MotoGP is due to arrive at the Silverstone track for the AirAsia British Grand Prix in June, the multi million dollar work currently occurring to improve the venue is still on track for completion by the end of March.

The Northamptonshire track will boast a fresh circuit layout, plus an improved viewing area which will make the MotoGP World Championship’s comeback to Silverstone since 1986, a special event.

Richard Phillips, Managing Director of Silverstone Circuits Limited, states, “Work on the circuit and venue is on schedule. The team has been working around the clock, through some pretty terrible weather conditions, to make sure the circuit is ready on time. The track works at Brooklands and Woodcote are now complete, including the new run-off area for the fast entry into Pits Straight, while the major new development – the new section of circuit from Abbey, up to the Arena Complex and round to the National Straight – is also coming along nicely.”

Phillips adds, “There is still a considerable amount of work going on at Silverstone, including the new elevated banks and spectator viewing areas, which will continue beyond March. Conference and hospitality buildings are also being built on the new Stowe Complex.”

Click here to read more

Fiat Yamaha colleagues Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo, enjoyed a three day visit to Indonesia, a country with a main market for Yamaha. Rossi arrived immediately after testing in Malaysia last week, while Lorenzo came from Spain where he has been recovering following an injury to his hand.

Rossi visited Medan initially which is Indonesia's third biggest city, he was involved in a press conference with Yamaha Motor Indonesia's upper management. The press conference launched the ‘Semakin di Depan' program sponsorship, which will enable Yamaha Motor Indonesia's ‘One Step Ahead' motto to be carried out on the YZR-M1, plus the competitors' leathers this year.

Rossi then arrived at ‘PT.Alfa Scorpii', Indonesia's second biggest Yamaha Dealer, for the opening of its fresh showroom, also there were over 400 clients and media. Following the voyage to Medan, the World Hero arrived at Surabaya, Indonesia's second biggest city.  He greeted PT. Surya Timur Sakti Jatim, Indonesia's Yamaha Main Dealer.  Eventually he also visited the DBL Arena to liaise with approximately 4,000 Yamaha clients.

Lorenzo arrived to Indonesia's ‘Flower City' Bandung, where he participated in a press conference to launch the ‘Semakin di Depan' sponsorship. He also excelled in a warm welcoming at an exclusive fan meeting where he signed many autographs and liaised with local media. Following, he visited Jogjakarta, the place where traditional Indonesian art of batik is used, and met more Yamaha clients there along with enjoying some outdoor activities at the malls in Jogjakarta.

Click here to read more

The end of the second testing at Sepang allowed Valentino Rossi to be at the top of the timesheet yet again, this time the Doctor was quicker than his own pole position record he set at the track in 2009 at the Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

A super quick lap of 2’00.271 was nearly three tenths of a second faster, as Rossi worked on the last day testing his electric packages, a fresh wheel for Bridgestone, and assessing the overall modifications so far on the M1.

“I'm really happy to have beaten my pole record, it's a good feeling to be this fast in testing,” says Rossi. “I did this with an old tyre but we also got the chance to try a very good new tyre from Bridgestone today, which I hope we will use from the first race. Our bike is in great shape; we need to do a bit more work on the electronics but in general everything is better, especially the rear grip and the engine. Yamaha have been very clever in developing this new bike whilst keeping the best parts of the old one.”

Rossi also rode a couple of laps on the Yamaha test squad’s bike, proving valuable data for future development of the M1,  he is now excited about the last pre-season testing in Qatar beginning March 18th.

“It was good to get the chance to try the Japanese test bike, hopefully the feedback I gave them will help us in the future,” adds Rossi.

Click here to read more

Carmelo Ezpeleta who is the CEO of Dorna Sports, has arrived at the headquarters of Inmotec in Pamplona on Monday to see the progress occuring by the Spanish company on their GPI 10 bikes.

Mr Ezpeleta, who is visiting a Sports Marketing and Sponsorship Congress in Pamplona, saw first hand the development progress of the Inmotec GPI 10 machine, due to participate in a class of MotoGP World Championship events this season. Heading for its debut at the Gran Premi Aperol de Catalunya on July 4th, it will be the initial Spanish bike to race in the MotoGP World Championship, with Catalán competitor Iván Silva.

