MOTO GP ; Aspar perd son sponsor titre à la veille du Grand Prix du Qatar. LCR également

Perdre son sponsor titre à la veille du premier Grand Prix de la saison est une des pires choses qui puisse arriver à un team privé.

C'est pourtant ce qui vient de se passer pour l'équipe de Jorge "Aspar" Martinez qui, malgré toutes les promesses faites cet hiver (un contrat pour 2015 et une option en 2016), a vu s'envoler la marque de boisson énergétique malaisienne Drive-M7 des carénages des Honda MotoGP de Nicky Hayden et Eugene Laverty.

Il sera intéressant de voir si les KTM du team Sepang International Circuit conserveront les mêmes couleurs ou pas...

Après le départ d'une autre boisson énergétique, Go & Fun, des carénages du team de Fausto Gresini, et avec les nuages plus que noirs qui planent actuellement sur le sponsor du team LCR, on constate qu'il est de plus en plus difficile de trouver les budgets nécessaires (plusieurs millions d'euros) pour faire rouler un team de MotoGP aujourd'hui...

Moto GP ; Márquez s’installe aux commandes au Qatar / Marquez leads the way in FP1

Le Champion du Monde en titre a été le plus rapide lors de l’unique séance d’essais MotoGP™ de jeudi à Losail.

Marc Márquez (Repsol Honda) n’a laissé aucun doute planer sur le fait qu’il serait l’homme à battre cette année en MotoGP™ en réalisant le meilleur temps de la première séance d’essais du Grand Prix Commercial Bank du Qatar. 

Son coéquipier Dani Pedrosa n’était cependant qu’à 0.076s à l’issue de la première séance d’essais tandis que Aleix Espargaró (Ecstar Suzuki), Jorge Lorenzo (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) et Cal Crutchlow (CWM LCR Honda) complétaient le Top 5. 

Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati), qui avait été le plus rapide à Losail lors du dernier test de la pré-saison, commence le week-end en septième position, à 0.699s de Márquez.

Les deuxième et troisième séances d’essais MotoGP™ auront lieu vendredi à 18h et 20h55, heure locale.

Cliquez ici pour accéder aux résultats.

Marc Marquez ended Free Practice 1 on top of the timesheets as riders took to the track for the first time in the 2015 MotoGP™ season.

Marquez finished with a 1’55.281, only seven-hundredths faster than his Repsol Honda teammate Dani Pedrosa (+0.076s). Aleix Espargaro (+0.404s) managed to end the session in third place, as he took advantage of the softer tyre option which is available to Team Suzuki Ecstar, as part of the concessions given to Factory teams without a race win since 2013.

Cal Crutchlow (+0.537s) was the top satellite rider in 5th place on the CMW LCR Honda, with Pramac Racing’s Danilo Petrucci just a further one-tenth of a second back in 6th, with the Italian also using the softer tyre option on his Ducati GP14.1. Petrucci, who had to run back to the pits for his second bike after experiencing issues with his first, managed to finish the session ahead of the factory Ducati's of Dovizioso (+0.699s) in 8th, and Iannone (+1.034s) in 10th on the GP15 bike. The fastest Open class rider was Stefan Bradl (+1.296s) in 14th on the Athina Forward Racing machine.

The MotoGP™ action continues on Friday at 18:00 local time for FP2.

Click here for the full results from FP1.

Everyday Carry Knives for the Distinguished Gentleman

By AMOS KWON 

Aside from the absolute essentials, like keys, phone and wallet, there’s one other indispensable item that adds daily convenience to your life: a good folding knife. It opens packages, cuts rope or cord, carves food when needed and, heaven forbid, can help defend against an assailant. An EDC knife should be slim enough to carry without being cumbersome, but still be accessible and functional. We’ve selected eight great knives that will work well without working big — ones that you’ll carry with comfort and still remain prepared for just about anything.

