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Bench Racing & The Morning Reads

:blush and I've wondered when someone would ask.

Short answer is a) I screwed up when a file corrupted :blush and b) I don't know. :dunno\

a). I corrupted the template I use for the post and did not repair it completely. Thanks for pointing that out.
b) My guess is that the 2009 calendar is a system thing related to the change in forum versions.

The change over to the new vBulletin system had people dealing with all sorts of things and I decided not to bug them about this. Put a note in my tickle file but has not come up yet.
 
Perhaps, I have fixed the template so future posts will take you to the right month in 2009 . For the rest keep in mind I am just a forum member with a lot of posts and no power. :wave



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Members with Birthdays this Month

SBK

ThereÔÇÖs plenty to keep fans of the S 1000 RR interested over in Phillip Island this weekend, with a whole host of riders using BMW machinery ÔÇô not just in World Superbikes, but also in the Australian Superbike and Prostock Championships. ...More

asphaltandrubber.com: Silverstone round scrapped, World Superbike calendar shakeup

Superpole ÔÇô Phillip Island leftovers

worldsbk.com: Carlos Checa wins Tissot Superpole at Phillip Island

Ducati.com: Checa and Team SBK Ducati Alstare storm to pole on the new 1199 Panigale

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bmw-motorrad.com: Start from second row for BMW Motorrad Goldbet SBK Team

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Sunday Warmup ÔÇô Phillip Island

Times and rankings special test sessions with a grain of salt with a grain of salt because we don't know what was being tested and how.

1 7 C. CHECA ESP Team Ducati Alstare Ducati Panigale 1199R 1'30.795
2 66 T. SYKES GBR Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX-10R 1'31.508
3 84 M. FABRIZIO ITA Red Devils Roma Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1'31.586
4 2 L. CAMIER GBR Fixi Crescent Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'31.588
5 19 C. DAVIES GBR BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK BMW S1000 RR 1'31.600
6 50 S. GUINTOLI FRA Aprilia Racing Team Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1'31.707
7 34 D. GIUGLIANO ITA Althea Racing Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1'31.713
8 91 L. HASLAM GBR Pata Honda World Superbike Honda CBR1000RR 1'31.784
9 33 M. MELANDRI ITA BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK BMW S1000 RR 1'31.827
10 58 E. LAVERTY IRL Aprilia Racing Team Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1'32.015
11 76 L. BAZ FRA Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX-10R 1'32.028
12 27 M. NEUKIRCHNER GER MR-Racing Ducati Panigale 1199R 1'32.033
13 65 J. REA GBR Pata Honda World Superbike Honda CBR1000RR 1'32.063
14 18 I. CLEMENTI ITA HTM Racing BMW S1000 RR 1'32.107 1.312
15 14 G. ALLERTON AUS Next Gen Motorsports BMW S1000 RR 1'32.757
16 23 F. SANDI ITA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R 1'33.033
17 16 J. CLUZEL FRA Fixi Crescent Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'33.037
18 5 A. LUNDH SWE Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R 1'33.102
19 21 J. STAUFFER AUS Team Honda Racing Honda CBR1000RR 1'33.933

Race 1 ÔÇô Phillip Island

Checa took the pole. He lost his P1 before the end of the first interval of lap one. At the end of the lap he was in P3 behind Laverty and Sykes and just ahead of Melandri and Haslam. Through the first ten laps of the race Checa and Melandri would engage in a serious duel, along with others, until the duel ended in a draw as both riders crashed.

The crash of Melandri and Checa promoted Davies to P6. Davies was fighting with both Kawasaki drivers for position. Sykes had fallen behind him and Baz was ahead. As the race closed Haslam was passed and he was able to hold off the Kawasakis to take P4 in his BMW debut. More importantly he took P2 in the manufacturer hunt.

Guintoli may be number two on the Factory Aprilia depth chart but he was number one in Race 1. The Aprilias remain fast sweeping the Race 1 podium. Tyre management may have made a difference for Laverty's fall from the lead to P2 at the end.

Davies performance is the first plus in the 'Judgement' column. He put in a solid blue collar effort in. He will have to find less speed to have better lap times. Both Davies and Melandri had some of the top trap speeds but with the v2 that does not always translate into fast lap times on an intermediate track such as Phillip Island.

P5 and 6 for the Kawasaki's of Sykes and Baz. I suspect Sykes rode the tires off his bike during his time in the front. Baz may have done the same with Haslam and Davies. They remain on the edge.

Haslam and Rea were next in the finishing order. Rea was a mid-fielder the entire race. Haslam on the other hand was a frequent visitor to the front of the pack. Often when you loose a duel you loose more than one position. Haslam proved the point and fought back running out of time and distance before he could improve his final standing.

Camier's P9 may have had more to do with dealing with traffic than problems with the bikes performance. Phillip Island will not be the true gague of what the team is able of.

Checa's crash was not his first the weekend. How it happened will be an interesting story. Rrible start for Ducati in 2013.

1 6 50 S. GUINTOLI FRA Aprilia Racing Team Aprilia RSV4 Factory 22 1'31.339 319,5 1'30.683 320,5 25 25 1
2 2 58 E. LAVERTY IRL Aprilia Racing Team Aprilia RSV4 Factory 22 1.352 1'31.440 315,8 1'30.429 317,6 20 20 2
3 3 84 M. FABRIZIO ITA Red Devils Roma Aprilia RSV4 Factory 22 1.359 1'31.323 320,5 1'30.581 319,5 16 16 3
4 12 19 C. DAVIES GBR BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK BMW S1000 RR 22 5.702 1'31.482 317,6 1'31.870 311,2 13 13 4
5 4 66 T. SYKES GBR Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX-10R 22 5.753 1'31.716 315,8 1'30.615 312,1 11 11 5
6 11 76 L. BAZ FRA Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX-10R 22 6.769 1'31.495 317,6 1'31.576 310,3 10 10 6
7 8 91 L. HASLAM GBR Pata Honda World Superbike Honda CBR1000RR 22 6.830 1'31.623 308,6 1'30.998 305,9 9 9 7
8 9 65 J. REA GBR Pata Honda World Superbike Honda CBR1000RR 22 17.944 1'32.106 316,7 1'31.742 310,3 8 8 8
9 7 2 L. CAMIER GBR Fixi Crescent Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 22 19.152 1'31.977 308,6 1'30.991 307,7 7 7 9
10 13 27 M. NEUKIRCHNER GER MR-Racing Ducati Panigale 1199R 22 26.557 1'32.300 305,1 1'32.010 304,2 6 6 10
11 17 16 J. CLUZEL FRA Fixi Crescent Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 22 30.305 1'32.420 313,0 1'32.402 309,5 5 5 11
12 15 18 I. CLEMENTI ITA HTM Racing BMW S1000 RR 22 30.411 1'32.266 303,4 1'32.773 304,2 4 4 12
13 18 5 A. LUNDH SWE Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R 22 45.185 1'32.906 297,5 1'32.487 296,7 3 3 13
14 16 14 G. ALLERTON AUS Next Gen Motorsports BMW S1000 RR 22 48.632 1'32.975 304,2 1'32.352 300,0 2 2 14
15 14 21 J. STAUFFER AUS Team Honda Racing Honda CBR1000RR 22 53.453 1'32.690 302,5 1'32.353 294,3 1 1 15
16 20 23 F. SANDI ITA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R 22 1'22.730 1'34.240 308,6 1'32.898 303,4
17 21 31 V. IANNUZZO ITA Grillini Dentalmatic SBK BMW S1000 RR 18 4 Laps 1'34.034 300,8 1'33.082 302,5
--------------------------------------------------Not Classified--------------------------------------------------
RET 1 7 C. CHECA ESP Team Ducati Alstare Ducati Panigale 1199R 12 10 Laps 1'31.517 311,2 1'30.234 306,8
RET 5 33 M. MELANDRI ITA BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK BMW S1000 RR 12 10 Laps 1'31.338 315,8 1'30.615 318,6
RET 10 34 D. GIUGLIANO ITA Althea Racing Aprilia RSV4 Factory 2 20 Laps 1'32.183 311,2



MotoGP

motogp.com: Sepang testing resumes with motogp.com

Formula One

formula1.com: Barcelona day 4

pirelli.com: 2013 official Formula One test in Barcelona

Ferrari
Lotus F1
Mercedes GP
McLaren
Red Bull

jamesallenonf1.com: Analysis of what we have learned from Barcelona tests

Other Racing

MC

supercross.com: Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series 2013 Atlanta
and preview

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On the Street

visordwon.com: Is now the time to invest ina classic motorcycle?

visordown.com: Slice of Life
FWIW: Forget all the big buck race drivers, the Iron Butt, Dakar and all that. The toughest hard corest (if there is such a word) are London's PTW delivery riders. Those guys and gals are incredible.

visordown.com: Honda 500's project team Q&A

canadianmotorcyclerider.ca: International Female Rider Day gearing up for 3 May 2013

ultimatemotorcycling.com: 2013 Husqvarna TR650 Terra review
FWIW: Tough reviewing during regiem change

thekneeslider.com: Musket 998 on the road videos

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motorcycle-usa.com: Analysis of 2012 Chinese motorcycle industry

The MotherShip PressClub

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The passion for extreme driving fun, a richly varied model range and the wide selection of personalisation options for which MINI is renowned form the centerpiece of the British premium brandÔÇÖs stand at the 2013 Geneva International Motor Show. As part of its ongoing model push, MINI is introducing further additions to its portfolio of attractive design models. Indeed, this yearÔÇÖs Geneva Show will host the world premiere of the MINI Clubman Bond Street. Generously equipped and with a searching eye for detail, this is a MINI tailor-made for style-conscious customers of the particularly discerning variety. ....More

The One World. One R 1200 GS Tour continues apace with the South African stage of this incredible journey about to start for Spanish rider Salvador Echevarria, who has arrived in Cape Town. Ahead of him is eight days of the kind of riding that most GS enthusiasts can only dream about. ... ....More

By the mid-1920s, BMW had established itself as a manufacturer of quality motorcycles. The R 32 was the touring motorcyclists' choice, while the sporting R 37 was the machine for the discerning and well-healed riders looking for power and performance. The world was moving fast and technology was progressing at speed. BMW had to keep pace and develop its motorcycles further ...More

FWIW

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Reference Library

Bike Candy

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Saturday, 23 February

Race 1 ÔÇô Phillip Island

WorldSBK.com

Aprilia gets 1-2-3 at Phillip Island World Superbike Race 1. It's the second time that the manufacturer from Noale monopolise the podium (first one was at Nurburgring last year) with works rider Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team) taking his 4th win of the career in his first race onboard the RSV4, ahead of team mate Eugene Laverty.

The race started with Eugene Laverty moving off well from second position, trying to run away from his opponents. The Irishman was able to keep the gap between himself and the rest of the field until he was caught up by Guintoli, who overtook Laverty on lap 15 and led the race until the chequered flag.

