<![CDATA[TT Website Forum

<![CDATA[TT Website Forum - All Forums]]> http://www.ttwebsite.com/forums/ Thu, 17 May 2012 05:19:23 +0000 MyBB <![CDATA[Accomodation]]> http://www.ttwebsite.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=13386 Thu, 17 May 2012 04:44:11 +0000 http://www.ttwebsite.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=13386 http://www.pinfoldholidaycottage.com or tel 07624-495931]]> http://www.pinfoldholidaycottage.com or tel 07624-495931]]> <![CDATA[TT road closure details revealed]]> http://www.ttwebsite.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=13385 Wed, 16 May 2012 12:41:29 +0000 http://www.ttwebsite.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=13385 [Image: ttmonsterlogobig.jpg]

Details regarding the road closures for this year’s TT have been released by the Department of Infrastructure.

The Mountain Road will be closed to Traffic between 9.15am and 4.00pm on Friday 25th May to allow for the set up of a one way system.

The one way system will remain in place throughout the TT fortnight, returning to normality again on Monday 11th June.

Other notable differences will see the reinstatement of the Saturday practice session on the evening of 26th May, and a very early Mountain Road closure on June 2nd to facilitate the Olympic Torch Parade between Quarterbridge and Braddan Bridge on the TT course.

For a downloadable copy of the Roads Closed Orders in .pdf format click HERE

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Having encountered at least one day of rain during every winter test and in every race so far except for Qatar, the two Ducati Team riders hope for a weekend with stable weather conditions at Le Mans as they continue working on the setup of the GP12.

Friday will find Valentino Rossi back on the track where he finished on the podium last year, and with the Portuguese post-race test having been cancelled due to bad weather, he’ll start with the settings he used at Estoril race, with the goal of improving upon his seventh-place finish there.

Nicky Hayden also hopes to do better than in Portugal, and although he doesn’t count the French circuit among his favourites, he thinks some of its characteristics could be a good match for his Ducati.

VALENTINO ROSSI, Ducati Team

“It’s a shame that we lost the post-race test in Portugal because we would have continued our development work, and as we had very recent data from the race, we could have made some interesting comparisons. Still, this won’t influence us much from a technical point of view at Le Mans, as any updates would have arrived later anyway. In France, we’ll prepare for the race by working on the bike like we did at Estoril, starting from the base setup that we’re now a bit more familiar with and trying to continue with the settings one step at a time, in such a way that we reach Sunday at the maximum of our current potential. Le Mans is another place where the weather can be challenging, particularly at this time of year, but it’s also the track where I had my best result with the Ducati last year. We’ll see how it goes, but we’d like to do a little better than we did in Portugal.”

NICKY HAYDEN, Ducati Team

“I certainly wouldn’t say Le Mans is my favourite track on the calendar, but there are some things that I like about it. Sometimes it lacks grip somewhat, which I don’t like so much. On the other hand, it has a fair amount of hard braking, and I think some of those parts should suit our bike well. It will also be interesting to be at a different type of track compared to what we’ve seen so far this year. It’s a shame we didn’t get to test in Portugal because it certainly would have been nice to try a few things, but we’ll get to France, see what kind of weather we get, and try to get a good result.”

VITTORIANO GUARESCHI, Team Manager

“Le Mans is a bit strange, a classic stop-and-go track that’s very different from Estoril. This will give us an opportunity to check the work that we’re doing on the GP12’s setup: Valentino used it all weekend at the last GP, so we’ll continue like that in an effort to also make progress at Le Mans, where he had a really nice race last year. Though this isn’t one of Nicky’s preferred circuits, he’ll also use the experience he has gathered while using this setup on the GP12 since the start of the championship.”

LE MANS CIRCUIT RECORDS
Circuit Record: Dani Pedrosa (Honda – 2011), 1:33.617 – 160.932 Km/h (99.999 mph)
Best Pole: Dani Pedrosa (Honda – 2008), 1:32.647 – 162.617 Km/h (101.045 mph)
Circuit Length: 4.185 km
MotoGP Race 2012: 28 laps (117.180 km)
MotoGP Schedule 2012: 2 p.m. local time

PODIUM 2011: 1st Casey Stoner, 2nd Andrea Dovizioso, 3rd Valentino Rossi

POLE 2011: Casey Stoner (Honda), 1:33.153 – 161.733 Km/h (100.496 mph)

DUCATI TEAM’S BEST RESULTS AT LE MANS

2011: 3rd (Rossi)
2010: 4th (Hayden)
2009: 5th (Stoner)
2008: 15th (Melandri)
2007: 3rd (Stoner)
2006: 2nd (Capirossi)
2005: 7th (Capirossi)
2004: 8th (Bayliss)
2003: DNF

DUCATI TEAM – RIDER INFO

VALENTINO ROSSI

Bike: Ducati Team Desmosedici GP12
Race Number: 46
Age: 33 (born in Pesaro, Italy, 16 February 1979)
Residence: Tavullia (Pesaro, Italy)
Number of GPs: 261 (201 x MotoGP/500cc, 30 x 250cc, 30 x 125cc)
First GP: 1996 Malaysian GP (125cc)
Number of Wins: 105 (79 x MotoGP, 14 x 250cc, 12 x 125cc)
First GP Win: 1996 Czech Republic GP (125cc)
Poles: 59 (49 x MotoGP, 5 x 250cc, 5 x 125cc)
First Pole: 1996 Czech Republic GP (125cc)
World Championships: 9 (6 x MotoGP, 1 x 500cc, 1 x 250cc, 1 x 125cc)