MORE SHARP THINGS: Opinel Bon Apetit Table Knives | How to Sharpen a Knife | 5 Great Axes

CRKT Argus

Best Quick-Draw Knife: Designed by renowned knifesmith Matthew Lerch, the Argus takes ECD knife carry to the next level (it’s a patented design). The Argus is a sculpted beauty with a curvaceous cold-forged aluminum handle, but it’s the Fire Safe mechanism that makes this beauty handy. Fire Safe prevents the blade from accidentally deploying in your pocket, and it is paired with CRKT’s famous Outburst spring-loaded one-handed opening feature, so the knife is as quick on the draw as Wyatt Earp. The short, curved pocket clip is easy to use and low-key, and the convenient liner lock lets you easily close it with one hand — in case you’re out toimpress someone.

CRKT Argus Specs
Blade Length: 3.55 inches
Blade Material: AUS 8
Blade Type: plain edge, drop point, flat grind
Handle Material: cold-forged aluminum
Weight: 4.2 ounces

BUY NOW: $130

A.G. Russell Medium Barlow Lockback

Best Heritage Knife: The Barlow style goes back to 1600s England, and it was used by the likes of our first president, George Washington. Its one- or two-blade setup is no nonsense, and the metal bolster and curved teardrop handle make for good balance and comfort. A.G. Russell has updated the Barlow with a modern Zulu spear point for strength and piercing capability, along with an elongated finger-pull slot for easy blade deployment. It also comes with a lock back, instead of the traditional non-locking Barlow slip joint, giving this knife added security. There’s no clip necessary, since the Medium Barlow fits conveniently in your pocket.

A.G. Russell Medium Barlow Specs
Blade Length: 2-7/8 inches
Blade Material: 8Cr13MoV high-carbon stainless steel
Blade Type: plain edge, Zulu spear point, flat grind
Handle Material: Cocobolo wood, Delrin, Rucarta
Weight: 2.9 ounces

BUY NOW: $35-$45

Benchmade Mel Pardue 531BK Slim Knife

Best Tactical Knife: If you’re an under-the-radar, always-be-prepared kind of guy, this is your blade. The 531BK takes everything about the beloved slim 530 and makes it better. Not only does it possess a sharp and stealthy black tactical blade, it also provides a high-quality, grippy G10 handle (that beats the old grivory in the 530). The 531 also adds a stunning herringbone relief that looks as good as it grips. The incredibly slim coffin-style handle stays low-key in your pocket, and the patented Axis lock system lets you deploy and fold one-handed. The ambidextrous thumb studs let you use either hand, and the centrally located pocket clip means you can also switch sides without remounting the clip. And, best of all, it’s a blade that looks like it came straight from a special ops group’s chest of goods.

Benchmade Mel Pardue 531BK Specs
Blade Length: 3.25″
Blade Material: 154CM stainless steel
Blade Type: plain edge, modified drop point, flat grind
Handle Material: G10
Weight: 2.1 ounces

BUY NOW: $145

Opinel No. 8 Vinland Damascus

Best Artful Knife: The toughest part about this limited-edition Opinel No. 8 is knowing whether to use it or stare at it. The thing is bloody gorgeous, with its textured Damascus finished blade and a dark ebony wood handle. Powder technology on the stainless steel blade makes everything pop in stunning concentric waves, and no knife has the same blade pattern. And Opinel’s unique collar lock rotates with a twist of the fingers for easy folding. This knife is limited to 500 units, so you’d best get your hands on this very collectible EDC. Don’t let your buddy borrow it to peel potatoes.

Opinel No. 8 Vinland Damascus Specs
Blade Length: 3.25 inches
Blade Material: Damascus steel
Blade Type: plain edge, clip point, flat grind
Handle Material: ebony wood
Weight: 1.9 ounces

BUY NOW: $300

SOG Slimjim

Best Low-Profile Knife: Careful with this sharpie. It’s thin, light and qualifies as the slimmest assisted-open knife made today. It’s made from a single piece of stainless steel, the assisted open is light and fast, and the strategically placed grips and cutouts make for easy cutting. It also has a secure open and close mechanism with thanks to its patented blade retention lock. Drop it inside a suit pocket or along the pocket seam of your dress slacks, and no one will be the wiser.