Later in the race Laverty had to deal with a confident Michel Fabrizio (Red Devils Roma Aprilia), who closed the gap and had a shot at 2nd place. Laverty waited until the last lap to make the perfect move on the Italian at 'Lukey Heights'. Right outside of top-3 is Chaz Davies (BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team) who battled hard with fellow Englishman Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) up to the finish line, to end up ahead of his rival for just 0.016 seconds, with team mate Loris Baz to follow.

After a competitive first part of the race, Leon Haslam (Pata Honda World Superbike) struggled a bit to keep the pace and eventually finished 7th ahead of team mate Jonathan Rea. Two potential contenders for the podium positions got out of the race during lap 13, as Carlos Checa (Team Ducati Alstare), accidentally hit Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team) from behind after outbraking himself, while entering Turn 4.

bikesportnews.com: Checa taken to hospital for observation

Race 2 ÔÇô Phillip Island

Checa did not return to compete in Race 2 promoting Sykes to the top of the grid chart for the start of the race. He was able to hold P1 for two laps until Laverty and Guintoli were shown ahead of him as Lap 2 was done.

Farther in the back Baz then Davies went down. Baz was not able to return but Davies did complete the race but way off anyones pace.

Melandri made a late push after pressing the Aprilia pair for most of the race. He moved past laverty with six laps remaining. And began to open a gap on Laverty behind him but was not able to reel in Guintoli ahead.

With two laps remaing Laverty turned in a new fast lap. In short order he made his way past Melandri then Guintoli to take the flag.

1 2 58 E. LAVERTY IRL Aprilia Racing Team Aprilia RSV4 Factory 22 1'31.168 317,6 1'30.429 317,6 20 25 45 1

2 6 50 S. GUINTOLI FRA Aprilia Racing Team Aprilia RSV4 Factory 22 0.418 1'31.506 315,8 1'30.683 320,5 25 20 45 2

3 5 33 M. MELANDRI ITA BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK BMW S1000 RR 22 1.382 1'31.549 316,7 1'30.615 318,6 16 16 5

4 3 84 M.FABRIZIO ITA Red Devils Roma Aprilia RSV4 Factory 22 2.282 1'31.517 317,6 1'30.581 319,5 16 13 29 3

5 4 66 T. SYKES GBR Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX-10R 22 11.545 1'31.856 314,9 1'30.615 312,1 11 11 22 4

6 10 34 D. GIUGLIANO ITA Althea Racing Aprilia RSV4 Factory 22 12.508 1'31.830 314,9 1'31.283 309,5 10 10 12

7 17 16 J. CLUZEL FRA Fixi Crescent Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 22 17.330 1'31.799 314,0 1'32.402 309,5 5 9 14 8

8 9 65 J. REA GBR Pata Honda World Superbike Honda CBR1000RR 22 17.339 1'32.220 319,5 1'31.742 310,3 8 8 16 6

9 7 2 L. CAMIER GBR Fixi Crescent Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 22 19.886 1'31.820 310,3 1'30.991 307,7 7 7 14 9

10 8 91 L. HASLAM GBR Pata Honda World Superbike Honda CBR1000RR 22 19.996 1'31.758 306,8 1'30.998 305,9 9 6 15 7

11 13 27 M.NEUKIRCHNER GER MR-Racing Ducati Panigale 1199R 22 27.629 1'32.134 303,4 1'32.010 304,2 6 5 11 11

12 16 14 G. ALLERTON AUS Next Gen Motorsports BMW S1000 RR 22 42.809 1'33.082 297,5 1'32.352 300,0 2 4 6 14

13 14 21 J. STAUFFER AUS Team Honda Racing Honda CBR1000RR 22 42.893 1'33.221 294,3 1'32.353 294,3 1 3 4 16

14 20 23 F. SANDI ITA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R 22 44.899 1'32.640 304,2 1'32.898 303,4 2 2 18

15 18 5 A. LUNDH SWE Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R 22 57.824 1'33.302 295,9 1'32.487 296,7 3 1 4 17

16 21 31 V. IANNUZZO ITA Grillini Dentalmatic SBK BMW S1000 RR 22 1'22.574 1'33.693 303,4 1'33.082 302,5

17 12 19 C. DAVIES GBR BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK BMW S1000 RR 20 2 Laps 1'32.007 314,0 1'31.870 311,2 13 13 10
--------------------------------------------------Not Classified--------------------------------------------------
RET 15 18 I. CLEMENTI ITA HTM Racing BMW S1000 RR 11 11 Laps 1'32.609 304,2 1'32.773 304,2 4 4 15
RET 11 76 L. BAZ FRA Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX-10R 0 1'31.576 310,3 10 10 13

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Monday, 25 February

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Members with Birthdays this Month

SBK

bmwgroup-sport.com: BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team - Phillip Island - Races

bmw-motorrad.com: First podium of the season for Marco Melandri

fim-live.com: Laverty the first leader
FWIW: Guintoli won the first race so he would technically be the first leader but Laverty won the second race and thus is the leader after the Phillip Island Round so the FIM is right in their world and when you are rule maker you win but that was Laverty and Guintoli but the FIM gets the final word and as the last winner they make Laverty the first leader. I am so confused.

worldsbk.com: Eugene Laverty wins race 2 at Phillip Island

aprilia.com: Sunday ÔÇô The Race

Kawasaki-racingteam.eu: Fourth for Sykes overall after Phillip Island opener

hondaproracing.com: Rea and Haslam start SBK season in Phillip Island

suzuki-racing.com: Cluzel scores 7th at Phillip Island

Not for the faint of heart -
visordown.com: The moment Checa took out Melandri

superbikeplanet.com: Phillip Island quote machine final

twowheelsblog.com: WSBK 2013 calendar still up in the air

MotoGP

VIDEO: how a Nolan helmet is made

Formula One

thef1times.com: Williams blown wheel covers believed legal
FWIW: It's a geek thing

Other Racing

MC

fim-live.com: Stewart takes Atlanta win

On the Street

motorsportnewswire.com: Norton delivers British export growth

cyrilhuzeblog.com: Fast industry news

webbikeworld.com: Vilner Aprilia Stingray

The MotherShip PressClub

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FWIW

The Game is Afoot | Solving the 2013 WSBK Manufacturer Championship Mystery

For fans of Sherlock Holmes the phase ÔÇ£The game is afootÔÇØ instantly conjures up vivid images. In my mindÔÇÖs eye I see Holmes transforming from a sullen man sitting in his lodgings at 221B Baker Street discussing crime, or the lack of it, into one vibrant with the sense of purpose. In a flurry he recounts his initial outline of the crime as Watson and I, the reader, try to catch up with Holmes on the way to the scene of the crime and then the uncovering of the crimes solution for the rest of the book.

In most mysteries we are taken to the scene of the crime after it has happened. There the detectives try to discern what their initial view of the scene and subsequent investigation tells them as they attempt to solve the mystery. Who will win the 2013 WSBK Manufacturer Championship is a multi chapter mystery. In the first chapter we are taken to Phillip Island Australia where we are confronted with the standings after Race 1 and 2 of the first round of the 2013 season.

Aprilia 50 pts. + 5 pts
BMW 29 pts. - 2 pts
Kawasaki 22 pts. - 7 pts.
Honda 17 pts. - 5 pts.
Suzuki 16 pts. + 12pts.
Ducati 11 pts. - 30 pts.

This is the Manufacturer table after the end of the round in rank order, showing points won in the round and the +/- compared to last year after Round 1. I plan on presenting the standings in this manner through the season.

The idea of rank ordering is fairly intuitive particularly when the points used to determine the ranking are included. In this case, unlike golf where the player with the fewest strokes wins, here the more points the higher your ranking. How each team scored the points is not as intuitive and adds more layers to our mystery as a result. Lets look at the three main headings in the 2013 FIM Codes and Regulations for World Superbike rule: 1.30 Championship Points and Classifications.

1.30.1
Riders and Constructors will compete for the FIM Road Racing World *World Championship Superbike or Supersport or the FIM Superstock Cup.
1.30.2
For riders, the points will be those gained in each race.
1.30.3
For constructors, only the highest placed rider of a Constructor will gain points, according to the position in the race.

The next section outlines the positions receiving points and the points allocated for them. For example P1=25pts, P2=20pts, P3=16pts and P4=13pts. Points are awarded in ever diminishing amounts to P15=1. The rules go on dealing with a variety of possible outcomes and issues. For now we can apply this paragraphÔÇÖs opening sentence to understanding our mysteryÔÇÖs opening scene.

Aprilia scored fifty points using the points for different riders in each race. Guintoli won Race 1 and 25 pts for P1, Laverty won Race 2 and 25 pts for P1 in that race and together gave Aprilia 50 pts for the round.

BMW riders were the second manufacturer across the finish line in both races. They did not score 40 points for P2 but the points for where the riders were in the standings when they did. Davies finished Race 1 second in the manufacture race but P4 in the rider standings thus scoring 13 pts for BMW. Melandri came across second in the Race 2 manufacture race but in P3 in the rider standings and scored 16 pts for the team. *

I have included the plus or minus as one way of measuring progress compared to last year. Ducati is the biggest loser this round using that measure. The other Ducati riders on the grid were not able to make up for his loss. That takes us to a discussion of the concept of scoring points and denying points to your opponents. LetÔÇÖs save that for another time and end here.

I want to dig further into the clues the Round 1 results give us to our mystery of who will win the WSBK Manufacturer Championship. Before we tackle scoring and denying points lets compare some numbers from ChecaÔÇÖs incredible 2011 season with and 2013 at Phillip Island. This will expand in the real world some of the themes to watch in 2013 I mentioned before. Next time: BMW Goldbet and the Goldilocks Solution.

