ACE CAFE RADIO

    vendredi 29 août 2014

    MotoGP ; Márquez retrouve les sommets à Silverstone / Marquez on top again in Friday practice

    Marc Márquez a survolé les essais libres de vendredi au Grand Prix Hertz de Grande-Bretagne et fini avec plus d’une demi-seconde d’avance sur Stefan Bradl et Andrea Dovizioso.
    Marc-Marquez-Repsol-Honda-Team-GBR-FP2-576308

    Après avoir été battu pour la première fois de l’année au GP de République Tchèque, Marc Márquez (Repsol Honda) était de retour en première position vendredi à Silverstone pour les deux premières séances d’essais du Grand Prix Hertz de Grande-Bretagne, qu’il a largement dominées. 
    Le Champion du Monde en titre comptait plus d’une demi-seconde d’avance sur ses poursuivants à l’issue de chacune des deux séances d’essais et n’a donc laissé aucun doute planer quant à sa détermination à renouer avec la victoire.
    Stefan Bradl (LCR Honda MotoGP) a conclu en seconde position, à 0.509s du leader, tandis que Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati) s’est emparé de la troisième place au dernier moment, en battant de 0,059s le Britannique Bradley Smith (Monster Yamaha Tech3), seul autre pilote à moins d’une seconde de Márquez et seul pilote sur YZR-M1 Factory dans le Top 10.
    Sur gommes tendres, Yonny Hernández (Energy T.I. Pramac Racing), Scott Redding (GO&FUN Honda Gresini) et Andrea Iannone (Pramac Racing) se sont classés de la cinquième à la septième places, devant Álvaro Bautista (GO&FUN Honda Gresini), Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda) et Áleix Espargaró (NGM Forward Racing). 
    Onzième à 1.374s de Márquez, Jorge Lorenzo (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP), vainqueur de l’épreuve devant son compatriote l’an dernier, cherchera à rattraper son retard samedi, à l’instar de Pol Espargaró (Monster Yamaha Tech3) et de Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP), qui a fini à 1.826s du meilleur temps. 
    Cal Crutchlow (Ducati) était lui aussi en difficulté et a pris la quatorzième place, devant Alex de Angelis (NGM Forward Racing). 
    Cliquez ici pour accéder aux résultats.
    Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Team, GBR FP2
    As the premier class riders enjoyed their second Friday practice session at the Hertz British Grand Prix, Marc Marquez was the top man, followed by Stefan Bradl and Andrea Dovizioso.
    Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) was fastest in the morning session too with a 2’03.208 to lead by 0.661s and he improved in the afternoon to 2’02.126, again leading the practice by more than half a second. The World Champion has a point to prove this weekend at Silverstone having not won at Brno, his first race of the year which has not resulted in victory.
    Bradl (LCR Honda MotoGP) showed his FP2 pace with a 2’02.635, whilst Dovizioso (Ducati Team) put in a late best time for third – lapping 0.885s behind Marquez.
    Local rider Bradley Smith (Monster Yamaha Tech3) looked good in fourth and Yonny Hernandez (Energy T.I. Pramac Racing) impressed by making it into the top five. Likewise Scott Redding (GO&FUN Honda Gresini) was well up the timesheet in sixth place, striving to please the crowd at his home GP.
    Italian Andrea Iannone (Pramac Racing) and Spanish trio Alvaro Bautista (GO&FUN Honda Gresini), Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) and Aleix Espargaro (NGM Forward Racing) rounded out the top ten.
    Jorge Lorenzo (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) and Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) will aim to improve on Saturday after lapping 11th and 13th respectively, whilst Cal Crutchlow (Ducati Team) was down in 14th. Lorenzo (+1.374s) and Rossi (+1.826s) were well off the pace of Marquez.
    Leon Camier (Drive M7 Aspar) had a crash with five minutes to go in FP2 and ended up 17thoverall.

