Video: Josh Brookes Shows Us the Fastest Line over “The Mountain” at Cadwell Park

The Mountain at Cadwell Park, as it is known, is like the British version of the Corkscrew at Laguna Seca: another one of those special points on a race track, that would not exist on the computer-generated courses we see today. Famous for lofting bikes into the air, The Mountain makes for spectacular photographs, and should be on every rider’s track day bucket list. Finding the fastest racing line over The Mountain can be difficult though, as riders have to contend with keeping the front of their motorcycles down, but such is not the case for HM Plant Honda’s Josh Brookes…

Lost Knee Puck Hinders Hayden at Indy

Track conditions were the talk of the paddock this weekend at the Indianapolis GP, as riders battled the changing tarmac surfaces, and undulating bumps of the Indy infield. Perhaps most vocal of his displeasure with the course was Ducati rider Casey Stoner, who called the Indianapolis Motor Speedway not a world class track, and specifically complained about plastic drains that would catch riders as the ventured in towards the edge of the track (Rossi also complained of these drains). Teammate Nicky Hayden was less critical before Sunday’s race though, saying that Stoner’s comments could be applied to many of the courses on the MotoGP calendar. However after losing a knee puck to one of the drainage grates that Stoner criticized earlier, Hayden may be re-thinking his tune.

Rossi Waiting to Hear if Burgess Will Retire

Talking after the Indianapolis GP, Valentino Rossi explained that he is waiting to hear from Jeremy Burgess as to whether the Australian Crew Chief will retire next season. Assured of the fact that Burgess would not stay behind at Yamaha, and would not work with another rider, Rossi stated the buzz around whether Burgess would move with the Italian to Ducati, hinges as to when Burgess plans on retiring from motorcycle racing.

Nicky Hayden Renews Contract with Ducati

Under the lights of the Indy Mile, where motorcycle racing began for the Kentucky-born MotoGP racer, Nicky Hayden has signed a two-year contract with Ducati Corse for the 2011 & 2012 seasons. Not the biggest surprise in the paddock, Hayden’s contract renewal has never really been questioned this season as the American started the season off with series of strong finishes and continues to be a strong brand ambassador for Ducati in the United States. Hayden will be joined the next two years by former teammate Valentino Rossi, the pair rode for Repsol Honda in 2003, with Hayden finishing the season 5th in his rookie GP season.

World Superbike Responds to Ducati Exodus

Infront Motor Sports, rights holder to the World Superbike Championship series, has responded to the news that Ducati Corse will be leaving the series in 2011. Responding with an official press release, IMS’s message essentially boils down to poking holes in Ducati’s statement about technical regulations. Stating that the 2009 season was dominated by the Ducati 1198 Superbike, sans one Ben Spies, the Italian firm has clearly been able to be competitive with the current formula. IMS goes on to basically say that WSBK is about more than one manufacturer, and can’t cater to Ducati’s whims even if they do have a lengthy history together.

Ben Spies to Factory Yamaha Team

As expected, Ben Spies and Yamaha have announced that the current World Superbike Champion and MotoGP rookie will move up to the factory Yamaha team (noticeably not called Fiat-Yamaha in the press release) for the 2011 season. Spies’ move to the factory squad has lovingly been referred to as the “second worst-kept secret in MotoGP,” right after Rossi’s departure from the Fiat-Yamaha team to Ducati Corse.

Colin Edwards – “I’m going fishing. Screw this sh*t.”

No one makes the MotoGP media center come alive with emotion more so than Colin Edwards. A veteran of the sport, and born with no filter between his brain and mouth, the Texan Tornado captured the spotlight during the pre-race press conference at the Red Bull Indianapolis GP. A stark contrast to the polished veneers of other riders, Edwards isn’t afraid to tell things the way he sees it, even if it involves some colorful language. To get an idea of what we mean, check out a portion of the press conference transcript after the jump.

Ducati Trademarks “Diavel” Name in the UK

Ducati has recieved a trademark with the UK Intellectual Property Office for the Bolognese word for devil, or “Diavel”, which according to MCN is to be the name of the company’s new performance cruiser (shown here in a render done by Bar-Design exclusively for Asphalt & Rubber). Interestingly enough, Ducati has not trademarked the Diavel name with the United States Patent & Trademarks Office (USPTO). However with the British government, Ducati has reserved the Diavel mark for virtually every use possible, including lifestyle items like shirts, perfume, watches, and our personal favorite: skin cleansing lotions and creams.

