Phillip Island & World Superbike: 21 Years

Phillip Island & World Superbike: 21 Years

Tom Wera
02/16/2011

Click the images below for bigger versions:

2011 WSBK
When the 2011 World Superbike Championship begins on Feb. 27 at Phillip Island, Australia, the marriage of track and series will be celebrating their 21st anniversary.
World Superbike began racing at Phillip Island, and has been there every year since but 1993. This makes Phillip Island the longest-running event in WSBK Championship history.
Australians will enjoy loads of motorcycle racing there, considering the track is hosting a 12-race program, which includes World Superbike, World Supersport and the Australian domestic championship races.
When the 2011 WSBK season kicks off, five Australians will be competing at their home track. Troy Corser will be competing on the BMW Motorrad S1000RR; he has been racing on the track for 17 years, and has five wins there, the last while competing on a Suzuki in 2005.
Chris Vermeulen will race on the Kawasaki Racing Team ZX-10R. This will be his first official return to WSBK since missing most of last season. Vermeulen injured his knee at Phillip Island last year, and missed the following two races.
He then re-injured the knee at Round 9 in Brno, and missed the remaining of the 13 races.
The Italian Kawasaki Pedercini Team will field two riders, Mark Aitchison and Bryan Staring. Another Aussie will be former national Australian Superbike Champion Josh Waters on the Yoshimura Suzuki.
In World Supersport, Kawasaki Provec Motocard.com's Broc Parkes and Honda KUJA Racing's Mitchell Pirotta will be racing at home.

MotoGP: Bautista Optimistic for 2011

MotoGP: Bautista Optimistic for 2011

Sam Sims
02/15/2011

2011 MotoGP
In 2010 MotoGP, Alvaro Bautista joined the premier class with eight years of experience in World Championship competition, which included a 125cc title (2006).
During that first year on the Rizla Suzuki GSV-R, Bautista's best top finish was fifth, a position he conquered at both Catalunya and Malaysia. The Spaniard ended his rookie year with 13th overall, and garnered much experience in MotoGP.
For 2011, new challenges await, but Bautista's sophomore year as the sole Suzuki rider started well (his former teammate Loris Capirossi moving to the Pramac Ducati team).
Bautista's first official outing for 2011 MotoGP was at Sepang earlier this month, where he finished 10th overall with a 2:01.687, ahead of some big players such as Valentino Rossi (Ducati Team). These results gave Bauitsta an optimistic view of the upcoming 2011 MotoGP season.
Alvaro Bautista (Rizla Suzki MotoGP) says: "I'm very happy because I've improved my best lap time from last year, so it's a good sign for us."
Bautista, who missed the final day of the three-day session due to sickness, tested different frames, electronics and other modifications on the GSV-R. He says being the sole rider is a huge benefit when testing, allowing him more attention than available on a two-rider team.
Alvaro Bautista says: "I think being the only rider is positive on the whole, because Suzuki is working only for me and they are making the bike to my requests. Now it's very hard for me but I think that when the races start it will be easier and I think I'll have more support.
"In Valencia (last November) I tested many things and here I re-tested the same parts, but Suzuki is always a very fast bike here. Here I cannot feel the big difference like I felt in Valencia so this means that in hot conditions our bike is competitive, as always. In cold conditions I think we are improving.
"It's very important to have a competitive bike not only in hot tracks, but we need it to be competitive in cold tracks too so the work Suzuki are doing is of great importance."
In other Rizla Suzuki paddock news, team manager Paul Denning confirmed that John Hopkins will be the back-up rider for Bautista. "Hopper" will attend the Qatar test in March.