    Le premier champion n’est plus…/ RIP: rallying’s first world champion


    Le Suédois Björn Waldegard, premier Champion du monde des Rallyes FIA en 1979, est décédé à l’âge de 71 ans des suites d’une longue maladie.
    Depuis son retrait du WRC en 1992, Björn était le « chasse-neige » officiel du Rallye de Suède. Cette année encore, il était au volant d’une VW ouvreuse, faisant la trace pour les pilotes WRC, des minots qui auraient pu être ses petits-enfants…
    Aussi surprenant que cela puisse paraître, Björn Waldegard n’a pas construit son palmarès mondial uniquement dans la neige suédoise. Depuis 1973, il n’a d’ailleurs disputé que six Rallye de Suède et s’y est imposé deux fois. Non, c’est sur les pistes africaines – Safari Rally, Côte d’Ivoire – que le colosse suédois s’exprimait le mieux, au volant de Ford Escort, Mercedes-Benz et autres Toyota Celica…
    Né à Rö, sur les rives du Golfe de Botnie, en 1943, Björn Waldegard a débuté en rallye en 1962 sur une Volkswagen 1200 avant de décrocher le titre national en 1967. Ses deux succès consécutifs au Rallye Monte-Carlo (1969, 1970) au volant d’une Porsche 911 S lui ont ouvert les portes d’une carrière mondiale riche de 95 épreuves, 16 victoires et d’un titre conquis en 1979, année de création du championnat Pilotes. A ce jour, il est le plus vieux pilote vainqueur d’un Rallye WRC (Safari Rally 1990 à 46 ans).
    Björn Waldegard fut pilote officiel Fiat, Lancia, Ford et surtout Toyota pour lequel il a disputé 41 rallyes. Sa carrière s’est terminée au Safari Rally 1992 sur une Lancia Delta de l’équipe Martini Racing. Depuis, Björn brillait régulièrement sur les rallyes historiques, au volant de Porsche, Mercedes-Benz 500 SL ou encore Ferrari 308 GTB, des voitures « d’homme » ! Malgré sa maladie, il avait participé au Goodwood Festival of Speed en juin dernier.
    Sweden’s Björn Waldegard, winner of the first ever FIA WRC Drivers’ crown in 1979, has passed away at the age of 71.
    Since his retirement from the world championship in 1992, Björn has been the resident driver of the official ‘zero’ car for Rally Sweden and this year again he could be seen in a VW, serving as snow plough for competitors, some of whom were young enough to have been his grandchildren.
    The Swede’s world class record wasn’t restricted to his home event. After the championship’s creation in 1973, he actually only contested the Swedish Rally six times, winning twice. It was in Africa, on events like the Safari Rally and the Côte d’Ivoire, that the gentle giant felt especially in his element, in cars as different as the Ford Escort, Mercedes and Toyota Celica…
    Born in Rö, on the shore of the Bothnian Gulf, in 1943, Björn Waldegard made his competitive debut in 1962 driving a Volkswagen 1200. In 1967, he clinched the Swedish title, and Monte Carlo victories in 1969 and 1970 in a Porsche 911 S paved the way for a world championship career that included 95 starts, 16 wins and the inaugural Drivers’ title in 1979. He remains the oldest driver to have won a WRC rally: the 1990 Safari Rally, at the age of 46.
    He drove for the Fiat, Lancia and Ford works teams, and also contested 41 rallies in the employment of Toyota. His last outing was the 1992 Safari in a Martini Racing Lancia Delta. Since then, he has been successful on the Historic scene, in Porsches, Mercedes 500 SLs and even a Ferrari 308 GTB… real men’s’ cars! In spite of his illness, he took part in last June’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.

    Desafío Inca: German facturer battle - X-Raid Mini All4 vs SAM Mercedes CC.

    The second edition of the DESAFIO INCA RALLY, third and last leg of the 2014 Dakar Series, will be a who's who of elite rally raids, with the leading specialists in each category going head-to-head in the Ica region from September 11 to 14.

    Chief among them, the big winner of the 2014 Dakar, Spain's Nani Roma, driving his X-raid Mini All4 Racing. As he gears up for his title defence as the champion of the biggest marathonrally, exactly ten years after winning the rally on a motorcycle, the Catalan has chosen to test his Mini on the roughly 930 km long Desafío Inca.

    The Mini driver will be on the hunt for another Dakar Series triumph to go with the Desafío Ruta 40 he won in 2013, when he also took part to prepare for the Dakar.

    It will be a battle between German rallyraid manufacturers: Roma´s X-raid Mini (manufactured near Frankfurt) will come up against the stiff opposition of rivals such as Chile's "Team Tamarugal" and their sparkling-new German SAM Mercedes CC (manufatured near Leipzig), which have already proved their reliability and potential for several seasons with Germany's Matthias Kahle at the wheel.

    More than enough to light up the car race, which will also see the rally raid debut of Peruvian motor sports star Nicolás Fuchs. The 31-year-old driver from Lima, who took the production category WRC 2 World Championship in 2013, has already shown his ability to adapt and spring a surprise or two, or even become the kingmaker of the category.

