Calendar of the World Superbike Championship
Home of the Official SBK Fast Dates Calendar Kittens March 2012 Page 2 AMA Pro Racing at Daytona
2012 LA Calendar Show Welcomes New Sponsors
Calendar Bike Show Winners in Bike Craft Magazine
Motorcycle Racer Magazines partners with the Fast Dates World Supebike Calendar!
Suzuki Heats Up the 2013 British Superbike Championship
with 3 top riders including American ex-patriot PJ Jacobson Team Suzuki Press Office, March 20th - Tyco Suzuki has launched its new 2013 livery for the British Superbike and Supersport Championships at the team's presentation at Snetterton race circuit in Norfolk, UK today. The new GSX-R1000 and GSX-R600 Superbikes that will be ridden by Josh Brookes, PJ Jacobsen and Taylor Mackenzie in the hotly-contested series' feature an eye-catching lighter and brighter new paint scheme that will stand out on the grid when the British Superbike Championship kicks off at Brands Hatch in Kent next month.
Team Manager Philip Neill is delighted with the final colour-scheme and is now looking forward to transferring that enthusiasm to the track on April 5-7th. Said Neill: "After another long hard winter pulling everything together, I hope you'll agree, the 2013 Tyco Suzuki livery is a vibrant and refreshing change and should be easy to spot this season both in British championship and also at International Road Races. It really is good to see the bikes looking so well and it's a credit to everyone involved, including our designers and painters for coming up with something fresh, whilst keeping in tune with the corporate colours of our title sponsor, Tyco Security Products. This also gives us the luxury of keeping all our racing GSX-Rs in the distinctive colours of Suzuki, who we are proud to represent once again in 2013. Hopefully the new livery can be matched by something just as sharp on track this season."
On his riders, Neill added: "Josh Brookes is now in his third year with us at TAS Racing and I'm sure that consistency will prove to be vital in our championship aspirations with him. PJ Jacobsen came in late last year and was like a breath of fresh air to the whole team, but as a BSB series rookie there will be no undue pressure put on him this season. He is a talented individual and will no doubt be looking to push into the sharp-end of the action sooner rather than later on the Tyco Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike.
"Young Taylor Mackenzie is in a similar position with us in the British Supersport class and 2013 will no doubt prove to be a vital stepping-stone in his career. We are looking forward to working with all three riders in both classes and very soon we will be able to give you some International Road Racing news to add to the eclectic mix here at TAS Racing and Tyco Suzuki."
Josh Hayes looked to have even less competition this year in AMA Superbike, than in his last 3 years of domination, but after this weekend's season opener it would be the usually reliable Yamaha R1 that would beat him.
2013 AMA Pro Roadracing Championship
Josh Hayes Posts Double Mechanical DNF's
while leading both Daytona AMA Superbike Season Openers DAYTONA BEACH, Fla, March 15-16th 2013 - 3-time reigning Yamaha AMA Superbike Champion Josh Hayes saw his 2013 season title chase get off to the worst possible start at the Daytona Bike Week season opener as his usually reliable Yamaha R1 Superbike let him down in both of the Superbike races. Hayes' Yamaha team mate Josh Herrin would trade the top and runner-up steps on the podium at the end of both Superbike races with Martin Cardenas on the Yoshimura Suzuki.
Both Superbike races started off with Josh Hayes in the lead ahead of Josh Herrin and Marton Cardenas.
AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike Race 1 Friday DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.March 15, 2013 - Just when things start to feel a bit too certain, the racing gods typically serve up a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the sport. And such was the case in the AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike season opener which capped off a thrilling opening day of GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing race action on Friday at Daytona International Speedway. Josh Hayes' overwhelming pre-race advantage was rendered meaningless less than five laps into the contest and the day's glory was shifted over to his young Monster Energy Graves Yamaha teammate, Josh Herrin, who walked away with the first National Guard SuperBike victory of his career.
Hayes pushed hard to hold onto first at the green light after earlier earning pole position, but that would ultimately prove to be his undoing. Hayes fended off quick starts from Yoshimura Suzuki's Martin Cardenas and Herrin in hopes of making an early escape. Meanwhile, National Guard Jordan Suzuki's Roger Hayden, one of the few riders thought capable of pushing Hayes, saw his race end less than one lap into the opener. The Kentuckian lost the front in the chicane while running third and was unable to continue.
Hayes proved unable to break the pursuit of Herrin, who tucked his identically prepared R1 into the triple champ's draft and the factory Yamahas promptly stretched away from the pack while running in formation.
The building question whether Herrin would be able to make it a fight for the entire 15-lap distance became moot while working lap five as Hayes slowed dramatically and handed the lead over to his teammate. Hayes limped around for a period after that but eventually was forced to retire, the victim of a burned out clutch which he attributed to his aggressive launch off the line.
Hayes' misfortune didn't automatically hand the win over to Herrin, however. Despite building up a two-and-a-half-second advantage on Cardenas, without Hayes to lead the way and suffering from arm pump issues, Herrin was helpless as the Suzuki pilot gobbled up that gap. The reigning AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike champ closed right in on his former DSB rival, slotting in directly behind on lap 8 of 15.
Their position and proximity would remain basically unchanged to the flag from that point on. Cardenas attempted to line Herrin up for a final slingshot maneuver on the last lap but a big wheelie coming onto the banking cost him just enough of drive to allow Herrin to hold him off by 0.135 seconds at the flag.
