MOTO GP ; Marc Marquez tops FP2 at Losail with flying lap

The second free practice in Qatar was delayed due to light drops of rain falling on the track but the track surface was deemed safe just a few minutes later and the session got the greenlight, but a very stiff wind brought a lot of sand on the track that hampered lap times for many riders.

Marc Marquez did flying lap on fresh tires with three minutes left in the session and using Valentino Rossi as a reference point, posted the best time in 1.56.477 that put him on the top of the timesheets and bettering Jorge Lorenzo’s yesterday’s top time by more that two tenths of a second.

Marquez’ best lap however was just a single hot lap, as the MotoGP rookie then missed his braking point at the now famous turn 1 and ran off track, and at the moment doesn’t have the race pace to stay with Lorenzo and Rossi.

Lorenzo was second fastest and 0.268s adrift after having lead the session for the better part of the 45 minutes and using the new chassis. Valentino Rossi was third and 0.060s from his team mate, however he wasn’t feeling well today. The Italian is lamenting a bad headache that is apparently caused by a bout of sinusitis that forced the Yamaha rider to ask the Clinica Mobile for some help. Both Yamaha riders set their best times on used tires and during brief runs.

Cal Crutchlow continues to impress as he was fourth and Stefan Bradl was fifth, and until Marquez’s flying lap was the fastest Honda rider.

Andrea Dovizioso was sixth, but he dropped more than 1.3 seconds and is using a smaller fairing on his GP13, and continued using hard tires and will be waiting for a completely newbike that should arrive in July, according to Paolo Ciabatti. Dani Pedrosa had another horrible session, evidently his corner entry issues haven’t been solved as he ran off track at least three times and was 1.4 seconds from his team mate.

Nicky Hayden was eighth but already more than 1.5 seconds adrift and was followed by Pramac’s and fellow Ducati rider Ben Spies. Closing out the top ten was Alvaro Bautista who is still having problems with his fractured fingers.

After yesterday’s impressive 9th place Aspar’s Aleix Espargaro dropped to 13th and was more than 2,5 seconds adrift.

If any practice session in Qatar is interrupted by rain, the session will be postponed until the day after, as the reflection of the floodlights on a wet track means it is impossible to ride in the rain and Bridgestone doesn’t bring rain tires to the desert. In 2009 torrential rain forced the race to postponed to Monday evening.

MotoGP Qatar FP2 results:

01- Marc Marquez – Repsol Honda Team – Honda RC213V – 1’56.477
02- Jorge Lorenzo – Yamaha Factory Racing – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 0.268
03- Valentino Rossi – Yamaha Factory Racing – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 0.328
04- Cal Crutchlow – Monster Yamaha Tech 3 – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 0.692
05- Stefan Bradl – LCR Honda MotoGP – Honda RC213V – + 0.780
06- Andrea Dovizioso – Ducati Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP13 – + 1.356
07- Dani Pedrosa – Repsol Honda Team – Honda RC213V – + 1.400
08- Nicky Hayden – Ducati Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP13 – + 1.563
09- Ben Spies – Ignite Pramac Racing – Ducati Desmosedici GP13 – + 1.660
10- Alvaro Bautista – GO&FUN Honda Gresini – Honda RC213V – + 1.821

from TWOWHEELSBLOG

ICONIC BRANDING OF A BUNNY KIND | THE BIRTH OF PLAYBOY MAGAZINE

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How unlikely would it seem today, if someone were to tell you that they were planning to build one of the world’s sexiest and most recognizable brands– with a logo based on a bunny? Well, that’s exactly what Hugh Heffner did. Seriously, doesn’t it sound kind of nuts? Looking back on the vintage images of the bunnies in their heyday, there is an undeniable naivete and corniness, mixed with an overtly demeaning attitude towards women– and wow, did it work.

Heffner was gifted with an ironic stroke of fate when the original “Stag Club” name that was going to grace his new men’s magazine was legally blocked by Stag magazine.  He needed a new handle, and the stag was soon converted to the now iconic bunny, in a historic and innuendo-laden rename.  Playboy later ran a pictorial article on Chicago’s Gaslight Club, and was overwhelmed by thousands of readers requesting to join this exclusive key members club.   Playboy execs smelled a golden opportunity, and soon plans were laid to open their own private key holder’s club.  All that was needed now was the vision.