Reference Library

Bike Candy

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Wednesday, 27 February

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Members with Birthdays this Month

SBK

pirelli.com: The new 17 inch Pirelli Diablo Superbike tyres did not disappoint expectations in the first round of the season allowing the riders to significantly increase their lap times compared to 2012

worldsbk.com: Checa leaves Melbourne hospital and announces Aragon return

ducati.com: Unlucky day for Ducati Alstare

autoevolution.com: Checas is back with the team ÔÇô Melandri is mad at the on site medical crew

thisderbyshire.co.uk: Tough start to World Superbike Championship campaing

MotoGP

motomatters.com: Suzuki set to join MotoGP test after Barcelona

fim-live.com: MotoGP testing resumes in Sepang with Pedrosa on top

crash.net: Sepang II MotoGP test times Tuesday final

autosport.com: Dovizioso reassured by Ducati gains

motogp.com: Ducati assesses new fuel tan in Malaysia

motogp.com: Espargar?? leads the way for CRT field

yamaha-motor.eu: Rain hampers Sepang return

ducati.com: First day of Sepang test marked by bad weather

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Formula One

jamesallenonf1.com: Massa pins hopes on final pre-season test in Barcelona

formula1.com: Season testing so far

formula1.com: Pirelli: Tyre degradation levelss ÔÇ£not typicalÔÇØ

thef1times.com: Engine clarification may hurt Red Bull, Lotus

express.co.uk: Ross Brawn eyes Mercedes exit

Other Racing

MC

supercros.com: 2013 Atlanta SX review

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thevintagent.com: 171 mph on Velocette

On the Street

asphaltandrubber.com: Oxford dicitonary redefines ÔÇ£bikerÔÇØ

canadianmotorcyclerider.ca: Amarok short film ÔÇô electic motorcycle

motorsporntewsire.com: Saddlemen releases adventure tour seats

jsonline.com: Harely-Davidson dealers optimistic but recent sales down

visordown.com: Royal Enfield loses UK distributor

visordown.com: New motorcycle sales [European] still falling

webbikeworl.dcom: Schuberth SR1 helmet

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The MotherShip PressClub

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Rolls-Royce Motor Cars today confirms that its new model Wraith will be a fastback, and has issued the final image, in the series of teaser images, before WraithÔÇÖs launch in Geneva. This illustrates the three lines that underscore the carÔÇÖs striking profile. ....More

Munich/Hanover.*The BMW Group and the international automotive supplier Continental are stepping up their collaboration in the field of driver assistance systems. ...More

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Cage World

indiancarbikes.in: 2014 BMW F10 5 Series LCI sedan facelift spotted in China

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FWIW

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BMW Goldbet and the Goldilocks Solution

Lets continue our detective work into Solving the 2013 WSBK Manufacturer Championship Mystery by digging a bit deeper into the numbers from both the 2011 and 2013 Phillip Island Rounds. The goal here is, not so much to solve the mystery, but *to understand racing pace a bit better. Hopefully In the process we will better understand how the 2013 usual suspects perform and score a bit better. To do this I want you to look at best laps, maximum speeds and gap to leader at the end of the race for three riders in two seasons.

2011 Phillip Island
Race 1
P1 Checa : 1ÔÇÖ31.193 | 300.3 |
P2 Biaggi: 1ÔÇÖ31.034 | 317.0 | +4.365 seconds
P3 Haslam: 1ÔÇÖ32.266 | 313.4 | +10.719 seconds

Race 2
P1 Checa: 1ÔÇÖ32.284 | 301.1 |
P2 Biaggi: 1ÔÇÖ32.012 | 318.9 | +1.188 seconds
P5 Haslam: 1ÔÇÖ32.560 | 310.7 +10.885 seconds

Street sport riders are fond of talking about ÔÇÿThe PaceÔÇÖ. This was an idea put forward some years ago in Sport Rider Magazine. In simple terms it is heading out to your favorite twisties, staying in your lane, staying within the speed limit while working on carving the perfect line. The goal is alacrity not raw speed as you ride the straights and through the turns.

In road racing Racing Pace is balancing the racing demand for speed with this idea of carrying speed through the twisties to make you faster overall. In 2011 at Phillip Island Checa began a spectacular championship season that confounded writers that did not understand this idea of racing pace. Checa consistently turned lower top speeds and often slower lap times than the competition but the level consistency of his racing pace confounded the competition. They were faster at times but it was when they were done fighting among each other behind Checa as he motored away.

With the 2012 version of the same package Checa had very different results. I believe if you look at his numbers alone you can argue his ÔÇÿPaceÔÇÖ may have been the same; however, he had lost relative speed to the competition and his ÔÇÿRacing PaceÔÇÖ could not offset their improvements in combining speed and handling.

Now look at some of the evidence numbers three of our suspects left behind at the 2013 Phillip Island Round

2013 Phillip Island
Race 1
P1 Guintoli: 1ÔÇÖ31.339 | 319.5
P2 Laverty: 1ÔÇÖ31.440 | 315.8 | +1.352
P4 Davies: 1ÔÇÖ31.482 | 317.6 | +5.702

Race 2
P1 Laverty: 1ÔÇÖ31.168 | 317.6
P2: Guintoli: 1ÔÇÖ31.506 | 315.8 | +0.418
P3 Melandri: 1ÔÇÖ31.549 | 316.7 | +1.382

If you are scratching your head after looking at the 2013 numbers it is because you have dandruff and not because they tell some unexpected story. The lap times fall in the way one would expect given the positions of the riders. Top speeds are not all that different and offer no real indicator of position. The gap to leader is not out of the range of what you would expect. In the case of Davies you might be impressed given his drive to within six seconds of the leader at the end of the race began from a distant P9 at the end of lap one with many very good riders to pass. What makes these numbers interesting is how they were put together. To understand that you will have to accept information from my race notes and the observations from them.

In 2012 I would watch Melandri on live timing tracking the gap between the rider in front and the rider behind. Watching these numbers I could see him set up Biaggi, Sykes and others and then predict with some accuracy where and when he would pass.

Like the riders, by race two I had overcome my frenetic feeling of Race 1 and settled in to a more comfortable Race 2 form. I began watching MelandriÔÇÖs gap times to see if and when he might make a move. At the start finish line on one lap he had narrowed the gap to the leader to 0.2887 seconds. Certainly he would reel in the competition on that lap or the next. To my surprise they had opened the lead to perhaps 0.488 seconds by the third interval only to have Melandri narrow the gap in that bit of straight stuff before the start finish line once again.

If you remember my World Superbike theme thread the potential of the new crop of Aprilia riders to harness the speed and with their handling skills combine the two and secure another championship in the process. This is only the first round yet the Aprilia riders seem to be the early leaders in defining Racing Pace using this limited set of data.

BMW Goldbet is not far off when you think of in Goldilocks terms. Aprilia found a solution that was just right for both races and scored maximum points in the process. BMW found a solution that I suggest was just too fast. They found the speed but not the pace; therefore, came in behind Aprilia because they were too fast. The rest of the field had a combined racing pace that was just too slow no matter how the two elements were balanced to deal with Aprilia or BMW.

This is a serial mystery and we only have results from the first round. Teams are on their way home to prepare for the next round. They will tweak and work on many things. Next time we will look at The Ideal Lap as one way to predict how these suspects will do in the next race.

Reference Library

Bike Candy

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Thursday, 28 February

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Members with Birthdays this Month

SBK

worldsbk.com: Pirelli notes from Phillip Island

MotoGP

hondaproracing.com: Repsol duo continue productive tests in Malaysia

yamaha-motor.eu: Lorenzo leads the way on day 2

autosport.com: Sepang MotoGP test: Valentino Rossi blames poor times on setup error

motomatters.com: MotoGP Sepang day press roundup

motorcycledaily.com: Suzuki working its way back onto MotoGP grid

Formula One

bbc.co.uk: Grosjean gets Lotus crash warning

autosport.com: Adrian Sutil beats Jules Bianchi to 2013 Force India Formula 1 seat

thef1times.com: Marussia on the lookout for engine supplier
FWIW: Would BMW ever consider returning as an engine supplier in this new formula?


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Other Racing

MC

amaproracing.com: Sandra Stammova to Make Debut at Daytona


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On the Street

ultimatemotorcycling.com: Nelson Rigg release waterproof survivor dry bags

asphaltandrubber.com: California scraps anti lane splitting law

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The MotherShip PressClub

ROLLS-ROYCE SUPPORTS FUTURE MANUFACTURING TALENT
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars recently visited East Preston Infant School as part of the CompanyÔÇÖs commitment to the Government-led ÔÇÿSee Inside ManufacturingÔÇÖ initiative. The programme encourages manufacturers to engage with children and young people and inspire future British manufacturing talent. ....More

Alphabet remains on track for further growth
Leading Business Mobility provider has half a million company cars under management ...More

Cage World

jalopnik.com: Go for an icy test drive in BMW's i8 Hybrid sports car

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I had a Road Runner, think I would have like this as much.

NHTSA Recall ID No. 13V041000 : Lotus
Dated: JAN 29, 2013 Lotus is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Elise and Exige vehicles manufactured from December 1, 2006, through October 31, 2007. The oil cooler line may become detached from its fitting.

www.bimmerfile.com: BimmerFile ÔÇô cage news options & reviews that matter
FWIW: Bringing back as a permanent link

Reference Library

Bike Candy

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Friday, 1 March

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Members with Birthdays this Month

SBK

BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team: Marco Melandri undergoes successful surgery.

BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team factory rider Marco Melandri is confident that his right shoulder will not cause him any more problems. Over recent months, the Italian has been struggling with a lot of pain in his shoulder which particularly affected him when riding. After returning home from Australia, Marco underwent a small operation on Wednesday 27 February. The operation went well, without any major problems....More

worldsbk.com: Marco Melandri undergoes successful surgery

motorcyclenews.com: New R1 spy shots

MotoGP

superbikeplanet.com: Ex-Head of Ducati Racing Filippo Preziosi Resigns From Ducati

fim-live.com: Sepang sings off with pace Lroenzo and dominant Pedrosa

hondaproracing.com: 1 and 2 for Repsol Hondaa team as Sepang testing comes to an end

yamaha-motor.cu: Yamaha wraps up Sepanc testing

fim-live.com: Positive day for Ducati

Formula One

formula1.com: Sutil secures Froce India seat

ferrari.com: Massa ÔÇ£ A lot of teams will be competitiveÔÇØ

lotusf1team.com: Busy schedule ahead for Lotus F1 as countdown contines to Melbourne continues

mercedesgp: Bacelona day 1

mclaren.com: Barcelona day one

redbull.com: Vettel fastest in wet and windy Barcelona day one

jamesallenonf1.com: Barcelona test 2 day 1 ÔÇô Webber puts Red Bull in sunshine as Force India announce Sutil

Other Racing

MC

hondaproracing.com: Honda Pro Racing News ÔÇô Issue 14
FWIW: HRC's online racing e-rag

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Cage and...

