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 Beautiful new 2010 FastDates.com Calendar Kitten Rachel Bernstein is featured in the ad campain for the 2009 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show Weekned July 18-19th, and Rachel will be there both days hosting the Show and the World Premier of the 2010 FastDates.com Calendars.
18th Annual Los Angeles Calendar Motorcycle Show Weekend
America's Premier Custom & Performance Street Motorcycle Show
July 18-19th 2009, Queen Mary Event Park, Long Beach
The 18th annual Los Angeles Calendar Motorcycle Show Weekend presented by Performance Machine, America's premier custom, cruiser, performance and sportbike weekend returns to the Queen Mary Event Park in Long Beach on July 18-19th, 2009. Join 25,000 street bike motorcycle and music enthusiasts for the world's most exciting 2-day motorcycle event weekend in the beautiful Queen Mary Event Park on the grass alongside the Pacific Ocean in Long Beach! This is the world's premier motorcycle show weekend featuring some 200 major motorcycle and parts manufacturers, top name builders, selected exhibitors, product and apparel vendors.
 Last year's Sportbike Class wiiner with beautiful Calendar Kittens, a cool Mikuni Carburetor Trophy, and Ted Sands from Perforance Machine.
The weekend features many of the world's top Pro and Amateur custom street bike builders in attendance with their newest 2-wheeled creations of rolling art to compete in the Performance Machine Calendar Show Bike Building Championship with a bulging purse of $86,000 in cash and awards including the coveted Performance Machine Best of Show Trophy. There are 11 Calendar Bike Building Championship Classes including the premier Radical Pro Builder Class sponsored by Iron Works magazine as well as 10 other classes for American V-Twin Customs, Vintage Bikes, as well as Metric Sportbikes and Cruisers.
Other exciting activities during the weekend include the Calendar Motorcycle Show World Championship Horsepower Dyno Shoot Out, Calendar Bike Building Seminars, the Calendar Girl Model Search Pageant, and the World Premier of the new 2010 FastDates.com Motorcycle PinUp Calendars with the beautiful Calendar Kittens including Calendar Cover Model and Show Spokesmodel Rachel Bernstein.
 Meet Beautiful Calendar Kitten Rachel Bernstein!
Included with admission both days is the 2-Day Calendar Girl Music Festival with beautiful girl bands including Cockpit, the AC/DC Tribute rock band Whole Lotta Rosies, and world renown Purrfect Angelz performance song and dance shows.
Spectators also get complimentary weekend admission aboard the historic Queen Mary Ghost Ship, and entry to the Saturday Night Iron & Lace Calendar Builders Party with a live band in the ship's Observation Bar. Free shuttle bus rides are provided from the downtown Long Beach Parking Garages, plus there are paid Taxi Boat rides from Shoreline Marina direct to the Show.
Performance Machine presents the Los Angeles Calendar Motorcycle Show Weekend with Associate Sponsors Iron Works magazine, S&S Cycle, Mikuni Carburetors, California Harley-Davidson, ReCycler.com, Trader.com, ThunderPrees.net, Meguiars Car Care Products, Hooters Restaurants, Speed TV's American Thunder, Mikuni Carburetors and the FastDates.com Calendars.
For additional LA Calendar Motorcycle Show & Calendar Girl Music Festival weekend details including the show schedules, hotels and parking information visit http://www.FastDates.com/BIKESHOW.HTM
Neil Hodgson Injured
March 15th- Corona Extra Honda Racing’s Neil Hodgson unfortunately will miss the upcoming Auto Club Speedway AMA Superbike event due to a training accident that had him hospitalized this past Sunday.
Hodgson, who was training on his Motocross bike, hit a fallen rider’s machine and went down hard. He was hospitalized because of breathing difficulties, found to be caused by a collapsed lung. He also injured some ribs and dislocated his shoulder. He has been kept in Loma Linda Hospital for observation. We wish Neil well and expect him to make a speedy recovery.
2008 Corona Extra Honda rider and Auto Club Speedway Superstock winner Jake Holden will take over the piloting duties for the Honda CBR1000RR Superbike for the event. Look for Jake to be at the front of the pack in the race to the line/lime!
Hannspree SBK Superbike World Championshi Round 2, Losail
Ben Spies Tops WSB Superpole with Double Wins at Losail
Losail, Qatar March 11-14th 2009 - Yamaha’s WSBK rookie rider Ben Spies took a spectacular double win in the second round of the Hannspree FIM Superbike World Championship at the Losail circuit in Qatar. The 24 year-old Texan powered to his third win in the opening four races, dominating both today’s 18-lappers and twice finishing ahead of Noriyuki Haga (Ducati) and Max Biaggi (Aprilia), who were classified second and third to make up identical podiums.
PREVIEW: After the exciting spectacle served up in the opening round at Phillip Island in Australia, the Hannspree FIM Superbike World Championship is back in action once again this weekend at the desert circuit of Losail in Qatar, the second of four overseas races and the second event in this year’s 14-round calendar.
