PPIHC: Carlin Dunne Sets Outright Best Motorcycle Time at Pikes Peak Tire Test on a Lightning Motorcycle

The competitors for the 91st Pikes Peak International Hill Climb have just concluded a two-day tire test at the Colorado road course, and it should perhaps come as no surprise that our boy Carlin Dunne has posted the outright fastest lap for a motorcycle during the tire test (the Santa Barbara native set the outright two-wheeled course record last year on his Ducati Multistrada 1200 S). What is surprising about Carlin’s result at the tire test is that he was on the Lightning Motorcycles electric superbike. That’s right, the fastest bike so far for 2013′s Race to the Clouds is a 200+ hp electric superbike that is refueled with solar energy. Petrol heads, eat your heart out.

Report: Indianapolis “Opting-Out” of 2014 MotoGP Race?

Talking to the Indy Star, Mark Miles (CEO of Hulman & Co, the parent company to Indianapolis Motor Speedway) has put some doubt into the historic venue’s commitment to host the MotoGP Championship. Having a contract to run the race through the 2014 season, Miles said that IMS might opt-out of the final year in its agreement with Dorna (IMS apparently has this option for a brief window after the 2013 Indianapolis GP). However while the news has focused so far on IMS’s ability to opt-out, both Dorna and Indianapolis Motor Speedway have options in their contract to go through with the 2014 round, and with a bevy of variables in the air, we may or may not see three American GP rounds next year.

2014 Yamaha FZ-09 – Three Cylinders of Naked

Surprise! America will be getting a 847cc three-cylinder naked bike for the 2014 model year, the 2014 Yamaha FZ-09. Replacing the Yamaha FZ8 in the Japanese company’s line-up, the FZ-09 is the first motorcycle from the tuning fork brand to sport the Yamaha’s new line of three-cylinder engines. The Yamaha FZ-09 comes about as the MIC is reporting its second-consecutive year of growth in the 751+cc sport bike segment, as well as increase in commuter riding over short-distance sport riding. With those trends in mind, Yamaha has punched out the displacement on its middleweight naked bike, and focused on giving riders a comfortable, yet stout, motorcycle. Priced at $7,990 MSRP, we think Yamaha hit the nail pretty much on the head with this one.

Trackside Tuesday: The Mind-Killer

In the past few years I’ve come to believe that, while superior physical differences (their reflexes and fine motor skills) are significant, it’s the mental differences that are the most interesting. I suppose anyone who has ridden a motorcycle even a bit beyond one’s comfort zone can appreciate some part of the physical aspect of riding a racing bike. For most of us, even the speed of racers in local events is impressive compared to our street riding. While the skills with throttle, brakes, and balance are on a level similar to the best athletes in other sports, I think that what really sets motorcycle racers apart is their ability to overcome fear.

Video: Still Think Electric Motorcycles Are Slow?

The progress in the last five years on electric motorcycles has been astounding. Taking their first laps around the Isle of Man TT Mountain Course, a 87.434 mph pace was the best an electric motorcycle could do at the prestigious road race in 2009 — a pace that was on par with the 50cc record set in 1971. In just five years after the first laps were taken by electric motorcycles at Snaefell, these machines have grown their average lap speeds by over 20 mph at the TT Zero race, setting a new record of 109.675 mph in 2013, and boasting a rate of improvement of roughly 5 mph each year since 2009. If hitting 142.2 mph down the Sulby Straight speed trap wasn’t further proof of the speeds these bikes are achieving, maybe some visual evidence will help support the notion.

Here’s Your Feel Good Moment of the Week — Now, What’s Your Excuse for Not Riding Today?

Darius Glover is a dirt bike racer. Like you and me, he lives to ride, and when he is on two-wheels he feels the freedom that only other motorcyclists can truly understand. The thing is though, Darius is paralyzed from the waist down. Where others would give up their dreams and this sport, Darius at the age of 15 instead pushed onward. No pity parties, no excuses, just simply a daily example of where there is a will, there is a way, and a reminder that you can achieve anything that you put your mind to. It’s hard not to get a bit choked up listening to Darius tell his story, but you walk away feeling uplifted after feeling his attitude come across the screen.

Erzberg Rodeo – Red Bull’s S&M Playhouse for Motorcycles

Any race where 1,500 riders start, 500 qualify, and only 14 finish, has got to be an epic competition, and considering the fact that the Erzberg Rodeo starts in the excavation pit of an Austrian mine…well, it takes a special rider to be enticed by such an event. One such special rider is Graham Jarvis, who was the first of the fourteen men to reach the 20th and final checkpoint. Taking 2 hours and 52 seconds to complete the course, Jarvis made the 2013 Erzberg Rodeo look downright easy. However, with one look at the race-day conditions from this past weekend, we know it was anything but.