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On the Street

motomatters.com: RIP Cycle News editor Henry Ray Abrams

amaproracing.com: Statememnt on the passing of Henry Ray Abrams

HFL: Touratech rides the new GS

motorcycle-usa.com: AMA urges bill support of E15 Federal analysis

cycleworld.com: GOOGLE GLASS FOR MOTORCYCLESAre these forthcoming ÔÇ£digital glassesÔÇØ the ultimate navigation and heads-up display for motorcycle riders or just another threat to traffic safety?

backpacker.com: 2013 Back Packer Gear Guide
Motorcycling is back packing on two wheels. The 2013 Guide is out now, take a look to see what they talk about.


cyrilhuzeblog.com: Chinese custom bike builder

canadamotoguide.com: Nortons get Canadian homologation

The MotherShip PressClub

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Woodcliff Lake, NJ  February 28, 2013Fueling the desire of motorcyclists who are restless to ride, BMW Motorrad USA is rolling out a national television advertising campaign  Feed Your Restless -- beginning March 1 ....More

New, globally unique function is part of the updated MINI Connected app ÔÇô Drivers collect points for skilful acceleration, gear changes, steering and braking ÔÇô Intuitive operation and familiar MINI presentation using the joystick and on-board monitor. ....More

From now on time will play an even more important role for BMW Motorsport in the DTM: The Belgian watch brand Ice-Watch will make its debut in the popular touring car series as Premium Partner of BMW Motorsport. For the 2013 season, Marco Wittmann (DE) of BMW Team MTEK will take to the track at the wheel of the Ice-Watch BMW M3 DTM, which bears the start number 21 and features a striking Ice-Watch design on the front, roof and rear of the car. ...More

Cage World

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RECALL NHTSA Recall ID No. 13V0580000
Dated: FEB 22, 2013 Porsche is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 911 Carrera and Carrera 4 vehicles manufactured from March 7, 2012, through November 12, 2012, and equipped with a standard (not sport) exhaust system...

www.bimmerfile.com: BimmerFile ÔÇô cage news options & reviews that matter

FWIW

Dear BMW,

Unfortunately I will have to decline your invitation, but thank you very much for asking. Maybe are reader could attend and report back to us.

Sincerely,
Mika

:brad

Reference Library

Bike Candy

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Saturday, 2 March

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Members with Birthdays this Month

SBK

worldsbk.com: Phillip Island posr race statistics


MotoGP

honda.com: Official Testing Sepang

autosport.com: Spies aggrivates injury with fall

Formula One

formula1.com: Grosjean sets pace for Lotus at Barcelona day 2
Second Day at Barcelona -
Ferrari
Lotus
Mercedes GP
McLaren
Red Bull

bbc.co.uk: Bianchi takes drive at Marussia

Other Racing

MC

supercross.com: FIM World Motorcross Round 1 Qatar - Qualifying

fim-live.com: ISDE 2013 ÔÇô record number of entries

Cage and...

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On the Street

webbikeworld.com: Adventure Motorcycling Handbook ÔÇô Book review

visordown.com: New BMW GS dry adventure clothing

motorcycledaily.com: Triumph officially introduces new Speed Triple SE and Bonneville SE

motorcycle.com: Ducati Hypermotard review

cyrilhuzeblog.com: Fast motorycle industry news

canadamotoguide.com: Book review : Motorcycle journeys through Atlantic Canada

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This week, a major new television advertising campaign has been launched in the USA, with a variety of BMW motorcycles starring in the action. Filmed to express the thrill and camaraderie that comes from riding, the national TV ads will premier on 1 March and air nationally until early June ....More

The launch of the new R 1200 GS has whetted the appetite of many adventure travel enthusiasts, who will be eagerly awaiting the latest version of this iconic model line to arrive in their local BMW Motorrad dealer in time for the New Season Start. By this time though, adventurer Miquel Silvestre will already be en route to Samarkland, in the heart of central Asia, on the new boxer. ...More

As the One World. One R 1200 GS series of once-in-a-lifetime motorcycle tours continues to entertain and inspire us, BMW Motorrad has an exclusive interview with Eric Massiet du Biest, the French adventure traveller responsible for helping the five lucky Ride of your Life winners live their motorcycling dreams from the saddle of the all-new travel enduro ....More

In the five years since the launch of the R 32, BMW had established itself as a manufacturer of quality touring motorcycles. They were well engineered, reliable and, on the racetrack, they were more than capable of finishing in the winnerÔÇÖs circle. It was now time to consolidate this success with a more diverse model line-up. ...More

Woodcliff Lake, NJ  March 1, 2013 The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported February sales of 25,613 vehicles, a decrease of 2.2 percent from the 26,184 vehicles sold in the same month a year ago. ....More

Cage World

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www.bimmerfile.com: BimmerFile ÔÇô cage news options & reviews that matter

FWIW

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Reference Library

Bike Candy

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Monday, 4 March

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Members with Birthdays this Month

Formula One

formula1.com: Barcelona day 4

pirelli.com: 2013 Official Formula One test in Barcelona

ferrari.com: Fry ÔÇô The key will be understanding the tyres

lotursf1team.com: Kimi Raikkonen confirdent in E21 reliability

Mercedes-amg-f1.com: Barcelona day four

mclaren.com: Barcelona day four

redbull.com: Webber ÔÇô We've learned a lot but now it's time to go racing

bbc.co.uk: Stage is set for enticingly close Formula 1 season

independent.co.uk: This is the year we'll find out just how good Lewis hamilton is

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Other Racing

MC

supercross.com: Round 9 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series 2013 St. Louis

ktm.com: Dungy takes fourth

hondaproracing.com: Honda ÔÇô MXGP Round 1 Losail

suzuki-racing.com: Desalle and Suzuki win Qatar MX1GP

roadracingworld.com: Former Canadian Superbike Champion Brett McCormick is not going road racing in 2013

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Cage and...

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On the Street

motorradonline.de: Positioning [Market] the new GS

The MotherShip PressClub

BMW DTM driver Timo Glock struck by football fever ÔÇô Bruno Spengler takes time out for his most loyal fans. ....More

Cage World

motorsportsnewswire.com; Court approves America Suzuki Motor Corporation's chapter 11 plan

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www.bimmerfile.com: BimmerFile ÔÇô cage news options & reviews that matter

Reference Library

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Wednesday, 6 March

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Members with Birthdays this Month

SBK

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MotoGP

motogp.com: Gobmeier ÔÇô Level of competition is very very high

motomatters.com: Interview with Scott Redding on aiming for the championsip , not going to MotoGP and weight rules

twowheelsblog.com: MotoGP in Brazil in 2014?


Formula One

jamesallenonf1.com: Sebastian vettel frustrated by lack of running and inconsistent tyres

formula1.com: Roberts joins Caterham as aero chief

nbcsports.com: F1's five rookies for 2013 ÔÇô what ou need to know
FWIW ÔÇô not much

Other Racing

MC

supercross.com: ST. Louis SX review

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cycleworld.com: IOMTT ÔÇô MV Agusta returns to the TT

On the Street

canadamotoguide.com: Possible delays for delivery of 2013 BMW R1200GS

motorcyclenews.com: Husqvaran ÔÇô What the future may hold

canadamotoguide.com: Toyota unveils three wheeler iRoad
and
thekneeslider.com's take on the iRoad

jasonline.com: Harley-davidson adding to its India line

ultimatemotorcycling.com: 2013 Moto Guzzi Norge GT 8V ÔÇô Quick Ride

motorcycle-usa.com: 2013 Ducati Hypermotard ÔÇô First ride

motorcycle.com: Top five roads in Ontario's Highlands

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The MotherShip PressClub

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars proudly presents the world debut of Wraith, the most powerful and dynamic Rolls-Royce in history. At its heart lie hallmark Rolls-Royce attributes of luxury, refinement and hand-craftsmanship, but the new model from the worldÔÇÖs pinnacle super-luxury marque also presents a unique character defined by power, style and drama. With just a hint of the noir. ...More
FWIW ÔÇô Maybe, but I am thinking I might look for at a drop top RR.

A good month and a half after winning the Rally Dakar, MINI is launching the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 Racing Dakar Winner 2013 ÔÇô in a seriously limited edition. ....More

BMW Group Canada (BMW and MINI brands combined) reported monthly sales of 2,293 units in February 2013, up 5.1 per cent compared to February 2012. ...More

Munich. Ulrich Knieps has assumed an additional role as head of BMW Group Classic, effective 1 March 2013. Knieps now heads the companyÔÇÖs competence centre for BMW Group and brand history in addition to the central department for Product, Technology and Sports Communications. BMW Group Classic had been managed since 2007 by Karl Baumer, who retired at the end of January 2013. ....More

The BMW i3 Concept Coupe celebrates its European premiere in Geneva, while the BMW i8 Concept Spyder also makes an appearance. These two concept models reflect the current status of the ongoing development process and illustrate the potential breadth of an extended BMW i portfolio. At the same time they show how high-performance, zero-emission mobility is also able to deliver when it comes to emotional excitement and sheer appeal. Both models are built around BMW eDrive technology, which will provide a unique driving experience in all future BMW electric and plug-in hybrid models. These BMW eDrive powertrains, comprising the electric motor, lithium-ion battery and intelligent powertrain management, form the core of all BMW i models. ...More

The BMW M3 DTM that won the 1987 German Touring Car Championship and the BMW M1 Procar racer from 1980 are back in action on the track ÔÇô Historic racing cars will be entered as ÔÇ£race taxisÔÇØ ÔÇô Debut scheduled for the curtain-raiser to the new season at the Hockenheimring on 4/5 May 2013.Hockenheimring. ....More

Extensive programme at the Villa dÔÇÖEste and Villa Erba +++ Third motorcycle Concorso +++ Special ÔÇ£90 years of BMW MotorradÔÇØ and ÔÇ£60 years of CorvetteÔÇØ exhibitions +++ Auction held by RM Auctions. ...More

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Cage World

mclaren.com: The McLaren P1 borne out of 50 years of racing experience

ktm.com: KTM at the International Geneva Motor Show

bloomberg.com: BMW shrugs off Europe drop as Daimler seeks more capacity

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www.bimmerfile.com: BimmerFile ÔÇô cage news options & reviews that matter

Reference Library

Bike Candy

Apparently Adventure Bikes come in a variety of shapes

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Thursday, 7 March

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Members with Birthdays this Month

SBK

gpone.com: TV market share in Italy

speedweek.de: SBK marketers Dorna critisize BMW spending

MotoGP

motomatters.com: NGM Forward in preliminary talks with Kawasaki for a MotoGP return?
And as told on Motorcycledaily.com

motogp.com: Uncini makes FIM debut for Safety Inspection at COTA

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Formula One

express.co.uk: Red Bull fear Lewis Hamilton

ferrari.com: Domenicali ÔÇô Melbourne is just the start

nbcsports.com: NBC Sprots Group 2013 Formula One coverage

bbc.co.uk: BBC's F1 coverage plans

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Sauber gets the saw out once again for 2013
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Other Racing

MC

suzuki-racing.com: Stewart podiums at St. Louis

cycleworld.com: AMA SBK Yamaha unveils new livery for 2013
The bike and riders look good too

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On the Street

sportrider.com: American Suzuki Motor Corp to become Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
U.S. Bankruptcy Court approves Chapter 11 restructuring plan that involves closure of struggling automotive sales division and ÔÇ£sellingÔÇØ the motorcycle/ATV/marine division to newly created Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.

visordown.com: Aprilia to join the 250 battle
FWIW: So will BMW every join the 250/500 ranks with a cut down RR engine variant?

cyrilhuzeblog.com: Fast motorcycle industry news.

thekneeslider.com: Locomotives may shake up the transportation fuels market

motorsportsnewswire.com: VP raises the bar with two new street legal fuels

asphaltandrubber.com: KTM CEO Stefan Pierer says it is too soon for electics

webbikeworld.com: AFX FX 120 helmet review

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A new direction for OCC after their bankruptcy?
i-tB4ncMT-M.jpg

No just a scoot from Terry Meierhofer's project viaScooteringMag ÔÇô

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The MotherShip PressClub

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RECALL : Transport Canada Recall # 2013073 BMW R1200GS 2013
On certain motorcycles, the threaded plugs which secures the front fork tubes to the upper triple clamp may loosen over time. This could allow a fork tube to detach, which could result in a sudden loss of steering...