FIRST WINS FOR DUCATI AND YAMAHA – Phillip Island confirmed that Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox) will be one of the favourites this year, the Japanese rider winning one race and finishing runner-up in the second. But at the same time it also highlighted the competitive and balanced nature of the series, with several riders in with a chance of fighting for the win. One of these was Yamaha World Superbike rookie Ben Spies, the three-times AMA Superbike champion spectacularly winning race 2 and demonstrating that he will also be one of the men to beat this year. Germany’s Max Neukirchner also began the season well for Suzuki Alstare, fighting side-by-side with Haga right down to the chequered flag. Two more riders to watch in Qatar will be Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) and Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda), who this time will be aiming for a podium place.
PRIVATE PROGRESS – Even with the presence of seven manufacturers (Aprilia, BMW, Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha), the championship also offers the possibility for private teams, thanks to the technical regulations, to score good results. In Australia Leon Haslam (Stiggy Racing Honda) stepped onto the podium and Régis Laconi (Ducati DFX) came very close. Further surprises are expected at Losail.
APRILIA AND BMW ON THE PACE – Both the Italian and the German machines immediately proved to be competitive in their debut race, so much so that Troy Corser (BMW) recorded the fastest lap in race 1 and Max Biaggi (Aprilia) fought for a podium position right until the very end. The layout of the Losail circuit should reward the characteristics of the two four-cylinder machines, even more so given the fact that Corser and Biaggi have both won on this track. Kawasaki are the only factory team who appear to be struggling at the moment, but the Japanese manufacturer is working hard and improvements are expected in Qatar.
THUMBS UP FOR NEW SUPERPOLE – The new Superpole format passed its first test with flying colours. The knock-out formula (20 riders become 16 and then 8 for the front two rows) has added further excitement to Saturday qualifying and also looks good on television. At Losail the teams and riders will have to perfect their strategies, which are fundamental if they do not want to be left out for the battle for the front row of the grid.
The Magnificent 7 Ride Again!
Wednesday 11th - The second round of the Hannspree FIM Superbike World Championship, due to take place in Qatar this weekend, had a watery prologue today as The Magnificant Seven top riders took to offshore boats of the Qatar Powerboat Team around the Corniche bay area of the capital, Doha.
Noriyuki Haga (Ducati), Ben Spies (Yamaha), Max Biaggi (Aprilia), Max Neukirchner (Suzuki), Troy Corser (BMW), Jonathan Rea (Honda) and Broc Parkes (Kawasaki) were all invited by Sheikh Hassan Al Thani, Qatar Marine Sports Federation President and Class 1 offshore champion on board two Nor-Tech Mercury 36’ catamarans for a different kind of speed trip, this time on water, in the build-up to this Saturday’s WSBK round.
“It wasn’t my first time onboard this kind of boat but it was quite exciting”, declared Phillip Island race 1 winner Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox). “I’m thinking I want to buy this kind of boat but it’s just to throw away for the money and I need to check with my wife first!. As for this weekend’s race, Ducati have good experience and settings for here, now I have started the season well from the first round so we will see from here in the next races.”
“We knew we had the pace to battle at Phillip Island, not necessarily to win, but it was important to get the first win out of the way” commented Ben Spies (Yamaha World Superbike). “I’ve kind of been like trying to prove myself on Superbikes for quite a long time, so my win in Australia felt like it had been a long time coming. Qatar is a track where I’ve never turned a wheel on, it seems OK, I’ll just have to go out and learn it. 110 mph on water is a different feeling totally, but luckily we survived that and now I can go to work tomorrow!”
“Phillip Island was high performance on qualifying, nobody expected to see us on the front row and fighting for pole position until the end” said Max Biaggi (Aprilia Racing). “But something at the moment is still a bit ‘raw’ and we need to find the right conditions to make it ‘well done’ and explore different ways to go for development. At the moment we’re in early stages. This morning was a completely new way to go for me, we went fast on the speedboats. It was interesting to see the steering round the buoy, they go very quick and this type of boat is very stable, almost double the speed on the tarmac!”
On TV Eurosport (pan-European):
Sunday 15 March, 08.30 race 1 (delayed), 09.15 race 2 (delayed).
The Qatar Round of the HANNspree Superbike World Championship takes place from Thursday 12 thru Saturday 14 March. World Supersport and World Superbike free practice and qualifying takes place on both days, with WSBK Superpole scheduled for Friday at 15.00. The two 18-lap Superbike races are scheduled to run on Saturday at 12.00 and 15.30, with the 18-lap Supersport race at 13.25 local time.
Lap records:
Race – Fonsi Nieto (Suzuki) 1’59.156 (2008); Best lap – Troy Corser (Yamaha) 1’58.053 (2008).
The Qatar Round of the HANNspree Superbike World Championship takes place from Thursday 12 thru Saturday 14 March. World Supersport and World Superbike free practice and qualifying takes place on both days, with WSBK Superpole scheduled for Friday at 15.00. The two 18-lap Superbike races are scheduled to run on Saturday at 12.00 and 15.30, with the 18-lap Supersport race at 13.25 local time.
