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Bench Racing & The Morning Reads

Wednesday, 2 February

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Members with Birthdays Today


SBK

<iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/L8XHcUyel48" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen></iframe>

worldsbk.com: On-board cameras get first try-out at Portimao

visordown.com: BWM WSBK test at Eastern Creek
Corser faster than Haslam (but heÔÇÖs been there before)

roadracingworld.com: Supersonic Racing TeamÔÇÖs berger tests Ducati Superbike at Motorland Aragon

MotoGP

fim-live.com: Sotner leads the way on day one at Sepang

Yamaha-racing.com: Successful start for Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies in Sepang

Suzuki-racing.com: Positive start to 2011 for Bautista

asphaltandrubber.com: LCR Honda ÔÇô this is how you launch a MotoGP Team

ducatinewstoday.com: RossiÔÇÖs shoulder ÔÇ£Wrose than ValenciaÔÇØ at Sepang

nickyhayden.com: Nicky Hayden and Valentino Rossi start working at Sepang

Formula 1

formula1.com: Valencia day one ÔÇô Vettel leads the way

attwilliams.com: Valencia test day one
Ferrari.com: First day of testing in Valencia
HRT: Hispania Racing is back to F1 with the eagerly awaited return of Narian Kathikeyan
mclaren.com: Test Report ÔÇô Valencia
lotusrenaultgp.com: Valencia Test, Day 1

reuters.com: Schumacher puts winning back on the menu

Other Racing

Practice your French as you watch this video of the Norton Commando 961 SE from Moto-Station.com
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BMW Motorrad by speedbrain after Dakar 2011
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On the Street

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motogeo.com: Review: S 1000 RR

50 minutes:
In the spring of 2007, two men shared a dream. Their love of motorcycles and adventure, combined with the enjoyment they got from having seen Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman's Long Way Round inspired them to undertake a similar journey of their own. After months of hardship, trial and tribulation, blood, sweat and tears, they finally realized that they were much too lazy to actually go through with it, and instead set out on their barely-street-legal 100cc enduro bikes for Saskatchewan. This is the story of that epic journey.
<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/19218260" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/19218260">The Short Way 'Cross</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/sneeweather">Travis Fairweather</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>


The Mothership

PressClub: BMW Motorsport congratulates Chip Ganassi Racing on its one-two at the Daytona 24 Hours

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Woot of the Day

Bike Candy

The Triumph Rocket 3 is a bit of a lump. It is a nice bike to ride but visually a bit of a lump. Roger Allmond built a custom as a PR piece for, of all things, and insurance company. The end result is anything but a lump. Throttlehand.com has the story and a full [url=http://www.throttlehand.com/user/pages/index.php?page=../featuredPhotos/allPhotos.php&album_id=27]photo gallery of this interesting custom.

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Wednesday, 3 February

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Members with Birthdays Today


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Happy Chinese New Year!

Today is Lunar New Year. In the Chinese system it is the year of the Rabbit. I am very pleased because in their system I am a Rabbit and this is to be a lucky year and the beginning of a series of potentially good years. The year of the Tiger which closed ate our business and presented many other problems to deal with. I am pleased to be done with it. But all that is another story to be shared over coffee.

If you are a calendar geek you know that this New Year, in either the traditional or lunar calendar, marks the beginning of a new decade. This is often a point when people look back to see what has happened to help understand what may come.

This post is the first of a series of post that will appear periodically looking back on BMW in the past decade and speculate about where it is headed in the new decade.

Happy New Year.

STRANGE BOOKENDS

Writers often look for an element that exists in the beginning and end of the period they are looking at. These form a set of bookends for what they are examining during the period. There are several candidates for this role that I will look at another time. BMW has a history of building GS bikes which turned thirty during this decade, touring bikes of all sorts and the LTÔÇÖs demise and the new K1600 could provide another set; however, I think the best and oddest are a set of scooters past and coming.

The BMW C1

In the U.S. market scooters have been an after thought in the sales numbers. It is a different story in the rest of the world. For Europe they are the largest segment of the Powered Two Wheel (PTW) market. The European market has represented well over 70% of the sales for any given year; yet, despite the size of the market and importance of this segment BMW never really played in it until it introduced the BWM C1.

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BMW introduced the C1 in the late 90s to an unsuspecting world. Depending on whom you read it was received as a ground braking innovative PTW, an oddity to park along side the platypus or a combination of those perspectives.

