• Welcome to the new B.I.R.D. Forum. Please be sure to read the "New Member / New Registered ? Please Read" thread in the Coffee Shop. This contains some important information. To become a full member ( £5.90 a year ) simply click on your user name near the top on the right I hope you enjoy the new site ................ Jaws ( John )

WSBK news

KUCIAR666

Registered User
2007 Entry List: SBK Superbike World Championship

The permanent entry list for the 2007 SBK Superbike World Championship has been announced by the FIM.

21: Troy Bayliss - AUS - Ducati 999F07 - Ducati Xerox Team
57: Lorenzo Lanzi - ITA - Ducati 999F07 - Ducati Xerox Team
41: Noriyuki Haga - JPN - Yamaha YZF R1 - Yamaha Motor Italia
11: Troy Corser - AUS - Yamaha YZF R1 - Yamaha Motor Italia
3: Max Biaggi - ITA - Suzuki GSXR1000 K7 - Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra
71: Yukio Kagayama - JPN - Suzuki GSXR1000 K7 - Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra
52: James Toseland - GBR - Honda CBR 1000RR - Hannspree Ten Kate Honda Team
44: Roberto Rolfo - ITA - Honda CBR 1000RR - Hannspree Ten Kate Honda Team
55: Regis Laconi - FRA - Kawasaki ZX10R - Kawasaki PSG-1 Corse
10: Fonsi Nieto - ESP - Kawasaki ZX10R - Kawasaki PSG-1 Corse
84: Michel Fabrizio - ITA - Honda CBR 1000RR - D.F.X. Corse
99: Steve Martin - AUS - Honda CBR 1000RR - D.F.X. Corse
38: Shinichi Nakatomi - JPN - Yamaha YZF R1 - Yamaha YZF
111: Ruben Xaus - ESP - Ducati 999F06 - Team Sterilgarda
96: Jakub Smrz -CZE - Ducati 999F05 - Team Caracchi Ducati SC
42: Dean Ellison - GBR - Ducati 999 RS - Team Pedercini
53: Alessandro Polita - ITA - Suzuki GSXR1000 K6 - Celani Team Suzuki Italia
31: Karl Muggeridge - AUS - Honda CBR 1000RR - Alto Evolution Honda
25: Joshua Brookes - AUS - Honda CBR 1000RR - Alto Evolution Honda
76: Max Neukirchner - GER - Suzuki GSXR1000 K6 - Suzuki Germany
73: Christian Zaiser - AUT - MV Agusta - LBR Racing Team
36: Jiri Drazdak - CZE - Yamaha YZF R1 - Yamaha Jr. Pro SBK Racing
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
Martin and the Mechanics Make Tracks At Valencia

Steve Martin and the DFX Honda World Superbike team ventured out on the
Spanish track of Valencia for a further pre-season test over the last
few days, making further strides forward with development and set-up of
the Honda CBR1000 which now sports its full 2007 livery.

Steve said, ?It?s been another trouble free test mechanically which
is great as we?ve been able to maximise the track time. I was still
using an old spec engine so there wasn?t anything we could do in terms
of development and mapping in that area, but we did get some more
positive work done on set up and handling.

?I?m a little disappointed I didn't get my lap times to where I
want them to be, although I did manage to improve on my previous test lap
time from last month. But we?re still waiting for some new spec parts
such as the 2007 rear shock and a few electronic elements, so once
those are in place I?m confident the bike will be in very good shape and
my lap times will be up there.

?I was able to do some long distance runs though over the few days,
which I?ve not done before on this bike, so that gave me a good feel
for riding it over a longer stint.

It?s been a hectic few months for the Aussie, flying to and from
Australia to test at Valencia over the winter, but Steve is revved up for
the opening race of the season in just 10 days time.

?Valencia has been good for our testing programme but it would have
been good to have the opportunity to get a feel for the bike at
different circuits before the season starts.

?So I?m really looking forward to the Qatar and Philip Island
opening rounds and just getting back into racing mode. I feel in top form
physically and mentally and so now can?t wait to get going.

Steve now flies back to Australia for one week before heading to Qatar
for the first round of the 2007 World Superbike Championship on
Saturday 24 February, then returning to Australia for round two the following
weekend.

Steve, Sandra and Axel will then say their goodbyes to Aussie family
and friends as they head back to Europe for the next eight months, with a
further three day test planned in March followed by the first European
round at Donington Park on 1 April.
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
Ducati confirm quit threat

Ducati confirm quit threat

Ducati will walk away from the World Superbike Championship next year unless series bosses make sweeping rule changes to allow 1200cc V-twin bikes to race.

The Italian manufacturer, the most successful team in the history of the championship, currently races the 1000cc 999 model in the championship for world champion Troy Bayliss and Lorenzo Lanzi, but no longer produces the bike for road use.

And their race chief Claudio Domenicali claims that a refusal by rulemakers the International Motorcycle Federation (FIM) to allow their new 1098 bike, which uses an 1198cc V-twin engine to race, will see them make an immediate exit from the sport.

?There is no way we can continue racing in Superbikes with the 1000cc V-twin engine we currently use, Domenicali told MCN.

?It is not in the spirit of Superbike racing because we no longer produce a road-going 1000cc V-twin sports bike ? only bigger capacities.

?It cannot be made any simpler. We will withdraw from the championship if the rules are not changed.?

The superbike formula was devised in 1987 with the idea being that teams would run race versions of road bikes, meaning that while Moto GP is the two-wheeled version of Formula One, Superbikes is far more like touring cars.

The concept of ?race on Sunday, sell on Monday, may be an American one, but Domenicali believes it is still extremely valid now.