"It feels really good," new race winner Herrin remarked. "I thought for sure Martin was going to get me on the last lap. I was trying to get him to pass me and it didn't work. I don't want to beat up on myself, but it almost doesn't feel like a win because Josh was out, Roger crashed. But it's still a win and the Monster Energy Graves Yamaha was working good. They've been putting in a lot of hours to get it working even better. I'm really grateful that the thing was fast enough to keep Martin behind me because I knew Martin was right there."
Runner-up Cardenas said, "Herrin and Hayes got away a little bit and I started pushing and pushing. I caught back up to Herrin midway through the race. My plan was to stay there and attack on the last lap because it's Daytona and the draft is very important. But this time it didn't work for me -- I kind of did the chicane badly and he got me a little too much. But second place is a good start to the season and we'll try to do a good job again tomorrow."
Foremost Insurance Pegram Racing's Larry Pegram enjoyed a successful start in his new partnership with Yamaha. Bouncing back from a big (and costly) crash on Thursday, Pegram rode a steady race to the podium in third. - "It's been a while -- I haven't been up here since 2010," the multi-time class race winner said. "I wanted to do well here and yesterday kind of threw me for a loop. I've already crashed the thing and did kind of the same thing once while I was testing. Being that this is my program, you crash these bikes and they get expensive. I was kind of down in the dumps last night, but my guys stepped up for me and said don't worry about that crash. I knew I had to get a good start. I was fifth and Roger fell so I was fourth. Once I got into third I kind of wanted to get through the race and get a podium. Tomorrow will be a bonus so we'll be able to really go for it."
Danny Eslick piloted the Jordan Suzuki to a lonely fourth in his maiden ride aboard the #23 GSX-R1000. Behind him, second Yoshimura Suzuki entry Chris Clark narrowly edged Team Moto Venezuela Kawasaki's Robertino Pietri and Team Hero EBR's Geoff May following a race-long tussle for fifth. Motorsport.com Motul Fly Racing's David Anthony took eighth while another three-way battle decided ninth. KTM/HMC's Taylor Knapp claimed the position, finishing just 0.108 seconds ahead of teammate Chris Fillmore, with Team AMSOIL/Hero EBR's Aaron Yates another 0.002 seconds back in his debut on the EBR 1190RS.
The Geico Gecko share the Saturday Superbike podium with Josh Herrin, Marton Cardenas and Larry Pegram.
AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike Race 2 Saturday Saturday March 16, 2013 - Any residual sense of inevitability hanging over the paddock as a result of Josh Hayes' all-conquering 2012 campaign was promptly shattered in the opening weekend of the 2013 AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike season. Hayes' improbable Friday DNF disaster was doubled up on Saturday, and the three-time defending champ now finds himself in an early hole in his pursuit of a fourth consecutive crown.
In contrast, Martin Cardenas celebrated a spectacular victory in his first weekend with the storied Yoshimura Suzuki squad, one-upping his Friday runner-up. He earned the win after pushing Hayes deep into the race before the Mississippian's Yamaha expired shortly after the two took the stripe for the 12th time in the 15-lapper.
Hayes leapt into the lead at the green light, but was again unable to shake his Monster Energy Graves Yamaha teammate, Josh Herrin, who again tucked right in behind on his #2 R1. Cardenas too got away with the leading Yamahas but appeared to be just barely clinging on to the front, fading to just over a second behind by lap 5. In danger of losing the lead draft, the Colombian summoned a remarkable 1:36.835 lap from his #36 GSX-R1000 (the only '36 of the weekend) to close right back in on the escaping Yamaha pilots, apparently setting the stage for a race-long dogfight to the checkered flag.
The factory Suzuki man used that building momentum to fight his way up to the lead momentarily on lap 8, but Hayes and Herrin displaced him to third once again on the following lap.
However, Herrin bowed out of that battle on lap 10, running off in Turn 1. He re-entered the fray nearly ten seconds back -- still in the top three but joined by the chasing Larry Pegram on the Foremost Insurance Pegram Racing Yamaha YZF-R1.
Hayes managed to eke out a small bit of padding over the subsequent laps but his hard work proved for naught when smoke began to pour out from beneath his machine's fairing and he moved aside, allowing Cardenas to power into the lead and ultimately race home to the second AMA Pro SuperBike victory of his career.
The triumphant Cardenas said, "I didn't expect a win to come this soon in the season. If Hayes didn't have a problem I think he would have ended up first because he was a little bit faster than me today. I'll take it anyway -- anybody can have problems in each race. I'm very happy. I want to thank very much Yoshimura Suzuki for giving me the opportunity to ride for them. This team is awesome."
Some 11 seconds back, Herrin narrowly fended off Pegram to finish second and take an early one-point championship lead over Cardenas. "I felt really good today compared to yesterday in the beginning of the race," Herrin said. "I felt really comfortable sitting behind him. He'd gap me coming out of the chicane but I'd be able to close back up to him every time going into Turn 1. Whenever Martin started dicing it up with us it got pretty crazy. It was fun, it went from just sitting there to having to think about it and be real smart.
"I just didn't pull up hard enough on the lever going into Turn 1 and went into neutral. I was lucky I was able to save it and regroup and hold off Larry to the end." Pegram leaves Daytona with a pair of thirds, his first two trips to podium since the 2010 season.