BMW saw it as an innovative design that would allow it to be a leader in capturing sales as the EU rolled out new regulations for safety and emissions. The obvious safety feature is the integrated roll cage and seat belt. Mandatory helmet laws were on the horizon. The hope was these features would allow owners to escape the need for a helmet and secure an advantage for BMW. There was enough space for those who wanted to wear a helmet and, if they were right, enough other protection to make it optional.

Sales grew in the first year and a half of production. Yet at some point in 2001, the beginning of the last decade, BMW saw them flatten.

The C1 faced problems on the regulatory front as well as the sales front. The design was too innovative making it a regulatory oddity. Its design did allow it to avoid some regulations concerning PTWs but the roof made it subject to cage laws it was not able to meet.

The final nail in the coffin of the C1 was the distribution network.. BMW used its automobile dealers to sell the C1 in Europe. On paper this may have made sense to them but in practice it presented problems. Car dealership salesmen did not like the C1 because they did not understand what motivates two wheeled buyers and how to sell to them. They had problems making a living selling the curious things. Service departments did not like them. They were powered by I.C.E. engines but of such diminutive size they did not like working on them. The combination of these two problems resulted in unhappy customers and flagging sales.

BMW sold 33,489 C1 scooters before it exited the scooter market in 2002 creating one bookend for us.

BMW Concept C

This past November BMW announced they will be going back into the scooter business in 2011. This conveniently provides the other book end for us to begin the new decade.

Maxi scooters such as SuzukiÔÇÖs maxi or touring scooter the Burgman have been on the PTW scene for several years now. The include many of the scooter features that appeal to that market segment while containing elements that have them bridging into the motorcycle rider demographic as well. BMWÔÇÖs maxi scooter has been rumored for some time. Details remain scarce but what BMW has said tells us something about how they will approach this and other bikes in the near future.

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BMW marketing places commuting as the emphasis for the ÔÇÿCÔÇÖ in the name Concept C. The company has been involved in many of the European efforts to define and design various forms of transport for the urban environment of the future.

Esthetically the Concept C draws on two themes BMW will build on in the coming decade. The S 1000 RR fairing and aerodynamic package are reflected in the design. We will see the S bike mentioned in more and more of BMWÔÇÖs design and marketing comments. The second is an effort to connect the Concept C with the GS series and the practical nature of those bikes.

The power train is slated to be an inline twin engine. The engine will be mated to CVT transmission. This will be a first for series production BMWs and will no doubt spark speculation of the CVT migrating to other models.

Scooters Electrify BMWÔÇÖs Future

BMW has teased us with two other scooters recently that show they may be very serious about getting into the scooter market segment but raise questions about how.

BMW C1-E

In 2010 BMW put out press releases about the BMW C1-E and we saw pictures of what looked like our old friend the C-1. The E package has a variety of updates but the main change in the engine bay, or rather the motor bay. The C1-E trades the C1 125cc Rotax engine for an electric motor.

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MINI Scooter E

The London Auto Show may have flown under many of our radars. For BMWÔÇÖs auto marque the MINI the show was a big one with several concepts presented one of which was a PTW the MINI Scooter E.

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The MINI E is much more traditional scooter looking than any of the other efforts. The drive train comes from Vectrix. This will lead to questions about acquisition of that company. Those speculations are for another day.

MINI may seem an odd place to place this scooter given BMWÔÇÖs past experience with auto dealers selling two wheeled vehicles. However, MINI has been BMWÔÇÖs brand to experiment with bringing hybrid and full electric vehicles to market

Bike Candy

Where BMW takes us with all of these scooter models remains to be seen but with the BMW C1 and Concept C it looks to be back to the future.

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Tomorrow I will go back to my normal posting format while I work on the next installment dealing with Mark Twain and BMWs.
 
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Bring on the Concept C.

Gong hei fat choy!
 
Friday, 4 February

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Members with Birthdays Today


SBK

leonhaslam.com; Haslam happy after latest tests

BMW Motorrad Motorsport – WSBK – Winter Testing – Phillip Island
03.02.2011
Press Release
Winter testing – Phillip Island.
02nd to 3rd February 2011.


After last week’s test in Eastern Creek (AUS), Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport and works riders, Troy Corser (AUS) and Leon Haslam (GBR), travelled to Phillip Island (AUS). There the team continued its preparation for the 2011 FIM Superbike World Championship with two more test days. Weather conditions again were very hot, especially on the first day, with air temperatures up to 35 degrees Celsius and track temperatures up to 55 degrees Celsius. On the second day it was cooler but still dry. The team completed a total of 1.090 testing kilometers.