2011 WSBK Team Preview: BMW Italia

2011 WSBK Team Preview: BMW Italia

WSBK
02/14/2011

World Superbike
After the historic success obtained last year in the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup, won by the almost all-conquering Ayrton Badovini (nine wins out of 10), the BMW Motorrad Italia team will now be trying their luck in the top category of World Superbike.
The World Superbike BMW squad, headed by Serafino Foti, will be making its first appearance in the category, retaining the services of the Italian rider and entering another S1000RR machine for two-times world champion James Toseland (photos).
The Sheffield man's World Superbike career is in fact closely linked to the Italian team's staff, as they won the 2004 title together with the factory Ducati Fila outfit.
This year will also see a return to Superbike for Ayrton "Speedy" Badovini, who raced in the category in 2008 and 2009 with Kawasaki Pedercini and PSG-1. The 24-year-old from Biella will be one of five Italian riders in the 2011 championship.
The Italian BMW outfit has put together an ambitious project, one that is supported by the parent company in Germany and characterized by a constant interflow of data with the factory team, as well as constant technical updates of the bike every time new components are approved and adopted by the factory squad.
A first opportunity to verify the progress made by the BMW team will be the Infront Motor Sports tests at Phillip Island on Feb. 21-22, but above all the opening round of the season at the same circuit the following weekend.

MotoGP Director of Technology for the 2011 MotoGP season

Corrado Cecchinelli

Corrado Cecchinelli, the former director of Ducati, will be the MotoGP Director of Technology for the 2011 MotoGP season. Cecchinelli will oversea all technological aspects relating to the MotoGP World Championship, as well as the Moto2 series and 125cc series.
Cecchinelli will also play a big part in developing the new rules and regulations for the Moto3 class, which will begin in 2012. Cecchinelli will also oversea the development of guidelines for the 1000cc engines to be used in the MotoGP next year.
“We are looking at the definition of the details for the potential entries for Moto3, and that involves technical regulations," Cecchinelli said in an interview with MotoGP.com. "In particular, we are receiving applications from different ECU manufacturers, which will continue until February 28th. When that date arrives we will try and finalise the matter as soon as possible.
“With regards to the MotoGP class for 2012 both the fundamental technical and philosophical details are defined, so at the moment we are paying more attention to the new category. The details that remain to be defined for the MotoGP class are unlikely to delay the work of the new arrivals to the category, something that could happen in the case of Moto3.”
Cecchinelli has been around motorcycles his entire life and graduated from Turin Polytechnic as a mechanical engineer. Cecchinelli was the Technical Director for the Ducati MotoGP team from 2003 to 2005, before he was made Vice Director General for Ducati Corse.

Ladies Track Day Special

We organizing a track day at Sepang International Circuit specially made for Ladies ... the time and date will be update soonest estimate mid March, however we need minimum of 10 lady participants. Special fees for only RM120 for 2 hours plus FREE tutor (theory & on track guide). For this to happen need all the support from the ladies as this will be the pilot project and will extend this program further if this is successful. Please send me your details to superbiketoday@gmail.com or sms 012 2052420.. thank you

Pramac Racing MotoGP Team Holds Official Introduction On A Cruise Ship

Feb 10, 2011, ©Copyright 2011, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

From a press release issued by Pramac Racing:

Pramac Racing's Loris Capirossi (left) and Randy De Puniet (right).

MSC FANTASIA WELCOMES PRAMAC RACING TEAM 2011 OFFICIAL PRESENTATION

Amazing location for the official presentation of the Pramac Racing Team 2011.
On board MSC Fantasia, the flagship of MSC Cruises fleet, at the port of Genoa, Paolo Campinoti and his new riders, Loris Capirossi and Randy de Puniet, unveiled the new Ducati GP11 satellite that will take part in the MotoGP World Championship 2011. The riders of the Pramac Racing Team arrived at the port of Genoa aboard two Ducati (Hypermotard and Monster) branded Pramac, with which they performed at the side of the vessel MSC Fantasia before boarding.

The press conference was also attended by Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati Corse, and Federico Maccotta, Lombardy Area Manager of MSC Cruises.

MSC Fantasia, which together with her sister ship MSC Splendida, is the largest ship ever commissioned by a European ship owner. The ship - a masterpiece of Italian style with the perfect mix of high technology, elegance and exclusive services - has a very nice in every detail and is equipped with swimming pools, bars, restaurants, areas for relaxation and fun, a large health club and for those who want luxury and privacy without sacrificing the benefits that offer large cruise ship, the exclusive VIP area MSC Yacht Club.