He added: ?The whole point of Superbikes is to race what you sell, and this is not the case any more. We always knew 2007 would be an interim year ? we have been racing the 999 when we do not sell the machine any more. This cannot continue.?

Ducati have told rulemakers the International Motorcycle Federation (FIM) that the rule changes must be made official in just six weeks in order to give them time to prepare for next season.

Ducati's WSBK achievements dwarf everyone else's, with 12 rider's titles and 254 wins in 20 years.

www.eurosport.com
 

Oldbull

Registered User
how many years were Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki running with 750s against the 1000 ducs .. Honda even produced a twin and subsequently won the championship with it which shows what a difference cubes make regardless of the number of cylinders :tosser:

first time ever that the advantage has swung the other way and they bleat like mardy kids... wouldnt mind so much if they had lost the championship for five years on the trot.

let em build a four else f***k off .. man8um

wont happen tho cos they pull all the strings in wsb and always have done :xm
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
Martin To Fill In For Injured Curtain In World Supersport This Weekend At Assen


Team Yamaha contacted and asked the number 99 rider if he was interested in riding the 600 at the up and coming Assen event. Having just received confirmation from his usual DFX team that they would not be fielding him a bike for the Assen round, as previously agreed, it left Martin with an easy decision to make.


Steve said ''I can't believe the way this all came about, but when Kev asked me personally to fill in for him I was in shock as it was the last phone call I was expecting. No one likes to fill in under these circumstances especially when its one of your mates but I will do the best job possible to help Kev Brock and Yamaha.
Steve is no stranger to success with Yamaha and whilst he knows that he has big shoes to fill, he remains confident and is really looking forward to the challenge.
''It has been a long time since I have had an association with Yamaha but I have only good memories starting my racing career on them. The team is very professional so I'm sure they are going to make it as easy as possible for me in every way. Already from the small dealings I have had I feel more settled than I have all year.''


Practice for the fifth round of the World Supersport Championships starts this Friday.

www.stevemartin99.com
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra news
2007 Superbike World Championship
Preview: Round 5, Assen, Netherlands - 29th April

MAX AND YUKIO READY FOR ASSEN
Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra riders Max Biaggi and team mate Yukio Kagayama are looking forward to Assen for different reasons. For Max it will be another chance to put pressure on current series leader James Toseland in his title challenge. For Yukio, it will be a chance to end a disappointing run and get back his form and confidence.

Although Max has raced many times at Assen before, this will be his first time on the newly revised circuit, so he will have to start all over from scratch when practice first begins. Yukio rode the revised track last year, failing to finish the first race, which was held in atrocious conditions, but he made up for that by taking a superb fourth in race two.

Max
I like Assen, but I don?t know how it will be for me now because the circuit has changed since the last time I was there. Most of the Superbike regulars were there last year, so I will be at a small disadvantage because I will have to relearn the track before I can push hard. But normally I learn tracks pretty quick, so I don?t think it?ll be a big problem. I am enjoying this Superbike format a lot and I have no problems at all doing two races a day. It gives you two chances to do well, so if you miss out in the first race, there is always the second to do a good job.

Yukio
Normally I like Assen, but last year?s first race was not so good because of the very bad weather. The rain was terrible and there was much standing water on the track and that made it very difficult. The second was much better and I had a good fight with Bayliss for most of the race. This year has been a bit strange for me and I have missed too many races because of injury. My aim for Assen is to have a good qualifying, be right up with the top guys in both races and score some good points. I need two good finishes for sure.

2006 results
Race 1: 1 Walker (GB-Kawasaki), 2 Pitt (Aus-Yamaha), 3 Fabrizio (I-Honda), Yukio Kagayama (J-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) DNF,
Race 2: 1 Bayliss (Aus-Ducati), 2 Pitt, 3 Nieto (E-Kawasaki) , 4 Yukio Kagayama (J-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra),

http://www.alstare.net
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
Steve Martin Takes To The Microphone At Silverstone

Steve on the grid with FPR in 2006
Steve Martin took to the microphone for this weekend's sixth round of the Superbike World Championship at Silverstone, joining commentator Jonathan Green and BSB rider Scott Smart to commentate for the Superbike, Supersport and Superstock world coverage, broadcast with live and delayed footage into 37 countries around the world.

Steve said, "It was really strange to be at a race meeting and not be racing, but commentating this weekend was a new experience for me and I enjoyed it - more than I thought I would. I also learnt from working with experienced commentators like Jonathan and Scott and we had fun working together. The experience has opened up other doors too which may be helpful for my future so that's also a good thing.

"The three races I commentated on provided lots of opportunities for good comment on TV, and it's a shame the second WSBK race was cancelled. It's always difficult to say when you're not down on the track, but from the commentary booth the circuit looked drier than it maybe was and the second race could have probably gone ahead.

"But, I can totally understand why the riders didn't want to ride as it could have been a bit of a lottery at different points around the circuit."

"During this past week and also over the weekend at Silverstone, a number of options have arisen for potential rides for the rest of this season. I'm looking further at these at the moment in order to weigh everything up, but I'm not going to rush into anything that may compromise my longer terms prospects."

In the meantime, Steve will be present at the next WSBK round at Misano on 15/16/17 June, in one capacity or another.
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
Team Alstare throws open its doors

This Sunday, Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra will be opening the doors of its state-of-the-art Alleur workshop to the public and members of the press. This exceptional action takes place within the framework of the ?Business Days? of the Walloon Region which allows the public to visit the region?s biggest and most renowned companies.

The ?Open Day? will take place this Sunday, between 10 am and 6 pm, and will be a great occasion for visitors to get a ?behind-the-scenes? look at the life of one of the most popular teams in the World Superbike Paddock.

