs fast lap at 1:58.6. Wildcard rider (last name Yamada), is slower on track at the moment. Alex Marquez is under pressure from Jonas Folger. Jack Miller continues to run fifth. Rins runs a 1:58.473. Yamada and the other wildcard rider Yamoto are slower still. How hard will Rins ride to beat Maverick Vinales?
Marquez and Folger are second and third through the 90 degree corner. New fast lap for Luis Salom, running 27th. Not sure of the time. Somewhere in the 1:58s. Rins is on the tail of Maverick Vinales with 12-13 laps left. Take a deep breath, fans. This race isn't over yet. Miguel Oliviera is in fifth place already, and has passed Jack Miller. He'll be back in Moto 3 next year. John McPhee is up to ninth spot. Luis Salom makes another pass.
Rins is right on top of Maverick Vinales now. Luis Salom pushes too hard, crashes his bike, and will score zero points. He has lost his chance of catching up to Alex Rins. Well, he's got a bit of a shot going into the finale at Valencia, Spain at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo. But, it'll be an uphill battle. Ten laps left in this race now. Rins has left a gap, but that's the only mistake he's made this whole race. Jack Miller is struggling to stay in his spot with Romano Fenati and others chasing him down.
Rins is in the catbird seat for the championship lead. Romano Fenati is challenging Jack Miller. Fenati will race for a team owned by Valentino Rossi. Alexis Masbou is also in a battle here, and again, so is John McPhee. Niccolo Antonelli passes Niklas Ajo. Alex Marquez passes Alex Rins. Hmmm. Marquez sets fast lap of the race at 1:58.380. How did that happen? Nine laps left. Brad Binder got into Zulhfammi Khairuddin earlier. So, both riders are under investigation by the FIM stewards.
Rins runs third. He's going to stay behind Alex Marquez, giving Marquez a chance to go after Maverick Vinales. Seven laps left in this race at Motegi. Jack Miller, Alexis Masbou, and Romano Fenati battle. Masbou passes Miller. John McPhee is having his best race of the season right now. He's 2.5 seconds ahead of Niccolo Antonelli. Alex Marquez is looking for his first Grand Prix victory. Alexis Masbou has done well this season. Miguel Oliviera and Jonas Folger are also running well, with six laps left now.
Alex Marquez passes Vinales, and Vinales comes back in the braking zone. Vinales needs a lifeline in the championship with one race remaining. If Rins makes a move on Marquez, he'll need to do it soon. Oh no! Alex Rins has crashed! If Vinales wins, Rins has a three point lead over Luis Salom! Holy cow! Rins restarts his bike. It's not over yet. He's ridden around on the service road to turn one. If Vinales wins, he leads the world championship going into the finale in Valencia, Spain.
Rins lost the rear tire going into the final corner. Three laps left. Maverick Vinales is leading the Moto 3 world championship. If Marquez wins, he would give Salom a chance. Rins, K.O. Rins is now 25th in the order. He's running by himself. This is crazy! Jonas Folger can get on the podium. Alex Marquez wants his first win. Two laps left at Motegi. Marquez has gone through inside Vinales. If he does win, there will be five points in it before a winner takes all shootout at Valencia.
Alex Marquez still leads this race. They come to the hairpin. Vinales maks a pass and takes the lead again down the back straight. Alex Marquez is going to push like no tomorrow for this final lap. What will happen? Vinales leads. Marquez is second. He has a go on Vinales. Marquez slips going to turn five. Vinales is booking it. Marquez has to ride his own race. Half a lap left now. Marquez is trying. They are both trying. Marquez takes the lead out of the hairpin. Here comes Vinales. Vinales late on the brakes. He runs wide. Marquez wins from Vinales!
#12 Alex Marquez ESP KTM
One race remains in Moto 3 in Valencia, Spain at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain, coming up in two weeks.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Moto 2: Japan
Pol Espargaro has a sixteen point lead over Scott Redding, coming into this penultimate race of the Moto 2 championship. This race will be 23 laps. Scott Redding will ride today, and had his wrist on his left hand operated on over a week ago. How will he do with the pressure? Johann Zarco, Xavier Simeon, and for the first time, Mika Kallio, on pole. Danny Kent broke his collarbone in the morning warmup, and he won't start this race.
23 laps scheduled for this race. Will Pol Espargaro be the new Moto 2 world champion? The bikes are on their warmup lap. This is the most important race for Pol Espargaro in his career. His broter Aleix looks on. Here we go. At the start, Mika Kallio gets the jump with Pol Espargaro coming to third. Scott Redding and Tito Rabat have crashed! Redding is taken out by Rabat! The race is red flagged. We'll need to restart this race. Rabat brought another rider down, too. Redding hit Rabat's bike. Dominik Aegerter also was involved.
He has had many finishes, but not in this race. Redding hit Rabat. That was a vicious looking wreck. Lets hope everybody is OK. The bikes come down pit lane. Pol Espargaro will have to finish sixth or better. We wait. The race has been stopped. Tito Rabat is being attended to. This race will be restarted, and shortened to 15 laps. Alex Marinelarena was also in that wreck. All riders involved are OK. Scott Redding will be fine. But, he's had a horrible eight days leading up to and in this race.
Dominik Aegerter has his bike repaired. The bikes reconvene on track for another warmup lap. Pol Espargaro has to finish in the top seven and the championship might go to the season finale. Matteo Pasini will start behind Tito Rabat. Dominik Aegerter won't start. Here we go. On the restart, Mika Kallio and Pol Espargaro both get good starts. They're bunching up as Espargaro comes to second, down owards turn three. Espargaro is indeed second as Johann Zarco is fighting. Mika Kallio leads. Simone Corsi wants to pas Xavier Simeon and Johann Zarco.
Rafid Topan Sucipto drops a spot and Gino Rea is behind him. He passes Sucipto. Kallio leads Espargaro. They race to the 90 degree corner. Pol Espargaro passes Mika Kallio for the lead. If Espargaro wins, he's champ. Zarco drops back but Tom Luthi is running well. He won the 125cc championship here a few years ago. Simone Corsi crashes out of third spot. Game over. Johann Zarco is third with Tom Luthi fourth.
Luthi wants by Johann Zarco. Alex de Angelis is running well, ahead of Gino Rea. Rea wants to be back on the Moto 2 grid next year. Mika Kallio is going to do all he can to ruffle Espargaro. But it remains to be seen what he'll do. Kallio runs fastest lap with ten laps left. Not sure of the time. Kallio is going to push Espargaro. There's no question of that. A scooter on the sid of the track, is smoking. Fortunately, it's not a racing bike. Espargaro passes for the lead in replay, over Kallio.
Tpm Luthi is third. Dominik Aegerter is up to eleventh place, passing Gino Rea. Nico Terol was way down in 24th and has moved all the way to tenth. Takaaki Nakagami is fourteenth, in the points, passing Anthony West. Richard Cardus has slid off his bike. Pol Espargaro is likely going to take the Moto 2 world championship, looking for his sixth race win. The race is 1/3rd over. Zarco and Simeon still battle. Nico Terol is tenth with Dominik Aegerter in eleventh spot.
There are now eight laps left. Xavier Simeon passes Johann Zarco for fourth place. Six laps left in this race. If Pol Espargaro remains where he is, he'll be the 2013 Moto 2 World Champion. Espargaro muscled his way forward at the start, passing by Johann Zarco. Louis Rossi and Azlan Shah both crashed together. But both have rejoined this race. Takaaki Nakagami is picking up points. He's 12th. Shah hits the gravel in the 90 degree curve. Pol Espargaro continues to lead. He's checking out, and is in the zone.
Xavier Simeon passes Johann Zarco. Jordi Torres is out of this race, too. He's crashed. He'll run with Aspar in Moto 2 next year but also, Johann Zarco is done, too. Mechanical problems with the gearshift. Game over. The gearshift lever is broken on his bike. Zarco won at Motegi in the 125cc class a few years ago. Five laps left in this race. Espargaro will cruise to a race win and a world championship. Keep the t shirts wrapped up for now. Anything can still happen.
Tom Luthi and Mika Kallio have both run in Grand Prix motorcycle racing for a long time. Takaaki Nakagami has done well, but, he hasn't had the success in his home race that he would have wanted. Sandro Cortese runs behind Axel Pons. All three world championships might go to the finale in Spain. Espargaro will get his sixth race win of the season. Five of them have been from pole. But, not in this race.
Two laps remain now. Tom Luthi will get on the podium. He wants the championship, and will get another chance to run for it next year. Aleix Espargaro signals his younger brother through. Espargaro is cruising. Tom Luthi remains third. One lap left. Takaaki Nakagami, and others, are passing for position as there's now a half a lap to go as Pol Espargaro makes it through the S curve. Pol Espargaro is going to win the race, and more importantly, he's 2013 Moto 2 World Champion!
#40 Pol Espargaro ESP Kalex Granollers
Espargaro is world champion. One more race, at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain, coming up in two weeks.
23 laps scheduled for this race. Will Pol Espargaro be the new Moto 2 world champion? The bikes are on their warmup lap. This is the most important race for Pol Espargaro in his career. His broter Aleix looks on. Here we go. At the start, Mika Kallio gets the jump with Pol Espargaro coming to third. Scott Redding and Tito Rabat have crashed! Redding is taken out by Rabat! The race is red flagged. We'll need to restart this race. Rabat brought another rider down, too. Redding hit Rabat's bike. Dominik Aegerter also was involved.
He has had many finishes, but not in this race. Redding hit Rabat. That was a vicious looking wreck. Lets hope everybody is OK. The bikes come down pit lane. Pol Espargaro will have to finish sixth or better. We wait. The race has been stopped. Tito Rabat is being attended to. This race will be restarted, and shortened to 15 laps. Alex Marinelarena was also in that wreck. All riders involved are OK. Scott Redding will be fine. But, he's had a horrible eight days leading up to and in this race.
Dominik Aegerter has his bike repaired. The bikes reconvene on track for another warmup lap. Pol Espargaro has to finish in the top seven and the championship might go to the season finale. Matteo Pasini will start behind Tito Rabat. Dominik Aegerter won't start. Here we go. On the restart, Mika Kallio and Pol Espargaro both get good starts. They're bunching up as Espargaro comes to second, down owards turn three. Espargaro is indeed second as Johann Zarco is fighting. Mika Kallio leads. Simone Corsi wants to pas Xavier Simeon and Johann Zarco.
Rafid Topan Sucipto drops a spot and Gino Rea is behind him. He passes Sucipto. Kallio leads Espargaro. They race to the 90 degree corner. Pol Espargaro passes Mika Kallio for the lead. If Espargaro wins, he's champ. Zarco drops back but Tom Luthi is running well. He won the 125cc championship here a few years ago. Simone Corsi crashes out of third spot. Game over. Johann Zarco is third with Tom Luthi fourth.
Luthi wants by Johann Zarco. Alex de Angelis is running well, ahead of Gino Rea. Rea wants to be back on the Moto 2 grid next year. Mika Kallio is going to do all he can to ruffle Espargaro. But it remains to be seen what he'll do. Kallio runs fastest lap with ten laps left. Not sure of the time. Kallio is going to push Espargaro. There's no question of that. A scooter on the sid of the track, is smoking. Fortunately, it's not a racing bike. Espargaro passes for the lead in replay, over Kallio.
Tpm Luthi is third. Dominik Aegerter is up to eleventh place, passing Gino Rea. Nico Terol was way down in 24th and has moved all the way to tenth. Takaaki Nakagami is fourteenth, in the points, passing Anthony West. Richard Cardus has slid off his bike. Pol Espargaro is likely going to take the Moto 2 world championship, looking for his sixth race win. The race is 1/3rd over. Zarco and Simeon still battle. Nico Terol is tenth with Dominik Aegerter in eleventh spot.
There are now eight laps left. Xavier Simeon passes Johann Zarco for fourth place. Six laps left in this race. If Pol Espargaro remains where he is, he'll be the 2013 Moto 2 World Champion. Espargaro muscled his way forward at the start, passing by Johann Zarco. Louis Rossi and Azlan Shah both crashed together. But both have rejoined this race. Takaaki Nakagami is picking up points. He's 12th. Shah hits the gravel in the 90 degree curve. Pol Espargaro continues to lead. He's checking out, and is in the zone.
Xavier Simeon passes Johann Zarco. Jordi Torres is out of this race, too. He's crashed. He'll run with Aspar in Moto 2 next year but also, Johann Zarco is done, too. Mechanical problems with the gearshift. Game over. The gearshift lever is broken on his bike. Zarco won at Motegi in the 125cc class a few years ago. Five laps left in this race. Espargaro will cruise to a race win and a world championship. Keep the t shirts wrapped up for now. Anything can still happen.
Tom Luthi and Mika Kallio have both run in Grand Prix motorcycle racing for a long time. Takaaki Nakagami has done well, but, he hasn't had the success in his home race that he would have wanted. Sandro Cortese runs behind Axel Pons. All three world championships might go to the finale in Spain. Espargaro will get his sixth race win of the season. Five of them have been from pole. But, not in this race.
Two laps remain now. Tom Luthi will get on the podium. He wants the championship, and will get another chance to run for it next year. Aleix Espargaro signals his younger brother through. Espargaro is cruising. Tom Luthi remains third. One lap left. Takaaki Nakagami, and others, are passing for position as there's now a half a lap to go as Pol Espargaro makes it through the S curve. Pol Espargaro is going to win the race, and more importantly, he's 2013 Moto 2 World Champion!
#40 Pol Espargaro ESP Kalex Granollers
Espargaro is world champion. One more race, at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain, coming up in two weeks.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
MotoGP round 17: Japan
There was a single qualifying session due to weather. Jorge Lorenzo is on pole. Marc Marquez will start second despite going off the road. He can take a win for Honda at home and win the title. Nicky Hayden gets his best start since Jerez last year. Stefan Bradl broke his ankle last time out. Kazuki Nakasuga is the wildcard rider in this race. Bryan Staring and Lukas Pesek have to start at the back of the grid.
It's the warmup lap. The championship could be decided. Dani Pedrosa has to earn nine points more. If Marquez wins, he gets th title. Lorenzo has to work hard to stay in it. An extnded morning warmup took place and of course, Marc Marquez had a huge crash. His right shoulder is sore. This track was built by Honda in 1997. It's a tough track. 24 laps scheduled. Marc Marquez is in the middle of the front row. Jorge Lorenzo is on pole with Nicky Hayden third. Here we go for the penultimate race of the championship.
At the start, Marquez does a wheelie and Marquez takes Pedrosa. It's Lorenzo and Rossi first and scond. Aleix Espargaro is up to fifth on a CRT bike. Andrea Ianonne is off the road. Marc Marquez knows exactly what Jorge Lorenzo will do. He'll pull away. They come through the V curve. Nicky Hayden has dropped down to tenth spot. Marc Msrquez is ahead of Dani Pedrosa, coming into the Victory chicane. Aleix Espargaro is losing spots.
Kazuki Nakasuga is hanging in there. He's a wildcard rider. Marquez closes on Valentino Rossi into turn five. Rossi and Lorenzo had a huge battle in 2010 at this track. They come to the 90 degree corner another time. Valentino Rossi runs wide allowing both Repsol Honda's of Marquez and Pedrosa up to second and third. The Honda's will chase after Jorge Lorenzo and Rossi can't help his team mate. Lorenzo runs a 1:46.2 which is the fastest lap of the weekend by anyone.
Valentino Rossi will try again. But he doesn't have the steam to keep up with the Honda's. Marc Marquez is pulling the gap back to Lorenzo, to fight him for the win. Rossi has more trouble in the V Curve. He gives up a spot to Kazuki Nakasuga. His right foot peg is broken. 1:45.628 is the fast lap for Marquez as Stefan Bradl is fourth with a broken ankle. Bradley Smith and Cal Crutchlow are moving up on the Tech 3 Yamaha's.
Rossi continus. But both Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa are beginning to catch up. Dani Pedrosa will play a part in this race. hre's no doubt about that. Jorge Lorenzo is on a softer option compound while Marc Marquez is on a harder tire from Bridgestone. Maybe Lorenzo changed the type of tires he decided to run. Marquez is pushing and Lorenzo does have the second soft option. We thought we'd find the Yamaha's battling Honda. 1983 MotoGP champion Freddie Spencer, looks on. Marc Marquez could take the mantle from Spencer of being the youngest MotoGP champion ever.
No need to make a move yet. Run the pace. Back through the V corner and into the hairpin. Lorenzo rides defensively to hold off Marc Marquez. Alvaro Bautista is running well and is trying to hold off Alvaro Bautista. Bautista goes past Bradl for fourth. Bradl has a broken ankle. He's riding hurt. This is interesting as Cal Crutchlow and Bradley Smith battle. Crutchlow will go to Ducati next year and Smith will stay on the Tech 3 Yamaha. Valentino Rossi is fighting his way back as Andrea Dovizioso is chasing Crutchlow and Smith.