After many go-rounds, the decided-upon bunny custom was nipped and fluffed until it met Heffner’s critical approval.  They say he was particularly smitten with the tail– go figure.  In 1960, when the very first Playboy Club opened– the so-called icon of the sexual revolution was off and hopping.  Seems almost more like a misogynist’s ___ dream than a liberating sexual revolution if you asked me.

Liberating for whom, exactly?

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Unwilling to lose time in litigation for the “Stag Party” name, Hugh Hefner renamed his magazine “PLAYBOY” and chose a new symbol. Arv Miller transformed his original stag mascot to a rabbit. Founding Art Director Arthur (Art) Paul then created the world-famous Rabbit Head logo.

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Hugh Hefner and Playboy Bunnies at the Chicago Playboy Club –1960.

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Playboy Bunny getting ready to work her magic.

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Hugh Hefner jet-setting with his Playboy Bunnies.

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Hugh Hefner and his Playboy Bunnies at the Playboy Mansion –1966.

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Keith Richards (background, look for it…) and The Rolling Stones paying a visit to the Playboy Club.

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WHAT SORT OF MAN READS PLAYBOY? Vintage ad from 1969.

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“WHAT SORT OF MAN READS MAD” –Playboy magazine ad spoof.

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Playboy Club key for members only.

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New York’s Playboy Club back in the day.

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Playboy Bunnies wave as Hugh Hefner’s private jet lands in London– 1970.

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Dec 1962, Manhattan — “A View from the Rear” : A scantily clad “bunny,” of the Playboy Club, gives an interesting “rear view” as she chats with patrons during the opening of the Manhattan branch of the chain of clubs.  One of a chain normally operated as private establishments, the Playboy Club in New York reluctantly began giving its keys away to non-members in order to receive a liquor license.  The New York State Liquor Authority has ruled that the “featured” club keys may be used only as a type of credit card. — Image by © Bettmann/ Corbis

from the selvedge yard

Locals Only Copenhagen

Asked about the essence of motorcycling, Copenhagen local Per Nielsen will keep his answer fittingly short and clean; in fact, he will say no more than a single word at first: “Presence.”

His crew The Wrenchmonkees has long established itself as a commanding force and seminal presence in the world of stainless steel and powerful engines. Internationally known for their matchless custom motorcycle creations, Per explains his search for the ultimate road beast and presents his very own thoughts and feelings about “Motorcycle Maintenance”.
Linking their shared love for skateboarding, DIY culture, rock & roll, the sound of engines going, and clean shapes, the Copenhagen-based crew never cared so much about extreme performance, loud colors or the latest designs; instead, they are interested in “the basic expression of life on a motorbike”.
In short: these guys focus on unique machines, a clean, raw and no-frills aesthetic, and ultimately a timeless experience on two wheels.
Locals Only Copenhagen from simon weyhe on Vimeo. 

UN1T Garage R120 GS Kit

The BMW 1200 GS is a venerable machine, they can go literally anywhere and I suspect that when they need a moon-buggy style vehicle for the first team on Mars, they’ll take a few of these along on the lander.
For those who love the capabilities of the 1200 GS but prefer the more classic styling of the older R80 a new company in Germany has popped up selling the kit you see fitted above and below, it costs 3920.00 Euros and can be bolted on in under 4 hours to any 1200 GS from 2004 to the present day.

The entire process is reversible meaning you don’t compromise the resale value of the original bike, although I suspect that the modified bike would actually be worth more due to its unique nature.
The kit can be bought all at once or part by part, which suits people who want some elements but not others, the optional add ons include things like pannier cases and a variety of windshields. Click the link here to check out the kit and an additional gallery of images.


 
from SILODROME

Fruin 200cc Racing Motorcycle

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The aesthetics of the engine has always brought the character to a Motorcycles. This ridiculously beautiful 1965 Fruin 200cc racing engine is the creation of an independent engineer of Hillingdon, Middlesex Bert Fruin.