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Cage World

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autoblog.com: Watch the jaws of life tear apart a Tesla Model S
e cars present new issues for fire fighters

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FWIW

Castrol /Triumph oil video thread
One
Two
Three
Four
Five

Reference Library

Bike Candy

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bonhams.com

1965 Fruin 200cc Four-cylinder Racing Motorcycle
Frame no. 409221S
Engine no. BF2

The engine of this extraordinary motorcycle is the work of independent engineer H L 'Bert' Fruin of Hillingdon, Middlesex, who constructed a series of technically interesting 'specials' in the 1950s and 1960s, including a DOHC 125cc twin-cylinder racer and a modular V4/V8 engine. Proprietor of H L Fruin Motorcycles in Hillingdon, Bert began competing on his Italian Demm-based 50cc two-stroke Dartela racers in the late 1950s and rode them at the Isle of Man TT in 1962 and 1963, retiring on both occasions. The first Fruin-built 200cc Four was featured in The Motor Cycle magazine (3rd May 1962 edition, copy on file), which also revealed his plans for future multi-cylinder 'strokers'.

Designed to accommodate Demm top-ends and later NSU Quickly components, Bert's four-cylinder engine was sold in kit form as a crankcase and set of crankshaft blueprints at a cost in 1961 of ?ú16. The engine of the machine offered here was built by engineer Mike Smith of Waltham Abbey, Essex around 1965 and uses NSU cylinders and heads. It was fitted with Wal Philips fuel injectors initially and then Dell'Orto carburettors. Smith housed the Fruin engine in an MV Agusta rolling chassis fitted with Royal Enfield forks and Gilera hubs. Power reached the ground via a Villiers four-speed close-ratio gearbox. Motor Cycling magazine featured Smith's Fruin Four in its 24th July 1965 edition (copy available). The Fruin proved un-competitive in 250 class so Smith used it mainly for sprinting.

At some time in the 1980s Mike Smith sold the Fruin to Kevin Burton, who in turn passed it on to Tony Milk of New Costessey, Norfolk. In 1999 Mark Turner of Track & Classics, Stockport bought the bike from Tony Milk who had advertised it for sale in Old Bike Mart (copy on file). It is understood that the Fruin was run but never raced by Milk. Mark Turner made a new fuel tank and re-commissioned the Fruin, which was run at his shop in Stockport and again at a classic motorcycle event at Elvington Air Museum (see correspondence on file). While in Mark Turner's ownership the Fruin was the subject of an article in Classic Bike Guide (March 2000 edition, copy available).

Turner then sold the Fruin to a collector, from whom it was purchased by the current vendor and restored in 2009. Refurbishment included rebuilding the engine and gearbox, repainting the frame and fuel tank, re-plating the brightwork, overhauling the carburettors and float bowls, and rebuilding the wheels. The electrics remain original and un-restored. Following its restoration the Fruin was displayed on the Carole Nash stand at the NEC, Birmingham and also at the Stafford Show.
Estimate:
?ú8,000 - 10,000
Ôé¼9,600 - 12,000
US$ 12,000 - 16,000
 
Saturday, 9 March

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Members with Birthdays this Month

SBK

World SBK and FIM finalize the calendar adding an Istanbul round in September

twowheelsblog.com: Effenber Liberty Racing ready to return?

On BMW S1000RRs? liberty-racing.com
speedweek.de: Effenbert Liberty: In return threatens trouble
Analysis by speedweek.de: Effenbert: meglomania and lack of a business plan

crash.net: Silverstone WSBK round gets green light

MotoGP

motogp.com: Hayden undergoes minor operation on wrist

twowheelsblog.com: Kawasaki thinking of a return to MotoGP?
FWIW: another take on the story

Formula One

jamesallenonf1.com: Why McLaren partenering with Honda makes sense

telegraph.co.uk: Pastor Maldonado's plight highlights the perils of Formula Ones pay drivers
FWIW: Maldonado points to both the financial and skill/safety perils

bbc.co.uk: Formula 1 to run 19 races

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Other Racing

MC

motosprint.it: Polini Maxi Scooter Trophy
FWIW: If they build it someone will race it.

asphaltandrubber.com: AMA homologates 636cc 2013 Kawasaki Ninja ZX6R Supersport
FWIW: Another example why BMW is apprehensive about spending money in the flixibleflyer AMA ProRacing series
motorcycle-usa.com: Kawasaki's press release

supercross.com: 2013 Daytona Supercross by Honda

On the Street

motorcyclenews.com: BMW F800GT first ride

thekneeslider.com: Allen Millyard builds a 5 liter V-Twin

motorcycle.com: 2013 beginner sportbike shootout

cycleworld.com: Kriega Overlander 60 Dual Sport Lugage

HFL: Review ÔÇô Bell RS 1

canadainmotorcyclerider.ca: Norton gets government approval (finally) in Canada!

jsonline.com: Arizona lawmakers reject bill aimed at biker profiling

cycleworld.com: TCX Jupiter EVO Boot

canadamotoguide.com: KTM rethinking Freeride E?

HFL.com: When motorcycle helmets looked like golf balls

ultimatemotorcycling.com: Destination Baja California ÔÇô motorcycle travel

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Some people enjoy riding their bikes to work, others save them for weekend leisure activites, but one BMW owner canÔÇÖt bear to be parted with his new HP4 for a single day, so he keeps it in his work office, close to his desk and close to his heart ....More

Every year, motoring enthusiasts flock to Italy for the Concorso dÔÇÖEleganza Villa dÔÇÖEste in Cernobbio. Held near the shores of Lake Como and considered to be EuropeÔÇÖs most prestigious classic automotive event, the finest vehicles from around the world are proudly displayed and admired by an international panel of judges. For the third year in succession, motorcycles will play an important part in* ...More

s one of the early founders of motorcycling, BMW has experienced much success during its 90 years of motorcycle production. Much of it has come with incredible motorcycle designs that paved the way for the German brandÔÇÖs future. BMW has also become a byword for leading technological design that has set standards for others to follow. But at the same time, 90 years of activity has seen BMW deal ... ....More

From the moment BMW unveiled the 1923 R 32 ÔÇô the first official BMW-branded motorcycle ÔÇô BMW engineers and designers were committed to improving the motorcycle breed. Not just to keep pace with increasing competition, but in order to deliver the perfect motorcycle ÔÇô a working culture still employed by BMW Motorrad today. So when problems did surface, BMW was quick to apply technical thought and . ...More

ust as they did prior to the successful 2012 season, the BMW drivers have launched the final phase of preparations ahead of this yearÔÇÖs season-opener in Hockenheim (DE) with a fitness week in Viareggio (IT). Under the guidance of Riccardo Ceccarelli (IT) and his Formula Medicine team, Augusto Farfus (BR), Timo Glock (DE), Joey Hand (US), Andy Priaulx (GB), DTM champion Bruno Spengler (CA), Martin Tomczyk (DE), Dirk Werner (DE), Marco Wittmann (DE), and test and development driver Maxime Martin (BE) all underwent an extensive programme, during which they worked on their mental strength and received valuable nutritional advice. BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt also visited the fitness camp for two days and took part in some of the training activities. ....More

BMW Group reports best February sales ever : 133,630 vehicles delivered, an increase of 4.7% +++ Year-to-date sales climb 7.1% to 256.929 vehicles +++ Robertson: We intend to continue the positive development +++ ...More

MINI Plant Oxford celebrates 100 years of production ÔÇô Its first car, a Bullnose Morris Oxford, was produced on 28 March 1913 just metres from todayÔÇÖs facility ÔÇô Total car production to date stands at 11,655,000 and counting ÔÇô Over 2,250,000 MINIs built so far, plus 602,187 classic Minis manufactured at Plant Oxford ÔÇô Plant Oxford is the oldest mass-production car plant in the UK and the third oldest in the world, seeing continuous production since 1913 ÔÇô 13 car brands have been produced at Plant Oxford in 100 years. ....More

The bicycle is no longer merely a means of transportation, it is also a lifestyle and fashion accessory. With its newest folding bike, MINI is bringing a splash of colour to the streets and showcasing a fascinating and versatile new way to get around. The eye-catching lime punch-coloured folding bike guarantees confidently stylish visibility on the roads. ...More

BMW History and Heritage on four wheels and two on display from May ÔÇô November, 2013 ....More

New York. The BMW Group continues diversifying its portfolio of innovative mobility services under the brand BMW i. The companyÔÇÖs venture capital entity, BMW i Ventures, is announcing a new investment in the mobile technology company Life360. This will increase the number of mobility services providers which already includes MyCityWay, Park@MyHouse, Chargepoint and Embark. The BMW i Ventures investment in Life360 will expand the companyÔÇÖs efforts to increase freedom and safety of mobility for individuals and families. ...More


Cage World

bloomberg.com: BMW regains sales lead from Audi as Mercedes falls behind

www.bimmerfile.com: BimmerFile ÔÇô cage news options & reviews that matter

FWIW

TED: Ron Finley: A guerilla gardener in South Central LA


Spring is getting near and in the spring a young man's fancy turns to...

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

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Baseball.

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Monday, 11 March

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Members with Birthdays this Month

SBK

crash.net: Supersoninc boss joins Red Devils Roma

MC

DOWNLOAD: The March issue of Dunlop Download magazine is here and this special issue is about the 2013 GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing season. You'll find information about the upcoming season, including close-up looks at the fastest riders and machines for 2013 and the efforts they are putting forth to claim a championship.

supercross.com: Round 10 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series 2013 Daytona Supercorss by Honda

bikesportnewas.com: Jessopp eyes 212 mph at 2013 North West

Sueprcros.com: 2013 FIM Wold Motocross 2 Si Racha Thailand qualifying

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Cage and...

