mercredi 18 septembre 2013
Noriyuki Haga to race the final three rounds of BSB championship
Noriyuki Haga didn’t find a ride this 2013 season, but he did take part in the Suzuki Eight Hours - coming third - in Yukio Kagayama’s ‘dream time’ with Kevin Schwantz, now the highly popular Japanese rider will be riding the final three rounds of MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship for PBM.
The former triple runner-up in the World Superbike Championship will join MCE British Championship leader and defending champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne on board a Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki ZX-10R for all three Showdown rounds, starting at Assen this coming weekend.
Having won 43 WSBK races in a distinguished career, Haga raced in BSB last season and despite suffering a broken collarbone at Cadwell Park, bounced back late in the season to claim eighth place in the final standings.
Haga will get his first taste of the Minxflix-supported Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki ZX-10R in a test at Snetterton en route to Assen and will also be in action on the bike at familiar tracks to him including Silverstone (October 4/6th) and the Brands Hatch GP circuit finale (October 18/20th).
Paul Bird, Team Owner: “I have always admired Nori throughout his career and it’s fair to say he’s one of my heroes so I’m delighted to have the chance to work with him. He’s proven many times that he’s a great rider and showed at the tracks he knew last year that he could still be very competitive. He was on pole position at Assen last year and rode a couple of brilliant races so despite not doing a lot of racing this year, he’ll be very strong. He loves all three Showdown tracks and if he can also help Shakey’s bid for the title, all well and good.”
from TWOWHEELSBLOG
Colourful and classical: The styles of the Goodwood Revival 2013
Defying the cold, dark and soggy conditions which often enveloped the 2013 Goodwood Revival, thousands of brave spectators dressed for the occasion in an unrivaled range of period outfits…
"Military uniforms, period racing coveralls, rockabilly outfits or simple tweed suits"
Although each Revival meeting is different, the spectators who flock in their droves are always one of the main attractions. Be it military uniforms, period racing coveralls, rockabilly outfits or simple tweed suits, great effort goes into finding fresh ideas in a bid to stand out. Suffice to say, there’s never a dull moment!
Our photo gallery is not only crammed with photos of the most beautiful styles of this year’s Revival, but also provides you with some inspiration and ideas for next year’s event.
Photos: Gudrun Muschalla
Mercedes-Benz SLS lineup production to end in June 2014
Probably won't get a direct successor
German media reports Mercedes-Benz will stop production of all SLS models in March 2014.
Mercedes-Benz is making the SLS coupe and roadster family (SLS AMG, SLS AMG GT, SLS AMG Black Series) at the Sindelfingen, Germany factory which apparently will stop production of the SLS models next March probably to free up capacity for the already confirmed C190 (internal codename) which won't be a direct successor of the SLS.
The C190 will be smaller and lighter than the SLS and will be designed as a competitor for the Porsche 911. As a result, it will be a lot cheaper as various reports are indicating a starting price of about 109,000 EUR. Rumors are leaning towards a 2015 launch but the car could go into production sooner now that we know the SLS will be axed next March.
The C190 (aka SLC) is expected to feature a V8 4.0-liter twin-turbo engine developing 485 HP (357 kW). It will allegedly be followed by an S version with 550 HP (404 kW) and a range-topping Black Series derivative outputting 585 HP (430 kW).
Source: blog.mercedes-benz-passion.com
via WORLCARFANS
WSBK ; Carlos Checa suffers hip fracture, 2013 season over
Carlos Checa’s 2013 season is over. The former World Superbike champion’s year has been marred by poor results, numerous injuries and confidence sapping crashes, and his latest crash during FP1 at Istanbul Park, has left him with a fractured hip, along with a chest contusion, and afracture to his left scaphoid, that were initially diagnosed.
The Spaniard posted the news of his new phystical status on Twitter : “Istanbul crash more serious than I thought, hip fracture. Tomorrow morning dr will apply a surgery intervention, I can’t finish the season.”
