2012 World Superbike Dates

For 2012, the World Superbike Championship will consists of 14 rounds across three continents - North America, Europe and Australasia.

The newest edition to the World SBK schedule will be the Moscow International Raceway in Russia. This will be the first time in the series 23-year history that a race will be held in Russia.

After next year's Moscow round, World Superbike will have been hosted on 45 different circuits, counting A1-Ring and Osterreichring as two different race tracks.

At the conclusion of the 2011 World Superbike Championship, the series had visited 21 different countries, including San Marino (Republic in Northern Italy). There was an "Irish" round of World Superbike held in 1993, but the race occurred at the Brand Hatch circuit in Great Britain.

World Superbike reports that Italy is out in front in terms of the number of different circuits visited by WSBK, with Enna Pergusa, Imola, Misano, Monza, Mugello and Vallelunga hosting races over the years. Imola, Monza and Misano ready to go again in 2012. Spain has been represented by five different tracks since the early days, Albacete, Jarama, Jerez, Aragon and Valencia. Motorland Aragon is the current venue for the Spanish round."

In alphabetical order, the 44 circuits which have hosted races so far are... A1-Ring, Albacete, Algarve, Anderstorp, Assen, Brainerd, Brands Hatch, Brno, Donington, Enna Pergusa, Estoril, Hockenheim, Hungaroring, Imola, Jarama, Jerez, Johor, Kyalami, Laguna Seca, Lausitzring, Le Mans, Losail, Magny-Cours, Manfield, Miller Motorsports Park, Misano, Monza, Mosport, Motorland, Mugello, Nürburgring, Oran Park, Oschersleben, Osterreichring, Paul Ricard, Phillip Island, Salzburgring, Sentul, Shah Alam, Silverstone, Spa-Francorchamps, Sugo, Valencia and Vallelunga.

2012 World Superbike Schedule

• Round 1: Phillip Island, Australia (Feb. 26)
• Round 2: Imola, Italy (April 1)
• Round 3: Assen, Netherlands (April 22)
• Round 4: Monza, Italy (May 6)
• Round 5: Donington Park, Great Britain (May 13)
• Round 6: Miller Motorsport Park, USA (May 28)
• Round 7: Misano, San Marino (June 10)
• Round 8: Motorland Aragon, Spain (July 1)
• Round 9: Brno, Czech Republic (July 22)
• Round 10: Silverstone, Great Britain (Aug. 5)
• Round 11: Moscow International Raceway, Russia (Aug. 26)
• Round 12: Nurburgring, Germany (Sept. 9)
• Round 13: Portimao, Portugal (Sept. 23)
• Round 14: Magny-Cours, France (Oct. 7)

SOURCE: http://www.ultimatemotorcycling.com/2012-world-superbike-14-round-schedule

Suzuki will suspend their MotoGP operations while promising to make an attempt at returning as early as 2014.

Suzuki Motor Corporation has decided to suspend temporarily its participation in FIM Road Racing Grand Prix MotoGP from 2012.

This suspension is to cope with tough circumstances mainly caused by the prolonged recession in developed countries, a historical appreciation of Japanese Yen and repeated natural disasters.

Having an eye to returning to MotoGP in 2014, Suzuki will now focus on developing a competitive new racing machine for that class.

Suzuki will continue motocross racing activity and support of road racing activities using mass-produced motorcycles, by obtaining FIM homologation and co-operation with the supplier of its development racing kit parts.

SOURCE: http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-suzuki-quits

Reed started TwoTwo Motorsports from scratch one year ago and had limited resources. The team will now be housed at American Honda’s Californian Racing facility next door to the factory motocross team which will give access to state-of-the-art facilities in design to manufacturing.

Reed said the new deal will go a long way towards winning the AMA Supercross and Motocross titles.

"In some ways this feels like redemption," Reed said.

"In the beginning the support from American Honda was limited, which was completely understandable given we were a new team without any runs on the board."

"Our new relationship with American Honda holds so much potential and for me it is a money can’t buy partnership to be associated with a manufacturer that is as equally committed to winning as we are."

Reed has also signed highly-experienced motorcycle engineer Mike Gosselaar as Technical Director as well as Sergio Avento as Research and Development Manager.