Rossi’s MotoGP/500cc track record at Le Mans

2011: Grid, 9th; Race, 3rd
2010: Grid, 1st; Race, 2nd
2009: Grid, 4th; Race, 16th
2008: Grid, 4th; Race, 1st
2007: Grid, 4th; Race, 6th
2006: Grid, 7th; Race, DNF
2005: Grid, 1st; Race, 1st
2004: Grid, 4th; Race, 4th
2003: Grid, 1st; Race, 2nd
2002: Grid, 1st; Race, 1st
2001: Grid, 3rd; Race, 3rd
2000: Grid, 10th; Race, 3rd

NICKY HAYDEN

Bike: Ducati Team Desmosedici GP12
Race Number: 69
Age: 30 (born in Owensboro, Kentucky, USA, 30 July 1981)
Residence: Owensboro (Kentucky, USA)
Number of GPs: 154 (154 x MotoGP)
First GP: 2003 Japanese GP (MotoGP)
Number of Wins: 3 (3 x MotoGP)
First GP Win: 2005 USA GP (MotoGP)
Poles: 5 (5 x MotoGP)
First Pole: 2005 USA GP (MotoGP)
World Championships: 1 (6 x MotoGP, 2006)

Hayden’s MotoGP track record Le Mans

2011: Grid, 10th; Race, 7th
2010: Grid, 5th; Race, 4th
2009: Grid, 13th; Race, 12th
2008: Grid, 6th; Race, 8th
2007: Grid, 7th; Race, DNF
2006: Grid, 10th; Race, 5th
2005: Grid, 5th; Race, 6th
2004: Grid, 7th; Race, 11th
2003: Grid, 13th; Race, 12th

.]]> [Image: ducatimedialogo.jpg]

Ramsey Rocket Conor Cummins is making his road racing debut for the Tyco Suzuki team at the North West 200.

In yesterday's opening practice session he was 11th quickest in the Superbike class.

Conor is part of a three man squad in Northern Ireland as Alastair Seeley joins regular team-mate Guy Martin.

Seeley was fastest ahead of John McGuinness, William Dunlop, Guy Martin, Martin Jessop (who was clocked at 208mph at the speed-trap) and the returning Ian Hutchinson.

Conor is without a 600cc ride and failed to qualify his Superstock bike.

Dan Kneen is 23rd in the Superbikes, 12th in the Supersports and 16th in the Superstocks.

Other Manxies involved -

Dave Madsen-Mygdal is 43rd in the Superbikes and 22nd in the Supertwins,
Mark Madsen-Mygdal 35th in the Supersport,
John Barton is 19th in the Supertwins with Billy Cummins in 29th place.

Leaders in the four classes:-

Superbike - Alastair Seeley - 120.689mph

Supersport - Alastair Seeley - 113.242mph

Superstock - Ryan Farquhar - 117.552mph

Supertwin - Adrian Archibald - 104.357mph

.]]>

.]]> <![CDATA[Delay MGP changes, says MHK]]> http://www.ttwebsite.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=13382 Wed, 16 May 2012 08:49:15 +0000 http://www.ttwebsite.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=13382 [Image: mgpfestivalgeneral.gif]

Any changes to the Manx Grand Prix should be delayed for at least another year.

That's the belief of Middle MHK Howard Quayle.

The Department of Economic Development has put forward proposals for the future of the MGP from 2013 which would see a shorter event concentrating more on Classic bikes and re-branded under the TT banner.

In Tynwald yesterday Middle MHK Howard Quayle asked why the Department of Economic Development ignored compromise proposals put forward by the Manx Motor Cycle Club.

Mr Quayle says he's not against any amendments but he doesn't think changes should be rushed into.

Listen To Related Audio Clip

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Any changes to the Manx Grand Prix should be delayed for at least another year.

.]]> <![CDATA[Seeley, Martin and Cummins are at Northern West 200 to win, says Neill]]> http://www.ttwebsite.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=13381 Wed, 16 May 2012 08:42:47 +0000 http://www.ttwebsite.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=13381 [Image: nw200hdr2012.jpg]

Tyco Suzuki team manager Philip Neill has been a big fan of the North West 200 as far back as he can remember, even during his time competing in British motocross.

The event is but a short drive from his home on the outskirts on Moneymore, but little did he think, all those years ago watching the late Norman Brown riding his father Hector’s RG Suzuki, that he would be managing arguably the biggest team in the North Coast paddock a few years later.

“I’ve always enjoyed the North West 200, but back then it was a relaxed weekend for me,” reflects Philip.

“I raced the grass track on the Friday night and usually ended up having quite a few beers in Traks afterwards with my mates.

“The stress levels are much higher these days and running three riders and eight bikes at this week’s event is a big ask of any team.”

The three men in question are Alastair Seeley, Guy Martin and Conor Cummins, a real mixed bag of personalities and riding styles.

But despite Cummins and Martin attracting their own brand of celebrity status this week on the North Coast — it’s Seeley, the Wee Wizard man from Carrickfergus, that everyone will be watching intently.

“Yes there’s no doubting the fact that Alastair has proved himself to be the man to beat these past few years at the North West, but I have to be honest and say I really don’t like all this hype surrounding a potential clean sweep for us,” was Neill’s reply.

“Guy and Conor are both chasing their first wins at the North West and in many ways for different reasons.

“Guy has led races and come unstuck, but if I’m honest it’s not his main focus for the year,” was Neill’s assessment of his iconic Lincolnshire rider, who has re-invented himself as the modern day Fred Dibnah: the famous Bolton steeplejack who also became a cult TV star.

On Manxman Conor Cummins, Neill explained: “Conor is a dream to work with. He’s a big easy-going fella, but has a determination to succeed that I’m very impressed with.