Pegram said, "It was pretty uneventful today until the end; I had a lot of fun racing with Josh Herrin. I'm not looking forward to the (angry) Josh Hayes that will show up at Road America. We can say whatever we want, but he was the guy to beat in both races and had some bad luck. I'm sure when we show up at Road America he'll be fighting. But hey, we'll take it."
National Guard Jordan Suzuki's Roger Hayden bounced back from yesterday's DNF with fourth after edging new Jordan Suzuki teammate Danny Eslick to the stripe. Cardenas' Yoshimura Suzuki teammate, Chris Clark, beat Team Moto Venezuela PC 4x4 Kawasaki's Robertino for sixth, while Chris Fillmore finished eighth after earlier running in a pack with Clark and Pietri. That pack also included M4 Broaster Chicken Racing's Chris Ulrich, who ultimately finished a bit further back in ninth, and Motosport.com Motul Fly Racing's David Anthony, who ran into troubles late and finished a lap down in 12th). Spaniard Bernat Martinez rounded out the top ten on the Team TJA Valencia Suzuki GSX-R1000.
Triple champ Hayes leaves Daytona with just two points to his name, one for pole and one for leading the most laps today. Meanwhile, Herrin boasts 56 and Cardenas 55. That deficit promises to make for an exciting campaign for fans and a new challenge for Hayes, who won last year's championship by a 154-point margin.
Elena Myers posted the highest ever finish for a woman in Daytona Spotbike with a 10th place finsih on her new Triumph 675 ride.
Beaubier Reprises the Graves Yamaha team with victory in the 600cc Dayona 200 Sportbike Race
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 16, 2013) - Cameron Beaubier won the 72nd DAYTONA 200 on Saturday as the 20-year-old dominated on board his Y.E.S Graves Yamaha YZF-R6 in the famous 200-mile race. Beaubier earned pole and led much of the race by a wide margin, putting his stamp on a GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing event that many racing legends have claimed for themselves over the years.
Beaubier was the fastest man in AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike over the three days, and managed to run a clean 57-lap race with two trouble-free pit stops. He lapped up to fifth place and won by 22.254 seconds in a race with no red flags. The 20-year-old set a high mark as he begins the 2013 AMA Pro season with a stellar race. He led pretty all but seven laps, taking the lead for the last on lap 21 and never looking back.
"I'm pretty tired right now, but I'm just trying to soak everything in," said Beaubier. "I rode as hard as I could the first stint and then be super-consistent. I had one little mess-up -- I ran wide in Turn 1 -- and then after that I just calmed down and kept clicking off laps. My Yamaha Extended Service Monster Energy Graves Yamaha ran awesome. They gave me two awesome pit stops, and I just rode as hard as I could. I can't thank them enough."
His teammate Garrett Gerloff led early in the race before finishing second, ahead of Bobby Fong of the RMR/Triple Crown team. Gerloff was able to make his way clear of Fong, but was unable to run down Beaubier.
Gerloff had a tough crash at Daytona last year and left with a broken leg, but the Texan leaves this year having earned second place. "(The race was) longer than I thought it would be, but it was awesome," said Gerloff. "It was awesome to be in the front group at the beginning and then Cameron started pulling away and we started pulling him back. Every once in a while we'd pass him and then he made a run for it and kind of got away. I tried to catch up but I just couldn't do it. Big thanks to my team for awesome pit stops and all the testing we do. That's why we're 1-2 on the podium. I think this is going to be an awesome year and I just want to keep it rolling."
Fong had a solid race but wanted more. As one of the contenders in the GoPro Daytona SportBike class, Fong has shown he can be as aggressive as any rider in the series. On Saturday, he lost Beaubier's draft. "I made a mistake in the beginning of the race -- the bike was hitting false neutrals, and I let Cameron get away. So I had to ride pretty much by myself the whole time. It was a long race but the training I did this off-season paid off. My bike worked great the whole time -- I was just out there circulating, trying to maintain my position. It's the best finish I've ever had at Daytona so thanks to everyone for helping me out."
RoadRace Factory teammates Jake Gagne and J.D. Beach finished fourth and fifth in the race. The young teammates outlasted a pack of challengers that included Jake Zemke, who retired from the race after leading five laps and battling in the top ten. Steve Rapp, filling in for Dane Westby on the GEICO Honda, earned sixth place with a strong ride. Rapp rode well as a substitute rider, hopping on the bike for the first time Friday morning.
Young rider James Rispoli on the National Guard/Celtic Racing Suzuki had a strong race before losing a bit of steam at the end and taking seventh ahead of Ben Young (Ben Young Racing).
Elena Myers posted the highest ever finish for a woman in Daytona Spotbike with a 10th place finsih on her new Triumph 675 ride.
Two women finished inside the top 10, with Elena Myers (Sturgess Cycle Triumph) getting the nod over Melissa Paris (MPH Racing.) Paris looked to have the position locked up but a pit stop infraction meant she had to serve a ride-through penalty that reversed their order.
Los Angeles Calendar Motorcycle Show Concours d' Elegance
Returns to the Queen Mary, Long Beach, CA on Sunday July 14th 2013
The 2013 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show continues its now 22-year tradition as the premier outdoor streetbike event in America
with top Celebrity Builders, the Calendar Bike Building Championship & Concours d' Elegance, selected Vendors and Exhibitors, the Calendar Girl Music Show and a return to the exciting Queen Mary venue in Long Beach, CA. The Show marks the world premier of next year's new 2014 FastDates.com Motorcycle PinUp Calendars featuring the world's top roadrace and custom motorcycles with the beautiful Calendar Kittens featured in the Calendars in attendance at the Show.
