CAFÉ RACER 76: 04/26/14

samedi 26 avril 2014

Bol d’Or :SERT pulls out a gap at the top / le SERT s’installe en tête

After trading the lead several times with Honda Racing in the course of the evening, SERT earned itself a handy cushion at the top of the Bol d’Or leaderboard thanks to some swift thinking when a shower broke out. The N°111 Honda is only 28 seconds adrift, however, while GMT 94 (Michelin) is still third, three laps down.

SERT and Honda Racing had been swapping first place since the start of the race, but the N°111 Honda appeared to have the edge after its fifth pit stop thanks to some longer stints when a shower broke out at 9:30pm, throwing the whole situation wide open again, however.

When the Honda stopped for the sixth time, it re-joined on slick tyres, just minutes before the rain arrived. When the first drops appeared, SERT immediately called the N°1 Suzuki in for an unscheduled stop to switch to rain tyres, imitating GMT 94’s tactic barely seconds previously. The N°1 Suzuki then posted a sequence of extremely quick laps which enabled it to gain 40 seconds on the leading Honda in the space of just three laps. Next time round (Lap 193), SERT passed in front and proceeded to pull out a useful gap.

As the rain worsened, the N°111 Honda finally pitted for rain tyres on Lap 200 after losing around 1m20s. With a third of the race completed, the Honda Racing is 28 seconds adrift.

Meanwhile, GMT 94 has been running unthreatened in third place, three laps short of the leaders. At the same time, the N°11 Kawasaki has fought its way back up to fourth spot (+8 laps), but without succeeding in bridging the gap to the race’s front-runners.

Bolliger Team Switzerland is fifth, ahead of the best-placed Superstock team, Penz 13, which moved to the top of the class when Starteam suffered a fall. The N°13 BMW is currently being chased by the Hall Motos 02 Kawasaki which is just 23 seconds behind.

Motor Events is eighth overall, ahead of National Motos and Qatar Endurance Racing Team. Thanks to the new EWC regulations, these 10 teams have already made sure of championship points, while seven of the 46 starters have officially retired.

Après avoir échangé la première position avec Honda Racing, le SERT s’est installé en tête de la 78ème édition du Bol d’Or grâce sa vitesse de réaction lors d’une averse. La Honda n°111 a glissé à la deuxième place, reléguée à 28 secondes. Le GMT 94 (Michelin) se maintient à la troisième place à trois tours du leader.

Alors que le SERT et Honda Racing s’échangeaient la tête de la course depuis le premier ravitaillement, la Honda n°111 semblait avoir pris l’avantage à l’issue du cinquième pit stop grâce à des relais plus longs mais c’était sans compter sur le retour de la pluie après 6h30 de course.

Reparti en slick à l’issue de son sixième ravitaillement Honda Racing a souffert de l’apparition de la pluie quelques minutes plus tard. Réactif, le SERT a anticipé son arrêt au stand pour chausser les pneus pluie alors que le GMT 94 avait opté pour le même choix quelques tours plus tôt. Le SERT a alors enchaîné une série de tours rapides en reprenant 40 secondes à la Honda n°111 en seulement trois tours. La Suzuki n°1 a logiquement viré en tête au 193^ème tour et a continué à creuser l’écart.

La pluie redoublant, la Honda n°111 est finalement rentrée au stand pour monter des pneus pluie au 200^ème tour après avoir perdu environ 1min20 sur le SERT. Après 8 heures de course, la Honda n°111 compte 28 secondes de retard.

Derrière, le GMT 94 se maintient à la troisième place avec un handicap de trois tours. Profitant des nombreuses chutes et des ennuis mécaniques touchant les équipes qui le devançaient, Kawasaki SRC est revenu à quatrième place mais n’a pas réussi à réduire l’écart sur les leaders. La Kawasaki n°11 pointe à huit tours.

Bolliger Team Switzerland occupe la cinquième place devant la première équipe de la catégorie Superstock, Penz 13 qui a pris la tête suite à la chute de Starteam. La BMW n°13 est chassée par Hall Motos 02 où 23 secondes les séparent.

Motor Events est huitième devant National Motos et le Qatar Endurance Racing Team. Compte tenu du nouveau règlement en vigueur, ces dix premières équipes marquent de 10 à 1 points. Nous avons franchi le tiers de la course. On compte d’ores et déjà sept abondons.