VIEDO: NBC Commentators Review ACWS San Francisco - AC Discovered

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On the Street

cycleworld.com: Exclusive ÔÇô inside the all new Indian Tunder Stroke 111 v-twin engine

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cycleworld.com: Spirit of Munro and Indian tribute

thekneeslider.com: California fines Suzuki telss motorcycle owners hands off you engine

pipeburn.com: 1980 BMW R80 tarmac custom

webbikeworld.com: Shad SC20 Scooter Tunnel Bag

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The Commute

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It begins

The MotherShip PressClub

Joey Hand juggles DTM preparations and the ALMS season-opener ÔÇô Bruno Spengler visits the Geneva Motor Show. ...More

NHTSB Recall No. 120V63000[/url
Dated: FEB 25, 2013 US Specs is recalling one 2002 Porsche Carrera, one 1997 BMW 750IL, and two 1986 BMW 635 CSI vehicles for failing to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 111, "Rearview Mirrors." Whil...


Cage World

[url=http://youtu.be/3mfuLeduvBI]VIDEO
: 1910 Mercedes-Benz Prinz Heinrich Starting at Amelia Island

motorsportsnewswire.com: KTM at the International Geneva Motor Show ÔÇô world premier of the new KTM X Bow GT

VIDEO: Bentley Continental GT: SKI Joring
FWIW: Back in the day with less equipment we called this bumper skiing

www.bimmerfile.com: BimmerFile ÔÇô cage news options & reviews that matter

FWIW

technologyreview.com: The ingenious engineering trick that makes Amazon menus useable

VIDEO: Facebook CIA Project: The Onion News Network

HMMM....:brad


Reference Library

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Indian Motorcycles announcement of their new engine has given the motorcycle photo community an excuse to look back at this iconic effort.

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Wednesday, 13 March

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Members with Birthdays this Month

SBK

worldsbk.com: 2013 brings all the action iPad, iPhone and Android

worldsbk.com: Badovini starts his road to recovery

gpone.com: Checa and Badovini 100% at Aragon

superbikeplanet.com: WSBK gets new series sponsor

MotoGP

yamaha-racing.com: Yamaha gets back to business Texas style

motogp.com: Pedrosa

motomatters.com: Motorcycle racing vs social media

motogp.com: Gresini launches in Milan

bbc.co.uk: Gino Rea to compete as Moto2 wildcard

Formula One

formula1.com: DHL and Formula 1 extend winning partnership

nbcsports.com: Full schedule for Formula 1 on NBC Sports

NBC Sports Season Primer:
Teams and Cars
The Basics
The Drivers
The Tracks

FWIW: A quick scan of these will refresh the F1 fan's memory but that is about it. The new TV provider appears to be targeting a rookie viewer rather than long term F1 fans. One hopes that the practice and race coverage commentary does not stay dumb down too.

bbc.co.uk: Austrialian Grand Prix preview

lotusf1.com: Rocks ÔÇô Kimi Raikkonen Austrialian GP preview

bbc.co.uk: Can anyone stop Vettel?

jamesallenonf1.com: How the F1 teams will approach the Australian Grand Prix

reuters.com: Williams to weigh aero options

VIDEO: Formula One facts 2013 - Season's Preview

VIDEO: F1 2013 - Pirelli - Australian Grand Prix 3D preview (Melbourne)

VIDEO: Scuderia Ferrari news before Melbourne

VIDEO: F1 2013 - Mercedes - Lewis Hamilton on track with the F1 W04

VIDEO: 90 Seconds at McLaren with... Sir Ben Ainslie

Other Racing

MC

twowheelsblog.com: Michael Schumacher to test Honda Superbike at Valencia

racing.speedbrain.de: Top class racing with certificate

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Cage and...

autoblog.com: BMW to launch loaner program to avoid range anxiety on I models

On the Street

canadamotoguide.com: Review : Airhawk seat

motorsportnewswire.com: Motorcycle Industry Council focuses resources on recruiting new dealer and retailer members

ultimatemotorcycling.com: Ducati delivers 16% increase in revenues over 2011

cycleworld.com: NEW IDEAS: CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE RACE ENGINES BOOK

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motorcycle.com: Ride the wild side in Northwest Ontario

bmwmcmag.com: BMW auto and motorcycle heritage on display in New York

thekneeslider.com: California fines Suzuki telss motorcycle owners hands off you engine

thekneeslider.com: Mark Walkers Big Ned the Rotary Valve 3 litre twin street fighter from Australia

KTM.com: fb ÔÇô KTM racing 1 million fans

asphaltandrubber.com: Perre Terblanche joins Confederate Motorcycles

visordown.com: 1916 Indian board track racer

hotbikeweb.com: 2011 Harley-Davidson Nightster

ultimatemotorcycling.com: Destination New Englan | Motorcycle Travel

The Commute

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The MotherShip PressClub

FWIW: Untangling BMW, Husqvarna and others continues:
The BMW Group is realigning its motorcycle business area and will, in the future, concentrate on expanding the BMW Motorrad brand. For this reason, Husqvarna Motorcycles has been sold to Pierer Industrie AG. This restructuring also has a knock-on effect on partner Speedbrain, with whom the BMW Group has cooperated very successfully in the field of motorcycle racing since 2006. BMW Motorrad and Speedbrain have, by mutual consent, terminated the existing contract with immediate effect. ....More

Successful venture into a new market segment ÔÇô First MINI with four doors, a large tailgate, up to five seats and optional all-wheel drive wins over additional target groups around the world. ...More

The 2013 season of the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) is not the only thing kicking off at the 12 Hours of Sebring (US) this weekend. The race also marks the start of a new era in BMW MotorsportÔÇÖs programme in North America: This is the first time BMW Team RLL will line up against opposition in the GT class with the newly developed BMW Z4 GTE. ....More

New version of MINI Product Communications online media service now available ÔÇô Multimedia application for PC and tablet users updated to include all the facts on the MINI John Cooper Works Paceman. ...More

NHTSB Recall No. 120V63000
Dated: FEB 25, 2013 US Specs is recalling one 2002 Porsche Carrera, one 1997 BMW 750IL, and two 1986 BMW 635 CSI vehicles for failing to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 111, "Rearview Mirrors." Whil...

Cage World

www.bimmerfile.com: BimmerFile ÔÇô cage news options & reviews that matter

FWIW

TED: Dan Pallotta: The way we think about charity is dead wrong

Reference Library

Bike Candy

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Thursday, 14 Thursday

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Members with Birthdays this Month

SBK

worldsbk.com: Interview with Jules Cluzel

MotoGP

fim-live.com: Repsol Honda duo dominate day one in Austin

yamaha-racing.com: Yamaha completes testing in Texas

bbc.co.uk: Lorenzo questions his rivals absence

Formula One

formula1.com: Australis Preview ÔÇô a step into the unknown

formula1.com: Australia GP ÔÇô Did you know

independent.co.uk: Jenson Button worried by Sebastian Vettel's reign at the top of F1

VIDEO: Jenson and Checo answer quick fire questions


Other Racing

MC

suzuki-racing.com: Yoshimura Suzuki set for Daytona SBK

canadamotoguide.com: Cyril despres leaves KTM factory team

On the Street

cycleworld.com: Aerostich heads to the city by the bay

wsj.com: Capagna T Rex a BMW powered tricylce

honda.com: Motorcyle production plant complete

ultimatemotrcycling.com: MV Agusta doubles YTD motorcycle registrations

motorrad.de: The all rounders from BMW, Honda and Suzuki in a comparison test.

VIDEO: MotoUSA First Ride on the 2013 Ducati Hypermotard

VIDEO: MotoUSA 2013 Brammo Empulse R Video

VIDO: Cycleworld - The Armageddon Tour: Introduction

VIDEO: Cycleworld KTM 990 Adventure Baja

VIDEO: Cycleworld - Kawasaki KLR650

VIDEO: Cycleworld - Husqvarna TR650 Terra

VIDEO: Triumph Tiger 800XC

VIDEO: Cycleworld - Yamaha Super Tenere

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The MotherShip PressClub

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BMW Motorrad France Team Thevent got their 2013 Endurance World Championship campaign underway with the first test of the new season at the Magny-Cours circuit in France. ....More

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Munich (DE), 12th March 2013. The 2013 season of the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) is not the only thing kicking off at the 12 Hours of Sebring (US) this weekend. The race also marks the start of a new era in BMW MotorsportÔÇÖs programme in North America: This is the first time BMW Team RLL will line up against opposition in the GT class with the newly developed BMW Z4 GTE. ....More

Spartanburg, S.C. ÔÇô March 13, 2013...BMW Manufacturing announced today the successful expansion of the companyÔÇÖs hydrogen fuel-cell material handling equipment across its 4.0 million square foot production facility. In 2010, BMW completed the installation of a hydrogen storage and distribution area near the plantÔÇÖs Energy Center to power about 100 pieces of fuel cell material handling equipment. Since that time, the company has more than doubled its hydrogen-fuel cell fleet to approximately 230 units to service the entire plantÔÇÖs production and logistics functions. ...More

Cage World

www.bimmerfile.com: BimmerFile ÔÇô cage news options & reviews that matter

FWIW

TED: Stewart Brand: The dawn of de-extinction. Are you ready?

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Thursday, 14 March

BMW Group issued a press release on 2012 corporate sales and earnings today. The full annual report is due March 19.

The motorcycle segment was profitable reporting a before tax profit of Ôé¼ 6 million in 2012. Sales for the motorcycle segment include Husqvarna sales for 2012. Units sales, as previously reported, were at record levels and revenues showed a 3.8% increase over 2011. However, the company took fourth quarter expenses resulting in a 85.4% decrease in earnings before tax. The decrease is attributed to expenses related to the new direction the segment is taking. The success of that direction, for investors, as it roles out will determine if the glass they drink from is half full or empty

Motorcycle Segment
Segment revenues were 3.8% higher at Ôé¼ 1,490 million (2011: Ôé¼ 1,436 million). EBIT, however, fell to Ôé¼ 9 million (2011: Ôé¼ 45 million/-80.0%) as a result of the new direction now being taken for the BMW Group's motorcycles business. Profit before tax decreased accordingly to Ôé¼ 6 million (2011: Ôé¼ 41 million/- 85.4%).

The following is the text only portion of the release. For the full click here for full press release with a table giving full overview of numbers for all segments.

BMW Group continues on successful course in 2012

Reithofer: Best year in corporate history
Group revenues rise by 11.7% to Ôé¼ 76.8 billion
EBIT up 3.5% to Ôé¼ 8.3 billion
Profit before tax 5.9% higher at Ôé¼ 7.8 billion
Group profit up 4.4% to Ôé¼ 5.1 billion
EBIT margin of 10.9% for Automotive segment
Record dividend of Ôé¼ 2.50 per share of common stock proposed

Munich. The BMW Group continued on its successful course in the financial year 2012. Group revenues increased year-on-year by 11.7% to reach a new record of Ôé¼ 76,848 million (2011: Ôé¼ 68,821 million). Despite higher expenditure on new technologies and increased personnel costs, earnings also climbed to new record levels. Profit before financial result (EBIT) increased by 3.5% to Ôé¼ 8,300 million (2011: Ôé¼ 8,018 million), while profit before tax (EBT) amounted to Ôé¼ 7,819 million (2011: Ôé¼ 7,383 million), an improvement of 5.9%. Group profit for the year went up by 4.4% to Ôé¼ 5,122 million (2011: Ôé¼ 4,907 million).