    The quad race should also go down to the wire, with defending champion and 2014 Dakar winner Ignacio Casale as the man to beat. He's back at a race which, in his own words, gave him the confidence he needed to finish on the top step of the podium in Valparaíso last January. The Chilean rider has no doubt set his sights on a repeat win.

    Some of his great rivals, all of them Dakar stage winners, will be out to thwart him, including Uruguay's Sergio Lafuente, Argentina's Sebastián Halpern, Chile's Víctor Manuel Gallegos and the other crowd favourite, Peru's Ignacio Flores. Another home boy, Alexis Hernández, will also strive to please his fans.

    Eduardo "Tato" Heinrich and Felipe Ríos will fly the Peruvian colours in what is yet another star-studded field, including "official" riders like Olivier Pain and Javier Pizzolito.

    The Frenchman and the Argentinean, ready to test themselves and fine-tune their preparations for the Dakar, are clear favourites to win the last leg of the 2014 Dakar Series, which will also decide whether Chile's Pablo Quintanilla or France's David Casteu takes home the 2014 Dakar Series overall title.

    The stellar cast in all categories could still pick up a few other big names and last-minute surprises before registration closes at midnight on September 1. 

    via http://www.marathonrally.com

    Defender Challenge: Rd 5 of the series by Bowler takes place this weekend.



    Motorsport fans will see six teams compete for top honours, as the inaugural "Defender Challenge by Bowler" rally series will form an integral part of the Woodpecker Stages event in the United Kingdom for the first time.

    Teams will be based at Ludlow Racecourse, where scrutineering will take place as well as the official start and finish of the race and awards presentations activity. The all gravel rally course will test the teams and their Bowler-prepared Land Rover Defender 90 vehicles across 43 stage miles and some of the best forest stages in the country.

    Heading into Round 5, father and son team Rob and Jonny Harford lead the Championship by just one point from Edd Cobley, who recorded his third victory of the season in the previous round at the Welsh Hill Rally.

    "With just three stages to go, it’s exciting to be in contention for the Championship. It’s been a fantastic debut series for the Defender Challenge and with a great sense of camaraderie between all the drivers; we’re looking forward to another race weekend," Cobley said.

    "Weather conditions made the previous round in Wales incredibly tough, but the Defender handled everything that was thrown its way and we were delighted to top the podium. I’m expecting another tough test at the Woodpecker Stages, but come rain or shine we will be ready to race and looking to top the podium again."

    Well known from the Dakar, the "Race2Recovery" Team also head to Shropshire in good spirits as they push for a fourth consecutive podium finish. The team is comprised of a number of people with disabilities and received backing from long-term partner Land Rover to enable them to compete in the series.

    Race2Recovery team member Ben Gott said: "We are continuing to grow as a team and are learning a lot from taking part in our first race series. It’s great to see co-driver Stephanie Boddez gaining more experience and confidence with every round. We’re looking forward to the challenge of securing another podium finish in Ludlow, and the final stages of the Defender Challenge."

    2014 is the inaugural year of the Defender Challenge by Bowler race series, which features seven rounds, held across the UK. The series has been created to offer competitors a clear pathway to progress to further international rally raid competition such as the Africa Race and Dakar Rally.

    Drew Bowler, Managing Director of Bowler Motorsport will make his rally debut when competing in this weekend’s stage. "With just three rounds to go, the Defender Challenge by Bowler series is really hotting up. The first four rounds have provided some great rallying and we looking forward to seeing six teams tackle the testing all-gravel course in Ludlow," he said.

    People wishing to find out more information about the Defender Challenge by Bowler should visit
    BOWLER MOTORSPORT.