The Calendar Show is broadening its focus from the American V-Twin custom market which had so dominated bike events the past ten years, but has now been so affected by the economic down turn. The Show will still include its popular Pro Builder and Street Custom classes, Cafe Bike / Bobber, and Sportbike/Racebike Clases, and now also include the growing Collector Bike Market for European and Japanese Classics. Show Entries will be placed in a Concours d' Elegance displays on grass and patio walkways in the the Queen Mary's Seawalk Village.
Among the top name custom bike builders expected to attend are former LA Calendar Show winners and featured FastDates.com Calendar bike builders Jim Giuffra and the Spokesmodels of AFT Metric Customs, Russell Mitchell / Exile Cycles, Shinya Kimura / Chabott Engineering, Richard Lock / Mule Motorcycles, Todd Silicato / Todds Cycle, Chris Redpath / MotoGPwerks and many more.
The selected partners for the 2013 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show include Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys, Barnett's Bike Craft Magazine featuring retro and cafe bikes, and Source Media's American V-Twin Group of magazines Hot Bike, Hot Bike Baggers and Street Choppers. The editors from each of the magazines will be in attendance to cover the event, assist in judging their sponsored classes, and choosing the top bikes to appear in their publications. Show producer Jim Gianatsis will be photographing the winning bikes on Monday after the Show to appear in the Magazines and the next FastDates.com Calendars. In addition to the coveted Best of Show and Class Awards, AFT Customs will present its Visionary Award Trophy for the most innovative and exciting bike at the event.
Headlining the live musical entertainment again this year is the all-girl Japanese Rock Band 'Nylon Pink' who will just be returning from their world music tour. Also featured will be some of Southern California's most talented and beautiful signer songwriters. While the Queen Mary's own gourmet restaurant culinary chefs will be preparing an incredible BBQ lunch menu that promises to exceed expectations of what is normally served at bike events. In all, it will be a full day of incredible bikes and builder, beautiful girls, music, food and beverages that will overwhelm all five of the human senses!
The 2013 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show & Concours d' Elegance is just $20 General Admission, and $40 VIP Admission includes a BBQ Lunch w/ Beverage and Queen Mary ghost ship admission. Show capacity is limited and advance ticket purchase is suggested. Purchase Advance Tickets, Vendor and Bike Contest Registration online at: www.FastDates.com/BIKESHOW.HTM.
Calendar Kittens Kinsey, Sabella and the girls from the band Nylon Pink who will again be performing at the 2013 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show, together with Yaniv Evan's 2012 Pro Builder Class Show winner. See more of Yaniv Evans' awesome bikes like this "Black & White" in the Calendar Bike Garage
Calendar Show Winners Featured In Bike Craft Magazine!
Three of the top winning bikes at last year's LA Calendar Motorcycle Show are featured in the Spring 2013 edition of Barnett's Bike Craft magazine, one of the Calendar Shows new media partners together with Thunder Press, Hot Bike, Hot Bike Baggers and Street Choppers magazines.
Garnering the cover and inside features in Bike Craft are Best of Show winner Hideki Hoshikawa / Asterisk Custom Cycles' 'Avanzare' naked Sportster based Streetfighter, Jim Giuffra / AFT Custom's 'Halia" Honda Shadow 750 based Bobber, and a Chris Redpath / MotoGPwerks built Ducati Desmosedici RR ultimate naked Streetfighter. Look for Bike Craft on your favorite new stand and order it online BikeCraftMagazine.com
All three bikes were photographed by Jim Gianatsis with beautiful Calendar Kittens for the 2014 FastDates.com Calendars which will premier at this year's upcoming LA Calendar Motorcycle Show on Sunday July 14, 2013 at the Queen Mary, Long Beach, CA. If you are a talented custom bike builder and are looking to make a name for yourself with International media exposure, you defenitetly want to be there. Info - FastDates.com/BIKESHOW.HTM
Exclusive Autographed Collector's Package! The all new Ducati Corse World Superbikes 224-pg book and the 2013 Fast Date World Superbike Calendar - World Release July 1st 2012
Personally autographed to you (or the name you request on the PayPal.com Order Form) by Jim Gianatsis and shipped direct to you.
For more information or to order the Book or the Calendar individually, unsigned, go to the Sportbike Books and Fast Dates Calendar order pages. $100 Collector's Package, plus $20 USPS Priority Mail Shipping & Handing in the USA.
Newest Calendar Kittens take our Ducati 1199RS replica for a spin....
We are loving our modified Ducati 1199RS Superbike and with two special new accessories - Umbrella Girls USA models and newest FastDates.com Calendar Kittens Jessica and Kelsey! The girls were in the Gianatsis Design studio this month to shoot with photographer Jim Gianatis for the next FastDates.com Calendars, so of course, we had to get them on our street racer replica for a few pictures. The new 5th generation Ducati Panigale Superbike is the best handing, best perfrming sportbike we've ever ridden! Click on the picture to Download the Screensaver. Complete Ducati 1199 Superbike set-up details including the factory Ducati Corse 1199RS Parts Book are on FastDates.com in the Paddock Garage
FastDates.com Calendar Kitten Stickers
FastDates.com Calendar Kitten Stickers on Heavy Duty Die-Cut White Vinyl with peel and place adheasive backing.
We didn't want no whimpy stickers on our bike that fade or blow off at the power car wash. These will make your day.
