WRC, France : Au zénith de la saison / the season’s zenith?

Le Zénith de Strasbourg accueille une nouvelle fois le Rallye de France-Alsace qui pourrait être le zénith de la saison mondiale avec le couronnement des champions du monde des Rallyes Pilotes et Copilotes 2014.

Si Sébastien Ogier et Julien Ingrassia repartent de Strasbourg dimanche après-midi avec 56 points d’avance sur Jari-Matti Latvala et Miikka Anttila, ils seront assurés des titres mondiaux 2014. Sébastien Ogier rejoindrait ainsi les doubles champions du monde Walter Rohrl, Miki Biasion, Carlos Sainz et Marcus Grönholm au palmarès du WRC.

Même si la météo s’annonce plutôt clémente ce week-end en Alsace, le parcours ne manque pas de difficultés. Ce matin, quand nous avons reconnu les ES de la 2^e étape, les sous-bois étaient encore bien humides, notamment dans la descente rapide deSoultzeren-Le Grand Hohnack (ES9/12). Renouvelé à près de 50% par rapport à 2013, le parcours offre un profil varié avec des portions larges et techniques (ES1/4), d’autres très étroites en forêts (ES10/13).

Enfin d’après-midi, les équipages en avaient terminé avec les recos et vaquaient à leurs occupations en attendant les différents points-presse prévus ce soir au parc d’assistance. Après l’intermède australien, les teams ont retrouvé leurs structures géantes (Volkswagen, Ford, Hyundai, Citroën) dressées dans les allées principales du parc. VW a récupéré le motor-home Red Bull.

Les médias sont tout d’abord attendus chez M-Sport pour un « happy half hour » à partir de 18h00 en présence de Mikko Hirvonen, Elfyn Evans et Robert Kubica. L’équipe de Malcolm Wilson a récemment obtenu plusieurs succès internationaux (Blancpain Series, RedBull Global Rallycross avec Ken Block, ou encore le titre national norvégien en rallye avec Tore Larsen).

Puis ils se rendront juste derrière, chez Hyundai Motorsport, à 18h30, où l’équipe a prévu de fêter l’anniversaire de Marc Marti (copilote de Dani Sordo), 48 ans aujourd’hui, qui célèbre aussi son 150^e rallye WRC. On causera sans doute des deux derniers rallyes gagnés par Thierry Neuville, le Rallye Deutschland et l’East Belgian Rally.

Pour info, ce Rallye de France-Alsace est aussi le 100^e rallye WRC de Martin Prokop (Ford/Michelin) et le 50^e d’Andreas Mikkelsen (VW/Michelin).

Enfin, tout ce petit monde se retrouvera chez Citroën Racing vers 19h00, pour le traditionnel cocktail de la marque pré-Rallye de France. On se souvient que l’an passé, c’était un peu la bousculade avec le dernier rallye WRC de Sébastien Loeb. Un an déjà…

Once again, the Rallye de France-Alsace has taken up residence in and around Strasbourg’s Zénith entertainment complex. The event could also prove to be the season’s zenith for Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia if they manage to wrap up the 2014 Drivers’ and Co-drivers’ crowns on Sunday.

To make sure of these two titles, all (!) Ogier and Ingrassia have to do is complete their home WRC round with a lead of at least 56 points over Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila. Should they succeed, the Frenchman will join Walter Röhrl, Miki Biasion, Carlos Sainz and Marcus Grönholm as a two-time world champion.

The weather is expected to stay mild this week in Alsace, but the stages promise to be as challenging as ever. This morning, we did a recce of Saturday’s tests and there are still damp portions underneath the tree cover, especially down the fast downhill portion of ‘Soultzeren-Le Grand Hohnack’ (SS9/12). The route is 50 percent different to 2013 and features an interesting variety of profiles, ranging from the wide, technical sections of SS1/4 to much narrower forest roads (SS10/13).