    via www.marathonrally.com

    ‘78 Honda CX500 – Patrick Sauter


    24_08_2014_CX_04
    Despite what the movies or books may have you believe about tortured artists, the one real killer of great creative ideas is more often than not the disease of over thinking. Forget writer’s block, drugs or a clichéd battle with sanity; we’d wager that getting caught up in the details to the point where you disappear up your own exhaust pipe is more often than not the cause of art that never sees daylight. And the cure is clear. You should always create without the constrains of self-imposed perfection and intricate planning. Just let things go where they take you. That’s what Germany’s Patrick Sauter did. And the result? It’s a bike worthy of Kerouac himself.
    24_08_2014_CX_01
    As it took Pat nearly a year to build his first bike, this time he wanted to build something in just four weeks and all without reinventing any wheels, rebuilding and engines or cutting any frames. And naturally it would have to be legal on German streets.
    24_08_2014_CX_02
    “Then I saw this ’78 Honda CX 500 with nearly 100,000 kilometres on the clock for 600 Euros on the internet. Undoubtedly this bike isn’t everyone’s first choice for a unique custom, but I knew that this poor man’s V2-Guzzi had the potential to be an outstanding machine and  could, if done right, blow everyone’s mind. With the exception of a minor oil leak, the bike was more or less in good condition and seemed like a good choice to start a build.”
    24_08_2014_CX_03
    Pat started by stripping off the fairing and removing all the ‘needless’ parts. His aim was to create nothing more than an honest hot rod bike; something you sit around on on a Sunday evening shooting the shit and burning some rubber with your mates. “As I’m just about to finish my studying, there isn’t that much spare money to put the finest parts on it but fortunately for this bike, I didn’t really have to. I sealed up the oil leak, bought a pair of Avon tires and painted the wheels and forks dark grey. I mounted a new headlight, a simple speedometer and a pair of stubby handlebars.”
    24_08_2014_CX_05
    The fuel tank was finished with a grinding disk and sealed with clear varnish. The K&N airfilters were a donation from a colleague, for which Pat had to spin up some plastic adapters for. The base of the seat is an old skate deck on top of which he put a rolled up Persian carpet. “I ‘borrowed’ it from my Grandma,” he notes. It’s held in place by a leather belt. Fussy details? Who needs ‘em.
    24_08_2014_CX_08
    Ready for anything – as long as it’s Persian and has loose pants
    24_08_2014_CX_09
    “All in all, it’s a bad-ass bike that everybody stares and smiles at. You don’t have to contemplate whether the sitting position is comfy or if the rims are dirty. It just is. I didn’t want to acknowledge a specific genre like café racer or bobber with it. I just wanted a bike with loud pipes where you get on, start the engine and smile. It’s motorcycling in its original form.”
    24_08_2014_CX_10
    Another Sunday ride ruined by Buster’s lack of opposable thumbs
    via PIPEBURN