Programme:
Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport mainly focused on electronics again. As in three weeks Phillip Island hosts the season opener of the 2011 FIM Superbike World Championship, the team also worked on the chassis and setting up the BMW S 1000 RR for the special demands of the Australian race track.

Unfortunately, Troy had a fall on the first of the two test days. He was not seriously injured but as he suffered some painful bruises, he and the team decided that he would not ride on the second day. With Leon the team could go through an extensive testing programme and his results showed that everything is heading in the right direction.

The team is very satisfied with this test and feels well prepared for the official test and the season opener in Phillip Island. The official winter testing of the FIM Superbike World Championship will take place in Phillip Island on 21 and 22 February with the season starting the following weekend.


Leon Haslam:
Bike: BMW S 1000 RR
“We were still focusing on electronics and worked on a setup for this race track. This was important as in three weeks time we are going to have our first races of the season here. We have already found a good base to work on. I am happy; we made some good progress. My lap times were quite good for these hot conditions. Of course we still have some work to do before the season starts but I am happy with the progress we made so far. The bike improved a lot in the last month.

I am now travelling to Brisbane with my wife and my trainer. We are going to spend two weeks training there before flying back to Phillip Island for the official test and the season opener. I am already looking forward to race again at last. We now don’t have long to wait until we will find out where everybody stands.”


MotoGP

skysports.com: Stoner on top at Sepang

cyclenews.com: Hondas power to the top at Sepang

speedtv.com: Spies breaks up Honda sweep

suzuki racing.com: Rizla Suzuki upbeat after Sepang test –Bautista sets personal best

Yamaha-racing.com: Jorge lroenzo and Ben Spies warp up a successful test at Sepang

teatech3.fr : Positive start for 2011 for Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team

nickyhayden.com: Ducati riders satisfied

Formula 1

formula1.com: Valencia Day Three - Robert Kubica leads field as tests end.

Valencia Tests – Team wrap ups
ATT Williams
Ferrari
HRT
McLaren (day 2)
Lotus Reanult GP

autosport.com: FIA open to tweaking rear wing rules

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Video: 1970 Spanish GP

Other Racing

VIideo: BMW S 1000 RR drag bike

BMW Group Italia put up 9 video clips covering the 2010 GS Trophy Series.

World of Sport Superbike Challenge Round 1 Donington. 1985. Part 1

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On the Street

moto-station.com: BMW K800R: a 3-cylinder roadster for 2012?

Recall:

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
H-D / SOFTAIL 2011

Manufacturer: HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY Mfr's Report Date: JAN 28, 2011
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 11V037000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A


Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Potential Number of Units Affected: 6,964

Summary:

HARLEY-DAVIDSON IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SOFTAIL MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 7, 2010, THROUGH OCTOBER 8, 2010, WHICH HAVE HAD A SECURITY SYSTEM KIT INSTALLED AS AN ACCESSORY. THE BODY CONTROL MODULES (BCM) INVOLVED ARE PART NUMBERS 69991-11 AND 69993-11. THE BCM HAS A CASE THAT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY SEALED DURING PRODUCTION. AN IMPROPER SEAL MAY ALLOW WATER INTRUSION INTO THE BCM WHICH MAY CAUSE ENGINE STALL.

Consequence:
AN ENGINE STALL WHILE IN TRAFFIC CAN RESULT IN A CRASH, WHICH COULD LEAD TO INJURY OR DEATH TO THE RIDER.

Remedy:
HARLEY-DAVIDSON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BCM FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT FEBRUARY 21, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.

Notes:
OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .


For many years H-D dealers seemed to be able to print money when the unlocked the door each business day. Dealer News : Harley-Davidson closed 36 dealers in 2010 and does not expect the trend to abate.

The Mothership

Pres Rolls-Royce Motorcars: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars strengthens design team

FWIW

I am adding a link to the Shameless Trolling for Touring Tips thread as a permanent reference feature of my posts. There is a ton of fun and information in the thread. I would love to see it grow in posts and views. The reference section is an important part of any working library.