The crews finished their own recce this afternoon (Wednesday) ahead of a busy schedule of press and PR events in the service park this evening.

After working out of temporary facilities in Australia, Volkswagen, Ford, Hyundai and Citroën have all recovered their usual giant hospitality units, and VW has brought the Red Bull motorhome.

First on the media diary is Ford’s ‘happy half-hour’ attended by Mikko Hirvonen, Elfyn Evans and Robert Kubica. Malcolm Wilson’s team has recently had several successes in other championships to celebrate, namely the Blancpain Series (GT racing), RedBull Global Rallycross (with Ken Block) and the Norwegian rally title (Tore Larsen).

After that, the ‘motor noters’ will move next door to Hyundai Motorsport to celebrate the 48^thbirthday of Dani Sordo’s co-driver Marc Marti. This is also the Spaniard’s 150^th WRC start. Conversation might also turn to Thierry Neuville’s recent victories on the Rallye Deutschland and East Belgian Rally…

Finally, the same crowd will convene at Citroën Racing for the team’s traditional pre-Rallye de France cocktail. Last year, there was a strong attendance to mark Sébastien Loeb’s final world class appearance, a whole year ago already!

For information the Rallye de France-Alsace is the 100th world class event for Martin Prokop (Ford/Michelin) and the 50th for Andreas Mikkelsen (VW/Michelin).

1925 STANLEY STEAMER

The Stanley Steamer is the colloquial name given to the steam powered automobiles produced by Stanley Motor Carriage Company between 1902 and 1924, the Steamers eventually lost out to gasoline powered cars due to the ease of use afforded by an internal combustion engine with an electric starter motor – but for a while there the steam powered cars were a popular alternative.

The 1925 Stanley Model SV 252A Touring Car shown here is thought to be the last surviving unrestored Stanley Steamer that still runs – an incredible feat of endurance considering its 89 year lifespan. Minor mechanical modifications have been made over the years, but the core structure of the car and its drivetrain remain the same as they were when they left the factory in Watertown, Massachusetts in 1925.

The design of the drivetrain was surpassingly simple and exceedingly safe – in fact no Stanley Steamer has ever suffered a boiler explosion, largely due to the use of safety valves and joints designed to rupture in the event of excessive pressure. In 1906 a car built by Stanley set the world record for the fastest mile ever recorded (at 28.2 seconds) – a record that stood for 5 years before being broken by a gasoline powered rival. Interestingly, the record still stood as the fastest time for a steam powered car until 2009 – 103 years later.

The Model SV 252A Touring Car was powered by a 2-cylinder, 20hp steam engine and rode on 4-wheel semi-elliptical leaf springs, they were fitted with Bosch snubbers on the front axle and 4-wheel Lockheed hydraulic external contracting brakes. Most Steamers used either gasoline or kerosine as a fuel source although there are innumerable stories of owners experimenting with other fuels – like alcohol, ethanol or moonshine.

If you’d like to add a Steamer to your collection you may very well be in luck, the car you see here is due to be auctioned by Bonhams on the 6th of October 2014 at the Simeone Automotive Museum. The estimated hammer price on it is between $70,000 and $90,000 USD – making it a bargain for a car of this rarity.

via SILODROME

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The new Ducati Scrambler is here! Discover the Land of Joy!

Ducati Scrambler is here!

The Icon, '62 Yellow

The Icon, Ducati Red

The Classic, Orange Sunshine

The Full Throttle, Deep Black

The Urban Enduro, Wild Green

Suzuki revient en MotoGP™ l’an prochain avec Aleix Espargaró et Maverick Viñales / Suzuki return to MotoGP™ with Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Viñales in 2015

Suzuki Motor Corporation a officiellement annoncé son retour en MotoGP™ pour 2015 avec les pilotes espagnols Aleix Espargaró et Maverick Viñales.

