SuperMoto : doublé d’Hermunen à Jerez / Hermunen wins both Jerez races

Mauno Hermunen (SHR – TM) a remporté les deux premières courses de la saison 2015 du championnat du monde FIM SuperMoto à Jerez (Espagne). Le Finlandais devance respectivement Thomas Chareyre (TM-Michelin) et Ivan Lazzarini (L30 Racing – Honda).

Auteur de la pole position, Thomas Chareyre a réalisé le holeshot lors de la première course et a mené les cinq premiers tours avant de laisser la tête à Mauno Hermunen.

Le champion du monde en titre a mis la pression pendant le reste de la course au Finlandais et, malgré ses efforts, n’a pas réussi à s’emparer de la tête. Il rallie l’arrivée en deuxième position à seulement 0.2 seconde du vainqueur.

Pavel Kejmar (Husqvarna) complète le podium mais le Tchèque a été rétrogradé de cinq places à l’arrivée suite à une moto non conforme à la réglementation en termes de bruit. Lukas Hoellbacher (Husqvarna) a donc hérité de la troisième place devant Ivan Lazzarini.

Deuxième sur la grille, Mauno Hermunen a effectué le meilleur départ et a pris immédiatement la tête de la course pour ne plus la quitter jusqu’au drapeau à damier. Il a bénéficié entre autre de la chute dès le premier tour de Thomas Chareyre qui est reparti de la 12^ème place. Le Français est parvenu à revenir à la quatrième place à l’arrivée.

Ivan Lazzarini a terminé deuxième devant Lukas Hoellbacher qui est monté pour la seconde fois de la journée sur la troisième marche du podium.

Avec 50 points, Mauno Hermumen est le premier leader du classement général. Il dispose de 10 points d’avance sur Ivan Lazzarini, Lukas Hoellbacher et Thomas Chareyre, tous les trois ex-aequo.

Finland’s Mauno Hermunen (SHR-TM) won the first races of the 2015 FIM SuperMoto World Championship at Jerez, Spain. Thomas Chareyre (TM-Michelin) and Ivan Lazzarini (L30 Racing-Honda) scooped the two second places.

Pole-winner Thomas Chareyre got away to the best start in Race 1 and led for the first five laps before being passed by Hermunen.

The world champion then managed to keep the Finn under pressure all the way to the flag but Hermunen managed to hold him off and win by two-tenths of a second.

Pavel Kejmar (Husqvarna) was third over the line but was demoted five places when his bike was judged to be too noisy. Lukas Hoellbacher (Husqvarna) consequently inherited third spot, ahead of Lazzarini.

In Race 2; Hermunen emerged in the lead from second on the grid and stayed there to collect a flag-to-flag victory. He was helped when Chareyre fell on Lap 1 and re-joined in 12^th place. The Frenchman succeeded in fighting his way back up to fourth at the finish.

Lazzarini was second this time, ahead Hoellbacher who claimed his second podium finish of the day.

Hermunen (50 points) is the championship’s first leader, 10 points clear of Lazzarini, Hoellbacher and Chareyre who are equal second.

Résultats :

Course 1 : 1.Hermunen Mauno (FIN-TM) 20:09.796; 2. Chareyre Thomas (FRA-TM) 20:10.061; 3. Hoellbacher Lukas (AUT-Husqvarna) 20:24.150; 4. Lazzarini Ivan (ITA-Honda) 20:34.080; 5. Monticelli Teo (ITA-Honda) 20:35.086; 6. Ravaglia Christian (ITA-Honda) 20:39.936; 7. Kingelin Asseri (FIN-Honda) 20:40.836; 8. Kejmar Pavel (CZE-Husqvarna) 20:40.837; 9. Vermeulen Devon (NED-KTM) 20:43.054; 10. Sammartin Elia (ITA-TM) 20:55.356.

Course 2 : 1. Hermunen Mauno (FIN-TM) 20:28.372; 2. Lazzarini Ivan (ITA-Honda) 20:32.591; 3. Hoellbacher Lukas (AUT-Husqvarna) 20:33.916; 4. Chareyre Thomas (FRA-TM) 20:37.934; 5. Kejmar Pavel (CZE-Husqvarna) 20:43.784; 6. Ravaglia Christian (ITA-Honda) 20:46.852; 7. Kingelin Asseri (FIN-Honda) 20:47.461; 8. Vermeulen Devon (NED-KTM) 20:48.717; 9. Monticelli Teo (ITA-Honda) 20:52.486; 10. Cucharrera Francesc (ESP-Husqvarna) 21:06.251.