Inmotec is headed by Óscar Gorría, they have maintained its development program over the winter season. Early in February, the squad worked on fresh aerodynamic modifications in a wind tunnel, plus incorporated testing at various tracks.   Inmotec is now erecting its second MotoGP machine with different evolutions.

Click here to read more

There is a fresh face in the MotoGP paddock this season, Dutchman Wilco Zeelenberg who will manage Jorge Lorenzo’s side of the Fiat Yamaha team garage.

Zeelenberg has arrived from Yamaha’s supersport squad where he claimed the 2009 world championship with British competitor Cal Crutchlow.   A career stemming from the late 80s to the mid 90s in the World Championship where he competed in the 250cc session, claiming 11 podiums and a victory throughout his experience in almost 100 Grands Prix.

“It was of course a pity to leave supersport, but it’s a really big challenge to fight in the highest class of motorcycle racing in MotoGP. Jorge is a fantastic rider and I’m looking forward to this new season,” explains Zeelenberg. “It’s always been a pressure to get good results and to perform so I’ve been used to it since I was three years old, because that’s when I started riding myself! I don’t feel it as a pressure.”

Returning to the World Championship scene as a Manager, Zeelenberg adds: “I left this paddock maybe 15 years ago and when I return to the GP paddock now I see many of the same faces in each pit box, a couple I actually know from the past. So it’s nice to come back.”

Commenting on his goals for the year ahead with Lorenzo, Zeelenberg states, “He’s a very motivated and focused young kid and I think that’s one of his big advantages. We don’t have to motivate him, he is really eager to win. I think the first three or four races of the season will be very important – to perform well and not make mistakes. Valentino is a very experienced rider and he will take advantage of every mistake made by other riders. I think the young guys will push harder when they make a mistake, and at the fifth, sixth, seventh rounds they will push and maybe make even more mistakes. Jorge knows that he can beat anybody when everything is correct, but he should also understand that if not everything is perfect for that race he must be able to sit back and take a podium.”

He adds: “I think Jorge needs somebody who believes in him because there are of course two good riders in the one team. I think we need to focus on him and he has ten guys who are now really working for Jorge, and I think we should show him that. I think then he can perform as he is able to, and that will help him throughout the season. You have to perform well when it’s the right moment, and you have to make the right decision when everything is not 100%.”

With a sound technical knowledge to Lorenzo’s team, Zeelenberg gives his view on the new YZR-M1 prototype.

“The base bike is quite similar (to 2009) so we have an advantage with that I think. Each track we arrive at we can use our base set-up from last year. That means we can arrive at a track at which we won last year and start from a good base, and at a track where we had some problems we know what to adjust.”

Summarising, Zeelenberg adds his thoughts on the new restrictions of using six engines over all 18 rounds of the 2010 World Championship.

Click here to read more

The test at Sepang last week was the sole time LCR Honda competitor Randy de Puniet took to the circuit on the 2010 version of the RC212V prototype, the feedback from the squad confirmed much important data was received.

De Puniet worked on the fresh machine along with a variety of settings, including chassis and suspension modifications.

LCR Honda Team Manager Lucio Cecchinello gives his ideas on the new engine after Sepang.

“It has been a positive development that Honda has changed their policy. We have a bike that is completely new and we are working a lot because it is more complicated than last season,” begins Cecchinello.

“The bike is a work of art; it is very meticulous in every detail and has many possibilities for adjustment. It has a new software management programme for the traction control system and another set of parameters for fuel consumption etc, which are also types of software that are actually very complicated. I think that the engineers will have fun!”

Cecchinello adds: “The bike is very different, because it is shorter and the weight distribution is different. It has transferred much of the weight to the rear to gain traction, and the centre of gravity is also higher. Right now it is giving us a lot of work because we must find the correct setting for Randy.”

The next test is due on February 24-26 at Sepang once more, Cecchinello and his squad have much to do in between.

Click here to read more

Bridgestone tyres have had the exact same specifications as previously used in the Malaysian Grand Prix last season, giving the squads a guaranteed entity to aid their setting up works at testing time in Sepang.