Reed said having the right people on the team is important to back-up his on track performance.

"As a rider, I am responsible for my own performance and I expect to go out there and win, anything else is second best," Reed said.

"With a team situation there are so many other things that can affect an outcome, but it was the sheer hard work and dedication of my crew this year that ensured none of those factors influenced our performance."

"They worked extremely hard 24/7 to create a dynamic within the team that was second to none in the championship. It is the sort of dynamic you normally see within a team that has worked together for years."

"Recruiting Goose & Sergio will further strengthen that dynamic and provide the additional resources we need to continue building a solid infrastructure around the team," Reed said.

Reed will undergo testing in California testing with his TwoTwo Motorsports team as they prepare for the opening round of the 2012 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship which begins at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Saturday January 7, 2012.


source: http://www.foxsports.com.au/motor-sports/aussie-watch/australian-ama-motocross-rider-chad-reeds-twotwo-motorsports-gains-honda-factory-support/story-fn8am8xg-1226189959455

Red Bull/KTM's Marvin Musquin (Photo: Hoppenworld.com)

Feld Motor Sports® announced today that Red Bull/KTM’s Marvin Musquin will race in the inaugural Monster Energy Cup at Las Vegas’ Sam Boyd Stadium on October 15.

Born in France, Musquin won back-to-back MX2 World Motocross Grand Prix Championships in 2009 and 2010, before coming to the United States. In 2009, he also won the MX2 overall at the Motocross des Nations. The two-time world champion is geared up to compete alongside the world’s top riders for this stand-alone event.

“I'm really happy to race at the Monster Energy Cup,” exclaimed Musquin. “It should be a fun race on my 350cc KTM. I’ve been told the track should be a mix between motocross and Supercross, so I am looking forward to seeing the final layout. My goal is to have fun and be out in front with the other big Supercross riders and get some valuable experience before next year.”

Musquin is coming off his best finishes stateside, earning third place at the final two stops on the AMA Motocross Championship and will represent the growing list of international riders competing in the Monster Energy Cup.

The unique hybrid track will consist of Supercross/motocross terrain and will have a tremendous motocross-style influence, making it unlike any other stadium race in the world. This track will be the perfect blend of Supercross and motocross combined and created into the ultimate battleground. The Monster Energy Cup posts a $250,000 purse, awarding the winner a $100,000 check, and for the “first time ever,” $1 Million will be paid to a rider that wins all three main events.

Tickets for the 2011 Monster Energy Cup can be purchased at the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office, UNLVtickets outlets, online at www.UNLVtickets.com, www.MonsterEnergyCup.com, or by phone at (702) 739-FANS. Tickets will be available at the Sam Boyd Stadium Box Office on the day of the event only.

Source:  http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/sx-musquin-to-compete-for-monter-energy-cup/

MOTOGP: Ducati Looks For Answers At Aragon

Ducati Marlboro's Valentino Rossi (Photo: Evan Williams)

 

This Sunday’s Aragon Grand Prix marks the MotoGP calendar’s fourteenth round and the Grand Prix series’ second visit to the new motorsports facility in central Spain. In 2010, the Ducati Team perfectly understood the circuit, and both of its riders finished on the podium.

For Nicky Hayden, it was one of his best results aboard the Desmosedici, as he used a beautiful last-lap pass on Jorge Lorenzo to achieve his third-place finish. The American hopes to continue improving his feeling with the GP11.1 so that he can be consistently fast from the free practice sessions on.

Valentino Rossi finished sixth at Aragon last year, but he approaches the Aragon weekend with determination and focus for the work that he’s carrying out with the Ducati technicians and his team.

VALENTINO ROSSI, Ducati Team

“Last year at Aragon was the best race of the year for Ducati, so we approach this round with our expectations a little higher than usual. In addition, after the difficult practice sessions at Misano, we found a good setup in the end and I had a better feeling with the bike and managed to ride it better in the race, especially in the early laps. Now we’ll try to combine the two things—the track that seems to work well with the Desmosedici and the good setup work—in order to find the same feeling on Sunday.”