Drawn for us by famed adult porn cartoonest Amy Mathews, these hot new Calendar Kitten Stickers are a must-have
for your bike, car, toolbox and refridgerator! Size each 3"wide x 6" high, choose the Tease Kitten or Flag Kitten, or both.
Just $5 each, plus $3 S&H USA per design.
Company Imprinted FastDates.com Calendars from Mohn Media
If you would like to have your own Company Calendar for promotional purposes featuring the renown FastDates.com Motorcycle PinUp Photography or other stock photo themes with your own company name imprinted on it at an affordable cost for smaller quantities, please contact image licensee Calendar Publisher iMohn Media / Arvato Calendar Solutions in Germany. They specialize in imprinted calendars of all types of themes, the pets to cas to landscapes, including the popular FastDates.com photography.
BMW Opposed Twin Racer
You've got to be a die-hard BMW fan to roadrace this GS1200 opposed air-cooled twin in a Battle of the Twins or Superbike class agains 1198/1999 twin cylinder Ducati Superbikes. BMW's aircooled engine makes about 60 hp less that then similar displacement watercooled Ducati engines. But even more of a handicap is the reduced cornering angle due to the opposed boxer engine which shows the cornering scrapes on the 4-Valve heads. The use of an automotive style screw jack under the engine also shows how hard it is to get the frameless bike with its single sided shaft drive swingarm up on a centersand for maintaince.
Motorcycle Racer Magazine Partners
with the Fast Dates Calendar March 17th, 2013 - The Fast Dates World Superbike Calendar welcomes Motorcycle Racer Magazine as an Official Partner!
Look for MC Racer logos and ordering informtion in the upcoming 2014 Fast Dates World Superbike Calendar and on FastDates.com, and FastDates.com Calendar ads in future issues of MC Racer and on their website.
The latest issue of Motorcycle Racer Magazine on-sale through the website at www.motorcycleracer.com
This edition features Graeme Crosby as Guest Editor and his thoughts on MotoGP and World Superbikes are revealing - as are the interviews with Dorna's top brass Carmelo Ezpeleta and Javier Alonso. Find out what goes on behind the scenes at Red Bull Rookies, check out the best photos from recent MotoGP tests and discover how Shane Byrne is preparing himself for the coming season - all in this edition of the World's number one road race magazine. We also put the World Supersport Kawasaki and the Norton NRV4 through their paces and talk to Philip Neil at Tyco Suzuki about the GSX-R600.
All that, and more, for just £3.95 which includes postage and packing for UK readers. If you’ve not seen Racer for a while, here’s a quick update. They ’ve upgraded the quality of the paper, the design, the reproduction of photos and added a special fold out cover with a different three page poster to enjoy each month.
In great Britain and world-wide call 44 0161 443 1000 if you prefer to buy over the ‘phone. They take PayPal and all major credit and debit cards these days, to make life easier.
Orianthi - Heaven In This Hell
Album Release Show at the Whisky On Sunset
Sunday March 17th, Hollywood, CA - There's more than one reason why I live in Los Angeles, besides it being the motorcycle capital of America for bikes and riding. If you are into music like I am, you can get to see some of the best musical talent and singers in the world performing in the local Hollywood club scene. My favorites like The Pretty Reckless, Delta Rae, Grace Potter, and now this past weekend Orianthi!
Legendary jazz rock guitarist Carlos Santana calls Orianthi one of the "best rock guitarists" on the music scene today. We first discovered her some 5 years ago when her first album "Violet Journey" was released, and were after been waiting for her to perform her first solo Show ever since. Usually she just performs on tour with other bands or in the studio. It finally happened this past weekend with a small club show for just 200 fans at the legendary Whisky A GoGo on the Sunset strip where she performed at the release of her 3rd album entitled Heaven In This Hell. Click on my autographed CD cover at left to Sample and Order it. Cheers - Jim Gianatsis
Ducati Corse
World Superbikes
by Alan Cathcart
& Jim Gianatsis
The Official SBK
World Superbikes
1987-2012
25 Year History Book
The Official SBK
2012-2013 Yearbook These SBK Yearbooks are the Best Books Ever about World Superbike. They feature awesome color photography of the riders, bike and racing action. The feature a detailed revue of the past season in pictures and statistics, with a detailed look at the bikes and riders.
Plus a technical look data all the bikes, a preview of the upcoming season's Championship!
We buy this every year ourselves and highly recommend it!
SBK World Superbike Video Game
Ducati achieves expectations with impressive 2012 year-end sales figures
• Record 2012 year-end results
• +16% over 2011 revenues with a record 44,102 motorcycles delivered to customers in 2012
• +21% growth in US market, now confirmed as Ducati’s primary-focus
Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy) 12 March 2013 – The “Audi Annual Press Conference” held in Ingolstadt, Germany today presented an opportunity to showcase the latest details of the Ducati acquisition to the world’s press, including the outstanding results achieved by the company during the last year.
With Ducati experiencing continuous growth in terms of market share and production and sales volumes, 2012 has now been confirmed as a record year in the long history of the famous Italian manufacturer. These outstanding results further underline the security of the company which is, also thanks to the Audi Group acquisition, better structured and organised than ever before and ready to confidently face future challenges.
“Ducati closed 2012 with revenues of 606 million euro, an increase of 16% compared with 2011 and a total of 44,102 motorcycles delivered to customers,” declared Gabriele Del Torchio, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding. “Our growth rate has been especially impressive in the US, currently our primary-focus market, with sales up by 21% compared to 2011, confirming an absolutely positive trend for this country, where Ducati sales have increased consistently for the past 30 months. We are also achieving major results and important goals throughout the Far East, thanks to a marketing policy which specifically targets new and emerging markets and has returned growth in terms market share and profits.
