Category: Superbikes

1. WORLD SUPERBIKE TAKES ON MAGNY-COURS

   Posted on 10:31am Friday 3rd Oct 2014

   AFTER DOMINATING AT JEREZ, SYLVAIN GUINTOLI AND MARCO MELANDRI'S APRILIA RACING TEAM IS READY FOR BATTLE ON FRENCH SOIL. THE CHAMPIONSHIP IS STILL UP FOR GRABS.

   Magny-Cours, 1 October 2014 - World Superbike is back on the track with the penultimate round of the 2014 calendar on the French Magny-Cours track. Despite the long break, for the Aprilia Racing Team memories of Jerez are still fresh in their minds, a round where the RSV4s completely dominated, ridden by Marco Melandri and Sylvain Guintoli who brought home a double one-two (first and second place in both races). This is a result which, besides once again confirming the Italian superbike's extraordinary competitiveness, “upset” the championship standings to create all the right conditions for a thrilling season finale.

   With 100 points still up for grabs, the 31 point gap that separates Sylvain Guintoli from the top spot is keeping the French rider's hopes alive. On his home track, Sylvain will also be able to count on the support of his fans who will be flocking to the circuit to see his attempt at a comeback. Sylvain's feeling on the French track is good, as his first factory derivative win demonstrated, earned right here at Magny-Cours in 2012.

   Another great protagonist of the season finale is Marco Melandri, dominator at Jerez and progressively more competitive in the second half of the championship season. For the Italian rider, still mathematically in the running for the title, despite a significant disadvantage, his stated goal is to battle one race at a time. Without calculations but with the firm intention of taking home the best possible results.

   Sylvain Guintoli: “After the solid week end in Jerez, I can't wait to get back on track in Magny Cours to try to close the Championship gap. It won't be easy but I still have a chance so I 'll take all risks and try my best to beat Tom. The French public support will be a big advantage and I have been training like an animal! I am ready”.

   Marco Melandri: “Magny-Cours is a track that I like a lot and it looks like the weather will be excellent. I'm arriving here in good condition. I want to reaffirm the levels that I demonstrated in Jerez. I'm sure the competition will be heated, but I have taken advantage of this month to recharge my batteries and I'm ready for battle on the track”.

2. Honda Racing to start 24 Hours of Le Mans from second on the grid‏

   Posted on 1:17pm Saturday 20th Sep 2014

   Honda Racing to start 24 Hours of Le Mans from second on the grid

   Following a wet morning at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the second qualifying session took place on a drying track meaning the majority of the grid positions remain the same as yesterday and Honda Racing will begin the race from second.

   Julien da Costa, Sebastien Gimbert, Freddy Foray and reserve rider Jason O’Halloran completed a 20-minute stint each aboard the Honda Racing CBR1000RR Fireblade SP. Da Costa and Gimbert’s lap times suffered as a result of the damp conditions, however Foray and O’Halloran were blessed with a dry track and both were able to improve on yesterday’s times.

   Despite this, the grid positions remain as they were at the end of the first qualifying session, with Honda Racing starting from second behind pole sitter SRC Kawasaki and ahead of championship leader Yamaha GMT 94. The 24 Hours of Le Mans is due to begin at 15.00 CEST on Saturday.

   Neil Tuxworth team manager

   We had a mixed practice session due to varying weather conditions but the main thing is we had no problems. The performance of the all four riders was strong and we remain in second position to start the race. In some ways this is better than pole as it takes some of the pressure away from the starting rider. Anyway, in a 24-hour race we know anything can happen so we’re just hoping for a trouble-free race.

   Julien Da Costa

   It was a shame that we had a rain shower just before qualifying today so I couldn’t improve my time. We were able to try some settings for the rain though so we’re well prepared for the race. Second is good and we’re ready.

   Freddy Foray

   I had dry track in my session and went faster then yesterday but I’m still a little disappointed because I wanted to get a 1:37. It’s difficult here in EWC because there are so many bikes on track. Anyway, we are in a good position, maybe even better than pole because there is less pressure.