Classement général : 1. Hermunen Mauno (FIN-TM) 50 points; 2. Lazzarini Ivan (ITA-Honda) 40 p.; 3. Chareyre Thomas (FRA-TM) 40 p.; 4. Hoellbacher Lukas (AUT-Husqvarna) 40 p.; 5. Ravaglia Christian (ITA-Honda) 30 p,…

Prochaine épreuve : Grand Prix d’Italie, 26 avril

Un trio de Monte-Carlo / Three Monte Carlo experiences for Giraudet

Denis Giraudet, le copilote le plus expérimenté en WRC, est le seul à avoir participé à trois Monte-Carlo différents cette année : l’épreuve moderne, le rallye historique et celui des énergies nouvelles il y a quelques jours.

Denis Giraudet a disputé 178 rallyes WRC dont 17 Rallye Monte-Carlo. En 1981, c’est là qu’il avait débuté en WRC au côté de Paul Gardère sur une Talbot Sunbeam Gr. 2. Denis n’a jamais remporté cette épreuve mythique et n’est monté qu’une seule fois sur le podium devant le Palais de Monaco, en 1999 (3^e avec Auriol sur Toyota).

Cette année, Denis Giraudet a disputé les trois épreuves routières organisées par l’Automobile Club de Monaco. « Une chance pour celui qui aime le Monte-Carlo et ses routes, l’automobiles et la compétition. J’ai parcouru trois fois le Col du Turini dans trois voitures différentes », nous a confié Denis.

Du 19 au 25 janvier, il était copilote de Romain Dumas dans la Porsche 997 GT3 RS n°23 pour la 83^e édition du Rallye Monte-Carlo. Les deux compères ont terminé à la 26^e place, 2^e de la catégorie R-GT. « La première spéciale était vraiment très difficile, c’est là qu’on perd tout sur François Delecour ».

Une semaine plus tard, Denis était à Reims, au départ de l’étape de concentration du rallye historique, au côté de Jean-Luc George sur une Ford Escort RS 2000 de 1975. A l’issue de l’étape commune, ils figuraient en 36^e position. Malheureusement, la boîte de vitesses a lâché dans l’étape finale. « Nous avons eu beaucoup de soucis techniques. En fait, c’est comme au Dakar, il faut être régulier et avoir une auto fiable. Là aussi, les conditions étaient extrêmes. Dans le Col de Menée on se serait cru en Suède tant les murs de neige étaient hauts. »

Mais Denis a pris sa revanche il y a quelques jours en participant au 16^e Rallye Monte-Carlo des Energies Nouvelles au côté de Guido Maria Pedone sur une Honda CR-Z Hybrid. Le couple franco-italien a pris une superbe 5^e place finale dans ce rallye de régularité. « Je m’en veux parce que j’ai fait une connerie au départ de l’ES2 en appuyant sur au mauvais bouton. On a fait toute la spéciale, le Col de Bleine, au chronomètre. Un podium final était possible. »

« Ces trois Monte-Carlo ont chacun leur charme et j’ai trouvé ça très intéressant de vivre différemment ces trois épreuves, mais toujours avec l’envie de gagner. Ces trois rallyes sont complémentaires et permettent au plus grand nombre de vivre leur passion du Monte-Carlo. »

Denis retrouvera Didier Auriol au prochain Rally El Corte Ingles (Canaries) sur une Citroën C4 WRC, avant de disputer le Tour de France Auto fin avril. On le reverra sans doute avec Romain Dumas au Rallye d’Ypres, au Rallye d’Allemagne et au Rallye de France sur une Porsche.

Denis Giraudet, the WRC’s most experienced co-driver, has taken part in three Monte Carlo Rallies this year: the world championship event, the historic rally and the recent Alternative Energies event.

Co-driver Denis Giraudet has started 178 world class rallies, including the Rallye Monte-Carlo 17 times. He made his debut on the wintry event – and in the WRC – in 1981 in a Group 2 Talbot Sunbeam Lotus, but he has never won it outright. His best result to date is third, in 1999, with Didier Auriol in a Toyota.

This season, the Frenchman has contested three Automobile Club de Monaco-organised rallies already. “Not bad for someone who loves the Monte Carlo, cars and competing,” he smiles. “This year, I’ve been over Col du Turini in three different cars.”

On the WRC round, he navigated Romain Dumas (Porsche 997 GT3 RS) to second in class (R-GT) and 26^th overall. “We lost all chance of beating François Delecour on the very first stage.”

The following week, Denis lined up for the start of the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique alongside Jean-Luc George in a 1975 Ford Escort RS 2000. They were 36^th overall after the Common Run before gearbox failure on the final leg. “We had quite a few problems. It’s an event where you need to be consistent in a dependable car. The conditions were very wintry and the run over the Col de Menée was lined by tall, Rally Sweden-like snow walls.”