“He’s slotted in really well with our team and is super fit and itching to get racing.”

So can you give us any predictions or aspirations for the North West?

“We’re representing Suzuki in an official capacity and have a lot of sponsors coming to see us race this weekend — so there’s no denying we’re here to win,” Neill said.

“We have the favourite’s tag pinned on us, rightly or wrongly with Alastair, but you have to look at the likes of Michael Rutter, who has an outstanding record at the North West 200, and in-form local men Michael Dunlop and Ryan Farquhar should never be discounted.”

World Superbike legend Carl Fogarty who clinched two Superbike wins at the 1993 North West 200 will be visiting the Paddock on Friday,
as well as riding official demo laps round the 8.9 mile circuit on Saturday Race Day.

By Paul Lindsay

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By Paul Lindsay

.]]> <![CDATA[North West gets McWill power]]> http://www.ttwebsite.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=13380 Wed, 16 May 2012 08:37:38 +0000 http://www.ttwebsite.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=13380 [Image: nw200hdr2012.jpg]

Why grand prix ace Jeremy has to tick another box at 48

Jeremy McWilliams has been there, done that and amassed a whole collection of T-shirts.

So what on earth is possessing a comfortably off 48-year-old who has achieved it all at the top end of bike racing to risk his neck with a first tilt at pure road racing when the hospitality tent and commentary box offer a more comfortable Relentless North West 200 option.

Jeremy's place in history is assured for the forseeable future as the last Irish rider to win a Grand Prix race when he won the 2001 Dutch MotoGP at Assen.

Yet Monday found him hurtling between the hedges in search of fresh thrills and challenges as practice got underway for the 2012 North West as Jeremy, a veteran of 176 MotoGP rides, prepares to hit the road as part of Dungannon ace Rayn Farquhar's hugely successful KMR Kawasaki team.

How strange it was to see him in a Newcomers' bib on Monday night, almost as if there were stabilisers on his bike like a kid forsaking three wheels for the first time.

But make no mistake.. for all the kidology leading up to his North West debut, Jeremy will be going all out to win. As the man to beat, he has to, with every rival top rider and raw newcomer on the block out to claim his racing scalp as a badge of honour.

So why is he putting his head above the trenches to be shot at, when he doesn't have to, especially as a one-time critic of road racing, another red rag to the artillery ranged against him on the coast road grid.

“I can remember going to the North West as a young kid, lying behind a hedge watching the action,” he offers.

“Since those days I’ve always harboured an ambition to compete in what is, after all, Ireland’s biggest and most prestigious event. What with other commitments it has never been possible until now and it was on a trip to Australia with Ryan that the idea was first hatched and here we are.

“It will be strange heading out onto the track with a newcomers bib, having listened to the advice from newcomer liaison officers Phillip McCallen and Steve Plater, two racing legends. But, yes, I’m looking forward to it and who knows, if I enjoy it, I could well come back for more.

“Can I win? Who knows, either way I’ll be in for some stick, but I’m realistic and know I’m up against some experienced road racers, so I’m just going out to enjoy myself and see where that takes me.”

As rival Michael Rutter said at the final North West press conference, who is kidding who?

His last local appearance was a winning one at the Sunflower Trophy meeting last October where he also rode a KMR Kawasaki ER6 for Farquhar.

“Jeremy's been talking like a rookie about his chances, but who is he trying to kid with his experience of MotoGP racing down the years?,” asked Midlands rider and race folk hero Rutter.

“He'll be going flat out to win like the rest of us. The line-up should make for some superb racing. We're all so evenly matched these days, men and machines — no-one is going to race clear of the rest — and with no clear advantages, podium places are going to be hard to secure. It all adds up to a treat for the fans.”

The action continues on Thursday with roads again closing from 9.30am until 2.30pm for practice and then reclosing between 5.30pm and 9.00pm for the Livewire Superstock six-lap race and the Vauxhall Supertwin race over four-laps.

by Roy Harris]]> [Image: nw200hdr2012.jpg]

Why grand prix ace Jeremy has to tick another box at 48

by Roy Harris]]> <![CDATA[Repsol Honda duo aiming for podium in Le Mans]]> http://www.ttwebsite.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=13379 Wed, 16 May 2012 08:29:15 +0000 http://www.ttwebsite.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=13379 [Image: repsolhondahdr.jpg]

Repsol Honda Team riders Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa head to this weekend’s Monster Energy Grand Prix de France looking to repeat their feat of a double podium at each round this season.

Stoner, who clinched the win in Estoril last week and his 18th successive podium, won in Le Mans in 2011, and is hoping to once again visit the top step after two solid victories in a row.

Pedrosa celebrated his 100th career podium in Portugal and will return to Le Mans looking for a much-improved race over last year, when he broke his collarbone in a collision with the late Marco Simoncelli. He will however be buoyed by having set the lap record and fastest lap of the race shortly before the incident.

The French circuit, located 200km south-west of Paris, is a tight track, dominated by first gear corners, late braking and hard acceleration.

Casey Stoner

"The past two tracks have not historically been my best but I've managed wins at both of them so I'm hoping we can go to Le Mans and be competitive again. I've had some mixed results there in the past, the track layout is unique, it's a little stop-start with a lot of braking and I think this year both the Honda's and Yamaha's will be competitive there. It was disappointing that the weather in Estoril on Monday prevented us from testing, we need to work on the chatter issue we have on the bike so let's hope we have some dry sessions from day one in Le Mans so we can get out on track and work on it."