The tenth season in MotoGP for Pramac has officially started!

Paolo Campinoti - Pramac Racing Team Principal:
"MotoGP for Pramac means adrenaline, passion and fun. For ten years we are part of this world and we aim to stay here for many years. We're still a young and want to grow year after year to improve both in terms of results and in terms of services for our partners. For the season that is about to begin, we focused on top class riders like Loris Capirossi and Randy de Puniet. We are sure that thanks to their talent we will have many opportunities to celebrate at the best our first ten years in MotoGP. We know that fighting with the official teams will be very tough: our minimum goal for this season is to become the first satellite team in the standings. Next year, with the return to 1000cc, will be a new adventure for everyone and we will see what will happen. If this change will bring us to attend events such as the new Moto2 last year, then it will be fun for everyone. Our philosophy of Green Energy Team continues and even become stronger. Next year we will have a completely new hospitality structure with big news: it will, in fact, be powered by solar panels and a wind turbine. Of course all made by Pramac."

Claudio Domenicali - CEO Ducati Corse
"Our relationship with the Pramac Pramac Racing has been very good since the early years. We are very comfortable with Paolo Campinoti and its structure, and we hope to continue this project for many years. The Pramac Racing is indeed a satellite team, but given the relationship we have enjoyed over the years we try to give more and more support to them. Surely we consider the Pramac Racing Team part of our family, some of our best engineers are working within their structure and so it will be in the future. The return to 1000cc will be a great adventure for us and as always we will give it all to ensure that our Ducati, including those in the Pramac Racing Team, will be among the best bikes."

Loris Capirossi - Pramac Racing rider
"I spent five seasons with Ducati, to return three years later to it’s for me like coming back to my family. For me to run with the Pramac Racing Team means the certainty of being able to get good results. I have not reflected a moment when I was asked to return to Ducati. In a few days we will be back on track in better shape for the second session of testing at Sepang. We surely need to improve in some aspects but we were happy after the first winter test. For example, I found some difficulty in braking and the riding during corners, but the simple fact that we have improved our lap times constantly it means that we are on the right direction. Then with Randy on the team will be much easier. Between us there is great harmony. It's the perfect companion to this adventure in Ducati. My story in MotoGP is not over yet. I think I can give so much more to this category, regardless of the new rules. "

Randy De Puniet - Pramac Racing rider
"I am happy with this new adventure in Ducati. I am back 'Italian' again, as in the past I have already ridden an Italian bike. I really enjoyed riding with my Ducati, even if sometimes it is still a bit hard to control, especially when cornering. Last year, despite the bad leg injury, I have achieved good results. Now the most important thing for me is knowing that the leg has not given me any problems and in these first tests I was able to push hard. The goal is certainly to be repeated this season. With my work and my engineers we are confident that this goal is easily attainable. Already in a few days we will face a new test in Sepang and I am sure that we can already improve our results."

Federico Maccotta, MSC Crociere Area Manager (Lombardy)
"The official presentation of the Pramac Racing Team with his new riders and the new Ducati jewel it seemed like a good opportunity to remind all of us the value of teamwork as an ideal method to achieve its objectives. MSC Fantasia, which is recognized by all as one of the most beautiful ships in the world, with its 1,400 crew members who work every day as a team to meet the needs of the 4,000 guests on board is therefore the ideal location for such an event. See the Ducati GP11 Sat and its riders on board of one of our ships is certainly an exciting. From MSC Cruises a big 'good luck' to Loris, Randy and all the Pramac Racing Team."

