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Friday, December 19, 2008

Downloadable 2009 BikeSport Calendars


I've made a bunch of iCals to help keep tabs on all the important dates next year. iCal is an application on the Mac, which uses the open .ics calendar format - which means that you can also use these in various Windows and Linux applications such as Microsoft Works (Version 8 or higher), WinDates, Mozilla Calendar, Sunbird and Zimbra.

MotoGP 2009 Calendar
Click here to subscribe in iCal...

CEV Buckler 2009 Calendar
Click here to subscribe in iCal...

SBK: World Superbikes 2009 Calendar
Click here to subscribe in iCal...

BSB: British Superbikes 2009 Calendar
Click here to subscribe in iCal...


More information about how to use these calendars on Windows PCs here at iCalShare...

Hope they're useful.
Enjoy :-)

gb



Thursday, December 18, 2008

Alvaro Bautista about fundraiser "Iker vs. Nadal"


“It is a blessing to be able to go to such an interesting and fun initiative. Whenever I can I like to attend all kinds of benefit events, but when they are related to sports it's even better.
It is the second year that I participate in this challenge and I loved to come here again and do something entertaining and beneficial that can help a lot of people.”

Above: Alvaro Bautista and Rafa Nadal during the friendly football match.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Team Iker defeats Team Nadal

Last night's fundraising sport event "Friends of Iker vs. Friends of Nadal" saw Mapfre Aspar rider Alvaro Bautista and his Team Iker victorious over Team Nadal which included MotoGP stars Jorge Lorenzo and Sete Gibernau.
The event was once again a huge success and raised even more money than last year. Over 200.000 Euros have been raised to support the Red Cross in the fight against Malaria.

Aspar rider Alvaro Bautista played his part in the success of his team by scoring a goal during the friendly football match.

Highlight videos and pictures of the game are available from all known agencies and on YouTube.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

250cc Provisional Entry List 2009

4. HIROSHI AOYAMA, SCOT RACING TEAM 250cc
7. AXEL PONS, PEPE WORLD PONS WRB
8. BASTIEN CHESAUX, RACING TEAM GERMANY
9. TONI WIRSING, RACING TEAM GERMANY
10. IMRE TOTH, TEAM TOTH APRILIA
12. THOMAS LUTHI, EMMI - CAFFE LATTE
14. RATTHAPARK WILAIROT, THAI HONDA PTT SAG
15. ROBERTO LOCATELLI, METIS GILERA
16. JULES CLUZEL, MATTEONI RACING
17. KAREL ABRAHAM, CARDION AB MOTORACING
19. ALVARO BAUTISTA, MAPFRE ASPAR TEAM
21. HECTOR BARBERA, PEPE WORLD PONS WRB
25. ALEX BALDOLINI, WTR SAN MARINO TEAM
28. GABOR TALMACSI, BALATON RACING TEAM 250cc
35. RAFFAELE DE ROSA, SCOT RACING TEAM 250cc
41. ALEIX ESPARGARO, CAMPETELLA RACING
48. SHOYA TOMIZAWA, TEAM CIP
51. STEVIE BONSEY, APRILIA MADRID
52. LUKAS PESEK, AUTO KELLY - CP
58. MARCO SIMONCELLI, METIS GILERA
63. MIKE DE MEGLIO, MAPFRE ASPAR TEAM 250cc
75. MATTIA PASINI, TEAM TOTH APRILIA

125cc Provisional Entry List 2009

5. ALEXIS MASBOU, LONCIN RACING
7. DOMINIQUE AEGERTER, AJO INTERWETTEN
8. LORENZO ZANETTI, WWC
11. SANDRO CORTESE, AJO INTERWETTEN
12. ESTEVE RABAT, BLUSENS APRILIA
16. CAMERON BEAUBIER, RED BULL KTM 125
17. STEFAN BRADL, KIEFER RACING
18. NICOLAS TEROL, JACK & JONES PONS WRB
24. SIMONE CORSI, JACK & JONES PONS WRB
27. STEFANO BIANCO, CBC CORSE
29. ANDREA IANNONE, WWC
30. PERE TUTUSAUS, MATTEONI RACING
32. LORENZO SAVADORI,FONTANA RACING
33. SERGIO GADEA, BANCAJA ASPAR TEAM 125cc
34. RANDY KRUMMENACHER, DEGRAAF GRAND PRIX
38. BRADLEY SMITH, BANCAJA ASPAR TEAM 125cc
44. POL ESPARGARO, BELSON DERBI
45. SCOTT REDDING, BLUSENS APRILIA
60. JULIAN SIMON, BANCAJA ASPAR TEAM 125cc
66. MATTHEW HOYLE, MAXTRA TEAM
71. TOMOYOSHI KOYAMA, LONCIN RACING
72. MARCO RAVAIOLI, CBC CORSE
73. TAKAAKI NAKAGAMI, WWC
81. JASPER IWEMA, KIEFER RACING
88. MICHAEL RANSEDER, MAXTRA TEAM
93. MARC MARQUEZ, RED BULL KTM 125
94. JONAS FOLGER, WWC
99. DANNY WEBB, DEGRAAF GRAND PRIX

To be advised: Derbi Racing Team

Monday, December 15, 2008

Alvaro Bautista at Iker vs. Nadal

Mapfre Aspar rider Alvaro Bautista will take part in the benefit show match Iker vs. Nadal tomorrow night in Madrid.
The match will include football, tennis and a kart race and proceeds will benefit the Red Cross to help fight Malaria in Africa.