    ANALOG MC CONTINENTAL SCOUT


    Analog Indian 1
    Working with your passion; is that like meeting your heroes? Not to be done in case expectations outweigh the dreamt outcome. I’ve questioned this many times over the years and been fortunate enough to have indulged liberally in my own passions, and not only been paid for the privilege but I’ve also met many of my heroes and have stored up some tales to tell for when I’m grey and old.
    When Tony Prust of Analog Motorcycles sent us a sneak preview of his Indian Continental Scout I was reminded of why I stay up late, get up early and make sacrifices to chase and indulge my passions. I know its only a bike and all this gushy nonsense might have no place here but if you’re anything like me, then the vision, creativity, engineering, craftsmanship and execution of this build will have you salivating over your keyboard. Tony sums up what I am banging on about and completely disproves any theory that working and what you love should be separated.
    You discerning and well informed lot out there have probably seen this bike over on BikeExif so I’ll leave the some of the tech details and the official press release until the end of my enthusiastic diatribe.
    Analog Indian 2
    During a drawn out purchase of a Kawasaki W1, Tony spotted the remnants of a 1949 Indian Scout lying on a disused bench, awaiting attention from an owner already swamped in projects. For 17 years the poor old Scout sat there, gathering dust, seeing seasons in and out with no sign of TLC or the open road. Rescued and installed in Analog’s Gurnee, Illinois headquarters, a final strip down began to save the beating twin cylinder heart.
    Analog Indian 3
    Capacity has been increased from 440cc to half-a-litre by way of a machined billet engine block, requiring a new lubrication system to be designed. Tony is frequently asked if he could build a Harley-Davidson based project but his love for engines doesn’t quite stretch to Milwaukee’s venerable twin, saying “The engine to me is the heart of the bike and I prefer using engines that have more character. I did however want to build an American made build but my options are limited seeing as HD is the only one with some older bikes that are worthy of customizing. Mostly anything else is super rare and difficult to find. And when you find one you don’t want to customize it. This Indian was too far past a restoration point so it made for a perfect candidate.”
    Analog Indian 4
    Attention to detail is evident from every angle and present on each and every component, Tony’s dedication to perfection is unswerving, but not without cost. “The build originally started with my buddy that went to the guys shop and saw it with me. I gave him my idea for the bike and we set a budget. Then we blew it like 3 times so I ended up sitting down with him and telling him my creativity for this one was going beyond what we had discussed and that the only way to really pay myself on this one we would probably need to sell. At that point he became the investor in the project.”
    Analog Indian 5
    With the Isle of Man Classic TT just behind us my mind is full of the sights and smells of race bikes from a bygone era, I didn’t make it to ‘the island’ this time but daydreamed hard enough to imagine I had. With the current trend of stripped-out, nakeds with fat-forked front ends I welcome a more classical machine to our pages and would trade an internal organ, perhaps one that comes in pairs, for a ride on Tony’s handiwork. Although I’m not sure one of my pickled kidneys will do the trick.
    Analog Indian 6
    Tony’s focus and driver is not financial, for sure he still needs to pay Analog MC’s bills but it’s the shared enthusiasm for doing something just right, for others to marvel at that keeps him going late into the night. That said, everything has its price; “And once complete we would see where it landed cost wise and he would either buy me out of my portion or we would sell and recoup costs and split anything left over. So there is a magical number we are looking to get but not throwing it out there just yet. It isn’t cheap though as it’s a completely hand built machine so it’s not priced for the faint of heart. But if you are interested feel free to send me your offers and I can let you know if you are near the top of the list or not”.
    Tony, I have a Kidney, in fair condition with relatively low mileage, a ’66 Honda Scrambler, an ’01 Cagiva special, some Silver Jubilee coins with the Queen on them, a gold pen my godfather gave me and a nearly complete 1/4″ drive socket set from Halfords which I can offer as a deposit. Am I near the top?
    Analog Indian 7
    If you are lucky enough to live, or are visiting, the land of the free and brave (I know that’s not exactly how it goes) then you are in for a treat. The bike will be on display at the Harely-Davidson museum in Milwaukee this weekend and an invitational bike show. Tony is also planning on taking it to the Barber Vintage festival in Alabama this October. Then the plan is hold onto it and take to the Qual gathering in May next year and show it off there a bit. Sounds arduous, I’m sure I could swap my BSMC t-shirt for an Analog one for a weekend and come lend a hand. That OK Dutch?
    Analog Indian 7a
    Many of our readers point out when a bike looks like an unrideable show pony and there have been a fair few dubious designs of late that look scary standing still. This diminutive Indian will not attract such comment, it looks as if riding the IOM mountain course was high on the design agenda, Tony reckons; “It rides great. Still working out a few bugs but nothing major. For a 500cc 65 year old engine and design it’s not a bad little machine. I think Indian was on to something but didn’t spend enough time in the development stages to make it last. It’s light and nibble as well. I’d guess 380lbs and maybe 38 hp. This is merely a guess but shouldn’t be too far off”.
    Analog Indian 8
    I think that is my favourite part of the whole bike as it sums up the desire to improve performance to the nth degree. Cooling fins on the velocity stack ensuring the fuel/air mix is as dense as possible, probably necessary in the land of the warm and the dry but not so much on the Isle of Man last week.
    Analog Indian 9
    Not something we usually do but below is the Anolog MC Continetal Scout press release, we wanted to use the space above for some of the builder’s own words. There are more pictures over on BikeExif as Analog were kind enough to supply different photos to each blog/website featuring the bike.
    Once you’re done with all of that, check out the other Analog bikes that have been through The Shed, you’ll see the common theme, attention to detail and the quest for perfection.
    Photography courtesy of Whiplash Racing Media
    1949 Indian Continental Scout by Analog Motorcycles
    The details:
    -Track Master style frame made by Frame Crafters
    -All aluminum tank, seat and fairing designed by Analog formed by Pavletic Metal Shaping
    -Brass light covers and fender formed by Mike Ardito
    -Polishing by Mike’s Polishing, Rodsmith, and Analog
    -Engine built by Bill Bailey of ZyZX Vintage Motorcycles
    -Engine has hand cut billet cyclinder, 12 volt conversion and Dyna III electronic ignition.
    -Carburetor Amal 928
    -Exhaust custom made by Analog with parts and stubby mufflers from Cone Engineering
    -Custom made oil tank with internal plumbing made by Chassis Services
    -All plumbing designed and made by Analog
    -Paint and clear coat by Kiel of Crown Autobody
    -Gold leaf and pin striping by Brando
    -Seat by Rod’s Designs
    -Magura controls
    -Speedometer designed and rebuilt by Seattle Speedometer
    -Tarrozi rear sets
    -Betor Forks and triples
    -TZ750 hubs with custom detailing by Analog
    -Spokes and rims made by Buchanan’s
    -Speedo mount, rear sprocket and oil manifold machined by Free Form Design
    -Gas cap by Crime Scene Choppers
    -Piaa LED headlights
    -Radiantz puck LED taillight frenched into seat hump
    -All custom electrical. Battery and fuse block under seat hump
    -Custom made bar switch by Analog,
    -Modified GSXR windscreen
    -Maund Speed equip velocity stack
    -Avon Road Rider tires
    -All custom made cables by Ed Zender at Morries place
    -Extremely strange and difficult to design custom kick starter lever (version 5) by Analog
    -Top oiler lines made by HEL brake lines
    -Probably forgetting a bunch ;-)
    via The Bike Shed

