MotoGP News| Edwards talks Fitness and the new Bike
| Colin Edwards is busy preparing for the 2012 MotoGP™ season which will see him aboard the new NGM Mobile Forward Racing team CRT bike. The Texan spoke with motogp.com ahead of the first test of the season at Sepang (January 31 through February 2) regarding his new ride. How is the shoulder recuperation going? “It’s good, it’s not 100 percent, but I woke up the other morning and my right shoulder hurt more than my left and that’s the one I didn’t have surgery on! Obviously I tweaked both of them, the right one needed surgery and the left one is a little bit loose, but it’s good, I am out riding here at Boot Camp and training and getting everything in order.” Based on feedback you gave your team at the first test in Jerez, what changes do you expect to see on the Suter-BMW bike at the Sepang test next week? |
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| Did you have any other requests for changes to the bike? “Anytime we made even a little change to the electronics, it made the bike better as an overall package, even though we never changed any geometry settings. Anytime you make the electronics better you make the bike better. I wasn’t even at a point where I could say, OK the chassis needs this, the swingarm needs that, because we couldn’t get there. Until you can ride the bike at 100 percent, you are going to go in circles if you start changing things. You first need to fix the electronics, that is the main thing.” Sepang is a long and demanding circuit, what would an acceptable gap between a previous good lap time of yours there and the best time on the Forward Racing bike at this test? You are the only rider aboard a Suter and the only rider with a BMW engine in the paddock, does that help or hinder you? The key thing is the turnaround time – can we fix it in two weeks or is it going to take three months to go through the pipeline to get something fixed? With BMW and Suter I’m anticipating our turnaround time is going to be a little quicker rather than having to go through the process a factory bike requires. You said at the announcement of your move to NGM mobile Forward Racing that you believe there will be tracks where the CRT is going to surprise some people. Do you still think that holds true? What do you think about that move if it were to happen? |
Ducati Desmosedici GP12 details released by Karel Abraham
| After testing for three days at Jerez with Carlos Checa and Franco Battaini, Ducati Corse may not be saying much about the new Ducati Desmosedici GP12, but that hasn’t stop Karel Abraham from releasing some details about the new Italian steed today. The “official” technical specifications of MotoGP race bikes are always a bit vague, and Ducati Corse has unsurprisingly stuck to that trend with the GP12. Stating horsepower in the 250hp range, 15hp more than what was quoted for the GP11, Ducati also lists a top speed of over 360 km/h, up from the GP11′s 340+ km/h quoted figure. Perhaps more interesting than the power and top speed figures is the quoted displacement for Abraham’s GP12. With fuel restrictions not increasing with the maximum displacement allotment for 2012, and the maximum bore size set at 81mm for the new MotoGP era, Ducati in particular was rumored to be exploring a displacement figure in the 900cc range, but interestingly enough appears to be taking the GP12 up to the maximum cylinder volume. There is also of course some speculation thatDucati Corse could use a narrower V° angle, a change from the standard 90° V4 we’ve seen from the Italian brand. Fortunately for Abraham, the return of the 1,000cc format means that his satellite team will start 2012 with more up-to-date equipment. |
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| Using the winged-Desmo last season, it was rumored that aside from Ducati’s persistence that all the bikes on the 2011 grid were designated as GP11 machines, the young Czech rider was in fact racing on a leftover GP10 (the GP10 had winglets attached to the fairings that most members in the paddock agree were used for aiding engine cooling, and not for extra downforce to prevent wheelies). With MotoGP changing its format this season, most of the satellite teams will start the Championship with bikes that are closer in spec to the factory units, though factory teams will surely be updating their designs throughout the season, while the satellite teams will not. However, there is reason to believe that the satellite Ducatis will run bikes similar in spec to the GP0 that was ridden in the post-season test at Valencia. If this is the case, the information we’re seeing here from Abraham could very well apply only to the satellite Ducati teams, while the factory GP12 could be an entirely new creature. “I tried the new bike during the post-season test in Valencia, but the first real test will be held at Sepang in Malaysia at the end of January,” Karel Abraham. ”We need to be well prepared for the first test because we want to try a lot of things. We also must work on the set-up of the bike because the 2012 MotoGP season kicks off in Qatar on April 8th.” |
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Comparison of Ducati Desmosedici GP12 and GP11:
| Ducati Desmosedici GP12 | Ducati Desmosedici GP11 |
| Weight: dry 155 kg | Weight: dry 150 kg |
| Max. speed: >360 km/h | Max. speed: >340 km/h |
| From 0 to 100 km/h: 2,6 s | From 0 to 100 km/h: 2,7 s |