SOG Slimjim Specs
Blade Length: 3.18 inches
Blade Material: AUS-8
Blade Type: plain edge, clip point, hollow grind
Handle Material: 420 stainless steel
Weight: 2.4 ounces

BUY NOW: $65

Boker Urban Trapper

Best Featherweight Knife: Though the Slimjim might be the thinnest, Boker’s Urban Trapper wins the weight game. At only 1.7 ounces, the Trapper’s barely-there bantamweight provides its carrier with unburdened carry capability. The titanium handle has large cutout holes to lighten the load, and the slender 3.5-inch VG-10 blade retains a super-sharp edge. The framelock is subtle and functional, as is the blade flipper that deploys with a touch of effort from your index finger.

Boker Urban Trapper Specs
Blade Length: 3.5 inches
Blade Material: VG-10 stainless steel
Blade Type: plain edge, clip point, hollow grind
Handle Material: titanium
Weight: 1.7 ounces

BUY NOW: $67

Buck Spitfire

Best-Value Knife: The American-made Spitfire is specifically designed for the demands of EDC, with an ultra-easy one-handed blade hole opening and a convenient clip that can mount on either side of the handle. Buck chose strong and lightweight aluminum for the handle, and the blade uses standard Buck 420HC steel that’s corrosion-resistant and holds a sharp edge as well. The Spitfire mounts best on waistbands or on front pockets of thicker pants or jeans. And just so you know they have style in mind, Buck lets you choose from three different colors: gray, green and orange. They’ve intentionally kept anything resembling red off the blade, thankfully.

Buck Spitfire Specs
Blade Length: 3.25 inches
Blade Material: 420HC stainless steel
Blade Type: plain edge or partially serrated, drop point, hollow grind
Handle Material: anodized aluminum
Weight: 3.2 ounces

BUY NOW: $50

Fallkniven FH9 Black Hawk

Best Edge-Keeping Knife: Fallkniven doesn’t mess around when it comes to their blades, and the FH9 Black Hawk folder follows that ethos. It’s a Barlow-style knife that uses Fallkniven’s own uniquely developed laminated cobalt steel for a razor-sharp edge and long edge retention. Combined with handsome black linen micarta and a curved, contrasting bolster, the FH9 also fits the gentleman’s aesthetic, sporting an old-world design and new-world materials. Never has cutting the crust off your sandwiches in the company lunchroom looked more distinguished.

Fallkniven FH9 Black Hawk Specs
Blade Length: 2.5 inches
Blade Material: laminated cobalt steel
Blade Type: plain edge, drop point, flat grind
Handle Material: Micarta
Weight: 2.9 ounces

BUY NOW: $166

via GEARPATROL

Easy Rider

The photographer and motocross fanatic takes his family to the races

“My dad was – and still is – racing pre-war British motorcycles as a hobby, and we spent some great family weekends supporting him from the side of the tracks,” says photographer and filmmaker Dimitri Coste of how he caught the motor racing bug. 

“My goal is to get closer to what amateur racing was back in the day”

Continuing the family tradition, Coste’s friend Thibaut Grevet, a fellow skateboarding enthusiast who helms counterculture magazine The Diggest, captured the Paris-born petrol head doing what he loves best in today’s film, which features a narration by his six-year-old daughter Paz and 10-year-old son Zephyr.

When he’s not traveling the world shooting often high-octane campaigns for brands including March LA.B, Vans and Renault, Coste spends as much time on the track as possible. “I mostly race outside of France,” he says. “The spirit is different and less judgmental – all round good vibes. People are truly passionate and honest about it.”

How did you become interested in American culture? Dimitri Coste: I like the way Americans modified and raced British bikes in the 50s and 60s; they seem to always find a way to make things look cool, attractive and sexy, and their ability to enjoy simply and put on great shows and events always impresses me.  

