Motorcycling: A Lifetime Of Adventure

Mahindra Racing presentation in India

Rahul Arora — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 14:04:11 +0000

Danny Webb and Marcel Schrötter, riding in the 125cc category for MotoGP’s first Indian motorcycle manufacturer, are presented to the local press…

Brit Danny Webb & Marcel Schrötter

The Mahindra Group today introduced riders Webb and Schrötter to the Indian media on their visit to the Mahindra headquarters in Mumbai.

Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of the Mahindra Group, Mr. Anand Mahindra, was present to answer questions about Mahindra Racing’s inaugural year in the MotoGP Championship: “It is a matter of great pride for us to represent India in the world’s most prestigious two-wheeled race series. Mahindra Motorcycles will compete with the best in class, and it will be an ideal opportunity for us to showcase our strengths in the engineering and IT domains. MotoGP is the ultimate test for the finest talents in motorcycle racing and an immensely popular championship with a cult following. Our participation will also help us leverage the power of global branding for the Mahindra Group.”

Brit Danny Webb, who in 2011 contests his fifth full season in the 125cc class, shared his excitement at the project: “I hope that all the experience I have racing in the 125cc class can help this new but ambitious team and I can take a step up this year. It is a privilege to ride for the first Indian team to enter the World Championship. There seems to be a real buzz about India in international sport at the moment and it would be great if we get a good Indian following.”

German Marcel Schrötter was equally enthusiastic: “It is exciting to be part of an international collaboration, especially with a company like Mahindra whose ethos is to support upcoming talent. With a year’s experience in the World Championship under my belt, I am now looking forward to making a mark with Mahindra Racing at the MotoGP World Championships.”

Source: motogp.com

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Valentino Rossi in his 2011 Ducati leathers

Rahul Arora — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 17:40:07 +0000

Here’s a sneak peak of Valentino Rossi in his 2011 Ducati leathers.. Enjoy!!

Valentino Rossi in his 2011 Ducati leathers

Source: motogp.com

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Rossi’s Ducati future begins at Wrooom

Rahul Arora — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 08:48:29 +0000

Rossi’s Ducati future begins at Wrooom

The nine-time world champion was prohibited from giving his first impression of the Ducati Desmosedici GP10 following the end of season test at Valencia. But this week, in the scenic Italian ski resort of Madonna di Campiglio, high in the Italian Dolomites, Rossi can finally break his silence.

Rossi will offer his thoughts at Wrooom 2011, the annual gathering of the world’s MotoGP and Formula One media that’s funded by Phillip Morris, whose Marlboro brand sponsors both the Ducati MotoGP and Ferrari Formula One teams.

Now in its 21st year, Wrooom is a combination of skiing, feasting, and swag, with the occasional bit of work thrown in. There is some form of interaction with the riders, drivers, or team members every day, but also plenty of time to spend on the ski slopes. Rossi, an avid snowboarder, won’t be able to take part as he continues to recover from off-season surgery on his damaged right shoulder. Look for once-a-year skier Nicky Hayden to represent the team on the slopes and in Friday’s ski race, where the journalists compete against the riders, team members, PR staff, and a few ringers.

Wrooom 2011 kicks off on Monday with an opening night banquet which gives a nod to the resort’s past as a bastion of Austrian royalty, where men and women in period costume greet the guests. It will also be the official unveiling of Rossi in Ducati red, though he and Hayden will have already shot team photos at a studio near the company’s headquarters in Bologna.

Rossi will finally offer his thoughts on the Ducati on Tuesday morning, when he and Hayden face the media in an auditorium at the congress hall. The two riders will have separate press conferences, then pose for photos with team manager Vitto Guareschi and others.

Rossi finished next to last at the Valencia test, which confirmed to some that only Casey Stoner could ride the bike, while others were less alarmist. Filippo Preziosi, the bike’s designer, asked Rossi to sacrifice an outright fast lap in the service of progress. The team didn’t need Rossi to be top of the order, what they needed was that he spend quality time on the bike in order to provide feedback that they’d need in designing and building the 2011 model.