When will the fireworks happen? Stay tuned to find out. This race isn't over yet. Bautista and Bradl are six seconds behind the leaders who are covered by a blanket. If this remained the same, the title fight would go to the season finale in Valencia, Spain. Dani Pedrosa is the key man here. They fly down the straight and Lorenzo continues to push with the two Honda's behind. Claudio Corti crashes his bike and Damien Cudlin goes by. Lorenzo is being pressured by Marquez. Marc Marquez might make a move soon.
Pedrosa cleared out Nicky Hayden in 2006 at the Estoril circuit in Portugal. The race will reach halfway. Twelve laps complete. Twelve to go. Through turn four and five, Marquez is looking at Lorenzo. He's planning something. But, Jorge Lorenzo rarely makes mistakes. These are the three best riders in the world. Lorenzo continues to hold firm at the front. When will something happen? Something is bound to. Will Marquez make a move? Marquez wants to have the championship done and dusted.
Now, Aleix Espargaro throws himself off his bike, having no brakes. Colin Edwards will be top CRT bike. Marquez goes inside but can't make it stick. Ten laps remain now. This has been some race. Pedrosa's lap times are dropping a couple tenths as Alvaro Bautista has gained an advantage on Stefan Bradl. Marc Marquez needs Dani Pedrosa and can't get him to come forward. So, the championship will go down to the wire.
Ten laps left now. Marquez is running wide now. He's outbraked himself again. He sometimes goes too deep on the brakes. Pedrosa can't match the pace as Lorenzo sets a personal best lap of this race. Marc Marquez remains with him. This has been one heck of a season watching Marquez and Lorenzo. Six laps remain now. Jorge Lorenzo is stretching the margin out to a second over Marquez. Yamaha is taking the fight to Honda on Honda's home turf.
Jorge Lorenzo has to be careful because a lapped rider is in the way. Damien Cudlin. Lorenzo and Marquez, both clear Cudlin. Marc Marquez has to settle down. He has to realize that he'll finish second. Claudio Corti is another lapped rider who is holding up the leaders. Four laps to go. It is now going to be a two man race for the title. Pedrosa is out of it. Jorge Lorenzo is putting in a brilliant ride. This is special. We didn't know the Yamaha was going to race this well in Japan, again, at Honda's house.
Nicky Hayden closes on Andrea Dovizioso. Another top ten for Ducati with the team mates battling for position. Kazuki Nakasuga is going to finish eleventh. Next year, Colin Edwards will race in CRT, but teaming with Aleix Espargaro at Paul Bird Motorsport. Damien Cudlin will be called by race direction and the stewards will want to have a chat with him. Marquez knows in this race, he's been bettered by Lorenzo.
Will he still be the world champ? We'll have to wait for Valencia in two weeks. Lorenzo has memories of Assen, Sachsenring, and Laguna Seca. Jorge Lorenzo is going to win with just a lap remaining. Lorenzo has led this race from flag to flag. It's the final lap for this race at Twin Ring Motegi. Lorenzo is telling Marquez through his performance, "this is how you ride a motorcycle if you want to be world champion, sunshine." Jorge Lorenzo will earn his 51st career win.
Lorenzo wins it!
#99 Jorge Lorenzo ESP Yamaha
One more race to go this season, back in Europe at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain, coming up in two weeks. The championship is still alive. It's a two man race. Lorenzo vs. Marquez. Can't wait. It's going to be a wicked season finale, fans.
It's the warmup lap. The championship could be decided. Dani Pedrosa has to earn nine points more. If Marquez wins, he gets th title. Lorenzo has to work hard to stay in it. An extnded morning warmup took place and of course, Marc Marquez had a huge crash. His right shoulder is sore. This track was built by Honda in 1997. It's a tough track. 24 laps scheduled. Marc Marquez is in the middle of the front row. Jorge Lorenzo is on pole with Nicky Hayden third. Here we go for the penultimate race of the championship.
At the start, Marquez does a wheelie and Marquez takes Pedrosa. It's Lorenzo and Rossi first and scond. Aleix Espargaro is up to fifth on a CRT bike. Andrea Ianonne is off the road. Marc Marquez knows exactly what Jorge Lorenzo will do. He'll pull away. They come through the V curve. Nicky Hayden has dropped down to tenth spot. Marc Msrquez is ahead of Dani Pedrosa, coming into the Victory chicane. Aleix Espargaro is losing spots.
Kazuki Nakasuga is hanging in there. He's a wildcard rider. Marquez closes on Valentino Rossi into turn five. Rossi and Lorenzo had a huge battle in 2010 at this track. They come to the 90 degree corner another time. Valentino Rossi runs wide allowing both Repsol Honda's of Marquez and Pedrosa up to second and third. The Honda's will chase after Jorge Lorenzo and Rossi can't help his team mate. Lorenzo runs a 1:46.2 which is the fastest lap of the weekend by anyone.
Valentino Rossi will try again. But he doesn't have the steam to keep up with the Honda's. Marc Marquez is pulling the gap back to Lorenzo, to fight him for the win. Rossi has more trouble in the V Curve. He gives up a spot to Kazuki Nakasuga. His right foot peg is broken. 1:45.628 is the fast lap for Marquez as Stefan Bradl is fourth with a broken ankle. Bradley Smith and Cal Crutchlow are moving up on the Tech 3 Yamaha's.
Rossi continus. But both Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa are beginning to catch up. Dani Pedrosa will play a part in this race. hre's no doubt about that. Jorge Lorenzo is on a softer option compound while Marc Marquez is on a harder tire from Bridgestone. Maybe Lorenzo changed the type of tires he decided to run. Marquez is pushing and Lorenzo does have the second soft option. We thought we'd find the Yamaha's battling Honda. 1983 MotoGP champion Freddie Spencer, looks on. Marc Marquez could take the mantle from Spencer of being the youngest MotoGP champion ever.
No need to make a move yet. Run the pace. Back through the V corner and into the hairpin. Lorenzo rides defensively to hold off Marc Marquez. Alvaro Bautista is running well and is trying to hold off Alvaro Bautista. Bautista goes past Bradl for fourth. Bradl has a broken ankle. He's riding hurt. This is interesting as Cal Crutchlow and Bradley Smith battle. Crutchlow will go to Ducati next year and Smith will stay on the Tech 3 Yamaha. Valentino Rossi is fighting his way back as Andrea Dovizioso is chasing Crutchlow and Smith.
When will the fireworks happen? Stay tuned to find out. This race isn't over yet. Bautista and Bradl are six seconds behind the leaders who are covered by a blanket. If this remained the same, the title fight would go to the season finale in Valencia, Spain. Dani Pedrosa is the key man here. They fly down the straight and Lorenzo continues to push with the two Honda's behind. Claudio Corti crashes his bike and Damien Cudlin goes by. Lorenzo is being pressured by Marquez. Marc Marquez might make a move soon.
Pedrosa cleared out Nicky Hayden in 2006 at the Estoril circuit in Portugal. The race will reach halfway. Twelve laps complete. Twelve to go. Through turn four and five, Marquez is looking at Lorenzo. He's planning something. But, Jorge Lorenzo rarely makes mistakes. These are the three best riders in the world. Lorenzo continues to hold firm at the front. When will something happen? Something is bound to. Will Marquez make a move? Marquez wants to have the championship done and dusted.
Now, Aleix Espargaro throws himself off his bike, having no brakes. Colin Edwards will be top CRT bike. Marquez goes inside but can't make it stick. Ten laps remain now. This has been some race. Pedrosa's lap times are dropping a couple tenths as Alvaro Bautista has gained an advantage on Stefan Bradl. Marc Marquez needs Dani Pedrosa and can't get him to come forward. So, the championship will go down to the wire.
Ten laps left now. Marquez is running wide now. He's outbraked himself again. He sometimes goes too deep on the brakes. Pedrosa can't match the pace as Lorenzo sets a personal best lap of this race. Marc Marquez remains with him. This has been one heck of a season watching Marquez and Lorenzo. Six laps remain now. Jorge Lorenzo is stretching the margin out to a second over Marquez. Yamaha is taking the fight to Honda on Honda's home turf.
Jorge Lorenzo has to be careful because a lapped rider is in the way. Damien Cudlin. Lorenzo and Marquez, both clear Cudlin. Marc Marquez has to settle down. He has to realize that he'll finish second. Claudio Corti is another lapped rider who is holding up the leaders. Four laps to go. It is now going to be a two man race for the title. Pedrosa is out of it. Jorge Lorenzo is putting in a brilliant ride. This is special. We didn't know the Yamaha was going to race this well in Japan, again, at Honda's house.
Nicky Hayden closes on Andrea Dovizioso. Another top ten for Ducati with the team mates battling for position. Kazuki Nakasuga is going to finish eleventh. Next year, Colin Edwards will race in CRT, but teaming with Aleix Espargaro at Paul Bird Motorsport. Damien Cudlin will be called by race direction and the stewards will want to have a chat with him. Marquez knows in this race, he's been bettered by Lorenzo.
Will he still be the world champ? We'll have to wait for Valencia in two weeks. Lorenzo has memories of Assen, Sachsenring, and Laguna Seca. Jorge Lorenzo is going to win with just a lap remaining. Lorenzo has led this race from flag to flag. It's the final lap for this race at Twin Ring Motegi. Lorenzo is telling Marquez through his performance, "this is how you ride a motorcycle if you want to be world champion, sunshine." Jorge Lorenzo will earn his 51st career win.
Lorenzo wins it!
#99 Jorge Lorenzo ESP Yamaha
One more race to go this season, back in Europe at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain, coming up in two weeks. The championship is still alive. It's a two man race. Lorenzo vs. Marquez. Can't wait. It's going to be a wicked season finale, fans.
Monday, October 28, 2013
Redding & Rabat Left To Lament Motegi Crash
Didn't see the Moto 2 race from Japan. But, apparently, THIS happened. Will have brief highlights from the results soon, folks. But, had to share this. Tito Rabat and Scott Redding crashed out in the same incident! So, their championship campaigns for the season, are over, as far as points, headed into the season finale.
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/Redding+and+Rabat+left+to+lament+Motegi+crash
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/Redding+and+Rabat+left+to+lament+Motegi+crash
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Marc Marquez warmup crash at Motegi
Click over to YouTube to see this harrowing crash suffered in practice for the Japanese GP by Marc Marquez. Ouch! Fortunately, he's unscathed, and will race.
Here's the link.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M46pVwOIwWM
Here's the link.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M46pVwOIwWM
Ben Spies announces retirement from racing
After many years racing in both the AMA and in MotoGP, Ben Spies has decided to retire from motorcycle racing at the end of this season. Here are the details on his decision.
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/spies+announces+his+retirement
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/spies+announces+his+retirement
Thursday, October 24, 2013
FIM World Superbike Round 14: Spain (season finale) & 2013 WSBK champion
In the season finale for the 2013 FIM World Superbike championship at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit in Jerez, Spain, it was Aprilia's time to shine. Eugene Laverty swept both races last weekend. But, more importantly, Tom Sykes is the 2013 FIM World Superbike champion! He came up short to Max Biaggi last year. But, now, has his first ever title. Kawasaki also wins a title for the first time in two decades, after American Scott Russell took the World Superbike championship back in 1993. You can check out standings by season, by the way, at the FIM World Superbike website.
World Superbike race 1: #58 Eugene Laverty IRL Aprilia Racing Team Aprilia RSV4 Factory
World Superbike race 2: #58 Eugene Laverty IRL Aprilia Racing Team Aprilia RSV4 Factory
World Supersport race: #11 Sam Lowes GBR Yakhnich Motorsports Yamaha YZF R6
There were scheduled races for the two Superstock classes at Jerez. But neither the Superstock 1000 or Superstock 600 bikes ran. So, here's how each division breaks down in terms of champions.
FIM World Superbike champion: #66 Tom Sykes GBR Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX10R
FIM World Supersport champion: #11 Sam Lowes GBR Yakhnich Motorsports Yamaha YZF R6
FIM Superstock 1000 champion: #1 Sylvain Barrier FRA BMW Motorrad GoldBet STK
BMW S1000RR HP4
FIM Superstock 600 champion: #12 Franco Morbidelli ITA San Carlo Team Italia Kawasaki ZX6R
Kawasaki gets two rider's titles in World Superbike and Superstock 600 this year. Aprilia and BMW pick up manufacturers titles in Superbike and Superstock 1000 as the 600cc classes in Supersport and Superstock do not have a champion crowned for this year, at least yours truly doesn't think so. So ends the 2013 FIM World Superbike campaign. We look forward to 2014. It should be another great season of racing in a very competitive championship.
We'll see you in 2014 for more World Superbike on the 2 Wheelin' blog. So long for now, everyone.
World Superbike race 1: #58 Eugene Laverty IRL Aprilia Racing Team Aprilia RSV4 Factory
World Superbike race 2: #58 Eugene Laverty IRL Aprilia Racing Team Aprilia RSV4 Factory
World Supersport race: #11 Sam Lowes GBR Yakhnich Motorsports Yamaha YZF R6
There were scheduled races for the two Superstock classes at Jerez. But neither the Superstock 1000 or Superstock 600 bikes ran. So, here's how each division breaks down in terms of champions.
FIM World Superbike champion: #66 Tom Sykes GBR Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX10R
FIM World Supersport champion: #11 Sam Lowes GBR Yakhnich Motorsports Yamaha YZF R6
FIM Superstock 1000 champion: #1 Sylvain Barrier FRA BMW Motorrad GoldBet STK
BMW S1000RR HP4
FIM Superstock 600 champion: #12 Franco Morbidelli ITA San Carlo Team Italia Kawasaki ZX6R
Kawasaki gets two rider's titles in World Superbike and Superstock 600 this year. Aprilia and BMW pick up manufacturers titles in Superbike and Superstock 1000 as the 600cc classes in Supersport and Superstock do not have a champion crowned for this year, at least yours truly doesn't think so. So ends the 2013 FIM World Superbike campaign. We look forward to 2014. It should be another great season of racing in a very competitive championship.
We'll see you in 2014 for more World Superbike on the 2 Wheelin' blog. So long for now, everyone.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
In memoriam: Marco Simoncelli
We continue to remember the legacy of MotoGP rider Marco Simoncelli, two years after his death. Click the link to a photo of him, on the MotoGP Instagram page.
http://instagram.com/p/f0Bu71PNw5/#
http://instagram.com/p/f0Bu71PNw5/#
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
FIM World Superbike Round 13: France
Apologies for the delay in this post. The World Superbike season for 2013 is now complete. Today will feature highlights of round 13 in France, and tomorrow, will be the update on the season finale in Spain, with the list of championship winners. At Magny Cours, it was a clean sweep for Kawasaki and Tom Sykes. Kawasaki also won the 600 Supersport class race with Kenan Sofuoglu. They also won in Superstock 1000 with Jeremy Guarnoni, who is a familiar name to those who follow the FIM World Endurance Championship that is highlighted on this blog.
The Superstock 600 class finished their season at the previous race at the Nurburgring in Germany.
World Superbike race 1: #66 Tom Sykes GBR Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX10R
World Superbike race 2: #66 Tom Sykes GBR Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX10R
World Supersport race: #54 Kenan Sofuoglu TUR MAHI Racing Team India Kawasaki ZX6R
Superstock 1000 race: #11 Jeremy Guarnoni FRA MRS Kawasaki Kawasaki ZX10R
So, Kawasaki sweeps all the races in France. The last race of the season was run in Spain at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit. Results of that race, coming soon. Stay tuned for the news of the FIM World Superbike season finale.
The Superstock 600 class finished their season at the previous race at the Nurburgring in Germany.
World Superbike race 1: #66 Tom Sykes GBR Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX10R
World Superbike race 2: #66 Tom Sykes GBR Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX10R
World Supersport race: #54 Kenan Sofuoglu TUR MAHI Racing Team India Kawasaki ZX6R
Superstock 1000 race: #11 Jeremy Guarnoni FRA MRS Kawasaki Kawasaki ZX10R
So, Kawasaki sweeps all the races in France. The last race of the season was run in Spain at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit. Results of that race, coming soon. Stay tuned for the news of the FIM World Superbike season finale.
Monday, October 21, 2013
Moto 2 & Moto 3: Australia
In Moto 2 action at Philip Island, it was another win for Pol Espargaro, which might very well keep him in contention for the championship with only two races remaining in the season. Tom Luthi and Jordi Torres completed the podium.
Among the retirements from the race were Louis Rossi, Xavier Simeon, Johann Zarco, and Julian Simon. Simone Corsi, Alex de Angelis, Tito Rabat, Nico Terol, Mika Kallio, and others, had respectable finishes.
#40 Pol Espargaro ESP Kalex
In Moto 3 action at Philip Island, Alex Rins won, followed home by fellow Spaniards Maverick Vinales and Luis Salom, which is a picture we've seen throughout the season. Hometown hero, Aussie Jack Miller, came in fifth overall. Jonas Folger, Efren Vazquez, Niccolo Antonelli, Niklas Ajo, and Alexis Masbou, rounded out the top ten. 30 bikes were classified in Moto 3. The two non-finishers were Hyuga Watanabe of Japan, and Italian Francesco Bagnaia. Philip Oettl of Germany, did not start.