Marquez dominates second practice in Argentina / Márquez survole de nouveau les essais libres en Argentine

MotoGP™ World Champion Marc Marquez was in dominant form on Friday at the Gran Premio Red Bull de la Republica Argentina, leading FP2 by 1.083s from teammate Dani Pedrosa, with Aleix Espargaro in third.

As the riders learned their way around the new Termas de Rio Hondo track Marquez demonstrated his ability to go quickly at unfamiliar venues once again, recording a 1’39.313 best lap to put him clear of nearest rival Pedrosa.

Espargaro once again showed his pace and the potential of his ‘Open’ NGM Forward Racing package, placing himself third on the timesheet with a 1’40.566 best effort on the Forward Yamaha.

In fourth place was LCR Honda’s Stefan Bradl, the German rider who was one of a select group to test at this venue last year. He ended the day 1.578s behind Marquez.

Completing the top five was Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) who ended the session riding his second bike after the engine on his first machine blew up early in the practice. The Italian lapped within 1.729s of P1.

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FUNNY : Hanni El Khatib - Family !!!

MOTO GP :Dominant Marquez secures Argentina pole / Márquez s’empare de la pole qui lui était promise en Argentine

Repsol Honda’s MotoGP™ World Champion Marc Marquez continued his dominance of the Gran Premio Red Bull de la Republica Argentina weekend to take pole, ahead of Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa.

Full results from an enthralling Argentina Q2 session can be reviewed here.

Marquez appears to be enjoying every moment of the first World Championship visit to the new Termas de Rio Hondo track and he set a superb 1'37.683s late in the 15 minute showdown to maintain his 100% 2014 pole record.

Movistar Yamaha MotoGP’s 2010 and 2012 MotoGP title winner Lorenzo improved his best time significantly in the final stages to qualify second, a 0.742s margin from pole.

Pedrosa, meanwhile, was not far behind Lorenzo in third, his best time of 1’38.651s leaving him a second off the pole pace.

Another good performance from Aleix Espargaro (NGM Forward Racing) on the ‘Open’ Forward-Yamaha puts him at the head on the second row, with Italians Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) and Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) qualifying just behind him.

After making it through from Q1 Bradley Smith (Monster Yamaha Tech3) will shoot for another top five race result from the front of row three, with Andrea Iannone (Pramac Racing) and Stefan Bradl (LCR Honda MotoGP) behind him. Bradl walked away from a big highside but looked somewhat shaken by the crash.

Alvaro Baustista (GO&FUN Honda Gresini), Pol Espargaro (Monster Yamaha Tech3) and the other rider to make it through from Q1, Nicky Hayden (Drive M7 Aspar), will get away from the fourth row.

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WSBK : Baz grabs career first pole after stunning Dutch qualifying / Baz s'offre la première pole position de sa carrière à Assen

samedi, 26 avril 2014 13:47

Loris Baz smashes circuit best.

Loris Baz (Kawasaki Racing Team) will start both of tomorrow’s 21-lap races from pole position after securing the first Tissot-Superpole of his career today at Assen, courtesy of his 1'34.357 lap time (a new outright best lap of the circuit) set moments before the arrival of the rain.

As we have seen already this season under the new format, the 15 minute shootout is proving to be a close and exciting addition to the Tissot-Superpole and in today’s shootout it was the turn of Baz to shine.

Joining Baz on the front row tomorrow will be fellow Frenchman Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team) and Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team), with Marco Melandri (Aprilia Racing Team), Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike Team) and Davide Giugliano (Ducati Superbike Team) forming the second row.

In the EVO category Niccolò Canepa (Althea Racing Ducati) was the fastest qualifier in 7th position overall, improving over a second on his morning time.

Superpole 1 saw Chaz Davies (Ducati Superbike Team) and Marco progress into the final fifteen minute shootout with the other ten already seeded riders following Free Practice.

Le Français a signé un nouveau record pour le circuit néerlandais

L'impressionnant Loris Baz (Kawasaki Racing Team) s'élancera depuis la première place sur la grille de départ pour les deux courses de 21 tours de dimanche à Assen après s'être assuré la première pole position de sa carrière cet après-midi lors de la Tissot-Superpole.

En Superpole 1, Chaz Davies (Ducati Superbike Team) et Marco Melandri (Aprilia Racing Team) s'étaient vu repêchés après s'être échangés le meilleur temps durant 15 minutes, rejoignant en Superpole 2 les dix pilotes déjà qualifiés à l'issue de la troisième séance libre.