The total number of BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand vehicles delivered to customers worldwide in 2012 rose by 10.6% to a new high of 1,845,186 units (2011: 1,668,982 units), thus enabling the BMW Group to maintain its position as the world's leading premium manufacturer.

"The past year has been the most successful year in BMW Group's corporate history, with new high levels achieved for sales volume, revenues and Group earnings. We have achieved or surpassed all of our targets for 2012 in the face of very challenging market conditions", stated Norbert Reithofer, the Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG on Thursday in Munich.

Dividend to increase to Ôé¼ 2.50 per share of common stock
The Board of Management and the Supervisory Board will propose to shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on 14 May 2013 that the dividend be increased to Ôé¼ 2.50 (2011: Ôé¼ 2.30) per share of common stock and Ôé¼ 2.52 (2011: Ôé¼ 2.32) per share of preferred stock. Based on these figures, the total distribution will rise to Ôé¼ 1,640 million (2011: Ôé¼ 1,508 million), corresponding to a distribution ratio of 32.0% (2011: 30.7%). "The increased dividend reflects the BMW Group's excellent performance in 2012 as well as the underlying strength of its earnings and financial position" commented Friedrich Eichiner, member of the Board of Management responsible for Finance.

Automotive segment: EBIT rises to Ôé¼ 7.62 billion
The BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brands were all able to post new sales volume records in 2012. Automotive segment revenues went up by 11.0% to Ôé¼ 70,208 million (2011: Ôé¼ 63,229 million) thanks to the sharp rise in the number of vehicles sold. Segment EBIT edged up to Ôé¼ 7,624 million (2011: Ôé¼ 7,477 million/+2.0%), giving an EBIT margin of 10.9%. Profit before tax amounted to Ôé¼ 7,195 million (2011: Ôé¼ 6,823 million), an increase of 5.5% over the previous year.

Sales of BMW brand cars increased by 11.6% to 1,540,085 units (2011: 1,380,384 units), thus surpassing the mark of 1.5 million units for the first time in a single financial year. One major contributing factor for this success was the performance of the BMW 1 Series, sales of which rose by 28.6% to 226,829 units (2011: 176,418 units), making it the best-selling car in its own segment.

The success story of the BMW 3 Series also continues, with sales volume rising by 5.8% in 2012 to 406,752 units (2011: 384,464 units). The BMW 3 Series Sedan also headed its own segment with 294,045 units (2011: 240,279 units/+22.4%) sold during the past year. With a sales volume of 359,016 units sold (2011: 332,501 units/+8.0%), the BMW 5 Series also retained pole position in its segment. The BMW 6 Series performed extremely well with 23,193 units sold (2011: 9,396 units/+146.8%).

The various models of the BMW X family also performed well in 2012. Sales of the BMW X1 grew by 16.9% to 147,776 units (2011: 126,429 units), making it the best-selling model in its segment. The BMW X3 also registered sharp growth (27.1%) with 149,853 units sold (2011: 117,944 units). The BMW X5 and BMW X6 posted sales volumes of 108,544 units (2011: 104,827 units/+3.5%) and 43,689 units (2011: 40,822 units/+7.0%) respectively.

The MINI brand surpassed the sales volume threshold of 300,000 units for the first time in a single year with the number of cars sold up by 5.8% to 301,526 units (2011: 285,060 units). The MINI Countryman put in an extremely strong performance and recorded a 14.9% increase to 102,271 units (2011: 89,036 units). Sales of the MINI Coup?® rose to 11,311 units (2011: 3,799 units), almost tripling the volume recorded one year earlier. In terms of model mix, 44.5% of customers opted for the MINI Cooper, 35.7% for the MINI Cooper S and 19.8% for the MINI One.

Rolls-Royce was the clear market leader in the ultra-luxury segment in 2012. In total, 3,575 units were sold during the year (2011: 3,538 units/+1.0%), with demand particularly strong for the Phantom and Ghost models.

The BMW Group was able to increase sales volume figures in almost all of the regions in which it is active. The number of vehicles sold in Europe, the Group's largest sales market, edged up by 0.8% to 865,417 units despite the difficult business conditions prevailing in many countries.

Sales volume in Asia jumped by 31.4% to 493,393 units, including 327,341 BMW and MINI brand cars sold in China (excluding Hong Kong and Taiwan), giving an increase in this market of 40.1%. This was the first time that the BMW Group has sold more than 300,000 vehicles in China in a single year. In Japan, the number of cars sold rose by 19.0% to 56,701 units.

Good growth was also achieved in the Americas, with sales volume running 11.8% higher at 425,382 units. Sales in the USA climbed by 13.8% to 348,532 units, enabling BMW to remain the leading premium manufacturer in this market.

Motorcycles segment also achieves sales volume record
117,109 BMW and Husqvarna brand motorcycles were sold worldwide during the past year (2011: 113,572 units/+3.1%), a new sales volume record for the segment.

Sales of BMW brand motorcycles went up by 2.0% to 106,358 units (2011: 104,286 units), while Husqvarna handed over 10,751 motorcycles to customers (2011: 9,286/+15.8%). In future, the Motorcycles segment intends to focus exclusively on the BMW brand. At the end of January 2013, the BMW Group signed a contract with the Austrian company, Pierer Industrie AG, for the sale of Husqvarna.

Segment revenues were 3.8% higher at Ôé¼ 1,490 million (2011: Ôé¼ 1,436 million). EBIT, however, fell to Ôé¼ 9 million (2011: Ôé¼ 45 million/-80.0%) as a result of the new direction now being taken for the BMW Group's motorcycles business. Profit before tax decreased accordingly to Ôé¼ 6 million (2011: Ôé¼ 41 million/- 85.4%).

Financial Services segment remains on growth course
The Financial Services segment continued to perform well in the past year. Revenues grew by 11.7% to Ôé¼ 19,550 million (2011: Ôé¼ 17,510 million). Profit before tax amounted to Ôé¼ 1,561 million (2011: Ôé¼ 1,790 million/-12.8%), whereby the decrease in segment earnings is primarily a reflection of the previous year's extremely high figures: in 2011, the segment recorded exceptional income of Ôé¼ 439 million resulting from the reduction in provisions for residual value and bad debt risks. Business with end-of-contract leasing vehicles gave rise to an exceptional gain of Ôé¼124 million in 2012.

The number of new lease and credit financing contracts signed worldwide (1,341,296) was 12.1% up on the previous year. The number of lease and financing contracts in place with dealers and retail customers at the end of the year rose by 7.1% to a total of 3,846,364 contracts.

Workforce grows by 5.6%
The BMW Group's workforce increased sharply 2012, rising by 5.6% to 105,876 employees. The BMW Group continues to recruit staff, in particular engineers and skilled workers, in order to keep pace with ongoing strong demand for BMW Group cars, push ahead with innovations and develop new technologies.

BMW Group in the fourth quarter 2012
BMW Group revenues rose in the fourth quarter by 11.9% to Ôé¼ 20,536 million (2011: Ôé¼ 18,349 million). EBIT increased by 14.1% to Ôé¼ 1,894 million (2011: Ôé¼ 1,660 million) and the profit before tax by 32.9% to Ôé¼ 1,779 million (2011: Ôé¼ 1,339 million). Profit after tax amounted to Ôé¼ 1,207 million (2011: Ôé¼ 879 million), an improvement of 37.3%. The total number of BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand vehicles delivered to customers in the period from October to December grew by 16.8% to 509,684 units (2011: 436,398 units).

Automotive segment revenues increased by 15.8% in the fourth quarter to Ôé¼ 19,496 million (2011: Ôé¼ 16,838 million). EBIT rose sharply to Ôé¼ 2,076 million (2011: Ôé¼ 1,542 million/+34.6%) and profit before tax jumped by 63.4% to Ôé¼ 1,921 million (2011: Ôé¼ 1,176 million). The EBIT margin for the Automotive segment was 10.6%.

Fourth-quarter Motorcycles segment revenues increased by 7.5% to Ôé¼ 274 million (2011: Ôé¼ 255 million). The segment reports negative fourth-quarter EBIT of Ôé¼ 73 million (2011: negative EBIT of Ôé¼ 17 million) and a pre-tax loss of Ôé¼ 74 million (2011: pre-tax loss of Ôé¼ 19 million).

Financial Services segment revenues increased by 2.0% in the final quarter of 2012 to Ôé¼ 4,968 million (2011: Ôé¼ 4,870 million). Segment EBIT improved by 3.9% to Ôé¼ 267 million (2011: Ôé¼ 257 million) and the profit before tax by 3.0% to Ôé¼ 271 million (2011: Ôé¼ 263 million).

BMW Group forecasts further sales volume growth in 2013
The BMW Group intends to continue on its growth course in the current year. "We are again targeting further sales volume growth worldwide in 2013 and hence a new record level for deliveries. However, economic conditions are likely to remain challenging in many markets", commented Reithofer. "The BMW Group is preparing for tomorrow's technological challenges and is setting the course for further growth and profitability", he added.

Supervisory Board
The Supervisory Board proposes that Supervisory Board members Prof. Renate K?Âcher, Prof. Reinhard H??ttl, and Dr. Karl-Ludwig Kley be reelected for a mandate period of five years. It also proposes that Chairman of the Supervisory Board Prof. Joachim Milberg be reelected for a mandate period of three years; with the consent of the Supervisory Board, should he be elected, Prof. Milberg will stand again for the position of Chairman.

Further information on the Group Financial Statements 2012 and the outlook for the current year will be available at the Annual Accounts Press Conference to be held on 19 March 2013 in Munich.
 
Saturday, 16 March

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Members with Birthdays this Month

SBK

The BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team conducted another two days of testing at Jerez de la Frontera in southern Spain. Thus, the team made use of the long break between the first two rounds of the 2013 FIM Superbike World Championship. From the Superbike team, it was factory rider Chaz Davies (GBR) who was on duty on his own, as his team-mate Marco Melandri (ITA) is recovering at home from the shoulder surgery he underwent after the season opener at Phillip Island (AUS). The Superbike team was joined by the Superstock squad, with riders Sylvain Barrier (FRA) and Greg Gildenhuys (RSA) using the test to prepare their new BMW HP4s for the 2013 FIM Superstock 1000 Cup....More

roadracing.world.com: Aprilia and BMW World Superbike teams test at Jerez

worldsbk.com: Sykes very pleased with KRT project

worldsbk.com: Laverty and Guintoli on the pace at Jerez

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Racing at its best ! Alex Hofmann follows World SBK Championship leader Eugene Laverty 3 laps around the fantastic Jerez Race track ! Go Pro on the helmet delivers great footage of pretty fast laps - 1.42.40 ! Enjoy the ride ..