“With new stakeholders in the company, Ducati has never been so solid, and these positive figures confirm the value and commitment of all the company staff and of our brand, increasingly popular, appreciated and renowned all over the world. The 2013 product range, including the new Multistrada, Hypermotard, Hyperstrada and 1199 Panigale R models, is the expression of technological excellence and the emotional impact of our products, ever-important in the current, highly competitive economic climate, perfectly complements our unmistakable, all-Italian style. Ducati is today, and will continue to be, a product-oriented company, with development and innovation as the milestones of our growth strategy.”
Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A – An Audi Group Company
Founded in 1926, Ducati has been producing sport-inspired motorcycles since 1946. Their motorcycles are characterised by “Desmodromic” performance engines, innovative design and avant-garde technology. Covering several market segments, Ducati's range of motorcycles are divided into model families which include: Diavel, Hypermotard, Monster, Multistrada, Streetfighter and Superbike. These authentic icons of “made in Italy” are sold in over 80 countries around the world, with concentration on the European, North-American and Asia Pacific markets. Ducati competes in both the World Superbike Championship and, with an official team, the World MotoGP Championship. In Superbike Ducati has won 17 Manufacturers' titles and 14 Riders' titles and in 2011 passed the historic milestone of 300 race victories. Ducati have participated in MotoGP since 2003, and took both the Manufacturers' and Riders' titles in 2007.
FIM Superbike & Supersport World Championships –
2013 Updated Calendar Now Includes Turkey
March 8th - Today the FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) has issued the final version of the 2013 FIM World Superbike and World Supersport Championships and FIM Superstock 1000 Cup calendar.
It is confirmed that this includes 15 Rounds: the new entry of Intercity Istanbul Park (Turkey), scheduled for September 15th – and no round will be held on the June 23rd. The two events previously marked as "STC" are now confirmed.
See our Offical Race Schedules and Coverage in the
Far Left Column
Meet 2013 Calendar Kitten
Shannon Baucom
MV Agusta M4
The Devil Made Us Do It! Testing the Ducati Diavel in Italy
New BMW HP4 Superbike
Sudco High Performance & OEM Replacement Parts
High Speed - the Movie The best motorcycle racing movie ever made! Filmed on location at the World Superbike races , this an exciting romantic drama staring beautiful British actress Sienna Miller.
EDELWEISS OFFERS NEW and AFFORDABLE MOTORCYCLE TOUR ALONG THE DOLOMITES WITH CHALLENGING ROADS, OVERWHELMING MOUNTAIN SCENERY AND ITALIAN CUISINE AT ITS FINEST.
The Dolomites are a must for a passionate biker – come with us on an unforgettable motorcycle tour. The countryside is dominated by mountains, rivers, and gorge-like valleys, which have just space enough for a road and railroad tracks; but there are also bigger towns like Bolzano, where our base hotel is located.
Thinking about Italian culture you will notice quite a big difference from what you may expect; building style, cultures, languages, bilingual road signs and special foods show that varied peoples and ideas peacefully co-exist here. The Sella Ronda is a very good warm-up for the following days and our rides to Penserjoch, Jaufenpass and Timmelsjoch.
Eight more passes are on our schedule for the next day and we will have the opportunity to stop in the nice little town of Cortina d’Ampezzo, well known from the Olympics in 1956. Now it’s time to make a decision: go to Venice for sightseeing or collect 10 more passes? Tough call! The last riding day leads us south to the wonderful Lake Garda, with swimming and riding at its best.
Find Out More
THROUGH THE ALPINE WONDERLAND OF AUSTRIA AND SOUTHERN GERMANY – THE ALPS AND LAKES MOTORCYCLE TOUR!
The Alps and Lakes motorcycle tour takes you through a beautiful part of European motorcycle paradise; the Alps. The contrast between the beautiful lakes in southern Germany and Austria and the towering mountains that reach up to more than 10,000 ft is nothing less than breathtaking.
This area is the famous background for the movie „Sound of Music“. This vacation offers a little bit of everything: beautiful and relaxing rides through the valleys; some mountain roads and passes; and great vistas and sights, including King Ludwig‘s castle, Herrenchiemsee, and the historic city of Salzburg. The tour consists of five riding days, one of them is a rest day – which means that you stay two nights at the same hotel.
This is a great opportunity to explore a little bit more, ride around the countryside, walk through town, meet the locals and sample some of the local food. The tour will take you through Germany and Austria, and on the rest day you can even add Italy to your list if you are so inclined.