In wet and dry conditions, competitors have gained the opportunity to add valuable data on slick and hard compound tyres. Many racers began their dry test with the softer of the slick wheel compounds, however the harder option was favoured as it gained more durability during circuit temperatures at a high of 55°C.

The test was also an imperative chance for Bridgestone to liaise with all the new squads and racers that are participating this season.

The part of Bridgestone’s engineers is crucial this year with the pre-season testing being reduced to only six days. They play a significant role is choosing the best suited tyre compounds and locating optimum setting up per bike as soon as possible, particularly to rookie racers who have limited knowledge of competing with Bridgestone tyres in the premier session.

Tohru Ubukata – Manager, Bridgestone Motorcycle Tyre Development Department states, “I am pleased with the way the test has gone from a tyre perspective, both in terms of outright performance and durability. We can see that our tyres are still suitable for all the manufacturers’ new bikes, and Jorge (Lorenzo) completed a race distance at the end of the final day with consistent times throughout so this is good.”

“We specifically chose to use the same tyre specifications as selected for last year’s Grand Prix to assist the teams in setting up their new bikes by keeping the tyres constant, therefore making their existing data more valid.

Click here to read more

Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso were very happy after the testing of the 2010 MotoGP last Friday, with each competitor satisfied with the achievements that followed.

Pedrosa ended the second and last day of testing as the fourth fastest racer on the RC212V. The Spaniard took advantage of the wet weather to test his fresh engine, with a modified electronics package.

“We got through a lot more testing today and I can say that we improved significantly - and that’s important in terms of finding a good direction to follow,” says Pedrosa, with a best lap of 2’01.822. “We were working mainly on the rear suspension and we’ve managed to collect a lot of data that should help us for the next test here in two weeks’ time. We were also testing swingarms and at the end of the day I could feel the improvements, and so I’m happy about that.”

He adds: “Yesterday (Thursday) it took me longer to get into a rhythm on the machine because it was the first day back in the saddle, but today it was much better - though I’m not at 100% yet. To have the second test here in just two weeks is really good for us. I haven’t asked for new parts because me and the team think it’s better to analyse what we’ve found here and focus on that. I’m going home satisfied.”

Dovizioso added to the detailed testing regime which was designed to modify settings for this season’s machine, his main focus on suspension set up. The Italian stated the electronics have had improvement in many parts of the RC212V’s performance.

“I leave Sepang feeling positive and I’m confident for the next test because we have clear ideas about the direction we have to follow,” states Dovizioso, with a best lap of 2’02.272. “Today we worked on the suspension and tested some set-up options - with positive results. I’m happy because, thanks to the electronics, the package has improved in all aspects - but there is still a job to do.”

He continues: “In particular we need to take another step forward regarding the balance.

Click here to read more

A hectic initial day of testing for the official MotoGP competitors finsihed at the Sepang International Circuit on Thursday, as work on this season's prototypes continues.

Fiat Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi claimed the quickest time of the track out of 17 racers, the Doctor’s time of 2’01.411 on the fresh M1 was only just under a second off the pace (2’00.518) which gave him pole spot last year at the circuit.

Casey Stoner’s Ducati Desmosedici GP10 was cleared by a gap of 0.491s, as the Aussie gave 42 laps altogether. The Ducati Marlboro squad are testing clean fresh forks and two fairings, both were used in the last four events of 2009.

Colin Edwards was happy with his session on the M1 of the Monster Yamaha Tech3 squad. The American was the third and last racer to come in under the 2’02 mark, with a best time of 2’01.932.

The initial rider out on circuit for the day ahead was Loris Capirossi, who arrived at 9.07am. The Italian came in as the fourth fastest lap of day one, his 58 laps gave a time of 2’02.102. The Suzuki squad has three chassis's to test for the competitor, while the new motor will be due at the following Sepang test at the end of February.

Jorge Lorenzo turned 57 laps to set a time of 2’02.165, he also raced the new M1. He ended the day with a 0.754s gap to colleague Rossi.