After 11 rounds, and only 15 races contested out of 21 (Race 2 at Moscow was cancelled after Antonelli’s death) Checa currently lies 14th in the standings and this new injury will leave the beleaguered Alstare Ducati team with only one rider to finish the season, unless Ducati is willing to replace Checa with another rider.
The choices could fall on Alex de Angelis who was offered Ben Spies ride in MotoGP, but turned them down when they wouldn’t offer him a contract for 2014 (Yonny Hernandez got the replacement card) or they could offer it to former Ducati rider Michel Fabrizio, who is out of a job after he was canned by Red Devils Roma team and replaced Pata Honda’s Jonathan Rea in Turkey.
Regarding Checa’s future, his manager Alberto Vergani had already said that his client would be leaving Ducati at the end of the season and that the only two options available were with Kawasaki and if that deal fell through then Checa would seriously consider retirement.
via TWOWHEELSBLOG
CUSTOM 1973 NORTON COMMANDO BY UNION MOTORCYCLE CLASSICS
- POSTED BY MOTO VERSO
Once upon a time, there was a Commando who thought it would enjoy life as a Roadster. It would take the safe road, the expected road, mind its ps and qs. But then life happened. Nearly 40 years old, this not so distinguished gentleman is just getting started. Ever the neoclassicist, its custom bodywork was proportionately streamlined to reinvent a lighter appearance, while still giving a respectful nod to the past. A modified rear frame makes it all work, while custom brackets hold everything together. Glass From The Past (GFTP) is our hands down choice for all our bodywork. Like what you see? Go to the source: caferacingparts.com.
Images: unionmotorcycle.com
Website: unionmotorcycle.com
STEFAN’S Z4M COUPE
HARLEY DAVIDSON NIGHTSTER 1200 CUSTOM BY REWHEELED MOTORCYCLES
- POSTED BY MOTO VERSO
The Harley Davidson Nightster 1200 Custom Cafe Racer is the private bike of the owner of Rewheeled Motorcycles. This is its fourth and final version. It started out as a standard Nightster 1200 , then the bars were changed and a special 2-2 exhaust was built. The fender struts were cut and also put on a swing mounted rear fender and a small soloseat. It rolled as a bobber for two seasons but this winter it was rebuilt into a dirt track version but he wasn’t satisfied with the looks. It was then Cafed up , and now he is happy! He said “Couldn’t see myself driving a bobber when I’m building café racers…”
What´s done? Rewheeled give us the build detailsStarting from the front; The stock forksprings are replaced with Wilbers linear racing springs and a thicker forkoil. The front brakeline is replaced with a steelbraided hose. Bars are replaced with LSL sportmatch clipons and the headlight is a 7” Lucas style aftermarket with new brackets. The indicators (front and rear) are extremly small (e-marked!) LED in alu housing. The multi instrument is a Motogadget Motoscope Mini , practically invisible with the ignition turned of. The fuel tank is a 17 litre Sportster Custom tank, painted black with lasercut stainless steel Rewheeled logos. The seat is an aftermarket XR-style seat widened to fit the 2003 up frame, for the moment with raceneoprene padding. The license plate arrangement is custom made with LED Bates style rear light.
The rear sets are custom made brackets with Tarozzi foot controls with rebuilt brake arrangement and custom made gear shift linkage. The rear hub is relaced with an 18” Morad rim and the rear shocks are Progressive Suspensions 413 Race Line 400 mm. Exhaust are headers from Supertrapp (-2003) paired with a custommade middle part ending with two 1,75” Supertrapp mufflers (2-1-2). Headers are wrapped and two custom made heat shields where fabricated. Airfilterbox is powdercoated black and airfilter is K&N high flow. A Power commander PCV is fitted. The changes has given a wonderful bike to drive with good punch in the lower revs, but mostly it has effected the handling and driveability. The rear is some 10 cm up compared to stock and this gives much quicker steering response. The more active position with low bars and rear sets makes it simply great fun to drive. In my opinion it is equally great too look at…
You don’t see that many cafe racer builds based on Sportsters out there, especially not based on the rubber mount 2003 up. In this one the aim was to combine classic cafe racer lines with the Harley heritage using the XR style seat and the twin mufflers. The longer shocks and bigger rear wheel were essential to create the correct stance and the stock gas tank is far to high in my opinion.