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All Rounds include Superbike and 600cc Superstock except Miller USA is Superbike only
European rounds also Include 1000cc Superstock
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2013 MotoGP DATE/REPORT TRACK LINK Apr 7 - Qatar – Doha Losail
Apr 21 - Americas, Austin TX
May 5 - Spain, Jerez Frontera
May 19 - France, Le Mans
June 2 - Italy, Mugello
June 16 - Catalunya,Catalunya
June 29 - Netherlands,AssenTT
July 7 - Germany,Sachsenring
July 21 - USA, Laguna Seca (Only MotoGP class)
Aug 18 - USA, Indianapolis
Aug 25 - Czech Rep, Brno
Sept 1 - GB, Silverstone
Sept 15 - SanMarino Misano
Sept 29 - Aragon Motorland
Oct 13 - Malaysia, Sepang
Oct 20 - Australia, Phillip Is
Oct 27 - Japan, Motegi
Nov 10- Valencia, Ricardo
2012 MotoGP DATE/REPORT TRACK LINK Apr 8 - Qatar – Doha Losail April 29 - Spain, Jerez Frontera May 6 - Portugal, Estoril May 20 - France, Le Mans June 3 - Catalunya, Catalunya June 17 - UK, Silverstone June 30 - Netherlands, Assen (Saturday Race) July 8 - Germany,Sachsenring July 15 - Italy, Mugello July 29 - USA, Laguna Seca (Only MotoGP class) Aug 19 - USA, Indianapolis Aug 26 - Czech Rep, Brno Sept 16 - SanMarino Misano Sept 30 - Aragon Motorland Oct 14 - Japan, Motegi Oct 21 - Malaysia, Sepang Oct 28 - Australia, Phillip Is Nov 11- Valencia, Ricardo
2013 AMA Superbike DATE/REPORT TRACK LINK Mar 14-16 Daytona FL
May 4-6 Infineon CA
M 31-J 22 Road America WI
June 2123 Barber, AL
July 12-14 Mid-Ohios
July 19-20 Laguna Seca CA
Aug 2-4 Miller MSports, UT
Aug 16-18 Indianapolis IN
Sept 13-15 New Jersey
Sepr 27-29 Laguna Seca CA
2012 AMA Superbike DATE/REPORT TRACK LINK Mar 15-17 Daytona FL Apr 20-22 Road Atlanta, GA May 4-6 Infineon CA May 25-28 Miller Mtrsports UT
June 1-2 Road America WI June 22-24 Bartber, AL
July 13-15 Mid-Ohios
July 27-29 Laguna Seca CA Sept 7-9 New Jersey MSports
Sept 21-23 Homestead-Miami Oct 5 - 7 NOLA Motorsports Park, New Orleans
2012 British Superbike Click Date for Race Report DATE/REPORT TRACK LINK
April 6-9 Brands Hatch Indy
Apr 13-15 Thruxton May 5-7 Oulton Park May 25-27 Snetterton
June 22-24 Knockhill
July 01-03 Snetterton July 6-8 Oulton Park July 20-22 Brands Hatch GP
Aug 25-27 Cadwell Park Sept 7-9 Donnington Park Sept 21-23 Assen
Sept 28-30 Silverstone GP Oct 12-14 Brands Hatch GP
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India's Budd International Circuit added to 2013 World SBK Calendar as Final Round
As the World Superbike Championship enters its 26th year in 2013, a record 15-16 rounds will be featured on the schedule.
Jan 15th - The newest additions are the Buddh International Circuit near New Delhi in India, Jerez in Spain, and the one that’s going to excite American World SBK fans – Laguna Seca Mazda Raceway. World Superbike has only visited the Jerez circuit – a normal on the MotoGP schedule – one other time back in 1990.
The FIM moved the Buddh WSBK date from March 10 to Nov. 17, which is the final round. The FIM says: “The World Superbike race in India has been moved from 10 March to 17 November due to an insufficient period of time to properly finalize the training of the marshals and medical staff around the racetrack.
“FIM representatives will be at the Indian track on 19, 20, and 21 this January in order to carry out the final racetrack homologation and provide the relevant seminars about the different aspects involved in the sporting organization of the event.”
The 2013 World Superbike schedule is lacking three circuits that were on the 2012 calendar – Misano (San Marino), Brno (Czech Republic) and Miller Motorsports Park (Utah, USA). But one of these may return (likely Brno or Misano).
In February, World Superbike, which will be marketed under the same umbrella as MotoGP with Dorna Sports, confirmed it would return to Sentul, Indonesia, where the series competed from 1994 to 1997. But things appear to be pushed back another year. Portimao is scheduled for round 8 June 7-9, but is still subject to contract.
As tradition, the 2013 World Superbike Championship will get underway at Phillip Island, next year’s Australian race held Feb. 22-24. World Superbike will also hold the official test the Monday and Tuesday before the season at Phillip Island, which is the most frequently visited venue in World SBK history. The series has met there 22 times since 1988.
The 2013 World Superbike finale will take place Nov. 17 at Buddh International Circuit. Heading into 2013 World Superbike, the man who would have donned the number-one plate, Max Biaggi, retired. The Aprilia Racing Team rider won the 2012 World SBK Championship, his second title in the series (first arriving in 2010 with Aprilia).
2013 World Superbike Provisional Calendar:
February 24: Phillip Island, Australia
April 14: Aragon, Spain
April 28: Assen, Netherlands
May 12: Monza, Italy
May 26: Donington, UK
June 9: Portimao, Portugal
June 23: TBA
June 30: Imola, Italy
July 21: Moscow Raceway, Russia
August 4: Silverstone, UK
September 1: Nurburgring, Germany
Sept 29: Laguna Seca USA
October 6: Magny-Cours, France
October 20: Jerez, Spain
November 17: Buddh International Circuit, India
Federal agency wants separate E10 fuel pumps at certain gas stations that sell E15 ethanol-gasoline blend
PICKERINGTON, OH – Feb 11, 2013 – In response to concerns expressed by the American Motorcyclist Association and power equipment makers, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued new guidelines to help ensure that motorcyclists and others don’t inadvertently use E15 fuel.