About the Losail International Circuit
LIC is the only circuit in the region with both FIA and FIM homologation licenses for car and bike racing. The state-of-the-art circuit, which was inaugurated on October 2004, is fully equipped with the latest facilities and services. 1000 workers took just under one year to build it at a total cost of $USD58million. The circuit is 30 Kilometers from Doha International Airport. It measures 5.380 km, including a main straight of 1068 m, and has a total of 16 turns, 10 right and 6 left.
 Ben on top of the world again with the new Big Bang R1.
Spies (Yamaha) notches up his second Superpole win in two races
Losail, Friday 13th - After dominating the two WSBK qualifying sessions, Ben Spies (Yamaha World Superbike) powered to the same result in Superpole with his second success in two races. The 24 year-old Texan lapped the 5.380 km Losail desert circuit in a time of 1 minute 57.280 seconds, almost eight-tenths of a second quicker than Troy Corser’s best mark from 2008. The starting-grid was similar to the opening round in Australia, but this time Jakub Smrz on a customer Guandalini Ducati 1098R placed second, a fraction of a second behind Spies, and ahead of Max Biaggi (Aprilia Racing) in third. The front row of the grid was completed by Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox), who managed to move up to a fourth place slot following two below-par qualifying sessions.
Ben Spies (Yamaha World Superbike): “The most important thing is being on the front row with this many fast guys. I almost ruined my lap but we eventually got the job done. Race pace is looking promising, which is important but I feel sure it’s going to be a hard race tomorrow. You still have to search for the speed and find the limit in Superpole, I don’t know anything different, it’s the only one I’ve done but it’s working well for me so far.”
Jakub Smrz (Guandalini Ducati): “We have made a really good weekend, now we still have the race to do, but we have a good set-up and for us the times are very positive. I was also working well in Superpole because there wasn’t much traffic, I didn’t catch anyone and I was able to do my best.”
Max Biaggi (Aprilia Racing): “I’m very happy again to be fighting for the pole position, I think we did a very good job today. We tried to find the best set-up on both bikes, and I’m going to chose the one that feels the most comfortable. I have already made my tyre choice and feel quite comfortable so thanks again to my squad, they are great guys.”
Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox): “It was a much better Superpole for me than in Australia and I am very happy to be on the front row of the grid. We had a little problem today but managed to sort that and now I am sure that tomorrow we will go very well in the races.”
With fifth place on the grid, Tom Sykes (Yamaha World Superbike) confirmed that the four-cylinder Japanese R1 machine is proving to be a very competitive machine indeed this year, and the British rider will start tomorrow’s two 18-lap races with Japan’s Shinya Nakano (Aprilia Racing), Spain’s Carlos Checa (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) and Shane Byrne (Sterilgarda Ducati) from the UK alongside.
The new Superpole format again produced a few surprises. The first run saw the elimination of two of the stars of Phillip Island, Max Neukirchner (Suzuki Alstare) and Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda), who will now start from row 5; while neither Ruben Xaus and Troy Corser (BMW) nor Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) made the final cut after the second knock-out session.
Superbike Times: 1. Spies B. (USA) Yamaha YZF R1 1'57.280; 2. Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 1'57.384; 3. Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 1'57.694; 4. Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1'57.850; 5. Sykes T. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'57.878; 6. Nakano S. (JPN) Aprilia RSV4 1'58.755; 7. Checa C. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 1'59.090; 8. Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 2'00.021; … 9. Rolfo R. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 1'58.734; 10. Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'58.919; 11. Laconi R. (FRA) Ducati 1098R 1'59.044; 12. Kiyonari R. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR 1'59.055; 13. Parkes B. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'59.074; 14. Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'59.134; 15. Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 1'59.435; 16. Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 1'59.454; … 17. Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'59.713; 18. Haslam L. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'59.882; 19. Neukirchner M. (GER) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'59.926; 20. Hill T. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 2'00.108
FIM Supersport World Championship
Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha World Supersport) was quickest again today in the second and final qualifying session for the World Supersport race, giving the Japanese manufacturer its first pole of the year and its second today at the Losail circuit. The 23 year-old British rider knocked one second off his Thursday mark to end up with a time of 2 minutes 01.586 seconds, almost four-tenths quicker than Fabien Foret’s best from last year. The other riders on the front row are all on Honda CBR600RR machines, with Ireland’s Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar) ahead of the Hannspree Ten Kate Honda champion pair of Kenan Sofuoglu and Andrew Pitt, the Turkish rider crashing out in the final stages of the session while chasing the pole. Fabien Foret heads the next row of the grid in fifth place on the second factory Yamaha R6, ahead of Matthieu Lagrive (Hannspree Honda Althea) and Gianluca Nannelli (ParkinGO Triumph).