Images: Mattias Hallgren
Website: rewheeled.com
WELCOME TO HIROSHIMA: VISITING THE HOME OF MAZDA
During my 2013 Japan Speedhunting expedition I had the chance to visit some of the country’s biggest and most well known car museums. First it was the nostalgic atmosphere at the Yokota Collection in the Gunma countryside; and then the amazing Toyota Automobile Museum in Aichi. From there, I found myself sitting on the Shinkansen bullet train heading at a very good clip towards Hiroshima – the home of Mazda’s global headquarters and museum.
While all of Japan’s car companies have their own territory so to speak, Hiroshima is 100 per cent a Mazda town. This becomes apparent within moments of hopping off the train at Hiroshima Station and seeing the brand new Atenzas that were proudly displayed within the station.
Mazda has always been a bit of an underdog compared to its juggernaut rivals Nissan, Toyota and Honda – but driving around Hiroshima you wouldn’t know it. Mazda is the car of choice here, and it’s not surprising considering the car company is Hiroshima’s largest employer and a pivotal part of the local economy. It’s something that goes back to Jujiro Matsuda and his Toyo Cork Kogyo Company of the early 1920s, which ultimately went on to become the Mazda Motor Corporation. Today the city is home not only to Mazda’s corporate headquarters, but to its massive Hiroshima manufacturing facility.
Not surprisingly, Mazda also operates a company museum in its hometown – but unlike some of others, you can’t just show up and browse around whenever you’d like. The museum is actually situated deep within the factory itself, and access is via a guided tour that also takes you around the plant itself.
Arranging the tour is not difficult though. It’s offered in both English and Japanese and is available completely free of charge. Once you’ve made your reservations, you arrive at the Mazda head office (easily accessible via train) and then board a small bus for the short ride down to the waterfront factory.
Unfortunately photography is not permitted inside the factory grounds, but it was fascinating to look out the window as the bus made its way through the gigantic facility, which is really like its own independent city. After the quick ride, the bus arrives at the museum lobby and the cameras can come out.
Because the Mazda CX-5 SUV had just won the Japan Car of the Year award, the lobby included a display of other Mazda vehicles that have taken the honor in the past. Seen here is the Mazda Familia Hatchback which won the award for the 1980-81 model year.
Also on display is the Mazda Capella (aka Mazda 626 and Ford Telstar) which earned the Car of the Year title for 1982-83.
More recently we have the NC chassis Mazda Roadster, which won the award upon its debut in 2005.
From there, the next stop is the museum area itself. Although not large, it features an impressive selection of Mazda vehicles that span the company’s history.
The earliest machine on hand is this 1935 Type-TCS three-wheeled truck, a variation of Mazda’s first ever vehicle. The Type TCS is powered by an air-cooled 654cc engine which makes 13hp.
As you can see, the truck also bears the familiar logo of Mitsubishi, which was responsible for marketing Mazda vehicles at this time.
Also present is a 1950 Type GB three-wheeled truck, which was a symbol of Mazda’s return to consumer vehicle production following the end of the second world war.
Mazda continued producing three-wheeled trucks in the decades to come, with models like this T2000 becoming popular thanks to its large cargo capacity and tight turning radius.
Mazda’s first venture into the passenger car market came in 1960 with the introduction of the R360 Coupe. Not only was the R360 a groundbreaking vehicle for Mazda, it was also a car that helped to establish Japan’s micro car market during the 1960s.
Mazda’s car business continued to boom in the early ’60s, with the introduction of models like the Carol, which had room for four-passengers. This particular 1963 Carol 600 was decorated to commemorate the Mazda’s 1,000,000 vehicle produced.