   Sebastien Gimbert

   I am happy because although we are not in pole position we are ready for the race. The weather has been very mixed but that means we have been able to ride in wet, intermediate and dry conditions so we’re well prepared. The main thing is that all of the riders’ lap times are consistent with each other and the bike is easy to ride. 

   Jason O'halloran reserve rider

   I managed to get the good session today, which was nice. I improved my time on a race tyre so I’m pleased with that. The set-up changes the team has made in the last two days have been really positive and I think they are in a really strong position for the race. My work here is pretty much done but it’s been a great experience. I’ve learnt a new track and I really enjoy being with the team so it’s been a good week.

3. Win a quad bike and help raise funds for one of our speedway riders - Craig Cook

   Posted on 9:15am Wednesday 17th Sep 2014

   CFS Motor Racing (Promotions) is running as a totally non-profit making venture, aiming to give Craig Cook, our current British Number 2 to the World Champion, equipment for 2015 to take him towards World Champion status and the International/GP circuit.
   
   They believe Craig has the potential to compete on the GP circuit and become a future World Champion.

   Did you know, speedway riders receive no salary, no starting fee generally and earn by the points they score in racing... Only the top riders, sponsored say by Monster or other major sponsors, may get larger fees!
   
   The aim is to sell 2,000 tickets for each brand new Quad bike at just £10 each. Profits go directly to helping purchase equipment required for each country in which Craig will ride. This Quad is 100% road legal and can be used on a full British car licence (DVLA registration required).

   Buy 3 tickets and get the 4th free, giving you approx. a 1 in 500 chance of winning.

   Call: 02392 570447 or 02392 595505 or 07989 535829 or e-mail: [email protected] NOW for tickets

    

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   www.cfsmotorracing.com
   www.cookieracing.com

   

4. APRILIA TO ENTER WORLD MOTOGP CHAMPIONSHIP ONE YEAR AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

   Posted on 7:50am Saturday 13th Sep 2014

   ROBERTO COLANINNO: 30 WORLD TITLES WON IN LESS THAN 10 YEARS

   Misano, 12 September 2014 – Aprilia (Piaggio Group) officially announced that they will enter the Grand Prix motorcycle racing in the MotoGP class. The Aprilia brand's return to the top world motorcycling competition will take place in 2015, a year ahead of their previously announced plans.

   The intent of the Piaggio Group's strategy to commit the Aprilia brand in the MotoGP class is to favour a rapid growth of competitiveness, focusing all Aprilia Racing's technical and organisational efforts on developing prototypes. For this reason, Aprilia Racing will send its bikes onto the track supported by a cooperation agreement which has been reached with Gresini Racing.

   This agreement will allow Aprilia Racing - a representative of Italian sport excellence and a protagonist in motorcycle racing on a global level - to take advantage of Gresini Racing's significant contribution in terms of MotoGP experience and know-how, enough to solidify the strategic decision to début already next season. This is a four year agreement, so Gresini Racing will be managing the Aprilia bikes on the track in MotoGP until the 2018 season. Aprilia racing is currently making assessments to determine which riders will take part in the MotoGP project.

   “We decided to make our début a year earlier than planned because Aprilia Racing's technical and competitive skills are absolutely top notch” commented Piaggio Group's Chairman and CEO, Roberto Colaninno. “Growth in Superbike has been exemplary in this direction from our rookie year in 2009 to the five world titles we've won so far with the RSV4”. Aprilia's track record over the past decade has been extraordinary: “Piaggio Group has been managing Aprilia since 2005” Roberto Colaninno reminded us. “and in less than ten years Aprilia won 26 of the 52 world titles earned in the entire brand history. In addition to these there are also four more titles: Marco Simoncelli's 250 world championship with Gilera and three 125 class world championships won by Derbi, which is also part of the Piaggio Group and which took a very young Marc Marquez to his first world title win.”