Throughout the day, visitors have a unique opportunity to visit Team Alstare?s facilities (including the workshop) and get a close look at some of the bikes that have made Alstare a team of great renown. In addition, they will be able to try out the brand new SBK-07 videogame on Playstation 2, learn about the milestones in Team Alstare?s history and also buy exclusive Team Alstare merchandise.

The Team Alstare workshop is located at the following address:

Rue de la R?sistance 32
4432 Alleur
Belgium


See you on Sunday?
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
18 July 2007
Steve Martin In Demand

World Supersport Yamaha R6 Experienced motorcycle racer Steve Martin has been in demand for a variety of testing and commentary roles since his departure from the DFX Honda World Superbike team in mid May.

His first role came in the form of being the guest commentator for the world broadcast feed for the World Superbike Championship from Silverstone, alongside veteran commentator Jonathan Green and fellow racer Scott Smart.

Steve commented, "I was nervous as I hadn't done anything like that before so you always worry that you're going to sound like a dork! It's the sort of job that when your Mum says you did ok you don't know whether to believe her or not. I wasn't sure about how I would find commentating but I actually really enjoyed it."

With glowing feedback from his co-commentators and also fans who emailed in to comment on Steve's great thoughts and insights to the track action, the Aussie was invited to return to the microphone for the following rounds at San Marino in Italy a few weeks later and Brno in the Czech Republic this coming weekend.

Steve continued, "Commentating at Misano was even more daunting than Silverstone as there was no Scott Smart, along with Jonathan and myself, to also fill in the gaps. But I ended up feeling very comfortable and the commentary flowed well between the two of us. I am really looking forward to doing Brno now as I think the racing there will be really close."

Although enjoying his stint and also increasing his experiences of commentating, Steve is still a gutsy racer at heart and his outstanding riding and bike development abilities were highlighted when a number of teams contacte Steve, asking him to test their race machines and provide his direction and input for development and set-up.

"It felt good to be approached by a number of teams and whilst it would have been great to be able to follow up every option, that was not the most productive way forward for me or the teams," explained the Aussie.

"So I've ended up on a Yamaha theme really. Nothing planned but it's just how it's panned out.

"I did a two day test for the Yamaha France World Superbike team at Lausitzring, alongside Nakatomi on their R1 customer bike which was a lot of fun and we achieved a great deal in a short space of time. The bike was pretty standard but I managed to lap with some respectable times and the guys were happy that I was able to give them some constructive feedback and a direction to head in with set-up going forward."

The Yamaha Europe World Supersport team were next to request the help of Steve's expertise, asking him to test a number of new components on the R6 of Kev Curtain at Brno, alongside Broc Parkes.

Steve continued, "The test went quite well and I was able to dip under the current lap record regularly, although the emphasis of the test was evaluating some new components and not really an ultimate lap time. That R6 is a really nice bike and still has a lot of potential to be unlocked, so I was happy to have been able to ride it again and have an input into that."

Steve then agreed terms to ride for Mandy Keinz Yamaha Austria racing team and will line up on the grid for the Suzuka 8 Hour race later this month.

"I wasn't really looking to do the ?eight hour', but Mandy kept ringing me and one day he caught me at the right time. I'm glad that he did in the end as it is a very experienced team. My son Axel is also happy about it too as Mandy promised to give him his first motorcycle - a Yamaha pw 50 of course - and Axel's not even one yet!"

Just when he thought things couldn't get any busier, Steve received a call from Rob MacElnea asking if he would be interested to test the Virgin Yamaha R1 to evaluate its performance.

"Out of all the bikes and teams that I have tested for this year, I was most impressed by what the Virgin Yamaha team have accomplished in terms of bike set-up and also team dynamics, and I clicked well with both elements," explained Steve.

"I only got to lap Donington for an hour during the lunch break of a track day, but it was enough to let me know that things just seemed to click, that the R1 was fast, steered well and looked good so had all the fundamentals of a good package."

"I've had a number of years experience motorcycle racing and have ridden every make of bike; two, three and four cylinders, Superbike, 500GP and Supersport. Given this I know how a bike should feel and what feedback a team needs in order to make the package work, so it's been great that I've really been able to use my skills to experience over the last few months and also that they have been recognised and wanted by teams.

Steve concluded, "I'm still not sure what I will be doing in the future. I don't want to rush into any decisions and end up in another situation like at the start of this season. But I have options which is the positive thing and so I'll need to assess these over the next few weeks and then I should be in a clearer position to make some decisions and update everyone with more news!"
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
Team Alstare and Corona Extra end an era of success

After ten years of outstanding collaboration benefiting all parties involved, Grupo Modelo and Corona Extra have decided to withdraw from the motorsport world for commercial reasons.

As a result, the contracts between Corona Extra and the World Superbike Championship and Team Alstare Suzuki will not be renewed for 2008.

Team Alstare Suzuki and their partners would like to thank Grupo Modelo and Corona Extra for their support, which helped Team Alstare to win many victories in the World Superbike, Supersport and European Championships. They are also grateful for their assistance in promoting the development of the World Superbike Championship and increasing its popularity.

Francis Batta, Alstare Group President.
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
Steve Martin Puts In The Miles


Hot off the heels of returning from the Suzuka 8 Hour World Endurance race, Steve Martin was back in a World Superbike seat last week in the Brands Hatch heat before heading to Germany today to compete in the Oschersleben round of the World Endurance Championship this coming weekend.

Steve commented, "It's been a pretty busy month what with commentating, testing and racing all back to back, but I've really enjoyed being back racing and also the variety of races I've been competing in and bikes I've been riding on."

At Suzuka, Steve and team mates Igor Jerman and fellow Australian Damian Cudlin were heading for a top ten finish, before a mechanical issue with a broken heat exchange lost them ten laps, putting them back to 65th position. A hard fight saw the trio pull their way back up to 33rd at the chequered flag, which was a creditable effort, also given that they were running on Pirellis in a race where Bridgestone and Michelin have superior experience.

