To Motogp or Not To Motogp

BMW in MotoGP

The fact that the official MotoGP website interviewed BMW’s general director Hendrik von Kuenheim and that he said, “Once we win [WSBK] we will move onto bigger and better things. MotoGP is the most watched motorcycle racing in the world. Next to F1, it is the benchmark for motor racing. But if you look at individual races and the number of spectators attending, such as in Jerez or Assen, there is no race in F1 in the world that even comes close to the number of spectators. So it’s a clear platform for us and we have to think about it. It’s a substantial step,” adding “but racing is expensive, so we have to think about it!” and its this last part of the statement that more or less gives you the idea that the German manager was just paying homage to Dorna as they have a contract to supply the official safety cars.

This isn’t the first time that Hendrik von Kuenheim has indicated that BMW likes MotoGP, but it is just more of the same yada, yada yada that we’ve been hearing since 2007 when the German manufacturer first shot down the idea of competing in MotoGP due to the cost of racing in the premier class. A €40 million MotoGP factory budget compared €12 million needed for World Superbikes makes the world of difference and you don’t even have to crunch the numbers.

The CRT bikes and the new proposed cost-cutting rules (rev limits, standard ECUs, technological freeze ect) may attract BMW as a manufacturer, but for them it is a lot less expensive to let private teams run their engines and eventually cash in on the publicity if the bikes perform.

Will we ever see BMW in Motogp?

Summit Media to comeout with a Motorcycle Magazine

TOP BIKES

Summit Media set to invade the Motorcycle Magazine Market... with the success of TOP GEAR magazine here in the Philippines. Summit Media has decided to launch a new Magazine that will address the growing Motorcycle community here in the Philippines.

Summit will be introducing TOP BIKES (Actual Title still to be determined) in April 2012, the first issue will be graced by Top Clubs in Manila (still do not know who) and the usual BIKE Porn (Bike Accessories, not that kind of porn) that we only dream off.

Once I get more details I will let everybody know.

Shoot out in the Snow!

Crazy guys from France:

With all the snow that fell in Europe this winter, French website Moto Journal decided to demonstrate that you just need a pair of studded tires to get your riding on even in winter time.
Check out this video battle filmed in Lapland on a frozen circuit that they carved out to replicate the Castellet track in France and the usual motorcycle vs car battle, but this one is on ice and between a Yamaha YZF 1000 R1 and Porsche GT3 RS with an extra bonus of a Yamaha WRF 450 vs a Mitsubishi Evo 9.
We also can’t wait to see MotoJournal’s new video that they are teasing as the ‘event of the year’ and titled Ice Age starring Serge Nükee et Vincent Kï?, which they will be releasing Tuesday March 27th, so in the meantime enjoy this great video.

Presenting the Ducati GP 12

Ducati GP 12

Since Ducati didn’t reveal Valentino Rossi’s and Nicky Hayden’s Desmosedici GP12 during this year’s Wroom event at Madonna di Campiglio, they’ll be doing the official presentation online March 19th at 1.00pm (CET).
The live presentation will be available directly from the Facebook.com/TimOfficialPage, (Tim is one of Ducati’s sponsors) and the 2012 racing livery will also be revealed

It only gets Better - World Superbike Magazine

World Superbike Magazine Philip Island

You have to admire Infront Motor Sports, not only is World Superbikes is the fastest growing series, with some of the best and battled out racing in the world, but they know how to treat their fans properly (Dorna could learn a few things from them) with their free highlight videos and interviews.

Their post round magazine, like this 26 minute video from the first round of the championship at Phillip Island is very good and gives you some footage from behind the scenes and more highlights from the Superbike and Supersport races.

We enjoyed Steve Martin describing what Althea Ducati did to raise the weight on the 1198, what we didn’t like was the fact they said that Superpole was cancelled due to ’safety reasons’ caused by an incident in the National Championship, avoiding any mention of the late Oscar McIntyre.
Enjoy the rest of the video.

Been so busy the last few days... will make it daily! 

Racing Season officailly starts this weekend

Video: FIM Superbike World Championship previews 2012 riders and teams

Relax, sit back and enjoy the show....

Rods and Pins

Rossi metal free now...

Once upon a time before Facebook and Twitter you only used to know when a rider had surgery and metalwork removed because teams issued press releases, now the riders are taking command of their lives and getting one-on-one with their fans and that includes posting pics of their various injuries and scars.
This is the rod and pins that Valentino Rossi had removed from his leg that he injured at the Mugello back in 2010.
After his surgery on February 6th, he promised that he would show a picture of rod and since he didn’t want to disappoint his numerous fans, this is it and Rossi tweeted with the image, “Ciao ragazzi,ecco il chiodo e le viti che avevo dentro la gamba.non sapevo fossero verdi” which translated means, ” Hi guys, here’s the rod and pins that I had in my leg. I didn’t know they were green.