As automobile ownership experienced rapid growth in Japan, Mazda’s lineup continued to expand with new models. In late 1963 the Mazda Familia debuted as the company’s first full-fledged family car, with modern styling and an all-aluminum four-cylinder engine.
Elsewhere, Mazda introduced vehicles like the B360 truck. It’s not hard to see how trucks like this ’67 B360 would eventually evolve into the kei trucks that dominate Japan’s country roads today.
Needless to say, the museum also includes the 1967 Mazda Cosmo Sport (aka 110S). The car known not only for its swooping lines but also for its pioneering use of a twin rotor engine. The Cosmo, of course, was the first of many historic rotary-powered Mazdas.
Soon the rotary engine begin to power other Mazda models, like this 1968 Familia Rotary Coupe (aka R100). With its 10A rotary powerplant, the Familia Coupe made 100 horsepower at 7,000rpm – a big deal back in ’68.
Behold, the 1968 Mazda Bongo 1000 Van. Not only did the Bongo have one of the coolest names ever put on a vehicle, it’s also been part of Mazda’sl lineup ever since.
One of the rarest and most unusual cars in the entire collection is this 1969 Luce Rotary Coupe – Mazda’s first and only front-wheel drive, rotary-powered car. The Luce Rotary Coupe was also the only Mazda ever to be equipped with the 13A rotary engine.
Slightly more recognizable should be this 1972 Savanna GT (aka RX-3), which quickly earned its place in history as another one of Mazda’s great rotary-powered machines.
Also representing Mazda of the 1970s is this handsome ’75 Cosmo AP (aka RX-5). The ‘AP’ which if you didn’t know stands for Anti-Pollution. Who needs a Prius when you can save the environment with a badass 1970s Cosmo?
Another car deserving of a rightful spot in the museum is the 1978 Savanna RX-7 – the car which took Mazda’s rotary philosophy to a new level of global success.
And speaking of international achievement, the museum also includes a special display dedicated to the Mazda 787B.
It’s here where you will find the actual 787B chassis that won Le Mans in 1991, along with several other artifacts…
… including an example of the car’s four-rotor engine. No sound demonstration though I’m afraid.
The display also includes the trophy that the team was awarded upon its historic win in 1991. For motorsports history buffs, this alone should be reason enough to visit the Mazda Museum.
The collection also includes cars from the more contemporary era, including the Suzuki-designed Autozam AZ-1. The mid-engined, gullwing door-equipped kei car made waves when it was introduced in Japan in 1992.
Also present is the Eunos Cosmo of the early 1990s, which is of course the only Mazda ever to be powered by a three-rotor 20B engine.
Another car which is absolutely deserving of a spot in the museum is the NA-chassis Eunos Roadster. Whether you know it as the Roadster, the Miata or the MX-5 it’s simply one of the company’s most iconic products and a global sports car phenomenon.
Last but not least, we have the FD3S Efini RX-7 – a absolute modern classic and a car that is still awaiting a proper successor. Thankfully if recent rumors are true, the FD3S may no longer be known as the ‘last’ RX-7.
Once the musem tour is through, the next stop is the actual assembly line where you get a look at Roadsters, Demios and other Mazdas being built right before your eyes. You also get to see the on-site dock area where Mazda loads up its vehicles on ships bound for destinations around the world. Once again photography is not allowed in these areas, but it was quite interesting to see.
From there, you get to see detailed display that breaks down the process of vehicle production from the early design phase…
… all the way to final assembly.
You can also check out a few of Mazda’s futuristic concept cars…
… and prototypes like the hydrogen-powered RX-8.
Finally, you arrive back at the lobby where you have some time to check out the small gift shop before hopping on the bus back to the corporate offices.
You can also pick up some official gear from the Hiroshima Carp – the city’s professional baseball team that Mazda sponsors.
Mazda has always been a car maker that’s done things a little differently, so it’s fitting that it would offer a museum experience unlike any company out there. If you ever find yourself in the wonderful city of Hiroshima, I highly recommend arranging a visit to experience this unique showcase of Mazda’s history and automotive technology.
Mike Garrett
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