"Having not ridden in a race situation for a couple of months, the Suzuka 8 Hour was a great way for me to get �bike fit' in preparation for Brands Hatch and I enjoyed racing with the team too," Steve continued.

Having tested for both Yamaha France and Virgin Yamaha during the last few months, both teams asked Steve if he would race at the famous Brands Hatch round of the World Superbike Championship, in order to provide them with feedback for development of the Yamaha machines in race conditions and also compare the two bikes for the benefit of both teams.

Steve commented, "Riding the two Yamaha R1s at Brands was a good opportunity and both teams were very happy with what they came away with from the weekend. For Michele Garcia and Rob Mac, both top guys, to get together is not heard of usually and also posed logistical challenges what with the wheels of the two machines not being interchangable as well as having two bike crews from different teams coming together to make one team for a weekend. But it was really great that they wanted to create this situation with me and also that they were able to pool resources to create something that worked well for everyone."

Whilst there has been much rumour that Steve was confirmed to compete in the final four rounds of the British Superbike Championship with Virgin Yamaha, Steve and Rob both decided that the timing wasn't right for the two to team up at this point, but have not ruled out working together in the future.

Instead of competing in BSB at Croft this weekend, Steve will be back with the Yamaha Austria team at the Oschersleben round of the World Endurance Championship.

Steve concluded, "I really enjo?ed working with the two teams during the weekend and I would like to thank MG Competition and Virgin Yamaha for the opportunity to be on the WSBK grid at Brands. As for heading to British Superbikes - it is a strong championship and if I went there I would want to be at the front. Although I feel that that could be possible with the Virgin Yamaha, I would ideally want more testing and track time on the British circuits before having to put it on the line.

"I've still got opportunities to race at selected rounds of different championships this year, as well as further testing and commentary roles, so I'm looking forward to the variety of the rest of the season."
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
Yamaha confirms its WSB Line up for 2008
Yamaha has today confirmed that Troy Corser and Noriyuki Haga will remain with the Yamaha Motor Italia World Superbike Team in 2008.

A flamboyant and much-loved character, Haga has worked with Yamaha for many years and his WSB career highlights include second in 2000 and third title position in 2004, 2005 and 2006. Currently Haga is fighting for the 2007 title with only 41 points separating him in second place from front man Toseland, having caught up 25 points at the last round in Lausitz. With only two rounds remaining on 30th September (Vallelunga, Italy) and 7th October (Magny Cours, France) Haga is taking the fight for WSB crown all the way to the wire. So far this season he has already won four races, including taking the double win at the team?s home circuit of Monza.

This year has been Corser?s first season with the Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team but it has been a fruitful one, with him gaining eight podium positions so far this season. Corser has also had a good and close working relationship with Haga, with the two riders working together to help develop a championship winning machine in the YZF-R1. The two-times World Superbike Champion has 13 years of experience in the class, including 40 pole positions and an impressive 114 podium positions, 33 of which have been race wins.


Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team)

?I feel great about how things have worked out, I?m very happy to stay with the Yamaha Motor Italia Team. This will be my fourth year with them; they are such a great team and I feel like I have known everyone for a long time. It?s like one big family! I?m pleased to be riding with Troy again next year; I know him quite well and we get along together, which always makes for a good atmosphere in the pit box.

I?m looking forward to repaying Yamaha?s faith in me with, hopefully, my first WSB championship title this year and a second one next year! With my position for next year sorted I can now concentrate on chasing the title in the last two rounds. I never give up!?

Troy Corser (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team)

?I?m very happy to be staying with the team next year; this year has been a very positive learning experience for me so far. We?ve made a lot of progress with the bike, the chassis and the suspension and I?m confident we can make further improvements in winter testing. It?s not all been plain sailing but that?s to be expected when you join a new team and get on a new bike. We?ve got a good path forward for next year, though, and that?s the important thing. Nori and I have worked well this season with good communication between us about the bike and tyres. I?m sure that the close working relationship will strengthen even more during next year.?

Laurens Klein KoerKamp (Manager, Yamaha Motor Europe Racing Division)

?We are very pleased to continue with both Nori and Troy next year; both riders are proven front runners and we are confident that, by maintaining the team line-up, Yamaha will be a title candidate in 2008 again. The technical cooperation in development and sharing of set-up information between the riders was another important factor in the continuation of this pairing.

Nori is very much part of the Italian family team and his time with Yamaha means he has become almost at one with the marque. His ?full-attack and never give up? attitude is so motivating for everyone involved in the team, as well as followers all around the world.

Troy just fits in perfectly and is so fired up to get his third title, which motivates the team even more. His experience shows and next year he will have the full benefit of a year?s knowledge on the R1 behind him. It's fantastic for Yamaha fans and our network to not only have two fast and spectacular riders, but also two such high profile characters.?
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
Fonsi and Yukio begin their preparation for 2008
The 2007 season may have only finished seven weeks ago, but Team Alstare and most of the top WSBK teams were back in action in Qatar today. Conditions were far from ideal this morning when strong winds gusted across the track bringing sand and dirt from the nearby construction sites. The afternoon was better, but most of the riders used today to either reacquaint themselves with or get to know their bikes. Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra riders Fonsi Nieto and Yukio Kagayama did just that and only began to try some new material towards the end of the day. With no transponders on the bikes here, all the times are based on what each team put out. Max Neukirchner is not taking part at these tests. A "gentleman's agreement" between the Top Teams means that only two riders per team are allowed to test at such a test.