The lap times also suffered because of Rossi’s physical limitations. Since injuring his shoulder back in April, he hadn’t ridden that much in that short a time span. He’d come off three days of riding in the final race of the year, followed by a one day break, then two days of near constant saddle time. That would have been taxing under the best of conditions, but it was made worse because of the physical nature of the Ducati.

Kevin Schwantz is one of the few to have ridden all of the current GP bikes back to back. The 1993 500cc World Champion tested all of the 800’s at the end of their first year, 2007. What he remembers from that experience is that the Ducati was a handful, which he observed watching this year’s races.

“Riding them all in ’07 there’s no doubt the Ducati was physically a more difficult package and I haven’t ridden anything since the end of ’07 to be able to compare them all,” he said, adding that it doesn’t appear to have changed. “It looks that way to me. Casey (Stoner) has got to get off the inside of the bike and really give the thing a big tug. Whereas (Jorge) Lorenzo can be much smoother, much more fluid, doesn’t have to be as exaggerated in all of his movements.”

The Ducati’s problems centered around the balance, which made the front end unpredictable. Many of Stoner’s and Hayden’s crashes came early in the race or on cold tires. The front Bridgestone of the Ducati is thought to run about 10 degrees cooler than that of its competitors. The team made a radical set-up change—more front weight bias at the Aragon Grand Prix—that transformed the motorcycle.

“We’ve basically moved my body position further forward but without sacrificing rear grip,” Stoner said at the time. “We’ve moved the steering position and shortened the swingarm to get more grip but at the same time putting me over the front of the bike more without me having to physically do it. We’ve tried that this weekend and it seems to work so we’ll see how it goes in the race and whether it works at other tracks.”

The upside was that the set-up worked well enough for Stoner to win three of the final five races. The downside was that he lost the front end and crashed on the first lap of the Malaysian Grand Prix, and again on the fifth lap of the Portuguese Grand Prix while chasing Jorge Lorenzo.

The interest will be great in listening to Rossi describe his early laps on the Ducati and how he and the team designed the GP11. The Ducati needs to be more consistent and less physically demanding if it’s to keep up with the Yamahas of Lorenzo and new teammate Ben Spies, and Stoner and Pedrosa on the Honda RCV212. Stoner was instantly fast at the final test of the year, which he and Lorenzo dominated.

Following the press conference, the riders will unveil the GP11 at a photo op high in the mountains.

Wednesday is a day for the team bosses. Ducati Corse boss Claudio Domenicali will be peppered with questions about Rossi and Ferrari race boss Stefano Domenicali will have to answer for the pit strategy that may have cost Fernando Alonso the Formula One title in the final race of the year in Abu Dhabi. Formula One drivers Alonso and Felipe Massa meet the press on Thursday.
Friday begins with the ski race and ends with a party, and in between the riders and drivers face off on the frozen lake in the center of town. Last year the riders, joined by Guareschi, and drivers, along with Ferrari test driver Giancarlo Fisichella went head to head in two different races. The first race, in Panda 4×4’s, was won by Massa over Hayden and Stoner. Hayden dominated the following go-kart race from the outset, beating Massa and Stoner.
“That was really awesome; I mean I know it was just for fun and not everybody taking it serious, but still to win is cool,” Hayden said last year. “I mean, I’m a competitive person, so the first win of the year.”

Hayden didn’t win again in 2010, but Rossi did. Starting in 2004, Rossi began the process of turning the Yamaha YZR-M1 into the best bike in the field, and Ducati and Hayden are hoping he can bring that same magic to the Desmosedici. We’ll know what he thinks in just a few days.