    KEVILS RIVA


    Kevils Riva 1
    The latest custom Boxer to roll out of Kevils Speedshop is this 1981 R100 commissioned by Kris, a restaurant owner based just off the coat of Belgium. Having just spent the weekend there we can vouch for there being some beautifully smooth roads, complete with sweeping curves – despite the flat landscape.
    Kevils Riva 2
    Kris and his wife visited Kev in his Paignton workshop on a rainy day back in February. The brief was to build a bike themed on the Riva speedboats he’d seen on Lake Garda in Italy, with their richly polished wood and brightly coloured turquoise and chrome fittings.
    Kevils Riva 3
    Undaunted by the idea of building a bike designed to emulate a boat, Kev and his team set to work on modifying the punchy R100 donor into something with German engineering rebuilt to Devon standards, with a touch of Italian style.
    Kevils Riva 4
    This is the first Kevils bike to have all the cast alloy components vapour blasted, which gives a lovely finish that matches the bright silver powdercoated framework, and was perfect for the brief on this build.
    Kevils Riva 5
    The subframe, block-like seat and integrated luggage rack all sit very high on this build, as Kris is quite tall. This was matched with high mountings for the front and rear fenders and braced bars with a higher sweep than usual.
    Kevils Riva 6
    Black satin powdercoat is complemented by chrome and and polished alloy. The turquoise paint is actually “almond green” from the Ruby Helmets colour catalogue, which was originally to match a new helmet Kris had wanted, but in the end he got a black one.
    Kevils Riva 7
    As with all Kevils bikes, this was a full, ‘nut & bolt, ground-up build’  with every part refreshed, rebuilt, replaced or upgraded, using many of Kevil’s own parts, including the high-level brushed stainless steel exhaust system, top yoke plate and front mudguard stays. The end result is a bike that’s as good as – or better than – new.
    Kevils Riva 8
    Thanks again to Kev Hill for sharing his latest creation, and to Ashley Kent for the photos, taken appropriately enough in a disused boat shed in Dartmouth.
    See more from Kevils Speedshop here on The Bike Shed’s Kevils pages, their Facebook page and Website.
    via The Bike Shed

    KIT: PEBBLE BEACH CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE



    Y
    ou can’t just shell out the cost of a ticket to the Concours d’Elegance at Pebble Beach and then show up wearing what you rolled out of bed in. Walking the beautiful oceanside golf course with all manner of beautiful automobiles at your fingertips calls for some dressy duds and proper accessories. It’s far more than just a car show; it’s an automotive cultural event like no other, and just about everyone comes decked out to the nines. But it’s also no time to break out the tuxedo. This kit will have you comfortable enough to spend the day ogling wire wheels and handsome hoods while still looking sharp.
    The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Punchlist
    Suitsupply Hudson Lite Brown Plain Jacket ($399)
    A versatile, form-fitting jacket that’s great dressed up or dressed down.
    Fjällräven Travel Blazer ($235)
    Sophisticated outerwear that can also be worn with a tie.
    March + Held Chambray Shirt ($125)
    It’s not just the muscle cars at Pebble that are American made. This shirt toes the line between dressy and casual.
    Brooks Brothers Silk Knit Tie ($80)
    This tie is equal parts modern and vintage.
    Flint & Tinder Prospect Chino ($100)
    Great-fitting chinos are a necessity. Just right for drives and strolls around the 18th hole.
    Shinola Runwell The Black Watch ($600)
    This Detroit-made gold watch oozes sophistication with a green leather strap.
    Oris Chronoris ($3,395)
    An auto-racing inspired chronograph that just so happens to come in Gear Patrol colors.
    Allen Edmonds Park Avenue ($385)
    American made and nothing but classy.
    Eyefly Bourbon Street Aviators ($94)
    Crisp polarized lenses plus a simple metal frame equals manly style.
    Crown & Buckle Watch Straps ($12-$65)
    Because variety is the spice of watch ownership.
    MAXX&UNICORN CO. Leather Eyewear Sleeve ($50)
    Hand stitched. Made in America. And most importantly, a bulky case wouldn’t go well with your suit.
    Oakley Custom Woodgrain Frogskins ($100)
    Old-school frames in a more sophisticated hue.
    Olympus PEN P-E5 ($800)
    Because you want great photos without the DSLR boat-anchor weight.
    Davidoff Special R ($70)
    Lighting up on the green never tasted so good.
    XIKAR EX Lighter ($60)
    An executive-style lighter when a Bic will never do.