Fonsi Nieto - 4th, 2:01.0

I'm pretty happy with how today went and really I spent the time learning about my bike and also getting to know my team properly. They are a great bunch and I'm really looking forward to working with them. We started the day with everything as the bike finished the 2007 season and we made good progress throughout the morning. In the afternoon we made some changes (exhaust and chassis) and I didn't get on with the bike as well. So we will look at the data this evening and decided where to start tomorrow. One thing that did excite me today is that I was able to pass somebody (Haga) on the straight! It's probably the first time in three years that I've been able to do such a thing and it made me very happy. It was very windy and dusty today, so I hope tomorrow will be a bit better and we can carry on the good work.

Yukio Kagayama - 6th, 2:01.9
Today I am happy because it was as much a test of my body as the bike! And I'm happy to say that my body feels OK after 55 laps and I didn't have any pain. It was very windy and that is a good test for the handling of the bike. It was also very dusty and dirty, so I took it steadily - I did not want to crash! When we tried a new exhaust this afternoon, the feeling of the bike changed and we will need to make some more adjustments to get the bike working the way we want. We also tested quite a few tyres today - some that we did not have time to try or use during the season - and some were good and some not so. Tomorrow we will carry on our work and see what we can do.

Wednesday 28 November
1 Corser (Aus-Yamaha ) 1'59.6, 2 Haga (J-Yamaha ) 2'00, 3 Bayliss (Aus-Ducati ) 2'00.6, 4 Fonsi Nieto (E- Alstare Suzuki) 2'01.0, 5 Fabrizio (I-Ducati) 2'01.6, 6 Yukio Kagayama (J-Alstare Suzuki) 2'01.9, 7 Sofuoglu (TUR- Honda) 2'02.2
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
Parkes and Foret Fly on the New YZF-R6

Broc Parkes and Fabien Foret started the racetrack development work on the new YZF-R6 in good form, posting 1-2 on the timesheets and making significant gains in terms of the machine?s overall performance.

Parkes set the fastest lap of the three days with a 2?01.9, a time faster than the best lap from qualifying at this race in 2007, while Foret?s 2?02.5 was hardly less impressive for a rider in his first ride on a new machine, and in a new team set-up.

Each rider completed highly successful full race simulations on the final day of testing, a particular satisfaction on a bike that has an entirely new chassis for 2008, and Yamaha?s YCC-I variable intake system proved itself at the very first time of asking, improving throttle response and engine punch.

Broc Parkes (1st - 2?01.9 - Yamaha World Supersport Team)

"The new bike has been good right out of the box and we spent most of our time on that, rather than the older one. We did a lot of work on the new suspension and played with the mapping for the new variable throttle bodies and it was all moving in the right direction. We made a lot of little changes, not major ones and we had none of the niggling problems you would expect from a first test of any new bike. The main improvement has come from the performance of the bike when you have already made quite a few laps; it is more consistent in lap times over a full race simulation.?

Fabien Foret (2nd - 2?02.5 - Yamaha World Supersport Team)

"I am honestly pretty happy because we made good lap times and the bike was very consistent. I am not 100% with the front set-up yet but I did a race distance and the bike was already better than last year?s time, so it all feels good. I only need to make the front end feel and the braking performance better as I can?t do exactly what I want right now. It?s only our first test, I didn?t crash, so it was all OK.?
Wilco Zeelenberg (Team Coordinator, Yamaha World Supersport Team)
"The long runs the guys did were very good and with the new bike that was the main thing we were hoping to take from these tests. It?s not just the lap time, it?s the race time that matters most. The circumstances were a lot better than last year. We don?t want to cheer too loud because it is very early and all the teams found that their tyres are lasting longer than before. But for a first test of a new bike, so many new parts to try, things have worked out very well. We have had time to do our homework with this bike but so far so good. Fabien had a good feeling and only needs to improve the front end, but he was only half a second from Broc, who knows the previous R6 very well.?

Circuit Length: 5.380km

Temp: high 20?C range

Weather: Dry, sunny
Best Times:
1. Parkes (Yamaha) - 2'01.9
2. Foret (Yamaha) - 2'02.5
3. Pitt (Honda) - 2'03.0
4. McCoy (Triumph) - 2'03.5
5. Young (Triumph) - 2'06.5
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
News - Phillip Island, Australia 10/01/2008
WSB/ WSS Phillip Island Winter test

Haga and Corser move forward at Phillip Island
Noriyuki Haga and Troy Corser (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team) completed a tough but successful three day test at Phillip Island in conditions which varied from relatively cool to exceptionally hot, finding real improvements while using Yamaha?s YCC-I variable intake system in full race trim.
Noriyuki Haga (Position: 6th ? Best time: 1?32.4)
?It?s gone very well. We spent the days testing new parts, the results are good so now I am just waiting for the race. I?ve tried new suspension, new swing arm linkages and many tyres and the variable inlet trumpets. Before coming to Phillip Island I tested the variable inlet trumpets for two days in Japan and the feeling is very good. We can see from the power curve that it is better and as a rider it gives me a better feeling. It gives us increased adjustment and for sure we will use this from now on.?


Haga?s personal best time of 1?32.4 was only 0.3 seconds from the best over the three days of testing, while Corser set a 1?32.7, both concentrating their efforts on finding good race settings and tyre options in the constantly changing track conditions.

Corser in particular found the surface uncharacteristically bumpy in places, and the final day of testing, run in ambient temperatures of 38?C at times, was hard work for all.

As well as successful trials of the YCC-I system, the team evaluated swingarm and linkage developments, with Corser also trying out new braking components. The very high temperatures of the final day are not expected to be experienced at the Phillip Island race itself, on 2 March.