| Power: 250 HP | Power: 235 HP |
Technical data of Ducati Desmosedici GP12
| Engine | |
| Water-cooled four-stroke engine with four cylinders and four valves per cylinder which are controlled by desmodromic valve system. The cylinders are formed in an angle of 90 degrees. | |
| Capacity: | 999 ccm |
| Electronics: | Magneti Marelli |
| Gearbox | |
| Six-speed, with the possibility to adjust the ratio of degrees. | |
| Clutch: | Dry, multi-plate |
| Chain: | Regina |
| Chassis | |
| Ducati aluminium frame | |
| Fronf fork: | Öhlins with a diameter of 48 mm |
| Rear suspension: | Öhlins |
| Brakes: | front four-piston Brembo calipers, 2x disc Brembo with a diameter of 320 mm, rear two-piston Brembo caliper, Brembo steel disc |
| Discs: | 16,5″ magnesium Marchesini |
| Tyres: | Bridgestone |
| Fuel tank: | 21 litres |
| Fuel: | Eni |
SOURCE: www.asphaltandrubber.com
MotoGp News | Ducati kicks off 2012 with annual ‘Wrooom’ event
| The 2012 ‘Wrooom’ event officially opens today, where the stunning slopes of Madonna di Campiglio in the magnificent Dolomites play host to a week of full of skiing, exhibitions and meetings with the press.Riders, guests and media arrive Monday evening, after which a busy schedule kicks off the following day. Tuesday morning, team riders Nicky Hayden and Valentino Rossi will field questions from the attending media in a joint press conference, after which the riders will meet with fans. Also answering press enquiries will be Ducati Corse General Manager Filippo Preziosi in a meeting that takes place on Wednesday morning.
The high point of the week traditionally occurs on Friday, where an exhibition race between Ducati’s MotoGP riders and Ferrari’s F1 drivers face off in a kart race on ice to wrap up the 22nd edition of Wrooom. This year however, Hayden’s participation in the activities is likely to be limited due to his recent shoulder injury. SOURCE: www.motogp.com |
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MotoGP Legends | a Trip down Memory lane | Wayne Gardner
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| Australian Wayne Gardner plied his trade when the 500cc factory bikes were arguably at their hardest to ride and in which the competition in the class involved legendary peers such as Wayne Rainey, Randy Mamola, Kevin Schwantz, Eddie Lawson, Freddie Spencer and Mick Doohan. His 52 podiums, 18 victories and 1987 premier class title win came during one of the toughest decades of competition in the sport. Following his 500cc debut in 1983, Gardner remained loyal to Honda in his eight seasons of World Championship participation – earning a breakthrough thanks to his results for Honda Britain. His first full-time campaign was in 1985 and he won his first Grand Prix in 1986, before successfully battling with Lawson and Mamola to become 1987 World Champion on the NSR500. An ill-handling 1988 version of the NSR often offered sensational images of Gardner wrestling the phenomenally fast machine and he again tussled with Lawson that year but their close duel eventually swung in the favour of the American. The subsequent seasons were wrecked by injury; broken legs, ribs and feet – hindering his riding in 1989, ‘90 and ‘91. Highlights in that period, however, included breath-taking victories at the first Phillip Island GP in 1989 and an even better re-run in 1990; both of which feature amongst the finest races ever seen in the premier class. Gardner retired in 1992, taking an emotional final win at the British Grand Prix that year. As the first ever Australian 500cc World Champion he opened motorcycle racing up to a much wider audience in Australia and is cherished by a generation of fans. Australian Wayne Gardner plied his trade when the 500cc factory bikes were arguably at their hardest to ride and in which the competition in the class involved legendary peers such as Wayne Rainey, Randy Mamola, Kevin Schwantz, Eddie Lawson, Freddie Spencer and Mick Doohan. His 52 podiums, 18 victories and 1987 premier class title win came during one of the toughest decades of competition in the sport.Following his 500cc debut in 1983, Gardner remained loyal to Honda in his eight seasons of World Championship participation – earning a breakthrough thanks to his results for Honda Britain.His first full-time campaign was in 1985 and he won his first Grand Prix in 1986, before successfully battling with Lawson and Mamola to become 1987 World Champion on the NSR500.An ill-handling 1988 version of the NSR often offered sensational images of Gardner wrestling the phenomenally fast machine and he again tussled with Lawson that year but their close duel eventually swung in the favour of the American. The subsequent seasons were wrecked by injury; broken legs, ribs and feet – hindering his riding in 1989, ‘90 and ‘91.Highlights in that period, however, included breath-taking victories at the first Phillip Island GP in 1989 and an even better re-run in 1990; both of which feature amongst the finest races ever seen in the premier class.Gardner retired in 1992, taking an emotional final win at the British Grand Prix that year. As the first ever Australian 500cc World Champion he opened motorcycle racing up to a much wider audience in Australia and is cherished by a generation of fans |
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MotoGP News | Colin Edwards tests BMW powered Suter CRT bike, his new ride for 2012.