    24 Heures Mans Moto : retour sur deux jours d’essais


    Une partie des 56 équipes engagées à la 37ème édition des 24 Heures Moto était présente au Mans mardi et mercredi pour deux jours de roulage pour préparer le dernier rendez-vous de la saison du championnat du monde d’Endurance (EWC).
    Les principaux favoris à la victoire et au titre de champion du monde, le GMT 94 (Michelin), SRC Kawasaki, Honda Racing et le SERT notamment, étaient en piste mardi et mercredi sur le circuit Bugatti pour deux jours d’essais libres non obligatoires. Au programme, réglages châssis et suspensions, tests de nouvelles solutions pneumatiques, optimalisation de la consommation d’essence,…
    Les conditions climatiques changeantes ont permis aux pilotes d’évoluer à la fois sur une piste sèche et mouillée et ainsi de tester différentes configurations.
    Leader du championnat avec 21 points d’avance sur Bolliger Team Switzerland, absent de ces tests, le GMT 94 s’est essentiellement concentré sur les essais pneumatiques en collaboration avec Michelin mais également sur les réglages châssis et moteur. « Les conditions météorologiques nous ont permis de tester et valider de nouveaux produits « slick » et pluie » indique Piero Taramaso, responsable Michelin Motorsport 2 roues. « Ces deux jours ont été très positifs pour nous en termes d’essais pneumatiques mais également pour nos équipes-partenaires au niveau des réglages des machines. ». Christophe Guyot est également pleinement satisfait « Ces deux jours se sont parfaitement bien passés. Nous progressons de près d'une seconde au tour par rapport à l'an passé. C'est beaucoup !! Nous sommes prêts ! »
    Troisième au classement général et vainqueur des quatre dernières éditions des 24 Heures Moto, SRC Kawasaki (Leblanc/Lagrive/Foret/Salchaux) a enchaîné les tours pour boucler un programme majoritairement basé sur les essais pneumatiques.
    Quatrième du championnat et récent vainqueur des 8 Heures d’Oschersleben, Honda Racing a profité de ces deux jours pour ajuster sa consommation de carburant et affiner ses réglages châssis.
    Cinquième ex-æquo avec National Motos et Team Motors Events, le SERT, bénéficiant de la présence de Damian Cudlin aux côtés de Vincent Philippe, Erwan Nigon et Anthony Delhalle, avait un programme relativement classique incluant tests suspensions, châssis et pneumatiques.
    Du côté des équipes « amateur », on pouvait noter la présence de Renaud Lavillenie avec l’équipe AZ Motos-April. Renaud avait délaissé pour quelques jours les pistes d’athlétisme pour retrouver les sensations de la piste au guidon de la Suzuki-Michelin n°63 après six mois d’interruption.
    Les 56 équipes participant à la 37ème édition des 24 Heures Moto se retrouveront dès jeudi 18 septembre à partir de 12h30 pour les essais libres à suivre sur www.motoracinglive.com.

    L’histoire des Grands Prix à Silverstone : Ce qu’il faut savoir / The history of Grand Prix racing at Silverstone



    Silverstone accueille cette semaine le Grand Prix de Grande-Bretagne pour la cinquième année consécutive suite à sa réintroduction sur le calendrier MotoGP™ en 2010.