Troy Corser (Position: 7th ? Best time: 1?32.7)
?We?ve had a lot to test but we?ve seen a direction - some were good and some not so good. I?ve been working to improve the stability on the bike and we?ve also been trying some new discs to give us better braking. We?ve had a whole range of front forks, rear shocks and a different swing arm link and tyres to test. The actual one lap fast times on the final day didn?t really come but we gained a lot of data, a lot of feedback and have a good race speed. I only spent the final afternoon using the variable inlet but I?ve been able to feel a bit different power. I think we?ve still got a bit of work to do to find the best bike balance here but it?s definitely been a positive test.?
Massimo Meregalli (Team Coordinator - Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team)
"We have to be happy with this test because we are better than last year and the year before and in particular over a race distance our speed is good. Still this circuit remains difficult for us because it offers not the grip level that makes are bike work perfect. It is difficult to say the difference between us and the competition, because we did our long run at around 12 noon, most others did theirs at a different time. We were happy with ours, especially the one from Noriyuki, so we are leaving Phillip Island feeling optimistic. Both riders used the variable intake system properly for the first time and both of them were very happy with it. It is a positive step and for sure we will use it at the first race in Qatar.?
Circuit Length: 4.445km,
Temp: First day 20?C, rising to last day 38?C

Weather: Dry, sunny
Parkes hot at home as Foret continues progress
Broc Parkes left his home circuit of Phillip Island with the best lap time of the three day test in the Supersport category, while his new team-mate, Fabien Foret (Yamaha World Supersport Team) also made great progress with the new Yamaha YZF-R6.

Parkes set a blistering 1?34.6, some 0.4 seconds faster than his closest rivals, and easily inside the previous lap records. Foret found the set-up changes he needed to set his best of 1?35.2 on the very last day. It had been a tough test because of the every increasing temperature, and the fact that since the last test there, the track has become bumpy in places.

A lot of effort was focused on finding suspension setting that worked effectively, as the previous test of the brand new machine was conducted on the smooth and flat circuit at Qatar, in late November.

Broc Parkes (Position: 1st ? Best time: 1?34.6)
"It?s been a good test and we?ve been working really well. The engine, chassis and suspension is all working together, we?ve tried a lot of things and it seems that every direction we went in was a good one and we kept improving. The new bike is a big improvement especially the engine, it?s got more torque which makes it more user friendly and it?s also giving us better tyre life. All in all I?m really happy, at the Qatar test I was quickest and I?ve been fastest all three days here in Phillip Island so hopefully we can keep the momentum going until the first race.?

Fabien Foret (Position: 4th ? Best time: 1?35.2)

"My test was much better on the final day and I did a few fast laps at the end, so I am a bit happier than I was on day one or two. I am still working on the feel and feedback from the front and because of the very hot conditions everyone seemed to be looking for grip. Turn one was very bumpy, but the grip was the biggest thing for me in the heat.?
Wilco Zeelenberg (Team Coordinator - Yamaha World Supersport Team)
"The test went OK even if the conditions changed each day and the track was quite bumpy in places compared to the experience we had at the Qatar tests. It was very smooth and flat there. It was 20?C on the first day, 30?C on the second and then 38?C today, so we have tested the new bike in every condition except rain. We had to work hard for three days to find the best suspension settings and we still have work to do to be exactly where we want to, but we still have the time and space to do that. We have been fast, so that is not an issue. We also did some successful long runs to choose tyres.?

Circuit Length: 4.445km

Temp: First day 20?C, rising to last day 38?C

Weather: Dry, sunny
Superbike times combined
1. Yukio Kagayama (JPN-Suzuki) 1?32.1
2. Troy Bayliss (AUS-Ducati) 1?32.2
3. Michel Fabrizio (ITA-Ducati) 1?32.3
4. Ruben Xaus (ESP-Ducati) 1?32.3
5. Fonsi Nieto (ESP-Suzuki) 1?32.3
6. Noriyuki Haga (JPN-Yamaha) 1?32.4
7. Troy Corser (AUS-Yamaha) 1?32.7
8. Max Biaggi (ITA-Ducati) 1?32.8
9. Regis Laconi (FRA-Kawasaki) 1?33.0
10. Makoto Tamada (JPN-Kawasaki) 1?33.4
11. Max Neukirchner (GER-Suzuki) 1?35.5

Supersport times combined

1. Broc Parkes (AUS-Yamaha) 1?34.6
2. Jonathan Rea (GBR-Honda) 1?35.0
3. Andrew Pitt (AUS-Honda) 1?35.0
4. Fabien Foret (FRA-Yamaha) 1?35.2
5. Katsuaki Fujiwara (JPN-Kawasaki) 1?35.6
6. Chris Walker (GBR-Kawasaki) 1?35.7
7. Josh Brookes (AUS-Honda) 1?35.7
8. Garry McCoy (AUS-Triumph) 1?35.9
9. Robbin Harms (DEN-Honda) 1?36.4
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
Thursday Jan 10 2008
Phillip Island - Test

BAYLISS INJURED WHILE FABRIZIO CONTINUES TO IMPROVE ON THE FINAL DAY OF TESTING AT PHILLIP ISLAND.


Phillip Island (Australia), Thursday 10th January: Troy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) fractured his collarbone this afternoon after high-siding while attempting to pass French rider Regis Laconi. Bayliss was taken to hospital in Melbourne for further assessment. New signing Michel Fabrizio continued to show great progress, concluding the final session with the third fastest time of 1m32.3s, just one tenth off the pace of his team-mate.