Reference:: Shameless Trolling For Touring Tips

Woot of the Day

Bike Candy

From deejay51.com by way of Motosport Retro

1926 Indian 8V ‘Altoona’ 1000cc
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Pushrods and exposed valve gear
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Girder forks with central spring tower
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Saturday, 5 February

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Members with Birthdays Today


SBK

worldsbk.com: BMW continue down under testing

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MotoGP

gpone.com: Ducati sheds its wings

cyclenews.com: Wayne’s World – Testing times

uk.eurosport.yaho.com: Thursday 6PM MotoGP test times – Sepang

hondaproracing.com: Interview with Dani Pedrosa

motogp.com: Elias still in search fo setting

Formula 1

fia.com: 2011 FIA Formula One World Championship – Event start time information

formula1.com: Interview with Peter Sauber

Want to be an F1 owner? autosport.com: Williams goes ahead with lotation

reuters.com: F1 team orders are wrong even if legal, says Button

Sauber F1 test moveable rear wing.
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Other Racing

bmwmcmag.com: BMW off-road racers switch to Husqvarna for 2011

PressClub: Mini returns to Monte Carlo [Rally] with old and new models

On the Street

webbikeworld.com: Tucano Urbano handlebar muffs review

thevintagent.com: Le Grand Palais

HFL: Erik Buell Racing teases 1190RS

The latest version I have found of our favorite argument – Bike v Cage
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The Mothership


FWIW

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Tb9bQU76y-k" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

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<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/pOTT9PXelfY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


Reference:: Shameless Trolling For Touring Tips

Woot of the Day

Bike Candy

solomoto.es And asphaltandrubber.com

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This piece of Bike Candy was selected and the post put together before I saw this post. Normally I enjoy seeing feed back in this thread but in the case of a WasserHead that would be the current place to discuss the spy shots.
 
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Super Bowl Sunday,

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Members with Birthdays Today

MotoGP

bridgestonemotorsport.com: Bridgestone concludes successful three day test

hondaproracing.com: Interview with Andrea Dovisiozo

Formula 1

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KYTk6rx48FQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

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Other Racing

ItÔÇÖs alive, itÔÇÖs alive
FGR2500V6 in action ÔÇô prototype tests have begun on the monster
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On the Street

HFL: $2895, Cleveland CycleWerks Ace

1000cc Sport Bike comparo
<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/fADBQD3t8W8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
In the closing the question of ÔÇ£where does the BMW go from hereÔÇØ is raised.

FWIW

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Charge!!!



Reference:
: Shameless Trolling For Touring Tips

Woot of the Day

Bike Candy

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Update

Thanks, I thought you in particular would enjoy it.



It also gives me a chance to make a pitch. We need someone who knows the dirt scene to step up and do some posting. We have increasing road racing coverage in ON with Tom Cutter and here on the forum the forum I babble away. I donÔÇÖt know anything about the dirt beyond falling down in it. There is a plenty of room for someone to start a thread about all things dirt.

Back to my normal programming:

Listening to the BBC this morning and heard this bit of F1 news.
bbc.co.uk: Formula 1 driver Robert Kubica injured in rally crash.


Kubica was driving in an Italian rally. Approximately 4.6 km from the start, he had a high speed crash that sent his car spinning and crashing to a church wall. He suffered multiple fractures to bones on his right hand arm and leg. He is in surgery where "Surgeons are trying to re-establish the functionality of his right hand."

Kubica and his Renault were high on my list for title contenders this season. He will miss the start of the F1 season and his return may be in doubt given the seriousness of his injuries.

Kubica suffered a horrific crash at the Canadian GP when driving for BMW Sauber and missed one race. Vettel replaced, then the third driver for the team, replaced him and became the youngest driver to score points in F1 history in that one-off drive for BMW Sauber. KubicaÔÇÖs rapid return to F1 spoke volumes of the safety that has been built into the F1 cars. Rally cars are different beast with very different potential obstacles.

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Bike Candy

From deejay51.com by way of [uel=http://www.motorsportretro.com/2011/01/photo-gallery-and-report-international-island-classic-2011/]Motosport Retro[/url]

1926 Indian 8V ÔÇÿAltoonaÔÇÖ 1000cc
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Pushrods and exposed valve gear
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Girder forks with central spring tower
1176874093_fKFaV-O.jpg

There was a major board track is Altoona PA..................
 