Rejoindront le Français en première ligne son compatriote Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team), qui a fini à moins de cinq dixièmes, puis son coéquipier et Champion en titre Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team). Marco Melandri, Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike Team) et Davide Giugliano (Ducati Racing Team) se retrouveront sur la deuxième ligne.

Dans la catégorie EVO, Niccolò Canepa (Althea Racing Ducati) a été le plus rapide et a pris la septième position, améliorant de plus d'une seconde son chrono de ce matin. Jérémy Guarnoni (MRS Kawasaki), quatrième pilote EVO, sera dix-huitième sur la grille de départ.

Moto Guzzi Le Mans 3 by Kaffee Maschine

Written by Ian Lee.

Custom bikes, bringing the world together one build at a time. Who would think that building a beautiful motorcycle would be of such a benefit to multiculturalism? Today’s feature bike is an Italian machine, modified in the style of the British, built by a German company for an American. With so many nationalities putting a bit into this bike, this Moto Guzzi Le Mans 3 went through a Hamburger maker to produce the smooth racer you see here today. In true Kaffee Maschine style, the workshop has come up with a bike featuring dynamic lines and a strong sporting stance – it’s just the sort of thing you could ride into a UN meeting.

The brief for the build was to produce a style that wouldn’t look out of place in the 60s, with modifications that are more current age. ‘Some muscles’ were also asked to be added to the bike during the process. The transmission and rear drive were assessed and modified accordingly, then it was time to work the engine.

The engine was stripped down and fully rebuilt, with the original capacity being blown out to 1040cc using bigger pistons and cylinders. The crank was balanced, and a lightweight flywheel fitted. Dual spark heads were utilised in the build, along with a cam with a more sporting profile and valves to suit. Finally, electronic ignition was wired up, and a new set of modified carburettors mounted.

In relation to looks, this is where Kaffee Maschine’s work really stands out. The frame has been cut down and modified, with the factory airbox being ditched allowing for a more dietary conscious look for the bike. The fuel tank is a handmade WBO replica, finished in a paintjob so deep it looks like you could dive into it. That alluring seat is a genuine Kaffee Maschine fibreglass hump, trimmed in genuine leather. Dotted all over the bike are various Kaffee Maschine alloy parts, produced especially for this build.

With all the extra muscle built into the 90 degree V twin, the brakes on the Italian machine needed some beefing up as well. New brake cylinders were sourced, and mounted along with stainless hoses. To help with the bike’s roadholding ability, the suspension has been touched up to suit. The forks have been overhauled, and fitted with FAC dampers. The rear of the bike now sports KM Ikon shock absorbers, along with a KM torque support unit.

Affected by a whole world of influences, Axel from Kaffee Maschine has again produced another stunning Guzzi café racer. An ocean-deep paint job, reduction in superfluous componentry and an awesome sense of taste has made this motorcycle what it is today. Multiculturalism, don’t you just love it?

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A Monaco elle triompha, à Monaco elle restera…

Citroën Racing a offert la DS3 WRC victorieuse des Rallye Monte-Carlo 2012 & 2013 à S. A. S. le Prince Albert II. La voiture rejoindra la Collection de Voitures Anciennes de S. A. S. le Prince de Monaco ouverte au public.

Lors du meeting FIA WTCC sur le circuit Paul Ricard le week-end dernier, Citroën Racing avait invité S. A. S. le Prince Albert II à monter à bord de la Citroën C-Elysée, au côté de Sébastien Loeb

A cette occasion, S. A. S. le Prince Albert II s’est vu remettre les clés de la Citroën DS3 WRC victorieuse des Rallye Monte-Carlo 2012 & 2013 avec Sébastien Loeb et Daniel Elena. Cette voiture rejoindra la Collection de Voitures Anciennes de S. A. S. le Prince de Monaco, une collection créée par S. A. S. le Prince Rainier II de Monaco et ouverte au public sur 4000 m² dans le quartier de Fontvieille.

Cette Citroën DS3 WRC, châssis n°17, a une histoire très particulière car elle a remporté 9 rallyes WRC, ce qui en fait la voiture la plus victorieuse de Citroën. A son volant, Sébastien Loeb a remporté le Rallye Monte-Carlo 2012, puis le Rallye du Mexique, le Rallye de l’Acropole, le Rallye d’Allemagne, le Rallye de France-Alsace où Seb et Daniel ont remporté leur 9^e et dernier titre mondial, le Rallye d’Espagne 2012.