Casey Stoner Ducati 1198S Phillip Island Replica

Missing three races because of a mystery illness, Casey Stoner put any critics he had from his sudden departure in 2009 to bed with his masterful race at Phillip Island. Racing in front of his home crowd, Stoner slid around the Australian course to a decisive victory, in what we called one of the top races of 2009. Making the moment even more special for Australian fans, and Ducatisti alike, was the special race livery that Stoner ran for his home race. Hoping to commemorate that race and Stoner’s contributions to the Marlboro Ducati team (Stoner is leaving Ducati for HRC next year), a French Ducati dealership in Moulins-lès-Metz has decided to sell a limited number of Casey Stoner Ducati 1198S Phillip Island replicas.

Norton Returning to MotoGP Racing

German magazine Speedweek is reporting that Norton will be back in GP racing for the 2012 season with a two-man team. Speedweek’s highly respected Austrian journalist Gunther Wiesinger has received word that Norton has requested two spots on the 2012 MotoGP grid, and has signed a request to join the series when it returns to the 1000cc format. It’s unclear at this time if Norton will be entering as a claiming rule team (CRT), or be listed as a factory prototype, which could have a dramatic affect on the team’s success in the series.

Buell 1125RR Race Bike – Bringing More Mockery to AMA Superbike Racing

Thu 07/16/2009 @ 7:43 pm, by Jenny Gun

Home » Bikes » Buell 1125RR Race Bike – Bringing More Mockery to AMA Superbike Racing

Buell Racing is trying to go legit, and make a bid at the American Superbike class in the AMA. After already making a joke out of the Daytona Superbike class, Buell is going to offer a turn-key bike for AMA licensed racers who are looking to take on real superbikes like Honda CBR1000RR and Yamaha R1.

If you’re an AMA licensed privateer, looking to compete in the American Superbike class, with about $40,000 burning a hole in your pocket, Buell is hoping you’ll take up the cause and waive the American flag for them.

Talking about the program, we have a hard time believing Erik Buell made this statement with a straight face:

“The 1125RR is designed to give privateer racers a turn-key machine to compete in the American Superbike class in AMA Pro Racing. We want to build on our program that has proven so successful for privateers in the Daytona SportBike class.”

Buell has been running the 1200cc v-twin 1125R in the Daytona Superbike Class against bikes like the R6, CBR600RR, and other 600cc bikes. It also includes v-twins, like the 999cc Aprilia RSV, that was designed in 2004 and was discontinued in 2008. With the staked competition clearly in Buell’s favor, it is not surprising that some people have cried afoul on the series. Buell’s factory rider Danny Eslick, is currently 3rd in the series despite his heavy advantage.

Based off the 1125R street bike, the 1125RR features a Rotax motor, but with extra go-fast goodies from the stock unit. Crack the case and you’ll find re-done valves and camshafts, an increased compression ratio, along with a modified intake from the larger airbox. The bike is completed with a titanium exhaust, an other lightening parts.

On the chassis side, Buell is still hocking the fuel-in-frame design, and fitting it with race-spec Showa suspension, a cast-aluminum swingarm, and an upgraded eight-piston Nissin front caliper.

Buell will produce a limited number of 1125RR motorcycles, which will be available only to licensed professional road racers who will compete in the AMA Pro Racing American Superbike class. U.S. MSRP is $39,995. Orders must be placed through the Buell Race Department, and delivered through an authorized Buell motorcycle dealer.

Technical Specifications:
1125cc (68.7 cid) Helicon Powertrain:
4.055 inch (103 mm) bore and 2.658 inch (67.5mm) stroke
Dual 61mm down-draft fuel-injection throttle bodies
Titanium exhaust header and mass-centralized muffler

6-Spoke cast magnesium racing wheels
Front: 3.5 inch (88.9mm) x 17 inch (431.8mm)
Rear: 6 inch (152.4mm) x 17 inch (431.8mm)
Buell ZTL2 reversed rotor front brake with eight-piston Nissin caliper

43mm Showa fully-adjustable inverted forks
Showa fully-adjustable rear shock with remote reservoir

Cast-aluminum swingarm machined with billet axle adjustment system
Center position wheelbase 55.5 inches (1410 mm)

Source: Buell

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Tagged under: 1125RR, AMA, AMA American Superbike, AMA Pro Daytona SportBike, America, Buell, Buell 1125R, Buell 1125RR, Erik Buell, superbike

Comment:

Bob Bryant says:

07/16/2009 at 9:56 PM

Buell 1125RR Race Bike – Bringing More Mockery to AMA Superbike … http://bit.ly/3uGxtZ
Motorcycle_Heads says:

07/16/2009 at 11:47 PM

Buell 1125RR Race Bike – Bringing More Mockery to AMA Superbike …: … or near final form. MCN lead this morni.. http://bit.ly/19BOS

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