Monday, 7 February

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Members with Birthdays Today


SBK

bikesportnews.com: Rea continues development curve at Aragon test

MotoGP

motomatters.com: Repsol Press Release – Interview with Casey Stoner

Formula 1

Lotus Renault GP
Press Release | 07/02/2011

AN UPDATE ON ROBERT KUBICA

Robert Kubica underwent a seven-hour operation at the Santa Corona Hospital in Pietra Ligure this afternoon. The Lotus Renault GP driver had been diagnosed with multiple fractures to his right arm and leg following a high-speed accident at the Ronda de Andora rally this morning. He also suffered severe cuts to his forearm, which could have an impact on his right hand mobility.

Doctors are reasonably satisfied with the way the operation went. Tonight, Robert’s condition remains stable but serious. He has been placed into an induced coma and could be woken up in the morning.

Professor Mario Igor Rossello, Director for the Regional Centre of Hand Surgery at San Paolo Hospital in Savona: “It has been a very important and difficult operation. Robert Kubica’s right forearm was cut in two places, with significant lesions to the bones and the tendons. We did our best to rebuild the functions of the forearm. It took seven doctors, split into two teams and a total of seven hours to complete the operation. One team was the emergency task force from the hospital of San Paolo (Savona) that is normally appointed to treat this sort of injury, while the other team came from the orthopaedic department of the Santa Corona Hospital (Pietra Ligure). At the end of the operation, Robert’s hand was well vascularised and warm, which is encouraging. Following the surgery, Robert Kubica will remain under permanent monitoring overnight because his condition remains serious.”

Eric Boullier, Team Principal and Managing Director of Lotus Renault GP: “The news of Robert’s accident came as a real shock to the whole team. All of us, at Lotus Renault GP, wish him a quick recovery. We have been really impressed with the way the doctors looked after him today and we would like to thank the whole team of the Santa Corona Hospital for their professional approach and dedication. I will be traveling to Italy tomorrow, along with Vitaly Petrov, in order to see Robert and tell him that we are impatiently waiting for his return.”

Another update will be made tomorrow morning at 9h30, at the hospital, by Prof. Rossello and Daniel Morelli, Robert’s manager.

This press release is from Sunday evening. Check Lotus Renault GP for current updates

formula1.com: Kubica 2011 campaign in doubt after rally crash
Following surgery, Doctor Igor Rossello told waiting media that he had ‘reconstructed the anatomy of Kubica’s forearm, adding it would be more than a week before the success of the operation could be judged, and warning that the Polish driver will face an exted rehabilitation period, possibly 12 months, to regain full use of his hand.

bbc.co.uk: Robert Kubica’s F1 career at risk after rally crash

Other Racing

I tried searching for information on the Altoona PA board track without success. In the process I hunting down something about Board Track Racing came across these nuggets.

Motorcycle Board Track Racing in Germany, Harley, Indian, Excelsior SuperX
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1920's Indian Board Track racing Part 1
<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/z1ojxuLYokA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Part 2
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FWIW

Today’s post is abbreviated in large part because of the spectacular Super Bowl of last night. A huge tip of the helmet to the Pittsburg Steelers; the score does not reflect their efforts in the game.

Robert Kubica’s sever crash is he second reason for the size. I spent a good deal of time looking at stories to bring to the F1 fans of the thread. Before I go any farther I hope you will join to wish the former BMW Sauber driver a speedy recover to a full and active life and hopefully, once again, to the cockpit of an F1 car.

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Wednesday, 10 December 2008 Formula One Testing Jerez Circuit Jerez, Spain. BMW Sauber F1 Team driver Robert Kubica

The picture of the mangled car in yesterday’s update post could be out of an insurance company driver side frontal crash. His injuries match what so many of them predict. The car swerved and spun eighty degrees striking a barrier and the wall of a church according to observers. The cars roll cage was able to protect his copilot, who was able to walk away from the accident. However, Kubica was pinned in the car by debris from the driver’s side wheel well that penetrated the cockpit. He remained conscious while rescuers cut him from the car and then was flown by helicopter to the hospital.

A read of any of the Lotus Renault GP press release in light of what the medical profession is able to do leave one cautiously optimistic for his recovery to a normal life and some day back to a race car. What we won’t know for a long time is will that be a F1 car or some other form of racing.

The steering wheel of an F1 car may well be what ends his career. The steering wheel of an F1 car has grown in complexity over the years. The addition of movable wings and the return of KERS make it even more complex. Doctors were able to save Kubica’s hand but after rehabilitation will he have the dexterity to deal with it in the heat of combat.