En 2013, elle a gagné le Rallye Monte-Carlo (7^e et dernier succès de Seb et « Danos » en Principauté), puis le Rallye d’Argentine (leur 78^e et dernière victoire en WRC). Enfin, c’est avec cette auto que Sébastien Loeb et Daniel Elena ont conclu leur exceptionnelle carrière en WRC au Rallye de France-Alsace.

A son volant, Dani Sordo a décroché sa 1^ère victoire mondiale au Rallye d’Allemagne 2013, puis Kris Meeke a signé son 1^er podium WRC au Rallye Monte-Carlo 2014. Hélas, la fin de cette voiture fut moins heureuse avec une roue arrachée dans la dernière spéciale du Rallye du Mexique…

Après 14 rallyes WRC et 5240,54 km chronométrés parcourus, 62 spéciales et 9 victoires remportées, la Citroën DS3 WRC/Michelin « BN-404-MV » méritait bien une retraite dorée sur la Côte d’Azur aux côtés de Rolls-Royce, Jaguar, Cadillac, Maserati…

VARIATIONS SUR DELTAWINGS by PETER ALIASGUY

Jo Bonnier, Gentleman Driver

What is a ‘gentleman driver’? Someone, perhaps, with the wealth to pay for his own drives but the talent to mix it with professionals at the highest levels of the sport? In which case, the heroic Swede, Joakim ‘Jo’ Bonnier, undoubtedly fulfils the criteria.

As Patrick McNally wrote in Autosport magazine, Bonnier ‘enjoyed the gentle art of living gracefully without extravagance’. Tragically, these words were written in 1972, following Bonnier’s death in the Le Mans 24 Hours. He was killed by a slower driver’s error, in a race the Swede had led early on. What made it even harder to take was that Bonnier had been close to retirement after 24 successful years of racing.

The son of a professor of genetics at Stockholm University, Jo was born in 1930. Well-heeled, well-educated and cosmopolitan, he spoke six languages like a local. The world was at his feet when his passion for motor sport blossomed in 1948. Beginning as an amateur rally driver and ice racer, his ability to mix it with the world’s best racing drivers soon emerged. By 1956, in a rapidly changing world, Bonnier turned professional – that being the best way to get good drives.

Of Maseratis and broken bones

His pro career began with Maserati in 1956, but at Imola he tangled with a backmarker in a race that very nearly cost him his life. After a poor start, he was gaining on the race leader at two seconds per lap when the slower driver pulled in front of him. Unable to avoid a high-speed collision, Bonnier was upside down in the air when his crash helmet struck the helmet of the other driver. As his Maserati hurtled towards destruction Bonnier was thrown out. Several bones, including vertebrae, were broken but he was alive and, as ever, keen. In 1957 GPs, he drove a Maserati 250F for the private Scuderia Centro Sud.

The greatest moment of his F1 racing career came in 1959, when Bonnier’s BRM P25 took a convincing victory over Jack Brabham’s Cooper-Climax in the Dutch GP at Zandvoort. After 10 years, it was the BRM team’s first World Championship win and the first by a Swedish driver. Jo Bonnier’s F1 career seemed on the brink of stardom but it was not to be – his remaining two years with BRM were marked by retirements.

The impeccable manners of a true gentleman

Stuck on the fringe of F1, Jo sometimes appeared as a reliable substitute driver for the works teams but he usually drove privately entered cars. From 1966 to 1971 he was a genuine F1 private entrant in his own right, occasionally getting good results with uncompetitive cars including an unwieldy Cooper-Maserati. Bonnier deserved better and he found it in sportscar racing, where he scored countless major victories, including the Targa Florio twice, in 1960 and 1963, with the Porsche works team. With Phil Hill, sharing a Chaparral, he won the 1966 Nürburgring 1000Km. There were many more.

Jo Bonnier had the impeccable manners of a true gentleman, formal yet with an almost alarming tendency to speak directly. That was countered by an extraordinary charm. Such qualities made him an extremely effective Chairman of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association from 1963 to 1971. He campaigned tirelessly for improved track safety – right up to his shocking death in that 180mph accident in 1972. It was a terrible loss.