Suzuki a décidé de faire son retour dans le Championnat du Monde MotoGP™ en 2015 avec un nouveau prototype baptisé GSX-RR et un team qui sera dirigé par Davide Brivio et qui aura Aleix Espargaró et Maverick Viñales pour pilotes.

Suzuki fera aussi une apparition lors de la dernière manche de la saison 2014 avec une wildcard pour le Grand Prix Generali de Valence.

Suzuki avait mis fin à son engagement en MotoGP™ en 2012 mais a poursuivi son travail de développement ces trois dernières années afin de préparer son retour.

Le développement de la GSX-RR avait commencé en 2012 avec l’objectif d’atteindre le plus haut niveau de performance en MotoGP mais aussi de développer des technologies transférables à la gamme de modèles de série GSX-R. 

La GSX-RR utilise un moteur de 4 cylindres en ligne dont le développement avait mis la priorité sur le caractère, l’efficacité énergétique et la fiabilité. Le châssis est quant à lui caractérisé par une largeur contenue afin d’optimiser manoeuvrabilité et performances aérodynamiques et a été conçu pour proposer une rigidité et une repartition du poids optimales.

L’objectif était de développer un prototype MotoGP hautement compétitif qui reprenne l’excellente manoeuvrabilité développé au fil des ans sur la GSX-R.

Suzuki Motor Corporation has announced that it will participate in MotoGP™ from 2015, with Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Viñales as their two riders.

With the development of the MotoGP machine and team structure prepared, Suzuki has decided to participate in MotoGP from 2015, and announced its newly-developed MotoGP machine, the GSX-RR, team riders, and team structure.

The team will be led by current test team manager Davide Brivio with Spanish riders Espargaro and Viñales recruited to spearhead Suzuki’s efforts on track.

Also, prior to its participation, Suzuki will make a wildcard appearance at this season’s final race, the Gran Premio Generali de la Comunitat Valenciana.

Suzuki had temporarily suspended its participation in MotoGP from 2012, but has been continuing with the machine development toward its return.

Through MotoGP racing, Suzuki will develop more attractive products by giving technical feedback to the products, as well as improve the brand image.

The development of the GSX-RR was started in 2012 with the aim to achieve high performance in the MotoGP class, as well as to give technology feedback to production models such as the GSX-R range.

It equips a newly developed in-line four-cylinder engine that realizes a strong, flexible engine character, fuel efficiency, and durability at a high level. The frame has a layout that keeps its width slim for both maneuverability and aerodynamic performances, and optimizes body strength and weight balance.

The aim was to develop a highly competitive MotoGP machine that can bring out the straightforward maneuverability developed over the years with the GSX-R.

Dakar 2015 : Honda présente ses pilotes en Espagne

Dans le cadre du Moto GP d’Aragon, Honda HRC a présenté sa nouvelle équipe qui participera au Rallye Dakar 2015 du 4 au 17 janvier.

Joan Barreda, Paulo Goncalves, Helder Rodrigues, Jeremias Israel et Laia Sanz seront les cinq pilotes officiels Honda-Michelin au départ de l’édition 2015 du plus difficile et exigeant Rally-raid du monde, le Dakar.

Afin de préparer ce grand rendez-vous, les pilotes Honda s’aligneront dès le 3 octobre au Rallye OiLibya du Maroc.

Joan Barreda, Paulo Goncalves, champion du monde des Rallyes Raid, et Helder Rodrigues ont déjà participé cette année à plusieurs épreuves du championnat du monde. Paulo Goncalves, actuellement deuxième du classement général, a remporté la première manche de la saison, Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge et visera un second sacre au Maroc. Joan Barreda s’est imposé au Sealine Qatar Rally.

L’objectif du constructeur japonais est de renouer avec la victoire sur le plus prestigieux et intraitable rallye du monde. Le départ de l’édition 2015 sera donné le 4 janvier à Buenos Aires en Argentine pour une arrivée jugée le 17 janvier également dans la capitale argentine après avoir parcouru plus de 9 000 km à travers l’Argentine, la Bolivie et le Chili.