Revenge came a few days ago when Denis finished fifth on the 16^th Rallye Monte-Carlo des Energies Nouvelles – a regularity event – as co-driver to Guido Maria Pedone in a Honda CR-Z Hybrid. “I’m still kicking myself for the mistake I made at the start of SS2. I hit the wrong button on my time-keeping equipment and that put us out of contention for a podium finish.

“Each of these events has its own special flavour and I found all three experiences very interesting, and I still always want to win.”

Denis Giraudet is due to compete with Didier Auriol again soon on the Canary Islands’ Rally El Corte Ingles, in a Citroën C4 WRC, before he takes part in late-April’s Tour de France Auto. Other booked weekends are the Ypres Rally, Rallye Deutschland and the Rallye de France with Dumas again in the Porsche 997 GT3 RS.

Graham Jarvis Onboard Helmet Cam The Tough One 2015

A few onboard laps from Graham ' G Force' Jarvis' helmet cam at The Tough One 2015 from Nantmawr Quarry.

XTR PEPO QUATTROCENTO

Second comings are a tricky business, as the son of the Big Man himself will attest. To follow a glorious, critically acclaimed stay in the public eye with an equal or superior Act 2 has been the downfall of many. Radical Ducati were a darling of the custom world, they blended razor sharp dynamics with matinee idol at the race track aesthetics, their motorcycles were lusted after the world over and yet a little over a year ago they ceased to exist. XTR Pepo is the joyfully received second coming of Radical.

If you have not yet read the recent story of the stunning XTR Pepo Suzuka then you have missed out on a feast of motorcycling nirvana and all of the details behind the closing of Radical and re-emergence of XTR Pepo, so hop over to that page for a catch up.

Welcome back.

(For those on a tight schedule the headline was that Pepo, the man with the skills, took a time out and is now back and with this new company, focusing not on exotica but on transforming modest motorcycles into their extreme superhero alter egos, to give them a second “special life“.)

We all know the cautionary tales of Sophomore Slumps, shoddy sequels and slack second albums but a man with Pepo’s skills and attention to detail was never going to come unstuck so easily. Indeed this is The Godfather Part II,Hendrix – Bold as Love, Aliens and Nirvana – Nevermind all rolled up and rolling on two wheels, this is bloody good.

The work is extensive, and very little is left of the starting point, a MASH 500 (get googling). First came the chassis, Radicals were always known as the sharpest tools in the custom tool box and XTR’s are destined to follow that lead. The original frame has been heavily modified and fitted with a completely new rear subframe. An XTR cantilever swing arm hooked up to a Betor gas monoschock takes care of the rear rim whilst Aprilia RS 125 front forks cling to the front.

A Brembo PR19 radial brake pump hauls up the front NG oversized rotor through Frentubo brake lines whilst the rear drum brake cover was modified to assist cooling. The original front and rear hubs remain, laced with stainless steel spokes to Black Excel rims. A modified Yamaha TZR 80 front mudguard hovers tightly at the front whilst at the rear the seat soars in lofty isolation.

For the rider interface Tomaselli regulable clipons were chosen, paired with Ergal, Cnc machined Ducati 1098 footrests. A Suzuki Bandit clutch lever, probably a left over from the Suzuka build, also joins the multi-manufacturer party. A TT rev counter provides clear details of the quantifiable fun you are having.

Up front a protruding aluminium oval plate screams race heritage whilst concealing a road ready, blue hued light. The intricate supporting structures were all crafted by Pepo. A Montesa brake light and LED blinkers provide the MOT tester with the rest of the flashing parts for his tick boxes.

A tiny LIPO battery gets the brand new motor spinning whilst electronic fuel injection and a DNA race air filter deal with the combustibles. The exhaust is a Supermario two into one system with a short, stunning megaphone.

Pepo’s love of Ducati heritage is clearly illustrated in his choice of tank and graphic design, the swooping receptacle originally adorned a Ducati 160 Sport and was heavily modified to accept the fuel pump and gauge. Artenruta Painting applied the splendid scalloped black and orange design. The solo seat is from the RAD 02 F3 and was freshly modified with slick upholstery, all propped up with a side stand from a GSXR.