Controlling the Uncontrollable – The Role of Ritual in Racing

While normally, MotoGP fans never get enough of seeing Valentino Rossi on TV, there is one shot they would (for the most part) gladly be spared. As he leaves the pits, Rossi stands on the footpegs, and pulls his leathers from between his buttocks, before sitting back down again and leaving. These rituals – part useful limbering up, part invocation of Lady Luck – are something many riders perform, in their attempt to exert control over themselves, and over their environment. In a fascinating press release – by far the most interesting we have received in many months – the Aspar team today provided a discussion and explanation of what riders are trying to achieve through the use of these rituals.

Up-Close with the 2013 MotoCzysz E1pc

Hoping to make it four wins in a row, it goes without saying that the MotoCzysz crew is working hard to close the gap to the John McGuinness and the Mugen team. However, having Team Principal Michael Czysz stuck back in the US, undergoing cancer treatments, must certainly add another level of motivation for the on-island MotoCzysz crew. Making time in their busy schedule, Asphalt & Rubber got to take some up-close photos of the 2013 MotoCzysz E1pc. The most obvious changes made to the MotoCzysz E1pc for the 2013 TT Zero race are the use conventional suspension pieces. Of course, it’s not a completely standard suspension setup, as MotoCzysz has developed its own adjustable triple clamp that incorporates tunable lateral flex parameters.

MotoGP: Max Biaggi To Test Ben Spies’s Ducati at Mugello, Michele Pirro To Replace Spies at Barcelona

Max Biaggi is to make a surprise return to riding a MotoGP machine. The former 250 and World Superbike champion will take a seat on Ben Spies’ Ignite Pramac Ducati as part of a one-day test at Mugello, as part of Ducati’s testing program, according to Italian site GPOne. Spies was scheduled to stay on at Mugello to take part in a two-day test, but after the first day of practice at last weekend’s Italian Grand Prix, it was clear to both Spies and Ducati that his shoulder was still too weak to ride a MotoGP machine. With work continuing on the Desmosedici, it was important for Ducati to get as much data as possible on their bike, and so Biaggi was offered the chance to ride the machine.

TT Zero Ousts TTXGP for 2010 At The Isle Of Man TT

01/28/2010 @ 1:34 pm, by Jensen Beeler10 COMMENTS

The Isle of Man announced today that they will be adding the TT Zero clean emissions class to the historic Isle of Man TT race program. The Zero TT, like the rest of the IOMTT, will be run by ACU Events, Ltd and will use the FIM rules concerning electric motorcycles. Additionally, promotions for the Zero TT will be handled by the Department of Tourism and Leisure. Of particular note in this announcement is the Isle of Man’s dropping of TTXGP, which will not be involved in the 2010 series, but the DTL’s Martyn Quayle said in the press release that he acknowledges TTXGP’s hard work in the first zero emissions race at Isle of Man in June of 2009.

Early indications surrounding the announcement suggest that the decision by the Isle of Man to setup the TT Zero racing class stems from the Isle’s desire to distance itself and the historic race from the TTXGP brand, which has been in controversy both publicly with its split from the FIM, and privately with members of the motorcycle community. Given the TT’s heated history with the FIM, it is also of particular note that they will be adopting the international organization’s rules and regulations for the running of TT Zero, which could be a further indication from the Isle in distancing itself from the influence of TTXGP.

Despite this news and the rumors surrounding it, TTXGP still has three series they are running in the United States, UK and Italy that culminate in one Championship race in Spain. To-date, TTXGP has signed up a number of riders to compete in their races, and has begun opening-up their rulebook for 2011 in a wiki-style collective.

The announcement today further fractures the electric motorcycle racing world, and it remains to be seen where teams will flock to in order to race against each other. With 2010 shaping up to be mostly a local racing affair, the IOMTT provides an opportunity for teams around the globe to meet for one race where they compete against each other (similar to the premise behind TTXGP’s Championship set to be held in Spain). While the Spanish Championship round will feature only the top teams from each local series, the Isle of Man continues to provide a platform where all teams can race against each other.

What remains to be seen is how these two race series will affect each other and the budding industry, and also what this announcement means for teams that have signed an exclusivity contract with TTXGP. Will they be precluded from taking part in the TT Zero? Only time will tell on this one. More news as we get it.

Press Release from The Isle of Man Department of Tourism:

Following the success of the inaugural clean emissions motorcycle race on the Isle of Man in 2009, the Isle of Man Department of Tourism and Leisure has confirmed that a clean emissions race will be part of the 2010 TT.
The clean emissions race in 2009 has been widely credited with accelerating the development of clean emissions transport and many of the technical innovations that were introduced in the Isle of Man are expected to become an integral part of future mass market transport. The event was conceived with the support and involvement of numerous departments of the Isle of Man Government as part of the Island’s Freedom to Flourish programme.
The 2010 clean emissions race has been renamed ‘TT Zero’ and will become part of the core TT programme. It will feature riders who are also competing in the other TT classes. The one-lap race will be open to clean emission motorcycles and will take place on Wednesday, June 9th, at 4.30pm, following the Royal London 360 Superstock and Supersport Races. There will also be qualifying sessions on June 5th and 7th.
As with the core TT Races programme TT Zero will be run by ACU Events Ltd, using the latest FIM regulations. However TTXGP Ltd, who promoted the 2009 event, will not be involved and the DTL will become the race promoter for the clean emissions race as well as the core TT Races programme.
As well as the usual prize money available to teams and riders, the Isle of Man Government has also created a £10,000 prize fund for the first TT Zero Race team to record a 100mph lap (160.93kph) around the 37.73-mile course. This landmark was achieved for the first time by a conventional bike in 1957, when Scotsman Bob McIntyre lapped the TT Course in 22 minutes 24.4 seconds for an overall average of 101.03mph. Rob Barber and Team Agni recorded a fastest lap time of 25 minutes 53.5 seconds (87.434mph) in the 2009 clean emissions race.
Tourism and Leisure Minister Martyn Quayle said:
“We have enjoyed a very successful partnership with TTXGP Ltd and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their hard work last year. We look forward to welcoming many of the electric bike teams and riders back to the Isle of Man in 2010 as well as to seeing new challengers pitting their wits against the Mountain Course.”
He added:
“We are delighted that the Isle of Man was the first country to run an electric bike race and the fact that there are now events scheduled around the world is a tribute to the Island’s entrepreneurial, innovative spirit and shows what an achievement it was for the Isle of Man to run the groundbreaking inaugural event. We are now building on this fantastic start by properly integrating the clean emissions class into the race programme – this really does send a clear signal that electric motorsport is fast evolving and that the TT Races remain at the forefront of motorcycle sport.”
Regulations and entry forms for the TT Zero Race will be released on Friday January 29th and will be available to download from this site. The closing date for entries is Friday, March 26th.

Source: Plugbike.com

Tagged under: ACU, Azhar Hussain, DTL, electric, FIM, Isle of Man TT, Martyn Quayle, TT Zero, TTXGP

Comment:

Harry Mallin says:
January 28, 2010 at 1:49 PM
“the Isle’s desire to distance itself and the historic race from the TTXGP brand, which has been in controversy both publicly with its split from the FIM, and privately with members of the motorcycle community.” So, let me get this right: TTXGP is “in controversy” with members of the motorcycle community? Other than you? Do tell.
Jensen Beeler says:
January 28, 2010 at 3:23 PM
Yes. I’ve had few people tell me so on the record, and a few who have told me similar sentiments off the record. Given how much the climate has changed with today’s announcement and from earlier events, I’m not so certain what they’d be willing to be held to at this point, so I’ve left them out of the discussion.
Ecosse says:
January 28, 2010 at 6:53 PM
Aside from the spat between IOMTT and the FIM I’d like to nit pick some. By calling the series the “TT Zero clean emissions class” implies the often repeated misconception that electricity is by default zero emission/ zero pollution. Unless all or most of the juice originates from wind and solar this “zero” business is just a bunch of greenie hype.
I guess it’s less PC to say my racing motorcycle is powered by electricity supplied by a nuke plant that will leave radioactive waste for future generations, thousands of years from now, to deal with or that my racer gets its power from dirty coal and oil. But hey if Ewan digs it count me in!
Jeff A. Jones says:
January 28, 2010 at 8:24 PM
TT Zero Ousts TTXGP for 2010 At The Isle Of Man TT http://bit.ly/b0Yvli
Ducati Desmo says:
January 28, 2010 at 8:56 PM
TT Zero Ousts TTXGP for 2010 At The Isle Of Man TT http://bit.ly/bR37jV
Asphalt_Rubber says:
January 28, 2010 at 9:34 PM
TT Zero Ousts TTXGP for 2010 At The Isle Of Man TT – http://bit.ly/cNecUp #motorcycle
Matthew says:
January 29, 2010 at 6:58 AM
Does “TT Zero clean emissions class” mean they are allowing other forms on non petrol based propulsion, or is it just a mislabeling of an all electric race?
Matt Hubbell says:
January 29, 2010 at 7:58 AM
I think that sucks. The TTXGP started it all and is trying to build something new and interesting. They have inspired so many, and things look to be moving along well for the TTXGP. If the IOM is confused this year and sold out to the FIM, I am sure they will change their minds in the near future.
Harry Mallin says:
January 29, 2010 at 12:23 PM
@Matthew, I don’t know about the TT Zero, but the TTXGP recognizes in its technical rules that other classes of vehicles may someday race, but given the realities today, we’re talking electric. The rules state:
“All classes shall be powered by zero carbon-based fuels and have clean emissions. (For all purposes these particular technical rules are for Electric Class)”
rob says:
February 11, 2010 at 5:14 PM
Matt, TTXGP did not start it all. There’s been an electric series in Italy for many years under the FIA. The IOM hasn’t sold out to the FIM. The ACU will be running the event, as they do with all the others. Anyway, what’s wrong with the FIM?

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