   Aprilia Racing boasts the most victorious European Racing Department in recent decades. It represents extraordinary Italian assets in technical skill which, in just over twenty years, has made the manufacturer from Noale a protagonist in all the most important motorcycle racing arenas, taking an impressive 52 world titles. The Aprilia trophy case currently includes 294 wins and 38 championship titles in the Grand Prix motorcycle racing championship (19 Manufacturer and 19 Rider), 45 wins and 5 world titles in WSBK (3 manufacturer and 2 Rider) and 9 world championships in off road disciplines.

   Many recent protagonists in the motorcycle racing world have raced, won and been educated astride Aprilia bikes such as Max Biaggi, Loris Capirossi, Valentino Rossi, Marco Melandri, Manuel Poggiali, Jorge Lorenzo and Casey Stoner. And even Marc Marquez earned his first world title astride a Derbi 125, also a Piaggio Group brand, contributing to the 102 world titles that the Piaggio Group can boast in its own collection of wreaths, achieved not only by Aprilia but also by legendary brands such as Moto Guzzi, Gilera and Derbi.

   Managed by two-time 125cc class world champion Fausto Gresini, Gresini Racing has been in Grand Prix motorcycle racing since 1997, achieving prestigious results: in addition to the two titles won in 2001 with Daijiro Kato (250cc) and in 2010 with Toni Elias (Moto2), the 40 wins and 114 podiums earned, there are also the MotoGP runner up titles achieved for three consecutive seasons in 2003 and 2004 with Sete Gibernau and in 2005 with Marco Melandri.

   Gresini Racing has been home to top calibre champions such as Alex Barros, Loris Capirossi, Colin Edwards and Marco Simoncelli. The Gresini Racing organisation is currently involved in all the Grand Prix motorcycle racing classes. In fact, they are key players in the 2014 season with Alvaro Bautista and Scott Redding in MotoGP, Xavier Siméon and Lorenzo Baldassarri in Moto2 and with Niccolò Antonelli and Enea Bastianini in Moto3.

5. Hutchinson Signs For Paul Bird Motorsport for 2015 Road Racing Campaign

   Posted on 8:17am Friday 12th Sep 2014

   Eight-times TT winner Ian Hutchinson has joined the Penrith-based Paul Bird Motorsport Team in a deal which will see him compete for the remainder of 2014 in the team's Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki colours, as well as a full season in 2015.

   35-year-old 'Hutchy', from Bingley in West Yorkshire, will contest the final two rounds of the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Championship aboard the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R at Silverstone and Brands Hatch in October before competing at the Macau Grand Prix the month after.

   The deal then extends into 2015, which will see a concerted factory-backed effort at the 2015 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy as well the other two major road races - the North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix with Supersport, Superstock and Superbike machinery.

   In addition, Hutchinson will contest the opening three rounds of the 2015 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship for one of Paul Bird's teams with a view to doing further rounds throughout the season.

   The eight time TT Race winner, including his historic five in a week in 2010, also has wins at the North West 200, the Ulster Grand Prix as well as in the various support races to the British Superbike Championship over the past ten years.  Hutchinson also won the 2013 Macau Grand Prix.

   Ian Hutchinson:

   "I'm mega happy that Paul has offered me a deal for the remainder of this year and for 2015 also. I've ridden for the team before and we all know each other so to be joining them once again is brilliant. I was disappointed that this year didn't work out as I'd hoped, especially with having such high expectations but now I know I've got a real chance of success. The team is proven and hopefully I can get back to winning ways very soon." 

   Paul Bird (Team Owner):

   "We are all very excited to have Hutchy joining us and as soon as I knew he was out of a job, I wanted him to ride for us. He's a quality rider and you don't win five TTs in a week by chance. He'll ride our Superstocker for the final two rounds at BSB and then we'll decide what to put him out on at Macau. We might even try him on the MotoGP bike there! For 2015, we will have a proper attack on the roads, which will give him his best chance in recent years and we are really serious about winning. We'll do other selected races too as part of our expanded squad for 2015 so there are some exciting times ahead."