Source: sportrider.com

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Garhmukteshwar (Brijghat) – Surprise Getaway

Rahul Arora — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 09:44:42 +0000

I had 3 hours in hand, my bike & a fierce-looking wet highway definitely calling for a getaway. Nothing could be better than a surprise ride, for it comes out of nowhere & leaves you with unforgettable memories to cherish. Travel is one lifetime of experiences. Live it to believe it. Read more!

Live in Peace,

Rahul Arora (blogburner)

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Valentino Rossi makes his first outing with Ducati

Rahul Arora — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 08:43:25 +0000

Valentino Rossi makes his first outing with Ducati after the MotoGP 2010 season closed in Valencia. Pictures from the track follow.

Source: Valentino Rossi makes his first outing with Ducati/motogp.com

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Paris Hilton presents 125cc team in Madrid

Rahul Arora — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 08:26:54 +0000

The American media personality was in attendance alongside riders Sergio Gadea and Maverick Viñales in the Spanish capital on Saturday to unveil the bikes of the team which will compete in the 2011 World Championship.

Paris Hilton was on hand in Madrid on Saturday to front the official presentation of the SuperMartxé VIP by Paris Hilton team which will compete in the 2011 125cc World Championship.

Alongside riders Sergio Gadea and Maverick Viñales, who will ride the Aprilia RSA machines which were unveiled at the event, the American media personality entertained the attending press by posing next to the bikes which were sporting pink, white and blue fairings. Hilton also expressed her intention to be present at as many rounds of the 2011 World Championship as possible.

The set-up, which is run by Raúl Romero and whose aim is to fight for the final 125cc title before the category is replaced by the new Moto3 class in 2012, will be one based around a vastly experienced and successful team. The sporting and technical director will be Ricard Jové whilst the highly accomplished Rossano Brazzi, who has previously worked alongside Valentino Rossi and Max Biaggi, will be responsible for the preparation of the bikes.

Source: motogp.com

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Murthal Calling (Chapter 5)

Rahul Arora — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 17:43:13 +0000

One last ride… Yea, this could be the one!! Once again we headed our ways to the rusty stretches of NH1. Riding to Murthal once again was a good call before I part my ways. Read more

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First Indian in MotoGP

Rahul Arora — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 07:49:15 +0000

He’s young, he’s shy and drives only a scooter on the road. But his fastest speed on the racing track is between 240-250 kmph.

18-year-old Sarath Kumar, just into his third season on the track, is all set to make history by becoming the first Indian to participate in the 125cc World Championship, 2011.

The Chennai-based rider is among the two to represent Bangalore’s Ten 10 Racing, which, after its three-year strategic tie-up with WTR Team Italy, is set to become the first Indian team to be part of the MotoGP.

“I’m very happy because I am doing something which no Indian rider has done before. At the same time, I am taking it just like any other race,” Kumar told reporters here to announce Ten 10 Racing’s partnership with WTR.

“Moto GP is a challenge. I didn’t expect to reach there so soon,” he added.

Kumar, who represented India in the UAM Asia Cup in Japan in September, denied having any nerves before his debut on the big stage. “If a batsman is afraid of the ball, he cannot bat in cricket. It is the same with us,” he said.

“The first year I’ll look for the experience. I would like to perform well from the second year on,” he added.

Kumar, a BBA student from the Madras University, developed an interest for the sport after he went to watch races along with his friends. However, he began practising without the approval of his mother, a beautician and the sole bread earner in the family.

“I started out with the aim of achieving something in the sport,” said Kumar.

Kumar’s talent was further honed by family friend and Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) rider Krishnan Rajni, who is one of his idols along with seven-time world champion Valentino Rossi. The hardwork paid off after he was signed by Ten 10 Racing last year, relieving him off the financial burden, which was anywhere between Rs 4,000-5,000 per weekend of training.

“Sarath was an obvious choice, first for his age, others are quite old. Besides, its his talent – he is way ahead of others,” said team principal Ramji Govindarajan.

“He has the eye for those small technical details, which other motorcyclists easily overlook,” he said.