Kubica finished the 2010 season eighth in the drivers standings in his first year with then Renault. As the 2011 season began to form up he and his team showed all the signs of pulling it together and making a serious run for the Drivers if not the Constructor Championship. In my early prognostication research had him finishing the season as high as third. Clearly that will not happen and unfortunately may never happen.

Lotus Renault has previously announced Bruno Senna, Romain Grosjean and Fairuz Fauzy as backup drivers. Early speculation is that one of them will pick up the second seat with the team with Vitaly Petrov moving up to the number one role for the team. The team has made no announcement as of this post saying they were only concentrating on the health and recovery of Kubica at this time. This succession of drivers serves for the quick analysis of early reports but I believe we will see a completely different scenario play out in the next week or so.

Petrov had a shaky 2010 season. He finished thirteenth in the driver standings. Several times during the season speculation and rumors suggested he would not finish the season with the team. In part his problems could be written off to rookie mistakes and assuming the role of helping the development of number one driver Kubica’s car. But even allowing for these explanations I find it hard to see him promoted to number 1 for Lotus Renault GP. It is a crass reality that Kubica’s injuries may well end up securing him a F1 team seat but there are other unsigned drivers who may better fill the role of pushing a team and car ready to have a break through season closer to fulfilling their potential. Who that is will depend on the strategy the team adopts.

There are senior drivers that have no rides. Nick Heidfeld came close to being Kubica’s teammate in 2010. The consensus at the time was the sponsor money and the unknown of what a rookie can do tipped the team in favor of Petrov. Heidfeld is scheduled to head to WTCC racing but that could change for a price. The scale could tip in the other direction if Heidfeld were considered again. Kimi Raikkonen is another possibility. He has said he was not interested in a 2011 return to F1, but that was before a seat in a car with winning potential opened. Other names with experience will pop up. They will be drivers seen as having potential that was held back by inadequate cars and teams.

The team could adopt a ‘Red Bull’ strategy of finding another young driver without a seat but with proven F1 experience and let them compete with each other the way Vettel and Webber did in 2010. The early wisdom would seem to fit this strategy but it lacks the true competitive push that the Red Bull team had in their pair. Petrov is not Vettel or Webber and needs someone with a bit more seasoning to help and push him if he is going to keep a F1 seat.

How ever the season starts for Lotus Renault GP Petrov will be the number one driver for the coming tests and car development and the first races of the season. March 11 is the first day of the Bahrain GP opener to the 2011 season. This is not much time to find another driver and have him settle in to the role of team leader.

However all this plays out remains to be seen. For now I just wish Robert Kubica a speedy and full recovery.

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Sunday, June 8, 2008 Canadian Grand Prix Montreal The BMW Sauber F1 Team celebrate their One Two victory

This is Nick Heidfeld’s 2008 steering wheel. Each driver’s steering wheel is custom designed for his hand fit and button position preference. The addition of controls for KERS and the moveable wing will only make the 2011 and 2012 versions more complicated.

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Tuesday, 8 February

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SBK

maddizpark.posterous.com: 2011 Phillip Island Teaser

zimbio.com: Dainese to gear up for 2011 – Leon Haslam

Formula 1

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Bruce McLaren 1969 German GP

lotusrenaultgp.com: Update on Robert Kubica’s condition

formula1.com: Exclusive Q&A with Renault’s Eric Boullier
The interview does not talk about Robert Kubica but does give insight into the team.

formula1.com: Kubica conscious and moving fingers

autosport.com: Virgin evaluated forward exhaust. bbc.co.uk has video of the unveiling of the new Virgin car.

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Other Racing

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On the Street

asphaltandrubber.com: Roid Rage? Paul Sr. named in illegal steroid case

Bikes in the fast Lane – India to attack European electric motorcycle market

Will they bring anything like this?

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For now 2011 Ducati Diavel 1200 ‘The Movie’

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Video vanishingpoint.com: How to photograph motocycles


The Mothership

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From LeContanner.com

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ebay.com – 2001 Moto Guzzi Super Twin by GHEZZI-BRIAN

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Wera

Did the video on the electric bike state the distance the race was? I didn't pick that up. While the speeds were impressive, I am curious how long these bikes can keep up that type of performance.
 
Did the video on the electric bike state the distance the race was? I didn't pick that up. While the speeds were impressive, I am curious how long these bikes can keep up that type of performance.

The motorcycle road coarse is listed as 2.36 miles and the race was six laps for 14.6 miles. A helmet cam video of the race is in post #471 15 January with voice over by the rider and a write up on the race from Asphalt and Rubber was posted 10 January. I hope this inofrmation is accurate and answers your question.
 