Repsol Honda are testing their fresh bike with some amendments to the chassis. Their motor, which has been enhanced for better endurance, and new electrics are being trialled by Andrea Dovizioso and Dani Pedrosa, they arrived sixth and eighth respectively. The Italian was 0.465s after Lorenzo, with Ducati Marlboro’s Nicky Hayden in seventh spot with 2’02.792.

Click here to read more

The fresh looking Aspar MotoGP squad will arrive at the circuit on Thursday with competitor Héctor Barberá racing the Ducati Desmosedici GP10 at the official testing in Sepang. After approximately 20 years racing in the 125cc and 250cc classes, this year will be the initial structuring managed by Jorge Martínez ‘Aspar’ that will occur in the premier class.

Martínez’s colleague, Héctor Barberá, has been chosen to race the Desmosedici GP10 after an excellent campaign in 250cc session last season, Team Director Gino Borsoi will oversee the new direction for Team Aspar in MotoGP.

“The work completed over these days will be very important,” explains the Italian. “It’s the first time we’ll be in Malaysia as a MotoGP team, so it’s new for us. There is a lot of work for Héctor and the team to undertake. He will have to adapt to the bike in the heat here in Malaysia. We will work as a team and find the right way to approach MotoGP.”

Regarding his contribution, Borsoi adds: “I am Team Director in Aspar across all three categories. This year I will concentrate mostly on MotoGP as there is a lot of work to do, but will still be in charge of Moto2 and 125cc.”

Click here to read more

Jorge Lorenzo has posed for photographs by Joan Valls for a collection named ‘A tear for Africa’, that has been arranged by the journalist in order to raise money for the non-governmental organisation Caya-Africa, a charity known for aiding imrpovement to the life expectancy of the continent.

Lorenzo was photographed in a shirt of the Spanish champions with a black tear below his left eye, along with others who were part of the photoshoot. FC Barcelona players Lionel Messi, Carles Puyol and Gerard Piqué, RCD Espanyol’s Carlos Kameni and Raúl Tamudo, swimmer Gemma Mengual and tennis stars Maria Kirilenko, Carla Suárez and Anabel Medina also participated, the exhibition will be premiered in Barcelona on February 11th.

Click here to read more

Ben Spies will arrive back to competition racing this week for the initial MotoGP Test of the season at Sepang, after not having raced a motorcycle in over two months.

A second test at the same track three weeks later will be the main goal for Spies when he prepares to take to the circuit on Thursday and be attempting to locate his first feeling with the bike he will race with for this year.

“The good thing is that we go back again three weeks later, so I’m not in a rush at all to prove anything in the first test,” explains Spies. “Time-wise I’m not so concerned, I just want to put laps in and mess with the bike so I’m actually changing things. After the test at Valencia we didn’t change anything with the bike, so really I’ll just get a solid set-up and then we’ll go back there again in three weeks and that’s where I’ll really start trying to get down to my business, doing the best I can and getting up to speed. This first test is more just a shakedown. I’ve not ridden a motorcycle since the Valencia race, I haven’t ridden a motocross bike – I haven’t done anything. I’ve just been lying low, so I have to knock the dust off and start working with the new team and see how that goes.”

When prompted about the M1 he will race this year, Spies adds: “Honestly I don’t know! I’m going to ride it as hard as I can whatever I’m given. I would like to say that with the new engine rules and things like that, that I feel that a satellite team bike from any manufacturer is going to be closer than it has been in recent years, just because it’s a lot cheaper on a manufacturer to produce. But I really can’t tell you what I’m going to be on compared to what the factory guys will be on, or if it’s going to be the same identical bike. I have no clue right now but I’m just going to show up in Malaysia and start clicking off laps, and start that learning process.”

Spies’ preparations have encountered his normal routine which incorporates fitness work and lots of cycling, he has competed in events to keep a racing focus.

“I’ve been doing a lot of physical preparation. My training during the season will be a little bit different because I’ll be doing one race in a day instead of two: I’ll have to consult with my trainer,” he says. “So far though I’ve just been putting in a lot of miles and getting my pace up, so that when we start the hard part of the season I’ll then be working on the high-end part of my fitness.