#42 Alex Rins ESP KTM
Two more races to go this season, for both Moto 2 and Moto 3. The penultimate round of the championship for both classes, along with MotoGP, will be at the Motegi circuit in Motegi, Japan, this weekend.
Among the retirements from the race were Louis Rossi, Xavier Simeon, Johann Zarco, and Julian Simon. Simone Corsi, Alex de Angelis, Tito Rabat, Nico Terol, Mika Kallio, and others, had respectable finishes.
#40 Pol Espargaro ESP Kalex
In Moto 3 action at Philip Island, Alex Rins won, followed home by fellow Spaniards Maverick Vinales and Luis Salom, which is a picture we've seen throughout the season. Hometown hero, Aussie Jack Miller, came in fifth overall. Jonas Folger, Efren Vazquez, Niccolo Antonelli, Niklas Ajo, and Alexis Masbou, rounded out the top ten. 30 bikes were classified in Moto 3. The two non-finishers were Hyuga Watanabe of Japan, and Italian Francesco Bagnaia. Philip Oettl of Germany, did not start.
#42 Alex Rins ESP KTM
Two more races to go this season, for both Moto 2 and Moto 3. The penultimate round of the championship for both classes, along with MotoGP, will be at the Motegi circuit in Motegi, Japan, this weekend.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
MotoGP Round 16: Australia
G'day mate, from down under. MotoGP has made it's way to Australia, to the Philip Island circuit in Victoria, Australia.
Welcome to a race like none you've seen before. This is an imposing track that is also picturesque. Can the riders conquer Philip Island? We're about to find out. Only three races remain. But, you are about to see an unprecedented race. 19 laps, with a pit stop! Serious tire wear is the issue. In qualifying, Jorge Lorenzo got pole at 1:27.859 all the while, hitting a seagull during the lap. Riders will have to change tires, and bikes, once, during this race.
Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi will be on the front row. Rossi has won at Philip Island, seven times. Colin Edwards is top CRT bike. The rear tires are good for only ten laps. No rider can go more than ten laps on a rear slick tire. Jorge Lorenzo has pole. But, Marc Marquez could also clinch the title today. Nicky Hayden will stay in MotoGP. He won't go to World Superbike. But, he's now signed for Aspar Honda.
Marc Marquez will become the youngest world champ in MotoGP. Casey Stoner won here every year from 2007 until last year, in 2012, when he retired. Casey Stoner has a corner (turn three) at Philip Island, named after him. Marquez leads Jorge Lorenzo by 43 points. He has to finish ahead of Dani Pedrosa, and finish ahead of Jorge Lorenzo. We are ready to race at Philip Island, through corners like Doohan Corner, the Southern Loop, Honda Corner, Siberia, and Lukey Heights, before completing the lap down Gardner straight, named for Aussie 500cc champion, Wayne Gardner.
Can Marc Marquez become the first rookie rider to win a championship since Kenny Roberts in 1978? We'll see. The track has been repaved, and the wind off the sea, will affect the bikes. We're ready to race. Jorge Lorenzo smashed Casey Stoner's lap record. Here we go.
At the start, Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi get great starts and so does Dani Pedrosa. Marquez is second. Bradley Smith is fourth now. Into the Southern Loop and the Casey Stoner corner. Lorenzo has missed his corner entrance. Pedrosa wanted the lead into Siberia. Lorenzo said, "no way, sunshine", taking it back. Dani Pedrosa is up to second going uphill to Lukey Heights. A Ducati runs wide at MG corner. Andrea Ianonne is actually that bike.
Bradley Smith tries to defend from Valentino Rossi and Alvaro Bautista. The spare bikes are waiting, and the pit stops will happen on lap nine or ten. Jorge Lorenzo has been going quick so far. He runs a 1:28.315. That would have qualified him third. Lorenzo is flying right now! Dani Pedrosa is also fast, 4/10ths of a second quicker than his qualifying effort. Cal Crutchlow has passed Bradley Smith. Andrea Dovizioso is tenth. Colin Edwards has run wide allowing Randy de Puniet to be top CRT bike.
The softer tires blister and the harder tires don't get enough heat in them. Into Siberia, it's still Lorenzo over Marquez and Pedrosa. Andrea Ianonne passes Nicky Hayden to become top Ducati. The spare bikes are ready to go. Six more laps until the changeover. They'll all come in together. They won't change tires. They'll physically change to their spare motorcycles. Marquez is pushing hard, and pit stops are coming, fast.
Marc Marquez is pressuring Lorenzo for both the race and the championship. 14 laps left. Pit stops coming soon. Marquez and Lorenzo are on the same strategy. The championship battle is so close. Going into pit lane first is an advantage. Five laps complete. Actually, six. Four laps until the pit stop. Lap ten is halfway. Lorenzo takes a wider line into Siberia. Cal Crutchlow has passed going into fourth spot. Now, going into the pits, the speed limit is 60 kilometers an hour (37 miles per hour). Marquez comes close to Lorenzo in MG corner.
Did Lorenzo miss a shift or something? Now, we are on lap nine, into the Southern Loop. They go into the Hay Shed corner. The crews are ready. The tires are coming out of the blankets. Hit 37 miles an hour. Now, Pedrosa pits. But Lorenzo and Marquez don't. Pedrosa wil be on fresh tires. So does Bautista. Crutchlow and Rossi also stay out. Pedrosa has a very quick stop. Lorenzo and Marquez will come in together. What will Pedrosa do? Dovizioso, Ianonne, Edwards, Smith, Lukas Pesek and Damien Cudlin. Danilo Petrucci also pitted.
Marquez is staying out. What the... He's gone a lap too far. Lorenzo is in. Marquez has to pit. He's going to be set up for a penalty that could ruin his title hopes! Rossi rejoins ahead of Cal Crutchlow. Lorenzo is second behind Pedrosa. Lorenzo still has the lead. What is going to happen to Marc Marquez? Marquez does pit. But, there's something else going on. Something is wrong with Pedrosa. Take a deep breath everyone. This isn't over. Marquez and Pedrosa touch!
They fortunately don't crash. Never mind. It was Lorenzo touching Marquez. Pedrosa speeds in pit lane, stopping at the wrong line. Jorge Lorenzo continues to lead. Dani Pedrosa is second but he'll be penalized for speeding in pit lane. Marc Marquez is not in position to clinch the title in this race. Seven laps left. Marquez will have to pit again. His race is ruined. Valentino Rossi, Cal Crutchlow, and Alvaro Bautista, battle for fourth place. Rossi is ahead of Crutchlow. But, he runs wide into the Southern Loop as Marquez is passing Dani Pedrosa.
Marquez runs new fast lap at 1:28.108. Marquez is 6/10ths quicker. He's been black flagged! He won't get points. He came in one lap too late! Oh no! He has broken the rules. The penalty is for ignoring the pit window. Marquez is out of this race. Jorge Lorenzo leads, and there are showers out there now. Bryan Staring in his home race, did the same thing. He'll have to come in and get a penalty. This race is very, very confusing.
There are now 18 points in it for the title with the next race in a week. Rossi, Crutchlow and Bautista, still battle for third. Two laps to go as they come through Siberia. Dani Pedrosa sped in pit lane and will serve a penalty. A fraught race for Repsol Honda and one to forget. Alvaro Bautista wants by Cal Crutchlow, who is being balked by Rossi who has won seven times at Philip Island. Damien Cudlin is also getting black flagged for pitting too late.
It's the final lap. Jorge Lorenzo is going to win this race. Rossi holds off Crutchlow through the Honda hairpin and MG corner. Bautista passes Crutchlow. Jorge Lorenzo wins it! He's blown the championship wide open with just two races to go. Rossi gets third and Crutchlow beats Bautista to the line!
#99 Jorge Lorenzo ESP Yamaha
The penultimate MotoGP race of the season will be next weekend in Japan, at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit in Motegi, Japan.
Welcome to a race like none you've seen before. This is an imposing track that is also picturesque. Can the riders conquer Philip Island? We're about to find out. Only three races remain. But, you are about to see an unprecedented race. 19 laps, with a pit stop! Serious tire wear is the issue. In qualifying, Jorge Lorenzo got pole at 1:27.859 all the while, hitting a seagull during the lap. Riders will have to change tires, and bikes, once, during this race.
Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi will be on the front row. Rossi has won at Philip Island, seven times. Colin Edwards is top CRT bike. The rear tires are good for only ten laps. No rider can go more than ten laps on a rear slick tire. Jorge Lorenzo has pole. But, Marc Marquez could also clinch the title today. Nicky Hayden will stay in MotoGP. He won't go to World Superbike. But, he's now signed for Aspar Honda.
Marc Marquez will become the youngest world champ in MotoGP. Casey Stoner won here every year from 2007 until last year, in 2012, when he retired. Casey Stoner has a corner (turn three) at Philip Island, named after him. Marquez leads Jorge Lorenzo by 43 points. He has to finish ahead of Dani Pedrosa, and finish ahead of Jorge Lorenzo. We are ready to race at Philip Island, through corners like Doohan Corner, the Southern Loop, Honda Corner, Siberia, and Lukey Heights, before completing the lap down Gardner straight, named for Aussie 500cc champion, Wayne Gardner.
Can Marc Marquez become the first rookie rider to win a championship since Kenny Roberts in 1978? We'll see. The track has been repaved, and the wind off the sea, will affect the bikes. We're ready to race. Jorge Lorenzo smashed Casey Stoner's lap record. Here we go.
At the start, Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi get great starts and so does Dani Pedrosa. Marquez is second. Bradley Smith is fourth now. Into the Southern Loop and the Casey Stoner corner. Lorenzo has missed his corner entrance. Pedrosa wanted the lead into Siberia. Lorenzo said, "no way, sunshine", taking it back. Dani Pedrosa is up to second going uphill to Lukey Heights. A Ducati runs wide at MG corner. Andrea Ianonne is actually that bike.
Bradley Smith tries to defend from Valentino Rossi and Alvaro Bautista. The spare bikes are waiting, and the pit stops will happen on lap nine or ten. Jorge Lorenzo has been going quick so far. He runs a 1:28.315. That would have qualified him third. Lorenzo is flying right now! Dani Pedrosa is also fast, 4/10ths of a second quicker than his qualifying effort. Cal Crutchlow has passed Bradley Smith. Andrea Dovizioso is tenth. Colin Edwards has run wide allowing Randy de Puniet to be top CRT bike.
The softer tires blister and the harder tires don't get enough heat in them. Into Siberia, it's still Lorenzo over Marquez and Pedrosa. Andrea Ianonne passes Nicky Hayden to become top Ducati. The spare bikes are ready to go. Six more laps until the changeover. They'll all come in together. They won't change tires. They'll physically change to their spare motorcycles. Marquez is pushing hard, and pit stops are coming, fast.
Marc Marquez is pressuring Lorenzo for both the race and the championship. 14 laps left. Pit stops coming soon. Marquez and Lorenzo are on the same strategy. The championship battle is so close. Going into pit lane first is an advantage. Five laps complete. Actually, six. Four laps until the pit stop. Lap ten is halfway. Lorenzo takes a wider line into Siberia. Cal Crutchlow has passed going into fourth spot. Now, going into the pits, the speed limit is 60 kilometers an hour (37 miles per hour). Marquez comes close to Lorenzo in MG corner.
Did Lorenzo miss a shift or something? Now, we are on lap nine, into the Southern Loop. They go into the Hay Shed corner. The crews are ready. The tires are coming out of the blankets. Hit 37 miles an hour. Now, Pedrosa pits. But Lorenzo and Marquez don't. Pedrosa wil be on fresh tires. So does Bautista. Crutchlow and Rossi also stay out. Pedrosa has a very quick stop. Lorenzo and Marquez will come in together. What will Pedrosa do? Dovizioso, Ianonne, Edwards, Smith, Lukas Pesek and Damien Cudlin. Danilo Petrucci also pitted.
Marquez is staying out. What the... He's gone a lap too far. Lorenzo is in. Marquez has to pit. He's going to be set up for a penalty that could ruin his title hopes! Rossi rejoins ahead of Cal Crutchlow. Lorenzo is second behind Pedrosa. Lorenzo still has the lead. What is going to happen to Marc Marquez? Marquez does pit. But, there's something else going on. Something is wrong with Pedrosa. Take a deep breath everyone. This isn't over. Marquez and Pedrosa touch!
They fortunately don't crash. Never mind. It was Lorenzo touching Marquez. Pedrosa speeds in pit lane, stopping at the wrong line. Jorge Lorenzo continues to lead. Dani Pedrosa is second but he'll be penalized for speeding in pit lane. Marc Marquez is not in position to clinch the title in this race. Seven laps left. Marquez will have to pit again. His race is ruined. Valentino Rossi, Cal Crutchlow, and Alvaro Bautista, battle for fourth place. Rossi is ahead of Crutchlow. But, he runs wide into the Southern Loop as Marquez is passing Dani Pedrosa.
Marquez runs new fast lap at 1:28.108. Marquez is 6/10ths quicker. He's been black flagged! He won't get points. He came in one lap too late! Oh no! He has broken the rules. The penalty is for ignoring the pit window. Marquez is out of this race. Jorge Lorenzo leads, and there are showers out there now. Bryan Staring in his home race, did the same thing. He'll have to come in and get a penalty. This race is very, very confusing.
There are now 18 points in it for the title with the next race in a week. Rossi, Crutchlow and Bautista, still battle for third. Two laps to go as they come through Siberia. Dani Pedrosa sped in pit lane and will serve a penalty. A fraught race for Repsol Honda and one to forget. Alvaro Bautista wants by Cal Crutchlow, who is being balked by Rossi who has won seven times at Philip Island. Damien Cudlin is also getting black flagged for pitting too late.
It's the final lap. Jorge Lorenzo is going to win this race. Rossi holds off Crutchlow through the Honda hairpin and MG corner. Bautista passes Crutchlow. Jorge Lorenzo wins it! He's blown the championship wide open with just two races to go. Rossi gets third and Crutchlow beats Bautista to the line!
#99 Jorge Lorenzo ESP Yamaha
The penultimate MotoGP race of the season will be next weekend in Japan, at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit in Motegi, Japan.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Friday, October 18, 2013
Rabat takes first blood in Australia
Tito Rabat is picking up right where he left off in Malaysia last weekend, setting fastest time in Moto 2 practice for the Australian Grand Prix at Philip Island.
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/rabat+fp1+moto2+australia
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/rabat+fp1+moto2+australia
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Tremendous Crash, Moto 2 at Malaysian GP
Watch this horrific, spectacular wreck at the start of the Moto 2 race last weekend in Malaysia. Axel Pons got the worst of it, and many of the Malaysian wildcard entries for the race, were involved in the melee. Here's a link to the video. If you're squeamish, you may want to close your eyes.
http://msn.foxsports.com/speed/motogp/motogp-tremendous-crash-moto2-at-malaysian-gp/
http://msn.foxsports.com/speed/motogp/motogp-tremendous-crash-moto2-at-malaysian-gp/
FIM World Superbike Round 12: U.S.A. (Laguna Seca Raceway)
At the end of September, the FIM World Superbike Championship ran their annual race in the United States at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California. None of the other classes ran there, as the support races were in the AMA Superbike, Daytona Sportbike, and Supersport classes. Race one at Laguna Seca was won by Tom Sykes and Kawasaki Racing Team, while in race two, it was Aprilia and Eugene Laverty taking the honors.
World Superbike race 1: #66 Tom Sykes GBR Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX-10-R-
World Superbike race 2: #58 Eugene Laverty IRL Aprilia Racing Team Aprilia RSV4 Factory
A week later, another race happened for the Superbikes, in France at the Magny Cours circuit. Those race highlights, will be posted tomorrow. Stay tuned.
World Superbike race 1: #66 Tom Sykes GBR Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX-10-R-
World Superbike race 2: #58 Eugene Laverty IRL Aprilia Racing Team Aprilia RSV4 Factory
A week later, another race happened for the Superbikes, in France at the Magny Cours circuit. Those race highlights, will be posted tomorrow. Stay tuned.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Moto 2 & Moto 3: Malaysia (abbreviated highlights)
In the Moto 2 race at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia, Esteve "Tito" Rabat won it, over Pol Espargaro and Tom Luthi. Mika Kallio and Scott Redding for Marc VDS both had respectable showings in the race. Also appearing in the top ten were riders like Takaaki Nakagami, Dominique Aegerter, Johann Zarco, Jordi Torres, and Julian Simon. Four riders were unclassified at the finish including Sandro Cortese, Mattia Pasini, Alex De Angelis, and Xavier Simeon. Rafid Topan Sucipto was the last classified finisher.