The motorcycle road coarse is listed as 2.36 miles and the race was six laps for 14.6 miles. A helmet cam video of the race is in post #471 15 January with voice over by the rider and a write up on the race from Asphalt and Rubber was posted 10 January. I hope this inofrmation is accurate and answers your question.

Thanks Mika. Impressive distance for a battery powered bike. I wonder how long it could maintain that level of performance? Whew.
 
Wednesday, 9 February

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Formula 1

loatusrenaultgp.com: More surgery panned

Virgin has decided KERS not a worthwhile investment while McLarenÔÇÖs technical directors says anyone without KERS will be making up numbers.

bbc.co.uk: Senna, Liuzzi or Heidfeld to replace inured Kubica

formula1.com: Exclusive Nico Hulkenberg Q&A ÔÇô Making the 2012 grid my goal
I had thought of him as having a good shot to make it with LRGP instead of Senna.

attwilliams.com: Successful start ot Cosworth pre-season testing program
hispaniaf1team: HRT reveals the first pictures of the new F111

On the Street

asphaltandrubber.com: Can-Am files for leaning Spyder patent

dealernews.com: Motorcycle dealership closings escalate in Dayton

utltimatemotorcycling.com: BMW K 1300 S takes RIDER Award

webbikeworld.com: Bausch & Lomb FogShield Sport review

thevintagent: VINNYLONGLEGS

The Mothership

BMWGroup: BMW Group starts new year with strong sales growth
Motorrad segment - With a substantial increase in year-on-year sales of 23.6%, BMW Motorrad also made a successful start to the new year.

Motorsport: Become a tyre expert

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Thursday, 10 February

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SBK

ultimatemotorcycling.com: Haslam ÔÇô Top 2011 WSBK contender?
Nice background piece on Leon Haslam if you are not familiar with his history. I am definitely rooting for him but still believe the question mark is appropriate when the Top is included as a modifier in the sentence.

ultimatemotorcycling.com: World Superbike history from 1988-2011

WSS

worldsbk.com: 16 nations represented in 2011 Supersport
EU nations dominate the list of the European only series

MotoGP

autosport.com: Lorenzo - Yamaha needs to improve

motogp.com: Capirossi ÔÇô ÔÇ£The potential of the GP11 is very highÔÇØ

Formula 1

reuters.com: Heidfeld to test for KubicaÔÇÖs Reanult

formula1.com: Teams regroup ahead of second Jerez tests.

theaustralian.com.au: Williams on pole in race to capitalize on F1 technical expertise

speedtv.com: Ferrari defends less extreme approach to 2011 F150 Formula 1 car.

bbc.co.uk: Full 2011 F1 entry list

I think it will take me the entire F1 season to stop snickering and thinking of ÔÇÿRosieÔÇÖ my trusty rusty 1988 F150 pickup (gone but not forgotten) every time I type Ferrari F150.

On the Street

cyrilhuzeblog.com: Erik Buell to launch street bike at end of year
The end of his non-compete clause with H-D has come and he is ready to build according to this story.

visordown.com: UK PTW sales from the last decade
BMW has reported increased sales for 2010 and the first month of 2011, but the overall numbers for the past decade point to a bleak trend for the UK that may not recover until 2012.

Bikes in the Fast Lane has a pair of motorcycle taxi articles the first from Thailand where some American expats are coming out with a motorcycle taxi meter but Brazil wonÔÇÖt be a market for it if that government gets its way.

The Mothership

PressClub/de announced the release of a video about the development of the S 1000 RR. A 92 minute German version is available now with a shortened 52 minute English version to come.

FWIW

Proceed with caution!

technologyreview.com: Post a copyrighted picture, face a $150,000 lawsuit

On the lighter side who knew AXE and Vespa had such power?
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The Yamaha SR series came in various engine sizes. In its short run in the US market it remained under the radar of most but became a cult favorite for caf?® lovers. This bike of unidentified origin showed up on the OttoNero blog. It is a nice example of what can be done with this model.

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On the Street

cyrilhuzeblog.com: Erik Buell to launch street bike at end of year
The end of his non-compete clause with H-D has come and he is ready to build according to this story.

While I wish Eric well, after 25 years of motorcycles that, IMHO are mediocre at best, I understand his passion, but wonder if the time has come for him to pass the reigns to others?
 
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