Supersport Times: 1. Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R6 2'01.586; 2. Laverty E. (IRL) Honda CBR600RR 2'01.629; 3. Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR600RR 2'01.810; 4. Pitt A. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 2'02.266; 5. Foret F. (FRA) Yamaha YZF R6 2'02.282; 6. Lagrive M. (FRA) Honda CBR600RR 2'02.450; 7. Nannelli G. (ITA) Triumph Daytona 675 2'02.497; 8. Harms R. (DEN) Honda CBR600RR 2'02.592.
Spies Doubles on Saturday at Losail with the Big Bang Yamaha
Losail, Saturday 14th March 2009 - Yamaha’s WSBK rookie rider Ben Spies took a spectacular double win in the second round of the Hannspree FIM Superbike World Championship at the Losail circuit in Qatar. The 24 year-old Texan powered to his third win in the opening four races, dominating both today’s 18-lappers and twice finishing ahead of Noriyuki Haga (Ducati) and Max Biaggi (Aprilia), who were classified second and third to make up identical podiums.
Race 1
Poleman Spies made his attack six laps from the end, and immediately pulled out a gap that allowed him to administer his lead until the flag. There was a great scrap for the runner-up slot between Haga and Biaggi, with the Japanese rider getting the nod. For Aprilia it was their first podium since returning to WSBK, and the Italian manufacturer’s competitiveness was confirmed by fourth place for Shinya Nakano. Fifth went to Carlos Checa (Hannspree Ten Kate), the first Honda rider to the flag, who managed to hold off the attacks of the determined British duo of Shane Byrne (Sterilgarda Ducati) and Tom Sykes (Yamaha World Superbike). Troy Corser scored an encouraging ninth place for BMW, while Kawasaki notched up their first points in this year’s championship with a 14th place for Broc Parkes. Max Neukirchner (Suzuki Alstare) and Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) had disappointing races, both riders crashing out.
Ben Spies (Yamaha World Superbike): “It was an extremely tough race, I had an OK start and when I got to the back of Nori and Max, we were all very strong on separate parts of the track. I was lacking a little bit off the last corner and it was very hard to make the pass, but once past, I put my head down and was able to keep it clean for the win despite a couple of mistakes.”
Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox): “It was quite hard at the end, I got a good start and after a few laps I was able to pass Max on the straight. A few laps more and he passed me again and it was difficult for me to catch up. I pushed on the last lap and did it and was very happy with the result.”
Max Biaggi (Aprilia Racing): “I tried to keep up and have a good rhythm without losing concentration. We have a new bike and every session we try to improve, but it’s not easy to win right away. These guys did a great job, I rode very hard and today I was comfy, both front and rear, and looking good.”
Race 1 Results: 1. Spies B. (USA) Yamaha YZF R1 36'06.304 (160,93 kph); 2. Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1.893; 3. Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 2.168; 4. Nakano S. (JPN) Aprilia RSV4 12.061; 5. Checa C. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 12.597; 6. Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 12.971; 7. Sykes T. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 13.570; 8. Kiyonari R. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR 19.306; 9. Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 19.388; 10. Laconi R. (FRA) Ducati 1098R 20.981; 11. Haslam L. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 21.164; 12. Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 21.994; 13. Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 22.917; 14. Parkes B. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX 10R 27.218; 15. Hill T. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 31.602
Race 2
Spies also went on to take the win in race 2, confirming himself and his Yamaha to be the strongest combination in this early part of the season. This time the Texan had a different strategy, taking control in the early laps of the race and then gradually pulling away. Behind there was another terrific scrap for the runner-up slot between Haga and Biaggi, and once again second place went to the Japanese rider, who holds on to his points lead in the table. Ryuichi Kiyonari (Ten Kate Honda Racing) scored an excellent fourth place, but was unable to get in amongst the podium battle. Fifth place went to Sykes, while Neukirchner just got the edge over Nakano in a photo-finish. BMW made a major leap forward with Corser running fifth in the early stages, both the Australian and Xaus scoring top 10 points finishes. Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) had a day to forget with a second DNF finish in two races.
Ben Spies (Yamaha World Superbike): “Nori set a really good pace the first few laps. We were lacking just a little in acceleration and it was hard to race with him, but I put my head down and closed up, kept the same rhythm and passed him. It was a better race for me than the first one because I could concentrate on my lines, but it’s going to be hard making up points on him if he keeps finishing second. It was a perfect weekend, they’re not always going to be like that but we’ll take them when we can.”
Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox): “I am really tired but happy for the result in race 2. When Ben passed me, I tried to stay with him but he is very fast. In one second he was going to 100 metres so I could not catch him! We made a good job, and I am leading the championship. Today, for me, Ben is ten years younger than me so that’s why I lose!”
Max Biaggi (Aprilia Racing): “It was a great race, we confirmed our potential and the feeling we have on this track, which has always been good to me. I think the bike works well, we still have to improve but we are very pleased with the result. For sure we know these guys are a little bit quicker, they run hard and deserve what they did, but I am confident to improve during the season and get some good points.”