NICKY HAYDEN, Ducati Team

“It’s nice to go back to Aragon, which I like. We haven’t been there a lot, so it’s still new and fun. Last year, it was clearly our best weekend of the season, and in theory, it should suit me and our bike a little bit this time as well. The track was brand-new then, and it was grippy and completely smooth, so we’ll see how well it’s held up. It has a lot of ups and downs, and quite a few corners with open exits, which should be good for us. I’m 100% okay from my crash at Misano, so no excuses there. Hopefully we can catch a little break and have a good weekend at Aragon.”

VITTORIANO GUARESCHI, Team Manager

“We have some great memories of Aragon from last year, so we’re happy to return. Every season has its own story though, and we’re obviously currently working not only for this weekend but also beyond. Our riders and team are completely focused on the goal, and they’re giving us a collaborative working group that I think is extremely important. At Aragon, we expect to continue gathering data and information on the Desmosedici and to speed up the setup work during the practice sessions.”

PROGRAMMING NOTE: The Grand Prix of Aragon from Aragon, Spain will air LIVE on SPEED Sunday, September 18 at 8:00am ET.

 

Source:  http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-ducati-team-looks-for-answers-at-aragon/

The Pro Singles final on the mile was a more than a nail biter. As some riders see it, racing 450s on a mile is a recipe for disaster. A last-lap, turn-three crash in the Pro Singles final involving Corey Crawford, Robert Treinen and series contender Michael Avila, brought focus on the difficulty of young riders, often inexperienced on big tracks, racing so tightly packed on equally matched motorcycles. One slip and a chain reaction is almost inevitable.

Crawford was seriously injured in the crash and at press time was in Intensive Care at St. John's Hospital with a brain injury. His family reported that Corey was undergoing tests and was responsive. Corey made it through the critical first 24-hour period and was said to be steadily improving.

Most vocal in his opposition to racing 450s on miles was Pro Singles series leader Mikey Martin.

"They should not run Springfield mile on 450s," he said. "It's out of control and very dangerous. You have 18 riders riding it like a short track. It's not worth someone getting really hurt. No one is thinking about being safe, they're all thinking about winning. They're bumping into each other doing 100 mph. I've been out there four times and I've never been more scared. It's dangerous and I'm glad that was my last Springfield Mile on a 450."

Source:  http://www.cyclenews.com/articles/flat-track/2011/09/06/450s-two-close-for-the-mile/

Knoxville Raceway Flat Track Results 2011

Jared Mees battled it out with Jake Johnson all race long and tied him crossing the line. Though Johnson was initially awarded the checkers, Mees would be granted the victory after further review.

Mees powered his way to the top of the GNC Championship point standings after winning at Knoxville.

 

If tonight’s Grand National Twins Main Event at Knoxville is any indicator, we’re in for one hell of a dogfight down the stretch. Zanotti Racing’s Jake Johnson and Rogers Racing/Blue Spring Harley-Davidson rider Jared Mees waged a race-long war on the Knoxville half-mile, taking the battle all the way to the checkered flag as the finish was too close to call. Johnson was initially awarded the checkers, but Mees would be granted the victory after further review. With the win, Mees leaps Halbert by four points for first in the GNC Championship point standings with three half-mile races left on the schedule.

It was Johnson who would jump out to the early lead with Mees and King’s Customs/White’s Harley-Davidson’s Sammy Halbert giving chase. Luke Gough got a good start and was running at the front in fourth with Kawasaki rider JD Beach on pace in fifth.

Mees would soon power his way into first, while Halbert, Gough and Beach all tried to maintain position. Johnson parried and attempted to retake the lead, but Mees shut the door on him. The two proceeded to put a small gap in between them and Slammin’ Sammy. Johnson’s next attack on Mees would prove successful as he jumped back into the lead position.

Gough meanwhile had been moving up on Halbert, eventually showing him a wheel. About that time a red flag came out for a rider down in Turn 2.

On the restart, Johnson grabbed the holeshot but Mees wasn't letting him out of his sight. Halbert had solidified third after Gough got a horrible start and fell to the back of the pack, allowing Bryan Smith to move into fourth. Gough would soon pit, ending what had been a great race for him up until then.