BMW K-Series ‘Bell Kaff’

Written by Ian Lee.

There are few people amongst us who haven’t looked at the European bikes of 60s & 70s and thought: “those guys really knew how to build bikes”. Italian, German or English, the motorcycles of that age have inspired many a modern day builder to create something beautiful. The bike featured here today has been influenced by all three of the above bike building greats, the Beemer created using K-series mechanicals coupled with old school aesthetics. Built by Larry Romestant of Romestant Engineering and Design, we would like to introduce you to the ‘Bell Kaff’.

Starting by stripping back the frame, Larry fitted special bracing in order to accommodate for the fact that the engine and transmission wouldn’t form a stressed part of the frame. The use of a K1200S transmission, the fitment of twin shocks on the swing arm, and the engine being bolted to the frame required the change in frame design. Lateral arms are mounted using spherical rod bearings, in order to strengthen the frame’s backbone. According to the builder: “The Kaff is very stable, and handles well, the chassis is plenty stiff, and produces a very smooth ride.”

Italian inspiration has inspired much of the look of the bike. While the bike was stripped down, the opportunity was taken to paint the frame in Imola Green. This is the same colour used on the 1974 Ducati Supersport, the famous ‘Green Frame’ model. The fuel tank is inspired by the 74 MV Agusta America, albeit with a less square profile. Following the lines of the tank, the 750 SuperSport inspired seat is finished off with an OEM 900SS tail light.

The suspension system in the machine is a work of art. The adjustable preload shock mounts are Velocette, setting the rebound rate of the late 70s BMW swingarm and differential. The rear hub is something you won’t buy off the shelf, it’s a one-off unit turned from solid 7075 billet aluminum. At the front end sits a K75S suspension setup, sporting a Tarozzi period aluminum fork brace.

Though the brakes are both drums in keeping with the period theme, the front Suzuki GT750 4LS assembly is assisted hydraulically, with the a Patent-Pending under-tank brake mech, that converts cable energy to hydraulic and back to cable. The brake lever mechanical effort is greatly reduced, allowing single-finger lever pulls. The brake itself is modified, with competition level linings, increased cooling and beefed up link arm assemblies for reduced flex and significantly better stopping power than what was available back in the day. The bike weighs in at 529lbs dry, nearly 100lbs heavier than the bike the drum was designed for, so the brake is less than ideal, though manageable and is augmented with judicial use of engine braking, which fortunately, is massive. Future builds will sport 250 and 300mm 4LS drums of my own design, as well as Grimeca and Fontana replica 4LS units, and of course single and dual disc brakes as required.

Performance has been upgraded on the build as well, to give the angular powerplant a little more poke. The motor breathes in through K1200 FI throttle bodies, onto oversized intake runners packing 230cc injectors. Fuel management is Bosch 2.2 Motronic controlled and the exhaust system is handmade using Magni styling for inspiration.

To give the bike the look of 70s period styling, both front and rear brakes are drum units. The front end is a Suzuki GT750 four leading shoe setup, assisted through a system which converts cable energy to hydraulic then back to hydraulic, which according to the builder allows for “single-finger lever pulls”. The front brake unit itself has been upgraded using competition grade linings, ‘beefed up’ link arms assemblies, and higher cooling ability.

By raiding the BMW parts bin and putting his own touches on the build, Larry Romestant has produced a mucho modified motorcycle which is a fitting tribute to a golden age of motorcycling. As Larry puts it: “My goal was to build a bike with all the elements without looking cobbled together, rather appearing as a bike that could have been produced by BMW and would have been found on the dealer’s showroom floor, even with the 1200cc Flying Brick motor that would not be available for another decade.” We think he has certainly achieved his goal.

If you want see and hear this beautiful ‘flying brick’ cafe racer in action, hit this link.

[Hat tip to BMW Cafe Racers ]

via PIPEBURN

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