Superbike Race 2 Results: 1. Spies B. (USA) Yamaha YZF R1 36'02.126 (161,241 kph); 2. Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1.274; 3. Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 1.622; 4. Kiyonari R. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR 1.845; 5. Sykes T. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 5.117; 6. Neukirchner M. (GER) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 9.512; 7. Nakano S. (JPN) Aprilia RSV4 9.514; 8. Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 12.621; 9. Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 13.842; 10. Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 13.884; 11. Haslam L. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 13.888; 12. Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 14.913; 13. Checa C. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 15.762; 14. Laconi R. (FRA) Ducati 1098R 15.920; 15. Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 19.565
Points (after 2 of 14 rounds): 1. Haga 85; 2. Spies 75; 3. Neukirchner 40; 4. Biaggi 38; 5. Haslam 36; 6. Sykes 32; 7. Laconi 30; 8. Rea 30; 9. Nakano 27; 10. Kagayama 25. Manufacturers: 1. Ducati 85; 2. Yamaha 81; 3. Honda 51; 4. Aprilia 41; 5. Suzuki 40; 6. BMW 27; 7. Kawasaki 2.
FIM Supersport World Championship
The second round in Qatar saw the crowning of a new talent in World Supersport. Thanks to a perfect slipstreaming dash to the line, Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) scored his first win in the category. The Irish rider held off the attacks from reigning champion Andrew Pitt (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) to take the win. Former points leader Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) only finished fourth after making a mistake at the final curve, which opened the door for Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha World Supersport) to gain his first WSS podium. Seven Hondas placed in the first ten positions, including the Veidec Racing and Hannspree Althea machines of Robbin Harms and Matthieu Lagrive in fifth and sixth. Garry McCoy took the ParkinGO Triumph 675 to an encouraging seventh place, while Joan Lascorz could only manage thirteenth with the Kawasaki. Massimo Roccoli (Intermoto Czech Honda), Phillip Island podium finisher Anthony West (Stiggy Racing) and Barry Veneman (Hoegee Suzuki) made up the top 10.
600cc Supersport Results: 1. Laverty E. (IRL) Honda CBR600RR 37'06.285 (156,595 kph); 2. Pitt A. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 0.063; 3. Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R6 0.625; 4. Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR600RR 0.711; 5. Harms R. (DEN) Honda CBR600RR 5.200; 6. Lagrive M. (FRA) Honda CBR600RR 5.233; 7. McCoy G. (AUS) Triumph Daytona 675 9.538; 8. Roccoli M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 9.551
Points (after 2 of 14 rounds): 1. Pitt 40; 2. Sofuoglu 38; 3. Laverty 36; 4. Crutchlow 29; 5. West 23; 6. Lagrive 15; 7. Roccoli 15; 8. Harms 12. Manufacturers: 1. Honda 50; 2. Yamaha 29; 3. Triumph 15; 4. Kawasaki 11; 5. Suzuki 9.
Stoner Tops MotoGP Night Testing at Qatar
Qatar, March 1-3, 2009 - Ducati Corse's Casey Stoner finished up this week's 3-day night MotoGP team testing at the Losail Circuit in Qatar a full 1-sceond quicker than his closest rival. In the final day of the test when Casey set his quickest time, the radical new frameless GP09 machine was also fitted with a carbon fibre swingarm, the first for a MotoGP machine. The complete MotoGP testing report from Qatar is in the Tire Chatter column at right.
Now in the Iron & Lace Garage! The factory Ducati Corse 1198R 09 World Superbike with big detailed screen saver size photos, with and without the fairing, and full technical specifications. CLICK HERE
New FastDates.com Greeting Cards!
It's been nearly impossible for motorcycle enthusiasts to find cool motorcycle related greeting cards, but now through our new association with CafePress, a print-on-demand publisher, I am excitied to now offer you the first selection in a new line of official FastDates.com Calendars Greeting Cards. This first Card features our beautiful Calendar Kitten Tiffany Toth getting down for action behind the bubble of the incredible Ducati 1098S Tri Colore limited edition Superbike. Cards are printed on high quality card stock with a glassy front, measure a large 5x7 inches and come packaged (10) per box with envelopes. - Cheers! Jim Gianatsis
Order at CafePress.com/FastDates
Below - Just in case you can't get enough, here's one more look, of Tiffany who is featured in all 3 of our 2009 FastDates.com Calendars, and in some very sexy pictorials in Members Corner!
...and from Amazon.com - CLICK BELOW TO SHOP FOR OFFICIAL TEAM DUCATI APPAREL
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2009
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Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2009
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Sports Illustrated Swimsuit
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2009 Sports Illustrated Magazine Swimsuit Edition
February 12th, 2009 - The 2009 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition magazine hit the newsstands on February 12th and continued to set the bar with the world's most beautiful supermodels photographed in nearly there swimsuits in exotic locations around the world by top fashion photographers. And in the case of the "Body Painting" section of the magazine, the girls actually wore nothing at all. Photography and models for the 2009 magazine shoot are also featured in the 2009 Sports Illustrated Calendars in the 13-inch and 15-inch edition available here on line through Amazon.com. You can also purchase the 2009 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition magazine by clicking on the cover above.