Troy Bayliss 1m32.2s


"Basically I went to pass Regis Laconi around Lukey Heights but when I realised I couldn't make it, I had to brake hard and high-sided coming in to the MG hairpin. I have fractured the collarbone close to the sternum and have also chipped the end of the sternum. I am not in too much pain and for now it doesn't seem as bad as the last break I had to my collarbone. I plan to come straight back to Italy to get further tests and the treatment that I need in order to be back on the bike as soon as possible. Up until my fall we were making great progress, testing a lot of tyres with Pirelli. We made a long-run and I was feeling good about how everything was going. This isn't an ideal outcome of course but I'm happy with the progress we made this week and now just have to concentrate on getting better as quickly as possible."

Michel Fabrizio 1m32.3s


"Overall, I'm happy with this week's test results. I had a fall on Tuesday but I'm fine now, although I was pretty tired after we finished the long-runs. Basically everything has gone well, my times have not been bad and I was especially happy with the second fastest time that I set this morning. We have really clocked up a lot of miles on the track this week! We are still working towards the right set-up and although there's still work to be done, we're definitely on the right track. There are still two tests to come of course so let's say that we, and me especially, will continue to improve over the next few weeks."

Davide Tardozzi, Ducati Corse Superbike Project Leader:
"We would also like to welcome Heather Watson to Team Ducati Xerox. Heather will undertake the role of press officer."

TIMES: Kagayama (Suzuki) 1m32.1s; Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) 1m32.2s; Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) 1m32.3s; Xaus (Ducati) 1m32.3s; Nieto (Suzuki) 1m32.3s; Haga (Yamaha) 1m32.4s; Corser(Yamaha)1m32.7s; Biaggi(Ducati)1m32.8s; Laconi (Kawasaki) 1m33.0s; Tamada (Kawasaki)1m34.6s; Neukirchner (Kawasaki) 1m35.5s.
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
ALSTARE'S BIOFUEL BIKE DEBUTS AT MONZA

Alstare is sensitive to the environmental problems caused by the continuing consumption of fossil fuels affecting the earth?s climate control. We are aware that it is inevitable and urgent now for the world to reduce CO2 carbon emissions in the atmosphere and to replace the consumption of polluting energies with clean and renewable sources. Therefore, since last year, Alstare began working on the development of small sized engines - such as in motorcycles and ATVs - using biofuel. Such a project is the result of a synergy between Alstare?s technical and intellectual resources and the experience and the support of Japanese manufacturer Suzuki and Magneti Marelli, Alstare?s race team partners for several years.

In our research into new ?bio-engines?, the total process is being improved from the seed to the vehicle. The efficiency of biofuels starts first with the adaptation of the engine to its fuel and not with the adaptation of the fuel to a classic engine.

The first step achieved by Alstare was the development of an agricultural ATV using fuel consisting of 85% bioethanol and 15% petrol (E85). The evolution of a traditional engine into an adapted bio-ATV was entirely carried out by Alstare?s technicians in its Belgian workshop.

Now, after months of research and experimentation, Alstare proudly unveils its prototype of a Suzuki GSX-R 1000 Superstock bike running with 85% of biofuel In fact, Alstare?s technicians have been recently working on the application of bio-engine technology to ?racing? motorcycles. This task has been successfully achieved and, during the World Superbike racing weekend in Monza, Alstare will present its ?bio-motorbike?. Well-known bike tester Alan Cathcart will evaluate the performance of the machine on the legendary Monza circuit on Saturday 11th May between 13.00 and 13.20.

Thanks to this achievement, Alstare is a pioneer in the development of racing engines using biofuel. The application of such technology in motor sports responds to the growing concern of the motorcycle manufacturers with regard to the problems of pollution and climate change. Responding to people?s growing awareness in environmental issues, the European Union is considering legislation in the near future obliging Member States to increase the proportion of biofuel in their markets (Directive 2003/30/EC).

Alstare?s future research will be focused on adapting a traditional engine to biodiesel. Such research will take at least a year to complete and will involve different areas of study including the evaluation of the costs for the production, development and the technical modifications necessary in order to obtain a profitable result in terms of performance and fuel consumption.
Alstare is proud of promoting such a project, which could actually contribute to the economical and social growth of agricultural regions in developing countries. Biodiesel vehicles represent a real alternative for the countries that cannot afford to depend on petrol imports. In particular, rural communities will finally be able to work with biodiesel agricultural ATVs which are cheaper, handy, easy to drive and do not pollute nor ruin the land
.
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
Team Suzuki Alstare announcement
Wednesday 15th May


It is with great pleasure that Team Suzuki Alstare would like to announce that Max Neukirchner has agreed terms and has signed a contract with the team for 2009 and 2010. The young German is one of the rising stars of the Superbike World Championship and his signing is seen as a great coup for the Belgian based outfit.
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
Ruben Xaus signs with BMW Motorrad Motorsport

BMW Motorrad Motorsport are delighted to announce that they have agreed terms with Ruben Xaus and that he will ride their all-new BMW S1000 RR in the Superbike World Championship in 2009. The contract between BMW Motorrad Motorsport and Ruben is for two years and is the first step in BMW Motorrad Motorsport?s entry into World Superbikes. Ruben was born in Sant Cugat des Valles in Catalunya, Spain and now resides with his wife (Mariona) and daughter (Julia) in Andorra. He has been a WSBK regular since 1998 and has taken 34 podiums, including 10 victories.

Peter Mueller (Executive Vice President Development & Model Lines)
Ever since we announced that we would enter the 2009 Superbike World Championship, there has been a lot of speculation about and interest in our bike and our riders. Everybody has already had some information about our new S1000 RR bike, and today we can reveal one of the riders who will join us in this great adventure next year.
Ruben is a strong and combative rider, full of enthusiasm and with a passion for racing. This fits our philosophy completely and together we will take on this new challenge.
We know that the Superbike World Championship is a very hard and competitive series, but we are not entering it just to make up the numbers: we will be taking part because we want to win! Of course, we are starting with a brand new bike but, together with Ruben, we believe we can progress quickly and maybe surprise a few people along the way.