Dani Pedrosa

"Le Mans is a hard circuit, quite similar to Estoril, a stop and go track where you need to prepare a bike with good stability, traction and acceleration. In the past I felt comfortable riding there, I had good results in 125cc and 250cc, but not really perfect in MotoGP, so I have something small inside me I want to achieve. Last year I did the fastest race lap, but I couldn't keep the pace before the crash, so I want to do better this time. We've had three good races so far, I'm riding well, but I missed something in all of them, especially on the first laps, where I've been stronger in the past. I need to put everything together and if we get better starts, we will start winning races."

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As Yamaha Factory Racing heads to France for the Monster Energy Grand Prix de France, Jorge Lorenzo arrives trailing championship leader Casey Stoner by just a single point and looking to take back the lead.

Having sat on Stoner’s rear wheel for the last two races and having taken two premier class victories and one in the 250cc class at Le Mans, he has reason to believe a win is in his grasp. His teammate Ben Spies on the other hand, who has not had the start to the season he had envisaged, heads to Le Mans aiming to get his championship back on track.

The French track should suit the Yamaha’s handling characteristics, with the ideal Le Mans set up requiring optimum balance and control under repeated hard braking. Yamaha has scored four victories at Le Mans since the start of the four-stroke era in 2002, trailing Honda by one, which has five.

Jorge Lorenzo

"We arrive in good shape having always been in the first two positions in the three races of the year so far, I want to keep this going in Le Mans. Last year we struggled, especially in acceleration but I feel that this year is going to be a little different. It’s a good track for my riding style so we will try to fight for the win again but always thinking about the Championship."

Ben Spies

"I’m looking forward to getting back on the bike again this week. My confidence has been rebuilding well now we’ve found a good set up that works so I think we can make another step and improve our performance again at Le Mans.

Wilco Zeelenberg, Team Manager

"After three strong races and a very close Championship so far we are looking forward to going to France. We had a tough race last year and struggled a lot but the year before was a strong victory. Jorge likes the track so we are curious to see how the 1000cc bike behaves this time as we have traditionally performed well there. We hope to return to the successful rhythm Yamaha has had at Le Mans."

Massimo Meregalli, Team Director

"Last year was not a perfect weekend for Yamaha at Le Mans, a track where traditionally we have been very strong. This year we arrive with a very competitive package so we are confident that we can perform well."

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Done it! - Boundless joy in Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport:

The team from Munich and Stephanskirchen has matured into a winning team in the Superbike World Championship and is celebrating its first win in the elite class for production-based motorbikes. Works rider Marco Melandri from Italy triumphed in the team's 88th race, crossing the line in Donington, Great Britain ahead of team-mate and Brit Leon Haslam, who completed the one-two for BMW.

BMW Motorrad is earning the laurels for the long-term hart work invested and continues its rise to the top: after Australian Troy Corser claimed the team's first pole position and podium finish in 2010, Marco Melandri finished runner-up in his very first race for BMW Motorrad and Leon Haslam shone with two podium finishes at the Imola race weekend, the team has now reached its next milestone.

Hendrik von Kuehnheim, General Director of BMW Motorrad is delighted:

"Congratulations to Marco and the team on this important maiden victory. We never expected to see BMW Motorrad leave Donington with a one-two. It is a shame our riders were unable to finish the second race, otherwise Leon would have picked up his first win for BMW Motorrad. The whole team worked really hard to convert the full potential of the BMW S 1000 RR into success on the track. I would like to thank all those involved in the various departments for their tireless efforts. Our goal for this season is to continue to move forward, feature regularly on the podium and celebrate more victories. I am particularly pleased that we were able to win under our own steam. I am also confident that this is just the start of things to come, and that we will see a BMW rider on the top step of the podium more often this season."

A highly satisfied Bernhard Gobmeier, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director, adds:

"This one-two is the reward for the hard work put in by everyone involved in this project in recent weeks and months. All the departments are working hand in hand, and the success belongs not only to the racing team, but to all of BMW Motorrad. After reaching this important milestone, our goal is now to back it up and produce the same strong performance in coming races as we have done in Donington."

Works rider Marco Melandri, however, is more than pleased to be part of the history of BMW Motorrad:

"It is an unbelievable feeling. It is fantastic to be part of the history of a company like BMW Motorrad. As a kid, I would never have dared to dream of something like this. I would like to thank everyone at BMW Motorrad, the team at the track and everyone involved in this project. We have had our difficulties, but always worked hard and never gave up. We will continue to be fully committed to the cause. I am overjoyed."

Since making its debut in the Superbike World Championship, the racing version of the BMW S 1000 RR has continuously been further developed and optimised at the sites in Munich and Stephanskirchen. The work is carried out in close cooperation with the production development department. Both sides benefit from a far-reaching exchange of knowledge. Over 100 customer teams around the world put their faith in the potential of the BMW Motorrad supersports bike and have already celebrated many titles and victories in international and national championships.

.]]> [Image: bmwracinglogo.gif]

Done it! - Boundless joy in Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport:

With seven weeks still to go, Goodwood is already able to confirm around 100 top drivers, riders and famous faces for the 2012 Festival of Speed.

Star motor sport competitors in action will include Sebastian Vettel, Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton, Alain Prost, Nico Rosberg, Mark Webber, Kenny Roberts and Steve Webster.

In less than two months the 2012 Festival of Speed will get underway with Goodwood welcoming more than 100 top drivers, riders and famous faces to the world’s greatest celebration of motor sport and car culture.

The Festival of Speed remains unique in its ability to attract the majority of the current season’s Formula 1 teams and drivers, with at least seven of the 2012 F1 teams confirmed for Goodwood. These GP teams will include Red Bull Racing, Scuderia Ferrari, Vodafone McLaren Racing, Lotus, Mercedes GP, Williams and Caterham. Current F1 drivers and leading characters in action at the Festival will include current double World Champion Sebastian Vettel, plus the two previous World Champions, Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton. Mark Webber, Nico Rosberg, Bruno Senna, Christian Horner and Adrian Newey will also be in action up the 1.16-mile Goodwood hillclimb.