MotoGP

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Formula One

fia.com: Australian Grand Prix Preview and Medial Kit

fia.com: 2013 Australian Grand Prix ÔÇô Thursday Press Conference

fia.com: 2013 Australian Grand Prix ÔÇô Friday Press Conference

Friday Practice
1st Session
Classification
Lap times
2nd Session
Classification
Lap times

formula1.com: Selected Team and Driver Quotes

Other Racing

MC

suzuki-racing.com: 2013 Jordan Suzuki debut at Daytona

fim-live.com: HUSQVARNA READY FOR 2013 ENDURO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP


Cage and...

VIDEO: Oracle Team USA AC72 Capsize Recovery - AC Discovered


On the Street

foxbusiness.com: BMW workers reap bonus payments

webbikeworld.com: LS2 FF394 "Epic" Snell Certified Flip-up Helmet Review

thevintagent.blogspot.com: The 'Alma Four'

The Commute

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I started and headed an alternative transportation program for a F-O-L health care system for a number of years. Naturally motorcycles and scooters were part ot the program and a picture like this head to one of the hospitals or clincs was a dream. However, not all commutes are to work unfortunately.
facebook: Convoy of bikes and scooters heads up A338 Spur Road in memory of Jade Clark. R.I.P.

The MotherShip PressClub

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Motorcyclists and competitive sport go hand in hand. From a spectatorÔÇÖs point of view, man and motorcycle against like-for-like competition makes for compelling viewing. Not just on the rigours of a circuit, but anywhere a motorcycle can be ridden. One such arena is the straight and long length of surface dedicated to achieving motorcycle land speed records ÔÇô a subject that BMW Motorrad knows* ....More

After over seventy years languishing in a box an extremely rare BMW R 7 was recently restored to its former glory. Although the motorcycle, first manufactured in 1934, was only ever a prototype and never went into production it is one of the most important, innovative and visually stunning motorcycles ever produced. ... ...More

South African Superbike fans will be getting their first sight of the all-new BMW HP4 lightweight superbike when the second round of the national championships takes place at Killarney motor racing circuit this weekend. ....More

Enclosed please find the specifications of the BMW Motorrad model range 2013. ...More

The new BMW Z4 GTE experienced another first at Sebring (US) on Friday and took part in its maiden American Le Mans Series (ALMS) qualifying session. In the contest for the top grid positions for the classic 12-hour race, Maxime Martin (BE) was in action driving the ÔÇ£Frozen BlackÔÇØ No. 55 car. Joey Hand (US) took to the track at the wheel of the No. 56 BMW Z4 GTE. Martin clocked the eighth-fastest GT-class time, setting a 1:59.736-minute lap, while Hand was 0.111 seconds behind in ninth. FerrariÔÇÖs Gianmaria Bruni (IT) secured pole position for the 61st staging of the race, posting a lap time of 1:58.815 minutes. ...More

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Cage World

VIDEO: Saturday Mechanic : What are your options if you blow your engine?


www.bimmerfile.com: BimmerFile ÔÇô cage news options & reviews that matter

FWIW

My netbook's digital wastebasket is full of F1 theme drafts. I don't know what to think of this.

2013 is the last season of the current formula and as a result has the potential to be one of the closest fought seasons in years. Early favorites are the usual suspects and that makes sense even as the field for this season closes up.

It could be a bifurcated disaster. The fear for Eccelstone, the FIA and promoters at the bottom half of the season's calendar is the teams giving up on fighting for this season and focusing their primary effort on final preparation for 2014 and the new formula.

Five rookies could spell disaster in many other ways. Grosjean has already been talked with about his problems in 2012 being unacceptable in 2013. Maldonado can not afford to repeat his problems; especially if the Venezuela money begins to dry up. That mean the driving skills at this level of almost half the field are in question.

I don't know what will happen or what themes to follow. I think this will be a really great season to follow F1, I just don't know why. I hope for a golden age classic last season for 2013 but am equally prepared for NASCAR roadracing ÔÇô F1 style.

Red Bull and Webber are the early favorites for a fourpeat. I am watching Kimi Raikkonen and Lotus along with Phillipe Massa and his Ferrari. This could be the kind of season that could have the stars align to have old teammates now adversaries fight for championship podium rights. This is car racing and they are dark horses for this but stranger things could and probably will happen this season.

Even the guys down at the Official Fly-Over-Land F1 analyst bull pen and coffee shop are not certain what to think of the coming season or how we are going to organize the doughnut betting pool.

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Reference Library

Bike Candy

Fromfacebook ÔÇô Honda Against the World and Adventure Motorcycle Magazine

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Update:Fromula 1 - Australian Grand Prix

Formula1.com For more news and stories

fia.com: Interim Classifications - Q1

From formual1.com:

Qualifying in Australia postponed until Sunday

The final two stages of qualifying for the 2013 Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix have been postponed until Sunday due to heavy rain at the Albert Park circuit.

The first part of qualifying - Q1 - had taken place after a delayed start, but with the rain still falling and daylight fading, race stewards decided to move Q2 and Q3 until 1100 hours local time on Sunday morning.

The weather appeared to be at its worst after a downpour before the start of Q1, forcing three delays of 10 minutes before finally Lewis Hamilton led the wet-shod field out. HamiltonÔÇÖs fastest time was quickly eclipsed by Mercedes team mate Nico Rosberg, and then the Briton spun and lightly damaged his carÔÇÖs rear wing.

Rosberg continued to set the pace, fighting with Red BullÔÇÖs Sebastian Vettel, FerrariÔÇÖs Fernando Alonso and Toro RossoÔÇÖs Jean-Eric Vergne, as conditions improved steadily.

McLarenÔÇÖs Jenson Button was the first to switch to intermediate Pirellis, with five minutes to go, and quickly went fastest, but was soon pushed down by Alonso and then Rosberg, who eventually set the best lap of the scrappy session with 1m 43.380s.

Many drivers had adventures, among them FerrariÔÇÖs Felipe Massa, who took off his front wing when he spun and hit a wall, Red BullÔÇÖs Mark Webber and Force IndiaÔÇÖs Paul di Resta who went grass cutting, and McLarenÔÇÖs Sergio Perez who got away with a big spin. Both Caterham racers - Giedo van der Garde and Charles Pic - lost a front wing apiece, Esteban Guterriez, who did likewise in his Sauber after putting a rear wheel over a wet kerb, and WilliamsÔÇÖ Pastor Maldonado who went off-roading and nearly took out an unsuspecting seagull.

Maldonado was the first faller, qualifying 17th in 1m 47.614s, followed by Gutierrez on 1m 47.776s, Jules Bianchi with a solid 1m 48.147s for Marussia and his team mate Max Chilton, who looked good with 1m 48.909s. Van der Garde had another spin, this time without damage, and didnÔÇÖt better 1m 49.519s, while Caterham team mate Pic was last on 1m 50.626s.

As the rain returned there was another 10 minute delay before the start of Q2, which was extended until 1830 hours local time. Then until 1850. Sunset was due at 1938 and eventually, as 1850 came and went, the FIA decided the only recourse was to postpone Q2 and Q3 until Sunday morning, when they will be run, conditions allowing.

The last time this happened was in Suzuka in 2010, when the whole of qualifying was delayed from Saturday to Sunday. The Melbourne race will still start, as expected, at 1700 hours local time on Sunday afternoon.
 
Update: Australian Grand Prix - Sunday qualifying

Vettel and Webber on the front row. Massa pips Alonso and takes P4 along side Hamilton in P3.

FIA.com

Preliminary Classification:
Lap Times
Best Sector Times
Speed Trap
Maximum Speed

Formula1.com:

Vettlel storms to Sunday pole in Australia

Formula One racing found itself in a hurry up and wait situation after the weather intervened before qualifying in Albert Park on Saturday afternoon, necessitating a postponement of Q2 and Q3 until 1100 hours local time on Sunday morning.

The conditions were much better then, though early morning showers had left the track still damp in places and everyone started out on PirelliÔÇÖs intermediates.

Only the McLaren drivers opted partway through Q2 for the supersofts. Jenson Button quickly took the decision to switch back to intermediates and grabbed the fourth-fastest time behind the flying Nico Rosberg who lapped in 1m 36.194s for Mercedes, Red BullÔÇÖs Mark Webber and Lewis Hamilton in the other Mercedes, but McLarenÔÇÖs Sergio Perez was an unhappy 15th after electing to stay on the supersoft tyres.

Nico Hulkenberg was the first who failed to make Q3, lapping his Sauber in 1m 38.067s to head Force IndiaÔÇÖs Adrian Sutil on 1m 38.134s, the Toro Rossos of Jean-Eric Vergne on 1m 38.778s and Daniel Ricciardo on 1m 39.042s, Perez on 1m 39.900s and Valtteri BottasÔÇÖs Williams on 1m 40.290s.

Q3 saw the best conditions yet in the prolonged qualifying session, and after everyone bar Button had done reconnaissance laps on intermediates, they switched to supersofts. Button had them from the start. Hamilton set the early pace from Rosberg, before Red BullÔÇÖs Sebastian Vettel stamped his authority by a whole second in their first runs on the inters.

Hamilton was again the pacesetter on the second runs, with 1m 29.184s which dislodged ButtonÔÇÖs out-of-sequence first suspersoft run of 1m 32.485s, but soon Vettel was there again with an utterly dominant lap of 1m 27.407s. Red BullÔÇÖs Mark Webber got closest to that with 1m 27.827s, as Hamilton improved to 1m 28.087s for third.

A late improvement from FerrariÔÇÖs Fernando Alonso to 1m 28.493s appeared to have won him fourth place, but then team mate Felipe Massa slipped in with 1m 28.490s to snatch the place. After his earlier speed Rosberg disappointed with only 1m 28.523s for sixth.

The Lotuses were seventh and eighth, Kimi Raikkonen spinning before recording 1m 28.738s, and Romain Grosjean backing him with 1m 29.013s. Force IndiaÔÇÖs Paul di Resta bettered Button, with 1m 29.305s, as the Englishman improved on his second run for McLaren to 1m 30.357s.

Thus, when combined with the Q1 results of Saturday, the grid will form up as: Vettel, Webber; Hamilton, Massa; Alonso, Rosberg; Raikkonen, Grosjean; Di Resta, Button; Hulkenberg, Sutil; Vergne, Ricciardo; Perez, Bottas; WilliamsÔÇÖ Pastor Maldonado, SauberÔÇÖs Esteban Gutierrez; MarussiaÔÇÖs Jules Bianchi, Max Chilton in the other Marussia and Caterham team mates Giedo van der Garde and Charles Pic, who was the only man to miss the 107 percent requirement and hence races at the stewards' discretion.
 
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