There were many wildcard riders entered. But, none of them even started the race, or made it to the grid. These included Malaysian riders. Wildcard entries included Decha Kraisart of Thailand on a satellite Tech3 Yamaha backed Tech3 built bike #46, Indian rider Fadli Immammuddin riding the #62 JiR Moto2 Motobi bike, Malaysian rider Zaghwan Zaidi on the #21 Technomag CarXpert Suter, and Argentinian Eziquiel Iturrioz (who is a Moto 2 regular), on the #34 Blussens Avintia Kalex.
#80 Esteve Rabat ESP Kalex
In Moto 3, chalk up another victory for Spaniard Luis Salom. He won it over countryman Alex Rins, and Miguel Oliveira, who finished in third place.
#39 Luis Salom ESP KTM
24 bikes finished this race with Eric Granado the last one classified. DNF's were Niccolo Antonelli, Matteo Ferrari, Efren Vazquez, Toni Finsterbusch, wildcard rider Alzat Malik on the #79 Touchline Sic-Ajo KTM bike, his Touchline Sic-Ajo team mate (another Malaysian wildcard) on bike #80, Hafiq Azmi, and caboose on the field were Alan Techer and Jasper Iwema, neither of whom even started the race.
The next race for Moto 2 and for Moto 3 will be the Australian Grand Prix at the Philip Island circuit in Victoria, Australia, coming up this weekend.
There were many wildcard riders entered. But, none of them even started the race, or made it to the grid. These included Malaysian riders. Wildcard entries included Decha Kraisart of Thailand on a satellite Tech3 Yamaha backed Tech3 built bike #46, Indian rider Fadli Immammuddin riding the #62 JiR Moto2 Motobi bike, Malaysian rider Zaghwan Zaidi on the #21 Technomag CarXpert Suter, and Argentinian Eziquiel Iturrioz (who is a Moto 2 regular), on the #34 Blussens Avintia Kalex.
#80 Esteve Rabat ESP Kalex
In Moto 3, chalk up another victory for Spaniard Luis Salom. He won it over countryman Alex Rins, and Miguel Oliveira, who finished in third place.
#39 Luis Salom ESP KTM
24 bikes finished this race with Eric Granado the last one classified. DNF's were Niccolo Antonelli, Matteo Ferrari, Efren Vazquez, Toni Finsterbusch, wildcard rider Alzat Malik on the #79 Touchline Sic-Ajo KTM bike, his Touchline Sic-Ajo team mate (another Malaysian wildcard) on bike #80, Hafiq Azmi, and caboose on the field were Alan Techer and Jasper Iwema, neither of whom even started the race.
The next race for Moto 2 and for Moto 3 will be the Australian Grand Prix at the Philip Island circuit in Victoria, Australia, coming up this weekend.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
MotoGP Round 15: Malaysia (abbreviated highlights)
Dani Pedrosa scored the win in round fifteen of the MotoGP World Championship... the Malaysian Grand Prix at the Sepang circuit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Team mate Marc Marquez finished second. The Yamaha's of Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi came third and fourth. Both Tech 3 Yamaha's of Cal Crutchlow and Bradley Smith, finished in the top ten. Luca Scassa and Bryan Staring were the last two classified finishers in the race.
Five riders failed to finish, including Nicky Hayden, whose season has been fraught this year, which is why he will be switching to the FIM World Superbike championship next year. Hayden, along with Michael Laverty, Lukas Pesek, Damian Cudlin on the Paul Bird Motorsports PBM bike, and Andrea Ianonne, were not classified as finishers.
#26 Dani Pedrosa ESP Honda
The next race in MotoGP is the Australian Grand Prix at Philip Island in Victoria, Australia, this weekend. Stay tuned for the race reports.
Five riders failed to finish, including Nicky Hayden, whose season has been fraught this year, which is why he will be switching to the FIM World Superbike championship next year. Hayden, along with Michael Laverty, Lukas Pesek, Damian Cudlin on the Paul Bird Motorsports PBM bike, and Andrea Ianonne, were not classified as finishers.
#26 Dani Pedrosa ESP Honda
The next race in MotoGP is the Australian Grand Prix at Philip Island in Victoria, Australia, this weekend. Stay tuned for the race reports.
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Casey Stoner to become MotoGP Legend
Casey Stoner is going to be inducted into the MotoGP Hall of Fame, and become a MotoGP Legend. Details, here.
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/Casey+Stoner+to+become+MotoGP+Legend
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/Casey+Stoner+to+become+MotoGP+Legend
Friday, October 11, 2013
Race Direction explains Aragon decision
MotoGP race director, Mike Webb explains why the decision was made on the Marquez and Pedrosa incident at Aragon.
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/Race+Direction+explains+MarquezPedrosa+decision
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/Race+Direction+explains+MarquezPedrosa+decision
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Dovizioso approaches Sepang with caution
After not having the best of luck in a spring test at the Sepang circuit, Andrea Dovizioso, and Ducati, as well as his team mate Nicky Hayden, will need to assess their performance and just hope for the best during the race weekend.
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/Dovizioso+approaches+Sepang+with+caution
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/Dovizioso+approaches+Sepang+with+caution
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Marquez handed penalty point after Aragon
Following up on a previous story about the Marc Marquez penalty for his contact with team mate Dani Pedrosa at Aragon in Spain last time out.
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/Sepang+Race+Direction+decision+Repsol+Honda
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/Sepang+Race+Direction+decision+Repsol+Honda
Marquez ready for Malaysia racing and Thursday hearing
Marc Marquez will have to discuss with the race stewards, and his team mate Dani Pedrosa, what went down in their collision in the previous MotoGP race at Aragon in Spain.
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/Marquez%20ready%20for%20Malaysia%20racing%20and%20Thursday%20hearing
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/Marquez%20ready%20for%20Malaysia%20racing%20and%20Thursday%20hearing
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Malaysia: Edging Closer To MotoGP History
Click the link to watch this video on YouTube. Marc Marquez could be well on his way to being the youngest ever MotoGP World Champion. What will happen at this weekend's race in Malaysia? We'll find out together, fans.
Monday, October 7, 2013
MotoGP: IMS Changing Road Course For 2014 Indianapolis GP
The MotoGP World Championship will continue racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the foreseeable future, along with running at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. The Laguna Seca Raceway round, in California, was dropped for next year. Here are details about some changes to the Indianapolis road course, to make the MotoGP races for all three divisions, more exciting. Hopefully, the idea works.
http://msn.foxsports.com/speed/motogp/motogp-ims-reconfiguring-road-course-for-indianapolis-gp/
http://msn.foxsports.com/speed/motogp/motogp-ims-reconfiguring-road-course-for-indianapolis-gp/
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans Moto
Suzuki Endurance Racing Team wins the 2013 FIM Endurance World Championship, after taking victory at the season finale, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Suzuki wins their 13th Endurance World Championship title, with their #1 Suzuki GSXR1000 in the hands of Vincent Philippe, Julien Da Costa, and Alex Cudlin, who won the title over their rivals from Yamaha GMT 94, by five points. They finished 26th in the race.
SRC Kawasaki wins another 24 Hours of Le Mans, completing 820 laps of the Bugatti circuit, which equals 2,111 miles on the 2.574 Bugatti Circuit layout at Le Mans. The riding team was Gregory Leblanc, Fabian Foret, and Nicolas Salchaud, three Frenchmen. Here are two stories on the event from motorcycle-usa.com, and www.cyclenews.com, respectively.
WEC Le Mans 24 Hours Results 2013
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/502/17054/Motorcycle-Article/WEC-Le-Mans-24-Hours-Results-2013.aspx
...and
24 Hours of Le Mans: SRC Kawasaki With The Win
www.cyclenews.com/466/22347/Racing-Article/24-Hours-Of-Le-Mans--SRC-Kawasaki-With-The-Win.aspx
Race victory to SRC Kawasaki. The 2013 FIM Endurance World Championship crown, to Suzuki Endurance Racing Team. What will 2014 hold in store? We'll find out together. See you in 2014 for more endurance motorcycle racing action, fans. So long for now.
SRC Kawasaki wins another 24 Hours of Le Mans, completing 820 laps of the Bugatti circuit, which equals 2,111 miles on the 2.574 Bugatti Circuit layout at Le Mans. The riding team was Gregory Leblanc, Fabian Foret, and Nicolas Salchaud, three Frenchmen. Here are two stories on the event from motorcycle-usa.com, and www.cyclenews.com, respectively.
WEC Le Mans 24 Hours Results 2013
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/502/17054/Motorcycle-Article/WEC-Le-Mans-24-Hours-Results-2013.aspx
...and
24 Hours of Le Mans: SRC Kawasaki With The Win
www.cyclenews.com/466/22347/Racing-Article/24-Hours-Of-Le-Mans--SRC-Kawasaki-With-The-Win.aspx
Race victory to SRC Kawasaki. The 2013 FIM Endurance World Championship crown, to Suzuki Endurance Racing Team. What will 2014 hold in store? We'll find out together. See you in 2014 for more endurance motorcycle racing action, fans. So long for now.
Friday, October 4, 2013
Casey Stoner set for Philip Island return
This is pretty cool. Check out the story. Casey Stoner, Wayne Gardner, and Mick Doohan, will come back to ride a lap of honor for the MotoGP Australian Grand Prix.
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/Stoner+set+for+Phillip+Island+return
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/Stoner+set+for+Phillip+Island+return
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Bike Road Racing Series round 3: Southern 100
Round three of the Bike Road Racing Series is the Southern 100 in Castletown on the Isle of Man. The track is the Billown circuit. This is the Southern 100 international road race. This is a popular race. Guy Martin really enjoys this race. Michael Dunlop feels the same way. Dunlop will be running with the Honda TT Legends team, which is familiar to fans of the FIM Endurance World Championship, which is highlighted on this blog, too.
It's helpful to have a couple teams working on the bikes, especially when a team runs in both 600cc and 1000cc classes. William Dunlop returns to the Southern 100 after missing last year's race due to injury. William Dunlop might just race the 600cc bike. He might run a 250cc motorcycle too, but he's not sure if he feels up to that challenge. Ian Lougher has decided to retire at the end of this season. He will be running his last Southern 100 at this race. Sometimes, you have to decide when to stop. For Ian Lougher, he'll retire after this season.
Some of the key corners on this track for the Southern 100 are Ballakeighan, Iron Gate, Joey's Gate, the Ballabeg hairpin (a very bumpy corner), Williams corner, and into this section called the bomb hole. From there the riders come to Cross Four-Ways and Church Bends. The fastest part of the course is just past a corner called Great Meadow and onto a long straightaway. From there, the straight takes you down to Stadium Bend and Castletown corner. Castletown corner leads onto the front straight. That's a lap of the Billown/Castletown track.
The track measures 4.25 miles around. The first race is ready to get underway. The Corlett's Trophies race for 600 and 1000cc motorcycles. Here we go with the first race of the week! Guy Martin shoots out into the lead. Michael Pearson is second. The Dunlop brothers (Michael and William) are back there someplace, too. Dean Harrison is chased by Ian Lougher and Jamie Hamilton coming into Ballakeighan for the first time.
Dan Kneen has also had a great start as the bikes fly through Joey's Gate. Dean Harrison makes a move on Dan Kneen. Dean Harrison wants by Michael Dunlop. Ian Lougher is being hounded by William Dunlop. Dunlop is on a 600cc bike, while Lougher rides a 1000cc machine. It's a quick blast between Great Meadow and Stadium. Rider Jamie Cowan is second behind William Dunlop in the 600cc class running order at the moment.
Martin wiggles the bike but stays in it. William Dunlop passes Davy Morgan who is riding a 1000cc bike, coming back towards Ballekeighan again. Michael Dunlop is pushing Guy Martin. Dan Kneen and Jamie Hamilton battle. Seamus Elliott is also in this fight. Michael Pearson is trying to maintain the pace. Dean Harrison flies up to Church bends. Will Jamie Hamilton catch up? Yes. He passes Dan Kneen. Dunlop is reeling in Guy Martin. Dunlop can't get Martin into Iron Gate. Will Cross Four Ways be his next chance? Oh my! Somebody's engine just went ka blammo in a huge way, down the straight. Oil on the tires for Davey Morgan. He ditches the bike. It's game over.
Dunlop still wants by Guy Martin. He's not giving up. Dean Harrison is pushing. Jamie Hamilton pulls away from Dan Kneen. Dean Harrison is pushing. Get after it, sunshine. Jamie Hamilton runs by himself. Dan Kneen is close. Michael Pearson and Ian Lougher are in this battle, too. Michael Dunlop is not close enough to get by Guy Martin. He's taking a defensive line. Martin and Dunlop are side by side. Martin can't quite pass into Ballekeighan.
Dean Harrison gains on Guy Martin. William Dunlop is proving that the 600cc bikes are easier to handle than the 1000cc motorcycles are. Has Jamie Hamilton fallen off the pace? Kneen gets passed by Michael Pearson. Guy Martin ALMOST flies off the bike! These guys are on the knife edge. Unbelievable. So many riders are in contention during this race. It's incredible. Ian Lougher passes Dan Kneen. Michael "Valentino" Dunlop, pulls a trick from MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi's playbook, and plants his right foot on the ground going into the corner.
Hamilton, Pearson, and Lougher still are jostling for position. A fair fight, indeed. Michael Dunlop wants his third consecutive win in the Southern 100. That comes at the end of the week, after all the races have been run. Jamie Coward and Tim Poole battle in the 600cc ranks. Cowan just barely gets by Seamus Elliott's #97 bike. There are races all over this track. Action is everywhere. Pearson gets airborne over the jump and stays on the bike. Michael Dunlop is clearly going to win this one. It's the last lap of this race shown by the yellow flag with a black X on it. The battle is for second between Guy Martin and Dean Harrison.
Ian Lougher passes Jamie Hamilton into Iron Gate. Dan Kneen has also made a pass. Jamie Hamilton is actually ahead of Michael Pearson right now. Traffic is in the way as Dean Harrison slides his motorcycle. It's a drag race to the line. Dunlop wins. Dean Harrison takes second place!
#1 Michael Dunlop Honda 1000
Here's the top five places.
1. #1 Michael Dunlop Honda 1000
2. #2 Dean Harrison Kawasaki 1000
3. #4 Guy Martin Suzuki 1000
4. #44 Jamie Hamilton Kawasaki 1000
5. #3 Dan Kneen Suzuki 1000
...And here is the running order for the 600cc bikes. William Dunlop, (Michael's brother),wins that division.
1. #6 William Dunlop Honda 600
2. #7 Jamie Coward Yamaha 600
3. #19 Tim Poole Kawasaki 600
4. #25 Ivan Lintin Kawasaki 600
5. #17 Mark Gooding Kawasaki 600
Coming up next, it's sidecar racing. It's three wheelin' time, folks. These guys put on a show. Get ready for a wild race. It's The Vehicle Sourcing Centre sidecar race. The revs rise on the sidecar bikes, and we are ready to race! Uh oh. We have a problem on the grid. There's something wrong with one of the sidecar cycles here. The lights have not gone to green yet. It could be that the sun is so low in the sky, they can't see the starting lights. They'll have to go back to the old fashioned way of doing things, and wave a flag to start this race.
One of the teams might need to restart their bike's engine. Well, that team will miss the start, because we are ready to get the sidecar event underway. At the start, leading away it's Tim Reeves and Dan Sayle, ahead of Gary Bryan and his passenger. They run up to Ballekeighan for the first time. Conrad Harrison (Dean Harrison's dad) is fourth. Gary Bryan will be one of the ones to watch in this sidecar contest.
But, for the #18 sidecar of David Lindley and Ben Chandler, they run into problems, with smoke streaming from their motor. Reeves and Sayle ran here last year for the first time and pulled away from the field. Now, they are doing it again. Yours truly vaguely recalls writing about that race. Gary Bryant has closed in on the Birchall team. Harrison and Chauhan try to make a pass and so does Wayne Lockie. These guys are pushing. Sidecars are absolutely amazing to watch.
Here's the Birchall team, riding sidecar #1, a Honda 600cc machine. Gary Bryant, and the Birchall's are both having traction troubles out of one of the corners. Reeves and Sayle are into a lead right now over the other teams. More riders are competitive in the back half of the field, as the riders in the sidecar have to hold on for dear life into the turns so they don't fall off! That's Dick Chandler and Dean Kilkenny. The top three have broken away from Wayne Lockey running fourth.
Ben and Tom Birchall won the Southern 100 sidecar races last year. Who will win this year? Ben and Tom Birchall races through Church Bends. Gary Bryan is also running really well. Reeves and Sayle lock the brakes on their sidecar, and they smoke, much like a race car would under braking. Bryant goes right to the edge of the road! This is wild racing. Gary Bryan and his team mate in the sidecar, are third. The Birchill's and Tim Reeves, have both won world titles in the sidecar division.