What's your ultimate motorcycle-related ambition? DC: I’m working on it and its called O.S.F.A. (@osfa67): one motorcycle that can do it all. Since 2010 I have raced a 1967 Triumph in all kinds of races, allowing myself to change only the tires and handlebar depending if it’s off-road or asphalt. My goal is to get closer to what amateur racing was back in the day: to experience, travel and meet great people. It’s not a trophy quest at all – it’s all about doing it... and looking good too!

And career highlight so far? DC: Racing is a passion and a hobby, and even if I’m quite active I’m not making it a career. However, highlights would be winning the Catalina Grand-Prix in 2010, finishing the Pikes Peak International Hill-Climb alive in 2011, racing and winning the Hell On Wheels Moto-X in Japan in 2014, racing choppers at Dirt Quake, and winning Return to Del Mar Short Track a couple of weeks ago. Every time I get to race or ride on a motorcycle it’s always a blast and a huge source of pure pleasure – and a way to truly feel alive.

Matchless G50 classic racer could be an ideal Goodwood contender

Looking to go classic motorcycle racing in 2015? Built by a well-known marque specialist, this 1960-specification Matchless G50 could be your winning ticket to ride…

Lighter than a Manx

The 500cc Matchless G50 was developed in 1958 by Associated Motorcycles (AMC) at the former Matchless works in London from the highly successful 350cc AJS 7R. Approximately 180 factory G50s were made up to 1963. A race-winning package in the late Fifties, the G50 was lighter than its main competitor the Manx Norton, and as result was often more competitive on tighter, short circuits.

Featuring the frame number ‘GBLW’ (George Beale Light Weight), this example features a CSR engine, the type originally fitted to the street-legal G50 CSR. The CSR was produced by Matchless for homologation purposes so that it could race in the AMA series in the USA. According to the seller, the machine is in good condition, requiring only light recommissioning after a period of long inactivity. The bike might make an ideal contender for Goodwood's Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy race.

You can find several Matchless motorcycles in the Classic Driver Market.

Bardot’s iconic Riva will cross the block at Lake Como

The 1959 Riva Super Florida owned by movie starlet Brigitte Bardot is one of two Riva speedboats due to be auctioned at the upcoming RM Sotheby’s sale at the Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza, Lake Como, Italy.

A gift from her former husband

Named by the famous French actress as ‘Nounours’, hull no. 341 was purchased from the Italian boat maker at the Monaco Boat Service branch in 1959 on behalf of Bardot’s former husband, film director Roger Vadim. It was later presented as a gift to Bardot, who regularly moored it at her St Tropez villa, ‘La Madrague’. Presented with an pre-auction estimate of €80,000 - €120,000, the fully restored vessel is featured in countless books and magazines covering Bardot’s career and presents a fantastic opportunity to own an iconic piece of 1960s Cote d’Azur ‘jet-set’ history. Built by Riva Carlo at his Lake Iseo yard, Rivas are renowned for their beautifully hand-crafted wooden decks and hulls, range of powerful engines and exquisitely trimmed interiors.

Not one, but two Rivas

A second Riva, hull no. 652 ‘Shaheen’, a Riva Aquarama Special previously owned by Sheikh Hamad-al-Thani, Emir of Qatar is also being offered at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on Lake Como, Italy, 23 May. A sought-after series II Aquarama Special powered by two V8 Riva 350 engines, ‘Shaheen’ is named after a species of hunting falcon found in the Middle East. The vessel was always kept in Switzerland, however, and benefits from its original Swiss registration documents. The present owner has spared no expense in maintaining the boat, which was extensively restored by RAM Sarnico between 2003 and 2005. Estimate: €350,000 - €500,000.

Augustin Sabatié-Garat, specialist at RM Sotheby’s, said: “In recent years we have had the privilege of presenting numerous interesting and valuable classic boats at auction, and the two Rivas on offer at Villa Erba are two very fine examples indeed. Both herald from the Italian lakes, so it is wonderful and highly appropriate to bring them back to Lake Como to be sold.”

Photos: RM Auctions

The Classic Driver Market also contains a wide range of luxury speedboats.