The event is completely sold out, but for those who have to stay at home and fans outside Spain there will be a LIVE broadcast online on www.terra.tv.
There is not a direct link on the website yet, but that should be available come 8pm on Tuesday.

Here are the team members for tomorrow's match:

EQUIPO IKER CASILLAS
1.- Iker Casillas
2.- David Ferrer
3.- Feliciano López
4.- Juan C. Ferrero
5.- Santi Cazorla
6.- Fabio Cannavaro
7.- Sergio Ramos
8.- Alberto Contador
9.- Dani Sordo
10.- Alvaro Bautista
11.- Kanoute
12.- Fernando Alonso


EQUIPO RAFA NADAL
1.- Rafa Nadal
2.- Carlos Moyá
3.- Jorge Lorenzo
4.- Raúl González
5.- Carlos Sastre
6.- Carlos Sainz
7.- Pedro Martínez de la Rosa
8.- Marcos Senna
9.- Novak Djokovic
10.- Sergio García
11.- Sete Gibernau
12.- Samuel Eto'o

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Bradley Smith Interview



New Bancaja Aspar rider Bradley Smith talks about his first impressions of the team and the bike and reveals his hopes for the 2009 season.

The complete interview can be read in Spanish on the official Aspar Team website and will soon be available in English here.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

FIM publishes Moto2 regulations

Okay - a bit of a wordy post this one, but the FIM has just published the regulations for the 250cc replacement class that runs from 2011 ("Moto2")
Not only are there the basic tech-specs but also some general regulations on parts usage and engine purchasing.
Here we go...


Engine
4-stroke engines only. Maximum 600cc.
4 cylinders maximum.
No oval pistons.
Engines must be normally aspirated. No turbo-charging, no super-charging.
Engine speed limited to maximum: 16,000 rpm. 4-cylinder engines, 15,500 rpm. 3-cylinder engines, 15,000 rpm. 2-cylinder engines.
An electronic system supplied by the Organisers will be permanently attached to monitor and control engine speed.
Pneumatic valve operation is not permitted.
Inlet and Exhaust valves must be of conventional type (reciprocating poppet valves).
Variable valve timing or variable valve lift systems are not permitted.
Only wet-sump type engine lubrication systems are permitted.
Minimum weight of complete engine with throttle body, dry: 53 kg 4-cylinder, 50 kg 3-cylinder, 47 kg 2 cylinder

Inlet & Fuel System
Variable-length inlet tract systems are not permitted.
Only one throttle control valve per cylinder is permitted. No other moving devices are permitted in the inlet tract before the engine intake valve.
Throttle bodies will have a maximum internal diameter (must be perfectly circle except for the area of dent or groove to allow the injector to come out) at engine side out-let of: 42 mm for 4-cylinder, 48 mm for 3-cylinder, 59 mm for 2-cylinder.
Fuel injectors will be restricted to a defined type (tba, based on cost).
Fuel pressure must not exceed 5.0 bar.
No artificial cooling of intake air or fuel.
Only air or air/fuel mixture is permitted in the induction tract and combustion chamber.
No direct fuel injection into the cylinder/head/combustion chamber.
Fuel specification will be for standard unleaded fuel (commercially available EU-compliant "pump fuel").

Exhaust system
Variable length exhaust systems are not permitted.
Noise limit will be a maximum of 120 dB/A, measured in a static test.

Transmission
A maximum of 6 gearbox speeds is permitted.
A maximum of 3 alternate gear ratios for each gearbox speed, and 2 alternate ratios for the primary drive gear is permitted. Teams will be required to declare the gearbox ratios for each gear used at the beginning of the season.
Electro-mechanical or electro-hydraulic clutch actuating systems are not permitted.

Ignition, Electronics & Data-Logging
Data logger system will be supplied by the series Organizer.
Only the ECU/fuel injection control units supplied by the series Organiser are allowed to be fitted to the motorcycle. Electronic control units include the timing transponder, engine RPM control, and datalogger systems. No other electronic control or datalogging systems will be allowed on the motorcycle.
The price of ECU unit made by each engine manufacturer must be equal to or less than
JPY 75,000 (about Euro650).