Lot's of FREE PinUP Model Calendar Stuff in Calendar Girl News!
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High Speed - the Movie
The best motorcyce racing movie ever made! Filmed on location at World Superbike, this an exciting romantic drama staring beautiful actress Sienna Miller.
Editors 's Note: We
remain dumbfounded...
and can not decipher from the Class names which classes are which in the 2009 AMA/DMG Pro Roadracing Championship Series. Here is the latest press release as sent o us by the AMA. We are guessing "Pro Superbike" is the 1000cc factory Superbike class, and "Pro Daytona SportBike" is the 600cc Superstock Class. Hopefully you can figure it out!
Suzuki AMA Pro Superbike Challenge Continues 2009 AMA Pro Road Racing Season This Weekend in California
Auto Club Speedway Race Features Dual American Superbike and Daytona SportBike Races
FONTANA, California (March 19, 2009) - Round 2 of the 2009 AMA Pro Road Racing Series will be held at Auto Club Speedway, March 20 - 22, where the Suzuki AMA Pro Superbike Challenge will feature five races in a full weekend of AMA Pro motorcycle road racing action on the 2.36-mile Fontana speedway road course.
AMA Pro National Guard American Superbike presented by Parts Unlimited and AMA Pro Daytona SportBike presented by AMSOIL will co-headline the weekend card, with each division running dual Saturday and Sunday races for the first time this season. The weekend also features the emerging 16 to 21-year-old riders of the AMA Pro SuperSport presented by Shoei division. Flag-to-flag coverage of the four featured races as well as highlights of the SuperSport event will be showcased on the new AMA Pro Prime Time show on SPEED, Saturday, March 28 and Saturday, April 4 at 10 p.m. ET. The series premiere of AMA Pro Prime Time - which will feature the season-opening Daytona AMA Pro American Superbike race - will be this Saturday, March 21 at 11 p.m. ET.
The 2009 AMA Pro Road Racing season began two weeks ago with the Daytona 200 by Honda weekend at Daytona International Speedway where top riders Ben Bostrom and Mat Mladin won the featured races. Bostrom scored his first career win in the legendary Daytona 200 by Honda AMA Pro Daytona SportBike race under the lights on Friday, March 6, while Mladin won the AMA Pro American Superbike opener a day earlier.
Bostrom will shift his focus to AMA Pro American Superbike competition this weekend and for the rest of the season, but several of the other top finishers from the AMA Pro Daytona SportBike opener are among the 47 riders entered for Fontana. The list includes Bostrom's Yamaha teammate and second-place Daytona 200 runner-up Josh Herrin (No. 8 Team Graves Yamaha YZF-R6) and third-place finisher Jason DiSalvo (No. 40 Team M4 Suzuki GSX-R600).
Other riders to watch based on their strong Daytona 200 results include Jamie Hacking (No. 88 Monster Energy Attack Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R) and Shawn Higbee (No. 11 Higbee-Racing.com Buell 1125R) who rounded out the top-five in the opener.
SpeedTV Screws AMA
Superbike Coverage Agian
The weekend's first American Superbike race kicks off Sunday's racing schedule at 2:30 p.m. local time. Race number two goes down at 4 p.m. on Sunday and closes the 2009 Suzuki AMA Pro Superbike Challenge weekend. Like the Daytona SportBikes, both American Superbike races are 21 laps for 50 miles.
SoCal American Superbike Ready to Roll
The AMA Pro Daytona600cc SportBike class is just one part of AMA Pro Road Racing's premier class competition at Auto Club Speedway. Sharing the spotlight is the AMA Pro American Superbike class which is home to some of the top riders in the sport.
Bostrom (No. 2 Yamaha Motor Corp. USA Yamaha R1) joins teammate Josh Hayes (No. 4 Yamaha Motor Corp. USA Yamaha R1) in leading Yamaha's effort against several potent Suzuki, Honda, Ducati and Buell teams. Bostrom finished sixth in the Daytona American Superbike opener while Hayes crossed the finish line in eighth place.
Daytona winner Mladin and his No. 7 Rockstar/Makita Yoshimura Suzuki GSX- R1000 are just one of several fast Suzuki entries. The Yoshimura team placed each of its three Suzukis in the top five at Daytona with Tommy Hayden (No. 22 Rockstar/Makita Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000) finishing third and Blake Young (No. 79 Rockstar/Makita Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000) snagging fifth place.
Another top Suzuki threat comes from Jordan Suzuki. The Michael Jordan-owned Jordan Suzuki effort includes bikes for Georgia-based riders Aaron Yates (No. 23 Brand Jordan Suzuki GSX-R1000) and Geoff May (No. 54 National Guard Jordan Suzuki GSX-R1000). Yates finished seventh at Daytona and May was 10th.