During the 1950’s and 60’s Bert crafted a series of mechanically remarkable special engines, including a 125cc DOHC twin-cylinder racer and a modular V4/V8 engine. The first Fruin-built 200cc was featured in Motor Cycle magazine in 1962.

Bert’s four-cylinder engine was sold in a kit form with a crankcase and set of crankshaft blueprints at a cost of £16. The Fruin 200cc engine above in the picture uses NSU cylinders and heads and it was built around 1965 by Mike Smith of Waltham Abbey, Essex. The Fruin 200cc engine has been mounted in an MV Agusta rolling chassis. The engine has been fitted with Dell’Orto carburetors and the four-speed gearbox. This bike was mainly use for spiriting due to being proven UN-competitive in the 250 classes.

Later in 1980s Mike Smith sold the bike, since then it was modified and sold from the hands of one to another enthusiastic owner, it was purchased and restored by a collector in 2009. Restoration work included the rebuilding of the Fruin 200cc engine and the gearbox.

The frame and the fuel tank was repainted and the carburetors, float bowls were also overhauled. The electricals of this Fruin 200cc remain original but the wheels were rebuilt. Upon completion of the restoration this Fruin 200cc Racing Motorcycle was displayed on the Carole Nash stand at NEC, Birmingham and also at the Stafford Show.

Due to the complex nature of the design and cost only two were ever made. The bike above in the pictures was up for auction at the Bonham’s and was sold for for £5,980.

Source - Bonhams

via motorivista

Shakin’ Speed Graphix Tomomi Shimizu

Google translate from Japanese perhaps? haha “The Shakin’ speed graphic superintendence, Tomomi Shimizu who have the column serialized by HBJ.com.
With that an image is evoked from an American sign board, a skate, a snowboard, etc. in many cases by nature play.
Shakin’ having the skill projected as custom-made Painter and a sense was asked about the talk about the charm of custom-made paint, and its prejudice.
Their own cars of Shakin’ who is also a pure motor-head are the sedan-pickup of 1965 models, and the Ford ranchero to FL Duo Glide bobber of 1963 models.
A photograph was taken on the atelier in custom-made Painter of the rare cost which he is getting hooked on the charm of the pickup truck completely with Harley, and Mito of Shakin’s studio, and the Hitachinaka seashore.”

Porsche in Le Mans 1971: The race of records

 

The race of records'

Porsche has released a video with all the performances achieved in the 1971 edition of Le Mans, ahead of next year's comeback.
Porsche is taking a trip down memory lane to revisit the year 1971 when the 917 was built with a magnesium frame which set a new record in lightweight construction as the magnesium tubular frame weighed only 42 kg (92 lbs).
Jackie Oliver tested the car and established the fastest lap, with an average speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) which was also a new record. The Porsche 917 immediately became the most popular car among photographers as thousands of photos were taken.
Helmut Marko and Gijs van Lennep drove the car at the 24h Le Mans for 5,335.3 km (3,315.2 miles) setting a new distance record. The speed average was 222.304 km/h (138.13 mph) - a record which survived for decades.
Porsche will return to Le Mans next year with a new LMP1 sports prototype which might use hybrid tech for a better fuel efficiency.

Source: Porsche

via worldcarfans

BMW X4 concept leaked, debuts in Shanghai

Expected to be based on the X3

The first pictures of the BMW X4 concept have leaked to the web.

Set to debut at the Shanghai Motor Show, the concept closely resembles the X6 and features a sporty front fascia with a prominent grille and LED-infused headlights. We can also see a sculpted hood, a distinctive roofline and a dual exhaust system.

BMW has already announced plans to build the X4 at their plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The company hasn't revealed when it will go into production but development chief Herbert Diess recently confirmed the model will be launched in 2014.

Engine options are expected to carryover from the X3, so expect choices to include a TwinPower Turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 240 bhp (179 kW) and 260 lb-ft (352 Nm) of torque as well as a TwinPower Turbo 3.0-liter inline-six with 300 bhp (224 kW) and 300 lb-ft (406 Nm) of torque.