Click here to read more

Ben Spies’ initial year in MotoGP has caused much anticipation, particularly following his place in the last event of 2009 as a wildcard racer at Valencia with a seventh spot.

The 25 year-old will take part with fellow American Colin Edwards as a unity part of the Monster Yamaha Tech3 squad this year, he explains how it is the right timing to progress his full time career in the MotoGP World Championship.

“I made my decision before I won the (2009 superbike) title. I felt that even if we didn’t win the title we were the strongest for the majority of the time. I felt I wasn’t going to be learning anything new by staying in superbikes for another year,” says Spies. “The number of years I have to hit my peak are getting fewer and fewer, and there are guys like Valentino Rossi, Casey Stoner, Dani Pedrosa and Jorge Lorenzo. Along with the amount of talent coming up from the 250cc class this year who already know the bikes so well and also the tracks, I need to start as soon as I can. By the time I get to my peak, maybe I can be up there to challenge. Right now it’s learning time, and I would rather start the learning curve as soon as possible.”

Spies continues: “I really think it will take me one full season to get there. If I don’t show improvements in the second season then I’ll know I’m not fast enough to ride with those guys. I know I’m decent and can run in the middle of the pack, but first of all I have to get comfortable on the bike and start riding it to my limit. Then I’ll reassess the situation and find out where my limit is: whether it’s getting close to the front guys or if it’s running in fifth to eighth place, or tenth. I’ll see where I am and it still might not be close enough.”

Tech3 manager Hervé Poncharal and Spies have the same goal for their initial year as a team.

“He just wants me to learn and do the best I can, and that’s what I’m going to do,” states Spies. “For the first half of the season I don’t think my results are going to be what will be possible the year after, but you can’t get to that level that quickly. Once I do get comfortable on the bike and I am riding well, I’m sure I have to take it to another level and find more speed if I want to run at the front of the race and make myself a better rider. It’s something that’s going to take time and Hervé and Yamaha are behind me.”

Spies adds: “Top ten is the goal, for sure. Seventh place at Valencia was emotionally like a win for me because I know how hard and how well I rode. People don’t understand how hard a top-five finish in MotoGP is. If we get a couple of those in the first season – around fifth, sixth place – I’ll be super happy with it. I think that for a podium to happen I will have to be riding exceptionally and I think there’s going to have to be a little bit of bad luck in front of me or a perfect race for me. If a podium does happen it’s going to be pretty much a miracle, and that would be awesome.”

“Realistically, if everybody is riding well and a bunch of people don’t crash out at the first turn, it’s going to be hard to see the podium in the first year and I’m okay with that. I’ve just got to keep building and getting strong – top ten, or top eight in the Championship in the first year would be taking a lot out of it.”

Commenting on his experience in the last round of 2009 at Valencia, Spies was content with the result.

“We didn’t make any stupid mistakes, I didn’t crash and I didn’t mess anybody else’s Championship up,” he says. “I guess you could say I messed Andrea Dovizioso’s up a little bit because I helped Colin Edwards, but that wasn’t even the plan. It was just to do as best as I could. In my eyes it was a good race for me because I wasn’t there to try and impress, I was there to get seat time. I really wanted to let the race come in and once it did I put my head down and was then able to start moving through some people, and we had a good result. After the first ten laps I rode as hard as I could for the rest of the race and I definitely wasn’t quick enough to win anything but it was a decent pace.

Click here to read more

This season's provisional entry listing for the FIM MotoGP World Championship has been confirmed by the FIM on Wednesday, January 27 as follows:

4. ANDREA DOVIZIOSO, ITALIAN
REPSOL HONDA TEAM, HONDA

5. COLIN EDWARDS, USA
MONSTER YAMAHA TECH 3, YAMAHA

7. HIROSHI AOYAMA, JAPANESE
INTERWETTEN HONDA MOTOGP, HONDA

11. BEN SPIES, USA
MONSTER YAMAHA TECH 3, YAMAHA

14. RANDY DE PUNIET, FRENCH
LCR HONDA MOTOGP, HONDA

19. ALVARO BAUTISTA, SPANISH
RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP, SUZUKI

26. DANI PEDROSA, SPANISH
REPSOL HONDA TEAM, HONDA

27. CASEY STONER, AUSTRALIAN
DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM, DUCATI

33. MARCO MELANDRI, ITALIAN
SAN CARLO HONDA GRESINI, HONDA

36. MIKA KALLIO, FINNISH
PRAMAC RACING TEAM, DUCATI

40. HECTOR BARBERA, SPANISH
ASPAR MOTOGP TEAM, DUCATI

41. ALEIX ESPARGARO, SPANISH
PRAMAC RACING TEAM, DUCATI

46. VALENTINO ROSSI, ITALIAN
FIAT YAMAHA TEAM, YAMAHA

58. MARCO SIMONCELLI, ITALIAN
SAN CARLO HONDA GRESINI, HONDA

65. LORIS CAPIROSSI, ITALIAN
RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP, SUZUKI

69. NICKY HAYDEN, USA

Click here to read more

Recently announcing he will race a British made FTR chassis in the upcoming category this year, Alex Debón has offered details on his new project.

Debón will have a challenging season, along with racing he he will also head Motor Sport 69 which is a company release to allow his involvement in the World Championship after Aprilia.

“Motor Sport 69 is the company we have created to compete in 2010. It is a totally new team and we will ride with Aki Ajo’s place, which he has given to us in order to contend this World Championship. It’s a big gamble but I am convinced we have made the right reinforcements to make this structure work,” explains Debón.

“The team will be called Team Aeroport de Castelló-Ajo, and I am in charge of sponsorship and other various functions. We have agreed with FTR that we will be in charge of developing the bike with Xavi Soldevila as engineer. I have also contracted the services of a technical team that I know very well. They’re great professionals and I’m convinced that I have team that is greatly suited to me.”

Debón will confirm full details whilst testing in Barcelona on February 15. This is his first opportunity to race the bike and start development work.

“This project is very appealing and I’m very excited because it’s about the development of a new bike for everyone in the World Championship, and there are specific regulations for the engine, electronics and fuel” Debón adds. “The chassis and other components are down to the rider and this is where my experience and, above all, the expertise of my engineer will be crucial for the tuning of a winning bike.”

“It’s going to be a hard-fought category, but at the same time very exciting and competitive.

Click here to read more

The Jerez track has dedicated one of it's turns to prior racer and current Team Manager, Jorge Martínez ‘Aspar’. Pilar Sánchez, Mayoress of the Andalusian city, confirmed the statement in Madrid whilst launching an event of the Gran Premio bwin.com de España which occurs on 2nd May.

“Jorge raced at our circuit many times and we wanted to give him this recognition,” says the Mayoress. “During the celebration of the GP we will organise an event to commemorate this – he deserves it. The whole city wanted this.”

The four times World hero and chief of Team Aspar, was present and excelled in his delight.

“It’s a great joy for me, because Jerez has always felt like a home,” says Martínez. “I was lucky to race in the streets of Jerez in 1981, and won the first Grand Prix that was contested here. The fans and atmosphere here are marvellous.”

‘Aspar’, who recently announced his Moto2 squad will use an RSV chassis for this year's season ahead, states the decision of which bike to choose was a difficult decision.

“It was a difficult choice, because we want to have the best chance of winning,” he explains. “We tested many bikes and we waited until the last minute for Aprilia, but in the end the project was not possible. We think we have made a good choice and now we have work to do on the track.

Click here to read more

The Tech3 squad’s Moto2 calendar is filled ahead of a testing in Valencia next week, the chief Hervé Poncharal, is excited to seeing the results of much anticipated hard work.

Raffaele de Rosa and Yuki Takahashi will arrive at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit to test two motorbikes. A three day scheduled from January 26th - 28th sees Tech3 due to use the first two bikes followed by a third if required.

“We have a few things to test; we have a different swingarm, a different suspension setting, and we want to do a little bit of geometry also,” explains Poncharal. “I think what we need is proper weather conditions, which we haven’t had for quite a long time. We need the chance to do some laps with good track conditions, which will allow us to really be in a position where we can use the feedback and data effectively.”