After two days of private testing at the Jerez circuit, the experienced Texan spoke to motogp.com about his first impressions of the CRT machine, one of the new generation of MotoGP bikes that will join the grid in 2012. This was Edwards’ first ride on the BMW-Suter after missing the post- Valencia Official Test while recovering from shoulder surgery.
The veteran expected that there would be work to do before next season, though his first impression of the bike was higher than he originally expected. “Overall, it is better than I thought it would be, the potential is there. I think we are at about 65 percent right now,” he said.
The electronics package the team will use is new to MotoGP, and Edwards said the remaining 35 percent of bike development will come from improvements with those electronics. “The chassis is set up, but the main thing is the electronics and getting the whole package to come together. With the electronics, every time we make a little change and make it better, everything just gets a little smoother and easier.”
Speaking further of the overall impression of the new bike, the Texan said: “The bike reminds me a lot of 2003 when I went to Aprilia. It’s got a screamer engine, lots of torque, somebody built the chassis, someone put an engine it, and it came a long way through the year. It was one of the first bikes with ride by wire and all the electronics. It reminds me a lot of that. But I know what I need, I know what I am looking for, I know what want, I know how to make the bike go faster, so the main thing now is just don’t lose focus and keep going down the right path.”
The team spent most of the two days on Bridgestones from 2011, though they did get a chance to test a new rear tire, which created challenges but Edwards is sure are fixable. “We got a little more chatter…once we get the electronics fixed I know that will go away, I am sure it will.”
As for the bike’s lap times, of which the unofficial best time on Wednesday was a 1’43.9 and Thursday was a 1’42.6 (as compared to Edwards’ best time of 1’40.188 in the Spanish GP at Jerez in March), Edwards was unconcerned. “I came here and I would have been happy with just yesterday’s times, being injured and all, but I did a ‘42.6 today, which is a little better than a second faster. I’m reasonably happy with that.”
The test was also the first time the American worked with his new crew chief for 2012, Kor Veldman. “I’ve never worked with him before, but he has a lot of knowledge and experience and we get along great. Just spending a couple days with me I can see he knows what he is talking about, and that’s a plus, you know, when you can find someone you can communicate with and get things done. So I’m really happy with him.”
Two days of putting the bike through its paces was enough to learn what the team needs to do next according to the veteran. “We didn’t set the world on fire, but like I said we are at 65 percent, we have to work to find the rest of it,” he said.
The team will have two months to complete that work before the next time the bike will hit the pavement at the Official Test at Sepang in 2012.
SOURCE:wwwmotogp.com
Moto GP News | Loris Capirossi appointed advisory role
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The Italian, Loris Capirossi has now after a 22 year Grand Prix career, been appointed the advisory role to assist with matters of safety in the MotoGP World Championship.Throughout his 22 year career he has started 328 races, finished on the podium 99 times and won 3 titles. Loris has competed in the 125cc, 250cc, 500cc and MotoGP categories. Capirossi, with his understanding of the requirements and needs of riders as well as his experience of a variety of different motorcycles, will offer the World Championship advice regarding new regulations, homologation of new tracks, the competition and safety. Dorna has requested to the FIM that Capirossi’s number (65) be retired from use in the MotoGP World Championship as recognition of Capirossi’s contribution throughout his career. SOURCE: www.motogp.com |
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