What not to miss at the 73rd Members’ Meeting

With so much going on, wandering aimlessly around the 73rd Members’ Meeting means you’ll miss out on some of its most extraordinary, ‘only at Goodwood’ moments. Here are the 10 spectacles you really should make time to see…

Sibling shoot-out

Handicap races at Goodwood date back to the Golden Era – Stirling Moss chasing two-wheel World Champion Geoff Duke being a memorable example. However, this year’s Meeting will see a single-marque showdown between a Mercedes-AMG F1 car (happily, a V8 example), the new Mercedes-AMG GT road car, and the legendary ‘Rote Sau’ 300 SEL, the latter driven by Jochen Mass. The staggered starts have no doubt been finely tuned, so it's just as well that IWC is in charge of timings.

High-speed demos

One of the highlights at last year’s 72nd Members’ Meeting was the high-speed demonstration laps performed by Group C monsters, which were bracketed by a pair of Ferrari F40 safety cars. This year, not only do grids of McLaren F1 GTRs and ‘high-airbox’ F1 machines join the endurance legends in the parade lap roster – but there will also be a notable absence of pace cars. Considering the competitive nature of the drivers in action, this could get very interesting…

Pre-1967 Porsche showdown

Interest in early Porsche 911s seems to snowball year on year, and 73MM will see them given their own race in the form of the John Aldington Trophy. The grid is formed of pre-1967 cars, so there will be a refreshing absence of ducktails and Martini liveries. Only the purest, 2.0-litre SWB cars have been invited, so the level playing field will promote fierce competition between the drivers – one of which is Porsche legend Richard Attwood.

Grid walks

Members’ Meetings provide a better opportunity to get up-close-and-personal with your heroes (whether man or machine) than the Festival of Speed or Revival and, for the first time, spectators will be allowed to wander round the grid, getting closer than ever before. The grid walks will take place on three occasions across the weekend.

When darkness falls...

Last year’s dusk race was the Sir Stirling Moss Trophy: an hour-long race that began as the light was starting to dwindle, and also incorporated a driver change for added drama. The drama was certainly there, with first place decided by a car length. This year’s equivalent is the Graham Hill Trophy, in which Aston Martin DB4 GTs, lightweight E-types and Shelby Daytona Coupés will fight into darkness.

1981 Spa front row

The front row of the Gerry Marshall Trophy will replicate that of the 1981 Spa race, with a thunderous, Bastos-livered Chevrolet Camaro Z28 lining up alongside an ex-TWR Mazda RX-7, the eventual winner. Another vibrant sight will be the Ford Escort Mk2 RS2000 – the first Jaegermeister car ever to compete at Goodwood – along with a BMW 530i with UFO Jeans livery, and a Rover 3500 SDi in Sanyo colours.

Bonhams auction

Bonhams’ inaugural Members’ Meeting auction begins at 2pm on the Saturday, and includes cars of road, race and rally orientation. A particular favourite of ours is the ‘Bumble’ MG Magnette that competed at last year’s Revival – we’ve highlighted some other interesting lots in our auction preview.

Dealers become drivers

It’s not only famous racing pilots and well-heeled gentleman drivers battling it out for on-track kudos – many dealers are in action, too. Gregor Fisken is a returning entrant, as are William I’Anson, Desmond J. Smail, Martin Brewer of Runnymede Motor Co., and the Cottingham brothers of DK Engineering. JD Classics will also field three cars, and Bonhams’ Motor Car Specialist David Swig will drive in two different races.

Brum and games

The Members’ Meeting has an underlying theme of rivalry between the four Houses, and those GRRC Members who aren’t driving for their team will have the opportunity to score points in a variety of games. As well as traditional ‘School Sports Day’ activities such as egg-and-spoon races and Tug of War, you can also try duck-herding or a leisurely game of boules on the March Lawn.

Test your pitstop proficiency

We’ve all been guilty of sniggering at a pit-stop mishap. Now, karma has indeed come full circle, and is waiting for you to take up the challenge of showing your own timed tyre-changing skills (or lack thereof) on an F1 car. And you never know, an ex-F1 driver might be one of the baying bystanders...