Source: Autowp via automonthly

via Worldcarfans

World Superbike teams complete final day of private testing at Aragon

from twowheelsblog

Just a week before the start of the second round of the World Superbike championship at Motorland Aragon, Pata Honda, Kawasaki, Fixi Crescent Suzuki and Ducati’s SBK test team completed their three days of private testing at the Motorland Aragon circuit.

While the first two days of testing was slightly hampered by strong winds, the final day [Thursday] was limited by rain showers, however Tom Sykes continued to be fastest rider overall with a best lap in 1’57″2 while testing new chassis new components some engine improvements.

Team mate Loris Baz, who has recently took part in the official pre-tests at Magny Cours with Team Kawasaki SRC ahead of the 2013 Bol d’Or endurance race also found some improvements ahead of next Sunday’s double header.

Tom Sykes said, “I think that my wrist is about 80% and my ribs 98% back to normal, so that was good. I was able to ride the bike again without too many limitations. We had some rain in the final afternoon but we had already finished just about everything we had wanted to do at the end of the second day. We were going to do a couple of long runs on two different settings today but the rain interrupted that. We have put a lot of laps on our tyres here and we still have all of race weekend to check out the final tyre situation for raceday. This test has also brought us some benefits in performance.”

WSBK Aragon test unofficial day 3 results:

1. Tom Sykes - Kawasaki - 1′57″2
2. Leon Camier - Suzuki - 1′59″0
3. Niccolò Canepa - Ducati - 1′59″3
4. Leon Haslam - Honda - 1′59″7
5. Jules Cluzel - Suzuki - 1′59″8
6. Matteo Baiocco - Ducati - 1′59″9
7. Loris Baz - Kawasaki - 2′00″0
8. Jonathan Rea - Honda - 2′00″0

2013 Nissan GT-R snow testing in Hokkaido, Japan

In Rikubetsu, northern Japan

Nissan has recently conducted some in-depth testing with the slightly revised2013 GT-R.

The Japanese company is trying to convince us the GT-R remains a proper supercar even on snowy roads like the ones in Rikubetsu, Hokkaido in northern Japan. Nissan performed a series of tests with the most recent version of the R35, testing its acceleration, braking, skid pad performance and hill start.

The 2013 Nissan GT-R is powered by an updated V6, 3.8-liter twin-turbo producing 550 HP (404.5 kW) and 627 Nm (463 lb-ft) which now offers improved response from mid and upper rev ranges. Better stability and sharper handling are also attributes of the tweaked model, along with tuned dampers, springs and anti-roll bar.

It runs the 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) sprint in 2.7 seconds so it's 0.1s faster than its predecessor. The recently introduced Track Edition loses the rear seats and receives a stiffer suspension setup, special brake cooling guides, custom front spoiler with carbon fiber air ducts, as well as higher grip front seats.

Source: Nissan

from Worldcarfans

Kenny Roberts Jr.'s 1996 Yamaha YZR500 on sale for $ 200,000

from TWOWHEELSBLOG

Being the son of such a living legend as ‘King’ Kenny Roberts brings great responsability and loads of pressure, but Kenny Roberts Jr. managed to secure his own place in racing history winning the World Championship of the 500 cc class in 2000, the last one ever clinched by a Suzuki machine, getting the best of a young Valentino Rossi (back then in his maiden year in the premier class with Honda) and fierce rival Max Biaggi (Yamaha).

However, the Californian begun his career in the 500 class in 1996 with a Yamaha YZR500managed by his dad Roberts (who had won 3 consecutive titles from 1978 to 1980, becoming the first American rider to win the World Championship), and that little piece of history (that you can admire in our photo gallery) is now up for grabs for $ 200,000. All you need to do to place your bid for this awesome piece of art is clicking on this link, where you will find more pics and more info on the subject..

We are talking about the original bike used by Kenny Jr. in his rookie year, when he finished 13th in the overall standings with a 4th place in Brno as the best result of the season. Up to this day, the Roberts represent the only case of father and son pair to have won at least one title each in the GP top class.