Greg Lambert is another rider who is in a battle for position, with Ken Cole battling him. Reeves and Sayle continue in the lead. Tim Reeves and Dan Sayle continue to lead. Wayne Lockie has dropped down the order. Conrad Harrison and Greg Lambert run together. Through the Ballabeg hairpin. Gordon Shand in the #6 sidecar is being passed by #10. The riders fly past a farm which is next to the track. David Hurst and Cole Bennett battle for position. Dean Lindley is back there, too.
Reeves and Sayle are going to win at Billown for the second consecutive year. Allan Warden and Nigel Smith pass through down the straight. This event is only six laps. Time is running short. Now, the Birchall's are closing up on Tim Reeves and Dan Sayle, headed for the finish. There are so many good battles through the field, it's hard to notice all of them at the same time. Can the Birchill's close up on Tim Reeves and Dan Sayle? These guys are going like the clappers, absolutely running Harry Flatters on this course. Translation, for those who might not know British English... both those terms mean, running flat out. Booking it.
Fans, we are into the last lap of the first of two sidecar racing contests at Billown. These sidecar cycles are powered by 600cc motors, and the riders can leave the throttle wide open in many more places than the conventional two wheeled motorcycles. Roy Hanks and Kevin Terry make a pass. The Birchall's are gaining on Reeves and Sayle. We have a crash, though. Two sidecar cycles have come together. Debbie Barron and Dick Chandler. This has red flagged the race. Dick Chandler clips the wall collecting the sidecar of Debbie Barron who had nowhere to go.
Ouch! This race is over. Reeves and Sayle, are the winners.
Here are the results.
1. #77 Reeves/Sayle Honda 600
2. #1 Birchall/Birchall Honda 600
3. #26 Bryan/Winn Honda 600
4. #3 Harrison/Chauhan Honda 600
5. #4 Lockey/Capewell Honda 600
The Birchall's had to forfeit their second place finish after the race due to a rules violation. Day two action is coming your way in the second half of this race report. We are ready for another stormer of a race here, folks. It's the Superbikes, in the Ellan Vannin Fuels Senior Race.
At the start, Dean Harrison gets the lead immediately, followed by Guy Martin who is now third, having been passed by Ian Lougher. Lougher goes right around Harrison and into the lead of this bike race. He's got to be on a mission. Michael Dunlop is fourth, and he's peaking out from behind Guy Martin, trying to find a spot to overtake. Dean Harrison is working his way back as these 1000cc monsters thunder around the Isle of Man. Ian Lougher holds the record for number of wins at Billown, which he took away from the late, great Joey Dunlop.
Dunlop died in 2000 after crashing in a race in Estonia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joey_Dunlop
Back to the present. Guy Martin currently runs second. Michael Dunlop runs right with Martin, right behind him. Lougher leads Martin, and Dunlop through the Bomb Hole. Guy Martin wants by Ian Lougher into Cross Four Ways. Can Dean Harrison pass? No. This is another race where it's Superbike vs. Super Stock machinery. Jamie Hamilton is ahead of Dan Kneen as Dean Harrison gets passed. Maybe he missed a gear or something.
Michael Dunlop, meanwhile, gets past Ian Lougher. Dean Harrison is all over Ian Lougher like a rash, and has been since they exited Ballakeighan. Dean Harrison wiggles, and stays on the motorcycle! That was a close call! Through the Ballabeg hairpin. Ian Lougher does a wheelie as he's under pressure from Jamie Hamilton. Michael Dunlop tries passing Guy Martin. No dice. Dan Kneen overshoots the corner, and is off in no man's land. Dan Kneen and Jamie Hamilton both made the same mistake, and rejoin the race.
Ian Lougher might fall down the order. Dean Harrison runs third right now. Ian Lougher and Michael Pearson are running a bit further down the order in this opening race on the second day of racing at the Southern 100. Dunlop tries the inside at Stadium corner, but thinks better of it. Dean Harrison is gaining on the race leaders all the while. In replay, we see these riders carrying the front wheel in the air, and Dean Harrison might have just set the record for highest wheelie in this race.
Guy Martin nearly gets squeezed by Michael Dunlop! Yikes! Knock, knock. Mr. Martin... Mr. Dunlop is at your back door, and wants by. Meanwhile, a battle is brewing between Ian Lougher and Michael Pearson. Dan Kneen continues to chase down Jamie Hamilton. Michael Dunlop still can't get by Martin. Dunlop and Martin touch! Wow! Dunlop muscles his way by. Dean Harrison is also catching up to these two, and quick. Pearson and Lougher are still glued together, too.
Russ Malford and Jamie Coward battle for position down the order. What this has turned into, is a three way lead battle. This is not about merely getting onto the podium. Dunlop is on the inside coming back to Ballakeighan. Dunlop makes the pass, successfully. The action is hot and heavy between Church Bends and Great Meadow. It's the final lap of this senior 1000cc race. Dean Harrison is also mixing it up, getting chopped by a slower bike!
Harrison has gone too deep into the corner, and has to regroup. Guy Martin is still there, and so is Dean Harrison, even after his off course excursion. The final lap of this race is in a bit of disarray. Two bikes get together in the corner, and... thwack! Both riders are down for the count, on the pavement. Paul Cranston on bike #16 and bike #115 of Ivan Shandley. That's not how you're supposed to race. This isn't demolition derby with motorbikes, boys.
Despite the argy bargy, Michael Dunlop still wins this race.
#1 Michael Dunlop Honda 1000
The results stand as:
1. #1 Michael Dunlop Honda 1000
2. #4 Guy Martin Suzuki 1000
3. #2 Dean Harrison Kawasaki 1000
4. #9 Ian Lougher Honda 1000
5. #44 Jamie Hamilton Kawasaki 1000
Ian Lougher finishes fourth to celebrate his 50th birthday at this race. Coming up, it's a race combining the 250cc and 650cc bikes.
This is the Mike Kerruish Plumbing 250/650cc race. Most of the field in this race is 650cc Super Twins as opposed to the old 250cc Grand Prix bikes. At the start, Dean Harrison gets the jump. Jamie Hamilton and Chris Palmer are in contention from the get go. Jamie Hamilton twitches into Ballakeighan, but saves the bike. He is going for the lead, right alongside Dean Harrison. Jamie Hamilton should be the top rider in Super Twins, now that Ryan Farquhar has retired from racing. Palmer is pushing hard. This is like a 250cc race, but with bigger bikes.
Hamilton is skating the bike in a big way. James Cowton is also in a battle for position. Cowton and Palmer are having a major dust up here. Of the 25 bikes that started this race, all, except maybe two or three, are 650cc Super Twins, and this is very much the class that will replace the 250cc bikes headed into the future of the Irish road racing championship. Dean Harrison is certain catching, or attempting to catch Jamie Hamilton.
Chris Palmer runs ahead of Russ Mountford for the moment. Jamie Hamilton slides the bike into Ballakeighan. Brad Hughes is also in this. Hamilton is really sliding that bike around. Adrian Harrison and Colin Stevenson are two more riders to look out for in this Super Twin race. Dean Harrison is on a mission to reel in Jamie Hamilton. Dean Harrison makes a clean pass. Jamie Hamilton gets passed into Castletown Corner. Dean Harrison clearly locks up his rear wheel. It's going to be a Harrison vs. Hamilton battle for victory in this one.
Hamilton takes another shot at Harrison into Iron Gate. Two 250cc bikes are running well. That is Tom Snow on bike #45. Paul Robinson riding bike #8 also has a 250cc machine here. Dean Harrison makes a pass on Jamie Hamilton. Just a few laps left in this contest. It looks like Dean Harrison is going to win. Hamilton has a huge wiggle! Yikes! Will he stay on the bike? Yes! He makes the pass! Russ Malford and Chris Palmer are still in their own race, too. Calum Colister on bike #53 is also gaining places.
Dean Harrison slices through on the inside and almost crashes! But, he stays in it. Another fracas, and this one is at Ballabeg hairpin. The Malford, Palmer, Colister battle continues to rage. The humdinger of a scrap for second continues. Jamie Hamilton slides the rear tire again to get by Dean Harrison. James Cowton is also running well and will put two of three bikes for Ryan Farquhar's Vauxhall sponsored Kawasaki team on the podium in this race. Where will Jamie Hamilton finish?
Dean Harrison is going to try getting by Jamie Hamilton, now. Nope. Hamilton pulls ahead. More tire sliding from Jamie Hamilton into Castletown corner. One lap left of the 4.25 mile Billown circuit. Hamilton passes Harrison through Iron Gate, and this could be the pass that wins him the race. Dean Harrison also wiggles his bike. Jamie Hamilton is not the only rider to perfect that style of wagging the bike's tail. Will they get through Cross Four Ways, cleanly? James Cowton is going to finish third in this race. Dean Harrison runs a new record lap on this circuit for this race.
Hamilton and Harrison are still battling. There's barely any room for both bikes there. Dean Harrison makes the pass coming to Castletown corner for the last time. Hamilton slides the tire, again. Harrison runs wide. Oh no. Jamie Hamilton will get first place, winning the Super Twin and 250cc feature.
#44 Jamie Hamilton Kawasaki 650
Here's the top five.
1. #44 Jamie Hamilton Kawasaki 650
2. #2 Dean Harrison Kawasaki 650
3. #52 James Cowton Kawasaki 650
4. #5 Chris Palmer Kawasaki 650
5. #72 Russ Mountford Kawasaki 650
The next race is for the 600cc Supersport bikes sponsored by Radcliffe Butchers. It's their second race of the weekend. At the start, William and Michael Dunlop, as well as Guy Martin, make up the front row, and get away first. Jamie Hamilton gets swamped as Guy Martin leading, riding the same bike as British Supersport championship rider Taylor McKenzie. It's the Suzuki vs. William Dunlop's Milwaukee Yamaha. This race will be eight laps, 34 miles. Michael Dunlop currently runs sixth.
Guy Martin and William Dunlop pull away from the rest of the field. Dunlop closes up on Guy Martin. Harrison and Hamilton battle for third. Martin, Dunlop, and Harrison, are the top three so far. Jamie Hamilton and James Cowton run a bit further back in the order at this stage. The bikes are on the run between Ballekeighan and Iron Gate. William Dunlop passes Guy Martin. Guy Martin made his first appearance at Billown a decade ago, back in 2003. He broke his ankle during that race, after crashing at Iron Gate with Ryan Farquhar.
Last year, William Dunlop did not race here. He was sidelined due to injury. Dunlop moves ahead of Ian Lougher. Tim Poole is also in this race. Jamie Hamilton is fourth, losing ground to the top three. Guy Martin wants past William Dunlop. That won't work in this series of corners. Guy Martin has a head of steam down the front straight. Martin doesn't have the speed on the Suzuki of Dunlop's Yamaha. Someone has disappeared, running straight on, just before the downhill. It's Dunlop! Oh no! He went up the escape road.
Dean Harrison is hounding Guy Martin. Ian Lougher is running down the order at the moment. How far did William Dunlop go up the escape road? He lost it under braking. Dean Harrison tries to pass Guy Martin into Cross Four Ways. Harrison is taking no chances, wanting to extend a lead. Jamie Coward passes Tim Poole. Harrison has to hold on and can't give Guy Martin an inch. William Dunlop is back in the race, but far down the order. Dan Kneen runs third. Martin is still in touch with Harrison. But Harrison seems to be consistently stretching the gap, bit by bit. Harrison slides the bike, and stays on.
Michael Dunlop is third. Michael Dunlop heads a pack of four riders, but waited too long to make his move. The leaders are running fast laps than Dunlop. 2:19 laps for Harrison and Martin, while Dunlop runs a 2:22. Harrison has to be happy with his performance. But, one error, and Guy Martin will pounce. Michael Dunlop breaks away from the fourth place battle. That's Jamie Hamilton, James Cowton and Dan Kneen.
It's the final lap of this race. It doesn't seem likely that Martin can pass Harris. If he overcooks Castletown corner, it's over. Michael Dunlop will not be satisfied with his finish lower down the order. Michael Dunlop isn't giving up, absolutely tossing his bike through the Bomb Hole. Martin makes one last move to try and pass at Stadium corner. That won't work. Harrison gets balked by a slow bike. Will Martin have a shot here, right at the finish? Nope. Dean Harrison does it!
#2 Dean Harrison Yamaha 600
The battle for fourth is not over. Dan Kneen tries to pass, but pays the penalty with a huge crash! He ditches the bike, and though he's fine, he's surely unhappy about that. Here are the results of the Radcliffe Butchers 600cc race.
1. #2 Dean Harrison Yamaha 600
2. #4 Guy Martin Suzuki 600
3. #1 Michael Dunlop Honda 600
4. #44 Jamie Hamilton Kawasaki 600
5. #52 James Cowton Honda 600
That's all for now. But, there will be more racing from Billown in another race report. Stay tuned.
It's helpful to have a couple teams working on the bikes, especially when a team runs in both 600cc and 1000cc classes. William Dunlop returns to the Southern 100 after missing last year's race due to injury. William Dunlop might just race the 600cc bike. He might run a 250cc motorcycle too, but he's not sure if he feels up to that challenge. Ian Lougher has decided to retire at the end of this season. He will be running his last Southern 100 at this race. Sometimes, you have to decide when to stop. For Ian Lougher, he'll retire after this season.
Some of the key corners on this track for the Southern 100 are Ballakeighan, Iron Gate, Joey's Gate, the Ballabeg hairpin (a very bumpy corner), Williams corner, and into this section called the bomb hole. From there the riders come to Cross Four-Ways and Church Bends. The fastest part of the course is just past a corner called Great Meadow and onto a long straightaway. From there, the straight takes you down to Stadium Bend and Castletown corner. Castletown corner leads onto the front straight. That's a lap of the Billown/Castletown track.
The track measures 4.25 miles around. The first race is ready to get underway. The Corlett's Trophies race for 600 and 1000cc motorcycles. Here we go with the first race of the week! Guy Martin shoots out into the lead. Michael Pearson is second. The Dunlop brothers (Michael and William) are back there someplace, too. Dean Harrison is chased by Ian Lougher and Jamie Hamilton coming into Ballakeighan for the first time.
Dan Kneen has also had a great start as the bikes fly through Joey's Gate. Dean Harrison makes a move on Dan Kneen. Dean Harrison wants by Michael Dunlop. Ian Lougher is being hounded by William Dunlop. Dunlop is on a 600cc bike, while Lougher rides a 1000cc machine. It's a quick blast between Great Meadow and Stadium. Rider Jamie Cowan is second behind William Dunlop in the 600cc class running order at the moment.
Martin wiggles the bike but stays in it. William Dunlop passes Davy Morgan who is riding a 1000cc bike, coming back towards Ballekeighan again. Michael Dunlop is pushing Guy Martin. Dan Kneen and Jamie Hamilton battle. Seamus Elliott is also in this fight. Michael Pearson is trying to maintain the pace. Dean Harrison flies up to Church bends. Will Jamie Hamilton catch up? Yes. He passes Dan Kneen. Dunlop is reeling in Guy Martin. Dunlop can't get Martin into Iron Gate. Will Cross Four Ways be his next chance? Oh my! Somebody's engine just went ka blammo in a huge way, down the straight. Oil on the tires for Davey Morgan. He ditches the bike. It's game over.
Dunlop still wants by Guy Martin. He's not giving up. Dean Harrison is pushing. Jamie Hamilton pulls away from Dan Kneen. Dean Harrison is pushing. Get after it, sunshine. Jamie Hamilton runs by himself. Dan Kneen is close. Michael Pearson and Ian Lougher are in this battle, too. Michael Dunlop is not close enough to get by Guy Martin. He's taking a defensive line. Martin and Dunlop are side by side. Martin can't quite pass into Ballekeighan.
Dean Harrison gains on Guy Martin. William Dunlop is proving that the 600cc bikes are easier to handle than the 1000cc motorcycles are. Has Jamie Hamilton fallen off the pace? Kneen gets passed by Michael Pearson. Guy Martin ALMOST flies off the bike! These guys are on the knife edge. Unbelievable. So many riders are in contention during this race. It's incredible. Ian Lougher passes Dan Kneen. Michael "Valentino" Dunlop, pulls a trick from MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi's playbook, and plants his right foot on the ground going into the corner.
Hamilton, Pearson, and Lougher still are jostling for position. A fair fight, indeed. Michael Dunlop wants his third consecutive win in the Southern 100. That comes at the end of the week, after all the races have been run. Jamie Coward and Tim Poole battle in the 600cc ranks. Cowan just barely gets by Seamus Elliott's #97 bike. There are races all over this track. Action is everywhere. Pearson gets airborne over the jump and stays on the bike. Michael Dunlop is clearly going to win this one. It's the last lap of this race shown by the yellow flag with a black X on it. The battle is for second between Guy Martin and Dean Harrison.
Ian Lougher passes Jamie Hamilton into Iron Gate. Dan Kneen has also made a pass. Jamie Hamilton is actually ahead of Michael Pearson right now. Traffic is in the way as Dean Harrison slides his motorcycle. It's a drag race to the line. Dunlop wins. Dean Harrison takes second place!