The History of World Superbike

The History of World Superbike

Jeff Dann
02/09/2011

Click the images below for bigger versions:

1988-2011 WSBK History
For the hardcore motorcycle-racing enthusiast, February spells a different kind of romance than just Valentine's Day - it signals the start of the FIM World Superbike Championship.
World Superbike (aka World SBK, WSBK, or just SBK) has evolved exponentially since its inception in 1988 when the nascent series broke ground as a production-based motorcycle-racing program.
The appeal of WSBK was the fact that teams were running production motorcycles (highly modified, but none the less production-based). Superbike racing fans could see the same motorcycles that were on their local dealership's floor mixing it up at speed on racetrack.
After humble beginnings the World Superbike Championship came under the guidance of the Italian Flammini Group (FGSports) in the early 90s. American sensation, Doug Polen, brought the series unprecedented exposure when the Texan dominated his rookie year in 1991, winning the title, and successfully defending the crown in 1992.
This helped ignite a powerful Ducati presence in the series, creating an engaging competition between the Italian powerhouse and the major Japanese motorcycle manufacturers (Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, and Yamaha) that lasts to this day.
The Flammini Group grew the series, securing prominent venues and developing a strong television package, bringing the racing to an immense viewership. By the mid-90s WSBK was on par with MotoGP in terms of fan loyalty and coverage. An important element embraced by World SBK was an atmosphere of access to its stars. Unlike MotoGP, fans were able to get close to their favorite riders.
In the 22 years since its inception, the World Superbike championship has had a major impact on the development and engineering of modern sport motorcycles. As manufacturers chased the increasingly significant WSBK crown-fast becoming a vital marketing tool-it drove rapid evolution in sport bike technology, with the consumer reaping the rewards.
By the end of the 90s every many superbike manufacturer was deeply involved with World SBK. Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, Ducati, Benelli, and Aprilia (and for a while Petronas) all had a major presence. A WSBK title sold a lot of motorcycles. In response, the manufacturers poured more backing into their race teams and the Superbike series continued to grow.
In 2004 the series adopted a controlled tire rule to ensure all of the teams were on equal equipment. Pirelli won the bid to be the exclusive supplier to the series. The controversial decision has since proven itself a wise move, creating closer racing and helping Pirelli to push development of their product, which is passed along to the products they sell to the public.
In 2008 the Flammini Group merged with Infront Motorsports and was rebranded Infront Sports & Media. The 2009 season saw a record seven manufacturers; Ducati, Aprilia, Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, Kawasaki, and BMW (as well as Triumph in Supersport) compete in the premiere class with 32 series' regulars lining up on grids all over the world.
As a result, the World Superbike title chase has become one of the most hotly contested global championships.
Regulations put into place in 2008 allowed two-cylinder machines (Ducati) to have an engine capacity of 1200cc while in-line 4-cylinder motorcycles are limited to 1000cc. The minimum weight limit for Superbikes remains 162kg for four-cylinder machines and 168kg for two-cylinder 1200cc machines.
This rule change was made to allow all manufacturers to continue competing in the championship while maintaining a fair but competitive challenge. It also ensured that manufacturers developing V-Twins (namely Ducati) would still be inclined toward continued participation.
For 2011 WSBK visits thirteen world-class venues, with the two-race format delivering a total of 26 World Championship points-paying races. The World Superbike Championship series-with its electrifying Saturday Superpole qualifying-kicks off February 27th in Phillip Island, Australia.
The Down Under locale has become the annual start point of the series and is typically a showcase for new team/rider combinations and new machinery, all looking to claim the World Superbike Title.

World Superbike History | Past Champions
2010
Max Biaggi
Aprilia
2009
Ben Spies
Yamaha
2008
Troy Bayliss
Ducati
2007
James Toseland
Honda
2006
Troy Bayliss
Ducati
2005
Troy Corser
Suzuki
2004
James Toseland
Ducati
2003
Neil Hodgson
Ducati
2002
Colin Edwards
Honda
2001
Troy Bayliss
Ducati
2000
Colin Edwards
Honda
1999
Carl Fogarty
Ducati
1998
Carl Fogarty
Ducati
1997
John Kocinski
Honda
1996
Troy Corser
Ducati
1995
Carl Fogarty
Ducati
1994
Carl Fogarty
Ducati
1993
Scott Russell
Kawasaki
1992
Doug Polen
Ducati
1991
Doug Polen
Ducati
1990
Raymond Roche
Ducati
1989
Fred Merkel
Honda
1988
Fred Merkel
Honda