The Daytona opener saw a trio of riders on the three different makes of motorcycles lead the race. In addition to winner Mladin and his Suzuki, former World Superbike Champion Neil Hodgson (No. 100 Corona Extra Honda CBR1000RR) led a pair of laps and finished second while Ducati's Larry Pegram (No. 72 Foremost Insurance/Pegram Racing Ducati 1098R) also set the pace for three laps before a solid fourth-place result. Pegram is ready for Fontana while Hodgson will sit out this weekend due to recent injuries. He will be replaced by Jake Holden, who raced for Corona last year and won with the team at Fontana in Superstock competition.
Neil Hodgson Injured
May Not Race CA Speedway
We would like to send out a get well to FMF/Corona Honda rider Neil Hodgson who was injured recently. Get well soon Neil! We cant wait to see you back out on the track. Read below for more info.
Corona Extra Honda Racing’s Neil Hodgson unfortunately will miss the upcoming Auto Club Speedway AMA Superbike event due to a training accident that had him hospitalized this past Sunday.
Hodgson, who was training on his Motocross bike, hit a fallen rider’s machine and went down hard. He was hospitalized because of breathing difficulties, found to be caused by a collapsed lung. He also injured some ribs and dislocated his shoulder. He has been kept in Loma Linda Hospital for observation. We wish Neil well and expect him to make a speedy recovery.
2008 Corona Extra Honda rider and Auto Club Speedway Superstock winner Jake Holden will take over the piloting duties for the Honda CBR1000RR Superbike for the event. Look for Jake to be at the front of the pack in the race to the line/lime!
Team Foremost Pegrm Racing Ready for CA Speedway
March 19th - Larry Pegram feeling confident about his Ducati entering round two of the AMA Superbike championship
Fontana, Calif (19 March 2009) – Team Foremost Pegram Racing has arrived at Fontana, California’s Auto Club Speedway; and have begun tuning their Ducati 1098 R motorcycles for this weekend’s doubleheader.
After a successful first race for the Ducati 1098 R, and a confidence-inspiring return to the Superbike class for rider Larry Pegram; all eyes will be on the Italian bike in Fontana. The Ducati/Pegram combination- which went through the traps at 199.9 mph in Daytona- have historically been a good package at Auto Club Speedway. Larry Pegram finished third and fourth on middleweight Ducatis at the track’s last two races.
“I am really looking forward to this weekend’s races. Fontana is one of my favorite tracks, and Ducati’s have always been good to ride around here,” commented Pegram. “We have sorted out our electronics package since Daytona, and Auto Club Speedway has a long straight where we should be able to stretch the bike’s legs a bit. The track is a good blend of Daytona and a normal road course, so our settings here should prove useful throughout the rest of the season as well.”
This weekend’s Superbike race will be televised on Speed TV March 28th at 10pm EST, or to see a pre-Fontana teaser the Daytona 600cc Superstock race will air this Saturday at 11pm EST.
For a race report, photos and team information please visit www.pegramracing.com; or for more information on Ducati and the revolutionary 1098 R Superbike please visit www.ducatiusa.com
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AMA Scores New Motorcycle Buyers a Federal Tax break in 2009
Vehicles eligible for the motorcycle tax deduction added to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act are likely to include on-road and dual-sport motorcycles, as well as motorscooters and mopeds, according to the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA). The tax deduction -- first reported by the AMA on Feb. 14 -- was added at the eleventh hour to the landmark $787 billion stimulus package that President Barack Obama signed into law on Feb. 17.
"While we are awaiting final language from the Treasury Department, we believe that many motorcycles and scooters will qualify," said Ed Moreland, AMA vice president for government relations. "We have AMA members to thank, because they responded to our appeal to contact their legislators to make sure that motorcycles were part of this inclusive and equitable solution."
Moreland added that the efforts of Harley-Davidson, together with AMA, were instrumental in obtaining the same tax deduction that was provided in the stimulus plan for automobile, light truck and RV purchasers. The law also includes a 10 percent tax credit up to $2,500 for street-legal electric motorcycles purchased by December 2011.
The sales and excise tax deduction applies to motorcycles purchased between Feb. 17 and Dec. 31, 2009, with a GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) less than an 8,500 lbs., and costing less than $49,500. Individuals can take the deduction if they make less than $125,000, or $250,000 for joint filers. The deduction is phased out for taxpayers with income between $125,000 and $135,000 ($250,000 to $260,000 for a joint return). Individuals do not have to itemize to claim the deduction.
What qualifies as a motorcycle in the economic stimulus law? According to section 571.3 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), a motorcycle is defined under federal law as "a motor vehicle with motive power having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground." In addition, a "motor-driven cycle means a motorcycle with a motor that produces 5 brake horsepower or less."
To illustrate the impact of the tax deduction, consider the case of a new motorcycle purchase of $10,500. For a 7.5 percent sales tax rate, the tax would be $787.50. In California which now has a new tax rate of 9.25% starting April 1st, that deduction would be $971.25! To take advantage of the new law, purchasers would include that amount on their 2009 federal income tax return, meaning that their taxable income would be reduced by that amount before taxes are calculated. States set their own sales tax rates, so the actual amount of savings will depend on the taxpayer's state and tax rate.