#1 Michael Dunlop Honda 1000
Here's the top five places.
1. #1 Michael Dunlop Honda 1000
2. #2 Dean Harrison Kawasaki 1000
3. #4 Guy Martin Suzuki 1000
4. #44 Jamie Hamilton Kawasaki 1000
5. #3 Dan Kneen Suzuki 1000
...And here is the running order for the 600cc bikes. William Dunlop, (Michael's brother),wins that division.
1. #6 William Dunlop Honda 600
2. #7 Jamie Coward Yamaha 600
3. #19 Tim Poole Kawasaki 600
4. #25 Ivan Lintin Kawasaki 600
5. #17 Mark Gooding Kawasaki 600
Coming up next, it's sidecar racing. It's three wheelin' time, folks. These guys put on a show. Get ready for a wild race. It's The Vehicle Sourcing Centre sidecar race. The revs rise on the sidecar bikes, and we are ready to race! Uh oh. We have a problem on the grid. There's something wrong with one of the sidecar cycles here. The lights have not gone to green yet. It could be that the sun is so low in the sky, they can't see the starting lights. They'll have to go back to the old fashioned way of doing things, and wave a flag to start this race.
One of the teams might need to restart their bike's engine. Well, that team will miss the start, because we are ready to get the sidecar event underway. At the start, leading away it's Tim Reeves and Dan Sayle, ahead of Gary Bryan and his passenger. They run up to Ballekeighan for the first time. Conrad Harrison (Dean Harrison's dad) is fourth. Gary Bryan will be one of the ones to watch in this sidecar contest.
But, for the #18 sidecar of David Lindley and Ben Chandler, they run into problems, with smoke streaming from their motor. Reeves and Sayle ran here last year for the first time and pulled away from the field. Now, they are doing it again. Yours truly vaguely recalls writing about that race. Gary Bryant has closed in on the Birchall team. Harrison and Chauhan try to make a pass and so does Wayne Lockie. These guys are pushing. Sidecars are absolutely amazing to watch.
Here's the Birchall team, riding sidecar #1, a Honda 600cc machine. Gary Bryant, and the Birchall's are both having traction troubles out of one of the corners. Reeves and Sayle are into a lead right now over the other teams. More riders are competitive in the back half of the field, as the riders in the sidecar have to hold on for dear life into the turns so they don't fall off! That's Dick Chandler and Dean Kilkenny. The top three have broken away from Wayne Lockey running fourth.
Ben and Tom Birchall won the Southern 100 sidecar races last year. Who will win this year? Ben and Tom Birchall races through Church Bends. Gary Bryan is also running really well. Reeves and Sayle lock the brakes on their sidecar, and they smoke, much like a race car would under braking. Bryant goes right to the edge of the road! This is wild racing. Gary Bryan and his team mate in the sidecar, are third. The Birchill's and Tim Reeves, have both won world titles in the sidecar division.
Greg Lambert is another rider who is in a battle for position, with Ken Cole battling him. Reeves and Sayle continue in the lead. Tim Reeves and Dan Sayle continue to lead. Wayne Lockie has dropped down the order. Conrad Harrison and Greg Lambert run together. Through the Ballabeg hairpin. Gordon Shand in the #6 sidecar is being passed by #10. The riders fly past a farm which is next to the track. David Hurst and Cole Bennett battle for position. Dean Lindley is back there, too.
Reeves and Sayle are going to win at Billown for the second consecutive year. Allan Warden and Nigel Smith pass through down the straight. This event is only six laps. Time is running short. Now, the Birchall's are closing up on Tim Reeves and Dan Sayle, headed for the finish. There are so many good battles through the field, it's hard to notice all of them at the same time. Can the Birchill's close up on Tim Reeves and Dan Sayle? These guys are going like the clappers, absolutely running Harry Flatters on this course. Translation, for those who might not know British English... both those terms mean, running flat out. Booking it.
Fans, we are into the last lap of the first of two sidecar racing contests at Billown. These sidecar cycles are powered by 600cc motors, and the riders can leave the throttle wide open in many more places than the conventional two wheeled motorcycles. Roy Hanks and Kevin Terry make a pass. The Birchall's are gaining on Reeves and Sayle. We have a crash, though. Two sidecar cycles have come together. Debbie Barron and Dick Chandler. This has red flagged the race. Dick Chandler clips the wall collecting the sidecar of Debbie Barron who had nowhere to go.
Ouch! This race is over. Reeves and Sayle, are the winners.
Here are the results.
1. #77 Reeves/Sayle Honda 600
2. #1 Birchall/Birchall Honda 600
3. #26 Bryan/Winn Honda 600
4. #3 Harrison/Chauhan Honda 600
5. #4 Lockey/Capewell Honda 600
The Birchall's had to forfeit their second place finish after the race due to a rules violation. Day two action is coming your way in the second half of this race report. We are ready for another stormer of a race here, folks. It's the Superbikes, in the Ellan Vannin Fuels Senior Race.
At the start, Dean Harrison gets the lead immediately, followed by Guy Martin who is now third, having been passed by Ian Lougher. Lougher goes right around Harrison and into the lead of this bike race. He's got to be on a mission. Michael Dunlop is fourth, and he's peaking out from behind Guy Martin, trying to find a spot to overtake. Dean Harrison is working his way back as these 1000cc monsters thunder around the Isle of Man. Ian Lougher holds the record for number of wins at Billown, which he took away from the late, great Joey Dunlop.
Dunlop died in 2000 after crashing in a race in Estonia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joey_Dunlop
Back to the present. Guy Martin currently runs second. Michael Dunlop runs right with Martin, right behind him. Lougher leads Martin, and Dunlop through the Bomb Hole. Guy Martin wants by Ian Lougher into Cross Four Ways. Can Dean Harrison pass? No. This is another race where it's Superbike vs. Super Stock machinery. Jamie Hamilton is ahead of Dan Kneen as Dean Harrison gets passed. Maybe he missed a gear or something.
Michael Dunlop, meanwhile, gets past Ian Lougher. Dean Harrison is all over Ian Lougher like a rash, and has been since they exited Ballakeighan. Dean Harrison wiggles, and stays on the motorcycle! That was a close call! Through the Ballabeg hairpin. Ian Lougher does a wheelie as he's under pressure from Jamie Hamilton. Michael Dunlop tries passing Guy Martin. No dice. Dan Kneen overshoots the corner, and is off in no man's land. Dan Kneen and Jamie Hamilton both made the same mistake, and rejoin the race.
Ian Lougher might fall down the order. Dean Harrison runs third right now. Ian Lougher and Michael Pearson are running a bit further down the order in this opening race on the second day of racing at the Southern 100. Dunlop tries the inside at Stadium corner, but thinks better of it. Dean Harrison is gaining on the race leaders all the while. In replay, we see these riders carrying the front wheel in the air, and Dean Harrison might have just set the record for highest wheelie in this race.
Guy Martin nearly gets squeezed by Michael Dunlop! Yikes! Knock, knock. Mr. Martin... Mr. Dunlop is at your back door, and wants by. Meanwhile, a battle is brewing between Ian Lougher and Michael Pearson. Dan Kneen continues to chase down Jamie Hamilton. Michael Dunlop still can't get by Martin. Dunlop and Martin touch! Wow! Dunlop muscles his way by. Dean Harrison is also catching up to these two, and quick. Pearson and Lougher are still glued together, too.
Russ Malford and Jamie Coward battle for position down the order. What this has turned into, is a three way lead battle. This is not about merely getting onto the podium. Dunlop is on the inside coming back to Ballakeighan. Dunlop makes the pass, successfully. The action is hot and heavy between Church Bends and Great Meadow. It's the final lap of this senior 1000cc race. Dean Harrison is also mixing it up, getting chopped by a slower bike!
Harrison has gone too deep into the corner, and has to regroup. Guy Martin is still there, and so is Dean Harrison, even after his off course excursion. The final lap of this race is in a bit of disarray. Two bikes get together in the corner, and... thwack! Both riders are down for the count, on the pavement. Paul Cranston on bike #16 and bike #115 of Ivan Shandley. That's not how you're supposed to race. This isn't demolition derby with motorbikes, boys.
Despite the argy bargy, Michael Dunlop still wins this race.
#1 Michael Dunlop Honda 1000
The results stand as:
1. #1 Michael Dunlop Honda 1000
2. #4 Guy Martin Suzuki 1000
3. #2 Dean Harrison Kawasaki 1000
4. #9 Ian Lougher Honda 1000
5. #44 Jamie Hamilton Kawasaki 1000
Ian Lougher finishes fourth to celebrate his 50th birthday at this race. Coming up, it's a race combining the 250cc and 650cc bikes.
This is the Mike Kerruish Plumbing 250/650cc race. Most of the field in this race is 650cc Super Twins as opposed to the old 250cc Grand Prix bikes. At the start, Dean Harrison gets the jump. Jamie Hamilton and Chris Palmer are in contention from the get go. Jamie Hamilton twitches into Ballakeighan, but saves the bike. He is going for the lead, right alongside Dean Harrison. Jamie Hamilton should be the top rider in Super Twins, now that Ryan Farquhar has retired from racing. Palmer is pushing hard. This is like a 250cc race, but with bigger bikes.
Hamilton is skating the bike in a big way. James Cowton is also in a battle for position. Cowton and Palmer are having a major dust up here. Of the 25 bikes that started this race, all, except maybe two or three, are 650cc Super Twins, and this is very much the class that will replace the 250cc bikes headed into the future of the Irish road racing championship. Dean Harrison is certain catching, or attempting to catch Jamie Hamilton.
Chris Palmer runs ahead of Russ Mountford for the moment. Jamie Hamilton slides the bike into Ballakeighan. Brad Hughes is also in this. Hamilton is really sliding that bike around. Adrian Harrison and Colin Stevenson are two more riders to look out for in this Super Twin race. Dean Harrison is on a mission to reel in Jamie Hamilton. Dean Harrison makes a clean pass. Jamie Hamilton gets passed into Castletown Corner. Dean Harrison clearly locks up his rear wheel. It's going to be a Harrison vs. Hamilton battle for victory in this one.
Hamilton takes another shot at Harrison into Iron Gate. Two 250cc bikes are running well. That is Tom Snow on bike #45. Paul Robinson riding bike #8 also has a 250cc machine here. Dean Harrison makes a pass on Jamie Hamilton. Just a few laps left in this contest. It looks like Dean Harrison is going to win. Hamilton has a huge wiggle! Yikes! Will he stay on the bike? Yes! He makes the pass! Russ Malford and Chris Palmer are still in their own race, too. Calum Colister on bike #53 is also gaining places.
Dean Harrison slices through on the inside and almost crashes! But, he stays in it. Another fracas, and this one is at Ballabeg hairpin. The Malford, Palmer, Colister battle continues to rage. The humdinger of a scrap for second continues. Jamie Hamilton slides the rear tire again to get by Dean Harrison. James Cowton is also running well and will put two of three bikes for Ryan Farquhar's Vauxhall sponsored Kawasaki team on the podium in this race. Where will Jamie Hamilton finish?
Dean Harrison is going to try getting by Jamie Hamilton, now. Nope. Hamilton pulls ahead. More tire sliding from Jamie Hamilton into Castletown corner. One lap left of the 4.25 mile Billown circuit. Hamilton passes Harrison through Iron Gate, and this could be the pass that wins him the race. Dean Harrison also wiggles his bike. Jamie Hamilton is not the only rider to perfect that style of wagging the bike's tail. Will they get through Cross Four Ways, cleanly? James Cowton is going to finish third in this race. Dean Harrison runs a new record lap on this circuit for this race.
Hamilton and Harrison are still battling. There's barely any room for both bikes there. Dean Harrison makes the pass coming to Castletown corner for the last time. Hamilton slides the tire, again. Harrison runs wide. Oh no. Jamie Hamilton will get first place, winning the Super Twin and 250cc feature.
#44 Jamie Hamilton Kawasaki 650
Here's the top five.
1. #44 Jamie Hamilton Kawasaki 650
2. #2 Dean Harrison Kawasaki 650
3. #52 James Cowton Kawasaki 650
4. #5 Chris Palmer Kawasaki 650
5. #72 Russ Mountford Kawasaki 650
The next race is for the 600cc Supersport bikes sponsored by Radcliffe Butchers. It's their second race of the weekend. At the start, William and Michael Dunlop, as well as Guy Martin, make up the front row, and get away first. Jamie Hamilton gets swamped as Guy Martin leading, riding the same bike as British Supersport championship rider Taylor McKenzie. It's the Suzuki vs. William Dunlop's Milwaukee Yamaha. This race will be eight laps, 34 miles. Michael Dunlop currently runs sixth.
Guy Martin and William Dunlop pull away from the rest of the field. Dunlop closes up on Guy Martin. Harrison and Hamilton battle for third. Martin, Dunlop, and Harrison, are the top three so far. Jamie Hamilton and James Cowton run a bit further back in the order at this stage. The bikes are on the run between Ballekeighan and Iron Gate. William Dunlop passes Guy Martin. Guy Martin made his first appearance at Billown a decade ago, back in 2003. He broke his ankle during that race, after crashing at Iron Gate with Ryan Farquhar.
Last year, William Dunlop did not race here. He was sidelined due to injury. Dunlop moves ahead of Ian Lougher. Tim Poole is also in this race. Jamie Hamilton is fourth, losing ground to the top three. Guy Martin wants past William Dunlop. That won't work in this series of corners. Guy Martin has a head of steam down the front straight. Martin doesn't have the speed on the Suzuki of Dunlop's Yamaha. Someone has disappeared, running straight on, just before the downhill. It's Dunlop! Oh no! He went up the escape road.
Dean Harrison is hounding Guy Martin. Ian Lougher is running down the order at the moment. How far did William Dunlop go up the escape road? He lost it under braking. Dean Harrison tries to pass Guy Martin into Cross Four Ways. Harrison is taking no chances, wanting to extend a lead. Jamie Coward passes Tim Poole. Harrison has to hold on and can't give Guy Martin an inch. William Dunlop is back in the race, but far down the order. Dan Kneen runs third. Martin is still in touch with Harrison. But Harrison seems to be consistently stretching the gap, bit by bit. Harrison slides the bike, and stays on.
Michael Dunlop is third. Michael Dunlop heads a pack of four riders, but waited too long to make his move. The leaders are running fast laps than Dunlop. 2:19 laps for Harrison and Martin, while Dunlop runs a 2:22. Harrison has to be happy with his performance. But, one error, and Guy Martin will pounce. Michael Dunlop breaks away from the fourth place battle. That's Jamie Hamilton, James Cowton and Dan Kneen.
It's the final lap of this race. It doesn't seem likely that Martin can pass Harris. If he overcooks Castletown corner, it's over. Michael Dunlop will not be satisfied with his finish lower down the order. Michael Dunlop isn't giving up, absolutely tossing his bike through the Bomb Hole. Martin makes one last move to try and pass at Stadium corner. That won't work. Harrison gets balked by a slow bike. Will Martin have a shot here, right at the finish? Nope. Dean Harrison does it!
#2 Dean Harrison Yamaha 600
The battle for fourth is not over. Dan Kneen tries to pass, but pays the penalty with a huge crash! He ditches the bike, and though he's fine, he's surely unhappy about that. Here are the results of the Radcliffe Butchers 600cc race.
1. #2 Dean Harrison Yamaha 600
2. #4 Guy Martin Suzuki 600
3. #1 Michael Dunlop Honda 600
4. #44 Jamie Hamilton Kawasaki 600
5. #52 James Cowton Honda 600
That's all for now. But, there will be more racing from Billown in another race report. Stay tuned.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
2014 MotoGP calendar revealed
The 2014 MotoGP race schedule is here. The U.S. event at Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California, has been dropped. The two other races in the states at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, and the Indianapolis Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway will continue. New races in South America... (in Argentina and Brazil), have been added to the schedule.
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/2014+MotoGP+Calendar+Announcement
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/2014+MotoGP+Calendar+Announcement
Lorenzo nearing half-century of GP victories
It didn't happen at Aragon this past weekend. But, Jorge Lorenzo's win record is still pretty incredible. He's approaching 50 career wins between all three classes. Click the link, and check out the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4eumeRQ8P4s#t=33
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4eumeRQ8P4s#t=33
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
FIM World Endurance Championship round 3: 8 Hours of Oschersleben
It is round three of the 2013 FIM Endurance World Championship, the Oschersleben 8 Hours at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben, in Saxony, Germany, on this 3.6 kilometer, (2.25 mile) course.
Some teams who are privateers, don't have factory support. They build their own bikes, relying on themselves. Team Bolliger from Switzerland, is a perfect example. Team boss Hanspeter Bolliger says the team was founded because of a joy for racing and speed. Team R2CL and their team boss Raphael Chausse, have a similar story to tell. Four friends put the team together. Raphael, two people named Cyrille, and another named Louis. The private teams have to pay for their own expenses including racing tires, racing fuel, and travel to and from the endurance racing events.