The finished machine is exquisite, just the sort of dynamically capable custom machine that gets us going here in the ‘Shed. We are delighted that Pepo has created new company, XTR Pepo, to showcase his undoubtable building talents. It is tremendous news for the many worldwide enthusiasts of his work. He has shown exactly how to negotiate the potentially problematic second coming, with continued brilliance.

via The Bike Shed

1980s icons excel at Bonhams’ first Members’ Meeting sale

The trend of enthusiasm for 1980s icons continued at Bonhams’ inaugural Members’ Meeting sale, with both Group B-era Audis achieving strong results…

1980s revival at Goodwood

At the first of three auctions Bonhams will hold at Goodwood this year, the 1985 Audi Quattro Sport SWB Coupé sold for £287,100 – surpassing its high estimate, and creating a new World Record in the process. Meanwhile, auctioneer Jamie Knight brought the hammer down on the ex-Works Group B Quattro A1 at £253,480.

Ambitious projects and home victories

The headline lot, a 1959 Frazer Nash Le Mans Coupé ordered new by Kitty Maurice, attracted bids up to £470,000 – some way short of its low estimate of £550,000, but a sale nonetheless. Ambitious restoration projects again proved an auction favourite: a 1962 Aston Martin DB4 Series IV sold for £256,860, a 1966 DB6 Vantage made £194,140 and, perhaps most shockingly, a rust-ridden 1963 Porsche 356B Super 90 Coupé doubled its estimate, achieving £32,200. The action on the track outside must have played its part in stirring up auto-motivation, particularly where British machinery was concerned. A 1959 Jaguar XK150S Roadster more than doubled its estimate at £225,500, while Pininfarina’s elegant take on the Bentley T-Series was another to exceed expectations, fetching a touch over £250,000 against a high estimate of £200,000.

Photos: © Tim Brown for Classic Driver

BMW banks on classic colours to bring Sebring success

This weekend, a familiar white, red and blue livery will streak past spectators at the 12 Hours of Sebring. However, we’re not talking Martini colours – but rather those famously worn by the BMW 3.0 CSL that won the same race, four decades ago…

12 hours in daddy’s shoes

The new car, baptised the BMW Z4 GTLM, will inherit the scheme for its debut outing at the 12 Hours of Sebring, the race won by its ancestor in 1975. Also handed down by the wide-bodied wonder of yore is racing number 25 – and that winning car’s driver line-up of Brian Redman, Sam Posey, and Hans-Joachim Stuck were all on hand to witness the newcomer’s unveiling at the Amelia Island Concours last week, as was ‘Father of M-division’ Jochen Neerpasch. It remains to be seen whether the Z4 GTLM can become quite as iconic as its Batmobile forefather (good luck with that…), but at least the team is in with a good chance of repeating its success at Sebring on such a fitting occasion, having placed second in the GTLM season opener in January.

Photos: BMW

You can find numerous classic BMWs for sale in the Clasic Driver Market.

2014 BMW GS Safari-Enduro Australia

100 riders on a 3500km Outback Adventure from Darwin to Palm Cove, through some of Australia's most iconic landscape!



See the full-length film here: https://gumroad.com/l/GSEnduro - 

The most exciting watches from Baselworld 2015

The Apple Watch is the dominant theme at Baselworld, the world's largest watch fair these days. It's comforting, however, to see examples of true, traditional craftsmanship alongside electronic iPhone-extension wristwatches…

Breitling Galactic Unitime Sleek

Together with racing and stunt pilot Nicolas Ivanoff Hamilton, Breitling has raised the Chrono Worldtimer to a new level. At a glance, the time can be gleaned in 24 time zones, whilst the quartz movement also has a day/night indicator that is automatically based on the selected time zone.

Fortis B-47 Worldtimer

The Worldtimer Fortis is the perfect entry-level model in world time watches. Equipped with a mechanical automatic movement, this is a clock for frequent travellers. With a price just over 3,000 euros it represents very good value for money.

Hermès Slim d'Hermès Koma Kurabé

We see no reason to exclude ladies' watches from our highlights. Buzan Fukushima is a master of Aka-e painting, a Japanese craft that can be best translated as ‘red-picture painting’. Normally a designer of vases and plates, Fukushima has applied his skills to the Slim d'Hermès Koma Kurabé, designing 12 dials of different designs, all made from porcelain.

Tudor North Flag

The coolest clock from Basel is without doubt the Tudor North Flag. A chronoraph aimed at adventurers, the new watch marks a turning point for Rolex’s sister brand: for the first time, an independently developed movement beats in the heart of a brand-new casing.

Ulysse Nardin Hannibal

The combination of a minute repeater with a tourbillon is currently something of a trend. In addition to these two complicated features, ‘Hannibal’ by Ulysse Nardin is decorated with a white gold depiction of the Carthaginian generals and an elephant at the crossing of the Alps.

Highlights - 2015 WEC Prologue

Watch the highlights from the 2015 WEC Prologue at Circuit Paul Ricard.

Vespa .....