"This victory indicates that our legislators are starting to recognize how motorcycles reduce traffic congestion, provide efficient use of limited parking, lessen the impact on our roads and bridges and help reduce our dependence on foreign oil," said Moreland.
Moreland added that the AMA would provide additional details of the tax deduction as soon as the Treasury Department issues its final rules. Among the questions to be answered are what model-year products are covered, including yet-to-be-released 2010 models; whether or not all unsold, new models are included, regardless of year; and whether or not off-road motorcycles are included.
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New Kawasaki Europe Racing Team Website Online!
The new 2009 Kawasaki Racing Team Website produced by Kawasaki Europe is now on line and will cover the factory team's performances in the upcoing World Superbike Chapionship which kicks off March 1st at Phillip Island.
Kawasaki will be competing in this championship with the recently formed Kawasaki Superbike Racing Team (riders: Broc Parkes and Makoto Tamada). During recent tests in a.o. Portimao and several Spanish tracks, the riders are coming to grips with the Ninja ZX-10R and the team is making serious steps forward. Today starts another important test for the WSBK team, in Phillip Island. For sure, they'll be ready for the first race!
Kawasaki Motors Europe is also a major contributor to the newly formed Kawasaki Provec Motocard.com team, which will defend our green colour in the World Supersport Championship this year. Results so far have been very promising! Our newly signed rider Joan Lascorz has already smashed lap records during tests on several tracks on the 2009 Ninja ZX-6R and also his team-mate Katsuaki Fujiwara is getting the pace.
The Kawasaki Europe Webiste will also cover the World Motocross Championshp. Check it out at:
kawasaki-racingteam.eu
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SUZUKI AND RIZLA CONTINUE MOTOGP PARTNERSHIP
Team Suzuki Press Office - March 16.- Suzuki Motor Corporation and Imperial Tobacco Group are pleased to announce that they have agreed terms for Rizla - the world's leading rolling papers - to continue to be the title sponsor of the Japanese company's MotoGP team for 2009.
Rizla has been the title sponsor of the Suzuki Grand Prix motorcycle race team for the past three seasons and a further one-year extension will see Suzuki MotoGP stars Loris Capirossi and Chris Vermeulen racing the distinctive 'Rizla blue' Suzuki GSV-Rs during this season's championship.
This is further positive news for Suzuki, following on from two successful tests in 2009 at Sepang in Malaysia and recently at Losail in Qatar. Capirossi and Vermeulen both had equally impressive tests as they were consistently inside the top six at both venues and showed big improvements at the two circuits compared to last year's performances. Both riders benefited from many new developments to this year's Suzuki GSV-R, including changes to aerodynamics, chassis, engine and suspension.
Rizla Suzuki MotoGP will next be in track action at Jerez in Spain at the end of March for the Official MotoGP test, which also includes a televised session. The first race of the year will be a night event, when Rizla Suzuki MotoGP return to Losail on Sunday 12th April.
AMA Pro and Miller Motorsports Park Announce Cancellation of AMA Pro Road Racing Events
AMA Pro Daytona SportBike and SuperSport Races to be Rescheduled at Another Venue
DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (March 20, 2009) - AMA Pro Racing and Miller Motorsports Park officials jointly announced today that the AMA Pro Road Racing events previously scheduled to be part of the FIM World Superbike weekend, May 29 - 31, at the Utah road course have been cancelled. That weekend's AMA Pro Daytona SportBike presented by AMSOIL and AMA Pro SuperSport presented by Shoei races will now be rescheduled for another venue in 2009.
"We worked closely with our friends at Miller Motorsports Park in attempting to conclude a business relationship but in the end we were unsuccessful," said AMA Pro Racing President Roger Edmondson. "Although we are disappointed about this turn of events, we hope to return to the Miller facility in the coming years and look forward to their 2009 FIM World Superbike race that marks the return of reigning AMA Pro Road Racing Champion Ben Spies to his home country."
Miller Motorsports Park has previously run an AMA Pro Road Racing weekend every year since the Salt Lake City road course debuted in 2006.
"AMA Pro Racing has been a part of Miller Motorsports Park since the track opened in 2006," said MMP Director of Racing Mitch Wright, "and we have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship and some great racing during that time. It is most unfortunate that we were unable to reach an agreement with AMA Pro for this year's event, but it was a business decision that had to be made. We hope to be able to have the AMA Pro teams, riders and officials back at Miller Motorsports Park in the years to come."
"It is regrettable that we were not able to agree on terms with AMA Pro Racing for this year's event," said MMP CEO/President Dan Davis. "Roger Edmondson and his group have been great to work with and both sides negotiated in good faith, but we were unable to bridge the gap between what they felt they needed and what we felt was equitable. Hopefully we can work together again in the future."
AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. From its Daytona Beach headquarters, the organization operates and manages AMA Pro Road Racing, which includes AMA Pro American Superbike, AMA Pro Daytona SportBike, AMA Pro SuperSport and AMA Pro SunTrust Moto-GT.
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