Commenting on the association, Govindrajan said the partnership between Ten 10 Racing and WTR team aims to collaborate technically for international and Indian racing.

“We are also aiming to create an all Indian team by 2014, which will be recognised as among the best in the MotoGP circuit,” he said.

Source: zeenews.com

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Indian rider to race in FIM Endurance World Championship

Rahul Arora — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 08:01:58 +0000

The countdown for the FIM World Endurance Championship has begun. The fifth and final event of the 2010 Qtel FIM Endurance World Championship will be held on Saturday, 13^thNovember 2010 at Qatar. Chennai lad and one of the country’s leading bike racer Krishnan Rajini has been proposed by The Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) to participate in this 8 hour endurance race and supporting Rajini in his endurance debut at the international level is the FMSCI and the Bangalore based Team Red Rooster Racing. Rajini will be riding a Suzuki GSX R 1000 cc bike and will have two partners in his team – one Chinese and one Indonesian.

Krishnan Rajini

The qualifying races will be held on Thursday, 11^thNovember at Doha Qatar. And for the first time an Indian rider will be seen in action.

The championship has taken an all-new dimension with this event featuring 42 teams in the grid – creating a new record in the whole history of the Endurance World Championship. Despite the world economic crisis, the Qtel FIM Endurance World Championship has been getting stronger day after day.

The FIM commitment towards the championship and all the organizer’s efforts has been rewarded not only by a stronger interest from the teams, but also from bike manufacturers and tyre suppliers. BMW joined the championship with great ambition, with four permanent teams racing on the new S 1000 RR, like the official Michelin BMW team and the semi-official Penz13.com. Amongst the contenders for the 2010 title, are former world champions: the SERT, Suzuki Endurance Racing Team and the Yamaha France.

Source: motorsportindia.com

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Rossi’s Yamaha R1 to be auctioned

Rahul Arora — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 07:41:48 +0000

MotoGP’s official charity will benefit from a very special prize being auctioned in Los Angeles on Saturday (November 13th).

World famous auction house Bonhams has announced the release of its catalogue for the upcoming “Classic California” auction on November 13th at the Petersen Museum in downtown Los Angeles. The auction will include a truly one-of-a-kind motorcycle offered in collaboration with the most successful motorcycle racer of his era, Valentino Rossi. All the money raised by the sale of this unique lot will support the work of Riders for Health.

The catalogue can be viewed online at Bonhams Website. The highly upgraded and customized 2009 Yamaha YZF-R1 1000cc can be found in the catalogue as Lot 439.

The bike is the civilian version of the MotoGP machine ridden by nine-times World Champion, Rossi, who was on hand to personally sign the bike at the recent MotoGP at Laguna Seca.

Sporting Rossi’s personal “Five Continents” AGV helmet design, this amazing and very specialised motorcycle was the brainchild of Daytona 200 winner, former racing champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Don Emde. Emde founded the non-profit Friends of Riders for Health to further the cause in America of Riders for Health.

As a way to generate funds for Riders for Health, Emde conceived this project and then invited the “who’s who” of the motorcycling world to participate.

“Once we got Rossi’s blessing, everyone jumped aboard,” said Emde. “Yamaha Motor Corp. USA donated the brand new stock machine, Aldo Drudi translated the graphics from Rossi’s helmet to the R1’s special bodywork imported from Italy, Roland Sands donated Ronin wheels, Bridgestone added BT-003 tyres, Öhlins gave suspension, Akrapovic provided exhaust, EBC did brakes, and the list goes on – Vortex, Goodridge, Dynojet, etc. Just with improvements the bike’s value is nearly $30,000, and that’s without the significance of the project and Rossi’s involvement.”

This incredible team effort R1, personally autographed by Rossi, will be presented in “track day” trim but it is fully street legal and will be offered with all the necessary accessories and California title. On top of that, Yamaha will donate a day at the Yamaha Champions Riding School for the winning bidder.

Source: motogp.com

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