Past Grand Prix masters present at this summer’s Festival of Speed will include Alain Prost, Sir Stirling Moss, Sir Jackie Stewart, John Surtees, Nick Heidfeld, Jochen Mass, Emerson Fittipaldi, Martin Donnelly and Alex Wurz, all joining a roll-call of other motor sport stars at Goodwood that reads like a Who’s Who of motor racing.

From the world of rallying, drivers Juho Hanninen, Thierry Neuville, Jan Kopecky and Skoda UK Motorsport’s 2011 IRC Champion, Andreas Mikkelsen will be on the Forest Rally Stage, along with many other rallying greats who will be reacquainted with the cars that made them famous, including Juha Kankkunen, Rauno Aaltonen, Jimmy McRae, Hannu Mikkola and Russell Brookes. TV stars James Martin and Jesse James will also be in action on the Forest Rally Stage.

Motorcycling heroes will include big name riders such as three-time 500cc World Champion Kenny Roberts, 1987 World Champion Wayne Gardner, present British MotoGP hero Cal Crutchlow, 13-time World Superbike race winner Aaron Slight, seven-time GP victor Henk van Kessel, plus legends Neil Hodgson, James Ellison, Steve Parrish, Guy Martin, Stuart Graham, Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne, Stuart Easton, and Sammy Miller, among many others. Joining them from the exciting world of sidecar racing will be the winner of a staggering 10 world titles, Steve Webster, partnered by three-time World Champion Paul Woodhead.

All of the drivers and riders participating in this summer’s Festival of Speed will appear on the walkway leading into the exclusive BlackRock Drivers’ Club throughout the event, giving Festival goers and fans the rare opportunity to see their heroes up close, and possibly even have a word or two with them too!

The latest summary of the drivers and riders due to appear at the 2012 Festival of Speed, along with the vehicles they will be running up the 1.16-mile Goodwood hillclimb, is available via the website.

To order advance tickets, please contact the Ticket Hotline:

Telephone: +44 (0)1243 755055
Fax: +44 (0)1243 755058

Email: ticket.office@goodwood.com

On-line via the Ticket section of the www.goodwood.com website

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North West 2012 First Superbike Practice

North West 2012 First Supersport Practice

North West 2012 First Superstock Practice

North West 2012 Second Superbike Practice

North West 2012 Second Supersport Practice

North West 2012 Second Superstock Practice

North West 2012 Supertwins Practice

Martin Jessop clocks 5 laps over 200 mph and 2 of those laps were clocked at 208 mph in the First Superbike Practice.

Only other rider over the 200 mph mark is Hutchy with a 202.

Click on the Adobe Logo above to download your free copy of Adobe Reader

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Martin Jessop clocks 5 laps over 200 mph and 2 of those laps were clocked at 208 mph in the First Superbike Practice.

Only other rider over the 200 mph mark is Hutchy with a 202.

Click on the Adobe Logo above to download your free copy of Adobe Reader

.]]> <![CDATA[Minister says MGP must change to survive]]> http://www.ttwebsite.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=13373 Tue, 15 May 2012 14:00:47 +0000 http://www.ttwebsite.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=13373 [Image: mgpfestivalgeneral.gif]

Economic Development Minister John Shimmin has been explaining why a counter-proposal from the Manx Motor Cycle Club for a new race format from 2013 was not viable.

Government is planning to reduce the festival to 10 days, with the emphasis on classic bikes.

Racing will take place over the August Bank Holiday weekend and the TT title will be used as the meeting is rebranded.

Mr Shimmin was answering a question from Middle MHK Howard Quayle in Tynwald, and then faced a further 25 minutes of questions from other members of the court.

He says the club's proposal was considered but wouldn't work as it had all the same races as now, albeit in the proposed shorter format.

Mr Shimmin admits there is some risk but says all the commercial stakeholders are in favour of the changes and his department has the expertise and experience to deliver:

John Shimmin

Listen To Related Audio Clip

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John Shimmin

Listen To Related Audio Clip

.]]> <![CDATA[MSS Bathams Kawasaki statement: Peter Hickman]]> http://www.ttwebsite.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=13372 Tue, 15 May 2012 12:59:16 +0000 http://www.ttwebsite.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=13372 [Image: mssbathamslogo.jpg]

Following his decision to ride a rival manufacturer's machine at the Donington Park World Superbike event, Peter Hickman has breached his agreement with MSS Bathams Kawasaki.

Neither the team nor Kawasaki Motors UK agreed to release the rider and the decision has been made to dispense with his services with immediate effect. Nick Morgan Team Manager of MSS Bathams Kawasaki, explained that this was a regrettable yet wholly necessary course of action.

"I have always believed that an agreement - whether in written form or even a handshake between two parties - is binding and, in my opinion, implies a high degree of mutual respect. In breaking this, we regard our agreement as void. We will now actively look for a replacement rider to compete alongside Michael Rutter to continue to give the Ninja ZX-10R good results and exposure. As a team we wish Peter every success for the future."

.]]> [Image: mssbathamslogo.jpg]

A court was warned that the innovative Snoozebox portable hotel planned for Noble’s Park for this year’s TT could pull out altogether after its application for a drinks licence was thrown out.

But Snoozebox insisted after the licensing committee hearing on Thursday that pulling out was not really an option, as the company had a duty of care to the 700 people who have already booked rooms for the fortnight.