Chassis
Chassis will be a prototype, the design and construction of which is free within the constraints of the FIM Grand Prix Technical Regulations. The frame, swing-arm, fuel tank, seat and cowling are forbidden to use from a non-prototype as series production road-going motorcycle.
Minimum Total Weight: 135kg for 4-cylinder, 130kg for 3-cylinder, 125kg for 2-cylinder
No carbon brake discs.

Wheels & Tyres
No carbon composite wheels.
The maximum permitted wheel rim width is: Front 4.00", Rear 6.00" or 6.25"
The only permitted wheel rim diameter is: Front 17", Rear 17".
The number of slick tyres allocated to each rider per event will be controlled.

Materials & Construction
Construction materials will be limited to exclude expensive "non-conventional" materials and manufacturing methods (a list will be issued).
The following components must be made from iron-based alloys: Valve springs, camshafts, crankshafts, connecting rods, piston pins, brake discs.
Engine crankcases and cylinder heads must be made from cast aluminium alloys.
Pistons must be made from an aluminium alloy.

General
Number of machines: the team can scrutineer only one motorcycle per rider.
Number of engines: a maximum of 2 complete engines per rider is permitted at any event. Teams will be required to register engine serial numbers at Technical Control on the day before the first practice.
Apart from the above regulations, all other construction criteria, dimensions and specifications are as per the FIM Grand Prix Regulations.
The engine (excluding exhaust, throttle bodies and ECU) used in a race is available to be purchased by another competitor in the same race for a fixed price of €20,000 (Euro). Such purchase request must be made in writing to Race Direction within the protest period, that is within 60 minutes after the official end of the race.
The transaction and delivery will be completed immediately at the end of the 60 minute protest period and will be underwritten by IRTA. Teams refusing to sell when presented with a valid request will be disqualified.



Thursday, December 4, 2008

Interview Mike Di Meglio

125cc World Champion Mike di Meglio and new addition to the 250cc Aspar Team talks about his first experiences with the Mapfre Aspar Aprilia 250cc machine and reveals his hopes for the 2009 season.

Q. `How did it go with your new 250cc on your debut with the team?´
A. `It was a bit weird right at the start because I´d never ridden a 250 before and when I was on the brakes I could feel the front end moving around a lot. It was very different to a 125cc. In the first few laps I was braking really late and I couldn´t keep it on the right line, because it was thinking about the way to ride a 125cc. So I tried to relax and work out what I needed to do to put the bike where I wanted it to go. I picked up the feeling as I went along, learning about the behaviour of the bike and bit by bit the lap times were improving.´

Q. `What are the biggest differences between riding a 125cc and a 250cc?´
A. `Well, the power of course and then all the things which come along with that. From my point of view a 250cc moves around a lot more than a 125cc so it is crucial to feel comfortable with the tyres, the chassis and the suspension. On the other hand you can´t brake too heavily and you can´t take the corners too fast. Braking is a key thing, that´s where you notice a huge difference between the two categories.´

Q. `What tricks are there for adapting to the bigger bikes quickly?´
A. `I think it is crucial to try and anticipate how the bike will behave and think about how you´ll deal with it. I just tried to get used to the feeling of going into corners slowly, letting the bike do the work and then go as fast as possible on corner exit.´


Q. `What was it like working with your new team?´
A. `It was the first time we had got together and it was awesome. I wanted to be completely open and get to know everyone as quickly as possible, so that we could all get on well straight away and I think we managed that. In order to improve I want a good feeling with the team, I´m really happy about this new experience and I don´t think it could have been any better so far. The level of professionalism in the team and their ability to work on things together was really clear.´

Q. `What are your aims and objectives next season?´
A. `It is quite early to be setting specific objectives, but I think finishing in the top ten would be a good debut. I´d like to cause a surprise and be towards the front in a race. But I´m not going to worry about that too much at the moment, I think if we work hard as a team the results will come.´

Aspar Team Day unites riders, mechanics, sponsors & helpers

Last week the annual Aspar Team Day took place for the second time at the Valencia Circuit in Cheste.
Jorge Martinez preparing for the kart race

The unique event is a big get-together for riders, mechanics, sponsors, organisators and people involved with Team Aspar and is a perfect opportunity to re-unite once more before the long off-season and have a bit of fun.

Alvaro Bautista taking a curve in the kart

A kart race for the 40 guests was the highlight of the day, followed by the three attending riders - Alvaro Bautista, Julian Simon and Sergio Gadea - as well as Jorge Martinez and Gino Borsoi taking a Mitsubishi Lancer EVO III fast around the track.


Jorge Martinez Aspar:
“It has been a very funny initiative. Throughout the year we have contact with our sponsors, mainly during the GPs, but always with only very limited time. This day has allowed us to enjoy some motorports activities and mainly it has allowed us to do it with some more time on our hands and in a more relaxed environment, now the season has ended.
It is interesting to be able to enjoy a rest day like this from time to time and seeing the success, I only hope that this idea is the first of many others”.