The crews for private teams work for free. They don't often get paid for their work, and that's concerning when it comes to overseas events, such as the previous round at Suzuka in Japan. Private teams still have obligations to do well and gain good results on the track, for their sponsors. Bad results = less money, and a smaller budget to work with. R2CL is a team of friends. For Team Bolliger, they are all pure racers and love the sport. Every member of the team does.
It takes hard work, and investments of time and money, to put together a successful privateer team in endurance motorcycle road racing, or any discipline of racing for that matter. Two teams who have factory support, must step up and improve their results after having bad races in the beginning of the year. Those are BMW Motorrad France, and, Honda TT Legends. Honda TT Legends team manager Neil Tuxworth, says that mechanical gremlins have plagued the team.
At the Bol D'or there was a part that had never given way before. Then, in Japan, the team had a clutch issue. Tuxworth says that Japan was the most disappointing endurance race he's been a part of. But, the team will come back. With BMW Motorrad France, they realize their mistakes, and want to turn their season around in the last two events. Honda TT Legends chief mechanic Julian Bolland says that if a rider crashes while trying to put in faster lap times, you have to accept it.
But, a silly mistake like forgetting to use the pit lane speed rev limiter, or forgetting to switch on the bike's headlight, definitely makes a team feel badly after incurring a penalty. Chief mechanic for BMW Motorrad France, Jabol Didier, echoes the same sentiment about electrical gremlins and other mechanical issues. The teams have to promise the sponsors and the manufacturers, that they will represent those brands, and push to the finish, gaining good results.
The track at Motorsport Arena Oschersleben, is a very fan friendly venue. Going into this race, it is a three way battle in the points championship between Suzuki Endurance Racing Team, Monster Energy Yamaha YART, and Yamaha France GMT 94. We are ready to get this race underway. SERT has pole with Vincent Philippe, Anthony Delhalle, and Julian Da Costa. 40 bikes will start this race. SERT's pole time was a 1:26.897 around this 3.6 kilometer (2.25 mile) track.
We are ready for the start. The riders stand poised to run across the track, jump on their motorcycles, and get this race underway. The German flag waves, and they're off! Let's go racing, boys! At the start, SERT takes full advantage of their pole position spot. The world championship leading bike #1 of Vincent Philippe, Anthony Delhalle, and Julien Da Costa, leads the race. SERT won this race at Oschersleben last year. The team would make two pit stops in the first two hours of this race.
The bikes go three wide early on in this contest. Yamaha France GMT 94 is not where they want to be at the start of this race. Bolliger Kawasaki and Honda TT Legends seem to be in decent spots in the opening laps. Honda TT Legends are running in the top six with their #77 Honda CBR1000RR shared by John McGuinness, Michael Rutter, and Simon Andrews. SERT are opening up a lead as the #94 Yamaha of David Checa, Kenny Foray, and new third rider for this race, Frenchman, Maxime Berger, are in trouble already.
The bike is off song, running really slowly. The engine sounds like it's gone sour just a few laps into this one. Nose first into the garage is never a good sign. Checa, Foray, and Berger's race, may already be run. YART and Bolliger are battling each other for position. The YART bike #7 is shared by Broc Parkes, Josh Waters, and Igor Jerman, while Bolliger has Horst Saiger, Romain Stamm, and a different rider than is listed on their official team roster. For this race, it is Daniel Sutter as opposed to Marc Wildisen from Switzerland, or Spaniard, Gaston Garcia Blasco.
Bolliger and YART both ran in the Suzuka 8 Hours, three weeks before heading to Germany. YART pits for fuel, tires, and a rider change. Yamaha GMT 94 gets the bike back out of the garage, and refueled to get back into the fray. Will they gain ground? Will Checa, Foray, and Berger be able to finish the race? It was David Checa, falling off the motorcycle, two laps into the race, that caused their troubles, according to team manager Christophe Guyot.
Hopes are that they will finish. Meanwhile, BMW Motorrad France has their regular trio of Sebastien Gimbert, Damien Cudlin, and Erwan Nigon, back together, and they are running a steady pace right now. They need points desperately just to finish out the season. The team makes a routine pit stop for fuel, tires, and a rider change. Assistant team manager Volker Schech explains that the riders don't need to push too hard, and just need to ride a safe race.
Damien Cudlin was injured at Suzuka. So, they had a two rider team of course, with Erwan Nigon, and American Jason Pridmore, who is riding in this race, for his regular team, Penz 13.com Racing Team, in the Superstock class on an identical BMW S1000RR to the factory bike from BMW Motorrad France. Pit stop time for Honda TT Legends. Tires and riders, are changed. Again, veteran riders share the bike. John McGuinness, Michael Rutter, and Simon Andrews. The Penz 13 team is running into some trouble with the brakes.
Jason Pridmore is currently riding the bike, sharing with Pedro Vallcaneras, and Steve Mercer. Bolliger is also in this scrum for thee top placings in the early going. They make a scheduled pit stop for fuel and a rider change. SERT still holds down P1 and they too, make a scheduled pit stop. Fuel and tires are added. But, no rider change. Junior Team LMS Suzuki on their #72 Suzuki GSXR1000 is also having a good showing with the trio of Baptiste Guittet, Etienne Masson, and Greg Black. They are leading the Superstock division at the moment.
The Superstock Suzuki team, did not race at Suzuka. Here are the standings after two hours of racing, roughly 1/4 distance complete.
1. EWC #1 Suzuki Endurance Racing Team Suzuki GSXR1000
Philippe/Delhalle/Da Costa
2. EWC #99 BMW Motorrad France BMW S1000RR
Gimbert/Nigon/Cudlin
3. EWC #7 Monster Energy Yamaha - YART Yamaha R1
Parkes/Waters/Jerman
4. EWC #2 Team R2CL Suzuki GSXR1000
Buisson/Dietrich/Giabanni
5. EWC #8 Bolliger Team Switzerland Kawasaki ZX10R
Saiger/Stamm/Sutter
6. EWC #77 Honda TT Legends Honda CBR1000RR
Andrews/McGuinness/Rutter
7. SST #72 Junior Team LMS Suzuki Suzuki GSXR1000
Guittet/Masson/Black
8. SST #3 AM Moto Racing Competition Suzuki GSXR1000
Loiseau/Maitre/Hardt
9. SST #9 DGSport Herock van Keymeulen Yamaha R1
van Keymeulen/Schouten/Mahias
10. SST #50 Team Motors Events April Moto Suzuki GSXR1000
Fastre/Lucas/Savary
YART is still in with a shout for a podium place if they can be consistent. Actually, it's now about half distance. YART team manager Mandy Kainz says the battle is hot between Suzuki, BMW, and Yamaha. Team R2CL is also in this scrap, with Dylan Buisson, Guillaume Dietrich, and Gwen Giabbani. R2CL makes a routine pit stop for fuel and a rider change. Not sure who will be getting onto the bike. R2CL was another team not present at Suzuka.
Gwen Giabbani is a former winner of the Endurance World Championship, riding for YART. In pit lane, Bolliger Kawasaki is prepping and inspecting tires. Team manager Hanspeter Bigler seems content. The race is only half over though, and the team currently holds fourth place in the overall and in class for the Endurance World Championship, along with the Superstock, and Open classes. Bolliger is a lap down to the leaders, and SERT continues in P1.
Halfway through this race, they've made four pit stops. They've completed 160 laps, 360 miles. They are a lap up on BMW Motorrad France, and Monster Energy Yamaha YART. Now, for Honda TT Legends, there could be more trouble, as if their season has not been iffy enough already. The bike is frantically pushed into pit lane. John McGuinness took over the bike for the third stint, and ran out of fuel. A new rider takes over. Not sure if it's Michael Rutter or Simon Andrews.
Race manager for Honda TT Legends, Glen Richards, explains they were running seventh overall, and due to running out of gas, they've lost five minutes on track. There was no warning from the fuel light on the bike's dashboard. Things seemed to get worse for Honda TT Legends, as the fuel problem, dropped them way down to 17th in the overall in the 31 bike field. The Suzuki Junior Team still leads in Superstock, and team manager Damien Saulnier, is confident. Suzuki's junior squad comes from a racing school at the Bugatti circuit at Le Mans in France.
They have ten students for a whole year of riding and training before racing competitively. Now, traffic is beginning to take it's toll, as the leaders come up on a few bikes that have been mentioned in the overall standings like the #9 DGSport Herock Yamaha R1, the #50 Team Motors Events Suzuki, and the #5 Gas Nolimits Suzuki GSXR1000 in the Open class. DGSport Herock makes a pit stop. Didier van Keymeulen, Raymond Schouten, and Lucas Mahias, share that bike, a Yamaha R1.
Pit stop time also for the #3 AM Moto Racing Competition Suzuki in the Superstock class. Anthony Loiseau, Romain Maitre, and Jonathan Hardt, sharing that bike. Chief mechanic Stephane Barbot explains that the AM Moto team has had fuel pump issues throughout the race. Here are the standings at halfway (the four hour mark in the race).
1. EWC #1 Suzuki Endurance Racing Team Suzuki GSXR1000
Philippe/Delhalle/Da Costa
2. EWC #99 BMW Motorrad France BMW S1000RR
Gimbert/Nigon/Cudlin
3. EWC #7 Monster Energy Yamaha - YART Yamaha R1
Parkes/Waters/Jerman
4. EWC #2 Team R2CL Suzuki GSXR1000
Buisson/Dietrich/Giabanni
5. EWC #8 Bolliger Team Switzerland Kawasaki ZX10R
Saiger/Stamm/Sutter
6. SST #72 Junior Team LMS Suzuki Suzuki GSXR1000
Guittet/Masson/Black
7. SST #50 Team Motors Events April Moto Suzuki GSXR1000
Fastre/Lucas/Savary
8. SST #9 DGSport Herock van Keymeulen Yamaha R1
van Keymeulen/Schouten/Mahias
9. SST #13 Penz13.com Racing Team BMW S1000RR
Pridmore/Vallcaneras/Mercer
10. EWC #94 Yamaha France GMT 94 Yamaha R1
Checa/Foray/Berger
Just past halfway, the field is put under full course yellow and the safety car. There was a big wreck that affected the track surface. Two bikes did crash. It is unclear as to which ones, as they are towed out of harms way, but damaged beyond the ability to keep racing. The safety car pulls off, and racing resumes. SERT makes another pit stop for fuel, tires, and a rider change. Two hours are now left in the Oschersleben 8 Hours. SERT team manager Dominique Meilland says they need to be careful, and watch out for the two Yamaha's and the BMW.
Past halfway it's come down to a battle between SERT and BMW Motorrad France. Now BMW heads for the pit lane. It's the usual strategy. Tires, fuel, and a rider change. BMW desperately needs points from this race. Junior Team LMS Suzuki still lead Superstock, as Team R2CL seems to be headed for the house. Their Suzuki GSXR1000 goes nose first into the garage, after being as high as fourth in the overall, earlier on in the race. There seems to be a mechanical problem with their motorcycle.
Junior Team LMS Suzuki, crashes. For R2CL, they put the bike back on track briefly. But, team manager Raphael Chausse says they have a broken oil filter. They still want a top six finish at the end of this race to score points. So, they are not out of it, as previously thought. They will soldier on. But, their efforts are for naught. They crash after leaving the pits. Push too hard, and, wham! You are in the grass of the Oschersleben infield, and will score nil points on the day.
Team Bolliger continues on, having a good run, and breaking into the top five. This is a closely contested race and an eight hour enduro is going to come down to pit strategy. It must have been the #8 Kawasaki ZX10R that dumped the fluid on the track that brought out the earlier safety car. Penz 13 pits their BMW. There is a rider change. But, it's unclear as to who goes next in their rider rotation. For Yamaha France GMT 94, this race may be salvageable after their litany of issues earlier on. Christophe Guyot says they can keep up with the quick on track pace.
Despite two wrecks, Guyot thinks the team can still salvage a top six finish. Team Motors Events April Moto, and the riding trio of Fastre, Lucas, and Savary, pits. They too, are still in contention in the Superstock class. They do a quick repair in the garage, and send the bike out, with it's new rider. Team manager Herve Moineau says practice was difficult, and the race has been, too. But, AM Motors seems to be catching up and running a decent pace.
After leading Superstock early, it seems that LMS Suzuki has run into more mechanical issues, and has their bike in the garage. Etienne Baptiste crashed after not seeing an oil flag, and damaged the suspension and the frame on the Suzuki GSXR1000. The crew is in the garage, fixing it. A fraught race for the Suzuki Junior squad. They do get the bike back out. But, no chances of victory for the Suzuki Junior Team at Oschersleben. Let's take a look at the standings with six hours complete, and two to go.
1. EWC #1 Suzuki Endurance Racing Team Suzuki GSXR1000
Philippe/Delhalle/Da Costa
2. EWC #7 Monster Energy Yamaha - YART Yamaha R1
Parkes/Waters/Jerman
3. EWC #99 BMW Motorrad France BMW S1000RR
Gimbert/Nigon/Cudlin
4. EWC #8 Bolliger Team Switzerland Kawasaki ZX10R
Saiger/Stamm/Sutter
5. SST #13 Penz13.com Racing Team BMW S1000RR
Pridmore/Vallcaneras/Mercer
6. SST #50 Team Motors Events April Moto Suzuki GSXR1000
Fastre/Lucas/Savary
7. EWC #94 Yamaha France GMT 94 Yamaha R1
Checa/Foray/Berger
8. SST #9 DGSport Herock van Keymeulen Yamaha R1
van Keymeulen/Schouten/Mahias
9. SST #44 No Limits Motor Team Suzuki GSXR1000
Boscoscuro/Bussei/Casas
10. EWC #77 Honda TT Legends Honda CBR1000RR
Andrews/McGuinness/Rutter
YART is still in contention, with two hours remaining. But, their race turns sour, on a pit stop. A big wreck in the pit lane of all places. She done blew up right there in the pit. A big plume of flame, and then, it's ditch the bike and run for your life! Broc Parkes was a lucky chap to survive that incident. The fire extinguisher at the ready, immediately. After running second overall, their race could be done and dusted, in a bad way. That's not going out in a blaze of glory by any means.
As Bolliger pits, we watch from a helmet camera of one of the pit crew members, who has to catch the front of the bike with both hands as it stops. Fuel and tires. No rider change. Yours truly misspoke again. YART will continue in the race, despite the damage to the bike from the fire. Although, the crew is still trying to clean up, and surely does not want to be inhaling fumes either from the bike, or from the fire extinguishers. Broc Parkes says it's just a racing deal. They'll soldier on, even if they don't make the podium.
It's the final hour of racing at Oschersleben, just as twilight hits Saxony in Germany. BMW Motorrad France has been running well all day. They've lost a couple spots. They were as high as second overall and now, run fourth. Actually, as they make their presumably final pit stop, they are second, behind Suzuki Endurance Racing Team. Bolliger Kawasaki is also trying to hang on for the podium. The plot thickens though. Bolliger gets demoted to fourth. Who knew it. Here comes Yamaha GMT 94, after being through some disastrous circumstances earlier in this race.
They will get a top five finish out of it. David Checa, Kenny Foray, and Maxime Berger, have clawed back a lot of ground over the last few hours. Pitting too, is the #13 Penz 13 BMW. Penz 13 overtook Team LMS Suzuki in the Superstock division, for the lead in class. SERT makes their last pit stop. Fuel, the final tire change, and the final change of riders to take it home to the finish. YART also makes their last stop. No fire this time. If SERT wins this, they'll pad their points lead, going into the last race of the season, the 24 Hours of Le Mans Moto.
As it stands, SERT will be thirteen points ahead of Monster Energy Yamaha YART and a further 24 ahad of Yamaha France GMT 94. Yamaha France makes their last pit stop and a final rider change. Bolliger won't make the podium. But, they'll still get a top five finish from this race. Darkness now falls as we head into the last minutes of this event. The time schedule for this race was pulled forward to avoid finishing in the dark, as there are no lights at Oschersleben.
Penz 13 will win Superstock honors, as they make their last pit stop. Everyone is on pins and needles in the garage. But, SERT, doesn't need to worry. Suzuki Endurance Racing Team, will win the Oschersleben 8 Hours!
Overall/EWC: #1 Philippe/Delhalle/Da Costa Suzuki GSXR1000
SST: #13 Pridmore/Vallcaneras/Mercer BMW S1000RR
SERT is happy to win. But, even happier must be BMW Motorrad France, just to score their first points of the season, with one race remaining. That is the 24 Hours of Le Mans Moto at the Bugatti circuit. It actually took place last weekend. If results can be found, they will be posted here, soon. Not sure about a full race report. Still, the 24 Hours of Le Mans Moto, should be a very competitive event.