E15 is a new fuel blend of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline that the EPA has approved for use in 2001-and-newer passenger vehicles. The blend isn’t approved for use in motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, boats, lawn mowers and other engines, and may even damage them and void warranties.
E10, which is commonly found at gas stations, contains 10 percent ethanol. E0 fuel has no ethanol. Ethanol is grain alcohol produced from crops such as corn that is mixed with gasoline to produce an ethanol-gasoline blend motor fuel.
Last year, Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations, told the EPA that with E15 now coming into the market, AMA members who make a concerted effort to fuel their motorcycles or ATVs with E10-or-less fuel may unknowingly refuel with residual E15 left in a blender-pump hose. A blender pump dispenses different fuel blends through the same hose, such as E10 and E15. When a customer buys E15, as much as a third of a gallon of residual E15 is left in the hose, which can inadvertently get into the next customer’s vehicle while fueling with E10.
“In an effort to address this potential misfueling issue, EPA approved an industry-submitted [approach] that requires a minimum purchase of four gallons from blender pumps that dispense both E10 and E15 from the same hose and nozzle,” the EPA said. “Such an approach would prevent misfueling by diluting any residual E15 left in the hose from the previous sale of E15.
“However, groups representing motorcycle owners and lawn mower manufacturers objected to this [approach] because their products have gas tanks that are normally two gallons or smaller,” the EPA said.
So, on Feb. 7, the EPA posted a new option for retailers on its website’s “E15: Misfueling Mitigation Plans” page to try to avoid misfueling by consumers.
Under the new option, retailers who use a blender pump to sell E15 and E10 fuel through the same hose must also have a separate E10/E0 fuel pump. Those retailers would be required to have a label on the blender pump that reads: “Passenger Vehicles Only. Use in Other Vehicles, Engines and Equipment May Violate Federal Law.” Retailers would also be required to have signs indicating the location of the dedicated E10-or-lower fuel pump. There would be no minimum-fuel-purchase requirement at that pump.
Retailers who want to sell E15 also have the option of having a dedicated E15 pump or hose, or a pump that dispenses E15 and higher ethanol blends through a single hose. If a blender pump dispenses multiple fuels that include E15 and higher ethanol blends, the EPA may require a minimum purchase requirement.
The AMA has repeatedly expressed concerns to government officials and federal lawmakers about possible damage to motorcycle and ATV engines caused by the inadvertent use of E15 when the new fuel becomes widely available. The AMA also has asked that motorcycles and ATVs be part of any scientific study into the effects of E15 to ensure that the new fuel blend won’t damage those engines.
In October 2010, the EPA approved the use of E15 in model year 2007 and newer light-duty vehicles (cars, light-duty trucks and medium-duty passenger vehicles). Then, in January 2011, the EPA added model year 2001-06 light-duty vehicles to the approved list.
CARB hits Vance & Hines with $500K penalty
Publish Date: Feb 11, 2013
SANTA FE SPRINGS, Calif. - Vance & Hines settled in January with the California Air Resource Board to pay a penalty of $500,000 for selling, prior to Jan. 1, 2013, emissions-related parts not approved by the board. The exhaust maker has taken actions to ensure no further enforcement related to the parts befalls dealers or customers.
According to the notice posted on the ARB website, the board applied the penalty to about 2,000 units at about $250 per unit.
“V&H promptly and fully cooperated with ARB during the investigation, and as a result, has already implemented a compliance plan to inform its distributors, dealers and customers about the types of motorcycle exhaust systems that are legal for sale in the state,” said the CARB notice. “In addition, V&H is actively working with ARB’s Aftermarket Parts Section to ensure that all of its aftermarket critical emission control parts that are sold, offered for sale, or advertised in California obtain the necessary exemptions from ARB.”
Vance & Hines has issued its own news release in which company president Paul Langley said: “We are pleased to have resolved this matter with ARB, and to have worked out an approach that should avoid future misunderstandings about the proper use of our exhaust systems and emissions-related parts. … We are committed to ensuring that our parts fully comply with applicable air quality standards in California, and that our customers and business partners understand the appropriate fitment and uses.”
Vance & Hines said the settlement protects its distributors, dealers and customers from further claims or liability with respect to covered part sales occurring prior to Jan. 1, 2013.
The history of CARB approval for emission-related aftermarket goes back about half a decade. In 2009, at the request of the motorcycle industry, ARB adopted a process for the exemption of aftermarket “critical emission control parts” on motorcycles ridden on streets. Manufacturers of such parts (like aftermarket catalytic exhausts and oxygen sensors) must apply for and receive ARB Executive Orders that exempt the parts from California’s anti-tampering laws.
ARB has posted on its website a list of motorcycle aftermarket critical emission control parts that have received an exemption, including a couple of Vance & Hine Harley applications.
CARB also deems some products “replacement parts” that don’t require an Executive Order because they don’t affect emissions. Examples are exhaust systems for motorcycles that were certified without catalytic converters or sensors. Vance & Hines said the majority of its exhaust systems have some applications in which they can be sold and used as replacement parts.
'Mr. Daytona' Scott Russell to headline AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Breakfast at Daytona, presented by Motul, during Bike Week
PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame is pleased to announce that "Mr. Daytona" -- five-time Daytona 200 winner Scott Russell -- will be the featured guest at its annual AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Breakfast at Daytona, presented by Motul, on Friday, March 15, 2013, 7:00 a.m., at the Daytona 500 Club on the infield at Daytona International Speedway.
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