The licensing court rejected an application for a temporary liquor licence to 2am after hearing that the landlord, Douglas Corporation, was not supporting the scheme.

In email communications read by the committee, Douglas Council said it understood that this would be a bed-only or B&B arrangement and could see no justification for further availability of alcohol in Noble’s Park.

Advocate for Snoozebox Vicki Unsworth said the venture would make a loss and warned: ‘If they don’t have a restaurant facility then they may pull from the site altogether.’

Ms Unsworth explained that the restaurant for which the licence was sought would be in a marquee outside the hotel units. She said the whole site would be contained, surrounded by a fence and manned by security. She insisted that Snoozebox had made it clear to Douglas Corporation that there would be a restaurant on the site providing food and beverages to its customers and the general public. The Corporation had not actually framed an objection to the application but was not going to support it, she claimed: ‘They were aware of the set-up but not perhaps to the extent that there would be an application for a liquor licence.’

It was ‘very unfortunate’ that the liquor licence was not raised at an earlier stage – well before this, the last licensing committee before the TT – she conceded. She said Snoozebox had not been informed as to what the corporation’s concerns were until the very last minute and she questioned the validity of the council’s decision, claiming that in the hiatus caused by the local government elections, it had been made not by the full council but by a committee chairman.

The application was made by Grill in the Park, which would have been the designated official and licensee.

Speaking after the hearing, Snoozebox’s Steve Holland insisted that pulling out at this stage was not really an option. ‘We have a duty of care to the people who have already booked rooms. It would not be an option at all,’ he said.

A total of 700 rooms have been booked over the course of the TT fortnight, with the hotel itself having a capacity of 240 per night.

Mr Holland described Douglas Corporation’s stance as a ‘misunderstanding’, adding: ‘Genuinely there was no attempt to sneak this in through the back door.’

He said the aim had always been to have not a retail area but a hospitality area with waiter service, allowing people to have a drink with their meal.

Chairman of the borough’s regeneration and community committee Councillor Stephen Pitts said he was unaware that Snoozebox had wanted a drinks licence – until the Examiner contacted him after the licensing committee meeting. ‘I thought they were just providing breakfast,’ he said.

Proprietor of the Noble’s Park Cafe, Sean O’Connell, who hit the headlines last year after winning Channel 4’s Come Dine with Me show, welcomed the licensing committee’s decision.

He claimed local traders would have lost out if the 120-seat licensed restaurant, run by a company from off-island, had been given the go-ahead. He said: ‘I’m delighted by this result. I’m convinced they were trying to sneak this through.’

But Grill in the Park proprietor Stuart McMurdo said that Surrey-based Snoozebox would potentially bring 700 extra people to the island and the benefits would be shared around with local traders. Both suppliers and staff for the restaurant would be Manx, he said.

The Snoozebox units are due to arrive on the ferry on Thursday.

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.]]> <![CDATA[MGP supporters to stage Tynwald protest]]> http://www.ttwebsite.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=13370 Tue, 15 May 2012 09:07:18 +0000 http://www.ttwebsite.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=13370 [Image: mgpfestivalgeneral.gif]

Supporters of the Manx Grand Prix are expected to gather outside the House of Keys this morning (Tuesday) to voice their concerns over changes to the event.

The Government has recently announced a number of changes to the racing schedule including shortening the event and putting more of a focus on vintage and classic bikes.

Middle MHK Howard Quayle will ask the Economic Development Minister John Shimmin why his department ignored proposals put forward by the Manx Motorcycle Club on a strategy to help develop and improve the Manx Grand Prix.

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]]> <![CDATA[Greatest MotoGP™ Rivalry Continues at Historic Le Mans]]> http://www.ttwebsite.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=13369 Tue, 15 May 2012 08:57:37 +0000 http://www.ttwebsite.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=13369 [Image: motogplogo.gif]

MotoGP™ returns this weekend at the Monster Energy Grand Prix de France, where Repsol Honda’s Casey Stoner will look to extend his lead at the top of the championship standings.

He will face stiff competition from his teammate Dani Pedrosa and Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jorge Lorenzo, who have been the only three racers to stand on the podium this season. They have already cemented themselves as one of the greatest rivalries in the 64-year history of the sport, having shared the podium a record 16 times – four more than any other trio in the past.

Le Mans, which will host the Grand Prix for the 55th time this weekend, also sees Stoner chasing his 19th successive podium. Having won the last two races, and showing clear signs of recovery from his arm pump problem, he remains the man to beat. Lorenzo, only one point behind the Australian in the standings, has been the most consistent challenger so far and will be looking to get one over on the current World Champion at a track where he has won twice already in the premier class.

Pedrosa on the other hand, who recorded his 100th podium finish last time out at Estoril, will be looking to get his first win of the season at a track where he has not yet won in the top category. Monster Yamaha Tech 3 pair Cal Crutchlow and Andrea Dovizioso have so far provided some great inter-team battles and will be aiming to not only out-do one another once again, but to find that extra bit of pace to catch up to the front three.

Ducati Team pair Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden, who both had mixed fortunes last time out, will be heading to the French track with optimism after Rossi recorded his best Ducati result this season in seventh. Having finished 26 seconds behind race winner Stoner, this was the closest any Ducati rider has finished to the race winner since Rossi’s seventh place finish at Misano last year. The Italian will also hold fond memories of the French track, as Le Mans was the setting for Rossi’s sole podium last year.

Honda satellite riders, San Carlo Honda Gresini’s Álvaro Bautista and LCR Honda MotoGP’s rookie Stefan Bradl will look to build on their solid performances so far this year, while Pramac Racing’s Héctor Barberá on-board his satellite Ducati will look to improve on his 10th place at Estoril. Cardion AB Racing’s Karel Abraham has not finished a race this season so far and will hope to turn his fortunes around.