Some teams who are privateers, don't have factory support. They build their own bikes, relying on themselves. Team Bolliger from Switzerland, is a perfect example. Team boss Hanspeter Bolliger says the team was founded because of a joy for racing and speed. Team R2CL and their team boss Raphael Chausse, have a similar story to tell. Four friends put the team together. Raphael, two people named Cyrille, and another named Louis. The private teams have to pay for their own expenses including racing tires, racing fuel, and travel to and from the endurance racing events.
The crews for private teams work for free. They don't often get paid for their work, and that's concerning when it comes to overseas events, such as the previous round at Suzuka in Japan. Private teams still have obligations to do well and gain good results on the track, for their sponsors. Bad results = less money, and a smaller budget to work with. R2CL is a team of friends. For Team Bolliger, they are all pure racers and love the sport. Every member of the team does.
It takes hard work, and investments of time and money, to put together a successful privateer team in endurance motorcycle road racing, or any discipline of racing for that matter. Two teams who have factory support, must step up and improve their results after having bad races in the beginning of the year. Those are BMW Motorrad France, and, Honda TT Legends. Honda TT Legends team manager Neil Tuxworth, says that mechanical gremlins have plagued the team.
At the Bol D'or there was a part that had never given way before. Then, in Japan, the team had a clutch issue. Tuxworth says that Japan was the most disappointing endurance race he's been a part of. But, the team will come back. With BMW Motorrad France, they realize their mistakes, and want to turn their season around in the last two events. Honda TT Legends chief mechanic Julian Bolland says that if a rider crashes while trying to put in faster lap times, you have to accept it.
But, a silly mistake like forgetting to use the pit lane speed rev limiter, or forgetting to switch on the bike's headlight, definitely makes a team feel badly after incurring a penalty. Chief mechanic for BMW Motorrad France, Jabol Didier, echoes the same sentiment about electrical gremlins and other mechanical issues. The teams have to promise the sponsors and the manufacturers, that they will represent those brands, and push to the finish, gaining good results.
The track at Motorsport Arena Oschersleben, is a very fan friendly venue. Going into this race, it is a three way battle in the points championship between Suzuki Endurance Racing Team, Monster Energy Yamaha YART, and Yamaha France GMT 94. We are ready to get this race underway. SERT has pole with Vincent Philippe, Anthony Delhalle, and Julian Da Costa. 40 bikes will start this race. SERT's pole time was a 1:26.897 around this 3.6 kilometer (2.25 mile) track.
We are ready for the start. The riders stand poised to run across the track, jump on their motorcycles, and get this race underway. The German flag waves, and they're off! Let's go racing, boys! At the start, SERT takes full advantage of their pole position spot. The world championship leading bike #1 of Vincent Philippe, Anthony Delhalle, and Julien Da Costa, leads the race. SERT won this race at Oschersleben last year. The team would make two pit stops in the first two hours of this race.
The bikes go three wide early on in this contest. Yamaha France GMT 94 is not where they want to be at the start of this race. Bolliger Kawasaki and Honda TT Legends seem to be in decent spots in the opening laps. Honda TT Legends are running in the top six with their #77 Honda CBR1000RR shared by John McGuinness, Michael Rutter, and Simon Andrews. SERT are opening up a lead as the #94 Yamaha of David Checa, Kenny Foray, and new third rider for this race, Frenchman, Maxime Berger, are in trouble already.
The bike is off song, running really slowly. The engine sounds like it's gone sour just a few laps into this one. Nose first into the garage is never a good sign. Checa, Foray, and Berger's race, may already be run. YART and Bolliger are battling each other for position. The YART bike #7 is shared by Broc Parkes, Josh Waters, and Igor Jerman, while Bolliger has Horst Saiger, Romain Stamm, and a different rider than is listed on their official team roster. For this race, it is Daniel Sutter as opposed to Marc Wildisen from Switzerland, or Spaniard, Gaston Garcia Blasco.
Bolliger and YART both ran in the Suzuka 8 Hours, three weeks before heading to Germany. YART pits for fuel, tires, and a rider change. Yamaha GMT 94 gets the bike back out of the garage, and refueled to get back into the fray. Will they gain ground? Will Checa, Foray, and Berger be able to finish the race? It was David Checa, falling off the motorcycle, two laps into the race, that caused their troubles, according to team manager Christophe Guyot.
Hopes are that they will finish. Meanwhile, BMW Motorrad France has their regular trio of Sebastien Gimbert, Damien Cudlin, and Erwan Nigon, back together, and they are running a steady pace right now. They need points desperately just to finish out the season. The team makes a routine pit stop for fuel, tires, and a rider change. Assistant team manager Volker Schech explains that the riders don't need to push too hard, and just need to ride a safe race.
Damien Cudlin was injured at Suzuka. So, they had a two rider team of course, with Erwan Nigon, and American Jason Pridmore, who is riding in this race, for his regular team, Penz 13.com Racing Team, in the Superstock class on an identical BMW S1000RR to the factory bike from BMW Motorrad France. Pit stop time for Honda TT Legends. Tires and riders, are changed. Again, veteran riders share the bike. John McGuinness, Michael Rutter, and Simon Andrews. The Penz 13 team is running into some trouble with the brakes.
Jason Pridmore is currently riding the bike, sharing with Pedro Vallcaneras, and Steve Mercer. Bolliger is also in this scrum for thee top placings in the early going. They make a scheduled pit stop for fuel and a rider change. SERT still holds down P1 and they too, make a scheduled pit stop. Fuel and tires are added. But, no rider change. Junior Team LMS Suzuki on their #72 Suzuki GSXR1000 is also having a good showing with the trio of Baptiste Guittet, Etienne Masson, and Greg Black. They are leading the Superstock division at the moment.
The Superstock Suzuki team, did not race at Suzuka. Here are the standings after two hours of racing, roughly 1/4 distance complete.
1. EWC #1 Suzuki Endurance Racing Team Suzuki GSXR1000
Philippe/Delhalle/Da Costa
2. EWC #99 BMW Motorrad France BMW S1000RR
Gimbert/Nigon/Cudlin
3. EWC #7 Monster Energy Yamaha - YART Yamaha R1
Parkes/Waters/Jerman
4. EWC #2 Team R2CL Suzuki GSXR1000
Buisson/Dietrich/Giabanni
5. EWC #8 Bolliger Team Switzerland Kawasaki ZX10R
Saiger/Stamm/Sutter
6. EWC #77 Honda TT Legends Honda CBR1000RR
Andrews/McGuinness/Rutter
7. SST #72 Junior Team LMS Suzuki Suzuki GSXR1000
Guittet/Masson/Black
8. SST #3 AM Moto Racing Competition Suzuki GSXR1000
Loiseau/Maitre/Hardt
9. SST #9 DGSport Herock van Keymeulen Yamaha R1
van Keymeulen/Schouten/Mahias
10. SST #50 Team Motors Events April Moto Suzuki GSXR1000
Fastre/Lucas/Savary
YART is still in with a shout for a podium place if they can be consistent. Actually, it's now about half distance. YART team manager Mandy Kainz says the battle is hot between Suzuki, BMW, and Yamaha. Team R2CL is also in this scrap, with Dylan Buisson, Guillaume Dietrich, and Gwen Giabbani. R2CL makes a routine pit stop for fuel and a rider change. Not sure who will be getting onto the bike. R2CL was another team not present at Suzuka.
Gwen Giabbani is a former winner of the Endurance World Championship, riding for YART. In pit lane, Bolliger Kawasaki is prepping and inspecting tires. Team manager Hanspeter Bigler seems content. The race is only half over though, and the team currently holds fourth place in the overall and in class for the Endurance World Championship, along with the Superstock, and Open classes. Bolliger is a lap down to the leaders, and SERT continues in P1.
Halfway through this race, they've made four pit stops. They've completed 160 laps, 360 miles. They are a lap up on BMW Motorrad France, and Monster Energy Yamaha YART. Now, for Honda TT Legends, there could be more trouble, as if their season has not been iffy enough already. The bike is frantically pushed into pit lane. John McGuinness took over the bike for the third stint, and ran out of fuel. A new rider takes over. Not sure if it's Michael Rutter or Simon Andrews.
Race manager for Honda TT Legends, Glen Richards, explains they were running seventh overall, and due to running out of gas, they've lost five minutes on track. There was no warning from the fuel light on the bike's dashboard. Things seemed to get worse for Honda TT Legends, as the fuel problem, dropped them way down to 17th in the overall in the 31 bike field. The Suzuki Junior Team still leads in Superstock, and team manager Damien Saulnier, is confident. Suzuki's junior squad comes from a racing school at the Bugatti circuit at Le Mans in France.
They have ten students for a whole year of riding and training before racing competitively. Now, traffic is beginning to take it's toll, as the leaders come up on a few bikes that have been mentioned in the overall standings like the #9 DGSport Herock Yamaha R1, the #50 Team Motors Events Suzuki, and the #5 Gas Nolimits Suzuki GSXR1000 in the Open class. DGSport Herock makes a pit stop. Didier van Keymeulen, Raymond Schouten, and Lucas Mahias, share that bike, a Yamaha R1.
Pit stop time also for the #3 AM Moto Racing Competition Suzuki in the Superstock class. Anthony Loiseau, Romain Maitre, and Jonathan Hardt, sharing that bike. Chief mechanic Stephane Barbot explains that the AM Moto team has had fuel pump issues throughout the race. Here are the standings at halfway (the four hour mark in the race).
1. EWC #1 Suzuki Endurance Racing Team Suzuki GSXR1000
Philippe/Delhalle/Da Costa
2. EWC #99 BMW Motorrad France BMW S1000RR
Gimbert/Nigon/Cudlin
3. EWC #7 Monster Energy Yamaha - YART Yamaha R1
Parkes/Waters/Jerman
4. EWC #2 Team R2CL Suzuki GSXR1000
Buisson/Dietrich/Giabanni
5. EWC #8 Bolliger Team Switzerland Kawasaki ZX10R
Saiger/Stamm/Sutter
6. SST #72 Junior Team LMS Suzuki Suzuki GSXR1000
Guittet/Masson/Black
7. SST #50 Team Motors Events April Moto Suzuki GSXR1000
Fastre/Lucas/Savary
8. SST #9 DGSport Herock van Keymeulen Yamaha R1
van Keymeulen/Schouten/Mahias
9. SST #13 Penz13.com Racing Team BMW S1000RR
Pridmore/Vallcaneras/Mercer
10. EWC #94 Yamaha France GMT 94 Yamaha R1
Checa/Foray/Berger
Just past halfway, the field is put under full course yellow and the safety car. There was a big wreck that affected the track surface. Two bikes did crash. It is unclear as to which ones, as they are towed out of harms way, but damaged beyond the ability to keep racing. The safety car pulls off, and racing resumes. SERT makes another pit stop for fuel, tires, and a rider change. Two hours are now left in the Oschersleben 8 Hours. SERT team manager Dominique Meilland says they need to be careful, and watch out for the two Yamaha's and the BMW.
Past halfway it's come down to a battle between SERT and BMW Motorrad France. Now BMW heads for the pit lane. It's the usual strategy. Tires, fuel, and a rider change. BMW desperately needs points from this race. Junior Team LMS Suzuki still lead Superstock, as Team R2CL seems to be headed for the house. Their Suzuki GSXR1000 goes nose first into the garage, after being as high as fourth in the overall, earlier on in the race. There seems to be a mechanical problem with their motorcycle.
Junior Team LMS Suzuki, crashes. For R2CL, they put the bike back on track briefly. But, team manager Raphael Chausse says they have a broken oil filter. They still want a top six finish at the end of this race to score points. So, they are not out of it, as previously thought. They will soldier on. But, their efforts are for naught. They crash after leaving the pits. Push too hard, and, wham! You are in the grass of the Oschersleben infield, and will score nil points on the day.
Team Bolliger continues on, having a good run, and breaking into the top five. This is a closely contested race and an eight hour enduro is going to come down to pit strategy. It must have been the #8 Kawasaki ZX10R that dumped the fluid on the track that brought out the earlier safety car. Penz 13 pits their BMW. There is a rider change. But, it's unclear as to who goes next in their rider rotation. For Yamaha France GMT 94, this race may be salvageable after their litany of issues earlier on. Christophe Guyot says they can keep up with the quick on track pace.
Despite two wrecks, Guyot thinks the team can still salvage a top six finish. Team Motors Events April Moto, and the riding trio of Fastre, Lucas, and Savary, pits. They too, are still in contention in the Superstock class. They do a quick repair in the garage, and send the bike out, with it's new rider. Team manager Herve Moineau says practice was difficult, and the race has been, too. But, AM Motors seems to be catching up and running a decent pace.
After leading Superstock early, it seems that LMS Suzuki has run into more mechanical issues, and has their bike in the garage. Etienne Baptiste crashed after not seeing an oil flag, and damaged the suspension and the frame on the Suzuki GSXR1000. The crew is in the garage, fixing it. A fraught race for the Suzuki Junior squad. They do get the bike back out. But, no chances of victory for the Suzuki Junior Team at Oschersleben. Let's take a look at the standings with six hours complete, and two to go.
1. EWC #1 Suzuki Endurance Racing Team Suzuki GSXR1000
Philippe/Delhalle/Da Costa
2. EWC #7 Monster Energy Yamaha - YART Yamaha R1
Parkes/Waters/Jerman
3. EWC #99 BMW Motorrad France BMW S1000RR
Gimbert/Nigon/Cudlin
4. EWC #8 Bolliger Team Switzerland Kawasaki ZX10R
Saiger/Stamm/Sutter
5. SST #13 Penz13.com Racing Team BMW S1000RR
Pridmore/Vallcaneras/Mercer
6. SST #50 Team Motors Events April Moto Suzuki GSXR1000
Fastre/Lucas/Savary
7. EWC #94 Yamaha France GMT 94 Yamaha R1
Checa/Foray/Berger
8. SST #9 DGSport Herock van Keymeulen Yamaha R1
van Keymeulen/Schouten/Mahias
9. SST #44 No Limits Motor Team Suzuki GSXR1000
Boscoscuro/Bussei/Casas
10. EWC #77 Honda TT Legends Honda CBR1000RR
Andrews/McGuinness/Rutter
YART is still in contention, with two hours remaining. But, their race turns sour, on a pit stop. A big wreck in the pit lane of all places. She done blew up right there in the pit. A big plume of flame, and then, it's ditch the bike and run for your life! Broc Parkes was a lucky chap to survive that incident. The fire extinguisher at the ready, immediately. After running second overall, their race could be done and dusted, in a bad way. That's not going out in a blaze of glory by any means.
As Bolliger pits, we watch from a helmet camera of one of the pit crew members, who has to catch the front of the bike with both hands as it stops. Fuel and tires. No rider change. Yours truly misspoke again. YART will continue in the race, despite the damage to the bike from the fire. Although, the crew is still trying to clean up, and surely does not want to be inhaling fumes either from the bike, or from the fire extinguishers. Broc Parkes says it's just a racing deal. They'll soldier on, even if they don't make the podium.
It's the final hour of racing at Oschersleben, just as twilight hits Saxony in Germany. BMW Motorrad France has been running well all day. They've lost a couple spots. They were as high as second overall and now, run fourth. Actually, as they make their presumably final pit stop, they are second, behind Suzuki Endurance Racing Team. Bolliger Kawasaki is also trying to hang on for the podium. The plot thickens though. Bolliger gets demoted to fourth. Who knew it. Here comes Yamaha GMT 94, after being through some disastrous circumstances earlier in this race.
They will get a top five finish out of it. David Checa, Kenny Foray, and Maxime Berger, have clawed back a lot of ground over the last few hours. Pitting too, is the #13 Penz 13 BMW. Penz 13 overtook Team LMS Suzuki in the Superstock division, for the lead in class. SERT makes their last pit stop. Fuel, the final tire change, and the final change of riders to take it home to the finish. YART also makes their last stop. No fire this time. If SERT wins this, they'll pad their points lead, going into the last race of the season, the 24 Hours of Le Mans Moto.
As it stands, SERT will be thirteen points ahead of Monster Energy Yamaha YART and a further 24 ahad of Yamaha France GMT 94. Yamaha France makes their last pit stop and a final rider change. Bolliger won't make the podium. But, they'll still get a top five finish from this race. Darkness now falls as we head into the last minutes of this event. The time schedule for this race was pulled forward to avoid finishing in the dark, as there are no lights at Oschersleben.
Penz 13 will win Superstock honors, as they make their last pit stop. Everyone is on pins and needles in the garage. But, SERT, doesn't need to worry. Suzuki Endurance Racing Team, will win the Oschersleben 8 Hours!
Overall/EWC: #1 Philippe/Delhalle/Da Costa Suzuki GSXR1000
SST: #13 Pridmore/Vallcaneras/Mercer BMW S1000RR
SERT is happy to win. But, even happier must be BMW Motorrad France, just to score their first points of the season, with one race remaining. That is the 24 Hours of Le Mans Moto at the Bugatti circuit. It actually took place last weekend. If results can be found, they will be posted here, soon. Not sure about a full race report. Still, the 24 Hours of Le Mans Moto, should be a very competitive event.
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