Party time

For many, the Saturday night party is reason alone to make the trip to Goodwood. As well as spectacles such as fireworks, fairground rides and a cross-dressing nun who rides around on ‘her’ own mobile piano, you’ll also be rubbing shoulders with Lord March and most of the weekend’s drivers.

Photos: Goodwood / Rémi Dargegen / Tim Brown /Amy Shore / Classic Driver

BMW K1600 GTL CUSTOM PROJECT

At the Osaka Motorcycle Show, BMW Japan has just thrown the wraps off two extreme customs based on the K1600 GTL. That’s the range-topping luxury tourer, a road-going spaceship powered by a 1649cc inline six—and probably packed with more electronics than any other motorcycle on the market today.

Just two builders were chosen for these transformations, and both are legends in the Japanese custom world: Keiji Kawakita of Hot Dock Custom Cycles, and Kenji Nagai of Ken’s Factory.

The results are very different to the four machines we revealed a few months ago for theR nineT Project. They’re not ‘new wave’ or café-style customs: this is free-form building from two of the most radical and skilled craftsmen in the East.

Let’s take a closer look.

HOT DOCK ‘JUGGERNAUT’ The K1600 GTL is an imposing machine in its own right. Weighing 767 lbs (348 kg) fully fueled and almost 2.5 meters long, it’s a bike for experienced riders.

Kawakita-san has amped up the visual bulk, with completely new aluminum bodywork from nose to tail. Powertrain mods are restricted to a new airbox and custom-fabricated muffler: the engine already provides a wall of torque, and enough power to propel the K1600 to 200kph.

The exoskeleton effect gives a militaristic, almost steampunk vibe—helped by aluminum pipes following the contours of the new body panels and matt grey paint.

The engine cases have been refinished with an aging effect, which is carried through to the switchgear mounted onto custom bars.

Brass gauges on either side of the tank carry the name Herschel—a nod to the German-born astronomer who discovered Uranus in 1781 and joined the court of King George III.

We imagine it’s the kind of machine that would star in the upcoming movie Mad Max: Fury Road.

KEN’S FACTORY SPECIAL Kenji Nagai has opted for drastic surgery on his K1600 GTL, creating a low-slung dragbike stripped to the essentials.

The entire rear end of the frame is gone, and the front has been stretched and raked. There’s a custom-made billet girder fork up front, plus a one-off 23-inch aluminum alloy wheel hooked up to a custom 11.5-inch rotor.

Out back is a solid disc 20-inch wheel, suspended with a stretched swingarm and spectacularly illuminated by a LED brake light. It’s shod with 220-section Avon Cobra rubber.

The bodywork is the bare minimum: raw, curvaceous aluminum forms that throw the emphasis onto the massive frame spars and the equally hefty engine. Even the seat is aluminum—but this is not a bike for long distance touring.

It’s one of the most inspired styling exercises we’ve seen for years.

BMW Motorrad Japan | Facebook | Hot Dock Custom Cycles | Ken’s Factory | Builder Interviews

via BIKEexif

Climb astride this 1979 BMW K100 café racer, a true black beauty

Looking like it just left the set of a Mad Max movie, this sinister all-black BMW K100 custom is a one-of-a-kind stripped-back café racer.

Powered by a longitudinally mounted, 1,000cc four-cylinder engine, producing around 90bhp in standard form, this shaft-driven K100 is an unusual choice for such a renegade-inspired ride.

Stripped back for maximum thrills

The removal of all fairings and the standard headlight creates a daring look that could cause quite a reaction from other motorists and pedestrians. We think it’s fair to say that you won’t find many other BMWs like this. The BMW’s ageing electrical system is also cleverly replaced by modern electronics: minimalist speedometer, tachometer and flashing handlebar-end indicators are highly creative solutions to the fussy-looking originals. It all combines to give the bike a light and sporty elegance, albeit with rugged off-road tyres fitted.

View a wide range of BMW motorcycles in the Classic Driver Market.