After suffering a broken left collarbone in Estoril qualifying, NGM Mobile Forward Racing’s Colin Edwards will be replaced by 2007 Le Mans race-winner Chris Vermeulen, making his first MotoGP appearance since 2009. Power Electronics Aspar pair Randy de Puniet and Aleix Espargaró will be gunning for top CRT honour once more, with de Puniet having the added motivation of Le Mans being his home track.

San Carlo Honda Gresini’s Michele Pirro and Came IodaRacing Project’s Danilo Petrucci will once again hope for a solid performance, while Speed Master’s Mattia Pasini, Paul Bird Motorsport’s James Ellison and Avintia Blusens pair Yonny Hernandez and Iván Silva will look to reverse their fortunes this time out and complete the race.

Moto2

Team CatalunyaCaixa Repsol’s Marc Márquez will continue his quest at the top of the Moto2™ championship at the Monster Energy Grand Prix de France in Le Mans this weekend, a track where he took his first ever intermediate-class victory last year, as Toni Elías makes his 200th GP start.

Márquez, who has so far won two out of three races, will once again be looking to hold off the challenge from Pons 40 HP Tuenti compatriot Pol Espargaró, who has been in tremendous form this season, providing one of the most thrilling last-lap battles ever with Márquez last time out in Estoril.

Hot on their heels will be Interwetten-Paddock’s Tom Lüthi, who has been consistently on the pace, yet not quite able to pip the Spanish pair to a win. However, all eyes will be on JiR Moto2’s French rookie Johann Zarco, who has shone since entering the class this year. His performances in the wet, and a fourth place finish at Estoril will no doubt have the crowd hoping for that next step onto the podium.

One Frenchman who knows about winning at Le Mans in S/Master Speed Up’s Mike Di Meglio, who was the last French winner at the track in 2008 aboard a 125cc Derbi machine. After crashing out in the last race, Di Meglio will be hoping to recapture some of that 2008 form.

2010 Moto2 World Champion, Mapfre Aspar Team’ Toni Elías, will be setting a significant milestone this weekend, as the race marks his 200th GP start, while Tech3 Racing’s Bradley Smith will reach 100. Both riders have not been as high up the order as they had hoped so far this season, but with a seventh for Elías and a 10th place for Smith at Estoril, both will be looking to build on those results.

Others to watch will be Speed Master’s Andrea Iannone, who has had mixed performances since his close second at the opening round in Qatar, as well as Marc VDS Racing Team pair Scott Redding and Mika Kallio, NGM Mobile Forward Racing’s Alex de Angelis and Tech3’s Xavier Simeon.

Moto3

After taking KTM’s first ever win in the Moto3™ class last time out at Estoril, Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Sandro Cortese will look to increase his lead at the top of the championship with another strong showing at this weekend’s Monster Energy Grand Prix de France in Le Mans.

Having been the strongest qualifier this season, and having come off best in a fairing to fairing contest with title rival Maverick Viñales, Cortese is in buoyant mood ahead of the French round. However, Blusens Avintia’s Viñales will look to snatch back the lead at a track where he took his first ever Grand Prix win in the 125cc class last year.

RW Racing GP’s Luis Salom, who has finished twice on the podium this year, equalling the number of podium finishes in his 43 previous race starts, will once again be setting out to stay with the leading pack, and perhaps secure his first race win. He will most likely have another strong rider to compete with in the form of Team Italia FMI’s Romano Fenati, who after starting the season with a second place and a race-win, failed to finish in Estoril due to a crash.

AirAsia-SIC-Ajo’s Zulfahmi Khairuddin, who made Malaysian motorcycle racing history with his fourth place in Estoril, will once again be looking to take his career to the next step and secure that first ever podium finish. Having only missed out on third place by a fraction, he is no doubt in a confident mood.

JHK T-Shirt Laglisse’s Efrén Vázquez, who finished third at Le Mans last year, has been in solid form, and will be hoping to repeat his previous feat. San Carlo Gresini Moto3´s Niccolo Antonelli, who has improved significantly throughout the season will be one to watch after his sixth place at Estoril, while the French contingent made up of Caretta Technology’s Alexis Masbou, Racing Team Germany’s Louis Rossi and Technomag-CIP-TSR’s Alan Techer will look to put on a show in front of their home crowd.

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Yamaha Factory Racing heads to France this week to prepare for round four of the Championship, the Monster Energy Grand Prix de France at the legendary Le Mans circuit. Jorge Lorenzo arrives trailing Championship leader Casey Stoner by just a single point in the standings and looking to take back the lead. Le Mans has delivered some great results for Lorenzo, the Mallorcan claiming two premier class wins plus one a 250cc GP victory.

Fellow Yamaha Factory rider Ben Spies heads to Le Mans determined to shake off a run of mixed results and get his 2012 Championship firmly back on track. A solid sixth last year marks his best result yet at the French track, something he will be looking to improve on this weekend.

The perfect Le Mans set up requires optimum balance and control under repeated hard braking. The challenging circuit requires riders to dispatch several tight chicanes before attacking the short straights and tight hairpins that form the remainder of the track. Le Mans is this year hosting the Grand Prix for the 55th time and is sure to attract a huge crowd of passionate race fans as always.

Jorge Lorenzo

“We arrive in good shape having always been in the first two positions in the three races of the year so far, I want to keep this going in Le Mans. Last year we struggled, especially in acceleration but I feel that this year is going to be a little different. It’s a good track for my riding style so we will try to fight for the win again but always thinking about the Championship.”