Ruben Xaus
When I met the BMW guys, I was very impressed by their commitment, their passion for racing and their ideas about the future. We discussed how the WSBK project was going and I realised that I wanted to be a part of it straightaway. It is not often that you get the chance to start a completely new project, but I am really looking forward to the challenge. Although it?s going to be tough racing a new bike, I believe BMW will give me a good bike and great support and that?s all I ask for.
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
Parkes and Foret fast in testing at Vallelunga
The Yamaha World Supersport Team arrived in Vallelunga with a clear aim in mind and after exhaustive tests in high temperatures, both Broc Parkes and Fabien Foret found real improvements in the real-world race set-up of their Yamaha YZF-R6 machines.

Parkes finished the test outright second fastest but more importantly he found an improved base set-up, even in the hot conditions of a Roman summer. The Qatar race winner also made good work in evaluating Pirelli?s latest batch of development tyres.

Foret, who is not a fan of the Vallelunga circuit because it features contrasting fast and ultra-slow sections, made a set-up breakthrough on the final day, after working through several options during this test.

Despite punishing track temperatures in the last session, both Foret and Parkes improved on their previous best laps times at the end of two hard days of action. Parkes was only 0.018 seconds from the fastest rider, with Foret only just over a tenth behind his team-mate, making him third quickest of all 17 riders.
Broc Parkes (2nd - 1?39.523 - 96 laps - Yamaha World Supersport Team)
"It?s been a good test for us over two hard days and the new tyres worked well on our bike. We came with a target to make the bike more secure and still fast and we found a set-up that let us do that. The boys in the garage worked really hard so big thanks to them. We went faster at the end and I was on course to make an even better lap until I made a mistake and lost that last chance. But the test was very good, despite the heat on the track, and I hope we can take the things we found here forward to other races.?

Fabien Foret (3rd - 1?39.653 - 101 laps - Yamaha World Supersport Team)

"In the end we made what felt like a small change but it had a really big effect. We found that the new tyres were working better and towards the end we tried something new, which worked straight away. I was more than half a second faster! This is not a track I enjoy so much, especially the very slow parts, but we found something good and it is been useful to have lots of new information.?
Wilco Zeelenberg (Team Manager, Yamaha World Supersport Team)
"We got to where we wanted to be in the end but this morning we struggled a bit. Fabien had a different problem from Broc so we adjusted the bikes of each rider. Fabien is still looking for something more but in the set-up we took the bike to a place where we have never been. It seemed to work for him, even though it was quite a big jump. It was very interesting for Fabien to improve his previous best time by eight tenths of a second, so we are pleased to have actually found something new. But that is what testing is for. The track temperature was unbelievable, more than 60?C to start the session. The new tyres were good and we were happy with them.?

Haga and Corser make real progress in testing at Vallelunga


Noriyuki Haga and Troy Corser (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team) used their two days of official testing time at the Vallelunga circuit to prepare for the next races, and came away from Vallelunga with positive results all round.

The sessions were a combined official FGSport outing and a Development Teams Test for Pirelli, and both Noriyuki and Troy found some advantages in the latest specification of control tyres.

With track temperatures climbing to over 60?C on the final afternoon most riders set their best times during the final day?s morning session. Over the two days, Corser finished top Yamaha rider, with a 1?36.770. Noriyuki had set his fastest lap of 1?37.115 on the afternoon of the first day, which was generally cooler than day two.

Despite the incredibly hot track temperatures, each rider found great improvements in the duration of the latest rear tyres during their long runs. The Vallelunga race itself, scheduled for September, is expected to be considerably cooler than it was during this test, but the team learned many valuable lessons for immediate and long-term use.

Each rider tried out ?hlins electronic suspension units, which were being tested for the first time in public at this event and despite having limited track time in which to try them out, initial results were declared positive by each rider.

The team also ran their latest exhaust developments, which made for a better engine response and slightly more power through the rev range.
Troy Corser (5th - 1?36.770 - 127 laps - Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team)
?I was happy enough with that test. We tried lots of different things with the suspension and the new things we worked with seemed pretty good. Overall the bike was working well and the new tyres they brought seemed to give us more life. They were not that much different in single lap times but they just lasted longer. We did a long run and from the first to the last lap the lap time was pretty good. I think there was more time to come off if we had pushed harder but we are testing, not qualifying. The temperature going up didn?t offer us much grip at all and there seemed to be less track grip than at Misano, which is unusual. It doesn?t feel as hot here but the tarmac obviously holds more heat. The test has been good, no silly mistakes or crashes, so it?s been positive all round.?

Noriyuki Haga (8th - 1?37.115 - 131 laps - Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team)
?I?m happy with the test and we did most of our work on our normal suspension set-up because that is what we will be using in real race conditions. We had a little problem finding a good final set-up to go faster than we did on day one, and we could not improve today. But in our long run the lap times were good, consistent and we had the same experience as Troy with the development tyres. They lasted longer than the regular ones. In this regard we are happy and the important thing is that the track temperature may be different for the race in two months, but we hope to use a similar machine set-up September.?
Silvano Galbusera (Technical Chief, Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team)
"We tested the electronic suspension for the first time and it seems to have good possibilities. Troy was happy with it, and we used it with Nori for a short time. We found a good solution from Pirelli for the races and both riders? long runs were very good, and maybe Nori was slightly longer. I think he did 20 laps, with good results. Some riders could push harder for a single lap today, and because of that they set a better time, but we are happy with the work we did to make sure we will be ready for the races. Our new exhaust design was a small improvement in all areas. It is hard to do that at this stage of the season so the final result was good all round.?
 
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