    Hertz British Grand Prix Press Conference
    Retrouvez ci-dessous quelques statistiques du circuit de Silverstone, qui avait accueilli son premier Grand Prix en 1977 et est revenu au calendrier du Championnat du Monde en 2010, après 23 ans d’absence.
    - L’épreuve de 1977 était le premier Grand Prix organisé sur l’Île de Grande-Bretagne. L’épreuve britannique du Championnat du Monde avait auparavant organisée sur l’Île de Man, depuis 1949 et jusqu’à ce que le tracé soit jugé trop dangereux. 
    - Les vainqueurs du Grand Prix de 1977 à Silverstone étaient Pat Hennen (Suzuki) en 500cc, Kork Ballington (Yamaha) en 350cc & 250cc puis Pierluigi Conforti (Morbidelli) en 125cc.
    - La tracé utilisé de 1977 à 1986 était long de 4.71 km et le meilleur temps sur ce tracé appartient à Kenny Roberts, qui avait fait le tour à une vitesse moyenne de 192.2 km/h en 1983, sur une Yamaha.
    - Le Grand Prix de Grande-Bretagne eut lieu dix saisons de suite à Silverstone et partit à Donington Park en 1987.
    - Le GP de Grande-Bretagne est revenu à Silverstone en 2010, avec un tracé modifié et long de 5.9 km.
    - Avec six victoires chacun, Kork Ballington et Angel Nieto sont les deux pilotes qui se sont le plus souvent imposés à Silverstone.
    - Jorge Lorenzo est le seul pilote à compter plusieurs victoires sur le circuit de Silverstone depuis son retour sur le calendrier des Grands Prix. Le Majorquin s’y est imposé en MotoGP™ en 2010, 2012 et 2013.
    - Douze pilotes britanniques sont montés sur le podium à Silverstone :
    John Williams (1977/350cc/3e)
    Barry Sheene (1978/500cc/3e, 1979/500cc/2e)
    Tom Herron (1978/250cc/2e, 1978/350cc/2e)
    Steve Manship (1978/500cc/2e)
    Mick Grant (1978/350cc/3e)
    Clive Horton (1978/125cc/2e)
    Keith Huewen (1981/350cc/2e)
    Andy Watts (1984/250cc/2e)
    Ron Haslam (1984/500cc/3e)
    Ian McConnachie (1986/80cc/1er)
    Bradley Smith (2010/125cc/3e, 2011/Moto2™/2e)
    Scott Redding (2012/Moto2/2e, 2013/Moto2/1er)
    - Barry Sheene est le seul Britannique à avoir été en pole à Silverstone : en 500cc en 1977.
    1986 Silverstone RAC
    This is the fifth year that Silverstone has hosted a Grand Prix since World Championship racing returned to the circuit in 2010 after a gap of 23 years.
    The first motorcycle Grand Prix to be held at Silverstone was in 1977 and below are some facts and statistics from Grand Prix events held at the circuit:
    - The Silverstone event in 1977 was the first motorcycle Grand Prix to be held on the British mainland, as prior to 1977 the British round of the World Championship had been held since 1949 on the 37.73 mile-long Isle of Man TT circuit. The move from the Isle of Man was made mainly for reasons of rider safety
    - The winners at that first Grand Prix at Silverstone in 1977 were: 500cc - Pat Hennen (Suzuki), 350cc & 250cc - Kork Ballington (Yamaha), 125cc - Pierluigi Conforti (Morbidelli)
    - The original circuit layout used for the Grand Prix between 1977 and 1986 was 2.93 miles-long (4.71 km) and the fastest lap at the circuit during this time was set by Kenny Roberts riding a Yamaha in 1983 at an average speed of 119.5 mph (192.2 km/h)
    - The British Grand Prix was held for ten successive years at the Silverstone circuit, before the event moved to Donington Park in 1987.
    - The British GP returned to Silverstone in 2010 with a revised circuit layout measuring 5.9 km
    - Kork Ballington and Angel Nieto are the two riders with most GP victories at Silverstone, each having won there on six occasions
    - The only rider who has had more than a single victory at Silverstone since GP racing returned to the circuit in 2010 is Jorge Lorenzo, who has won the MotoGP™ race there three times: 2010, 2012 and 2013
    - In total 12 British riders have finished on the podium across all the solo classes of Grand Prix racing at Silverstone:
    John Williams (1977/350cc/3rd)
    Barry Sheene (1978/500cc/3rd, 1979/500cc/2nd)
    Tom Herron (1978/250cc/2nd, 1978/350cc/2nd)
    Steve Manship (1978/500cc/2nd)
    Mick Grant (1978/350cc/3rd)
    Clive Horton (1978/125cc/2nd)
    Keith Huewen (1981/350cc/2nd)
    Andy Watts (1984/250cc/2nd)
    Ron Haslam (1984/500cc/3rd)
    Ian McConnachie (1986/80cc/1st)
    Bradley Smith (2010/125cc/3rd, 2011/Moto2™/2nd)
    Scott Redding (2012/Moto2/2nd, 2013/Moto2/1st)
    - The only British rider to have started from pole at Silverstone, across all solo GP classes, is Barry Sheene - in the 500cc race in 1977