Ben Spies

“I’m looking forward to getting back on the bike again this week. My confidence has been rebuilding well now we’ve found a good set up that works so I think we can make another step and improve our performance again at Le Mans. It’s not my favourite track but I’m going to give it 100% as always to achieve a good result on Sunday.”

Wilco Zeelenberg - Yamaha Factory Racing Team Manager

“After three strong races and a very close Championship so far we are looking forward to going to France. We had a tough race last year and struggled a lot but the year before was a strong victory. Jorge likes the track so we are curious to see how the 1000cc bike behaves this time as we have traditionally performed well there. We hope to return to the successful rhythm Yamaha has had at Le Mans.”

Massimo Meregalli - Yamaha Factory Racing Team Director

“Last year was not a perfect weekend for Yamaha at Le Mans, a track where traditionally we have been very strong. This year we arrive with a very competitive package so we are confident that we can perform well. Ben has not had an easy start to the year but has been working hard with the team to have a competitive set up and to rebuild his confidence. I am sure we will see him fighting with the front pack this weekend.”

Grand Prix Results: Le Mans 2011
1. C.Stoner Honda 44'03.955
2. A.Dovizioso Honda +14.214
3. V.Rossi Ducati +14.564
4. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha +21.075
5. Ben Spies Yamaha +31.609

Circuit Length:
4180

Le Mans Record Lap
D.Pedrosa (Honda) 2011, 1'33.617

Le Mans Best Lap
D.Pedrosa (Honda) 2008, 1'32.647

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It was another solid day's work for ILR Kawasaki's Victor Cox as he again rode well to finish 4th and 9th respectively in the latest round of the Metzeler National Superstock 1000 Championship at Donington Park on Sunday.

Indeed, it was a good weekend for the team with Ash Beech scoring his first points of the season with a fine ride to 14th in the second race to follow on from a determined 20th place finish in his first outing of the day.

The Donington double header was part of the support programme for the European round of the World Superbike Championship and with three sessions marked down for Friday, it promised to be a busy start to the weekend for the team.

Strong winds greeted the riders for the free practice session in the morning and it was a good start for both Victor, 7th just under a second off the fastest time, and Ash, 16th at 1.83s. The first of the afternoon's two qualifying sessions was dogged by crashes and red flags, and this combined with a very low track temperature made for a challenging time for the teams and riders with the session eventually being cut short. Cox finished down in 13th at 1.50s with Beech also dropping down the order to 21st at 2.64s, the second session however would see a big improvement. With the team working hard on bike set-up Victor went over one second quicker to finish 7th, half a second off pole, meanwhile Ash was busy securing his best grid position of the season with a fine 16th and posting a lap of 1:34.62, again a full second quicker than his first qualifying time and almost within a second of Victor.

However in Race One, Beech barely had time to get himself into the groove when he found himself in the gravel at the very first corner. Clipped on the approach, Ash found himself with a damaged brake lever and with no brakes he was faced with no choice but to take evasive action and head for the gravel. Re-joining the race down in 34th and last position, an undaunted Beech got the bit between his teeth and embarked on a damage limitation exercise which would see him climb 14 places to finish 20th and post the 14th quickest lap of the race, a great performance.

Victor Cox at Donnington

Cox meanwhile was again at the cutting edge and challenging for top honours. Jason O'Halloran had taken an early lead into Redgate from Danny Buchan, Jimmy Storrar and Keith Farmer with Victor also in the hunt. Championship leader Farmer then ran wide at the Melbourne Hairpin, dropping him to 13th on the second lap and out of contention. O'Halloran then came under pressure from Steve Brogan who was pushing hard, but on the approach to Goddards, Brogan crashed out unhurt. Behind O'Halloran and second placed Storrar, a fierce battle for second place was raging between Buchan and Cox. Buchan then took over second from Storrar at the Melbourne Hairpin as Cox looked on from behind waiting to pounce should the opportunity present itself. Buchan then ran wide but recovered to just hold on for third with Victor fourth, just over a second away from a place on the podium.

The grid positions for the second race were determined by the fastest laps in the first encounter which meant that Victor lined up on the front row of the grid in third, with Ash's fourth row start just rewards for his determined ride in Race One.

However, struggling with grip and brake issues, Victor was soon locked in a three-way battle with Jonathan Railton and Patrick Medcalf for eighth place with Keith Farmer just over a second ahead of the trio, eleventh place man Freddie Russo was a further seven seconds back. At the flag it was Railton, Cox in 9th and Medcalf in that order with less than a second covering them. Further back, but no less significantly, Ash Beech was riding to a brilliant 14th place and his first points score of the season. The 23 year old was again highly impressive throughout and it was a well deserved and satisfying end to his weekend.

Ash Beech:

'The weekend started well as always and my plan was to stay out and do as many laps as possible in every session. The first race started badly as I got clipped on the run down to the first corner and my front brake lever was folded round, with no brakes I ran into the back of another rider and ended up running into the gravel. I managed to pull the lever back straight and re-joined in last place but I just kept pushing and came through to finish 20th, my lap time was good and I moved up a row on the grid for Race 2.

The second race went well although I just took a bit long to get past the other rider I was dicing with, and as a result I lost too much time. I came here with the intention to start scoring points and I have achieved this so now we can start pushing and aiming for Top 10 finishes.

I would just like to thank the ILR Kawasaki team for providing me with a great bike in the Ninja ZX-10R.'

The focus for ILR Kawasaki now turns to the roads as team manager/rider Ian Lougher goes straight from Donington to the North Antrim coast. With his sights firmly set on the Isle of Man TT races at the end of the month, the International North-West 200 sees Ian in competitive action for the first time in 2012.

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Victor Cox at Donnington