An initital testing in Valencia at the beginning of January was cancelled due to poor weather, however the squad did provide some progress on their valuable work being done.

Poncharal adds: “We went back to Valencia from January 7-9 and unfortunately the first two days were impossible because of the weather. The last day was very cold as well but we managed about 100 laps with each rider and the chassis, with slight modifications, didn’t chatter any more.”

“It was interesting to hear Yuki because he knows 4-stroke bikes quite well and he gave us a lot of good information and feedback, and to have the two riders is helping a lot with the understanding of the bike.”

More testing is due prior to the official programs in March, Poncharal is happy with the project so far.

“I am happy because we now have the full team for the project, everybody is working here, it’s a proper factory. We have two bikes ready, two spare chassis, and a lot of bodywork, so we have a Moto2 team completely independent to our MotoGP organisation,” he says.

“We have something very important – two riders who are very competitive, very focused and very involved in the project. We’ve all been very busy and haven’t had any time off since the Valencia Grand Prix, but everybody is happy to have done this because we are starting a brand new adventure. I think it’s going to be a very exciting class, I’m sure.”

Click here to read more

Rizla Suzuki chief Paul Denning is excited about the initial MotoGP test of 2010 at Sepang beginning in February, his squad are preparing to assess the current version of the GSV-R prototype.

A great deal of hard work has been endured over winter to ensure the bike is very competitive for racers Loris Capirossi and Álvaro Bautista in the upcoming campaign.

“The development team is focusing on making the bike more adaptable and there will be some significant chassis developments, and at least one complete new design frame to test at Sepang. We’ll also be making the power delivery smoother and easier for the rider to use. The feedback (from the factory) has been positive,” Denning explains.

“It involves a lot of simulation, bench and dyno testing, because in terms of new developments you can’t really run in Japan at this time of year because of the weather or very cold temperatures, so we’ll really find out when we hit the track at Sepang.”

A testing at Estoril last year gives generous information for the work being done on the 2010 bike to be ready for Sepang.

“I don’t think we’ll be concentrating on trying the set the world alight in terms of lap times at Sepang,” Denning says. “It’s more about working on the bike’s weaknesses and making it more adaptable, and also to different conditions and lower temperatures. How much we’ll be able to do of that at Sepang is difficult to say, but the Suzuki factory did a lot of work before the Estoril test and that’s provided very good direction, because it was very cold there and we managed to get over some of the problems we’d had. So fingers crossed the developments will be in the right direction, but it will be the first time we’ll see the 2010 bike. We know what’s going into it in terms of development, but how that will all come together we’ll just have to wait and see when the guys ride it in February.”

Click here to read more

Kenny Roberts arrived at the 2009 AMA Lucas Oil Indy Mile Grand National event at Indianapolis last August, and spectators enjoyed a special appearance.

Approximately 34 years since he won on the Yamaha TZ750 in 1975, Roberts delighted fans by riding the engine at the Indy Mile, later being congratulated by current MotoGP hero Valentino Rossi.

“I was a little bit nervous about doing this, I had my bone doctor on standby!” says Roberts. “Watching a mile, and especially the Indy mile, is the most fun part of motorcycle racing – I think Valentino found that out.

Click here to read more

Dont miss out on the 2010 45th Victorian Hot Rod Show.

Friday January 22 12noon-10pm
Saturday January 23 10am-10pm
Sunday January 24 10am-10pm

Admission Prices

Adult - $20 Children

Under 12 years of age - $10

Family Ticket (2 x Adult, Unlimited Children Under 12 years of age) - $40 Prices inc. GST

The Victorian Hot Rod Show is quite a show, never seizes to amaze me.

We have such an old school car culture that has evolved over the years to engage quite a following.

There are few shows that can offer what the Victorian Hot Rod Show has to offer and I bet that 2010 will be no exception.

Come, be supportive and join us at the Royal Exhibition Building, enjoy what is on offer and be grateful as to how lucky we are that such shows exist in Melbourne.

Enjoy and please come back and visit us for some fabulous VHRS 2010 stories and pictures.

Read more here