Johnson led heading into the final lap with Mees in his hip pocket. Halbert tried to track down the front runners but just couldn’t quite catch the duo. In the mad dash to the checkers as Johnson was originally credited with the victory, but in the proverbial photo finish, Mees was granted the victory and the first place points. He also collected the bounty in the Dash for Cash, edging Johnson out there as well.

Halbert grabbed the final spot on the podium, 1.040 seconds back. Halbert, who has lead the GNC Championship point race since the first contest at Daytona Beach, now trails Mees by four and leads Johnson by only five. Smith would fend off Beach for fourth place, while the Kawasaki’s of Beach and Johnny Lewis would earn the fifth and sixth spots respectively. Nicole Cheza diced with Lewis and Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. for much of the latter stages and fought her way to a hard-earned seventh place finish. Chris Carr would work his way up to eighth place while fellow veteran Coolbeth, Jr. crossed the line in ninth. Aaron King would grab the final spot in the top ten aboard his Aprilia.

AMA Pro Harley-Davidson Insurance Expert Twins Knoxville Half-Mile Results
1. Jared Mees (Harley-Davidson)
2. Jake Johnson (Harley-Davidson)
3. Sammy Halbert (Harley-Davidson)
4. Bryan Smith (Harley-Davidson)
5. JD Beach (Kawasaki)
6. Johnny Lewis (Kawasaki)
7. Nichole Cheza (Harley-Davidson)
8. Chris Carr (Harley-Davidson)
9. Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. (Harley-Davidson)
10. Aaron King (Aprilia)
11. Brandon Richardson (Harley-Davidson)
12. Doug Lawrence (Harley-Davidson)
13. Jethro Halbert (Harley-Davidson)
14. Matt Weidman (Harley-Davidson)
15. Brandan Bergen (Harley-Davidson)
16. Luke Gough (Harley-Davidson)
17. Robert Pearson (Harley-Davidson)
18. Jeffrey Carver Jr. (Harley-Davidson)

AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com Singles Knoxville Results 2011
Shayna Texter rocked the AMA Pro flat track world by winning her first race ever at Knoxville Saturday night, fighting off 16-year-old sensation Briar Bauman for the checkers in the AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com Singles race in Knoxville.

Shayna Texter became the first woman to win a Pro Singles flat track race after a hard fought victory Saturday night at the Knoxville Half-Mile.

 

“(I) Couldn't be happier for Shayna. Noone will truly understand what we had to what we lost in such a short amount of time. Proud of her!,” Tweeted Shayna’s flat track racing brother, Cory, who unfortunately missed the race.

In the Pro Singles Main Event, it was Bauman who jumped out to an early lead with 2011 AMA Pro Supersport Champion James Rispoli in hot pursuit. Shayna had also gotten off to a good start as she made her way up to the third position by showing awesome speed in the corners. Rispoli would make a move on Bauman to lead the race shortly, but the young phenom would quickly return the honors.

The top three would begin pulling away from the pack. Shayna showed Rispoli a wheel before making her way past. She wasn’t done there as she powered to the lead down the front straight. The battle between the two young riders would commence, Bauman attempting to pass but Shayna holding him off. The two began to break away from the pack as Rispoli would be overtaken by Michael Toon and Pro Singles points leader Mikey Martin.

Bauman would make a move late coming out of Turn 4 to take the lead, but Shayna was not to be denied this night and came back on him strong, sending the crowd into a frenzy. She would cross the line for her first AMA Pro Singles victory, beating Bauman to the line by 0.357 seconds. Her win was all the more impressive when it was learned post-race that she had lost a contact half way through the race.

Toon and Martin would cross the line together with Toon grabbing the final spot on the podium by 0.079 seconds. Jason Issenock was able to get by Rispoli for fifth, while the Supersport champ finished in a respectable sixth place.

Martin now leads the AMA Pro Singles points race by 21 points over Gerit Callies.

AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com Singles Knoxville Results 2011
1. Shayna Texter (Honda)
2. Brian Bauman (Honda)
3. Michael Toon (Honda)
4. Michael Martin (Honda)
5. Jason Isennock (Honda)
6. James Rispoli (Honda)
7. Michael Avila (Honda)
8. Michael Bickerton (Honda)
9. Gerit Callies (Honda)
10. Jake Shoemaker (Suzuki)
11. Jake Cunningham (Honda)
12. Sam Wiggins (Honda)

 

 

Source:  http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/504/11022/Motorcycle-Article/Knoxville-Raceway-Flat-Track-Results-2011.aspx

Pala WMX Results 2011

Ashley Fiolek stole the WMX title from Jessica Patterson with a solid 2-3-3 finish at Pala.

 

The Motorcycle-Superstore.com WMX Championship came to a close with Round 8 at Pala Raceway today. Jessica Patterson swept the motos on her DNA Shred Stix Yamaha but it wasn’t enough to overcome the points lead built up over the past seven rounds by Honda’s Ashley Fiolek. The CRF250R rider rode to a consistent and conservative third overall and reclaimed the WMX title. Tarah Geiger split the two former champions in second with 3-2 moto scores.

In Moto 1 Jessica Patterson led every lap with Fiolek on her heels but the Yamaha rider never cracked. Geiger circulated in third with Golden behind her. The top-four never changed positions. Geiger jumped out to the lead in Moto 2 but was quickly passed by the defending champion, Patterson. Fiolek worked her way up from fourth place into third and wisely held on to secure the overall championship. This is Fiolek’s third championship in four years.

Fresh off her Women’s Motocross Championship in Europe, Stephanie Laier came to the U.S. to try the AMA WMX series again. She could not recreate her third-place overall result from the season opener at Hangtown. She finished with 6-5 scores which was good enough for fifth overall.
 

Jessica Patterson will have to give up her #1 plate to Ashley Fiolek again.

 

2011 Motorcycle-Superstore.com WMX Overall Results:

 

1. Jessica Patterson (Yamaha) 1-1
2. Tarah Geiger (Honda) 3-2
3. Ashley Fiolek (Honda) 2-3
4. Vicki Golden (Kawasaki) 4-4
5. Stephanie Laier (KTM) 6-5
6. Sayaka Kaneshiro (Suzuki) 5-6
7. Mariana Balbi (Yamaha) 11-7
8. Sarah Whitmore (KTM) 8-8
9. Marissa Markelon (Yamaha) 12-11
10. Tatum Sik (Honda) 9-14

2011 Motorcycle-Superstore.com WMX Championship Points:
1. Ashley Fiolek, 363
2. Jessica Patterson, 349
3. Tarah Geiger, 310
4. Jacqueline Strong, 209
5. Vicki Golden, 207
6. Alexah Pearson, 176
7. Marissa Markelon, 169
8. Kasie Creson, 156
9. Sayaka Kaneshiro, 148
10. Lindsey Palmer, 146

Pala WMX Qualifying Results 2011

Jessica Patterson was less than a second behind Ashley Fiolek in WMX Qualifying.

 

Honda’s Ashley Fiolek posted the fastest time in qualifying but was less than a second ahead of Jessica Patterson. JP$ is chasing a 22-point deficit coming into the final WMX race of the year. Tarah Geiger held off the FIM Women’s Motocross Champion, Stephanie Laier on her KTM. Expect to see these top riders doing battle in the motos as well with Laier adding some extra flavor. MotoUSA Langston Motorsports Kawasaki’s Vicki Golden will gate fifth with a best lap of 2:33.08

Pala WMX Qualifying Results:
1. Ashley Fiolek (Honda) 2:27.568
2. Jessica Patterson (Yamaha) 2:28.162
3. Tarah Gieger (Honda) 2:28.336
4. Stephanie Laier (KTM) 2:31.661
5. Vicki Golden (Kawasaki) 2:33.081
6. Kasie Creson (Honda) 2:35.627
7. Mariana Balbi (Yamaha) 2:37.875
8. Sayaka Kaneshiro (Suzuki) 2:39.600
9. Jacqueline Strong (KTM) 2:42.137
10. Elizabeth Bash (KTM) 2:45.532
11. Lindsey Palmer (Honda) 2:45.918
12. Alexah Pearson (KTM) 2:46.631
13. Marissa Markelon (Yamaha) 2:46.921
14. Tatum Sik (Honda) 2:47.671
15. Jenica Paulsen (Honda) 2:48.020